The Princess And The Lord

Lory didn't keep anything from Jin Hao. She smeared toxic poison on the arrows and deadlier poison on her knife and dagger. She suspected the beast they would encounter in the tomb would be stronger than the fire monkeys and may not easily die from a few arrows. She also collected a few fire crystals from Zhao Li Xin after he showed her how to rub two small fire crystals together to create a fire.

She didn't forgot to pack a few medicine and bandages in case she got heavily injured. Although Zhao Li Xin was with her, she needed to also prepare for the worst scenario like getting separated.

She added more arrows and an extra small knife inside her spatial ring. The spatial ring from Zhao Li Xin was of a higher quality allowing her to carry many items and food. Jin Hao assured her the spatial ring was also good at preserving food. She stocked up on food because she didn't want to starve in the tomb.

Weapons…check, medicine…check, food…check., clothing…check. Lory was satisfied with everything had gathered, "Okay, I'm ready for tomorrow!"

Mong Ki and Mong Yi felt more relaxed when they saw Lory preparing for the worst scenarios. They couldn't help but internally praise her for being smart and cautious.

Lory went into her tent to sleep as the night became late. She left Zhao Li Xin and the others cultivating as Bei Li Yan had informed her that was how they prepared themselves. Lory covered herself with a blanket and dropped off the moment her head touched the mattress. 

Zhao Li Xin heard her faint breathing and guessed she was already asleep. He was amazed at how she easily slept in the wildness but had trouble sleeping in the manor.

Zhao Li Xin, Bei Li Yan, and Jin Hao sat around the campfire listening to the crackling fire and burning wood.

"She prepares very thoroughly. A normal girl would have relied on us but not her…" Jin Hao sighed. He admired her quick wits but also couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

Bei Li Yan took a deep breath, "Did you see how she commanded the troops and how good she was with the bow and arrows? Did you realize she didn't miss her target, not even once? Every aim was precise and her movement was smooth and quick. She must be well-trained. Although she can't cultivate, I don't think she's weaker than a Knight Level cultivator at the beginner stage."

"She looked very calm when she faced the beasts. You can't say the same for the princess and her stupid young master. Some of the young soldiers were also frantic when they faced the beast…but her…" Jin Hao shook his head. "What bothers me the most is how she was a natural when she commanded the troops. Her quick decisions and clear judgment while in a dire situation isn't something a normal girl can do. She was like an experienced commander."

Bei Li Yan glanced at the tent Lory was sleeping in, "What kinda life has she been through?"

"Not an easy one for sure…." Jin Hao thought of how she meticulously smeared poison on her weapons before she stored them like she had done earlier in the day. He couldn't help and inquire why she sheathed a dagger under her left arm instead of hiding it inside her robes or waist. 

Lory had given him a playful smile and said she concealed it under her arms as people tended to first check the waist and legs for hidden weapons. The location she chose made it easier for her to execute a surprise attack as the dagger could easily be pulled from her arm. She followed her words with a quick demonstration. Jin Hao admired how fast she moved and smiled at her demonstration. However, he couldn't help but wonder what terrible situation Lory had encountered to be like that.  

Zhao Li Xin didn't contribute to his subordinate conversation but his heart ached for Lory. The had lived together for almost a year and all he saw was her hearty laugh and mischievous smile. She also had a warm and bubbly personality. Although she at times looked sad, it never lasted for long as she would quickly laugh and joke at the first opportunity. One would never have guessed she had experienced a horrible life before.

Zhao Li Xin couldn't help but look down at himself as he had failed to see the pain she buried within herself. He always thought he treated her well but he wondered if he was being conceited as the signs were always there. There were times when she looked sad and would look lonely as she watched the night sky. It was disheartening when his mind revolved around this. 

Morning came quickly and Lory yawned and stretched her limbs. She knew she needed to freshen up and have breakfast so that they could leave early, but her warm blanket and soft mattress enticed her to sleep more. She buried her face in the pillow as she tried to wake up by making herself uncomfortable. She also kicked her blanket way in an attempt to wake up.

"What are you doing…?" A familiar gentle voice was wiped away her remaining sleep. Lory turned her head to the voice and tried to get rid of the messy hair plastered on her face. Zhao Li Xin in simple black robes with a golden flower on his sleeve sat close by with his legs crossed. His hair fell neatly on his shoulders. It looked soft and silky like he had come out of a hair salon.

'Show off! How can he look perfect first thing in the morning, huh…?' Lory complained to herself.

"I'm up…" Lory lazily got off the mattress. The humid air tangled up her hair but she chose to ignore it as she grabbed a towel and got out of the tent. Lory's mood plunged when she was welcomed by the beautiful sight of Bei Li Yan and Jin Hao who were well dressed and had perfect hair. Jin Hao kindly smiled at her but Bei Li Yan burst out with laughter when he saw her messy appearance.

Lory's mouth twitched. People in this world weren't human as she didn't understand how they woke up looking perfect. It was like they traveled with a professional hair & makeup team. She hoped she could be like them as she was the only girl in the group.

"Oh, my frail heart...' Lory lamented to herself.

The cool water from the small pond refreshed Lory's skin and improved her mood as she used a towel to wipe herself. She about to take off her robes but paused her actions when she remembered the complicated customs of this world when clothing was involved.

"I'm going to remove my clothes so don't come here!" Lory yelled loudly as she gave in to the temptation.

Jin Hao and Zhao Li Xin spit out their wine at her words, while Bei Li Yan bent over as he laughed so hard. Bei Li Yan found her amusing and would have recruited her for his palace if she was not Zhao Li Xin woman.

Lory calmly took off everything but left what the people in this world considered to be innerwear as she didn't see it as nudity. The truth was she wouldn't have minded undressing if it was only Zhao Li Xin around. Lory's innerwear was a dudou, which was more like a backless t-shirt, and underwear, which could be seen as hot pants in her world. She used to wear such clothes to the beach in her old world and was considered conservative.

Lory donned on the robes once she was done with freshening up. Her appearance improved when she tied her messy hair into a hair bun. She then joined the rest and eat her breakfast quietly. She looked up to the sky and guessed it was about five-thirty in the morning as it still looked dark. The carbohydrate and sugar in her breakfast improved her mood. Zhao Li Xin took in her cheerful look and urged everyone to start their journey.

They met a number of beasts on the way but the Mong brothers killed them easily while Zhao Li Xin would pull Lory close and jump to the trees for safety. Lory didn't bother with Zhao Li Xin's action as she used the opportunity to examine the movement of the beasts, learning how they attacked and how the Mong brothers handled them. She couldn't fight like the Mong brothers but she could use their moves to be sneaky since every creature had their own weakness.

"How far are we from the ancient tomb?" Lory asked as her legs dangled from one of the branches. Zhao Li Xin had moved her to safety once more.

"Not far. It could take a few more hours if we walk normally," Zhao Li Xin squatted beside her.

"What kinda place is the ancient tomb?"

"No one has ever entered the place. The rumor says the place is a maze so be careful and don't get lost," He stroked Lory's head in a doting manner.

"Aye, aye, captain!" Lory saluted. Zhao Li Xin didn't understand the gesture but knew she was joking with him.

Zhao Li Xin wrapped his arms around her waist and landed on the ground smoothly once the Mong brothers finished off the beast. Jin Hao and Bei Li Yan who were also in the trees followed them down.

It took Zhao Li Xin's group a few hours to arrive at the tomb as he had estimated. There was a wide long bridge made of grey stones at the entrance of the tomb. The bridge looked old and was filled with cracks and holes. Thick tree roots and wild grass also covered the bridge as it had not been used for centuries.

There was a humongous ruined palace at the end of the bridge with a mountain behind the palace. The palace front had a gigantic ruined door made of grey metal with a fire symbol carved on it. The place had an eerie feeling.

Lory imagined the castle looked like King Yama's castle. She looked down the bridge and saw a giant waterfall fall leading to the abyss as she couldn't see the bottom. Mist also covered most of the water as she could only hear the sound of the water as it poured down. Her eyes caught a flock of white birds flying near the waterfalls. The birds' had nested at the cliff near the waterfalls. The number of nests at the cliff was proof of the place being uninhabited by human beings.

"This is it…." Lory could barely contain her excitement.

"Hmm…" Zhao Li Xin had mixed feelings of worry and curiosity. His worry revolved around Lory's safety in the tombs but he was also curious to see how she would handle herself while inside the tomb.