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Chapter 9 - Don't Be Unruly

 Yun Tai disappears leaving Feng Tian scratching his head without a clue as to where to find XiXi.

 Well, the little beauty must be here somewhere. He rolls his eyes, Thanks Yun Tai for telling me where she is... Hmmph! So uncooperative!

 I guess I don't blame him for misunderstanding. I heard he had to deal with half the Sitri Demon Sect in the lowlands on his way back after his men had dispersed. He probably wanted to come home and go into seclusion, not expecting people occupying his house.

Well, I will make it up to him with some of father's 500 year old wine Lou Wan, that old hermit, gave him on his birthday last year.

Feng Tian wanders through the garden then sees the chaise under a Plum Blossom tree. XiXi is sprawled on the wide chaise with her eyes closed, she fell asleep again? He sits on the edge of the chaise and touches her shoulder, he doesn't want to be improper but she seems to be sleeping soundly. He needs her to come quickly and greet his brother.

XiXi wakes up scared and wraps her thin arms around Feng Tian. He doesn't quite know how to respond to this sudden intimacy. So she really does like me?

Then she looks at him with watery eyes and cries, "Wuhu.. some man wants to kill me!"

"Who wants to kill you? No one is here but you," Yun Tai how did you scare this poor girl? He has a slight smile, But thank you, I don't think she would grab onto me if she wasn't scared to death.

XiXi clutches his brocade robe, "Well, I don't know but he had a dagger"

Feng Tian shakes his head, Really, Yun Tai? ...A dagger...look at this girl she couldn't hurt a Diruye fly.

When XiXi realizes she is clinging on Feng Tian she drops her hands down, clasping them together on her lap she tries to regain her composure.

Feng Tian reassures XiXi, "I'm here now, there is nothing to worry about. Lets go back to the house and I will get you some calming tea." He is still enjoying the sensation of having her in his arms, maybe I will need some calming tea also.

Realizing there is no dangerous man around and she just made a fool of herself in front of Feng Tian, XiXi gets up and fixes her hair. As she straightens the dress she takes a deep breath, I need to get it together...this place is too strange. There seems to be danger at every turn and we haven't even set out on our journey yet.

She quietly follows Feng Tian.

On the way to the bamboo house he explains to XiXi the current situation. "My elder brother found me on this island and wants me to go back to our home in Myriad Cloud City. If you want me to accompany you and Zhang Yu to find the Zehran Water Dragon you need to behave herself and follow my lead when meeting Feng Che.

"I don't recall asking you to join us."

"..." Silly girl you don't know how fortunate you are I am willing to protect you and your weak father!

Feng Tian proudly explains, " I have been to this island before and know my way around the illusions in the Forest of Illusions. I also am a capable fighter. You will encounter many ferocious beasts on your journey that I don't think you and Zhang Yu could handle by yourself."

XiXi wonders why he would want to help them. "We have a saying where I am from 'there is no such thing as a free lunch'"

"? ? " Feng Tian doesn't understand why this girl would turn down the help of an Immortal on a perilous journey. Oh, that's right I am posing as a mortal, but still they obviously need any help they can get!

"Well, I am hoping to acquire a few Beast Cores, that is why I came to this island. I use them in my cultivation and also my family relies on me 

XiXi doesn't want to seem needy, this arrogant man gets on her nerves but he has a good point. She and her father could use his help. Does Dad even have a map of this place? Feng Tian says he is familiar with the landscape and a Forest of Illusions sounds horrifying.

"Okay, since you seem to really want to join us, I guess we could allow you to accompany us" XiXi answers in a condescending voice.

Feng Tian marvels at how quickly she changes faces. Wasn't this girl terrified not long ago and clinging to me. " Listen to me when we are with my brother. I know you aren't familiar with our customs here so you need to be quiet and do as I say.

Give him a deep bow when you meet him and say it is an honor to meet such a distinguished Lord of the Heavenly Cloud Kingdom."

"What?" XiXi starts to question him and FengTian quickly interrupts waving his hand, "Nn..nn..no...No time for your endless questions"

"..."

"Don't say anything else, just the greeting I told you,let me handle him from there. He has been waiting which he hates to do so he will be in an irritable mood."

"Why would I care if this 'Lord' haha... is in a bad mood?"

Feng Tian's veins are starting to pop out on his forehead. "I just told you...So I can go with you!"

He continues, "I have a few more instructions for you before we arrive at the courtyard. Try to walk like a lady with small steps, keeping your head a bit lowered . Just glance up and smile sweetly at him if he speaks to you. He sees her scrunching up her nose and says, "Nevermind,I will grab you a fan, just hide your face behind it!" Feng Tian has no confidence in XiXi's ability to act like a lady is frustrated. How am I going to persuade Che without her following mylead.

XiXi rolls her eyes and laughs at him flashing a mocking smile, " What are you an etiquette teacher in your spare time?"

Feng Tian glares in her direction, "Don't be unruly!"

XiXi taps him on the shoulder then gracefully bows deeply, "Don't worry, I will do as you say." She sees his nervous expression and smiles sweetly, " I'm teasing you." She laughs as she twirls around and catches a cherry blossom petal then tosses it to him. "Don't be so serious."

He is stunned at how beautiful she looks, her eyes are sparkling and her smile is dazzling.

When she smiles at him he momentarily forgets how wild and unruly she can be. That's right... the little girl is unpredictable. Snap out of it,Tian!

While Feng Tian is picturing everything that could go wrong, XiXi thinks she and her father do need his help. She has seen how adept and quick he was when he killed the frighteningly huge snake.

XiXi decides in order complete the quest she will give an Oscar worthy performance for his brother.

"So Feng Tian,.." 

 In a daze he doesn't answer and she tugs on his sleeve. "Hey Feng Tian! Where's the fan, we are almost to the courtyard aren't we?"

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