Loyal, Brave & True

Chapter 38

"Jin Ling" Wuxian pointed out, recognising his nephew dressed in the yellow Ling robes.

Jia blinked, for she recognised two people, who stood next to him. "Shizui, Jingyi?" she called out.

Her voice immediately seemed to calm down the Lan junior cultivators, who recognised her equally fast and even a small smile formed on their faces.

"Cousin Jia/Lan Xiong"

While her dear sort-of-cousin greeted her informally, something that only he and her family members could do; the rest of the Lan junior disciples addressed her more formally due to her family status.

"Oh great, it's you two again" Jin Ling said, his mood ruined upon seeing them and most specifically, the supposed madman.

"I also wonder why it's you" Wuxian snapped back, almost pouting his lips like a young child.

"Young Master Mo, Cousin Jia" Shizui addressed them. "If you two are here, does that mean that Hanguan Jun is also here?"

Some of the disciples got excited at the thought and Wuxian rolled his eyes, not liking how favourite his partner was compared to him.

"Yeah, yeah he is here" he said with less enthusiasm and some mild annoyance as he placed his one hand on his waist. "Why are you here in the first place? Don't tell me that you company each other for night hunting here"

Jia lifted an eyebrow at them, now curious and emerged into their discussion. It was not uncommon for junior disciples to stick together during night hunts but considering there was Jin Ling in the equation; she found that theory to be unlikely.

The Jin Heir was very cocky sometimes and always wanted to lead, while not being the best player when it came to teamwork. At the same time, the Lan junior disciples were quite a close group and due to their high numbers; they did not truly need to work with anyone.

"It's so odd here, there is no one around" Jin Ling pointed out as Jingyi gave a few nods with his head, clearly agreeing.

Shizui followed next. "In broad daylight, but was teemed with pathogenic mist and none of the shops are open"

"That's not the point" Wuxian corrected him. "Tell me why are you here first?"

There was a small hesitation and a silent eye exchange between the disciples.

Jia, getting tired and not liking the fact that they were all alone in a place where a lot of bad things could happen; folded her hands in front of her chest. Ironically, she seemed to have copied Wuxian's stance, for they both stood and looked at the disciples similarly.

However, she chose to speak because it was clear that none of the boys was willing to step forward.

"Shizui, speak," she said in her most commanding clan leader voice, which could match the one of her uncle.

Without hesitating, her cousin started to speak. "That's a long story. After we entered the town, we worried about getting lost and so we gathered together. Suddenly, we heard this sound. At that time...it was not that quick. One by one, slowly, we seemed to see a small figure in the fog; walking slowly. It disappeared once we ran to it" he started to explain as niece and uncle exchanged a silent look. "The sound followed us all along since then"

Jia quickly thought back to the figure that they were chasing not so long ago and was most likely pinned down somewhere by her uncle. However, they did not hear any sound and they hadn't so far.

Jingyi decided to continue the story. "We went on this road after entering the town and we never changed direction, but we still couldn't get out of here"