A/N: Hey there readers! Hope you enjoyed chapter 7! Apologies for taking a bit to upload, been busy with life and all that.
Thankfully, I had time to finish and upload chapter 8!
Owen and Jìng are starting their journey to Xialin. Wonder what shenanigans the two will end up with?
Now this trip will only end at Chapter 10, which is when the party reaches the city itself. So I wonder what type of stuff they will encounter in this and in the next chapter?
Anyways thanks for reading as always!
Key:
'Thoughts'
"Whisper"
[Skills, Menu, Magic]
"Speech"
Sounds*
Chapter 8 "Lot's of Panic!"
Sniff*
Sniff*
'I smell like sweaty socks…fighting Fire Mogwai does that to you I guess…'
Owen mumbled in his head as he reeled himself back into leading the horse. From what the gate guards told him before they left the capital was that the trip should take 3 days if they were lucky not to run into bandits or violent storms as they would have to go through numerous paths in the Ye Tai mountains in order to reach Xialin.
So right now it's their first day on the road and Owen could see the mountains ahead in the distance, though barely.
Turning to face Jìng, he saw her smelling herself before sighing. Yeah, they needed a bath but there was a solution to their problem. Remember the river that passed through Jingyi? Since it went south, there were many offshoot creaks created by it. So the party can find one and take a bath before continuing on their journey.
"Hey Jìng," Owen said, getting the woman's attention as he told her his idea, "How about we take a bath in the river we saw earlier? I'm sure there's one ahead since I'm seeing numerous trees there?"
"L-like bathe together?" Jìng nervously.
Looking back at her, Owen could only facepalm at the blushing face of Jìng, clearly misunderstanding what he said. He felt himself become embarrassed as he remembered the weird shrine staff back at Najin…
'I bet it's those shrine maidens who made her think like that!'
"No…not like that Jìng…I meant like one at a time taking a bath in the river. I really don't want our stuff to be stolen by bandits," Owen cleared up to his companion who only looked more embarrassed.
"I-i see…sorry for misunderstanding Owen," Jìng apologized as she decided looking at the fields was better than looking at her friend right now.
He decided to ignore the now shy look on Jìng as he got Horsy to walk a bit faster so they could get to their destination. The conversation the two had earlier continues to run in the back of Owen's mind. This world and its people were really dramatic sometimes.
'Bath separately! Gosh, and she had to look all shy…is this world actually a dating sim? And this world summoned someone like me!'
Eventually the party would reach the edge of a forest before stopping in place as they got off their horse. The forest was pretty similar to the one near Jingyi if Owen was to be honest, though he was hoping he wouldn't have to battle any orange monkeys while he was bathing.
Especially if he was bathing…he remembered seeing videos and articles online to people who were attacked by chimpanzees…
It's not pretty.
Owen shuddered in fear remembering the orange monkey he first fought before remembering that it would probably be best if they hid their cart with some leaves.
"Hey Jìng, could you fetch us some leaves? Like a lot, I'm gonna go find a bush we can put our cart in."
"Got it!"
His companion understood as she quickly made her way to some nearby trees and started gathering. As she did that, Owen unshackled the cart to Horsy and began pulling it towards a nearby bush. Owen used his Bo Staff to whack some of the leaves and branches away as he shoved the card into it, leaving only its two pull handles sticking out. He'd also grabbed their camping supplies before he shoved it into the bush since they'll be needing to use the tent they had purchased yesterday.
But he had that covered once Jìng returned with a lot of leaves. Once he did that, Owen took off the saddle on Horsy as he rubbed her neck. Yes, Horsy was a girl, he learnt that thanks to Jìng.
"Just stick near us alright? I'm just taking that saddle off so you can get some rest for your back," Owen said before using the leash to pull the party's horse through the woods until they reached the bank of the small river.
With their camping supplies, both Owen and Jìng took a bit to set up their tent. Yeah it was mostly Jìng's handy work since she had lived in the wilderness in some of her jobs, unlike Owen so he simply held it up while his friend actually put it together.
It was embarrassing since it showed him, he needed to learn a lot.
Anyways, with the tent completed Owen quickly made a campfire which he knew how to thanks to learning that by Jìng. She really was useful to have in his party.
'I wondered if Wei Yue would've known this type of stuff too? Maybe? Eh.'
Likely not since Jìng was the one who took jobs for the Shrine Family apparently. He could only shake his head as put his attention on the pile of wood in front of him.
Once the fire started, Owen was called out by Jìng once again. Though he saw the same look on her face whenever something embarrassing happened between the two.
'Ah shi, here we go again…'
"I'm going to go ahead…u-um…we're not bathing together right? S-so you won't w-walk in on me!?" Jìng suddenly shouted, causing Horsy to look upright from her well deserved nap.
Owen, embarrassed at that thought, quickly reassured her in a panic, "I-Im not a weirdo like that! Just go take your bath Jìng!"
It was awkward enough for Owen to be in a party with the opposite gender now that he thought about it, like when he found her at the entrance at Najin? He was trying his hardest not to get embarrassed by her holding his waist! It also didn't help the numerous people who thought him and Jìng were lovers…
'I mean she's cute and like…hot. But I'm supposed to be saving the world, I need to discipline myself if I'm ordered to do that. Plus, she's a friend. You can't ask her out after knowing her for like 6 days!'
If only he'd realize that similar thoughts had prevented him from getting a girlfriend back on Earth.
Anyways, with her gone in the river, Owen began to open up the other camping supply bags. Finding the one with pans and cooking utensils, Owen quickly set up a small grill on top of the small camp fire he had just built.
It surprised the heck out of Owen when he found out about these camping grills back in the supply store. Apparently there were a few geniuses in the past who all came up with different sorts of inventions. Some inventions the owner told Owen was: Wheels, Fishing nets, sewers systems, and toilets that can flush.
Now the almost modern toilets was one thing Owen was grateful for in this world since he was able to experience them at the palace and the shrine. Sadly he had to do it outside, which was not really comfortable since it would always take forever to dig a hole with his weapon.
'Yeah I'm pretty sure my weapon doesn't like to be used as a shovel…'
Wanting to focus on what he actually needed to do, Owen began to bring out a small box with eggs, sausage, and rice in them. He was planning on making stirred fried rice with egg and sausage in it.
Thus, the Shaolin Hero focused on making the meal he loved to make back on Earth.
…
…
…
"Wow, that smells good! What is it?" Jìng asked as she approached the campfire Owen set up a while ago.
Owen looked back as he saw Jìng in a set of robes with her short black hair and face a bit wet, she was also holding a towel in her arms as she walked towards him. Owen watched her from head to toe as he then saw her almost covered shins. He took a deep breath and thought:
'Damn.'
Before deciding that focusing on what he made would be better than having another awkward moment between Jìng and him.
"It's just some stirred fried rice with a bit of egg and sausage mixed into it," Owen answered before using a wooden spoon to get a bite as he handed it to Jìng, who was now sitting next to him near the fire.
Oomp*
"Oo! It's really good, much better than what we ate yesterday at the capital. Did you use the oil and seasonings we bought?" Jìng asked after taking a bite.
'Probably helped with the weapon forms that increased the quality of whatever I cooked too though.'
Owen nodded his head as he took a bowl and filled it with lunch, "Yeah, though I made sure not to use all of it since it was kinda pricey compared to everything else we bought except for our armor. Kinda want to save our seasonings if we find a really good monster to eat."
Jìng hummed in approval as she finished another bite from her own bowl before telling him he could use the river now.
"Yeah I was going to bring some lunch with me while I bathed in the river," Owen said as he stood up with his food in one hand and a bag full of clothes in another.
His companion shot him a concerned look as she spoke to him with worry, "won't you be attracting animals or monsters by doing that?"
Eh, the camp they set up would kinda do that if they didn't finish their food before nighttime. But that's what Owen told his companion which caused Jìng to give him a pout before eating more of her food.
As he left, her voice called out to him.
"Don't worry Owen! I'll be able to hear you from the camp!"
That was nice but he could protect himself. All he had to do was no monster biting him in a special region and he should be fine…
Actually…
Maybe wearing his boxers will make him feel a bit safer than continuing the line of thought without them…
The bathing area in the river wasn't too far from the camp, it was a minute long walk to reach there. But once there Owen began stripping off his clothes (except boxers) as he transformed his weapon into the Towel Bo Staff he had unlocked on his 1st night in this world.
Wrapping the long towel around his torso, Owen made his way into the river. He would use his feet to find a flat rock to sit on before placing his bowl of food on the bank behind him alongside the soap he had bought as well.
'It's so cold!'
Owen shuddered when he fully submerged his body into the river except for his head. He began to put soap on his body as he hummed a random tune. While showering, Owen decided to check out his body.
It sorta surprised him to see a bit of muscle growing on his body. Well it wasn't even close to a truly athletic body, but he started to make progress though.
'I kinda had an average build when I got here but now I'm starting to get some muscles forming. Probably had to do with fighting and moving all the time…well I'm feeling way more energetic than I used to be back on Earth.'
He couldn't wait to see how different he would look from his initial self in a few months…or years…wait.
'How long will these waves last?'
That was a thing he hadn't thought about before. Would it be months? Years? What if he would have to spend his entire life fighting this world ending apocalypse!?!
A small sense of panic began to set in Owen as he sat down on the flat rock he found. It wasn't like he wanted to return back to Earth, he believed there was a big chance he would have no future there but here?
'Would I even be given the chance to live a peaceful life? Like raising a family? Or dying of old age?'
Owen himself didn't want to die a painful death like being on a battlefield…
But he was the Shaolin Tool's Hero…so he couldn't die, not unless he wanted many innocent people to perish in these waves. He couldn't afford to be lazy and cowardly and abandon his duty right?
'C-can I even do this?'
Owen stayed silent as he once again felt conflicted about the burdens placed upon him. It would probably be best if he stopped thinking about it and got done showering…
So a few minutes would pass by as Owen began to dry himself while standing in the river. After getting his hair dry, Owen looked up at the river to see a log floating towards him.
"Did a tree fall into the river a couple days ago?" He muttered softly as he shifted himself to face his bowl of food.
After taking a bite of his fried rice, Owen got closer so he could try out his strength and see if he could push the log away.
However, as he approached, the log was not actually a log but an alligator that opened its jaw now that he had gotten closer to it.
[Rivergator]
Lvl 23
Seeing an adult alligator jump at you, Owen quickly screamed out the new skill he had unlocked back in Najin:
"[BODY LOCK]!"
Instantly Owen's body froze in place as the alligator attempted to bite him, only to bounce off as a forcefield appeared over Owen's entire body. The skill quickly disappeared however, allowing the Shaolin Hero to spring back into land as the alligator quickly followed after him.
'THANK GOD I HAD THIS SKILL!'
Owen quickly transformed his weapon back into the Hardwood Monk Spade as he slammed the top of the staff on the mouth of the alligator. That attack stunned the Rivergator as it took a step back to gather itself.
Now seeing the perfect chance to strike, Owen quickly moved in to attack. Mind you, he was only wearing his boxers.
However he was beaten to the punch as Jìng had rushed in as she yelled before attacking, "AAHHH!!!"
Owen watched as his companion stabbed her blade behind the alligator's neck, instantly killing the beast as it pierced through its spinal cord and out of the bottom jaw.
Jìng's voice called out to Owen in worry before setting her gaze towards him, "are you alright Owen?-!"
Only for her to turn around with a blush as she walked towards the bank of the river and threw the bag of clothes at Owen, who swiftly caught it in embarrassment.
Owen only sighed mentally as this felt like more evidence of this world being a dating sim…
After changing into a set of tunic and pants, Owen coughed to let Jìng know he was done. He attempted to ignore the look he was being given and pushed out a thank you to Jìng.
"Erm…thanks Jìng for helping out."
"...no problem Owen…"
Honestly Jìng reminded him of a bunny with the way she shyly acted sometimes, but he threw that thought away as he asked Jìng for some information about the Rivergator.
"Oh Rivergators! I didn't expect to see this close to the Jingyi River, since they typically tend to live in the more swampy areas down further south," Jìng said as she began to drag the alligator with the help of Owen back to camp.
"Though many parents tell their kids not to play in rivers thanks to these guys hiding in them," Jìng finished as she looked at the campfire before putting it out.
The thought of little kids potientally losing their lives while playing in rivers made Owen frown before looking to see what his companion was now doing.
"What are you doing?" Owen asked as he watched his friend begin to make a strip of wood, greatly extending the campfire.
Jìng began to use her knife to take off a scale and tooth from the beast before handing the two materials to Owen, who absorbed it and got a new weapon series based around the gator.
"I'm gonna make a barbecue with it! It will be really good alongside the fried rice you made, Owen!"
'Huh, it's been a while since I had a barbecue but now I'm curious how alligators taste.'
Nodding his head, Owen went into their tent and took out the cooking supply bags as he took out the selection of seasonings they had.
Jìng took the seasonings before placing them on the side and began to prepare the alligator for cooking via organ removal.
"Hey Owen, could you start the fire again? We'll probably have to stay the night here, I'm sorry we couldn't have a small rest before we continue our trip…"
Owen did just that as he spoke to Jìng, "Eh it's fine. I did set up our tent out here so it will just be a waste if we took it down. Is there anything else I should do to help?"
"Hmmm…grab some bowls so we can put the organs in them. Oo, I'll need some brine too!"
After doing that, Owen would also absorb some of the Rivergator's bones, unlocking a new weapon form that held interesting things in in:
[Rivergator Bone Sectional Staff] Tier 0
Tier Cultivation Requirement: 10 Rivergator Bones
Abilities Locked Equip Bonus: Agility 3, Fishing Efficiency 2, Skill: Companion Stat Adjustment (small)
Equip Effect: HP Regen (small), Speed Up, Bite Force
He didn't expect to see a skill that allowed him to adjust what stats Jìng would gain more in. He decided to share that with his friend as he helped place a rod through the alligator's mouth.
"Hey Jìng, I just got a skill that can help me adjust certain stats you want to improve more of," Owen stated before grunting and pushing the metal rod he was holding forward.
Jìng looked up with surprise before smiling, "I see…then could you perhaps have it so my speed improved?"
Owen nodded and planned to do so in the future but soon the party once again became focused on the alligator. The two spent most of the afternoon preparing their dinner, unaware that they would encounter a new group…
A/N: Wholesome stuff inbound.
Crunch*
"Oh my god…"
Owen took a piece of his piece of barbeque alligator alongside the fried rice he made for lunch. It was delicious and an interesting experience for his taste buds.
The alligator could maybe be best described as a mix between chicken and pork? But less oily and gamey thanks to Jìng's preparation. Though what really improved the taste of the alligator was the smokey and well seasoned texture it held.
"So…how is it?" Jìng asked as she sat next to Owen near the long campfire.
He could only mumble his approval with his mouth closed which made Jìng giggle as she took a bite of her food as well.
'I need to learn more recipes from her!'
The two continued to eat their meal until all that was left of the alligator was one fifth of the way done before stopping. If they don't have to share with anyone else, they definitely got themselves some food that can last them a week perhaps?
"That was really good Jìng…I never had unique food like that before," Owen complimented his companion. Especially since the most 'unique' food he ever ate as oysters.
"Well we both helped in the process, Owen. You helped me out and applied the right amount of seasonings, as well as evenly cut the Rivergator," Jìng equally complimented.
'...'
The two of them would simply stare at each other before breaking eye contact and deciding to focus on the fire. Silence took place before Jìng spoke to Owen.
"I know I'd always say this but… I want to say thank you Owen…for helping me out back in my village and letting me join your party," She said before continuing much more excitedly, "I've been having a lot of fun fighting alongside you!"
Which left Owen stunned, though he smiled back at her. To him, it was nice to have a friend fight alongside him too and watch his back. Jìng really helped him feel less stressed out about his duty as a hero in this unknown world.
'I don't know all the words I can say to express my thanks but…I think I have an idea…'
Feeling grateful, Owen hugged Jìng, surprising her. In all his life, he had no friends because he was so focused on trying to prove himself to his parents. But in this new world? He could learn how to find a balance with himself and possibly gain the happiness that he wanted.
If he found others like Jìng, then perhaps he could not worry too much about how long the waves would last…
"Thanks for helping me feel less lonely out here too. You're a great friend and I'm glad to have chosen you to be my party member. I'll be counting on you for support to fight off the waves."
Jìng only blinked as she processed his words before hugging him back, "Of course…"
The two spend a while hugging before breaking it off as they begin to pack up their dinner. Owen watched as Jìng stepped into their tent before he himself took off his shoes and entered. Once inside, Jìng rolled out both her and Owen's sleeping bags before entering hers.
'Man…I'm feeling full as hell right now, time to hit the hay.'
Owen thought to himself as he climbed into his own bag and laid on his back. However, he would stay awake as he thought back on the dinner.
'Can't wait to eat more of that…'
But he would feel a gaze resting upon him, one that wasn't anything bad but rather something warm. Turning over, Owen looked to see Jìng staring at him. Shifting his body over to face her, Owen whispered to his companion.
"You okay?"
Jìng nodded her head as she whispered back with a small red tint on her cheeks, before going quiet.
Not thinking much about it, Owen closed his eyes but his companion spoke up once again.
"I...just like being near you…"
Widening his eyes, Owen stared at Jìng who gave him a warm look before falling asleep in front of him. He would stay silent as he then decided to close his eyes as he ran one thought through his mind:
'I like being near you too.'
...
...
...
"Owen."
"Owen…"
"Owen!"
The sleepy individual quickly woke up to see Jìng looking down at him with a panicked tone of voice.
"W-what happened?"
Owen sat upright as he rubbed his eyes while Jìng talked, "There's screaming coming from the direction of the road!"
Screaming? Getting on all fours, Owen crawled towards the tent door and unzipped it as he tilted his head to hear for any noise. Nothing happened as he could only hear the running river.
Jìng shuffled right behind him and sat next to him, her shoulder touching his. She then pointed her finger in the direction of the noise as she stayed silent, making Owen do the same.
Though the pair waited and nothing else happened, which made Owen think that Jìng might've misheard.
"I think you were hearing things-"
A blood curdling scream roared from the forest, causing Owen to stop talking and moving midtrack in horror.
'What the fuck...do ghosts exist in this world!?!?'
With a pale face, he turned to his companion who was also pale.
"Yo-you think t-that w-was a mogwai of so-some t-type?"
Owen asked nervously, hoping that it really was a mogwai and not a ghost. His hope however was shot down immediately as Jìng shook her head and whispered to him.
"I don't th-think that's a mogwai…I-It might b-be a Gwi-Gwishin!"
"What the hell is a Gwishin!?"
Owen whispered before being told that it was a type of spirit that was said to hunt in the farm fields of Pan Bo to drain the life out of unsuspecting people. Jìng gathered up her courage and began to put on her armor, making Owen look up at her in shock.
"What are you doing!?"
"The scream I heard was from a person! They can be attacked right now, we gotta help them!"
While that was a good thing to do, Owen couldn't help but feel like this was a setup by bandits. Perhaps they were using something similar to those Aztec death whistles?
"W-wait! The noise can be from bandits trying to lure people in an ambush!"
Jìng ignored Owen and quickly finished up her forearms as she then grabbed her sword before stepping outside the tent. Once there, she turned around to look at the Shaolin Hero, "I'm sorry Owen but there could be someone in danger right now. If it's bandits or a Gwishin, I'm still going!"
Owen cursed under his breath as Jìng ran off towards the direction of the road. She really was naive at times, but nonetheless Owen couldn't be a coward and not help.
'Crap! I can't leave her alone in this!'
He stumbled backwards as he opened his bags to find his lamellar armor. Though he didn't have time to put it all on, so instead he opted to put on his chest plate as he ran with his vambraces barely on.
As Owen ran through the woods struggling to put his vambraces on, he could only hope it was just someone that injured themselves and that Jìng wasn't in any real danger…
As Jìng reached the edge of the road, she could hear the noise of crackling wood and the smell of smoke in the air.
'Over there!'
She exclaimed in her head as she ran on the road and towards the disturbance. In the distance, she could see a carriage crashed sideways laying on the ground. There was also a horse that laid on its side, she hoped that it was passed out rather than dead…
As she got closer, Jìng saw three armed guards in similar states to the horse. However she soon found the source of the fire coming from a broken lantern that was beginning to spread to the rest of the carriage.
Quickly channeling her mama through her tattoos that were applied on the entirety of her left arm, she began to chant for a water spell to put out the fire. Once prepared, Jìng thrusted her arm forward as she shouted:
[As an individual born with the element of Water, channel the power of my tattoo and mana to wash away this fire! Apprentice Shû Wave!]
A wave of water formed out of thin air and shot towards the burning wood and lantern, causing it to be snuffed out.
With the flames extinguished, she breathed a sigh of relief as she ran past the passed out bodies to check the inside of the carriage.
She saw that it held many insignia of a symbol familiar to her on the wooden door before realizing what it was.
'They're from the Jia Water Guild's! Sir Cao Ma had the same symbol on Kao's saddle!'
But what were they doing here? Though she dismissed that question as she had to make sure the person inside was safe since the guards and horse outside seemed to be passed out thankfully.
Opening the door, Jìng saw another passed out individual. The woman was dressed in fine clothing, similar to how the princess advisor dressed like back when she and Owen were at the capital.
Pressing her finger against her neck for a pulse, Jìng noted she was alive before gently picking her up in her arms. Then Jìng stepped back outside and placed the women down on the dirt ground.
As she did so, her friend's voice called out from behind:
"Jìng! What's going on!"
Turning around, she saw Owen running towards her with his armor seemingly hanging off. Alongside his Bo Staff resting within his right arm.
"Owen, these people definitely came from Jia! For some reason they all passed out and their carriage was almost burned!"
Jia explained the situation to the Shaolin Hero who cautiously looked around their surroundings as he muttered to her.
"Think…this could be the work of bandits?"
She shook her head, if it was a bandit attack then these guards would've been slain but there was no wound of any kind.
"No, they all look pale. It's like something drained them of their…"
Jia slowly paused as she looked to Owen who quickly switched over to the new weapon form he had unlocked.
It now has three smaller sticks linked together, a sectional staff if Jia remembered the name correctly. Though it was in the shape of a Rivergator's bones with the reddish gold gem of the holy weapon surrounded with scales.
"Jia," Owen said, catching the girl's attention.
"Start healing them if you can, I'll make sure to defend you from the Gwishin…"
"Right…they're low on health and there's no visible wound on them. It's definitely the work of a Gwishin," Jia said before she started healing the passed out woman in her arms.
As she did so, both her and Owen heard another chilling scream echo from the farm fields behind them.
She was about to turn her head but Owen quickly yelled at her.
"Focus on healing Jia! Don't get distracted!"
"R-right!"
He's right, she can't be distracted by the Spirit now fighting her friend. Gathering her mana once again, Jia shouted out another spell she knew.
[As an individual born with the element of Water, channel the power of my tattoo and mana to heal this person's health! Apprentice Shû Alleviation!]
Jia made sure to watch the woman's health return to decent levels before looking up to find the nearest guard.
'Right there! Next to the horse!'
She made her way to the passed out horse only to fall on her butt as a ghostly woman with silky clothes and long black hair that seemingly covered her face attempted to make an attack on Jia.
However Owen quickly slammed one end of his sectional staff into the gut of the spirit, before twisting his arms back and forth in a circular motion to repeatedly slam both ends of his staff on the Gwishin.
Jia watched as the Gwishin shrieked in back as it was juggled back and forth by Owen before turning into fog and moving behind the Shaolin Hero.
Owen quickly activated Body Lock to lessen force exerted onto his back before turning around and continuing the fight with the spirit.
The Najin girl stopped watching the fight as she healed the second guard of the crashed carriage. She'd ignored more shrieks coming from the Gwishin as she reached the third person in need of help.
However before she got to that individual, a loud scream came from her left. She watched as the Gwishin disintegrated in front of Owen who was now breathing heavily thanks to using high cost skills.
'Thank you Owen…'
She thought as she finally finished healing the remaining two guards before succumbing to exhaustion…
Owen rushed in and caught the now asleep Jìng in his arms, he breathed a sigh of relief since he didn't want his friend to crash face first on the ground.
'Did she fall asleep from using too many magic points? Does it work similar to my Skill Points? No…maybe not? I'll just have to ask her when she wakes up again…'
He sighed with exhaustion as well thanks to the Gwishin genuinely being annoying to fight. It was only thanks to it attempting to attack Jia that he was able to get a couple good hits on it since it kept turning into air and having his attacks miss.
He had many questions regarding the Gwishin…
Though now, he gently placed Jìng on the ground as he took off his lamellar armor to get his tunic to place under her head. Owen then looked to see a total of four people, a nearly dressed woman and three guards.
All wearing distinct uniforms from the Pan Bo guards back at Jingyi.
"You guys probably came from Jia…sucks you guys were attacked by a ghost…"
He soon absorbed the body of the Gwishin that was now dust on the ground and decided to look at the new weapon form whenever he had the chance.
Now as the only one awake, Owen decided it would be better for everyone not to freeze in the night so he quickly ran back to camp and grabbed a hold of the hidden cart.
When he returned back to the carriage, he placed everyone inside it before dragging everyone off to his party's camp. Completely exhausted from tonight and wanting a peaceful night of rest…
Crap. He forgot about the horse...
A/N: Sorry folks but no Other World Index for this chapter since I've been doing it for the last three chapters.
Hope you guys are enjoying the friendship between Owen and Jìng, it might blossom into something who knows. Jìng is happy that she is able to do what she wants to do, while Owen is happy that he's feeling less lonely now that he realized how more daunting his task as the Shaolin Hero is.
Next chapter will have us in the Ye Tai Mountains, very close to Xialin! As well as meeting the Jia group, the party had been saved from the Gwishin. Depending on how long the next chapter will be, Chapter 9 might be a two patter but we'll see!
So until then, see ya next time!