Personal purpose

We were immediately shoved into the hall by the guards and I felt like getting into a fight with them.

Such rude guards! Can't they be a little more gentle?? We were dragged to the main hall and in front was a man who sat comfortably on his throne while we were forced to go on our knees and bow our heads in front of him. I couldn't look at him but I heard him release a sigh of utter annoyance.

"Who are these two?" he demanded with a soft tone but the annoyance could still be heard.

"We caught the girl trying to cause unnecessary commotion and also gave us a chase, they don't seem to be from here so I detect they're trespassers."

I bit my lower lip as I heard them speak, stealing a quick glance at my master who remained quiet. I wondered what other tricks he must be planning again.

"Look at me." the emperor ordered, although hesitant, my master and I tilted our heads up to meet his gaze. He was a man probably in his mid forties as he gently stroked his white beard. He was in all ways intimidating and I wondered if my master knew about this.

"Who are you?" he asked, pointing his staff at us.

"With all due respect to your majesty, we mean no harm and our reasons for doing such acts was so we could talk to you." my master stated firmly, he's fought beasts, demons and other dangerous things out there, clearly an emperor is no match for him.

"That is not enough reason to cause unnecessary commotions."

"Forgive me for the trouble but I did what I had to do."

All the maidens had started peeping from a corner to stare at my master, the surprised and astonished look on their faces wasn't surprising to me, I also felt that way the day he showed up at the cave to get me.

"My goodness, who is he?!"

"Is he from here?!"

"No you dummy! aren't you even listening?"

"How can I listen when there's a hot stranger at the palace?"

The maids continued to whisper amongst themselves and if I could hear it, I'm sure my master could hear them as well. I didn't like it one bit and at the same time, I couldn't blame them, I wish he wasn't so eye-catching sometimes.

"State your reasons." The emperor finally spoke up after a few minutes of silence.

"It'll have to be a private conversation your majesty." my master was straight forward with his response and I could tell those maids were blushing profusely. I clicked my tongue, feeling annoyed with myself for getting angry over their infatuated gazes.

The emperor's brow furrowed in suspicion but finally gave in to his words.

"Everyone out." In his words, the main hall started clearing and everyone was out of sight, leaving only the emperor, my master and I.

"What do you want to say to me?" he demanded in that unusually calm tone.

"We're from Mount Xuandu and we've heard there are beasts disturbing western village. I'm Qui Shan and she's my disciple Shanxia." he gestured towards me as I slowly got to my feet.

"Greetings your majesty." I bowed politely and a half smile crossed his lips after the quick introduction.

"You guys should have just said so instead of getting yourselves into this."

"It would be best if no one knows who we really are, finding that one person who keeps luring beasts into your peaceful village will be worth it."

"And you suspect that person is in the palace?" the emperor questioned.

"My tracker traced that person here, I don't know who exactly it might be, which is why I need your help to keep our identities hidden while we stay here to figure out who that person is."

I watched as the both of them talked cautiously on the matter, subconsciously admiring my master. He's so good at everything, no wonder Bai QingQing sounded a bit jealous the other day, having a master like mine must be pretty rare and I just realized how lucky I am.

"Alright then, I'll keep your secret but you won't leave this place until you catch that imposter."

"That's why we're here, we'll find that person, you don't have to worry."

The emperor nodded in acknowledgement to his words and with just a snap of his finger, a maiden showed up bowing politely.

"Your majesty."

"Show these special guests to their room," he said. The maid turned to our direction and blushed once more, lowering her gaze.

"Please follow me." she said and my master nodded to her words before following her, I tagged along walking behind them and watched as the maiden tried to indulge in a conversation with my master.

"I see you're new to western village, am I right?" she asked with a smile. My master turned his gaze to her direction and returned her smile.

"Yes, I'm new here."

My mouth dropped open seeing him smile at her, he hardly smiles at me but flashing such an irresistible smile at her wasn't fair and I could tell it affected her cause I could make out the colors on her cheeks, my hands balled into fist while I just followed behind, watching the two of them chat all the way till we got to the guest room.

"This is your room." she grinned, opening the door for him. It's like they both literally forgot I'm still here, I pouted in annoyance as I watched my master go into his room.

"Do you like it?" she asked and my master gave a slight nod in response, I walked up to my master standing beside him.

"Uhm where is my room?" I asked, probably to get my master's attention back.

"I could show you to your room." The maiden finally spoke to me, for the first time at least, but my master surprisingly held my hand, stopping me from leaving with her.

"She'll be staying with me." he said to the maid whose face immediately drained of colors but she tried to mask it with a smile.

"B...but we have vacant rooms."

"Of course but she'll be staying with me for personal purposes if you don't mind."

I stared blankly at him, what personal purposes is he talking about? but he still carried on with that friendly tone.

"What personal purposes?" the maid blurted out and realizing what she just said immediately changed her words. "Forgive me, what I....I meant to say was if you both are comfortable with it, then I'll leave you two." With that, she left the room while my master closed the door behind her, locking it up. My heart raced hearing my master speak of personal purposes, what personal purposes could he be talking about?

He turned to look at me and I immediately lowered my gaze, he walked up to me making me gasp as I stumbled back on my feet and before I could fall, he grabbed hold of my hand and pulled me up. I met his gaze, holding mine and I felt the world stop for a few seconds, equally growing quiet, there was something in his eyes I found really hard to understand, his hidden emotions and the unfaltering feeling that was starting to surge through me.

"If you're uncomfortable with my idea then..."

"No." I immediately opposed shaking my head. "I..I trust your judgment Lord Qui, I don't think I can ever doubt you." I reassured him and he looked away from me, letting go of my hand.

"If you're confused about what I meant by personal purpose, I'm talking about us being able to plan our next move while staying together, that way, there would be no source of suspicion from anyone, I'm sure half of them around here already thinks you're my sister or even more." he was already opening the door and turned to look at me.

"I'll be back."

Before I could say anything, he walked out, closing the door behind me. He explained it to me but that maid would definitely think otherwise or was that his plan? I shook off the lingering feeling inside of me, one thing's for sure, our work was just getting started.