That Fair-Faced 'Sage' {Completed}

86. The Elder

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The water flowed with its soft, trickling sounds in the quiet of night, reflecting the moonlight, which seemed to move on the flowing water's surface.

Two hooded figures were by a river, a short distance from the Luo province.

One knelt respectfully, before the other.

"Elder, it is suspicious that none of the men we sent to kill the disciple, have returned..." the Emissary informed the figure that stood before him.

"I told them to scatter and hide, after killing the disciple, so I didn't question things at first...

"But almost ten days have passed, and there is still no trace of them. I fear that Clan Leader Shuǐ might have set a trap." the Elder remained quiet for almost a full minute, making nervous sweat run down the emissary's back, despite the cool night air.

Finally, he spoke. "It appears he has become smarter over the years... However, Lin Liangfang wouldn't have been able to say anything, even if he was caught before his death. I'm told the disciple killed him, but perhaps he died because he tried to open his mouth."

There was an uncomfortable silence, before the Emissary cleared his throat nervously.

"Elder, as for Zhao LanFeng, we have someone new that we think can help us... She should be rather easy to convince, as recently, she seems to have a suspicious hatred for Zhao LanFeng."

The Elder nodded. "Hmm. Lin Lingshan. The foolish little one who has always sought to shine brighter than anyone else... The one who boldly approached the Shuǐ Family with clear goals from the start.

"Yes, Elder. It is indeed Lin Lingshan." The Emissary confirmed.

His men had witnessed their exchange in the streets, a while ago, and though they couldn't hear anything, there was no mistaking the clear dislike in Lin Lingshan's eyes.

Even recently, after her brother's death, she was constantly glaring at Zhao LanFeng, whenever she saw him.

Elder, "Have people watch her closely."

Emissary, "Understood, Elder." he cupped his hands and bowed in half.

But the Elder had already disappeared and appeared a considerable distance away, walking off with his back to him.

The emissary rose, watching the Elder take a few more calm strides, before vanishing again from his sight.

Annoyance crossed his features, after the Elder left.

"Show yourself!" he ordered, and another figure appeared, kneeling.

"Master." he cupped his hands and bowed.

The Emissary, "You heard, right? Arrange a few men and have the girl watched at all times."

"Yes Master." The servant replied.

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The early morning sun, shone through the leaves, in brilliant rays, falling beautifully into a clearing in the forest.

Shuǐ ChénLín opened his eyes, smiling at the scenery, subconsciously remembering the time under the crystal willow, when Zhao LanFeng had held the hawthorns in front of his face...

Then in the next instant, he went cross-eyed, as he noticed a bug, perched gingerly on his nose.

He raised a hand to dust it off, and then, "Ahh!"

He had been covered in Ladybugs, and at his startled movement, they had all flown into the air at once.

Shuǐ ChénLín's surprise turned to realization in less than a second, and then annoyance.