4. The Party

"That is a terrifying story, Chenyu."

Did not know the Ye Kingdom is so big and yet, there are even places outside. The world is really big. I am fortunate to be able to travel. One day, when I am back to Bing Guo, I will definitely have a lot to tell.

On the next morning, as we were leaving the inn, we met with Wanwan by the exit. She seemed to be waiting for someone.

"Morning, Wanwan. We are going to enter the capital. You want to travel with us?"

"Yeah, little sister Wanwan, it will be a pleasure. But it seems you are waiting for someone." greeted Chenyu.

"Morning, Chen Jing. Sure, I will travel with you. But you! Gentleman, lecher in disguise! I will not hesitate to beat you! And I am not waiting for anyone. Definitely not you!" Wanwan replies while sending disgusted glares at Chenyu.

"Alright, let us go forth. You did seem like you are waiting for someone though."

"Di... Di.. Did I?" stutters Wanwan.

Wanwan seemed to be restless and dodgy. The sun was setting and a great iron plated bridge and a goant red metallic door stands before us. Though no guards could be seen around but I somehow could feel countless pair of eyes staring cautiously at us. There was even a slight scent of blood in the air around it.

"Is she not Bu You Village, Miss Qiao? Hahaha! She have the confidence to appear here? Do not tell me she is enlisting too?" a sharp voice forced its way into our ears.

A tall hunter wielding an oddly shaped, golden plated bow approached us. Behind him, was three, older hunters. With a smug on his face, using the tip of the bow, he directed at Wanwan's chest.

"Stay home. Be a good housewife." mocked the hunter.

"We are all enlistee, there is no need for mockery and discrimination, right? Fellow enlistee?" Chenyu proclaimed as he stood between Wanwan and the hunter.

"The sick should stay at home. What if you get fever and blames me for it? I will not be able to pay, I think. Hahaha..." the hunter exclaimed. "Anyway, I am Deng Weiren, Deng Clan future master, also, Wanwan's betrothed. Nobles should be in brothels enjoying themselves and not be bothering a hunter clan's business right?"

What a detestable person! Seeing Wanwan's silence, meant that this man was not spewing nonsense. Probably is one of those elderly arranged marriage.

"Are you thinking of gaining power from the capital to cancel the marriage? Naive! Your clan is the weakest hunter clan and there is no way, you can do anything. Maybe when I become an official one day, I will sell you into a brothel. I heard you get paid higher in Cao Mei's brothel. How does that sounds?" teased Deng Weiren.

"You... I will redeem my clan. And I will not be your wife! I would rather die than doing so!" Wanwan shouted as she reached the verge of tears.

Seeing the beads of tear by a competitive lady like her, I got heated up. By accidental, I blurted, "Just a hunter, where comes the confidence?"

"Who are you? Village bumpkin! You could have earned some corn and bring home for your village but it seems you blew the idea away. You are going back... Today!" as soon as Deng Weiren finished, he swung the bow like an axe towards my face. He was experienced in combats with a bow. But, I could tell the break points to counter his moves. However, I did not counter him, instead I dodged around and tried to trap him with his own movement, forcing him to trip. I remembered that Xiaowen always says "Do not easily go around and beat people up! If you can end a battle without landing a hit, that is a prioritised strategy. Fighting back is the last resort." Subconsciously, I smiled. Deng Weiren went even more pissed while lying on his face on the ground. Chenyu and Wanwan were puzzled and stood rooted watching me dodging the attacks swiftly.

"He is mocking me, your future master! Get moving, you three!" Deng Weiren ordered as he spited dusts that went into his mouth.

The three, older hunter carefully placed their bow on the ground and gave me a respectful bow before charging at me. They were faster and their stance were more firm and careful. I were forced to block their blows as I could not find windows to dodge between their well-timed attacks. One of them whispered to me, "Young lad, I am sorry, orders from clan master, I have no choice." It was obvious from their co-ordination that they are used to combats in trios. Gradually, they picked up their speed, and it was a challenge for me to defend against them. I was slammed by a kick in the waist by one of them and flew a short distance away. I flexibly recovered my stance with a barrel-roll but somehow I felt my waist was burning. Though their moves are easy to read, a hit by them is definitely damaging.

They moved into a three way direction and prepared to finish me off.

"Just once, a wooden bow should be okay." whispered Chenyu.

"Hey, why you..." shrieked Wanwan as Chenyu gently removed the straps and bow Wanwan was carrying across her chest and behind her back.

Suddenly, Chenyu appeared beside me and the three hunter fell onto the ground, fainted.

"I guess, I will have to apologise, Mister Deng Weiren for troubling you, to stay and take care of your clansmen for an hour. Do not worry, I merely tapped them slightly to ensure my buddy and Little Sister Wanwan are able to enter the capital without delays. Many apologies." Chenyu politely explained while bowing as respect. Deng Weiren had fear written all over his face as we walked pass his clansmen and himself. He tried to wake his clansmen but it was to no avail. Before we cross the bridge, Chenyu gently hand me over to Wanwan care. "Mister Deng Weiren, I understand currently Qiao Wanwan is betrothed to you. But during her time in the capital, as long as I am around I do hope you understand you should not mess with her." Chenyu paid another respectful bow as he stared at Deng Weiren.

"Chenyu, I have never seen one, threatened another with respect. No wonder you are the Great Ye Swordplay Master!"

"Thank you for all that, Chen Jing, and lech... I mean, Chu Chenyu. I could have taken Deng Weiren by myself, just so you know, but I could not react thinking I have to be wed to that idiot. Anyway, I owe you both one." uttered Wanwan as she shyly bowed towards Chenyu and myself.