n

n

nAs they said their goodbyes to one another, the little girl still hid behind Ming Yue. Her little hands clung to the skirt of her armor but she peeked out, watching as the Four Claws left. Once they were gone, it was just these two along with Hei Yue and Xiao Yin.

nThe young woman turned and knelt down, looking at the girl with gentle eyes. The little girl looked back at her, much more composed and relaxed compared to before.

n

"Do you have a name?

" Ming Yue asked.

nThe girl looked at her blankly before kneeling down and writing on the ground. Once she finished Ming Yue looked at it, furrowing her brows.

n

"It's a bit different what the current language but I think it's... Liang... Hongyu?

" she said,

"Liang Hongyu, is that right?

"

nThe girl nodded, smiling even that Ming Yue understood her.

n

"Hmm, so is Hongyu fine for you?

" she asked.

nThe girl nodded.

n

"I see.

"

nMing Yue thought quietly to herself before conversing with Xue Yue.

n

"So she can't speak... Do you think it's strange? Finding a young girl like her in that room, asleep on that bed?

" she asked.

n

"Oh, it is definitely strange but... she isn't dangerous at all

", Xue Yue responded,

"If anything she seems completely harmless.

"

n

"I suppose so, I did say that I would take her in but what am I going to do with her?

"

nMing Yue was at a loss for words at this moment. Obviously, she had to care for the child, provide food and live with her but she felt as if that wasn't enough. In the midst of her deep thought, she felt Hongyu's hand grasp her skirt,

n

"Hm, what is it?

"

nShe looked at the little girl curiously to which she gestured for something. Hongyu took on a stance and held her hands together, standing as if she was holding a sword. She looked at Ming Yue while doing so, swinging her arms as if she was practicing sword swings.

n

"You want to practice swordsmanship? Then...

"

nMing Yue looked around before going up to a pile of cut logs by the house. Taking her sword out, she took one of the logs, letting it float in the air with a gust of wind. In the span of a few seconds, the log spun as she began to carve it to shape, turning it into a very basic wooden sword. With her mastery of the Wind Dao, she made it smooth and small enough for Hongyu to hold.

nThe process was quick and with Ming Yue's control, it seemed effortless for her.

nThe little girl watched in amazement before being handed the sword. She looked at it, adjusting her grip on the wooden piece before swinging it lightly. Her look of amazement turned to a big smile as she began to swing the sword happily.

nAfter a bit, the excitement began to subside as Hongyu found an empty space to swing her sword.

nShe gripped the sword with both hands and faced forward, taking on a basic sword stance. Her knees were slightly bent and her back was straight. The sword was raised up, held tightly, and with confidence.

n

"That's pretty good.

"

nMing Yue watched, commenting on it quietly.

nAlthough Hongyu was a child, her practice with the sword didn't match that of someone her age. After all, she was maybe five or six years old and she swung the sword diligently, practicing basic techniques. Any child her age was more likely to swing the sword wildly and without care.

nMing Yue watched for a bit longer before moving on to her own training.

nShe found her own spot, far enough for Hongyu to be in sight but enough space to practice without worrying. Both of them practiced until lunch and between the two Hongyu was tired, breathing heavily but revealing a satisfied look on her face.

n

"Let's get some lunch.

"

nMing Yue retrieved a rabbit from her spatial ring, cooking it up along with whatever she could find around the house. Thankfully, it was stocked with spices and there was a garden in the back, one filled with medicinal plants and other vegetables.

nLunch was simply roasted rabbit meat with vegetables. It was nothing fancy but there was a homely feel to it.

nThe pair sat and ate in front of the house whereas Hei Yue and Xiao Yin ate in front of them.

nIt was a quiet meal, awkward even. Hongyu couldn't speak and Ming Yue was trying to think of questions she could ask that the girl could answer. Her brows were furrowed as she slowly chewed on her food.

nShe then looked at Hongyu, who was innocently chewing on her food.

n

"Do you remember anything from before you were on that bed? Do you know why you were on that bed?

" she asked.

nHong Yu stopped eating and looked at her. She then looked down as if to think before putting the plate down and began to draw on the ground.

n

"Wait, there should be something inside.

"

nMing Yue quickly stopped her and went into the house, looking for paper, ink, and a brush. It didn't take very long and she came out handing them to the little child. With them, Hong Yu began to write down an answer, showing it to Ming Yue when she was done.

nTaking the paper, she looked at it and read its contents. They were simple and short answers that were written quite neatly. But considering Hongyu was someone from another era, Ming Yue found it hard to read. Nevertheless, she deciphered it.

n

"Danger... outside... protection

", she read.

nPutting the paper down, Ming Yue looked at the little girl.

n

"Danger, from what?

" she asked.

nHongyu gave a blank look and shook her head, indicating that she did not know.

n

"Then how about family? Do you have parents? Siblings?

"

nThe little girl thought carefully before writing on a new piece of paper and handing it to Ming Yue.

n

"Father... Liang Zhuge. So that's your father but no mother, I see. Then that building you were in, do you know what it was for?

"

nOnce again, Hongyu wrote on another piece of paper, finishing quickly and handing it to Ming Yue. Receiving it, her face turned somewhat grave as she saw that there was one word on it.

n

"War.

"

nWhile Ming Yue wanted to ask more, she knew that Hongyu would not know.

n

"That answer does line up with what we saw inside the fortress. That room was filled with equipment for an army. But why would they prepare for war? What exactly happened during the Calamity?

" she thought to herself.

nIn that moment of silence, Ming Yue heard some sniffling and looked at Hongyu, seeing the child holding back tears. Immediately, she walked to her with concern.

n

"Is something wrong? What happened?

" she asked.

nHongyu looked at her before pointing at the paper with her father's name on it. She then wrote on another piece and showed it to Ming Yue.

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"I miss him... Scared...

"

nThe young woman looked at her, placing a hand on Hongyu's shoulder. At the same time, she whistled calling for Hei Yue and Xiao Yin to come and comfort the child.

n

"I know that you're scared but I'll be here. I'll keep you safe, okay?

" she said.

nHer words came softly and calmly, allowing Hongyu to feel much better. The tears stopped and she even brought out a small smile. She reached for another piece of paper but found none and instead wrote on the ground with her finger.

nWhen she was done, Ming Yue read it and understood it easily.

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"Thank you.

"

nThey shared a look before Ming Yue spoke.

n

"Come on, let's go finish up our food, it's going to get cold.

"

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