Anthony walked back to the campsite in the early hours of the morning, it should be around 3a.m if the time was calculated by earth's standards. The fire had died off, a neatly washed pot and plates were placed on top of a padding made of green leaves, to prevent sand from touching it. However, it could not be determined if Miao Miao was the one who washed it or her ever helpful and eager to please girls.

His eyes moved to the blanket. Tong Tong wrapped her arms around Miao Miao as they slept, in a perfect picture of unity.

Anthony scoffed.

"Truly good sisters. They're already hugging and acting all close despite what happened. Now, I have turned into the villain who blew things out of proportion. Tong Tong, your ability to forgive is truly amazing. I just hope you won't suffer the greatest pain because of your beffudling naivety."

Xinglan was seated at the shore, facing the river. She placed her sword beside her out of habit as she gazed vacantly into the distance.

Anthony found himself walking towards her, and he sat beside her, joining her to stare at the peaceful water current. After a while, he broke the silence.

"Can't sleep?"

Xinglan smiled, and shook her head.

"I don't feel sleepy. Besides, if I doze off, who is supposed to keep guard. I only sleep two hours everyday. Skipping a day is nothing."

"You're still a young girl. You should not be denying yourself of good sleep. Besides, I'm right here aren't I? You can sleep with peace of mind. No one can kidnap you with me around. They will lose there heads if they dare." Anthony replied, a rare smile crossing his face.

"There was also the possibility that you left after the argument."

"Ah?" He had an exaggerated expression of shock on his face as he spoke.

"How could I possibly leave Hector here? My horse is a very rare spirit horse that I can't treat carelessly. Even if I forget my arm or my leg, I most definitely cannot leave Hector behind."

"Your horse seems to have a strong attachment to you, not letting anyone else come close to it. It must be really pampered. It only eats fresh apples and peaches."

Anthony laughed awkwardly.

"You may say so. Hector is truly picky."

The awkward silence stretched once again and he looked at her.

"Now, tell me the real reason you're awake. What's on your mind?"

She smiled—a rare sight, and sighed.

"It's just that lots of things have happened these past few days, tilting the balance and tearing away the familiar life I have been used to for years. Now I'm back to square one, homeless again."

Anthony frowned and turned to her.

"Again? Have this happened in the past?"

"To them? No." She smiled again and looked at the sky, the river was reflecting the moon's radiance, making for a beautiful sight. But deep inside, she felt anything but beautiful, and most certainly cannot appreciate the serene environment.

"I'm an orphan. The first time I lost my home, I was five years old, and a distant cousin of the village chief. Just like what happened two days ago, my parents were killed in a raid, and a badly wounded servant smuggled me out in search of chief Chen who was my mother's cousin according to my mom's final instructions before she died."

"It must have been hard." Anthony whispered, not knowing how to comfort her.

"Of course. How could it be easy for a five years old girl to lose her parents in such a brutal way? They didn't just kill my parents, they were humiliated and bullied, because the invaders had superior strength. I watched them massacre everyone, while laughing on top of their voices as if it was a fest, and cattles were being slaughtered. It was after that day that I became obsessed with swords, fighting and martial arts. In my naive little mind, as long as I was strong enough, no one will bully me, hurt me, or kill my loved ones before me. I thought as long as I worked hard, I will never be helpless again. But guess what? It happened again. And I am still as useless as the first time, unable to do a thing. Totally and completely useless."

Anthony looked at her, her eyes were vacant without emotions. There was not even an ounce of tears in her eyes, she was like someone who lost her soul.

"Another raid happened, and I lost the familiar place I thought I found once again. Perhaps, I'm a harbinger of bad luck, spreading ill fate to those around me."

"Don't say such nonsense. You're a beautiful soul. Besides, no matter how strong you get, there's always someone stronger. You can only do your best to ensure that even if you lose a battle, you won't lose too badly."

"But I lost, terribly. Completely, in all kinds of way."

"How did you begin to live with the village chief?" Anthony asked, quickly trying to change the topic. If she burst into tears while recounting her sob story, he truly won't know what to do. Watching women cry had always been his biggest weakness, his brain goes into full panic mode when he sees a woman close to him cry, turning him into a nervous wreck of confusions.

"After the servant brought me to chief Chen, I began my new life. From the heiress of a cultivation clan, the only child of the clan master, I became someone poor, homeless and ordinary. So you see, that's why I don't want you shouting at Miao Miao. I have been there before, worse, as a child. I know how overwhelming it all could be. After chief Chen took me in, my name was changed from Qin to Chen, and I became Chen Xinglan, taking my mother's maiden name. And without words, I fit into the role of Miao Miao's personal guard."

"They made you a guard at just five years?" The sheer ridiculousness of it all was not lost on Anthony. A pampered little girl suddenly transitioned into a guard in charge of another's safety, just a while after losing her own parents.

"They didn't need to say anything. As a child, I have always known how to read body language and people's intent, it was a survival skill I had to learn. Although no one said it, I know that was what was expected of me. Seeing my obsession with martial arts, Chief Chen hired a tutor to teach me combat skills, then I began to learn sword skills with a wooden sword he bought me, and one day he brought back a cultivation manual. And my journey as warrior began. Each time, he would remind me to take care of my little cousin, which I was more than happy to do. Chen Miao Miao is such a lovable soul, taking care of her—was an honor."

Anthony nodded.

'Another fool brainwashed into servitude and over exaggerated humility.'

"But despite my hard work, I couldn't protect the people that matter. I let her suffer, and lose her home, unable to find her feet, just like a fish out of water."

"And so, you feel burdened and guilty whenever you see her. Going forth, you will probably even give your life for her sake."

"That's only natural."

"Hmmmm." Anthony kept quiet, tapping on the ground as he carefully considered his next words.

"What happened was not your fault. Why will you feel guilty? It's the fault of those greedy souls and soon enough they will pay for it. Also, it's not your duty or your obligation to take care of anyone. And most of all, no one is worth sacrificing your life over."

"Even if that person is you?" Xinglan cut in, rendering him speechless.

"Of course. Why will you sacrifice your life for me? Are you stupid? If you or anyone I know does such a senseless thing, I will slap them till their face turns all swollen."

"That's because you don't know about love."

Anthony chuckled? Love? Foolish love? Who knows about it more than him?

"I may not know about true love, but I do know that one ought to love themselves before they can love another. Self love is the greatest and purest type of love."

"One day when you fall in love, or find someone you cherish you will realize your life is nothing compared to their happiness."

"I already did, and falling in love to the extent of loving someone more than myself is my greatest regret in my life. It will never happen again."

Xinglan turned to look at him, he was expressionless, but his eyes staring into space looked sad and remorseful.

"I don't know which bad egg we need to thank for making you suspicious towards love and women in general. But I want to tell you now, love is a beautiful thing. Not all women are bad, a greater percentage are nice or at least passable. If you love the right person, you will realize there's no greater joy."

"I guess I will never find out. Loving once is enough for a lifetime. Now, I just want to stand at the apex of power." He muttered, and his mind drifted to the things Lan Xuanyu told him the day he left.

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