Su Ning was momentarily surprised by his offer. Even though senior brother Su Feng had instructed her to just take him outside the forest, she had done more than enough. She was about to leave when the boy invited her inside.

  She wasn't prepared for it. Not lacking self-awareness, she knew she didn't have the most friendly demeanor. She was still internally worried about senior brother so didn't feel the need to speak much making their way back in mostly awkward silence.

  Daoist Ling must have also been troubled by all the stares from the villagers so why is he inviting me?

  She was wary of it beng a trap for a moment but then she remembered his sincere apology.

  Seeing her remaining silent but not refusing, Ling Yun continued to push further, "Daoist Su must be parched after all this. I don't mean to brag but my tea is kind of famous in the village so if-"

  "Yes. I will be in your care Daoist Ling."

  Well it wasn't like she had anywhere to go. With a beautiful smile hidden from the world, she entered his room.

  ***

  Shit. When was the last time I cleaned the room?

  Ling Yun who just mentally puffing his chest for being able to invite such a beauty now cursed himself for his lack of foresight.

  His room was mostly barren, typical for a poor bachelor youth. Forget having a dinner table, he didn't even have a stool for her to sit. All he had was a mat which he uses to sleep or cultivate.

  With a nervous laugh, he hastily dusted it and laid it out infront of her. His face was red with embarassment. For her part, Su Ning silently looked around his room and then sat in an elegant guizuo.

  Ugh, for making the fairy sit in such a shabby room, I wouldn't complain if the heavens strike me with lightning.

  Strangely old man Ping, little Hua and Chensha still hadn't come back. Why is closing the shop taking them so long today?

  The thought of being alone with her brought forth another wave of delusional fantasies so he turned around and focused on preparing the tea.

  Fortunately he had the kettle and the tea leaves in his room. Suddenly inspiration struck him. After pouring the water and putting the tea leaves in the kettle, instead of a stove he used his own Pheonix flame to boil and make tea.

  Holding the kettle above his left palm he turned around hoping her to be looking a bit impressed but Su Ning barely paid any attention staring listlessly at the walls further adding to the emotional damage.

  ***

  Ling Yun once again cursed himself for the hundredth time in these ten minutes. A girl was in his room and instead of entertaining her, it was like his lips had been stitched together.

  Think Ling Yun think. What would a casanova do in this situation?

  Instead of playing everytime with Yaoyao, I should have accepted one of the female disciple's invitations.

  His lack of experience in romance was now coming back to bite him. But what could he do, Yaoyao would get mad at him if he played with other girls.

  "Brahma any advice?"

  Brahma had been oddly silent for a long time. Though she would only speak when necessary, normally she would have given her thoughts after such chaotic happenings.

  Perhaps she is a nice and thoughtful woman who didn't want to disturb my romantic endeavours.

  "Ling Yun I have a very important thing to tell you. I think I may have lost my memories."

  Okay I take my compliment back.

  "What do you mean? Have you forgotten your name? Do you want me to remind you?"

  "No it's not that simple. The sandwyrm tracked you by smell. How could I have not thought about it?"

  "Don't worry about it. Everyone makes mistakes."

  "A mistake! Even a simple monster hunter knows to take caution for the smell. How could I, a deity, forget this? Impossible!

  "Since then I have been continuously analysing all possibilities. It turns out to thar my reincarnation art was not fully successful. It means-"

  The sound of the whistle from the kettle cut off her tirade. The tea was prepared.

  "We'll talk about this later."

  ***

  Both cups of tea were steaming as Ling Yun and Su Ning sat side by side. Thinking its now or never, Ling Yun tried to start the conversation once again.

  "I wonder what's taking senior so long. The fight should've been pretty much over, right?"

  "Maybe after storing its remains he must have searching for its lair for its treasures. Pity, you already took all of it."

  Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

  Not knowing how to react, Ling Yun nervously laughed and took a sip of his tea.

  Was that a joke? Su Ning can make jokes!

  Copying him Su Ning also took a sip of tea. Ling Yun watched her from the corner of his eyes in anticipation but he got was, "Hmm. Better than I expected."

  What does that mean? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Did she expect that I could only boil water?

  Daoist Su can you please elaborate for the peace of my mind!

  ***

  Unknown to the puzzled Ling Yun, Su Ning's eyes were shining with mirth. She was having too much fun toying with Ling Yun, watching all sorts of expressions on his face.

  She was already tense from Su Feng not contacting her so it was a good way to distract herself. Surprisingly the tea was good and she was having fun.

  Sensing Ling Yun turning to face her, she quickly schooled her eyes and took another sip.

  This time she was the one who began the conversation.

  "Daoist Ling, can you tell me why do you cultivate?"

  This was the most laughable question that could be asked to any cultivator. With countless of reasons from the grand to trivial, from heroic to horrific, but the most common answer was "Why not"

  I am born with a spirit root, chosen by the heavens so why not.

  She was mostly expecting the same kind of answer but still she wanted to understand.

  She had always wanted to understand what drove her.

  Ling Yun was looking a bit perplexed trying to gather his words. "You know, I never cared about cultivation. The only reason I began on this path was to find my sister who was seperated from me."

  Such a noble reason. But what happened to his sister?

  "But after watching the fight between senior and the sandwyrm, it was like my horizons broadened. I want to push myself to see if I can reach the same level."

  Instantly her good impressions soured. She should have expected it from a young boy but still- "So particularly what were you inspired by senior brother? The strength of his sword?"

  Ling Yun was startled by her sudden cold tone. Still he remained firm, "Yes. I also want to be strong like senior. No I want to become even stronger than him, strong enough to slay the sandwyrm with just my pinky finger."

  "Just a shallow desire for strength. Such foolishness. Do you know what it takes to become strong like that? What risks and sacrifices are made?

  "And you, even if you became that strong what purpose would you even serve?"

  Ling Yun also got heated so he shot back.

  "Maybe for top sect disciples like you such feats of strength are trivial or ordinary. You all live in a larger world, surrounded by all sorts of wonders and magnificence.

  "But for us lowly frogs in a well, these are the stuff of dreams and legends. Even though I don't have a grand purpose or a noble reason, I still want to fly high and live in the vast sky.

  "This is my will and nobody has the right to tell me to stop."

  His words momentarily stunned her.

  She knew she was being rude. He was too young like her barely reaching adulthood. Expecting maturity like master who has lived past centuries was stupid.

  Any other day she would not have got heated like this but somehow their momentarily closeness led her to bare her feelings.

  But still she could not accept such an answer. Because in her heart she knew she would have given the same answer. So she refused to accept.

  At least he is honest. I should apologise for my rudeness.

  But before she could, her Sensing talisman started glowing. Thinking it was her senior brother, she activated it uncaring of the presence of another person in hearing vicinity.

  "Ning'er where are you now? Su Feng's soul tablet just shattered. Are you safe?"

  The voice of her master rang out in the room bringing the distressing news. For a moment the world around her started spinning.

  Senior brother Su Feng ... dead

  If only I hadn't helped him, he would still be alive. Is it my fault...

  "Ning'er are you listening? Clear you sword heart."

  "Um, I'll be outside." Ling Yun left to give her privacy.

  Hearing her master, she regained some clarity. She informed her master about the fight with sandwyrm. Her master calmly listened to her explanations. He didn't get angry or scold her, just told her to wait in the village. He would send someone from the sect to get her. The transmission finished leaving her alone wallowing in despair.

  Calm down. Master had once said 'death was certain for one who has been born so you should not lament the inevitable.'

  As a sword cultivator, my path is going to be filled with blood. Many have died by my sword and will continue to die by me and around me.

  So pathetic. How can I let one single incident affect me that much?

  Stand up! You are a disciple of Absolute Sword sect. Remember your resolve, firm your sword heart, Su Ning.

  She tried to forcefully push down the lump of emotions stuck in her throat when a soft melody entered her ears. Someone was playing the flute outside the house.

  The song began with a mournful cry, despairing one's helplessness, cursing one's weakness and inability to cause a change. Against the arrangements of heaven, what can a single person do except endure.

  The tune tugged at her heartstrings, resurfacing the emotions she wanted to push back. Still she endured, she could not afford to be weak.

  Then it took an optimistic tone. That you don't have to continue raging against the storms of fate, that sometimes it's okay to put down the weight carrying in your chest.

  That it's okay to cry.

  Like how a heavy rain leads to a clear blue sky, shed your tears, let go of the grief and face the tomorrow with a clear heart.

  So behind closed doors, with only the heavens as a witness, the core disciple of the Absolute Sword sect became a young maiden for a single night relieving her anguish as Su Ning finally let her tears freely flow.

  ***

  Ling Yun kept on playing his flute. He had seen the look in her eyes when she got the news of senior's death. Even though they were in a heated argument just before, he still wanted to console her but didn't know how.

  He knew little about her, much less about Su Feng. Unable to find any words, he could only cowardly leave the room.

  The more time he spent with her, the more he realised that beneath all her status and beauty, deep inside she was just a normal person like him. A normal girl with her own views and strong biases.

  He was wrong to put her on pedestal, she wasn't an immortal fairy just another normal female cultivator. And now she must be grieving all alone by herself.

  Even though their time spent together was miniscule, he knew enough about her that she would force herself to be strong, suppressing her emotions. Her serious demeanor would not allow her to be weak.

  It reminded Ling Yun of something so he took out his flute and started playing. Back when he started living alone with Yaoyao he had to pretend to be strong. Yaoyao was heavily dependent on him so he couldn't let himself break infront of her.

  But still he was just a young boy all alone and sometimes the jeers, the mocking laughters and the anxiety of their future got to him. So this was the song he had composed.

  He had spent countless nights crying and playing the flute all night when his heart couldn't take it anymore. And after the grief washed away, after his heart cleared, he could finally greet Yaoyao with a cheerful smile.

  Even if I am helpless, at least let this song reach her heart.

  Ling Yun would have continued playing when he saw a man frantically running his way. Upon coming closer, it was old man Ping. His eyes were red and swollen and his clothes dishevelled.

  Old man Ping immediately grabbed his shoulders and started shaking uncontrollably.

  "Ling Yun little Hua has been kidnapped. Some people forcefully took her. Chensha had gone after them.

  "Please, I beg you, save my daughter."

  The old saying is true, misfortune does comes in pairs.