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"What do you... , ahh right, you were asleep. We are actually already here, and underneath it.

" Yueliang replies with a gentle smile.

n

"We are? It is certainly beautiful here, however may we leave this cave? My people and I tend to stay away from magic. I can see the reason now as well since I was well you know.

" Qing says while standing up.

n

"Actually, while I do not mind leaving, there are a few things I feel the need to correct. 1. Magic was not the cause. 2. It is actually because of two main issues. The first being that your people stay away from magic, and chi, thus weakening your ability to live. You see magic is like a messed up version of chi thus the difficulty. Anyways, spiritual energy or chi is all around us, our bodies are made up of it.

"

n

"While it is made up with it, if you avoid the natural things you should be used to, you will lose your ability to live around it. For instance if one avoids injuries all their life, the moment they get a paper cut, they might think they are going to die. However in your case it was worse. Regardless, I am not going to try and change your life style, as everyone has their free will.

" Yueliang explains as he cleans up his supplies and then stands as well.

n

"Well, thank you for the lesson on spiritual energy, however may we leave now.

" Qing asks, as she does not know which way to go.

n

"Of course, follow me. Also, I am surprised you are so excited to leave this place, as it did help in saving your life. Anyways, this way.

" Yueliang says surprised while taking the lead.

n

"It did? How so?

" She asks doubtfully while following.

n

"You see, mana caves are one of the few places because of the culmination of chi, that can actually slow down bodily functions, among many other abilities. Thus in order to deal with your whole problem at once I had to slow down all of the foreign and sick matter inside you, before removing it. Then had to give you medicine in order to heal your injured organs, muscles, bones, and everything else. Which by the way, try to take it easy for at least a week as your body is in rough shape on the inside.

" He explains as Shen Hu catches up to them while they are walking.

n

"Sounds like you had a lot to do. Was it difficult?

" She asks curiously.

n

"Well, tell me is trying to grab a small fly by only one wing while in flight without injuring it difficult?

" Yueliang replies to give her an idea of the difficulty.

n

"I see, well thank you again. Anyways how deep are we?

"

n

"Deep enough, but we need to go left here.

" Yueliang says noticing her looking at the right tunnel with a light at the end.

n

"That side has light, are you sure this is the right direction?

" She asks kind of doubtful, and she sees the tiger giving a strange look as if it agrees.

n

"Do you really have so little trust in the one who saved both your lives?

" Yue asks while looking at them both.

nUsing soul communication, Shen Hu replies.

"You know I trust you, it is just, why are we taking a different path? Is there another way out? I mean I get that you do not want a stranger knowing your secrets but how else will you do it now?

"

nAt the same time, Qing says.

"It is not that I do not trust you, however it just seems that way is faster.

"

nYue breaths in a deep breath, as if about to shout, then holding a second he sighs his exhale.

"Alright, you want to know, that is the way in, but you have to jump about 50 meters down. Are you up for climbing that? The exit over here, on the other hand teleports us to one of a few random locations in the town.

" Yueliang says while walking toward the teleportation array, saying.

"If you want to go that way be my guest, however I will be going this way.

"

n

"I see, that is really smart.

" Shen Hu says while following him.

nYueliang just smiles hearing his response, and Qing says.

"Alright, I will follow you.

"

nIn the next second, as they took their next step, a bluish white glow started lighting up the ground moving in a pattern very quickly, and then all three of them disappeared from the cave.

n

"What happened where are we?

" Shen Hu and Qing asks, while Shen Hu happens to look like he is just roaring quietly like a yawning roar.

n

"Do not worry, we are not far, just turn around.

" Yueliang says as he turns to look at the wall that is just on the other side of the moat.

nThe other two turn around and saw the wall, then continue to just follow Yueliang, as he walks along the outline of the moat until they see the drawbridge in the distance. Then all three give each other a glance, before they race towards the bridge, while Yueliang says.

"Loser buys dinner and desert.

"

nHearing this, the two behind him feel their enthusiasm skyrocket, and their speed boosts almost proportionately to their enthusiasm. They swiftly make it to their destination, then in the mean time while waiting, Shen Hu decides to lay down, while Qing just sits on the edge of the draw bridge watching the fish.

n---- About 2 Minutes Later ----

nQing looks up, sees Yueliang coming, and says worriedly.

"Did something happen? Are you alright? It does not seem like it should have taken that long to make it here?

"

n

"There were no problems, and yes I am alright. I just took a detour to water some trees. Either way, I figured I would lose, so it did not matter too much to me anyway.

" Yueliang replies with a semi joking tone.

n

"Ahh, I see.

" Qing says while clearly feeling kind of awkward and turning away a little, while Shen Hu is getting up from his resting position.

nThey start walking into the town, as the guards start cranking the giant windlass to raise the drawbridge.

n

"So what should we have for dinner?

" Qing asks looking at Shen Hu, more as a rhetorical question of course, since she does not know soul communication, or others methods to communicate with animals.

n*Roaar Rooar (Translation: Sambar Deer, or Wild Boar.) Shen Hu answers with a sly grin.

n

"You are so right, we should have lobster, or shrimp or something like that.

" Qing says aloud as if she could understand him.

nShen Hu, hearing this, just rolls his eyes, and keeps walking. His grin quickly turning to a frown, already foreseeing the inevitable, that he will not get his favorite foods.

nThen he hears Yueliang speak.

"As per our agreement, so shall it be. So how about Blakes Gourmet? She has some wonderful food there.

"

nHearing this, Shen Hus' mouth starts watering thinking back to his last time eating at her rest, while thinking to himself and nodding. 'Haha, I should have known you would come through for me my king. Thank you.'

nSeeing this, Yueliang just chuckles, as to him, Shen Hus' thoughts may as well be hung on a sign right now, with the way he is acting and salivating.

nYue thinks to himself. 'Well at least now I will be satisfying both parties at the same time. Seeing as one wants fresh crustaceans, and the other wants fresh game meat.'

nAs they walk down one of the main roads into the inner town, two figures are seen running towards them, and Yue thinks to himself with a suspicious gaze. 'More trouble?'

nThe three still keep walking as though they saw nothing, and looking for the sign to Blakes' Gourmet.

nJust as they are about to pass the two figures running towards them, the group hears.

"Shen Hu, you are back. *Rawr Raawr (Translation: Yueliang, you are back.)

" The two figures said as they leap towards the one tiger, and human male. Meanwhile, Qing jumps to the side, to dodge whatever is happening.

nYueliang quickly replies.

"Ok, ok, clam down Huoli, and Xue Meiren. We are safe, and I apologize for worrying you by taking longer than expected.

"

nXue Meiren quickly speaks up saying with a big smile.

"It is alright, also we have been practicing cooking a lot while you were gone. I hope you enjoy it.

"

nYueliang and Shen Hu look at each other with slight fear in their eyes before Yue says with slight hope.

"You know, we really look forward to that, but first we have to bring Qing back to her place, right Qing?

"

n

"Well, I am famished. Surely we could stay a few more minutes right? Plus, you did say I need to take it easy for a while.

" Qing says, while obviously oblivious to why the two want to escape, yet at the same time curious.

n

"Either way, I just realized I left the gate open.

" Yueliang says while turning and about to run, with Shen Hu.

nHuoli then asks curiously, yet suspicious.

"Is that not the guards job?

"

n

"Yes, but he means to the cave.

" Shen Hu adds, while trying to get out of this.

n

"Well, we can just send one of the others here. You do not have to go, so lets' eat.

" Huoli says, clearly seeing through their nonsense now.

nThe man and his tiger turn around in despair and follow the two ladies back to Yueliangs' home, with Qing in tow.

n-----------------------

nHello again, for those of you having made it this far, thank you. I hope you are enjoying it, and I look forward to your support. You all are amazing, and if you like this story, please vote (with power stones and golden tickets), subscribe, comment, and gift. Having wonderful support, and readers like you all is truly a dream come true for me.

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