Chapter 29: I'll Accompany You

Having organized her thoughts, Dong Lier stopped dwelling on them and simply laid back in bed for a quick nap.

Meanwhile, in the adjacent room, Ah Long quietly retreated to the bedside, contemplating the conversation between Dong Lier and Ping Er. He thought, 'Is this Lier's purpose in coming to the Heartless Pavilion?'

Ah Long started to feel conflicted. If Lier was only gathering information for outsiders, he didn't mind. However, if her target was the Pavilion Master or the Heartless Pavilion itself, Ah Long believed that Lier was engaging in something very dangerous.

Until the black-clad figure returned in the afternoon, Ah Long remained lying in bed, restless, with the conversation between Lier and Ping Er replaying in his mind.

As soon as they heard the gong, everyone swiftly dressed and headed outside. As expected, the afternoon training continued with swordsmanship.

Since Lier and the others were absent yesterday, they had to skip the previous moves and follow along. Lier found it quite manageable, as the techniques taught by the black-clad person were the ones she had mastered.

While repeating the movements, her mind was in constant motion. Based on her observations in the morning, it was evident that the black-clad person had no intention of strictly controlling them. Though unsure of their ulterior motives, Lier had her own ideas.

Suddenly, Dong Lier clutched her stomach, bending over, and her sword clanged as it fell to the ground.

The black-clad person looked at Dong Lier but remained silent. Ah Long instinctively rushed forward and was the first to ask, "Lier, what's wrong?"

Glancing secretly at the black-clad person, Dong Lier replied, "I don't know if I ate something bad; my stomach doesn't feel quite right."

Upon hearing her words, Ah Long quickly grasped the situation. Lier rarely complained about her health, so this might be an act with ulterior motives.

Continuing to inquire, Ah Long asked, "Is it very painful? What should we do?" With a worried expression, he looked up at the black-clad person and requested, "Can I take her to see the pavilion's physician?"

The black-clad person, waiting for them to speak, pretended to hesitate. After a moment of silence, he spoke, "Go, but come back after the examination!"

Dong Lier and Ah Long nodded in agreement. Ah Long helped Dong Lier up, supporting her as they slowly moved toward the courtyard. Dong Lier cooperated by occasionally uttering painful groans.

Once they were out of the door, they moved a bit farther. Dong Lier surveyed the surroundings, confirming there was no one tailing them. She then pulled Ah Long towards the depths of the forest.

"Li'er, Li'er, where are you going?" Ah Long whispered while running.

"The maple tree forest," Dong Lier answered without turning her head.

Ah Long immediately stopped. Dong Lier, caught off guard by his sudden halt, swayed for a moment before steadying herself. She realized she shouldn't have answered and should have taken him there first. She understood Ah Long's reluctance, as that place was a forbidden area explicitly designated by the Heartless Pavilion. Ah Long's caution was justified.

In a coaxing and affectionate tone, Dong Lier said, "Ah Long, I'll just take a quick look, just one look. Otherwise, I can't eat or sleep well. Can you bear to see me like this?"

Thinking of Dong Lier's hearty appetite during lunch, Ah Long found her words both helpless and amusing. However, a serious image of the day when the Pavilion Master kicked him away in the maple tree forest suddenly flashed in his mind.

Ah Long advised Dong Lier, "The maple tree forest is restricted, and you know it. Lier, the Heartless Pavilion is not a friendly place. Let's... let's not go."

Dong Lier wasn't surprised that Ah Long tried to dissuade her. After all, Ah Long was ultimately a member of the Heartless Pavilion, and she couldn't expect him to wholeheartedly support her.

"Well, you stay here, and I'll go by myself. Just don't report me, considering our past friendship," Dong Lier said with a smile.

Ah Long, after hearing her words, widened his eyes and displayed an injured expression, thinking, 'I didn't expect Dong Lier not to trust me. What should I do to make her completely trust me?'

"I'll accompany you. I'll be with you through thick and thin," Ah Long said as he grabbed Dong Lier's hand, leading her towards another narrow path – a shortcut to the maple tree forest, dense with trees and seemingly untouched.

The sudden change in Ah Long's demeanor made Dong Lier feel like he might be unwell. It was as if there were two different people within him, each taking turns to emerge. Concerned, she thought that after resolving the matters at the Heartless Pavilion, she must ensure that her grandfather brings the best military physician to check on Ah Long.

The two navigated through obstacles, walked for a considerable time, and finally reached the edge of the maple forest.

To Dong Lier's surprise, although the maple forest was designated as a forbidden area of the Heartless Pavilion, there was no one guarding it. At least, Dong Lier didn't hear any movement.

To be cautious, Dong Lier, with her keen hearing, asked Ah Long, "Are there hidden people here?"

Ah Long listened carefully but heard nothing but the rustling of leaves in the mountain breeze. He shook his head in response.

The more quiet it seemed, the more vigilant Dong Lier became. She pondered whether the absence of guards meant it was a deliberate ploy to deceive them or if only the Pavilion Master had access to this place.

Regardless of the scenario, Dong Lier was determined to investigate. She led Ah Long deeper into the forest, maintaining a high level of vigilance.

Along the way, besides the maple trees, the two encountered nothing else. Could it be that the secret entrance was still in one of the maple trees? Thinking this, Dong Lier instructed Ah Long to pay close attention to the trees they passed.

However, no matter how they checked, apart from the slightly stout tree they encountered yesterday, which led to the secret chamber beneath the pool, they couldn't find another tree with a concealed opening.

Growing anxious, Dong Lier thought that the Heartless Pavilion was indeed worthy of its name, openly presenting its secrets yet making them elusive. Even with an open display, she couldn't find any hidden details.

Considering the position of the sun, Dong Lier knew they couldn't afford to delay any longer. She decided to call Ah Long and head to Hu Yaoshi's place. The performance needed to be thorough; otherwise, a little probing from the black-clad person might expose her.

However, when Dong Lier turned to find Ah Long, she didn't see his figure. It wasn't appropriate to call out at this moment, so she had to search for him in the forest.

After walking a few steps, Dong Lier spotted Ah Long standing at the edge of the maple forest. At the end of the forest was a cliff with no way out.

Approaching him, Dong Lier realized there was a lone grave in front of Ah Long – more like a small mound of earth. In front of the grave stood a tombstone without any inscription. Judging by the soil's color, it seemed to have been there for quite some time.

"Do you know whose grave this is?" Dong Lier asked.

Ah Long shook his head. For some reason, when he arrived at this place and saw the unmarked tombstone, he couldn't move his feet. He just wanted to stand here quietly for a while.

Dong Lier, analyzing the situation, wondered if this was another secret of the forbidden maple tree forest. She didn't believe that someone would be buried here without a reason.

However, the unmarked tombstone offered no information. The only certainty was that the person beneath had passed away long ago, and even if the grave were opened, it would only reveal a set of dry bones.

Anxiously contemplating, Dong Lier whispered to Ah Long, "Let's go back. We might expose ourselves if we stay any longer."

Although reluctant, Ah Long knew it wasn't suitable to linger. Thinking they could explore more carefully later, he joined Dong Lier as they quietly left and headed towards Hu Yaoshi's residence.

Hu Yaoshi returned to the Heartless Pavilion every few years for a short stay. Ah Long was aware of this, but he had never met the person before. Now, Ah Long led Dong Lier to Hu Yaoshi's place with ease.

Dong Lier knocked on the door, and it was Ping Er who answered.

"It's you. Why are you here? Is your shoulder still bothering you?" Ping Er, somewhat familiar, inquired, momentarily forgetting to invite Dong Lier in.

Dong Lier was about to respond to Ping Er when Hu Yaoshi's voice came from inside the courtyard, "Ping Er, who is it?"

"Um..." Ping Er struggled to express the identities of Dong Li'er and Ah Long, just making a vague introduction without following up.

The more perplexed Ping Er appeared, the more curious Master Hu became. He slowly rose from his recliner and walked to the door, wanting to see who the visitors were.

Observing the two children standing motionless outside the door, Hu Master recognized one of the girls with a sweet mouth, but the other one... seemed vaguely familiar.

"Come in," Hu Master combed his beard and spoke, then returned to his recliner, reclining with a creaking sound that echoed in the ears of Dong Li'er and the others.

Seeing this, Dong Li'er took the initiative and walked forward, smiling, "Master Hu, I ate something bad earlier, and my stomach was in pain. However, once I arrived here, the pain disappeared. I wonder if Master has any medicine for stomachache. Could you give me a dose to take home? If it happens again, I won't trouble Master."

Dong Li'er's words were charming, and Hu Master liked that. He replied, "Reach out your hand."

"No need, I often have stomachaches. I just hope Master is kind-hearted enough to give me some medicine. If it happens again, I won't trouble Master," Dong Li'er quickly declined, afraid that Hu Master might see through her ulterior motives.

"There are many types of stomachaches. If I don't take your pulse, do you think I'm some divine healer who can cure everything with just a bottle of medicine?" Hu Master continued lying on the recliner, shaking slightly, and patiently addressed Dong Li'er on the other side.

"Isn't it like that? Congwenhu's arrow wound, a quick glance from the Master, and it's already eighty to ninety percent healed. For someone like me, Master's skills are undoubtedly extraordinary," Dong Li'er replied, trying to flatter Hu Master and divert his attention to smoothly obtain the medicine.

This time, Hu Master remained silent, staring with interest at Dong Li'er and Ah Long. However, he couldn't recall where he had seen this young man before, despite feeling a sense of familiarity.

After thinking for a while and still unable to remember, Hu Master gave up. He didn't want to trouble these two people. After all, back then, he only promised to cure Li Huanyu's illness. As for other matters related to Jueqing Pavilion, he didn't care.

He then instructed Ping Er, "Give her a bottle of medicine for stomachaches."

"Yes," Ping Er replied, starting to search for it in the medicine box.

Seizing the opportunity, Dong Li'er said, "Thank you, Master. You're like a living bodhisattva."

Hu Master was amused by her words and quite fond of Dong Li'er. If it weren't for his interest in Yingran, he would have considered taking Dong Li'er in. However, he wondered about Yingran's thoughts on the matter.

Seeing that Hu Master seemed preoccupied, Dong Li'er didn't want to disturb him further. She respectfully bowed and, with Ah Long, exited the place.

"Hu Master is a good person," Ah Long suddenly spoke to Dong Li'er.

Dong Li'er nodded, replying, "I know. I'll remember this favor."

Then the two headed straight to the training courtyard. When they arrived, the mysterious figure in black was sitting in a chair with closed eyes. It wasn't clear if he was meditating or napping.

Dong Li'er and Ah Long quietly joined the group, picked up their swords from the ground, and began practicing in sync with the others.

By the time the sun was about to set, the figure in black stood up and called a halt. He then walked out without giving any specific instructions. However, everyone knew that the same routine would continue the next day.

Looking at the table full of dishes, but few people picking up their chopsticks, they all helped each other massage their sore muscles. After a long afternoon of sword practice, their hands were so tired that they could hardly hold the chopsticks.

"Lier, aren't you in pain?" Yingran shook her hand and asked.

Dong Li'er picked up a piece of meat with her chopsticks and replied, "Not at all." She then joyfully put the meat into her mouth and began chewing contentedly.

Seeing this, Ah Long extended his chopsticks to pick some for her, and Dong Li'er smiled happily in return.

However, Wang Ba, sitting opposite them, couldn't stand it and sneered, "Why would she be in pain? She's been here for two days, and have you seen her training for long? Maybe she found some other way."

As he finished speaking, his eyes roamed up and down Dong Li'er, filled with insinuations.

Although Dong Li'er was indeed young, her body had already started to develop. When Wang Ba looked at her, Dong Li'er's face turned red. She wanted to teach him a lesson and make him realize what words were appropriate and which were not.

But before Dong Li'er could stand up, Ah Long and Congwenhu each threw a chopstick at him. The force behind them left a few marks on Wang Ba's face.

At the same time, Ah Long sternly warned, "You better watch your mouth!"

After a few days of rest, Wang Ba and the others had forgotten the miserable scene in the deep jungle when Dong Li'er and the others had taught them a lesson. Now they only felt that they had learned some swordsmanship and gained strength, forgetting the fear they had felt back then.

"What do you think you are? How dare you hit me! I'll make sure to teach you a lesson!"

Wang Ba pointed at Ah Long and cursed, picking up the sword beside him. As the words fell, he immediately stepped onto the table and thrust the sword towards Ah Long.

Ah Long skillfully leaned his body backward, also picking up the sword by his feet to block. However, constrained by the table and the presence of others, he couldn't make overly exaggerated movements. He had no choice but to guide Wang Ba's sword towards an empty space beside the table.

Seeing this, everyone immediately backed away, except for Dong Li'er, who remained seated, staring intently at Wang Ba.

Wang Ba, realizing the situation, understood that all of this had originated because of Dong Li'er. He had disliked her for a long time, and if it weren't for her previous martial arts training, he wouldn't have allowed her to humiliate him.

So, he raised his wrist, throwing the sword into the air. Simultaneously, he rolled over the table, catching the sword hilt in his hand as he turned, aiming to stab Dong Li'er.

Ah Long stood on the ground with his sword horizontally, and Wang Ba's sword landed under his foot.

Ah Long sneered; Wang Ba indeed had some talent in martial arts, but he didn't take him seriously. He was about to reach down to pull out the sword when Dong Li'er pushed him back, shouting, "I'll deal with him myself, step back!"

Saying this, Dong Li'er casually pulled out the dagger from her waist, channeling energy to her palm. She pushed Wang Ba's sword to the side and, in one fluid motion, cut a small wound on the back of his hand.

Wang Ba winced in pain and immediately threw away the sword, feeling a sense of deja vu in this situation.