Chapter 10: When you go back home from a travel, it is custom to bring some gifts as souvenirs

The car was now flying through the wilderness; inside, Li Yun was feeling that the arriving of this middle-aged man wasn't a bad thing after all, even though he looked to be suspicious he learned not to judge a book by it's cover. He could now do some small talk without forcing it by including him in, he turned to the man and asked:

"Fellow daoist…?"

"Jiang Xing, you can call me like that young noble...?"

"Li Yun, there is no need for the young noble, and this is Miss Sun Jia." He finally came to the main topic, it would be natural to include her in the conversation now right?

Sun Jia showed that she was well educated as she said:

"It's a pleasure to meet you."

Jiang Xing seemed to quiver for a moment but that should be a problem with his cloths, with so much fresh blood with dark element on them anyone would get a cold too.

Li Yun showed some worry as he said:

"Are you fine fellow Daoist Jiang? Do you need healing pill or something?"

"Don't worry fellow Daoist Li, this is the blood of magical beas.. cough!cough!"

He coughed several mouthful of blood but as a seasoned agent he was using a great camouflage spell that he used for ten years now, he managed to hide his cultivation mantra from many detection, hiding a mouthful of blood or two was a piece of cake, he then said calmly:

"Look like I caught a cold from the dark element, I am not used to the weather in the south." Would such a nonsense work though.

Li Yun was growing more suspicious but he held that feeling for now and took out a pill from his spacial pouch. The pill was very useful for this kind of situation, it was a Small Yang pill that could could get rid of any cold and illness, it was very effective on miasma and dark element that affected your health but it was quite costly for a normal person.

Jiang Xing was feeling very bitter inside but he could only take the pill with gratitude, the effect was immediate as his whole body gained warmth like it was set ablaze, it was just that his internal injuries were getting even worse now… Was this the new torture technique of the southern region? People here didn't seem to be so barbaric though. He then used a cleaning spell to get rid of the blood, he wasn't drenched in blood anymore.

Li Yun saw that the man regained some colour? So he turned to Sun Jia to ask a question to continue the conversation:

"Miss Sun Jia, I was wondering but what were you doing in the Sun Clan before being sent here, it seems to be about the security of the city, am I wrong?"

A person like her would be more inclined to talk when you broach the subject of work, he knew the basic of communication…

His guess was right as she answered:

"Young master Li Yun is right, I was working in the City security department, but that was only part time, I am still studying at the Great Dao Academy of Prodigies, I am just helping the clan until class begun."

Look at that, a common topic they could talk about! He then asked her:

"I will enter the Academy this year, you will be my senior at that time, I hope to get some guidance from you, can I?."

"I would not dare give you guidance, but answering some questions would be in my abilities." Sun Jia answered in modesty.

They talked a bit more about the life in the Great Dao Academy of Prodigies, Li Yun asked many thing and Sun Jia answered calmly, it was going quite smoothly until Li Yun asked a question:

"And what is your specialisation?"

"...Dual sword art, reconnaissance and information gathering…" She hesitated for a bit before saying that.

So, assassination and infiltration… Li Yun was at a loss of words, he heard Jiang Xing coughing a bit more, look like he should give him another Small Yang pill; what could you say, he was a kind hearted young man…

...…

Time passed by as they spent the last hours of the travel in silence; but the atmosphere wasn't heavy like before, Li Yun just felt that it was better to let everyone have a rest which they welcomed with open arms; the most relieved was Jiang Xing, he wouldn't be able to take another 'healing pill'. Life was hard for people like him but who asked him to be an evil cultivator…

In the end, they reached the Blue Sky city in the evening, they then went directly to the Li clan's mansion with Jiang Xing following for some reason, it's not like he was afraid of getting erased by Sun Jia if he left them, he just felt like it…

The car reached the place before the mansion, there were already several people waiting for them here; when Jiang Xing followed Li Yun out and saw them, he was so scared he wanted to get back in the car but as the saying goes, there was no medicine for regret...

Waiting here was all the Li family members with head steward Han. Li Yun didn't rush to talk to them, he just walked in a dignified manner before going to father Li saying respectfully:

"I'm back patriarch, I didn't disappoint you." He then offered the box he got from patriarch Sun.

Li Cheng showed the demeanor of a great figure as he said calmly:

"You have done well." Before putting the box in his spacial ring with a wave of his hand in a practiced manner, he then went back in the mansion with his hands behind his back; the other family members, steward Han and Sun Jia followed him inside.

So this is the rumored Tyrant Saber God Li Cheng! The other guest Jiang Xing thought with a hint of fear, he was then led by Liu Guan to a guest room to wait for his sentence…

In the mansion, Li Cheng and the other reached a large hall that was the place to discuss important matter for the Li clan and to receive their important guests, as everyone seated themselves, Li Yun took the parole saying:

"First of all, I want to say that I am happy to see you all." He then talked about business:

"The result of this travel was satisfactory. In my time in the Yellow leaf city, the Sun clan showed great hospitality when they received us and reaffirmed their support of the Li corporation for the betterment of the Blue River region." He posed for a bit before continuing:

"For that, they sent a representative for a liaison with them accompanying me here, She is one of the most important figure in the Sun Clan; this is the disciple and niece of the Patriarch of the Sun Clan miss Sun Jia." Li Yun felt that something was off after he said that but he didn't say anything weird right?

Sun Jia stood up and bowed to the family members before turning to father Li saying with respect:

"I may be inexperienced, but I hope for a better relationship between our clan as our patriarch hope too. There are some small gifts we prepared for you."

It was a pity that she didn't wear a red dress, it would suit her more…

Father Li showed a brief stunned expression, but that went away quickly, he then waved his hand to make her stand up and said:

"Welcome to the Blue Sky city miss Sun Jia. We have to thank you in place of the Sun Clan for the cooperation, I hope to have a better relationship too."

The other also said some welcoming words and thanked her on behalf of her clan for the numerous presents, there were many exotic things that couldn't be found easily, the atmosphere was very warm and welcoming.

After talking for a bit more about the future cooperation, Mother Li remarked that it was already late, she shot a glance to Li Cheng who understood her meaning, he then said:

"Look like it's already late, miss Sun Jia must be tired after the travel, I hope you accept to stay in the residence that was prepared for you."

He then told Steward Han to take her to the most distinguished guest room of the mansion and to take care of her. Sun Jia accepted the arrangement and followed steward Han after excusing herself politely.

...….

In he hall, the family members were the only one left here sitting silently, they looked to have something on their mind; the one who broke the silence was mother Li in the end:

"Li Yun, don't you think it's a bit early for you to have that kind of relationship? Mom won't criticize you, but you should concentrate on your stud… cultivation first, you are about to enter the Great Dao Academy of Prodigies soon, and your life will be very hectic when you get here."

Father Li was also supportive saying:

"Your mother is right, it's not the time for that yet; look at your brother did it bring him any good?"

Li Kun showed a hurt expression as he said weakly:

"My situation is not my fault…" Why was he always hit even if he didn't do anything...

"What are you talking about?! She is as old as Li Ya, there is no way I would…" Li Yun felt outraged as he said that, but his momentum dwindled under a menacing glare, he changed his words and said with a smaller voice:

"..cough...no way I would try to reach for a flower beyond my abilities."

"...."

There was spark of electricity in the air

Mother Li then said to ease the tension:

"I don't think it's a good idea to keep talking here, we should go to the house in the Peach garden, Xiao Ling'er is waiting for us here"

Li Yun was surprised as he asked:

"Peach garden?"

"System space sounded so weird to say every time, so I proposed this name instead, do you have a problem with that?" Li Ya responded while keeping the sharp look as she caressed Hong Xi; the discussion wasn't over, it wasn't over at all…

They then disappeared from the hall going to the system spa… the Peach garden.

...….

While the Li family went to the Peach garden, Sun Jia was led to a guest room by Head Steward Han, he then excused himself leaving her some space.

Sun Jia was feeling very confused right now, she prepared herself to many things coming here, like getting spate at by Madam Li for trying to climb on a higher tree or looked down upon by the family for trying to hold this big golden tight, at least she expected some interrogation of her objectives for coming here, that would be normal no?

But they just accepted it like that, didn't they fear that she was a spy? Or were they confident enough that the Sun Clan wouldn't dare play any trick? What she could be sure is that this clan was very unusual, they acted unlike any other she had seen in her investigation before, like the synergy of President Li and his wife, they tried to hid it but she could feel a deep connection between them not like other clan leader that married for connection...

In the other guest room, Jiang Xing was feeling the contrary, he felt that he didn't need to worry anymore for his life, no one would treat a prisoner so nicely right? He even began fantasizing himself, bragging to other people in the cult later, when he managed to get out of here saying: 'I invited myself to the Li clan's mansion under the Tyrant Saber God's nose and walked out of there swaggering without any scratches.' Such an epic tale would be remembered for ages.

Fantasy was beautiful but reality was cruel. Steward Han suddenly walked in startling him greatly and said respectfully:

"Mister Jiang Xing, young master Li Yun said that you are suffering from a severe case of cold, the Master have given the permission to let you use the special cultivation room in the Pure Yang grotto, a secret cultivation space for the Li clan that held a great concentration of Yang Qi, any cold or illness would be get rid off after an extended stay here."

Jiang Xing showed an outraged look, he wanted to scream 'You are going to far!' But he held his tongue after seeing the light sneer on the respectable steward's face, he understood immediately.

They knew about his origins! But, they wanted to keep it under warp so they could give him the so called 'treatment' as a guest.

Such an act would be condemned by the other powers in the continent if words goes out. Putting him in that 'Pure Yang grotto' would have the same effect as crippling his cultivation gradually, it was a cruel treatment that was reserved to the vilest criminal on the Wanted list at least in the top hundred; but helping a guest suffering from a cold would be a very reasonable action for them. So despicable, so treacherous! Who was the Evil cultivator?!

Any other guy may have already cracked now. But, who was he? He was a secret agent of the cult under the direct order of the Great Devil God Wang Dafei! He wouldn't capitulate from this small setback!

Torture?! Bring it on then!

He turned slowly to Head steward Han saying solemnly:

"Then, I hope you can express my garitude to the Venerable Saber God and young master Li Yun , please take care of me steward Han."

Steward Han still looked impassible outside but he was feeling quite shocked inside; look like they caught a big fish this time, his master will be overjoyed. He walked out of the room after saying that they could begin tomorrow.

He didn't see that the guest with a will of steel was looking left and right for a path of escape…