Chương 403: A Glimpse (III)

She hated it. Every bit of it. Her father's wealth, her cursed birth, this damned city, all the servants fawning over her, the fact that all other girls her age hated her just because of her circumstances and nothing else... And now, her father was pawning her off onto a complete stranger, telling her to go to the secret realm and compete. As though she didn't know the man had taken in several concubines just recently, two of whom had gotten pregnant--already. She hated it. Every bit of it.

She stood up from the bath, water splashing as she used Qi to dry off her long jet-black hair and her body, stepping out and putting on the simple, black robes. An ornate, copper mirror, the size of three grown people, hung off the wall and was a constant reminder of her appearance. The beauty of it, her mother used to say, was that you could see yourself in it from any other point in the room so that you would always see if you were pretty.

She was obsessed with looks almost as much as her father was obsessed with wealth and prestige. To both, she was merely a token they would showcase whenever they saw fit. Otherwise, she was raised by maids and servants and a revolving door of nannies and wet nurses. Sighing, she quickly fixed her long hair into a manageable ponytail, briefly wondering whether the man she was being sold off to would pay her any heed once they'd left the city. She hated it. Every bit of it.

"Miss, Master is--""--get out." she interrupted the new girl rather harshly, kicking her out as swiftly as she came in. The young girl winced and got teary before scurrying away and closing the doors behind her. Though she had the reputation for being vile and unfriendly, the truth was far simpler: any time she'd gotten 'too' close, per her father's estimates, to somebody, they'd mysteriously vanish...

and a few days later, a mangled, unknown body would show up somewhere in the city that fit the physical description of her 'friend' just a touch too much. She looked back at the mirror, ignored the few stray strands of hair, and headed toward the doors. Come what may, at the very least, she was finally leaving this hellhole--and had no plans to return. If she somehow survived the secret realm, she'd simply go out and explore the world.

A far greater thing than sitting between the mountains and the walls of this place. When she realized that she was to go to the gazebo, she felt a faint sense of shock; her father reserved that place only for the most important guests, such as Sect Masters or highly important Elders. Her curiosity piqued, she sped up ever so slightly and quickly reached the pond of water. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

There were two figures she did not recognize--a boy that seemed to be about her age, if slightly younger, and a man who looked to be in his thirties. Neither was particularly handsome, she mused, nor did they exude the air of regality or profoundness. Rather, they appeared wholly... ordinary. Painfully ordinary, even. The ilk that one would find wandering the streets among the mortals.

The boy suddenly turned toward her and met her gaze; Zhou Yun shuddered, feeling her entire self be bared before the boy's gaze, down to her soul. It was a fleeting gaze, yet it left her momentarily frozen, unable to do anything but endure it. He looked away a moment later, seemingly having lost all interest, and she found herself able to breathe yet again.

"Ah, Yun'er, you're here," her father called out rather gently and lovingly, a perfect facade for the public. She recovered, turning her gaze away from the boy and toward her father.

"Father, forgive me for being late," she said, walking over the bridge and into the gazebo as she faced the man. Unlike the boy's piercing, soul-shuddering gaze, the man's was... oddly gentle. Warm, even.

"Greetings, Senior," she said, bowing toward him.

"This lowly one's name is Zhao Yun. I hope my conduct hasn't angered you."

"Not at all," the man said, his tone calm and even slightly playful.

"Please, join us. Tao'er, stop staring about like a senile goat and join us, too." Yun nearly spat out a mouthful of saliva, just barely holding back; she stealthily glanced toward the boy who appeared momentarily annoyed before walking over and sitting down by the man's side. She, too, sat down, by her father's, just in time for the dishes to start streaming out. She could hardly pay any attention to them, however, as her curiosity toward the duo had truly overtaken her.

It seemed as though they weren't here, in the gazebo, without a reason.

"What do you think, Master Lu? Is my daughter worthy?" her father asked as she felt a pang in her heart; he was asking a complete stranger whether she was worthy and doing so openly.

"I've found in my life that all children are worthy, Master Zhao," the man said, smiling faintly.

"We merely need to watch over them and guide them properly."

"Wise words," Yun had never met anyone who could suck up to someone as well as her father could; inwardly, he was likely thinking that the man's words were beyond stupid, but as he needed to send her off with him... out came the praise.

"Indeed, we ought to watch over them properly."

"Hm," the man said, his gaze turning peculiar as he watched her.

"I hope you won't find it improper," he said.

"But could I talk with your daughter for a moment in private?"

"E-eh? Why? I mean..."

"If I do decide to take her, I will be taking responsibility not just for her life," he said.

"But also her actions. And, though she is prim and proper now, that is under your great shadow, Master Zhao, one that will sadly be missing on our journey."

"... r-right, of course. Yes, please. We will leave you--""--no, please, stay. Enjoy the meal. Harass my little Disciple here in return," the man said, standing up.

"Young Miss, mind showing me around the gardens?" Some force beyond her will compelled her to stand up even under her father's gaze that was practically screaming that she should say no. Instead, she nodded and walked over, joining the man as the two left the gazebo and crossed the bridge. She felt no danger, not even an inkling, despite meeting him for the first time.

It was either that he had means of dulling her senses or that nothing about him triggered any of them; she couldn't quite figure out which was more terrifying.

"I was told that these gardens were made in your honor."

"..." a famous story, Yun inwardly scoffed.

"Indeed," she played along, putting on a smile.

"Father made my dream come true."

"Hm," he glanced at her and smiled faintly.

"That's good. In my experience, unfortunately, it is often that the old use their children as an excuse to do what they desire."

"..."

"My Disciples mean more to me than my life, young miss," he said rather suddenly.

"I would both kill and die for them, no matter what. And, though it may sound strange and bizarre to you, if you join me--for however briefly--I will treat you as one of my own. First, however, I will ask one question. If you answer it honestly, you may join us. If you lie, I will refuse to take you along, no matter how many Spirit Stones your father offers. And if you stay silent... hm. If you stay silent, my Disciple will immediately kill your father."

"!!!!!"