Xie Lin Lang was caught off guard, then she grinned, “If it’s not possible for two of the same leaf to exist in this world, then it’s not possible for there to be a second you.”
Qin Jue’s mind was in a flurry, then narrowed his eyes and asked, “So you will be able to tell, right?”
Hearing this, Xie Lin Lang laughed softly. Then she reached over and shook the cloak open, draping it to cover Qin Jue.
While she was tying the knot for him, her lips slightly curled and she spoke in a very soft voice.
“Although I have no way of distinguishing between two leaves of similar appearance, I will most definitely be able to distinguish you.”
“Why?” Qin Jue watched her, his expression suddenly concentrated.
Xie Lin Lang raised her brow, speaking with a glisten in her eyes, “Because we grew up together! You are the only you that exists in this world! Plus, it’s not like I’m blind.”
Her laughter and words came out lightly yet it pounded heavily on Qin Jue’s heart. But before he could respond, Xie Lin Lang returned to the bonfire once again and turned the rabbit on a different side.
Xiao Xi took his map and went to speak with her. The two sat together, laughing and speaking all throughout. On the other side, under the light of the flame, Qin Jue’s silhouette swayed along with the brightness of the fire, as did the reflections in his gaze.
Because there was only one of him in this world, and thus, she will never mistake him for anyone else?
As Qin Jue looked at her, his lips suddenly tightened and he held one of his hands to his heart.
Within moments, it was as if all sound had faded away.
What was supposed to be an unwavering heart suddenly became like this flame, flickering and wavering in motion…
The next morning, Xiao Xi left just as the sky first began turning bright.
Xie Lin Lang was still asleep, but Qin Jue had also quietly gotten up and was practicing the horse stance* outside.
*A training in martial arts. It’s a similar exercise as doing the air chair.
At this moment, there was already a little bit of Chi inside his body. It was the result of that night when Xie Lin Lang used the whole night sky of stars as her props, opening his heart and causing his sudden enlightenment.
However, those types of opportunities aren’t just handed out for free every day. Moreover, just a fragment of Chi wasn’t enough for Qin Jue. If he wanted to keep his Meridian open, he must be able to continuously cycle the Chi throughout his body, meaning he must work even harder!
It wasn’t until the sun had risen high in the sky that Xie Lin Lang finally got up. She first stretched out her arms, then got herself ready lazily, ate a bit of food lazily, and headed back on the road lazily with Qin Jue.
At this time, they were already very close to Xiang City. Coincidentally, it was also the last day of the two-months traveling period.
While on the road, Xie Lin Lang yawned then asked, “It shouldn’t take long until the assassins come and block our path. Are you scared?”
Remembering Dong Qi’s suggestion, Qin Jue couldn’t think of what to answer.
Xie Lin Lang continued, “You don’t have to be scared. You’re already qualified as a martial artist more or less. Although you’re not at the level of a martial arts master yet, it shouldn’t be a problem for you to handle those bandits at all. So it’s decided, we’ll use them as target practice for you, how’s that? I have high expectations for you!”
Having said that, she did a cheering motion with her hands. All of the laziness from earlier had completely disappeared, her entire demeanor filled with life and energy!
Seeing the small movements she does subconsciously, Qin Jue’s heart instantly began beating erratically, an uncontrollable smile also formed along the corners of his eyes.
She had been like this ever since she was little, always cheering others on, but never undervaluing the praises on herself either.
When he’s with her, his mind always feels lighthearted and he’s easily affected by her positive energy.
As a result, in merely a month, he was able to collect himself together again, not only physically, but also mentally.
* (This translation was brought to you by LeafInBloom on Patreon and Sleepy Translations.)
On the other side, Dong Qi watched as everything happened. He lowered his voice and spoke to the person next to him.
“It’s all going well. His Highness is also wearing a cloak, heaven must be on our side!”
He turned around and faced a young man who looked almost identical to Qin Jue.
He continued, “Once the fighting starts, your task is to grab His Highness’s cloak from him and cover it on yourself. Do you understand?”
The young man nodded expressionlessly, just like a heavily trained soldier. The moment their conversation ended, the bandits appeared on the other side!
About a little more than a hundred people quickly gathered to block their path.
Xie Lin Lang stepped in front of Qin Jue blocking him and pretended to be unaware, “Who are you people? Why are you blocking my path?”
Each and every one of the mountain bandits was a fugitive of some sort, so why would they bother answering Xie Lin Lang’s questions? After making sure it was two young men and all of the information matched the description, the leader with a scar on his face waved his hand, speaking only a single word.
“Kill!”
Seeing them charge without a second thought, Xie Lin Lang retreated with Qin Jue. At the same time, Xiao Xi, who had been hiding behind the hillside long before, turned his horse around and spoke to the official soldiers behind him.
“Let’s move! Leave the ones that surrender alive. If they resist, just leave one or two alive!”
“Yes sir!”
The crowd responded, then immediately charged from above the hillside into the woods.
This group of bandits had been causing chaos for a long time. If they could take this opportunity and get rid of them once and for all, it would save the locals a lot of trouble as well!
As Xiao Xi led the group of men charging towards this direction, the mountain bandits evidently began panicking!
Oh no, it’s an ambush!
Before they could retreat, the two groups of people completely collided together, instantly turning the scene into a field of chaos.
Seeing this situation, Dong Qi got up quietly and soundlessly mixed into the battlefield.
Because Dong Qi and his men were dressed like mountain bandits and had their faces covered, neither the official soldiers nor the bandits noticed that there were suddenly a couple of new people on the battlefield.
As Dong Qi wanted this operation to be completely unnoticeable, he had only brought a few of his men as well.
Normally, Xie Lin Lang would have been able to tell them apart right away. But at this time, her attention was fully fixated on a strangely dressed mountain bandit.
That mountain bandit’s strength seemed to only be mediocre and unremarkable. But on his neck, he wore layers and layers of white bandages, and the motion in which he swung his sword was very unordinary as well.
Xie Lin Lang was a naturally cautious person. She helped Qin Jue avoid any attacks as they retreated together.
At this moment, the man with white bandages on his neck suddenly grinned nastily in Xie Lin Lang’s direction.
In a second, he suddenly reached out his hand and a machete came flying in Xie Lin Lang’s direction, just like an arrow!
Since Xie Lin Lang had been watching him, naturally, she was prepared. At almost the same time he moved his hand, the rock she held in her hand was flung out! When the two objects collided, a loud ‘ding’ sound rang through the air!
The machete instantly shattered into pieces. And Xie Lin Lang’s hand also began to emit white smoke.
This scene was rather inconspicuous amongst the chaotic battlefield yet it was as if someone had activated a tripwire; the murderous aura in the atmosphere instantly turned very bone-chilling!
During the moment the two fought hand in hand, the substitute young man next to Dong Qi took this opportunity and dashed strenuously beside Qin Jue!
Having his cloak suddenly being grabbed in the middle of killing a bandit, Qin Jue’s first reaction was to retaliate!
But when he saw the person’s face more clearly, his pupils instantly retracted and he was stunned!
The young man in front of him had completely identical features as him, not just in his facial features, but the scars appearing outside of his clothes were exactly the same as well…
In the moment of spacing out, the cloak he was wearing was quickly swept away and onto the other’s body. In just a matter of seconds, the switch was complete.
The edge of the cloak briefly covered his body. The substitute under the cloak suddenly exposed his face, showing a replica of the smile that Qin Jue had in the past.
“Your Highness, we’re here.”
The moment he spoke, Qin Jue felt as if a spark of threat appeared inside him. He wanted to reach over and grab onto him, yet he shouldn’t, so he merely froze in place.
All of this took place in a moment without any precautions! Therefore, Xie Lin Lang was completely oblivious to the whole switch, yet the strange opponent she was facing saw the whole thing!