Qian Renxue (Part 2)

She was lost in thought and shock only for a second. Who was Qian Renxue? A Saintess of Spirit Hall, raised and taught to be superior, to never show weakness.

To never have one in the first place.

Even if Aiden's memory changed her, it never overruled her core personality and especially her competitiveness. Let alone, his life memory wasn't in pink colors and full of fragrant daisies either. He had his own share of hardships and losses.

She breathed out and smiled slightly.

"No, nothing wrong. I just never expected someone to take my favorite place here." - Renxue slanted her phoenix eyes, exuding a noble air, but it was subtle, coercing, not forceful, and cold. Her blond long hair got in the way. It was windy and hot today. The restaurant owner didn't bother to close the doors or windows.

She moved them to one side with a calm face.

Aiden looked at her closely but never stared directly. He judged from many other senses. One must admit – her presence was comforting. Perhaps any pure angel spirit will have it. Oh, and it was pure. He didn't want to use his vision as inside the city it can be considered offensive. Many spirit masters might become offended if subjected to such treatment. No one likes to be stared at, especially with spirit methods.

That is why he asked Third and her son to play a little performance on the street. All of that was a test. First, he wanted to see whether she will care at all. Second – if she does, he wanted her to use spirit power to heal him and from that judge the purity of her soul power.

'Next time I should prepare a spare Oculars of Clarity for myself. I never needed them before, but it turns out they can be convenient in rare cases like this too.'

"There are many seats. I don't care where to be, so if you need this one, I don't mind giving it to you." - he said and looked at her sapphire eyes. He made a pause, then pointed at the chair across the tiny round table. - "Or we can seat together."

Renxue tilted her head sideways. A waiter was already walking their direction.

"I don't mind." - she stated calmly and took a seat gracefully. One can see a regal upbringing in her, but lack of arrogance.

The waiter brought an extra tea set and started the ceremony. He was skillful.

Aiden didn't look. He wasn't knowledgeable about tea but loved wine. His attention escaped the restaurant and lingered over the street and roofs.

"What do you like here?" - he asked, not even turning to Renxue. The latter followed his gaze and saw the son and mother pair from before. He was trying to buy sweets en mass. She used all her parental patience to tell how bad for health it can be and he better eat jerky.

She was chewing one right now. It left Renxue between laughter and tears for a moment. The pair was funny.

The boy waved at the window. Renxue thought it was for her and smiled, Aiden wanted to pretend he never saw.

The mischievous boy greeted his Big Bro.

She then turned to Aiden and clicked the teacup with a nail of her slender finger. A clear sound from prime quality jade cup lingered over their table for a while.

"And you?" - she asked.

"Lucky chances. The one that let you meet a person you need to meet." - he said, still looking to the street. Two roofs in particular piqued his interest. Renxue glanced there and subtly shook her head.

The interest disappeared.

"Luck is a part of our strength. Most of the time we create it ourselves." - Renxue took a sip and smiled lightly.

Aiden looked at her for the first time after she sat down.

"True." - he said and gulped down the whole cup in one go. - "I'm a wine lover. Tea... is not exactly my cup of tea."

"Your lucky chance just became even less lucky and more planned." - she reciprocated, feeling very comfortable all of a sudden.

"My lucky chance wasn't about the place, but whether the person is the one I want to see or not." - said Aiden. The waiter was dismissed long ago. He poured a cup for himself and Renxue like he will do with wine. Fast and unrestrained.

The girl laughed in her palm. His lack of ceremonial knowledge was spiritual etiquette in itself. She received his cup with a smile.

"Seems like you lucky chance played off well." - she said.

"I'm still here." - Aiden stated bluntly. Renxue liked his reply.

"But you didn't know that I was eager for a similar lucky chance for myself." - she said and placed her head on her palms gracefully, leaning over.

Aiden didn't move closer. Neither he retreated.

"A person with your intelligence, Qian Renxue, should have had expectations like that."

"And I had, Aiden Snow."

They stared at each other for some time and smiled simultaneously.

"Do you mind coming to my place? I have a unique garden you might find nostalgic." - she said with no ill intent. She wanted to explain. To show him. Yet she feared to show it. He might trust her, but also kill her. Yet she had that inexplicable belief that he won't do the latter.

"One day I might agree with your invitation. But it is not today." - he said calmly. A good vibe about her is one thing. Have enough trust to step into the residence of the current viceroy of Spirit Hall in Heaven Dou Empire is another.

He can't afford the risk and be so careless.

If not for himself, then for all the people that now depend on him and for Dragon Fang. Child play over. It is time to grow up and act with due caution and preparation.

"Then my invitation will be there until you find it suitable."

Aiden nodded and again became interested in the roof across the street. Renxue found it funny yet amazing at the same time.

"Come here. Did you bring it?" - she said lightly to no one in particular. A figure seemed to separate itself from the bright ceramic tiles. It shifted and appeared on the chair by the table. One of the two outside the restaurant.

The old man coughed. He disliked dust and hot weather. Currently, the city was plagued by both.

"Yes, is that all?"

"It is. You can go. Your presence seems to irritate my friend."

"With all due respect, His Majesty ordered me to protect you, Spirit Hall Viceroy. We can't afford anything happening to you." - he glanced at Aiden, who was sipping tea while ignoring him.

"It is always good to have such a prominent spirit saint like you by my side." - she said with a tinge of sarcasm. Inwardly, her thoughts were different.

'I know for sure that if Aiden wanted, he could have killed you with his own hands, low-level Spirit Saint. Let alone me.'

"Leave the package and you can go." - she said dismissively. The old man can get quite annoying, considering that they both knew why he is following her. Protection? Yeah, right. But if this can make His Majesty comfortable, Renxue didn't mind.

She can hide what she wants to hide and show what needed to be shown.

Aiden looked at the papers and later at the girl in front of him. His gaze grew sharp.

Renxue ignored the subtle change stoically.

"I investigated her death. Wait... please let me finish. I don't know who ordered it or did it, but at least that is all I managed to find through the years. I can assure you one thing. Maybe it will help you. Neither I nor Supreme Pontiff had a hand in that."

"You were the one who ordered attack near Suotuo city."

"Yes and no, Aiden. I actually never wanted them to kill people indiscriminately! Another party did it. Another Spirit Hall."

"Dark Spirit Hall." - said Aiden and Renxue found that name very suitable. She nodded, accepting it.

"It all got out of hand back then. My people arrived late, they blocked us on the road. By the time I was there, I only saw a crystallized landscape. That is all."

'Crystallized landscape? Ah, the Purple Crystal Tomb! I still remember the blunder I made back then under the effect of unstable emotions. It was the first and so far the last time I let Nexus took control over the Divine Forge Tools directly, bypassing my thoughts. He created the tomb for the people I was with, but drained me completely and even severely overtaxed my martial spirits and mind. If not for dragon taking action directly, I might have been in trouble. Speaking of it, the crystal tomb felt like a part of me back then. Should I take a look at it again one of these days?' - Aiden thought deeply. He already knew more or less everything about the attack on that day. It conforms to Renxue's claim.

All in all, in front of him she is innocent. There are no grudges either favors in their relationship so far. At least he didn't find any proof of her involvement with demons and Na'er death.

Her uncorrupted self also speaks volumes.

"I know." - blandly stated Aiden and then arched his brow at the papers. - "I owe you for this."

Renxue hid bitterness.

"Then I will hold you accountable one day." - she stood up and walked away without saying goodbye.

= I say, master, you don't understand women's heart. You need to study. Properly study. Better with some related physical activities. I even prepared a special dual-cultivation technique for today, specifically for that girl and her constitution, but you! Aiya! What a disappointment of a master!

'One of these days I will order you to delete all memories of dual cultivation from your tiny brain.'

=Master is humble about his intellectual abilities.

Aiden became speechless and didn't know what to answer.

Nexus grew up to be naughty.