XIAO SHUXIANG'S

365 - Lotus Lake

Although it could not include enough sleep, but at least Xiao Shuxiang was able to rest in peace. Sleeping on a full stomach really makes him happy.

Just look, the Alchemist Chef woke up early and seemed to be stretching his muscles. Her long hair was so neatly tied and she was fully dressed. It was obvious that Xiao Shuxiang was ready to start the day.

Last night, he spent quite a lot of time recounting various kinds of trips to Ling Ya Bing. The little boy seemed enthusiastic and was very serious about listening to him.

Until finally because it was too late, Ling Qing Zhu's nephew slept unnoticed, and now Ling Ya Bing was still in Xiao Shuxiang's bed.

".. All right, so who should I bother when it's early in the morning like this..?" Xiao Shuxiang rubbed his chin while circulating his gaze looking for someone who could be accosted.

The question that Xiao Shuxiang had just spoken was aimed at himself. It is likely that one of his strange habits is beginning to surface.

The first name that came to Xiao Shuxiang's mind was 'Lan Guan Zhi'. This morning he did not see his good friend, even though 'Kedisplinan' with 'Lan Guan Zhi' were two things that could not be separated.

".. After all Lan Zhi, she was never too late to wake up. That's pretty much impossible.." Xiao Shuxiang shook his head slowly, the look in his eyes instantly caught a person dressed in white with a red wisteria flower pattern.

From his posture, manner of walking, and long white hair that decomposed beautifully - Xiao Shuxiang could tell the figure was his White Cat. Who else if not Ling Qing Zhu.

"Where is the boy going?" Xiao Shuxiang narrowed his eyes slightly, his White Cat seemed to be walking further and further away, as if it was about to go somewhere.

He blinked a few times and finally decided to tail Ling Qing Zhu.

Eve Xiao Shuxiang's existence began to be hidden so that the long white-haired girl did not realize she was being followed.

Although Ling Qing Zhu did not realize it, but before Xiao Shuxiang hid the air of his existence - The two servants who were walking together saw himself following Ling Ya Bing's Aunt.

It was just that the two maids did not mind him knowing that Xiao Shuxiang was their Young Miss Protector's Guardian.

..

Ling Qing Zhu continued walking, occasionally there were inner disciples of the Sky Pagoda Sect who respected and greeted him. He himself just nodded slowly then continued his steps until he arrived in front of the bamboo tree.

Without hesitation Ling Qing Zhu walked into the bamboo forest, this was an artificial forest that was still within the territory of the Sky Pagoda Sect.

Xiao Shuxiang himself had never explored the entire place in the sect, hence the bamboo forest he entered felt so foreign.

"Where exactly is this White Cat going..?"

Although wondering, Xiao Shuxiang still kept his existence hidden. He continued to follow Ling Qing Zhu from behind.

When noticed, Ling Qing Zhu's manner of walking was graceful and dignified simultaneously. His left hand continued to hold the sword tucked in his left waist, and seemed to signal that he was always ready to fight at any moment.

Ling Qing Zhu suddenly stopped walking and along with that - the thumb of his left hand pushed his sword slightly out. That instant, a bamboo tree that was near Xiao Shuxiang was perfectly cut down.

!!

For a moment, Xiao Shuxiang's heart seemed to stop beating. His surprised reaction was slower than what had happened just now. He could not believe it if he did not experience it himself.

Ling Qing Zhu turned back and walked towards where one young bamboo tree trunk had fallen.

Calmly, he pulled the bamboo and then pulled out his sword, this time the sword actually came out of the sheath.

Xiao Shuxiang was only able to breathe, he rubbed his chest thinking that Ling Qing Zhu had realized his existence, but apparently had not. Really, that was so unexpected.

"Yes God.. That was very stressful. But this girl is amazing.. He seems to have trained a lot,"

Xiao Shuxiang continued to pay attention to Ling Qing Zhu who was so serious about doing something to the bamboo earlier. The beautiful girl apparently made a basket of woven bamboo. This made Xiao Shuxiang feel confused as well as curious.

It didn't take long until Ling Qing Zhu's bamboo basket was finished. Xiao Shuxiang was amazed to find out that his White Cat had a talent that he himself could not do.

Ling Qing Zhu nodded steadily upon seeing how perfect his homemade basket was, he was like he was praising himself without making any sound.

His sword was again sheathed, Ling Qing Zhu continued the journey while carrying the bamboo basket and was followed by Xiao Shuxiang.

Elsewhere, Yi Wen walked with Jing Mi, Hou Yong, and Hu Li. O Zhan himself appeared to be on top of Hu Li's head while occasionally letting out an adorable voice.

They were in the territory of the Disciple Within the Sky Pagoda Sect and appeared to be walking towards Xiao Shuxiang's room. Since he was well known and was a guest in this place, Yi Wen and his friends were free to go in and out of the sect.

Xiao Shuxiang's friends were indeed freed to take a walk, there was nothing preventing them. Not all places can be visited just like that.

Just like the Sky Sword Sect, in this place there were many rules that were obviously impossible to read let alone be memorized all by beings like Yi Wen and his companions. One thing they apply is, 'Wherever the body is, the attitude must be maintained'.

"Brother Xiao..!" Jing Mi called out to Xiao Shuxiang, ".. He's not in his room. Where'd my brother go? Brother Xiao..!"

Jing Mi's voice was too loud that it made the servants and Inner Heaven Pagoda Sect disciples around her give a strange look.

Hou Yong, "Let's look in Young Master Lan's room. It's possible that Brother Xiao was there,"

Pii~

Hu Li, Jing Mi, and Yi Wen also agreed, they together went to see Lan Guan Zhi. Occasionally Jing Mi and Yi Wen called out to her Brother.

Hu Li knew very well that the Elders of the Butterfly Sect had always taught that his disciples could always maintain a stance. Yet it seemed that these friends of his had forgotten the teachings of Yang Shu.

The disciples of the Sky Pagoda Sect only shook their heads slowly at the mannerisms of Jing Mi and her friends. Luckily the initial guests from Ling Lang Tian were coming - they had already been told of the arrival of noisy guests, so seeing the mannerisms of Jing Mi, Yi Wen, and Hou Yong now was commonplace.

Xiao Shuxiang was apparently not in Lan Guan Zhi's room. The young man in white and forehead clothes did not see his best friend this morning.

The Mad Beggar Boy also shook his head, "It's possible that Shuxiang is in the fish pond,"

"No.. Brother Xiao was not there," Yi Wen clucked, he then invited his friends to look for Xiao Shuxiang.

Nyawm!

Lan Xiao exclaimed, he rubbed his head at Lan Guan Zhi's feet while wagging his tail. He then walked slowly along with his body size getting bigger like an adult tiger.

Nyawn~

"Follow Lan Xiao," Lan Guan Zhi said softly. He walked following the Moon Tiger with his friends.

Lan Xiao was indeed very puffed up by Xiao Shuxiang's body odor, he could also feel his chest hurt if the mother was seriously injured. So finding Xiao Shuxiang's whereabouts was an easy matter for him.

Hu Li actually also knew very well the smell of his Young Master Xiao. But when Xiao Shuxiang changed his form in the South-Hu Li Continent, it became difficult to detect the smell of his Young Master.

For Demonic Beasts like Hu Li, O Zhan, and Lan Xiao.. The smell of one's body is never the same as another's and never changes. But out of the many people they met, only Xiao Shuxiang had his scent sometimes changed.

Nyawn~

Pii~

O Zhan jumped from the top of Hu Li's head to the back of the Moon Tiger. He and Lan Xiao were like chatting while guiding their friends to the place where Xiao Shuxiang was.

*

*

*

Xiao Shuxiang's face and eyes were bright, he had not expected that behind the bamboo forest there was a vast lotus lake. This is one of the best sights he likes.

"Excellent~ do you want to pluck a lotus?"

The existence of Xiao Shuxiang returned, this made Ling Qing Zhu able to sense his presence.

Because there was no intention of killing, the white-haired beautiful girl did not feel surprised let alone instantly unsheathed the sword. And also.. The voice just now was quite familiar.

"Mrs,"

"You want to pick it up for me?"

"No.."

Xiao Shuxiang let out a slow breath. Although she was quite amazed by Ling Qing Zhu, but still this girl was annoying.

"If you don't come pick the lotus for me, then why did you get up so early and come here?"

Ling Qing Zhu turned towards Xiao Shuxiang and noticed the dazzling face of this young man who felt as if he was demanding an answer from her.

"I always wake up in the morning. And want to cook lotus soup,"

"really?" Xiao Shuxiang blinked, ".. What's the soup for me?" he asked the question originally, clearly teasing Ling Qing Zhu.

"..."

Shut up for a moment before Ling Qing Zhu nodded slowly. This made Xiao Shuxiang flinch in disbelief at what he had just seen.

"A-You sure you want to cook lotus soup for me?"

"If you want to eat,"

!!

Unbelievable. Someone like Ling Qing Zhu, the girl whose incident was so hard to talk to, flat-faced, her nature was so similar to Lan Guan Zhi saying such a sacred word to Xiao Shuxiang, he said, and it's still morning!

"Well, maybe I'm still dreaming. This is definitely a dream-ah!"

Xiao Shuxiang spontaneously moaned as his arm was pinched hard, he rubbed his arm that felt like it was burning.

Ling Qing Zhu, "You want some more?"

"no need. You're a bitch, the most shitty girl ever! Just now I wanted to blush and flatter you, but not so."

Seeing the look on the face of his Guardian Guard who was being annoyed made Ling Qing Zhu grunt softly. Although covered in a thin veil, but he slightly smiled faintly.

Ling Qing Zhu then walked towards one of the boats. This lotus lake was extremely vast and there was actually an invisible barrier seal. The seal was like the regional gate of the Sky Pagoda Sect.

?!

Xiao Shuxiang turned his head when he heard Ling Qing Zhu's question. He really could not understand this flat-board-faced girl.

"Why should I get on a boat? You can walk on the water, right,"

"It's boat. Not a ship,"

?!

Xiao Shuxiang frowned, he had seen this kind of thing on his voyage to the Northern Continent, but had never ascended it.

".. The one I'm dealing with is large. This little ship doesn't even have a cabin,"

"Name boat. Want to come or not?" Ling Qing Zhu stretched out his hand, his facial expression was so calm. He knew full well that a person like Xiao Shuxiang would be unfamiliar with this kind of simple things.

For a cultivator, the chances of boarding a ship or even a boat were extremely small. They prefer to fly with swords, or even just on land.

Xiao Shuxiang boarded the boat and got a little help from Ling Qing Zhu. He gasped when the boat swayed, lucky his hand was held strong enough.

"Sit down well,"

"I-this is suspenseful.." Xiao Shuxiang tried to catch his breath, unexpectedly riding a small boat was enough to stimulate his adrenaline.

As he felt his sitting position starting to fit, Xiao Shuxiang looked back at Ling Qing Zhu and asked why this boat had not moved as well. The beautiful girl said they had to pedal.

"But I never did. How to pedal?"

"You just sit down,"

Ling Qing Zhu knew the young man in front of him was tense, obviously because riding this kind of small boat was Xiao Shuxiang's first experience. He couldn't possibly have had the young man pedal this boat.

The lotus flower is so beautiful, its bright and soothing color makes this place feel awesome.

The boat moves slowly and this makes the beauty of the lotus river can be enjoyed for so long.

Slowly, Xiao Shuxiang started to get used to riding the boat. He plucked the young lotus around him and stuffed it into a bamboo basket. Ling Qing Zhu himself moved the boat, he appeared to be wearing two oars.

"This is amazing. If picking a lotus while walking in the water, it would definitely not be this great. Right, right?"

"Mn, right."

Xiao Shuxiang smiled, a new experience for him to be able to pluck the lotus he liked the most without having to get drunk on water.

The boat continued to move slowly, Xiao Shuxiang occasionally ate the lotus seeds and offered some to Ling Qing Zhu. The white haired girl took it without hesitation.

"Next time I'll pedal this little ship for you,"

"Name's boat.."

"Oh, okay. Called boat. I'll pedal next time,"

Xiao Shuxiang actually enjoyed the lotus seeds in his hands. He occasionally told me that he had been so dislike of lakes and seas, but was very fond of lotuses.

Plucking such beautiful plants directly and in the middle of this kind of lake is a small desire that never materialized.

"Your dream..?" Ling Qing Zhu asked without feeling awkward at all.

He knew Xiao Shuxiang was his Guardian, and at first he felt nervous. But if you get used to this young man.. It feels pretty comfortable.

"..."

".. Maybe.." Xiao Shuxiang noticed the reflection of his face from the water of the lake that was so clear, ".. I thought this kind of day would never come.."

There was a smile painted on the face of the handsome and dazzling young man, but the smile contained a sadness that Ling Qing Zhu could clearly tell.

"You know, the world of warriors is exhausting. The road is full of difficulties and most of them do not know what they really want.."

Ling Qing Zhu nodded, he knew that kind of feeling. But he also knows very well that it is not easy to change people's thinking.

Though what the swordsman eventually sought was not strength and also immortality, but 'Happiness' and 'Peace'.

".. No one knows what 'Happiness' looks like'. But they forget that it is the simple and sometimes overlooked things that bring happiness. L'm.. Feeling happy to meet you," Xiao Shuxiang smiled.

!!

It was the most beautiful smile ever. Ling Qing Zhu was even startled and spontaneously stopped his pedaling movement.

His hearing was still clear and he was really awake, so it was impossible that what he saw and heard was a dream.

"I.. Didn't do much for you," Ling Qing Zhu's eyes were still the same. Shade and keep a very big rigidity.

"Mn? Also true. But I'm just happy when I'm with you, that's all." Xiao Shuxiang shrugged his shoulders slightly, he replied spontaneously and according to how he felt.

Xiao Shuxiang, "Oh yes. Come to think of.. It's like a date. What do you think?"

!!

Ling Qing Zhu blinked, he was only aware of his current position. Ride the boat alone with a young man, and surrounded by beautiful lotus flowers.

The cool wind and the clear sky, really a condition like two people who spend time together. Knowing this made Ling Qing Zhu clench both of his hands.

"Me-shameful,"

!!

Xiao Shuxiang let out a short snort, "It feels like you are Lan Guan Zhi, but the female version. Your nature and attitude are similar, it makes no difference.." he shook his head slowly, ".. Aahs. The difference is only a little, Lan Zhi can repay my temptation. He's the creepiest at doing that.."

Xiao Shuxiang rubbed his arms as he felt goosebumps recalling how Lan Guan Zhi had returned the temptation of not knowing his shame.

"Young Master Lan is a great young man. He can handle, shameful people like you."

Ling Qing Zhu spoke softly but quite piercingly in Xiao Shuxiang's ear. He let out such words without any guilt at all, himself even making his Guardian Master unable to say anything.

Xiao Shuxiang simply puffed his cheeks slightly and appeared to be pouting. He didn't want to serve his White Cat because anyway.. He admitted it was a little outrageous to tease Lan Guan Zhi, even if it was just a joke.

"You don't like young men like me, do you..?"

"..."

Ling Qing Zhu felt this Guardian Protector of his was an expressive young man. The look on her face quickly changed from the one previously upset, now becoming adorable.

"Not really,"

!!

"really? So you like me?"

See kan. The expression on the handsome young man's face in front of him was excited again. It's something pretty interesting.

Ling Qing Zhu smiled faintly. Because it was covered in a thin veil and did not sit close enough to his Guardian-his smile was not easily realized.

"Stop it.."

Xiao Shuxiang threw the lotus fruit whose seeds he had already eaten all at Ling Qing Zhu. "Why can't you tell me you actually like me? I won't eat much less crush you in this place. I'm not that kind of young man.. Hiya"

"Mn, I know.."

!!

Xiao Shuxiang flinched, he was about to speak but suddenly there was the sound of an exclamation calling out his name.

"Brother Xiao..!!"

"My brother..!!"

The voice was none other than Yi Wen and Jing Mi. He also heard the sound of Hou Yong's exclamation and the Crazy Beggar Boy. His friends also boarded the boat, just like him.

Yi Wen one boat with Lan Guan Zhi. The girl made her Best Friend have to pedal alone. While Hou Yong was a boat with the Crazy Beggar Boy.

Jing Mi rode the boat alone. While Hu Li was together with Xiao Qing Yan, Lan Xiao, and O Zhan. Seeing them all made Xiao Shuxiang also exclaim. He was happy because his friends came here.

***

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Author's Note :

Gomenkudasai if the image does not match the actual name. Please imagine yourself.