We did end up embracing our desires that night. When I woke up in his arms to the milky dawn light, I almost regretted accepting Wen Shiyin's invitation. I wanted nothing more than staying in his warm embrace for the rest of the day—for the rest of my life—but unfortunately, that wasn't an option. After a series of lingering kisses, I reluctantly climbed out of his bed and readied myself for the trip.
Most of the group had already gathered at the main gate by the time I arrived. As the rest slowly trickled into place, I scanned the small circle we made and tried to match names to all the somewhat familiar faces. There were a little fewer than twenty of us, about half of whom I recognized. I nodded my greetings to Wen Shiyin, Qi Lian, and …
A bad omen rose in me when I saw Guo Lingling, Zhong Yilan's fellow junior and best friend, and Li Yuxian, the Gatekeeper's disciple who I overheard suggesting that dual cultivation technique to Chu Xi.
Revenge was probably impossible to avoid, I sighed internally. I could only hope that their grudges against me were … less deadly than the Gatekeeper's.
The sun had already broken free of the horizon for a little while when the last person joined the group.. Wen Shiyin frowned. "You are late," she said to the latecomer. "Staying on time is crucial while working as a group. I hope this won't happen again, especially not when we are at the Jade Temple."
The latecomer made a face but said nothing. "Let's get moving then," Wen Shiyin continued. "We'll head to the forest to the west. Demons are known to lurk in that area, so stay together and keep a sharp eye out for them."
While everyone started summoning their flying swords, I heard the late comer whisper to someone next to her: "Who does she think she is, talking to us like that? Organizing the trip doesn't make her rule over us. She's so haughty."
Her friend huffed. "She's always like that. What do you think makes Senior Xie not like her?"
The two of them chuckled. I winced a little—I actually liked Wen Shiyin's straightforward personality quite a lot, and I wished I could have the confidence that she always carried herself with. I wondered if she heard those barbed comments, though if she did, she didn't show it. We all got on our flying swords and made our way to the forest.
~ ~
The forest we arrived at looked similar to the woods at East Village, with a thick canopy weaved from giant oaks and ancient pine trees. I imagined for a moment that a hunter would appear from behind the tall shrubs just like last time, and that I would find in his eyes the familiar, loving gaze that I had grown so used to. But I knew it was only my wishful thinking. Disguised or not, Bai Ye couldn't help us on this trip, and I wouldn't be able to see him privately with so many people around us anyway.
I turned my attention back to my footing, trying to focus on our current task instead. We'd have to track down the demons first, and since Wen Shiyin didn't give any details on what they were like, the most reliable way to locate them would be through spiritual power … and the old-school method of footprints.
"Senior Yun!" A sharp voice from behind me slowed my steps. "What are you doing searching so intently on the ground? Trying to find ancient treasures buried in our path?"
I didn't need to turn around to know that it was Guo Lingling trying to make fun of me. I ignored her sarcasm, though she kept talking: "Oh, you can't be looking for footprints … Are you? That's such a primitive way of hunting. I can't believe people still do it nowadays, and for demons in that regard!"
The bitterness in her tone vexed me, and I failed to bite back a retort. "Do you have a better way?" I asked. "Why don't you show it to us? The whole group will benefit from it if you can help us find those demons sooner."
Guo Lingling paled when a few others glanced at us half expectantly. Of course she didn't have a better way, and she was simply loafing at the back of the crowd following everyone else around. "I—I'm just a junior, how would I have the experience for it?" She glared at me. "But if Senior Zhong is here, she would! If not because of you, she wouldn't still be locked up in her room and banned from coming with us!"
Wen Shiyin looked back from the front of the group. "Whatever grudges you might hold against anyone here, Guo Lingling, they can wait until we come back from the Jade Temple. The last thing we need on a team is strife and distrust."
Guo Lingling sneered. "It's easy to lecture others when you are not the one to be banished, Senior Wen. I saw you help Senior Yun back then as well—"
"That's enough." A new voice interrupted her, and I couldn't be more surprised to see that it came from Li Yuxian. "I was there too, and I saw with my own eyes what happened. Zhong Yilan only has herself to blame for this, and to keep bringing it up won't get you or her any sympathy. I suggest that you stop talking about it, whether we are at the Jade Temple or not."
I almost couldn't believe what I heard. I had somewhat expected Li Yuxian to join Guo Lingling at giving me a hard time, but why was he taking my side and helping me instead?
Guo Lingling's face ashened. Li Yuxian was one of the few top disciples at Mount Hua on par with Xie Lun, and his words naturally carried more weight than the rest of us. Guo Lingling gave me another hard glare, though she spoke no more.
I was still baffled over the unexpected help when I noticed Li Yuxian turning towards Wen Shiyin and smiling at her. Wen Shiyin didn't respond, and the group kept moving forward into the center of the forest.
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