Affection

"I want you all to put in all your skills and training to use. The purple cloud wing indeed made me proud today. Remember the mission continues till the leader is caught", he said.

After the address, the students returned back to their respective manors to prepare for the next day.

Gui Shan on getting back to his room was lost in thought. He wondered where he had heard that familiar voice, but couldn't place it.

However after much deliberation, darkness descended, be slept that very night wondering how the next day would be like.

....

The next day finally came, Gui Shan and all members of the crimson lion wing had arrived at the meeting point.

After some deliberations, they were asked to start the search but do it effectively this time around. Team 'Xiaowuyi' as they referred to themselves had some change of plans.

"In our search today, we won't be splitting but all four of us would be involved", Gui Shan said.

"I suggest a new strategy. I think we should go to the affected areas and source for information while carrying out serious investigation", he said.

So the four of them took the same route and went to the most affected area to investigate.

They went to the west end of the city and conducted some investigation. As they were conducting the investigation, Gui Shan spotted a man with a black garment and a mask on his face, passing through a street corner.

Just then Gui Shan had a flashback and remembered that this was the same outfit worn by the man who secretly visited the evil physician in Mulang village and supplied him poisons. And they had the same body contour.

Just then Gui Shan shouted to the rest of them;

"Chase after him... he's one of them", Gui Shan said as he pointed at the masked man.

They all moved swiftly and finally, Tang Tang was the first to catch up with him. Then the rest caught up with the man.

They surrounded the mask man and ready to attack. "Remove your mask or we'll do it for you in the hard way", Gui Shan said.

The masked man then laughed and said to them be gone. He immediately launched an attack and Gui Shan quickly countered him.

Gui Shan then realized that this was the voice of the same man that served them noodles. So Gui Shan and the rest did their best to capture him.

He was taking the four of them at a go, since he has experience on the battle field. After sometime, he was now on the defensive side, so he decided to attack one of them.

The person closest to him at that point was Bi Yao and her guard around him seem to have  weakened. So he quickly threw a sharp dagger at Bi Yao which was impossible for her avoid since it was a surprise attack.

But Gui Shan did something amazing, he knew that if he didn't act fast Bi Yao might end up being killed considering the fact that the dagger aimed for her heart.

Gui Shan quickly dived in front of the dagger and got hit in his right arm. To everyone's surprise, Gui Shan was already down and has started losing much blood.

Bi Yao was shocked when she discovered that the dagger actually aimed for her and Gui Shan got hurt in her place.

"Why did you save me", Bi Yao said as she held Gui Shan around her arms trying to stop the bleeding.

"I couldn't watch you die", Gui Shan said in a fading tone. Just then, Bi Yao tore a piece of he cloth and decided to wrap the wound and stop the bleeding.

Immediately Gui Shan got stabbed, the masked man decided to find a means of escape. But Tang Tang and Ru Yuo gave the man a hot chase considering what he did to their friend.

But after a long chase, the man escaped and got away by flying over a building since he had excellent footwork. After sometime, they lost sight of him and returned back in a hurry.

Upon returning, Tang Tang and Ru Yuo saw Bi Yao and Gui Shan in a very emotional state. Bi Yao was cuddling him as she suceeded in stopping the bleeding.

They quickly ran to Gui Shan as they assisted Bi Yao in raising in him. "Careful...", Gui Shan said as he was still in pains.

"Sorry we couldn't catch the thief", Ru Yuo said.

"It's not your fault he got away. I have a hint of who it may be, but let's return back to the academy", he said.

Bi Yao at this point was very emotional, considering the fact that Gui Shan could risk his life just to save her.

"Gui Shan...see what you've done to yourself, you would have let me be instead", Bi Yao said.

"Don't feel guilty, it's just a minor wound. After some treatment I'll be okay", Gui Shan responded.

The three of them helped Gui Shan up as they headed back to the academy. Meanwhile at this moment, Bi Yao was lost in thought.

"What am I in his eyes that made him almost die in my place", she pondered.

But this singular action of Gui Shan had already sown a seed of love and affection in Bi Yao's heart.

They were on their way back to the academy when they met some students from the purple cloud wing.

The students from the purple cloud wing laughed as they saw Gui Shan in this state.

"How could the high and mighty Gui Shan get injured so quickly...", Hu Mei laughed as he mocked Gui Shan. The rest of the students joined Hu Mei in the laughter.

Tang Tang was enraged so he spoke to soothe his temperament.

"Mind you, Gui Shan wouldn't be in this state if he didn't decide to, so mind your business", he said.

Just then, the purple cloud wing students went ahead as they entered into the academy.

After sometime Gui Shan alongside his teammates entered into the academy and headed straight to the main hall to report their encounter.

Everyone were surprised to see that Gui Shan got injured and were eager to hear the story.

Principal Ming cleared his throat and spoke. "I think some of our students may have encountered some danger during the course of the mission".

"Team 'Xiaowuyi' how did Gui Shan sustain this wound?" Gui Shan asked.

Ru Yuo then stepped forward to answer.

"He got wounded in an attempt to save Bi Yao from the attack of a masked man", she said.

Everyone were amazed that Gui Shan could go this far. At this moment Bi Yao began feeling guilty for Gui Shan's condition and started weeping.

Gui Shan comforted her as he told her it wasn't her fault and he did it of his own will.

Just then principal Ming spoke;

"Uhmnn...do you have an idea of who the masked man may be?" Principal Ming asked.

"On our way here, Gui Shan told us that he had some clues about the man and seem to have encountered him sometime", Tang Tang said.

"Okay...Gui Shan what do you have to say?" Principal Ming asked.

So Gui Shan stepped forward to give his opinion. He then spoke;

"On my journey to Nirong city alongside with my friends, We encountered so many strange incidents", he said.

"During our journey, we stopped by Mulang village, stayed for some days and later discovered that they were all plagued and poisoned by an evil physician", he continued.

"During my secret investigation, that was when I discovery that the physician was behind the plot",

"But on the same fateful day when I unraveled the secret, I saw a man who was dressed like the masked man we encountered, supplying the physician some poison", he said.

"At that particular time, I wasn't too bent on knowing much about that man, my only concern was how to catch him and save the people",

"But one thing I didn't forget was the sound of the man's voice when he conversed with the physician", Gui Shan said.

"During the first day of the mission, Bi Yao and I stopped by a shop to eat noodles and requested for too plates",

"As the man suddenly spoke, it occured to me that the voice of the shop owner sounded familiar, but I couldn't figure where I heard the voice", he said.

"It was during our combat with the masked man that my theory was proved right when I heard him spoke", he said.

"So I think the masked man is the shop owner and a member of the poison tribe", Gui Shan said.

Everyone at that point was amazed by Gui Shan's deductive skills and his quick witted ability.

"It never occured to me that Gui Shan was the famous young lad who saved Mulang village. I'm indeed proud of you to be my student", principal Ming said.

"According to the information Gui Shan provided, I believe all hands are on deck. We are to work with the information and give it a try to see if Gui Shan's instinct and theory is reliable", he said.

... continue from next chapter...