The sun had set in the west, the birds no longer chirping.
"Young Master, I..." Li Ping trailed off, her gaze flicking desperately around the room, avoiding his gaze.
"If I take the Young Master to the waterfalls and something happens to him, I'll be in danger, but if I don't take him to the waterfalls and he doesn't recover, I'll still be in danger. What should I do?" Li Ping's dilemma wore her down, her shoulders slumping in defeat.
Johan leaned closer, his voice dropping further, making it sound like a shared secret against the dangerous world.
"Li Ping," he said, his hand moving reassuringly to her shoulder. " Of course the crown prince's word is important, but your Young Master's recovery is the reason you were given to me."
He lowered his voice further, referencing her greatest fear.
"Besides, your young master is now a disciple of the only witch in the whole realm. The threats you heard in that hut—the Xuchong Realm, the Mistveil Beast Market and Madam Xu Lianhua. Don't you think they are the true dangers of this world? Do you truly believe that the rules and the people of this palace can protect you from that?"
He paused, letting the fear sink in. "Li Ping, when we return, you will simply say I needed fresh air to clear my mind, and that the beautiful scenery of the waterfall was the only thing that calmed my disturbed state."
Li Ping shivered at the mention of the Xuchong Realm, the panic in her eyes replaced by a terrible realization. She looked at the door, then back at Johan's serene, handsome face. He wasn't giving her an order; he was offering her co-conspiracy.
"The cottage near the waterfall is a long journey, Young Master," she conceded, her voice barely audible. "But... I know the paths. We must be quick. I will prepare a small basket of provisions."
"Good girl, Li Ping," Johan murmured, patting her hand once before releasing her. He watched her rush to gather supplies, a chilling sense of triumph settling over him.
Johan only had the waterfall as his landmark but he needed more accurate information to find Qian Yun's house. Johan felt strong energy or the Qi course through him. He was gradually getting accustomed to this new sensation. What did the One Eyed Oracle mean by Level Three Martial Soul? These were all foreign but interesting concepts which caught his interest.
After a while, Li Ping returned with a basket and a wooden travelling bag. She set them down before approaching Johan.
"I have to give my all in serving the young master. I shouldn't let fear hold me back. I'll do my best to earn his and the crown prince's favour." Li Ping thought, a determined smile appearing on her face.
"Young master, I have packed us some essentials for the journey. The path to the nearest waterfall is a few minutes by a soul sword but I have noticed you don't possess one. Also your meridians just healed and you have merged with that strange mist. We don't know how they are going to have an effect on you. That's why we have to walk a hundred kilometres. To avoid any eyes, we shall leave at midnight." She explained carefully.
"A hundred kilometres? Even my third cousin's blood dragon crane cannot fly that far but my blue dragon could. Not that I'm going to lend it to you." A voice scoffed.
They turned their attention to the sound, their eyes falling on a man in an all white robe and long dark hair who was seated in a chair, helping himself to some grapes.
"Young master Gong Feng, you know barging into someone's room without consent requires a penalty. Not to mention the crown prince's guest." Li Ping hissed.
Li Ping leaned in. "Pay no attention to him, young master. He's a rogue cultivator who thinks he has a place in our Sky Echo palace because he's one of the princes' distant cousins."
"You know... I can hear you from here. Also this was my assigned room for a while now." Gong Feng rolled his eyes.
For Li Ping to address this man who sat carefree before them as young master, it meant that he was important. Although Johan could afford getting on his bad side, he didn't want to do that just yet.
"Apologies, Senior Gong Feng. We shall leave you to your room in no time." Johan stepped forward, wearing a faint smile.
"See, little miss? Learn how to talk to your elders." Gong Feng smirked as he took in Li Ping's displeased expression.