Together 2

55. Protection

Xiao Zhan quickly swung his sword as he attacked the cloaked men along with Cao Yuchen. 'They are very strong. Also, there are many.' Xiao Zhan thought as he stopped to catch his breath. "Tang San watch out!" Before Xiao Zhan could respond, Cao Yuchen rushed forward and blocked an attack from behind Xiao Zhan. However, he wasn't quick enough, thereby getting cut on his arm.

"A-Chen!" Xiao Zhan shouted. "It's fine. I can still fight." Cao Yuchen said, However, as the crimson liquid dripped out of his arm, he hissed in pain and struggled to hold his sword. "A-Chen, don't leave my side!" Xiao Zhan stood behind Cao Yuchen, their backs touching each other slightly. 'I tried hard not use the mana sword. But now... I have no other choice.' Xiao Zhan was just about to use the mana sword, when the swordsmen were suddenly attacked by another group of swordsmen.

The two groups kept fighting while Xiao Zhan led Cao Yuchen away from the commotion. "Retreat! They're too strong!" Saying so, the old group quickly ran away while the leader of the new group walked over to Xiao Zhan. 'Who is it?' Xiao Zhan thought as he kept staring at the cloaked person. 'Is he on our side? Or is he an enemy?'

"We have been saved thanks to you. Please let us know your identity, we will definitely repay you." Xiao Zhan said. Xiao Zhan and the cloaked figure looked at each other before the cloaked figure smiled. "We'll meet again." Saying so, the cloaked figures left, leaving Xiao Zhan and Cao Yuchen behind. "Wait!" Xiao Zhan called, but none of them stopped, stunning the omega even more.

Suddenly, Cao Yuchen's groan snapped Xiao Zhan back to reality. "A-Chen! We have to go back to treat your wound first!" Cao Yuchen sighed and nodded as the two of them walked back. "I'm sorry I boasted earlier. Now I'm a burden." He apologized. "Don't say that! Didn't A-Chen save me?" Xiao Zhan reprimanded, making Cao Yuchen smile. "Thank you." 'Come to think of it... where did I hear that voice before?' Xiao Zhan thought as he suddenly thought of the cloaked figure he had just talked to.

***

The next day, Xiao Zhan kept roaming around the headquarters of the honor swordsman guild, searching for Wang Yibo. 'Xie Yun still didn't come back? Maybe I should tell the chairman first.' Just as Xiao Zhan thought of going to see Gao Tai Yu, he suddenly saw Wang Yibo walking towards him. "Ah! Xie Yun-" Before Xiao Zhan could continue speaking, Wang Yibo grabbed Xiao Zhan's arm and pushed him in a corner.

"Xie Yun wait!" Xiao Zhan said in a hurry, but Wang Yibo didn't stop and held Xiao Zhan's chin, tilting his face up. Xiao Zhan blushed as he kept staring at Wang Yibo's face while the latter kept examining Xiao Zhan's face. "Phew! Looks like you didn't get hurt anywhere." Wang Yibo said in relief as he touched Xiao Zhan's face, making the omega's face burn red.

"How did you know?" Xiao Zhan said while Wang Yibo moved away. "I heard about it the moment I came back. That you and Cao went out together and got hurt. Is it Yong An?" Wang Yibo asked, making Xiao Zhan nod. "I was expecting them to do something bad. I just didn't think they'd try to kill me.'

Wang Yibo sighed. "Why did this have to happen right when I was absent? You should go out less often. If you do, I'll come with you." Xiao Zhan nodded. "Ah right. Yesterday, a man in a grey cloak saved me and A-Chen. Was he sent by you?" He asked. "If only that was true. But no." Wang Yibo said as the two of them walked down the corridor.

"Is that so? Then who was he? He said we'd meet again. It's like that person knows me." Xiao Zhan said. "We need to confirm first. If it was a goodwill, then we should be grateful. But if he's doing it with ulterior motives... we need to be careful." Wang Yibo said, making Xiao Zhan look at him while Wang Yibo averted his gaze.

***

"To mess with another swordsman association... is something even more serious." Gao Tai Yu said as Xiao Zhan, Wang Yibo and Cao Yuchen went to meet him in his room. "If only we had evidence that Yong An did it. So, we can do nothing but warn them." "Then..." Cao Yuchen spoke up before he trailed off. "Tang San. As the chairman of honor swordsman, I will definitely ensure your safety." Gao Tai Yu said. "As for Cao Yuchen. I accept your resignation. From now on, you are no longer a trainee of the honor swordsman guild."

"Wait!" Cao Yuchen said immediately. "I will also be here to protect Tang San!" "A-Chen don't! It's dangerous!" Xiao Zhan said quickly while Wang Yibo kept looking at them from the corner of the room. "It's a shame since I saw your growth the entire time but-" Before Gao Tai Yu could complete, a knock on the door was heard and a messenger came in.

"Chairman! There's something that needs to be dealt with." The person said making Gao Tai Yu sigh as he stood up. "I'll be right back."