A Flee Order: Return Home
Luoluo was frantic.
This was a sight Chun saw, and hurriedly warned Xuanyu to pack up all they owned into the Space Rings that got the pair cleaning up all they have, and ran to meet their teachers.
Its because these IDIOTS chose the wrong person to follow that now, ALL Mercenaries are in for it if they don't leave Beiyao!
In the hotel, he convened with the Lingyang Teachers in order to retreat or die.
How this happened?
Prince Quan gained some mercenary supporters when Wei Yanran danced for them in parties. Idiot men think with their smaller heads and joined the wrong side.
However, King Qi has a surprise in store in turn.
End result?
Prince Quan and their supporters are in the dungeons, while Empress Naya and Eleventh Prince are under House Arrest.
King Qi was furious with what happened, and issued a decree: hunt down all mercenaries and kill them all!
'But Chun'er, we're not mercenaries...' Xuanyu told her.
'Better paranoid than never, we still participated in our own way to strike Xiuluo City!' Chun told him. 'We joined as mercenaries, that's the problem. Colluding with other groups and even Guangyao Hall. Moreover, when King Qi became Xiuluo Wang...its not the Feng Lianyi we know anymore.'
Xuanyu pursed his lips.
He was the same age as him. Went to school despite different courses.
And given how throne ascension here works in this den of monsters, this much was to be expected.
'We will be hunted down. Huwen Di cannot help us any more.'
With that, they met up with their teachers and Bugi'er's people, and fled to the forests a couple miles away from Huijing City.
'This is a result of gambling for power...only, Prince Quan lost as we wanted, but we never saw this coming.' said Principal Cang He, somewhat sad at the changes of his former student because of how things work in Beiyao.
It was a madhouse. Nanyi Kingdom's party fought hard for their lives at full power. Chun has the chance to show off her full strength as a Divine-Class Summoner with modern-era anime knowledge of fighting. She combined knowledge of anime she's watched, and it came in damn handy! She may be a few steps inferior to them in cultivation, but she got modern-day knowledge to make-up for where she lacks.
She caused her ki to flow through her muscles to have insane superhuman strength inspired from the anime Rosario + Vampire, and using techniques from Bleach. Then with her Fire Roc, using Pokemon Fire-type, Normal-type and Flying-type moves. She was a disaster hence, thanks to modern-day knowledge. Hits from her, were fatal.
But in the eyes of Bugi'er Clan and Lingyang School, they saw in her the next coming of War Goddess. Mo Xuanyu was shell-shocked at her prowess and wondered what kind of man was he, that he was protected by his fiancee and not the other way around?
However, Chun was no anime vampire. What she did with her body and she has fire-based ki caused her to severely overheat to fatal levels that she collapsed.
With the heavy hitter gone and life in danger, the tide turned like a flashflood. All was almost lost, until Zhanye came in time with his sister to save them all, and fled after feeding Chun pills to save her life.
That night, they made camp, with Chun cooking for everyone. Gourmet food in camp in the form of Chankonabe in a large pot, and another large pot that boils buckwheat noodles that she made out of scratch using sorcery, and cut them as thinly as possible.
'But all our objectives are fulfilled, its what matters now.' said Xuanyu. 'We can go home safely.'
'Mm.'
'We'll have to rely on insider word as to what happens while we're gone.' said Luoluo. 'We can still count on Lord Huwen as objective was for war not to erupt. But to kill all Mercenaries in the world...' he shook in anger. 'This is gonna turn everything upside-down! This is all the fault of those imbeciles who fell for that honey trap, Wei Yanran!'
'Wei Yanran has no fault, young master.' said Chun.
'And how?!' Yingye shrieked, 'How can you defend that bitch who seduced brother Yi?!'
'She has shackles of thorns around her own neck.' said Chun. 'She must obey Dongli or her mother dies. That's what third sister and I found out.' she said, causing Yingye to bite back what she wanted to say. 'The ones at fault are those who think through their crotches and allied with Prince Quan just to enjoy the beauty beside him.' she said, annoyed. 'Because mercenaries are known to join Prince Quan, everyone must pay the price.' that got Luoluo's party all gloomy. 'All we can do is defend ourselves and kill who comes to kill us, and make the idiots pay for what they caused to happen on those who are blameless. It's all we've got, rather than be killed.'
'My family will discuss this matter.' said Luoluo. 'To protect Linhua City, we may have to distance ourselves a bit, but Bugi'er Bazaar will remain running.' he told Zhanye who nodded. The Bugi'er have a hand in commerce all over the continent. Losing them will be devastating. He was glad that the trade will still continue or all hell will break loose.
'The future is bleak hence.' said Cang He somberly. 'This must be discussed in court. We will leave tomorrow morning. We all have quite a day! And Xiao Chun...'
'Yes?'
'Your techniques from before...it comes at a great cost.'
'I got nearly-cooked alive if that's what you mean...its a Desperado Tactic set I made for myself incase its a do-or-die.' said Chun with a cringe. 'I can't be alone when I do it or I'll die without help.' said Chun glumly. 'I can't fight for now. I cooled down thanks to medicine but I still suffered heavy damage in my organs. I'll be a liability till we get home until I get more medicine to restore my blood and heal my damaged organs by overheating.'
'What about Beiyue?' Yingye asked Chun worriedly.
'She's safe with the Henala. They are fleeing back to Hollow Light forest for safety with Eleventh Prince.'
'What?!' everyone cried.
'Why did she take eleventh prince with her? He's part of reason we're in this mess!' Yingye cried, upset. 'Prince Quan wants him on the throne!'
'Because the Huwen Clan are oathbound to serve the royal family, at least, those who never committed a crime.' Chun explained. 'Huwen Di blackmailed third sister with your, and Prince Zhanye's lives as last they checked, you're still in the hotel.' this caused the royal siblings to gape at her in horror, as if slapped by her words. 'Save eleventh prince, or else, so she really has no choice...she's far away with the tribe, she's OK.'
'Of all the nerve!' Yingye fumed. 'Like the likes of them can harm a hair on brother?! Hah?!' she swore indignantly.
'And Empress Naya is killed because they encountered Meng Qitian of Guangyao Hall on the way out. He's strong.' said Chun. 'They barely got out by leaving behind the dying empress.'
'So that's it.' said Zhanye. 'What thing to tell back home.' he said with a heavy heart.
Dinner that night was quiet, even if it was delicious.
The atmosphere was glum.
By the river...Chun vomited blood.
It huuurts...her insides are hell in her body!
'Haaa...haaa...OK, I'm nooot doing that ever again...gulp...' and she threw up another mouthful of blood. "Oi oi, I'm already anemic..."
And she collapsed and that was how Yingye found her, lying face-first in a pool of blood, causing her to shriek.
xxx
Xuanyu looked at his sleeping fiancee.
Yingye had cried for help because of the pool of blood around Chun's head.
Principal found out that she threw up blood, caused by the severe damages she has. At least it wasn't a headshot attack.
They only cooled her down, not fully heal her as they don't have medicine for her kind of problem.
They can only hope she hangs on, until they get home.
If only Beiyue was here, she could refine pills for Chun's life, but she's not here, Xuanyu thought bitterly.
She did way too much.
He knows that its to earn good graces for her family's sake, but she's done enough.
He'll talk to Zhanye.
'Crown Prince.' Xuanyu approached Zhanye.
'Jilin-Zi, what is it?'
'How is the Royal Family's attitude towards the Xiao Clan lately?' Xuanyu asked him, causing Zhanye to blink. 'Chun'er...she's doing way too much just to keep anger away from her family to protect them from the stigma caused by Xiao Yuancheng, Concubine Xue and Xiao Yun's crimes towards the royal family. By having many merits, she would guarantee safety. This should be Xiao Zhongqi's job, not hers.'
Zhanye began thinking.
He knows full well of that unsavory history. He can't forget even if he tried.
'Worry not, Jilin-Zi...since their deaths, father softened up.' said Crown Prince. 'That Palace Banquet scandal, Qin already paid her dues. Xiao Yuancheng, Concubine Xue and Xiao Yun have paid for their crimes. The heat is off, so to speak.'
'I see...I'll be sure to tell Chun. I don't want her to die for doing a lot. She can stop now.' said Xuanyu in relief.
'You care a lot for Xiao Chun.' Zhanye noted.
Its rare for commoners to marry into nobility. For that to happen, something extraordinary must happen.
Love is a VERY RARE FACTOR as in a world of socializing with benefits, whoever marries into nobility must have some sort of special contribution or regardless of relationships, it'll NEVER HAPPEN.
In the case of Xiao Chun, she was a known genius. And by being engaged to Mo Xuanyu, her contribution was her fiancee's mountainous rise as a Summoner, going Arcane Summoner levels.
Summoner. Arcane Summoner. Divine Summoner.
Most people are typical common breed. Common Summoners who can only reach up to 9-Star Masters. Arcane Summoners are rarer and Divine Summoners are 1/1 million in happening, ever.
Right now, Jilin-Zi is an Arcane Summoner, owning the Rank 30 Thunder Dragon. Fiancee to a Divine Summoner as Chun owns a Rank 1 Divine Fire Roc.
By marrying two Summoners, it increases the chance of having another summoner in the family. Particularly two powerful ones. And Summoners are cream of the crop.
Zhanye would hear that a lot of sons are annoyed with Jilin-Zi for scoring a huge deal. He was the envy of many noble Childes, now successors of their fathers as Dukes, Marquee, Count, Viscount and Baron.
And summoners are very, VERY wealthy.
It was why Concubine Xue wants to steal Beiyue's money after poisoning her by using regency as an excuse when Princess Royal died while poisoning Beiyue to have the body of an ill invalid until she dies. Xiao Yun is a rare breed but sadly, her talent level is lower than her grandfather's, that it would take a huge amount of money for her to rise in rank. To quote Chun, 'For Xiao Yun to ascend two stars, it would take three times that of Qinghe's annual income...so that's about 600 million ingots...and it goes higher the more she ascends...' which explains the motives of the villainous mother and daughter, and the jury paled at the unholy amount of money that needs to be spent for her just to gain a single star because her talent was so low, contrary to her high ambitions. Most nobles don't even need to spend THAT much! Hell, 600 million ingots can enable any summoner to go from 1-star to 5-stars already!
It was THAT bad and the Xiaos don't have that kind of money and Beiyue does. The Xiaos, due to Yuancheng's stupidity, lost their gains on that wedding day. The Emperor gifted Yuancheng a county worth 150 million for marrying Royal Aunt...until he was seen by a eunuch flirting with Lady Qin. Yeah, a Grade A Idiot.
Summoner's blood aside, there's also delicious food as she was a very gifted cook and a Roast Master. In Banquets, Roast Meats with matching sauces are vital. You cannot have a banquet without roast meat and delicious sauce to dip it in!
And making Roast Meat is a delicious, but difficult art that sometimes, meats are charred, overcooked or undercooked...that its usually a gamble when having roast from the table...and cooks are valued based on their ability to roast. It lies on them if their employer will lose face or not.
Of course, Jilin-Zi's father is pretty much sold in having Chun become part of the family. Goodness knows when Jilin-Zi's father hosts parties, he would ask her to roast this and that, and she delivers without fail. Heck, his father even hires her to roast. Sure she teaches roasting to palace cooks but alas, it requires a student with high levels of patience if done the manual way, not Chun's easy way using her own cultivation.
'She's unlike most noblewomen these days...she's a good girl who cannot do evil unless its to protect what's hers. Most women we know are literal snakes who would destroy others, even their own blood sisters to elevate oneself while putting on fake acts it disgusts me.' said Xuanyu with a sneer. 'I'll never let Chun'er go even to death.' he said in determination. 'I can actually see a good future with her as my wife. I also promised to never take concubines. She was scarred by how her father treats his family, thus knows early in life what she wants in a husband. Taking advantage of her commoner status, she wanted love, but her mother and grandfather would pressure her on hypergamy, so she chose me.' Zhanye frowned at Xuanyu's words. 'And I intend on honoring promises I made her.'
'...both of you are lucky to have the other.' Zhanye smiled ruefully. He too, was envious of the viscount. That he could marry in love, not marry for benefits. He loved Beiyue but...it can never be.
'Yes. We're lucky and I know full well why she chose me. Because I'm nothing like her father.'
xxx
Without Chun, food during travel...was terrible.
None of them can cook, beyond camp roast on a spit and even then, its not good. And the only cook is hanging on to her life.
They tried imitating her soups but they didn't see how much condiments she applied in...so its a gamble of bland or overly-done...and too much of this and that...
Their culinary torment came to an end upon arriving home at long last.
Xiao Chun had to be rushed to the Royal Infirmary for treatment of her body, while Xuanyu gave everything they have on their jobs to Zhanye for him to peruse over with the emperor.
It took her three days to heal, too.
'How are you, Chun?' Xuanyu asked her after visiting the royal infirmary, while accompanied by the Jilin-Zi manservants.
'I'm alright now.' said Chun with a smile. 'The pills from Wang Xiaoyao works wonders. But using Ki is a no-no so I can't go back to school for a week, I should take it easy.'
'Right...'
'Anything happen while I'm out?' Chun inquired.
'The Emperor's gloomy about what we got and how things ended.' said Xuanyu. 'There's a court inquiry about the matter. We're all on a wait-and-see basis while we amass as many resources as possible to prepare for the worst. Luckily, Princess Beiyue's back home and she's here in the palace with the Henala Tribe. The palace people are eyeing those tribal folk since their fashions are kinda unique and his majesty was horrified she's dressed like a man he summoned the royal tailor.' he said with a wince as the Henalans were...dressed uniquely. 'She was asked to make pills alongside Wang Xiaoyao to supply Nanyi's army incase the worst happens, and he was really pleased about that...'
'Ehehehe...he would be...' Chun sweatdropped. Xiaoyao has...unique feelings towards the late aunt and now her daughter. Complicated. 'Well, I'll just go take a bath before we go. I'll go home for now and stay home.'
'Right...I'll take you home, shall I?'
xxx
At home...
'Chun!'
Concubine Qin was happy to see her daughter back, after she was out in Beiyao risking her neck for information. It was still worrying even if she's a Divine Summoner! And goodness the tales her future son-in-law told her were hair-raising!
'I'm home mama!' Chun chirped as Xuanyu took her home.
'No strenuous activity for a week and that means no cooking either.' Xuanyu reminded them. 'Rest for a week. We certainly did enough on our last job. Goodness knows I'll take a break off school too, we deserve it!'
'I'll make sure she rests.' Concubine Qin reassured Xuanyu. 'The tales you told me gave me nightmares! I nearly lost my youngest!' she said worriedly. The things her youngest gets into!
So Xiao Chun has a boring week to look forward to.
'So this is a normal life.' she thought wryly as to keep herself entertained, she was playing music on her guzheng, filling her home with music. And she was dressed in her pretty dresses.
Zhongqi and Rou came home from work and school respectively, just as glad to see her home, worried sick that whatever heck she did nearly killed her that they were anxious to see her alive and OK.
Sometimes, this wasn't so bad, a simple life.
'So Chun, any progress with Jilin-Zi?' Rou asked Chun who was playing the guzheng.
'Ehehe...those hair-raising adventures we had and nearly turned into a half-monster by Xiuluo's monster Ming certainly brought us closer together...just that, it hurts a lot.' said Chun with a shudder. 'No words can put what we endured justice...but at least we know that through that hellish pain, that we really do loved each other. A lot painful, but also, the best way to verify. It was worth it.' said Chun with a blush on her face. 'Because if only one of us suffered when Ming disfigures anyone who feels love, it would be heartbreaking if the other didn't love you back by not getting hit by that beast Ming too.' she said. 'And since that day, we grew a lot closer even when doing our job. Knowing that its truly mutual...made us both happy.'
'That means you both getting married is a certain future.' said Rou, happy for her little sister. 'I wish Mao was the same for me. Its still an engagement...and he's a typical man who'd wait until we're 20s to finally get serious with me, like typical nobles do.' she said sadly. 'Because if one's reputation gets tarnished, everything's off despite how much you've known each other for years.' she said. 'Makes me wish mother wasn't so hasty with engagements. We were too young when we were both paired off and years younger than our fiancees.' she said softly. 'And you said he's the best man for me, is he really?'
'He's rightfully cautious, you just have to hang on until you're 20.' said Chun. 'Maintain what he likes and do not do what he will dislike. Its all we can do for now. At least we both have good repute when A-Xuan talks about us to his friends in school.'
'Mm.'
'Once you make it, he will finally be the good man I've seen him to be when I gathered information about all suitors in mother's list. Don't be discouraged, Rou.' Chun reassured her sister. 'All this will pay off in the end. Out of all suitors, A-Xuan and Shou Mao are the best deals we have. The others will cause us needless headaches and stress, and will take advantage of us and our situation. The other suitors are no good. That's why no matter what, stay with Shou Mao until marriage day and don't let any girl undermine you.'
'Yeah...I just wish he's warmer to me sometimes.' said Rou with a sad smile. 'What's it like to hold hands? Sitting closer? Being free to enjoy time together?'
xxx
In that one week, Chun wished things could stay peaceful, but...
'Hey, you can't come in here!'
'Who are you people?!'
'Oh my god, look at that woman!'
'She's unreal!'
'Outta our way! Where's Xiao Chun?!'
Chun sighed at that brash, rude woman's voice.
'Chun'er?!' Concubine Qin squeaked as they were invaded by some strangers and her daughter is at her most feeble right now!
'Guangyao Hall. Remember that, mama.' Chun sighed as Qin heard her daughter state their identity. 'I'll deal with this peacefully. After that, call A-Xuan, he'll know what to do. And do not cause a ruckus.'
Qin shook as to her resigned exasperation, a red-booted clad foot kicked the door open.
'To what do I owe a personal visit from Guangyao Hall?' Chun inquired casually. 'I thought since you all went into Xiuluo, the Twelve Freaks got to you or something.'
'As if its that easy to take us down!' Honglian humphed arrogantly, denying a certain reality that she and Qitian nearly died until Molian rescued them. 'Anyways, you come with us.' she demanded.
Her appearance however, caused Qin to shriek, before Qitian and Molian stepped in the room.
'GHOOOOST!' and she fainted.
'Ghost? Where?' Molian asked, looking around.
Awkward silence ensued.
'Er, we're very much alive?' Qitian said sheepishly. He does not appreciate being thought of as an undead, thank you...
'Honglian looks like the late Princess Royal, Huang Huiwen.' Chun helpfully explained. 'Only, the late royal aunt doesn't have such melons in her chest. She was two sizes smaller before her death, see?' she said, pointing at Honglian's large breasts, making Honglian sputter. Qitian sweatdropped and Molian remained as blank as ever.
'Honglian is hanging two melons on her chest? Isn't that impractical?' Ahhh Molian, being literal-minded, so innocent~ Qitian was finding his literal-mindedness hilarious most days, an entertainment to their boring travel days on behest of their Shengjun.
'Leave my breasts out of this!' she sputtered, red-faced, arms around her chest. 'I look like some dead princess?!'
'Yes. If anyone in Linhua were to see you, they'll think royal aunt came back from the dead with a little chest-size improvement, so to speak.'
'Fuhahahaha!' Qitian burst out laughing, finding the situation funny. A little? Try a lot, he thought, and he had to dodge annoyed swipings from an embarrassed Honglian. 'We should get out of here quick to avoid a ruckus then! Out of courtesy for your cooperation, you have time to change clothes.' he offered. 'Why still in bedclothes close to lunch time?'
'Well, I was healing from severe internal damage when we ran from Huijing City when King Qi issued a hunting order for our heads, see? After taking Wang Xiaoyao's elixirs to heal my organs, he advised I rest for a week with no ki usage, so as of now, consider me an invalid for three more days.'
'You gotta be kidding meee?!' Honglian complained unhappily. 'We have to wait for three days?!'
'It can't be helped. That's a pharmacist talking and they're also doctors.' Qitian shrugged. 'And we have no way of speeding her up to shape.' he reasoned.
'Well, I'll get changing...'
Well, he had to be the one carrying Chun. As of now, she's an ordinary person, for three more days.
Invalid indeed.
Then again, they heard rumors of what happened during Xiuluo's Mercenary Hunt and heard of Xiao Chun's exploits, that was, until she suddenly collapsed without warning. Welp, now they know why.
xxx
Jilin-Zi Mansion, hours later...
A maid ran towards the gates guarded by two guards. She was heaving breath and sweating heavily, carrying a letter.
'Is Jilin-Zi home? It's an emergency about fifth miss!' she cried. Knowing how their young master likes the girl, the guards quickly took the maid in.
'Young master, the maid from Xiao Estate claims emergency about Fifth Miss.' a guard reported.
'Madam Qin regained consciousness from shock not long ago...three people barged in and took away fifth miss! Madam Qin says Fifth Miss told her to remember the words Guangyao Hall before they barged into the parlor room before she fainted from shock!'
Xuanyu got pissed.
'GUANGYAO HALL OF ALL PEOPLE?!' he howled in anger, making the servants meep in his anger. 'Chun has nothing worth Guangyao Hall's notice, why would they kidnap her?! And she's ill right now!' he swore anxiously as he stormed out. 'I'll go to the palace for Crown Prince's help, we need a team of experts to get her back!'
xxx
Princess Royal's Residence, Royal Palace, after going through proper protocols...
'Princess, I need your help!' Xuanyu cried. 'Guangyao Hall came to Xiao Estate and kidnapped Chun'er! I request your aid in taking her back!'
'They what?!'
Needless to say, he also got the Henala Tribe in the deal. Where Beiyue goes, they go.
xxx
'So uh, why do you guys want me for?' Chun piped as they got to their destination. A villa of some sort hours later.
'Well, given how you easily dismantled a high-level Spatial Mismatch barrier before, your skills will prove invaluable to us in the next few days.' said Qitian. 'And given your state, you'll have to teach me as we're pressed for time.'
'That's OK. I do hope you have great ki control or we'll trigger traps...' cooperation is to live and Chun knows that. She's helpless until they come for her. She had prepared for this future beforehand, so she'll be alright.
'Of course.' said Qitian in confidence. 'Nooow then, let's get obstacles out of our way. We'll be counting on you for instructions and I'll do my best not to blow us up.' and they went inside.
Entrance alone, was already work when Qitian detected a barrier. Chun looked around, until she saw the nameplate of where they were in as part of her act.
'Bieyue Villa...ah, why are we barging in late aunt's former vacation house? Its keyed in to the bloodline who can come and go like normal but for us, we'll go through a lot of trouble just to get to this and that hall or room.'
'...that's a lot of security.' Honglian blinked owlishly.
'Royal Emperor dotes on his twin sister a lot and when the truth about her death came out, he was so angry he made the culprits suffer.' Chun informed them. 'Right now, only third sister can get in here freely, unhindered.'
Qitian's mental cogwheels began turning...
...and smirked.
A:N: no, I did not make a typo. That's really the Villa name in novels.