Cleaning

*Multiple POVs*

***

(Yao Ya POV)

Once I made it inside the room I felt my legs shake and buckle. The next second I dropped to my knees as I could barely move my legs.

'Damn is it because of the what we did? *Sigh* I guess there's always a downside to everything. But why didn't I notice it until now? It doesn't matter I'll just eat one of these stamina pills.'

Reaching into the side of my robe around my stomach my hand felt and pulled out a bottle. It was a simple white porcelain bottle with characters etched onto the side reading: Rejuvenation.

Popping open the bottle a small pellet like pill fell into my left hand. Instantly downing the pill I sealed up the bottle before storing it back into my robes.

Pulling myself up with the help of a nearby wall I dragged the man over to a single chair in the middle of the room. There was only a single light within the room and it shined upon the chair and only the chair.

The chair itself was a simple wooden chair that had a back with five thin pillars holding a rectangle cap atop acting as a back rest. The seat part was a square that had four legs going straight down from the corners.

Looking at the unconscious man near my feet I realized I didn't have many materials to bind him to the chair with.

'He doesn't need clothes.'

With that I tore off shreds of cloth from his robes until you could barely call it robes anymore. With each strip of cloth I tore off another restraint was added to the small pile next to me. Standing up I still felt my legs shaking a bit while I stood, but at least I was starting to get better.

Lifting the man up I started with his hands behind the chair before moving to each leg specifically the ankles to the legs of the chair. My skills of tying someone up aren't really that great so instead of leaving it at a few bindings I put one at every place I could think of him moving.

More restraints at each calf to the leg of the chair, some around his stomach, some around each of his forearms tied to either side of chair back, and another bind around the shoulders preventing even more movement. Finally I tied his neck to the original bindings around his hands. now he shouldn't be able to straighten his neck up when he wakes up.

Slumping against a wall I closed my eyes and waited for the man to wake up.

***

(MC POV)

The room I woke up in was empty. The set of cups and teapot were still on the table the same place as before.

The first thing I noticed that changed as I woke up was a blanket that was draped over me. It was warm as I lied underneath. I could feel the heat transfer around underneath, I almost didn't want to get up.

Sadly under the threat of death, I had to pick myself up. The room felt different, it was almost like what happened was all a dream and I finally came back to reality. But seeing the blanket laid over me I knew something happened.

The area was too quiet, oh wait that's right this is one of those quiet rooms. Getting up I went to exited the room only to be met with darkness. I only had like one left and I really didn't want to use basically all of my light talismans in this library.

What if there were even worse places somewhere in here that required light? In the end I decided to walk around in the dark, hopefully being able to find my way back to that hidden place. I might not have been able to see as well as other stage twos but at least I could see a little bit around me.

The radius I could see though was pitiful at most, but soon I became a little more adjusted to the dark and saw a few feet around.

Slowly stumbling my way around I made it over to the main staircase at least I think it was. One step at a time I went down until I reached a small area that looked really familiar. I walked over to the wall which should be the entrance, but I don't really know how to open it.

The times before were opened by others, but since the hinges should be on the left- the handle or opening mechanism should be over here. I looked on my right for anything that would help me unblock my path yet all I saw was wall. Inspecting a little closer I finally saw it.

A few grooves that clearly connected to the door. Placing my fingers inside those grooves I managed to gain a small grip on the door and tugged it open. Once I pulled it out enough I got a better grip before opening it.

Light poured out and sounds of chatting emerged. Once my eyes readjusted I watched as everyone inside was just casually discussing something. Most of them gestured at me with some kind of greeting. Seeing that they had been talking, I went in and spotting Chen Huang I went over before poking him to get his attention.

"So when should we start our plan?"

"Oh well actually we are ready now, but we are waiting for your 'girlfriend' to get back." As he spoke a sly smile appeared as he looked at me.

"..." Just the mention of her reminded me of what happened. I felt my cheeks getting more red as I looked back at him.

"Wow! Something happened didn't it? Well seems like my words helped didn't it? Aren't you glad you listened to me?."

"..Thank you, so I guess we'll just wait here until she returns?"

"Yep, have you tried out the cleaning kit I gave you yet?"

"Oh yeah, it's right here." I took out the small kit he had given me before. It was a small rectangular box that was held together by a piece of string.

Untying it and opening the box three items were inside: A clear glass bottle of oil, a square of white cloth, and another similar cloth yet grey in color.

"Here just watch me clean my saber, if you want you can copy me. I'll tell you what to do."

Nodding my head I unsheathed my own weapon as he did. He took out an identical kit to the one he gave me and opened it.

"First you must take this grey cloth and clean any dirt, grime, dust, oil, or just anything. You have to make sure it's perfectly dry and clean before preceding with the next step, the oiling process."

He then began to wipe down his blade. His palm was on the back of his blade while only the tips of his fingers were near the sharp edge. He wiped it up and down on both sides at the same time, making sure not a single spot was missed.

Taking out my own grey cloth I began trying copy to his motions, but since my weapon was double edged I had to be extra careful of being cut. Instead of doing what he did I did it one side at a time. The risk of getting cut should decrease if I did this, placing the grey cloth on one side I pressed down with just a little bit of force and began wiping.

Once I finished one side I flipped my weapon over and wiped down the other. Once finished I brought it up a little and saw as how much better it looked already. Looking over at him only to find that he had been long done and watched as I raised my sword.

"Good job, now let's take the white cloth and oil and put a little into the white cloth before wiping down the our weapons with it. This it the last step, so after you're finished you can place it back into your scabbard." After speaking he proceeded to do just that.

I too did so, trading the grey cloth for a white one and the bottle of oil I dripped a bit onto the clothe before replacing it in the small box. Raising my sword up I repeated motions I did with the grey cloth, but this time where ever the cloth went over a thin layer of oil was left behind.

Once I finished I raised it up once again, but this time a slight gleam could be seen running down the blade.

"Nice."

Sheathing the sword I felt a little tug on the hemps of my robes. Looking at where it came from I saw the little girl who gave me a fetch quest.

Crouching down and trying to put on a warm smile looked at her.

"Yes? What is it? Do you need something?"

"Are you ready? They said that you'll be my body guard and protect me."

"Don't worry I'll protect you and your little brother will get out of here as long as you know the way."

"En, Ok I believe in you Big Brother." With a determined face she nodded before returning back to the little boy.