"Before we go back to the main house, we should first persuade that expert to come along with us, and on the way back, we'll somehow invite him to be the guest of our house..." The 7th Elder started to plan for his grand 'scheme'. With that kind of expert siding with them, not only would their Cui Clan get an additional strength, the Chief might even pardon his lax attitude towards the young master!

A/n* The 7th elder's words here meant by guest is: "The expert would only lend a hand if a foreign force attacked the Cui Clan, but will not move a finger if it is internal struggle."

'What a perfect plan!' The 7th elder praised himself.

He looked back at his young master who was vacantly looking back at him.

"Young Master?" the 7th elder called out.

"T-t-the red haired youth--" Cui Leng suddenly started trembling as his finger pointed behind the 7th elder's back.

The 7th elder looked behind him, but before he could fully turn his neck, his body plopped down on the ground.

*Thud*

"W-wha--" Cui Leng unconsciously took 3 steps back. His gazed was fixed at the youth.

'It had not been an hour yet, but the red haired youth already caught up with them? This is impossible... That was a fourth ranked beast, ah!

Don't tell me that this expert is a 5th rank mage or possibly higher?!'

'But what' is his purpose for taking down the 7th elder? Was he offended by 7th elder's words?'

Then he truly is now in a bad position!

Cui Leng stood still at his spot, his face flashing with complicated emotions.

"Yo." The youth waved his hands in a friendly manner, but this did not make Cui Leng's anxious heart calm down.

"W-what do you want?!"

"Ah, I was just curious at your unique Martial technique."

Hearing Rui Wei's words, Cui Leng's anxious face suddenly turned grave.

He coldly stared at the Red haired youth in front of him, as if he wanted to bore a hole out of his face.

"Who sent you?!" Cui Leng's face turned ferocious, as his qi started flowing in a certain flow and took a stance.

"Hmmm?" The Youth's brows furrowed, as his friendly face disappeared without a trace, his eyes were so cold that the surroundings started to form a layer of ice.

Cui Leng felt a tremendous pressure bearing down on him.

His feet sunk a bit, while his breath shortened.

"N-no matter what--" Cui Leng was stubborn at keeping his 'secret' from the red haired youth, who was probably sent by the filthy bastards that wants his life.

"Haaaa... Can you at least let a person finish their sentence, first?" The red haired youth sighed, looking at Cui Leng with disappointment.

"You really think so highly of your Cui Clan don't you? If they have so much money to waste on a grand assassin like this, then your Cui Clan shouldn't have meekly bowed their heads towards the Gu Clan, don't you think so? Hiring a 4th ranked mage, just to kill some runaway brat, hahahahah!" The red haired youth snorted as he insulted the Cui Clan.

"Although it is quite obvious that your family members are eyeing the Chief position like hungry tigers, that doesn't mean that they are doing it mindlessly." The red haired youth finished his sentence, his figure blinked and appeared right in front of Cui Leng's face.

He slid his fingers on Cui Leng's cheeks then, forcefully lifted his chin.

The red haired youth's eyes shone with amusement.

"Heeee, to think that I'd meet Shuifei's disciple here." His lips hooked up, while his eyes were full of amusement.

He flicked his fingers and a piece of paper and brush appeared, he took his time slowly writing something on the paper, then sticking it on Cui Leng's forehead. After making contact with his skin, the paper talisman simply disappeared without a trace, Cui Leng felt a cold prickle on his forehead.

"What did you put on me?!?" Cui Leng shouted through his gritted teeth.

"Don't worry, even I, don't want to offend Shufei. It was just some greetings for him. " The red haired youth laughed as he disappeared in Cui Leng's view.

---

*Rui Wei*

I quickly left Cui Leng after I put the talisman on him.

Craaaaaap. To think that he was actually Shufei's disciple!

I remember that oldman saying something like,

"Youths this day just don't have what it takes."

Shufei is an oldman that I acquainted while I was doing some things outside the Dou Manor. He saw through my disguise, and he was quite intrigue at my technique.

We drank a few cups of wine, and talked for a bit.

He was the kind of person that would use any means to get what he likes, he doesn't even listen to any Kingdoms nor Clans, just going around the Jianghu to make trouble. But there is one thing for sure, which is, he is overly protective to things he takes fancy, be it Objects, People, Beasts nor places.

I scratched my head, as I ransacked my head for a back-up plan, might he hate my gift (the talisman).

---

Early in the morning, lines of carriage were paraded at the front of a small inn.

A middle aged oldman, walked by the 3rd carriage, slightly tapping the window.

"Young lady, Isn't your Young Master taking a bit too long?"

Instead of replying, Sona just smiled back.

"Mister Xu, did you really want to see me that much?" From behind, a Red haired youth appeared, tapping Merchant Xu's shoulder, then giving him an incredulous look.

"W-wha--- This kid!!" Merchant Xu was surprised for a second, but seeing it was that Red Haired Youth, he just laughed back.

"Hurry up and get inside! We're leaving!" Merchant Xu reminded them, as he made his way back to his carriage.

"Damn brat making a fool out of me. So what if you win on the chess match before-- tch!" Merchant Xu grumbled as he left, his mouth unconsciously curved upwards.

---

"Haaaa.... The Kingdom, has really been busy that they now neglect the borderlines, huh?" Rui Wei grumbled as she went inside the carriage.

Ruzi who was sleeping the whole time opened his eyes and jumped towards Rui Wei.

"Mama!" He said excitedly.

"Oho~" Rui Wei as if rejuvenated hugged back Ruzi.

"Milady, the King was extremely furious after we left, I heard that he decapitated rows of ministers even going as far as killing up to their 3rd generations, my family had sent me a letter for their plans on travelling to another Kingdom." Sona had a grim look on her face as she said this.

"Hmmm, well after doing that, it's already no surprise. He's actually being lenient here, by sparing the other 6 generations of those ministers." Rui Wei replied, while still rubbing Ruzi's hair.

"Sona, how is your cultivation progress?"

"I have been thoroughly enlightened, I think it is just a matter of time for me to breakthrough!" Sona replied excitedly, After 3 years, she can finally break her bottleneck!

"Hmmm, that's good then." Rui Weird replied, a smile hanging on her mouth.

----

The journey will take 2 weeks or more. Our group, were put in the 2nd carriage just behind Uncle Xu's carriage.

Uncle Xu's bodyguard were 4th rank martial artist and a 3rd rank mage. The mercenaries were either 3rd rank martial artists or below.

The sky had turned dark, and it was time for me to train--

My enhanced senses have picked up several men who have been following us. They are what I conclude a bandit is--

But looking more closely, they don't seem be one, they're clothes weren't ragged and their Qi were flowing in a certain manner, they are absolutely a mage. What kind of idiot would pick being bandit as a profession when you're a valued mage!?

I beckoned Sona to lend her ears to me.

"Sona, relay the message to Merchant Xu, that some suspicious men have been following us, better have scouts to spread and tighten the guard on the merchandise--"

"Yes." Sona bowed slightly and left the carriage, I followed the suspicious men's actions.

Oiya? oi, oi... They actually turned around!

Was I being overly sensitive?

I hold back Sona, using my Qi.

Sona reflexively countered-attack with her Qi, unfortunately my rank was higher than, rendering her helpless.

"Sona, there's no need to report, it seems like I was wrong." I sent her a mental message

--

"Milady, your Qi have improved by another rank?" Sona asked me with an amazed look on her face.

"Huh? I haven't broke through any bottle neck, yet." I replied to Sona, as I kept my eyes on the suspicious group of mages.