"Do you want me to be honest with you guys? I don't fully remember. It's been so long since I have traveled around," Xiaodan told them straight, but also lied.
Zhang Yuz narrowed his eyes, "Then why did you say you knew and told us to take you with us? What is your true purpose?"
"Technically, I didn't completely say I knew where exactly, but I did say I would help," Xiaodan smiled sheepishly. He Jingy quietly looked at her, but he didn't say a word.
"Also, I was hoping this journey would help jog my memory to remember where I heard about the Taoist Priest," Xiaodan added.
"I figured since the water dragon is locked up in Mountain Su, the city closest to it must be the city I heard about the Taoist Priest," Xiaodan reasoned.
"Alright," Fu Zhong said sternly, ending the conversation. "We will ask around," he added, but glanced at He Jingy with a serious look.
He Jingy noticed his gaze and knew what he meant. He shook his head, surprising Fu Zhong. Jiu Jun saw Fu Zhong and He Jingy's subtle interactions and knew that Fu Zhong wanted He Jingy to uncover the storyteller's true intentions in coming with them, using any means necessary to do so. But what also surprised Jiu Jun was how He Jingy shook his head, which was unlike him not to investigate her true purpose unless he knew something they didn't.
________
"Alright, spill," Fu Zhong said as Fu Zhong, He Jingy, and Jiu Jun were in his room alone.
"There's nothing much to explain. I had already had my doubts about the storyteller and handled it. She has no evil intentions," He Jingy answered, sitting down around the table in the room.
"That's fast of you, Jingy," Jiu Jun said, sitting down as well.
"But that's good to hear. She doesn't seem like a dangerous person," Jiu Jun added.
"Although her little friend is a bit annoying," he said, crossing his arms. Both Fu Zhong and He Jingy stared at Jiu Jun and kept quiet.
Fu Zhong felt relieved since He Jingy confirmed that the storyteller wasn't dangerous; he was no longer worried.
"If that is the case, then we will have to investigate to see if anyone in this city knows about the Taoist Priest," Fu Zhong said.
"Tomorrow you two go seek any information," Fu Zhong added as both Jiu Jun and He Jingy nodded their heads.
_____
Xiaodan sighed as she was stumped.
"Xiaodan, are you alright? That was the third time you've sighed," Chen Yang asked, looking quite worried for Xiaodan.
"Yes, I am just thinking," Xiaodan said, looking out the window of their room. The sun was setting, and the night market was starting to become lively. Xiaodan rested her chin on her palm and aimlessly stared at people passing by the inn. She immediately spotted someone. She straightened up and leaned out to see clearly.
"What do you see, Xiaodan?" Chen Yang asked, wanting to take a look as well.
"Ah, Chen Yang. I-I'll be right back," Xiaodan said, moving toward the door.
"Where are you going?" Chen Yang asked.
"I'll explain later. I'll be back...," Xiaodan said, hurrying off. Chen Yang scratched the back of her head before looking out the window to see what Xiaodan had seen. She was curious but didn't know what Xiaodan saw. She wanted to follow after her, but she felt Xiaodan probably didn't want her to, and she would get in the way. She didn't want to burden Xiaodan even more than she already had.
Xiaodan ran out of the inn and hurried to find that familiar figure. She squeezed by the crowd and once again spotted the familiar figure. She hurried and followed after the figure. She was finally able to catch up and reached her hand out. She grabbed hold of the person's shoulder. The person turned back.
"MengYao?" Xiaodan said with a bright smile.
"Xiaodan!" MengYao said with bright eyes. "What are you doing here?" MengYao asked.
Before Xiaodan could answer back.
"MengYao? What's the matter? Huh, who is this?" a feminine voice said. Xiaodan looked in the direction of the voice and noticed a young lady with a high ponytail wearing a male scholar's outfit.
"Ah, Miss Yin, this is my old friend from my hometown," MengYao answered humbly.
"Oh, hello. I'm Yin Minxin, daughter of General Yin," Yin Minxin greeted.
Xiaodan immediately bowed her head and said, "Greeting, Miss Yin. I apologize for abruptly stopping you two."
"No need for apologies. I understand you are MengYao's friend," Yin Minxin said, unbothered.
"I, however, do apologize for ruining this tender moment, but MengYao and I must head back before my father worries about me," Yin Minxin added.
"Oh, no need to apologize. I understand," Xiaodan said with a smile. Yin Minxin was a bit stunned by her smile and couldn't help but smile back.
"Xiaodan, let's meet up at that restaurant later tonight. I'll sneak out in an hour or two," MengYao whispered to her before following Yin Minxin.
_______
Xiaodan didn't head back to the inn but headed into the restaurant and waited for MengYao in a private room. Soon enough, 2 hours later, MengYao appeared and sat in front of Xiaodan.
"Sorry for the wait. I was finally excused for the night and could sneak away," MengYao said, undoing her long hair and retying it into a simple bun again.
"What brought you here?" MengYao asked.
"My assignment brought me here. What about you?" Xiaodan said, pouring tea for them.
"Me too. My first mid-level case is here," MengYao said.
"How is it going?" Xiaodan asked.
MengYao took a deep sigh, "Well, I am the maid of Yin Minxin, the daughter of General Yin Zimo, who's stationed here to protect the border, and he happened to meet Li Hongtu, an orphan boy, and adopted him as his adopted son. Yin Minxin liked him from a young age since they grew up together, but Li Hongtu could only consider her as a sister to show his gratitude to her father for raising him. And, sadly, those two are my assigned people, which I am struggling to make them communicate their true feelings with each other. But enough about me, what about you? How's your first mid-level case?"
"Well, my assigned people are the Crown Princess of the Zhao clan and the Crown Prince of the Fu clan. And I also have to free the water dragon," Xiaodan said, dreadfully.
"What! The water dragon," MengYao said, slapping the table. "The one who fell in love with a mortal," MengYao whispered.
Xiaodan nodded her head, "Yup, but I am stuck. I have to find the Taoist priest who locked her up, but I have no idea where he is. All I know from Auntie Mo is that he lives in the forest."
"Welp, just go search in the forest then?" MengYao said.
"Easier said than done. How can I just willy-nilly say the Taoist priest is in the forest when no one here even knows about the Taoist priest's whereabouts, let alone whether he is still alive?" Xiaodan said in a stressed voice.
"Hmm, you are right about that...," MengYao tightened her lips and started thinking of any ideas.
"Oh!" MengYao raised her eyebrows. "What if we help each other?" MengYao said, giving Xiaodan a mischievous smile.
YOU ARE READING
Cupid's Assistant
FantasyCupid. A small chubby boy with wings who carries a bow that shoots arrows of love to anyone in his way. Whoever gets struck by his arrows will fall in love with whomever they see. However, time has changed and Cupid no longer works alone. Now he has...
