Spoiled Young Master

On Jiang Feng Sect's Meng Hu Peak, a young man was making his way down a long passageway made up of hefty slabs of grey stone. The midsummer sun was already at its highest point, its rays shining down on him, illuminating his handsome features. The youth's tall, muscular body was clad in crimson robes adorned by a tiger pattern. A black leather belt was fastened around his athletic waist. There was a pair of sheathed, dual sabres hanging from it, their golden hand guards proudly sparkling in the bright sunlight. His face was noble and masculine, and his eyes were of a fascinating auburn color. Currently, they were narrowed due to the sun's glare. He strode confidently, with his thin lips bent into a playful smile.

Suddenly, the young man came to a halt. Something had drawn his attention. Lifting one hand to shield his gaze from the blinding light, he looked up at the sky. A small shadow flitted across the pathway, belonging to an intricately folded paper crane. It sailed across the blue firmament, like a boat soaring through turbulent, azure waters. After besting the afternoon breeze, it safely landed in the youth's outstreched palm. "Speak." he commanded firmly.

Right away, a woman's gleeful voice could be heard. The handsome youth raised one of his eyebrows and leaned his head to the side while listening intently.

"Qi Juan! My most diligent disciple! I have a new assignment for you! Oh, you'll definitely love this one!"

Qi Juan drew his thick brows together, his lips pressed into a thin line. This most definitely sounded like trouble. Considering his master's mischievous tone, she had chosen something for him that he wouldn't like at all. As if spurned on by the black lines on the young man's face, the paper crane continued:

"And no, you can't reject it! I'll make you do this no matter what. So, you know that I owe that total buzzkill, Ling He, a favor. And guess what, he's actually come to make me pay up! With how uptight that guy is, I never would have guessed he would actually do that... anyway, he needs someone to protect that kid of his, what was his name again? Ling... uh, uhm...Ling Mengyao? No, it was Ming... ah! Mingyu, I think! Well, whatever. Just yesterday, that brat almost got himself killed by taking a sip from a poisoned cup of tea. Now his old man is so worried about him, he asked me to stay by his side to ensure his safety. With all that's been going on, he is worried that this won't be an isolated incident. Naturally, your magnanimous master agreed to his request! Ah, but you know that I am very busy! Therefore..."

Qi Juan tsked annoyedly. 'Yeah, right... you just don't want to waste time babysitting some spoiled young master!' he thought. It was no secret that, nowadays, the thing his master liked most was to go out and coquettishly tease her junior martial sister. That poor, coy girl was a perfect victim for her.

"... I thought, since I have such a wonderful and diligent discipline, I could simply leave this matter to him! Besides, you're the same age as that brat, I'm sure you'll get along just fine. So get your butt over to Lian Zi Jin Peak! I told that Ling He you would come over to aid him immediately. Don't dawdle! You know I'll definitely know if you do!"

That last sentence was undeniably a threat. The handsome youth shuddered subconciously. The last time he tried slacking off on one of his tasks, his master had made him copy the sect rules one hundred times as punishment! Being Jian Lu Li's disciple was no joking matter. She was a fierce lily with a notorious reputation, which was also why Qi Juan was her only disciple at this time. Others would either be frightened to tears by her, or would utterly exhaust themselves while trying to accomplish one of her exorbitant tasks. Either way, Jian Lu Li had deemed all her past disciples as failures and promptly kicked them out of her residence on Meng Hu Peak. That woman was someone who could make big, burly men cry. It was quite a sight to behold, but anybody who did would be certain of one thing afterwards: not ever would they want to be on the recieving end of such torment!

However, even if Qi Juan were able to chose, in the end, he would still pick Jian Lu Li as his master. Despite her young age, she was at the nascent soul stage already, and therefore one of the most powerful cultivators in the entire Jiang Feng sect. Furthermore, his master had taught him well. She even helped Qi Juan sucessfully manage the dual spiritual roots he himself had felt so hopeless about.

As for his new assignment, well, he was used to getting into all kinds of troublesome situations, so Qi Juan wasn't worried about it. He would just have to play the role of some rich kid's bodyguard, after all.

The young man exhaled deeply. Yes, he had heard about the Ling clan. They were a highly respected family of healers and an essential asset to Jiang Feng Sect. As experts in treating combat wounds, Ling He and his wife Ling Xiulan had assisted the sect in all kinds of past battles. He respected their dedication and skill. However, Qi Juan had only heard some small rumors about Ling Mingyu. They weren't at all positive. Apparently, he was just some spoiled young master, constantly being haughty and willful.

'Hmm... I wonder. I might be able to have some fun by teasing him a bit.' his lips bent into a foxy grin.

That guy would certainly not run to his parents to complain. No, that would be too shameful for an arrogant person like him. Besides, someone who was so spoiled would probably not be all that experienced in giving witty retorts to his jokes. Witnessing that person grit his teeth in anger while desperately trying to come up with a good comeback... thinking about it like this, Qi Juan concluded: 'This new task might actually turn out to be a lot of fun!'

The handsome youth continued down the passageway with newfound motivation.

Meanwhile, in Ling Mingyu's room on Lian Zi Jin Peak, Ling Bolin had decided that it was most likely safe for his brother to get out of bed. Mingyu was also quite eager to exercise his stiff legs. Besides that, he wanted to familiarize himself with his environment. It would definitely aid him in acquiring the memories of his body's old owner! Before his brother could help him put on his outer robe though, a knock sounded on the sturdy, wooden door.

"Come in." Mingyu said without thinking.

The heavy entryway opened, and two people made their way inside. One of them was Ling Suyin, the other was a tall, elegant man he did not recognize. His long hair and upturned eyes were midnight black. The man was clad in green robes with a lotus pattern, much like Mingyu himself. This person looked to be in his late twenties, but Mingyu was certain that he was much, much older than that.

'This must be the original owner's father!' he nervously determined. With baited breath, Mingyu waited for the man to speak.

His guess was confirmed as he listened to the man address him in a deep voice: "Ah Yu. Your sister tells me you have forgotten her?"

His tone did not sound accusing, but rather concerned. Mingyu nodded wordlessly.

"I see. You are lucky to have taken only a small sip of that tea. Had you drank any more, I am sure you would not have survived. In comparison, memory loss is only a small price to pay. Although... I am sorry. It seems this situation is my and your mothers fault. I underestimated the determination and wickedness of those who wish to harm our family."

Mingyu widened his eyes slightly. 'Harm the family? What is going on here?'

Though he remained expressionless on the surface, his father seemed to have picked up on his emotions regardless.

"Don't worry. Even though this unknown entity has tried hard to blacken our family's name, all their attempts were futile. However, seeing as they have started to attempt inflicting great personal harm onto the members of our clan, I will not be as mellow as I've been until now."

The man looked at Mingyu's siblings and continued: "Ah Lin, Ah Yin, you ought to be very vigilant from now on. Do not accept gifts from strangers. Do not leave your rooms at night, unless it is for a mission. I will have others accompany you as you do your assignments from now on. Furthermore, for a cultivator, food is not a necessity but a pastime. I trust that you will not take the risk and go out for a meal before all this has been cleared up."

He looked back at Mingyu sitting at the edge of the bed. "I do not wish to limit your freedom, Ah Yu. But, considering the recent developments, I have arranged for a personal guard to accompany you at all times. I hope you understand."

"Yes, father." Mingyu confirmed.

His father bent his lips into a graceful smile. "Good. Then, I guess it is time for me to introduce this person."

He turned his head and looked at the door before speaking up: "You may come in now, Qi Juan."

The door to Mingyu's room opened once again.