Li Ye Hua (Su Yu Lan)

Ahead of them, slanted huts were visible and the girl thought about it. This sight reminded her of what had happened to them just recently. Unpleasant, disgusting and humiliating. The taste came back to her mind and she wanted to spit on the ground. But even this was brightened up by shopping. The memories visited her head less and less often, and Xiu Li rarely talked about it. She stroked the horse, looked at her companion and thought that she needed to buy more jewelry. A beautiful girl. Flawless facial features. Is it possible to allow such a flower to wither in the hands of men? No, of course not.

They would need to go to a big city and buy a magic sword. Her own, although dear to her heart, as the only gift from the one who always treated her with care, could not be taken out of its sheath.

The sun was rapidly rolling down the sky. Night would soon fall. They needed to get to the village as soon as possible and find a place to spend the night. She covered her friend's exquisite hand with her palm.

— Li Li Ye, my lady, let's hurry the horses, the sun is already very low.

Li Li Ye (Shoe Xiu Li)

Carried away by the purchases she had made, she almost forgot about what had happened in the village. Only painful sensations kept returning her to the events of that evening. But the girl drove these thoughts away. Everything was in the past. Now everything would be exactly as they wanted.

She didn’t even notice how evening had come. If it weren’t for Yu Lan’s words, she would have been lost in her dreams. Smiling, she looked affectionately at her friend.

— Li Ye Hua, you are absolutely right. Although a walk at night is so romantic... — realizing what she was saying, she looked at him guiltily, — I'm sorry... you're probably tired. Let's go quickly.

She slapped her palm on the horse’s rump, wanting to hurry him up.

Li Ye Hua (Su Yu Lan)

Having quickly reached the village, they easily found the only tavern. To tell the truth, it was just a house with a sign on it, and a poor one at that. It was impossible to understand what was once written on it, so having entered, the girl turned to the owner of the establishment with a question. He told of a long-prosperous settlement and that it had not always been so. Then he set the table and left.

Finally settling down on a bench, she took a sip of wine.

— You know, the wine here is not that bad. From the look of the village, you wouldn’t even think that the drinks here are quite good, — she handed the vessel to her friend, — let's eat.

Li Li Ye (Shoe Xiu Li)

She stretched out her legs with pleasure, shifted a little on the hard bench and, sighing, took what was offered. Looking at the jug doubtfully, she put it on the table.

— You know, I'll probably hold off to avoid unnecessary questions, — she took some vegetable from the plate and put it in her mouth, — mm... delicious. Let's take the wine into the room.

The speech was interrupted by a portly-looking man who approached their table with a bow.

Village elder of Quiet Reeds

— I greet the venerable sorcerer and his companion, — he bowed low once more, trying to catch his breath.

He ran the entire way to the tavern as soon as he received the news that a sorcerer had appeared there. A rare event for these parts.

— I apologize for disturbing you from your meal, but could you spare me a little time?

Li Ye Hua (Su Yu Lan)

Putting the piece in her mouth, the girl enjoyed the taste. Despite everything, the food here turned out to be better than in many other places they had already been. Tender meat and fresh vegetables stewed with honey and spices, this was one of her favorite dishes.

A healthy man approaching the table interrupted the pleasant moment. Having swallowed the food with difficulty, she listened and felt a chill descend on her back. She realized that he had come with a request and, looking, frowned.

— Is it really so important that you dared to interrupt my wife and I's dinner? — she sternly knocked on the worn wood.

Village elder of Quiet Reeds

The village headman bowed again and spoke pitifully:

— Do not be angry, sir. Extreme need forced me to commit this act. I am the headman of this village, and my soul already aches for our youth. A terrible monster has appeared in the lake, and this is the only source of water nearby. For almost a year now, young people have been disappearing there. Soon there will be no one left at all. We were about to send a messenger to the Bailing Hu Order and ask for help, but a lucky chance brought you here. Don't refuse the request. Help us deal with the water monster. We will pay, — turning to the girl, he bowed, — madam, I see that you have a kind heart. Ask your husband for us.

The man took a small bag out of his pocket and, bowing again, handed it to the young man.

Li Ye Hua (Su Yu Lan)

The girl listened, but the task did not seem easy, and she had not pumped up her combat magic level very much. Knowing this fact, she only smiled and looked at her companion, then at the petitioner.

— My wife and I are in a hurry, and your business will take us a lot of time. Besides, my wife is not feeling well, — she looked questioningly at the girl, — I am right, Li Ye?

Li Li Ye (Shoe Xiu Li)

Having assessed the situation, she nodded in agreement and said capriciously:

— Yes, my lord. I am tired and need some rest, — she turned to the headman, — venerable one, you would be better off asking someone else for this request. My husband just recently helped the residents of another village. We both need to rest.

Village elder of Quiet Reeds

In despair, the man fell to his knees and began to bow, banging his forehead on the floor.

— Lady, lord, have mercy on us. You can rest here as long as you wish, but do not reject us. The existence of our village depends on it. Over the past year, we have lost half of our young men and a quarter of our young women. If this monster is not stopped, only old people will remain here, and then no one at all. I beg you…

Li Li Ye (Shoe Xiu Li)

Listening to the elder, the girl was filled with sympathy. Poor people. The brothers often dealt with such problems. Such is the fate of all spellcasters. On the way, while they were talking about the past and the future, Yu Lan told them that in the Su clan, girls were learning combat magic, which meant she could help these poor people.

— Get up, get up... Don't do that... We will help. Right, Ye Hua? — jumping up from the bench, she tried to lift the man and looked pitifully at her friend.

Li Ye Hua (Su Yu Lan)

Determined to refuse, she sternly looked at the man when he began to hit his forehead on the floor. Even though she was trained in combat magic, she herself knows that her skills are far from ideal.

She could handle a weak spirit, but who said that the village had exactly that kind of spirit? Unsure of her own strength, she did not want to listen to pleas, but her friend's voice pulled her out from behind her personal wall.

She couldn't bear to look at her sad face, and Yu Lan only exhaled heavily. She would have to try, she couldn't disappoint her companion.

— Okay, my dear, we will help these people. Tomorrow, — she looked at the bag of gold and remembered the jewelry that Gui Ying was going to buy. She raised her heavy gaze to the man, — we live here at your expense while I carry out the task. And this...

She took the bag from the large hand and showed it to the man.

— Not enough payment for such a thing. When I return, you must give the same amount again. Now go, I want to continue eating with my wife.

Having made it clear that the conversation was over, she turned to Xiu Li:

— Dear Li Ye, do you want anything else?

Village elder of Quiet Reeds

The elder jumped up and backed away, showering thanks and bowing tirelessly. Well, they would have to tighten their belts, but it was worth it. After all, the survival of the village was at stake.

Li Li Ye (Shoe Xiu Li)

Satisfied, she watched the man go. Here you go. Everything is as they wanted. She looked at Yu Lan with affection and, smiling, stroked her hand.

— You are so caring, my lord. I have enough of everything, let's eat and go to the room. And we'll take the jug with us.