There in her hands was the Sacred sword that Zhang thought he had lost forever.

******************************

“My sword...give it to me.” Zhang demandrd and the girl immediately handed over the priceless possession back to its original owner.  Zhang glided his hands softly over the blade, smiling slightly as the sensation of it. His eyes flicked over to the girl and the latter gulped unintentionally.

“By the way, my name is Yun Cai.” She introduced herself. The silenxe in the tent was too awkward for her and she couldn't think of anything else to strike up a conversation.

“I am Wu Xie and he is Zhang Qiling, its a pleasure to meet you Yun Cai.” Wu Xie greeted warmly as Zhang sent a soft nod.

“Thank you for my sword.” He expressed his gratitude and went back to admiring the relic in his hand.

“And this is Pangzi, stay wary of him though, he is a big flirt.” Wu Xie said to Yun Cai as Pangzi entered the tent, earning a stern gaze from the plump male and a chuckle from the girl.

“Excuse you mister, I am fully aware to not make any moves on an injured lady.” Pangzi said with confidence and a hint of irritation while the lattwr only rolled his eyes. The tension between the four was slowly simmering down and everyone was gradually becoming comfortable with each other.

“I need to go back home, my father is ill and there is no one to take care of him.” Yun Cai spoke up, shattering the tranquil silence that had settled inside the tent. Her face displayed pure concern as she fiddled with her hands, interlocking and releasing her fingers.

“Sure, but can you manage by yourself? How far do you need to go?” Pangzi asked as he glanced worriedly at the tensed female.

“I need to go at least 15 kilometers, don’t worry, I can manage on my own.” She said and got up to prove her point, but winced and stumbled when she felt a sharp pain shoot up her left leg. Letting out a loud hiss, she staggered but was held firmly in her place by Pangzi. It was as if he knew this was gonna happen and was ready to hold her of she fell.

“See what I mean? You can barely stand Yun Cai, how can you walk for 15 kilometers? You know what? I'll drop you to your village and tend for you and your dad. How does that sound?” Pangzi generously offered. Yun Cai looked into Pangzi's eyes and saw nothing but honesty in them.

Maybe, I can trust him.

“That sounds like a plan. I'm in.” Yun Cai replied with a small smile.

“What is the name of your village?” Pangzi asked curiously, while Zhang and Wu Xie listened carefully.

“Banai, that is my village.”

Zhang's eyes widened. He felt as if he had heard that name before but couldn't remember where. His brows furrowed subconsciously as he was sucked into a vortex of his own thoughts.

Where have I heard that name?

“Hey Xiaoge, you okay? You seem tensed.” Wu Xie asked as he placed a comforting hand on the back of the stoic male.

“I'm fine, don't worry about me pu-” Wu Xie's doe eyes widened as he slapped a hand over Zhang's mouth, pulling him down to his level to whisper in his ear.

“Don't call me that in front of anyone, got it?” He whispered angrily while keeping an eye on the confused duo in front of him. They had their brows furrowed, a small pout and head tilted. Wu Xie knew that of he wasn't upset right now, he would have definitely laughed at their cuteness.

Zhang chuckled inwardly and nodded as gently peeled Wu Xie's hand off of his mouth. He nodded once again with a ghostly smile, ensuring the younger that he truly was okay.

Suddenly, Zhang stood up straight, his eyes panicky and moving everywhere as he seemed to be thinking something. Wu Xie grew tense. He never saw Zhang this uneasy is all the days they spent together, so he grew cautious.

“Do you sense something Xiaoge?” Wu Xie asked and Zhang nodded. He looked over to Pangzi and Yun Cai, motioning them to stand up.

“Leave for her village now. I have a bad feeling about something and it might be either regarding her village or the cave I found. Pangzi, lead her back while me and Wu Xie head towards the cave, understood?” Zhang ordered with so much authority that the rest of the three had no choice but to oblige.

Pangzi packed all of his stuff in less than 5 minutes and immediately took off with Yun Cai by his side. Zhang and Wu Xie also did the same, heading towards the cave in an unspoken emergency.

Upon arriving at the entrance of the cave, Zhang, with his super sensitive ears, heard the sound of someone being drowned. He was worried, though his face didn't show it. He rushed in without a second thought, completely forgetting about his lover by his side, who was left utterly confused.

It took a moment for Wu Xie to run after Zhang, and when he caught up, his eyes widened. His cousin, Xiao Hua, the most heartless person he had ever seen (not for him, but for outsiders), had tears in his eyes as he was desperately thrashing about. 

He saw another man being drowned by a creature that looked like a mermaid minus the cute figure Ariel had set for them.

Zhang looked over to Wu Xie and signalled him to distract the siren. He knew he was still a little weak to put up a full fight so he relied on his Wu Xie who immediately understood. 

Wu Xie focused on the fiery sensation he felt inside of him ever since the python incident. Once again, vines wrapped themselves around his hand only this time, he had more control over them. He directed the vines to hold the siren by its throat, hands and waist and pinned it to the wall while Zhang seized this opportunity to pull the half drowned man back to the surface. Xiazi coughed violently as the sudden surge of air filled his lungs.

Zhang seated Xiazi on a rock that was high enough for him to catch his breath without being surrounded by water. He then proceeded to draw his sword out and slashed the siren’s throat.

As soon the siren was struck, blue-green blood poured out of its wound and the moment a drop of it touched the water, rhe place dried up almost instantly.

“Xiazi! Are you okay?” Xiao Hua’s voice sounded and the emotion in it was of raw sadness, fear and concern. Wu Xie looked at his cousin and was puzzled.

“I guess my cousin can worry for people after all.” Wu Xie joked but his smile faded when he noticed how Xiao Hua wasn't even lookinf in his direction.

“Wu Xie?! When did you get here?!”

Wu Xie was even more puzzled.

He didn't notice me and Xiaoge?

“Hua’er....he lost his sight...” Xiazi spoke up and Wu Xie was horrified. He looked over Zhang and then at his cousin.

“WHAT?!”