Chapter 73: 73 Chapter 72: New assignmen

After seven days, I scraped the last scales off the Sapphire Scorpions and carefully placed them on a tray. Covering the tray with plastic, I then disposed of the corpses – as Tang Qi Hong told me to – and wiped the perspiration off my face.

"Time to let her know."

Retrieving my cellphone, I called Tang Qi Hong to inform her that I had finished my task.

"WHAT?!"

Tang Qi Hong shouted from the other side of the phone so loudly that I winced and almost dropped my phone.

"It's only been a week! I gave you nine days!"

"Yeah, well…I finished early. I'll bring them over right now."

Hanging up before Tang Qi Hong could protest, I picked up the tray and began my journey to Tang Qi Hong's personal VIP pavilion.

It didn't take me long before I reached it, and when I did, I gave her the tray. Tang Qi Hong raised the plastic wrap and inspected the sapphire scales before nodding in satisfaction.
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"Good."

"What's good?"

"The scales, of course! Looks like you didn't manage to break most of them." Tang Qi Hong breathed a sigh of relief. "You'll be rewarded another 5 gold coins for this assignment. Take a good rest, I'll give you a new task in two days or so."

"Thanks."

"I should be the one thanking you," Tang Qi Hong corrected with a giggle. "Your work might not be perfect, but at least you're fast. That's admirable."

"Uh…okay."

Glancing at the bench where Tang Qi Hong was seated on before I arrived, I couldn't help but feel curious.

"What are you working on?"

"Hmm? Didn't I tell you? I'm working on armor right now. That's why I had you scrape all the sapphire scales off those Sapphire Scorpions."

"I mean right now." I pointed toward a half-finished armament on the bench. Tang Qi Hong tilted her head and sighed.

"Heh…" I had heard of an Ice Soul Python before. It was a high-ranking magical beast…about rank 5 or 6. It was much larger than the Shadow Leopard I had tricked into fighting the Diamondback Crocodile before, and a lot more powerful, but obviously a bit slower. Placing a finger on my chin, I wondered out loud. "Do you mind if I hunt it for you?"

"Huh? Are you crazy? Even I wouldn't want to fight something as vicious as that." Tang Qi Hong was aware that I didn't receive any artificial qi, and assumed that I was weaker than her. "Don't be too reckless!"

"Oh, I have ways of dealing with magical beasts. And I probably won't go alone. I'll just join the Blood Blades group that you were planning on hiring."

"Hmm, that's a good idea." Tang Qi Hong contemplated for a bit before nodding. "It's true that you're more interested in combat than forging equipment, and as my assistant you're of more use as a bodyguard than an assistant blacksmith. All right then. I'll let you know tomorrow! For today, just take a break and resume your training."

"Got it." then suddenly I remembered something. "Oh, and do you mind if I take one or two scales from the Ice Soul Python?"

"Sure. I'll set aside five pieces for you, if you and that Blood Blades team succeed in hunting the Ice Soul Python."

That was a fair enough condition, and I nodded gratefully.

"Thank you!"

"Well, you're the one risking your life hunting it, so I think that's a fair reward," Tang Qi Hong explained, feeling a little embarrassed. "Anyway, run along now. I've to complete a hundred sets of Sapphire Scorpion armor by next week, so I would prefer not to be disturbed!"

That suited me fine, especially since I had stuff to do. Such as physical training. Waving goodbye, I headed back to my apartment to begin my training as usual.

*

The next day, I received word from Tang Qi Hong that a group had indeed accepted the job, but she didn't sound very happy over the phone.

"They say to meet them outside the outer sect area," she told me snappily before hanging up. I just gaped for a moment, not sure how to respond.

"Wait, what? Who are they? At least tell me their names or how I'm supposed to identify them!"

Unfortunately, the line was dead, and Tang Qi Hong wouldn't take any of my calls in either case. Shaking my head in resignation, I proceeded toward the outskirts of Tushan City. Preparing my stuff, I slung my haversack over my shoulder and departed.

While walking toward the exterior of the outer sect sector, I passed by the platform floating on the Lake of Fire. As usual, there were many inner sect and outer sect disciples gathered under the nine Spirit Engraved Pillars.

It was quite a common sight as there was plenty of people who wanted to try their luck, hoping to divine some sort of understanding from the engravings inscribed onto the elegant surfaces of the Spirit Engraved Pillars, and some even fantasized over being able to trigger a reaction from any of the pillars, hoping that there was some sort of fate at work.

As I drew closer, I saw that it wasn't just the old disciples, but even the twenty or so new disciples who had only just been recently admitted into the sect had also arrived. Like the rest, they also wanted to attempt to trigger a reaction from the pillar in hopes of attaining some sort of enlightenment from the Spirit Engravings.

I recognized Tian Jian Hao from the Dark Asura Sect, who tried to cut queue when we first took the examination. Naturally Liang Shao Yang from the Divine Shadow Sect was also there, as was Yin Jing Jing from Snow Valley Sect. to my surprise, even Tong Xue, who was supposedly not interested in forging armaments, was also sitting under a Spirit Engraved Pillars, meditating and doing his best to commune with it.

Shaking my head, I passed by the platform. Unfortunately, if I wanted to leave the outer sect sector and exit Tushan City, I had to walk past the platform. That meant I had to tolerate unwanted attention when the people on the platform spotted me.

Ugh.

Trying to square my shoulders and appear as inconspicuous as possible, I tried to distance myself from the plaza while heading for the outskirts.

Pang Feng's younger sister, Pang Yun, the inner sect disciple Hao Ying, Liang Shao Yang and even Tian Jian Hao scrutinized me intently, their eyes boring deeply into me as if they could drill right into the center of my heart and discover my real nature or some bullshit like that. I felt like a virus under a microscope.

"Are you heading out?" Tong Xue asked with a smile when I walked past him. I stopped and nodded, then cocked my head to the side with a perplexed expression.

"Um, I thought you weren't interested in forging Spirit Armaments?"

"No, of course I'm not," Tong Xue replied sheepishly. "But I wanted to try as well. I want to see if I'll be able to comprehend the Spirit Engravings on the Spirit Engraved Pillars, or if I can trigger a response from these Spirit Engraved Pillars. After all, everyone who passed the exams will consider themselves special, and believe they're smarter and more talented than the rest. So they would want to try. Even though I'm not that interested in forging spirit armaments, I can't say I'm completely immune to this sort of hubris."

"Good luck!" I wished him. "I hope you succeed!"

"Ha ha ha," Tong Xue chuckled. "I wish. What about you? Do you want to try?"

"Not today. I have a mission today." Glancing at my cell phone, my eyes widened. "Whoa! It's already this late! Sorry, I've to go meet up with my group. I'll see you when I get back!"

"Sure, sure! Have a safe trip!"

Tong Xue waved as I scurried away hastily, rushing toward the outside of the outer sect sector. Once my figure vanished from view, he then focused his attention back on the Spirit Engraved Pillars and meditated seriously.

"He's been in the Nine-Tailed Fox Sect for a little over two weeks, but he hasn't even sat under the Spirit Engraved Pillars and study their Engravings yet? Does he not possess the desire to do so? Or maybe he has no intention of testing out his talent?"

"I doubt it. I'm sure he wants to. If anyone can comprehend the Spirit Engravings on one of the Spirit Engraved Pillars, and trigger a reaction from it, then they will instantly be promoted into the inner sect and the Sect Leader, Sect Mistress and all the elders will personally take care of them, and nurture them to be the core of the Nine-Tailed Fox Sect. They will be entitled to all sorts of special privileges. There's no other method that is faster or more direct."

"Then why hasn't this guy tried it yet?"

"Isn't it because he's too busily assisting Senior Tang? She's been giving him a few difficult tasks. I heard that he even volunteered to hunt an Ice Soul Python just so she can work on her next project. So he probably doesn't have the time to attempt to commune with the Spirit Engraved Pillars yet. He's too busily doing everything he can to make her happy."

"Yeah, Senior Tang seems pretty happy."

"Ugh, that bastard! I'm so jealous!"

"Why a sly bastard…"

Wow, those scoundrels were really going at it, gossiping all sorts of nonsense about me behind my back. Good thing I had already left, or I would be pretty pissed off at them. As it was, I was blissfully unaware of the bullshit they were spouting until Tong Xue told me much later.

Liang Shao Yang and Tian Jian Hao, who were under two separate Spirit Engraved Pillars, listened to the rumors, and their expressions darkened considerably. Oh come on. I knew Tian Jian Hao was an idiot, but surely Liang Shao Yang was intelligent enough not to believe this nonsense, right? Or was I overestimating him?

I guess jealousy does really horrible things to affect one's reason and composure.

*

"Over here!"

"…eh?"

At first, I was stunned, wondering why Zi Xiao Ji was waving at me, of all people. She beckoned for me to come over, which I was reluctant to do so because I was going to be late for my meeting with the Blood Blades group at this rate.

And then I realized, I saw no sign of the Blood Blades group except for Zi Xiao Ji, who was standing next to a slender girl with long, braided hair and a huge, bulky guy who was almost as big as Pang Feng.

Even though I had a sinking feeling, without any sign of the group I was supposed to meet, I had no choice to venture over to Zi Xiao Ji's group.

"Um…hello."

"It's so good that you can join us!" Zi Xiao Ji beamed brilliantly as she almost bounced up and down excitedly.

Join you? Could it be…?

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It didn't take a genius to guess what Zi Xiao Ji was talking about. That sinking feeling I felt at the bottom of my gut only grew stronger.

"I didn't know you're from Blood Blades," I mumbled. Zi Xiao Ji shook her head.

"No, I'm not from Blood Blades, but these two are!" she gestured to the slender girl and huge guy beside her. "Let me introduce you to them! This is Zhao Shi, and Da Ge!"

The girl, Zhao Shi, nodded silently, her slightly pretty face creased into an expression of nonchalance. In contrast, the huge guy, Da Ge, grinned and waved in a friendly manner. I returned the greeting with a polite bow.

"I was also looking for an Ice Soul Python, so when Sister Tang said that she needed scales from it, I jumped at the chance to procure it!"

I knew it. I just knew that Zi Xiao Ji was tagging along for the monster hunting mission…

"Even so, as a Spirit Engraver, there isn't any real need for you to tag along, is there?" I asked, puzzled. Zi Xiao Ji raised a finger and shook her head.

"It's fine! I had nothing better to do anyway! And I wanted some combat experience! Mom is so great at martial arts…and I plan to live up to her reputation as her daughter one day!"

Right. Zi Xiao Ji was the daughter of Zi Da Ji, formerly Su Da Ji, the greatest martial artist in the Nine-Tailed Fox Sect and the leader of the Blood Blades.

"We'll make sure to protect Miss Zi," Zhao Shi promised. Da Ge nodded in agreement, a confident grin spreading over his bear of a face.

"Of course!"

"…protect Miss Zi?" I frowned, wondering about their tone. There was something about their words that piqued my curiosity. Shouldn't the mission of hunting an Ice Soul Python be our priority, not protecting Zi Xiao Ji?

"Hey! I don't need protection!" Zi Xiao Ji protested hotly. Neither Zhao Shi nor Da Ge responded to her, which infuriated her even more. "Stop ignoring me!"

"We apologize, we didn't intend to ignore you."

That deferential tone that Zhao Shi took with Zi Xiao Ji further aroused more suspicions. Taking a deep breath, I swept my gaze across the three of them.

"You guys sound like you're Miss Zi's personal bodyguards or something."

"We are."

Say what?

"Speaking of which, thank you for protecting the Miss last week!" Da Ge inclined his head toward me.

"Yeah, it's our failure as her bodyguards to fail to guard her when she most needs it." Zhao Shi shook her head, and then looked firmly at Zi Xiao Ji. "We'll make sure not to let you out of our sight this time."

"I want to have my own privacy, you know!" Zi Xiao Ji argued, annoyed. Zhao Shi merely shook her head and the two girls argued.

"Oh, and thanks for helping the Miss with her scrolls too." Da Ge scratched his head sheepishly. "Normally I should be the one helping her carry her stuff, but I had to buy replacement parts for our car. While I did so, the Miss went ahead and bought her scrolls and carried them before I could get back. Thanks!"

"Oh!" I suddenly remembered the car where Zi Xiao Ji brought me to, where I placed the scrolls in the boot. "So you're the driver!"

"That's right!" he gestured toward the exact same car that I saw parked outside the scroll shop where I met Zi Xiao Ji a week ago. "And we're taking that car to the Arctic Mountains!" he frowned after a second. "Unfortunately, we'll have to park the car at the bottom of the mountain. We won't be able to drive up the treacherous terrain."

"Huh? Why? The car hovers, right?"

"Too much qi interference, and the qi-producing engine isn't powerful enough to climb up the steep slope."

I wasn't sure how that worked, but if they say so. Honestly, that felt more like a convenient plot device to put us in danger as we climbed the Arctic Mountain on foot, but given how normal people couldn't simply drive up a mountain in a car in my original world, I guess it wasn't without reason. Not to mention, we might scare off the Ice Soul Python and other magical beasts with the amount of noise the hovering car was making.

Or worse, draw their attention toward us. As advanced as the hover-car was, it was no tank, and wouldn't be able to withstand the elemental and physical attacks from monsters, magical beasts and demonic creatures.

"Let's go!" Zi Xiao Ji tugged on my hands happily. "I'm so happy that we get to work with you again, Fei Wu!"

"Uh…right." I wasn't sure how to feel about this, and resisted the urge to yank my hands out of her grip. "I'll be in your care, Miss Zi."

"Come on! You can call me Xiao Ji! We're friends, aren't we?"

"…"

Now I knew why Tang Qi Hong was in such a foul mood earlier that morning, when she called me. When she learned that Zi Xiao Ji and her personal bodyguards were the team who accepted her request, she must have flipped out. Zi Xiao Ji was getting overly friendly with me even though we had only met twice before.

Sensing a sharp stare, I raised my head and spotted Zhao Shi glaring daggers at me, suspicions clouding her eyes. I met her gaze coolly, refusing to back down.

Hey, don't give me that attitude, lady. I know nothing about this. I volunteered for this mission first, and you were the ones who decided to take it.

"Don't mind Zhao Shi," Da Ge assured me with a grin. "She's paranoid about everyone and everybody."

"And you lack caution, Da Ge," Zhao Shi replied frostily as she folded her arms. "Leaving the Miss alone during last week's errand. You almost let her get hurt."

"Huh? You were the one on guard duty during the cafeteria incident!" Da Ge retorted, momentarily losing his good humor. "Nothing untoward happened when I drove the Miss out to the store! But what were you doing when the Miss interfered in the altercation between Junior Pang Feng and Junior Liang Shao Yang?"

"That's…" Zhao Shi's face flushed. "I let my guard down back then. I'll make sure I won't do it again."

"She was in the restroom when that happened," Zi Xiao Ji informed Da Ge cheerfully. "So please don't blame Zhao Shi for being absent then!"

Zhao Shi's face grew redder. "There's no need to tell them that!"

Yeah, girl…that was too much info, and it was a delicate subject for ladies. Speaking of which, being a lady herself, Zi Xiao Ji didn't seem to realize that. Then again, she was still young and incredibly innocent.

"Ha ha ha ha ha!" Da Ge guffawed raucously, and then turned away. "Well, it'll be a long drive, so let's not waste any time! Get ready, folks!"

I approached the car that I saw last week, feeling a little apprehensively. It wouldn't be the first time I had ridden a hover-car, having been a passenger in my dad's hover-car before, but still…it felt surreal. I spent most of my time on public transports, after all.

Before I could climb into the backseat, Zhao Shi stopped me and pointed toward the front passenger seat. Evidently she planned to sit in the back with Zi Xiao Ji, probably so that she could keep her eye on her.

"Please take the front," she told me coolly.

"Right." With no reason to complain, I obliged. Besides, Da Ge was clearly better company, so the more I thought about it, the more I would prefer to sit in the front with him. On the other hand, sitting in the back with Zi Xiao Ji would be awkward.

And I probably would not be able to withstand the hostility from Zhao Shi. Hmm, to be frank, it wasn't so much hostility as it was distrust and suspicion.

"Don't mind her," Da Ge assured me when I buckled myself in the front seat. "Zhao Shi is like that with everyone."

"Except you?" I asked dryly. Da Ge chuckled at that.

"We had a long working relationship together. At first, she didn't trust me as well, but over the years we built up quite the solid rapport."

"That's good."

"By the way, what's the deal with you and Junior Tang Qi Hong?" As he started the engine and revved the car up, Da Ge abruptly threw a curveball at me. "I heard all the rumors, but you clearly aren't the cunning, scheming bastard the gossipers make you out to be."

What the fuck were people gossiping about me? Did they have nothing better to do with their time?

"We've been classmates in Wu Ling Academy for years," I replied honestly. "And friends, I guess. But Elder Zhao was the one who invited me to take the entrance exam, and…so here I am."

Frankly, I had never expected to pass the exam. After unexpectedly being accepted into the outer sect, I had just gone with the flow, rolled with the punches, and did my best to learn forging stuff. It seemed pretty beneficial for me, after all.

Now that I think about it, I want to forge a proper Spirit Engraved armament for myself…one that I can use in the battlefield without always temporarily freezing water vapor into ice swords. I need something less fragile, something infinitely more durable…

Which was why I requested a couple of Ice Soul Python scales from Tang Qi Hong.

"Heh…that makes sense." Da Ge nodded. "The both of you seem pretty close."

"I guess. We've known each other for years, after all."

"How nice!" Zi Xiao Ji broke in from behind. "Sister Tang rarely interacts with any of the guys in the Nine-Tailed Fox Sect! How is she in Wu Ling Academy?"

"She's diligent, talented and intelligent," I replied with a nod. "She's one of the top students in the academy."

"As expected of Sister Tang! How cool!"

"I heard she's not a match for Bai Ning Xue from the White Tiger Sect, though," Zhao Shi said from the back.

"I don't think anyone's a match for her, to be honest." Scratching my head, I sighed. "Other than Zhu Jiao."

Because he was the main character.

"Oh, wow! Bai Ning Xue! I also heard about her! She's really famous throughout the Great Zhou Empire! She has a lot of potential!"

Da Ge nodded.

"I also heard that she's quite the ice queen." Zi Xiao Ji sounded thoughtful. "Aloof and on a completely different level from everyone."

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