021: Arrival

A loud banging sound of gunshots reverberated on his head as the image of Nolan -Arthur's sworn Brother- flashed back and forth.

Arthur gasped heavily as the pseudo-pain on his chest hurt so badly because of his dream that feels like a reality itself.

As the death gripped him tightly, a female voice called him repeatedly.

"Master… Master? Please wake up!" It was Hui Ying's voice, tapping his cheek gently as she placed his head on her lap.

Her beautiful face slowly visible on Arthur's sight as he opened his eyes.

"Urgh…" Arthur goaned, his throat was as dry as a desert. "Where are we?"

"Just a couple of hours, we are approaching Thorz City's air harbor very soon." She replied, helping him to sit on the bed.

"That's good to hear…" Arthur tried to get off from the bed but the hangover from the booze struck him like a truck, made him stagger and almost fell.

"Slowly there, Master! Don't push yourself too hard… Here, have some water and bread."

He drank the whole contents of the cup and stuffed his mouth with a loaf of bread. No fancy, but enough to fill his belly. "Thank you, Hui Ying."

She was aware that their relationship was just for the common goals and interests, however, seeing by how restless Arthur was, made Hui Ying couldn't help it anymore but wanting to pamper him once in a while.

He grabbed his arm and pinned him down to the bed. "Stay still… I will relieve your hangover by unclogging a few channel of your Qi."

Not only excelled on fighting, Hui Ying was also prowess on healing since her line of work before she met with Arthur as an escort requires a vast knowledge of one's body.

She massaged Arthur's acu points gently as well as arouse his vigor by channeling her Yin Qi to his Dantian coarsely.

A few moments later, the color of his face became brighter. He felt so much better than he ever was.

However, not only rearranged his Qi's channels, she was also curious about Arthur's unique constitution. Truth to be told, she never had seen someone like him, his power felt so ominous despite his cultivation level that only a mere 3 Star Realm Warrior.

Not to mention his abnormal cultivation growth that would even make any cultivator on the whole Argoth Continent become so jealous of him.

Soon enough, her consciousness reached the edge of Arthur's [Spiritual Domain]. She wanted to venture further, but there was an unknown force that prevented her from doing so.

Hui Ying was lost in thoughts for a second upon witnessing the boundless, vast space inside him.

"What is this place? How can a mere human have this vast Spiritual Domain within himself? Just… What is he?"

Suddenly, an image of ferocious serpent inspired a horror in Hui Ying's mind, repelling her consciousness.

"BEGONE! You shall not peeking at this place without his consent!"

It was Xiaoqing's mental attack, if Hui Ying's was late even a fraction of second, her mind would be ruptured and torn apart.

Although the mental attack was so fierce, Hui Ying was still able to maintain her benign face and returned.

"There… how's your feeling, Master?"

"Fuhh! That was refreshing… what have you done to my body?"

She was relieved when seeing her master more lively than the previous. "Just a bit of tweaking to your Qi's channels. Right then, I think the ship is about to be anchored at the dock, let us prepare ourselves."

"Yeah, you're right… I will get the horses and the luggages." He stretched his arms as he walked out. "My whole body is becoming so stiff being closed in a small room like this."

Right he was about to open the door, Xiaoqing notified him regarding Hui Ying's infiltration attempt inside his [Spiritual Domain]

"And one more thing," Arthur paused at the doorway. "I appreciate your help with everything you did for me recently. But, please… I demand your discretion and do not cross the line."

"I-I am just…"

"It's okay, I do have a consideration to tell you everything about myself. But there is a time and place for everything."

"Yes… I beg your mercy, Master."

"You are forgiven, Ying-er. However, if you do really want to know about my whole secrets, I shall bind you with the Beast Contract and brand yourself with my stigma crest. But, I don't really like to rob your entire freedom as a living being by doing so. I trust you as my partner after all."

"I understand, Master. I shall abide by your words and never betray your trust." Hui Ying kowtowed before him as an act of her ultimate allegiance.

Yet, Arthur wasn't that magnanimous either to accept her apologies right away. She needs to earn that favor by herself.

While Arthur headed out to prepare the horses, Hui Ying remained inside the room. Her hands and fingers were still shaking uncontrollably after knowing what  was inside of Arthur.

***

Few hours had passed and the ship finally anchored at Thorz City's Air Harbor.

The group of four young and good looking persons were ready on the saddle of their horses.

All of the passengers were ready atop the deck to get off from the ship. Grateful cheers and laughter were visible from their faces as every one of them met with their family and loved ones.

Ming and Yin weren't an exception, they were so relieved to be able to set their feet on the ground once again.

As they were about to leave the port, the captain of the ship, Morgan, called them out loud from the helm, waved his hands high above his head. "Master Arthur! We will undergo heavy maintenance at the shipyard for a week or so! Please call me out when you are ready on your next journey! Thank you for everything!"

"Likewise! It will be one hell of a journey! You better prepare your ship for the worst!"

The city was bustling with merchants and travelers from near and far. People of different colors and cultures hagles the prices. Sometimes, fights between merchants and their patrons were inevitable, luckily there was no blood need to be drawn since the city was heavily guarded by the Holy Church's Knights in every corner of the roads.

"What a lively little city!" Hui Ying was charmed, her eyes couldn't stop to savor every moment she saw.

"Er… Sister Hui Ying!" Yin, called the fox demoness, aligned the horse's pace the same as her. "Thank you for your help earlier, if it wasn't for you… I don't even want to imagine how things could go wrong, truly."

"It's okay little girl… No need to thank me, I did it for the sake of my Master alone. I don't really care what would become of you, not in one bit."

"I know… but still…"

"And yet, little missy… Since I've showcased what I'm capable of, I demand your courtesy and the way you speak towards my Master or else! This is not a threat, but a certainty… I shall pull out your tongue right from your throat."

"Eep!" Yin's face immediately turned pale, Hui Ying's words were something that she shouldn't take lightly. "I-I understand sister Hui Ying! Please forgive me!"

Arthur smirked and chuckled a bit, he couldn't help but to shake his head upon hearing it. "Stop with the bully Hui Ying, she is technically my employer… Well literally, since we will get a grand reward after we accomplish this task at hand. Right, Mr. Ming?!"

Hui Ying laughed joyously after messing around with the young girl. "Of course not! I'm just kidding with her, hehe!" As their tension was tuned down to cherish and merrily. Hui Ying whispered to Yin's ear; "Try to mock my Master once again and will sink your entire family and ancestry in the deepest pit of the abyss." 

Hui Ying's ultimatum was unheard by the rest of the guys. But it was enough to inspire a frightening fear deep inside the little girl's mind.

On the other hand, Ming was annoyed by Arthur's relaxed and carefree behavior as they approached the main gate to the Northern Wilderness.

"Enough with the dilly-dally. Let's hurry… I can sense the artifact power from within the jungle."

"As you command, sir!" Arthur replied in a lazy way.

At the first glimpse of the scenery, Arthur felt a very strong aura ahead of him. He was so enthralled by the majestic aura from the wilderness that was not so far away in front of his eyes. He was inclined that the aura belonged to the pair of wolves that dwelled deep in the wilderness.

"Hehe! As expected from the legendary wolves! Their aura emanates through me. I will tame them soonly and become stronger!" Arthur clenched his fist, his eyes were full with determination.