The Princess And The Lord

Lory couldn't sleep that night. She was like a kid excited on the eve of a school trip. The chilly night made Lory covered herself with a long knitted dark blue shawl as she left her room. A cold breeze touched her cheeks turning them pale. She could smell the cold air mixed with the scent of the delicate bluebell flower. For a second, it made her think she was back home.

She was alone as Girsha was asleep on her bed. Girsha tended to be a little relaxed when Zhao Li Xin was around. Lory once queried him on this, and he responded with 'Zhao Li Xin is more like me'. When Lory asked him to clarify, the bird only said 'I meant the way I said it…' Lory could only frown at this. She sometimes forgot Girsha was not human and couldn't explain things the way humans did.

"You are awake, again?"

A surprised Lory turned around to find Zhao Li Xin behind her, "Li Xin?"

Zhao Li Xin was happy to hear her call his name without him correcting her, "Why is it hard for you to sleep early?"

"Just a bad habit," Lory smiled sheepishly. He made her feel like a kid being reprimanded by her parents. "What about you? Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Zhao Li Xin's eyebrows rose. He wondered if she forgot the fact that strong cultivators barely slept. An hour or two of sleep was more than enough for them. Zhao Li Xin could function for two days without sleep. He then realized he hadn't told Lory about his high cultivation so he couldn't blame her. "I need to fix my weapon a little."

"Are you a blacksmith?" Lory gasped.

"I'm a little more than that…" Zhao Li Xin chuckled at her innocence as he answered casually. If people heard Lory compare an Armament Master to a blacksmith, they might cough out blood. A blacksmith was someone who can only make normal weapons for ordinary people, yet an Armament Master didn't just create weapons and talismans as they could fuse materials and make the weapons stronger. An Armament Master could also create weapons that were specifically suitable for their owners, increasing their owner's strength. It was this reason that made Armament Master well respected.

"Can I watch you as you work? I promise I won't disturb you," Lory pleaded. She was curious to see an Armament Master as work. 

Zhao Li Xin couldn't refuse her, "I don't mind…but the room is a little hot. Are you okay with that?"

"Yes, I don't like cold anyway," Lory nodded as she smiled with excitement.

"Come…" Zhao Li Xin beckoned for Lory to follow him and she did it like a little chick. Zhao Li Xin led her across the moon gate where she saw a warehouse surrounded by a bamboo tree forest. The warehouse gave Lory a strange vibe, confusing her. Zhao Li Xin offered her his hand, "Take my hand…. or you will get lost."

"Okay," Lory placed her hand in his without hesitation. Zhao Li Xin led her a few steps from the front of the warehouse and crouched. His hand touched the ground where he created a strange symbol blurring everything around them. The scene changed and Lory's eyes bulged in astonishment. It was like the Mirage spell but the energy around her was different. She hadn't felt anything like it before.

"This...?" Lory gasped.

"It is an array formation," Zhao Li Xin calmly said. "I used an array to protect this place. I have also placed an offensive array to prevent anyone from getting inside this place."

"WOW!" Lory's jaw slightly dropped open. She couldn't have guessed people in this world could create something close to a barrier. If she could take the knowledge to Harland, it would alleviate Lucas' task of protecting Harland. If only...

"Could everyone create this...array?" Lory asked. She was still in awe and shocked.

Zhao Li Xin never thought what he did was amazing. Many people praised him before, but he didn't feel happy or proud as it was a necessity like everything he achieved in his life. However, he couldn't help but be slightly proud of his work when Lory looked at him with amazement.

"No, they aren't many Array Masters in the world. Stronger ones are even fewer," He casually explained. There was a hint of joy in his voice.

"Doesn't that make you amazing?!" Lory squealed in a high-pitched voice. "Li Xin, I knew you weren't an ordinary person, but I didn't know you were this amazing!"

"cough… it's…nothing. Come, let me take you inside," Zhao Li Xin coughed awkwardly as he felt embarrassed. He quickly turned his body. His face was thankfully covered by his long hair causing Lory to miss seeing his red face.

Zhao Li Xin released her hand once they got inside. Lory was stunned once again by the weapon display on the wall and the table. There was a row of swords, daggers, sabers, and many more. They were neatly arranged, and every single weapon was carved beautifully. They sparkled in the silver light. Lory was like a kid in a candy store. Her body spun around while her eyes almost fell from her sockets. Zhao Li Xin watched her from the side as he finally understood what could attract Lory. It wasn't a beautiful dress or jewelry but a weapon. He felt like he could make as many weapons if she demanded it. It wasn't a problem for him.

"Careful… Don't touch the weapons carelessly, Ri Yi. Some weapons are hostile and can hurt you." Zhao Li Xin warned as he watched Lory's hand hovering over a sword with a white jade handle. "This sword is the Thousands Snow Sword. It is engulfed with ice power. Those who don't have high cultivation can be frozen from within if they touch it for too long."

Lory's palm floated above the sword. She could feel the freezing air around the sword, "Incredible… Who made this?"

"Me…" Zhao Li Xin smiled faintly. 

 Lory's eyes bulged more than possible. She gazed at Zhao Li Xin with disbelief. Zhao Li Xin chuckled as he saw her reaction. He sheathed the sword into a white scabbard. Her admiration for Zhao Li Xin rose to a whole new level. Although she knew he was hiding his true power from the world, she didn't know he was hiding so much.

"Li Xin, you are amazing... What should I do? I want to hug you…"

Zhao Li Xin froze for a moment before he expectantly said, "Mm… I don't mind if you do."

"Really…? That is not appropriated, is it…? "Lory was a little reluctant. This world was so conservative especially with matters concerning how men and women interacted.

"No. It is alright…as long as it's consensual and no one else sees it," Zhao Li Xin strongly encouraged her.

"Okay then!" Lory hugged him with excitement. It was a friendly hug to her. It wasn't meant to be romantic but Zhao Li Xin who had never made such contact with other humans was stunned to the core. While Lory jumped up and down as she hugged him and praised his talent, the man was frozen like a statue. Her actions affected him more than he thought.

Lory was excited and her mind was all over the place. Her thoughts were centered around words like, 'He's so amazing. I wish I could take him back to Harland. His array is amazing. The armament weapons are awesome! Should I ask him to make me a weapon? Is it appropriate? I'm just a maid… but the weapons here are so beautiful and strong… What should I do? Should I just ask? Should I?'

Zhao Li Xin's thoughts on the other hand were '...'