The Childish Woman (3)

The shadow kept pace as he followed the trio into the village. He glanced around and saw there were no more trees for him to hide on.

"Willes is a smart and meticulous man, there's no way he would make a move without carefully thinking through."

The shadow threw out an invisibility talisman and hid his presence. He stepped out and walked behind the house, watching as Willes conversed with the village head about tonight's arrangements.

Willes turned his head slightly, looking back, as if he were trying to confirm something.

That made the shadow hesitate, and he put more effort into concealing his presence. Could Willes have recognized me? He looked around the village and watched all the low-level cultivators mediating.

"Did Willes... bring me here to lower my guard and to assassinate me?", he muttered suspiciously to himself.

The shadow abruptly raised his head as realization dawned on him.

"Earlier, Willes was practicing the Frost Devil Arts... on a measly rabbit. And the rumours about his cultivation base being stripped... was it all done intentionally...?"

"Some old Buddhist farts say that restarting your cultivation is like reincarnation, with mysterious benefits. None have tried, though. One would not risk their enemies finding out that they're reduced to less than an ant. Only Willes dared to... the man had the skills to back it up."

The shadow shivered in fear, watching Willes exiting the house and walking towards him. 'He picked up a Devil Arts... doesn't that mean he's remaining committed to killing, even more so now? Committed now to a path of revenge?'

The shadow tried to listen in on the conversation, but decided against it. He was a man of morals, and he had more important matters to think about... Willes... Willes... Willes...

"Right! How could I've forgotten? The cultivation of that woman he met on the road, even I couldn't discern it. Maybe she's some commoner...?" The shadow shook his head. "No, anyone near Willes is definitely not some average person."

"Speak of the devil..."

The shadow gritted his teeth and bore the pressure. He could tell that the other party was inexperienced and hadn't condensed her cultivation base yet.

"Just who are these people around him? If Willes ever trains her, we'd have another powerhouse on the continent we have to be wary about."

'Damnit, even though I'm trained as a bodyguard and to fight, having a higher cultivation base is still having a higher cultivation base! And that's important when talking about fighting strength! I'm not a monster like Willes, who can jump levels to fight and kill! At the very least, I can put up a fight and inflict some minor injuries.' the shadow thought, worry driving to his heart.

'I need to return to the Pavilion and notify the Master immediately. Willes is dangerous to mess with even though his current cultivation is only Qi Foundation Stage 2.'

Just as the shadow was about to dash to the trees, the woman said something unexpected. The shadow halted mid-air.

"Don't you think I'm pathetic?" the woman asked Willes, her tone mocking.

Wille's response sent the shadow scampering away.

"F*ck! You monster!"

____________

The woman asked me a question that put me off guard.

I hesitated before responding. "No, not at all."

She bit her lips and turned her head away, unwilling to talk.

"We'll talk about this tomorrow. Get some sleep." She disappeared in a flash. To god knows where.

I could only give a slight chuckle, amazed at her cultivation base before walking back to the house. The feeling of being watched by the fellow villagers made me nervous.

"I hope they don't come and bother us," I muttered, glancing at the sleeping Fiona. She curled up with the blankets into a ball.

I gave her forehead a kiss before activating the Frost Aura Scripture. The night air wasn't that cold, but it was something at least.

Looking at my cultivation, which barely grew, I heaved a sigh before dropping with a grunt for my daily exercises.

"Let's get this over with so I can cuddle..."

__________

The next morning,

I awoke to the clattering of the village and the bright morning sun. It seemed like something happened, although I did not know what.

Rubbing my eyes, I wondered if we should take part or not. I mean, the village head and the woman treated me quite well, allowing a complete stranger to sleep in and whatnot. I still have to ask her about the Spirit King expert...

Fiona gave a bright smile at me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"G'morning, Daddy!"

I patted her head. "Good morning. How was sleep?"

"Very good!"

"You up for long?"

She shook her head. "Not really, Fiona cultivated for a bit. Fiona can try to breakthrough today!"

"That's great!" I gave her another hug. "Come, let's find something to eat first. You must be hungry not eating dinner last night."

Fiona didn't deny that. The two of us walked out of the house.

The woman greeted us amidst all the commotion. Once again, she appeared out of nowhere. "How was sleep?"

"Great," I answered. "Thanks for your help."

The woman then scratched her head. "Ahaha, I think I might your help now..," she said, glancing at the rowdy gathering of villagers.