Path of the Lilies

18. Departing

The days of watching her father hunt lasted for several weeks. At first, Ye Jiao didn't feel well whenever she saw the beasts' corpses, but she got better gradually. Afterwards, she also helped her father to skin them and take the meat for their meal.

In the past, Ye Xiao only hunt once a week because he didn't dare to leave Ye Jiao alone. Now, he hunted every single day, so they have excess of meat and food in overall. Aside from that, he also built a small hut inside the forest for hunting. It was located quite deep, but because of the position, it was quite hidden and normal people wouldn't be able to find it.

This was the place where Ye Jiao spent most of her time to train while her father hunted the monster in front of her before skinning them.

"Jiao'er, have you packed all the meat?" Ye Xiao's head appeared on the door.

Ye Jiao smiled. Behind her were several large bundles full of meat. It was the result of the past few days of hunts as her father didn't sell them. They had had enough money from the hunt from the previous weeks that Ye Xiao sold for his journey expense.

"Everything is ready, Dad."

"Good," Ye Xiao took out a bracelet. In the next second, all the meat had disappeared.
Ye Jiao was stunned. She looked around but didn't find any trace of the meat. "Dad, all of the meat disappears!"

"Don't panic, they're all here," Ye Xiao played with the bracelet on his hand. He had just bought a small storage bracelet to store the food. The difference in the time flow would make the meat last longer, so he decided to buy one.

"What's that, Dad?"

"It's called storage bracelet. Just give it to your aunt later, she can show you how it works," Ye Xiao didn't want to try explaining things to Ye Jiao again. The last time he tried, it ended badly because he had to find an example that was easy to understand for kids. Rather than racking his brain further, he would just give the task to Ye Ai Xia.

"Ok."

"Now, let's go."

Holding her father's hands, Ye Jiao followed after her father into the city. After several times visiting the city to accompany her father sold the beast' corpse, she had gotten used with the differential treatment the people gave to her. Compared with before, she could control her emotion better, albeit the fact that it was still rather hard for her.

Towards the jeer and mocking gaze they gave, Ye Jiao paid no heed and followed after her father quietly. The journey that used to be unbearable for her became something ordinary for her.

"I want to visit my sister," Ye Xiao told the guard calmly.

The guard arched his eyebrows. "This is not the time for a festival or anything."

"I can visit her three times a year. I have only used one," Ye Xiao replied calmly. It was the agreement that he made with Wei Shang, he would visit Ye Ai Xia three times in a year.

The guard clicked his tongue as he stepped to the side, giving the way to the two of them. Without waiting any further, Ye Xiao walked inside. The condition of the road still looked as bad as before, but he didn't pay any attention to that.

Before long, the two of them arrived by the small residence. Ye Ai Xia was sweeping the ground with ease and took a few seconds to realize that her brother has arrived.

"Xiao Ge," Ye Ai Xia smiled brightly. "Jiao'er!"

"Aunty!" Ye Jiao released her hand from her father's grip before running to Ye Ai Xia. She hugged the other party tightly.

"You seem well, Xia'er," Ye Xiao smiled warmly.

Ye Ai Xia giggled. "I don't really have much to do here. I really don't expect you two to come here today."

Normally, Ye Xiao would visit Ye Ai Xia when it was the New Year and some other festivals. At that time, the city was bustling with celebration and Ye Xiao would celebrate them with Ye Ai Xia and Ye Jiao here. Because of that, Ye Ai Xia only prepared more dishes when it was the time for festival as there was chance that Ye Xiao would come to visit.

"I come to bid farewell, Xia'er," Ye Xiao said solemnly. His normal prideful and playful tone has disappeared. It was replaced with serious tone.

Ye Ai Xia's eyes shook slightly. "You're going to start your journey? Why are you in a hurry?"

"She will reach rank 5 soon with the help of her elder."

When Ye Ai Xia heard that, her heart felt like dropping to the bottom. The only woman that Ye Xiao paid attention to was only one, his ex-wife. Other than that person, there was no one else around that Ye Xiao would care about.

Ye Ai Xia raised her head. "Can you catch up?"

Ye Xiao smirked. "Who do you think I am? Of course, I'll catch up and surpass her. Even if I'm at the lower rank, I'll find a way to defeat her."

"Good."

Ye Jiao listened to their conversation with confusion. Who were they talking about?

Ye Ai Xia patted Ye Jiao's head. "How's the little one's progress in training?"

"Oh," Ye Xiao smirked. He was astounded by Ye Jiao's result so far and knew that her progress rate was faster than most children. More importantly, she didn't slack off and always did her best in training because of their family condition. This made him exceptionally proud of her.

"She's progressing really quickly, and I have made the arrangement for her training..."

Smack!

"Do you want to make her to be a training maniac like you?" Ye Ai Xia glared at Ye Xiao. This husband of hers used to be famous as a training and fighting maniac. She should have expected no less from him being Ye Jiao's teacher.

Ye Xiao laughed. "She's far more earnest than you. Isn't that right, Jiao'er?"

Ye Jiao didn't really understand what her father meant, but she nodded her head enthusiastically. "Yes, Jiao'er wants to become stronger faster."

"Oh, is that so?" Ye Ai Xia turned her head to Ye Xiao as she balled her fist together. She should have known that this man didn't know what a girl should learn. "You're really an idiot."

Smack!

"AH! Xia'er, forgive me!"

Smack!"

"Xia'er! Not in front of Jiao'er! She won't be able to handle the sight!"

"Oh, I'm sure you have brought her to hunt."

Ye Xiao's face paled. Ye Ai Xia's guess was spot on. Seeing the chance in Ye Xiao's face, Ye Ai Xia knew that it was true. She could feel her blood boil again. Bringing a seven-year-old kid to hunt...

Smack!

"Ah! Help me!"