Su Bi Yu (Di Shi)

During the day, the spellcaster went to the palace garden; there was another important matter that could not be delayed. Walking along the paths, he found a gazebo from which the entrance to the palace was clearly visible and began to wait.

Not even an hour had passed when the girl came out. Having taken on a slightly enthusiastic look, he approached, as if by chance, and, bowing, addressed:

— I greet the young lady. The gods were kind to me today, allowing me to behold such beauty. I am not from these places, let me know your name, — the spellcaster smiled charmingly.

Li Ming

Everything seemed to be going according to plan, and allowing herself to relax, Li Ming went for a walk. After all, the lands here are rich in views, and it is important to enjoy the beauty. As they say, business is business, but rest is also necessary.

A surprise awaited her in the garden. Pretending to be embarrassed, she blinked her eyes. After all, men are weak creatures when it comes to beauty. Making the most innocent look, she replied:

— And I see that you are not from these places. Everyone here loves yellow, which is impossible to tell from you, unfamiliar wanderer. And I will not tell you my name, you did not tell me yours, — covering her mouth with her fingers, she laughed.

Su Bi Yu (Di Shi)

— Please forgive me for this omission. I completely forgot about it, struck by your unusual beauty. Who would have thought that in this garden one could meet a maiden who is more beautiful than any of the flowers growing here. Let me walk you. My name is Ping Xu Wang, I am a wandering spellcaster.

Smiling once more, Di Shi plucked one of the flowers from a bush growing nearby and handed it to the girl.

Li Ming

The name of the spellcaster meant nothing, but that was understandable, how could she know all the wanderers, especially those not of her time. The young man was handsome and stately, his manners spoke for themselves. She accepted the flower, smiled, and, sniffing it, waved her hand.

— Of course, we can take a walk, — she bit her tongue, almost saying her first name, but it had died with her long ago, so she did not invent anything extra, — my name is Gong Li Ming. How long have you been in these parts and how long do you want to stay?

Su Bi Yu (Di Shi)

Gallantly offering his hand, he led her through the garden, drawing her to the most beautiful corner at this time of year. So many years had passed, and nothing had changed here. The gardeners kept the garden in the same condition as in the days of his youth.

— I don't stay anywhere for long. The duty of a wandering spellcaster is to help ordinary people fight the creatures of darkness. When I came to these parts before, I didn't see you. Did you study somewhere?

Li Ming

It's wonderful to walk, and in the company of a charming young man it's delightful. Looking at the beauty, holding the kindly provided hand, she thought about the question. She didn't want to tell the truth, so she didn't answer right away, brightening up the pause with a sweet smile.

— It's hard to be a wandering spellcaster and dangerous. Have you thought about joining some order? — she didn't feel the young man weak, and not strong either. Most likely, the body she inherited is too weak and incapable of feeling something like that — the lord spellcaster exaggerates my beauty, or the maids simply tried their best today. I think that last time you simply didn't notice me. I haven't been to many places and know little about the Celestial World. The duty of any girl is to be beautiful, and not to walk around the expanses.

She doesn't agree with the last conviction, especially with going for a walk, but she already understood well that girls don't train at these times and it's not held in high esteem. And the new acquaintance, apparently, got used to this state of affairs.

Su Bi Yu (Di Shi)

The winding paths led to a remote, rarely visited corner, chosen initially. Even though it was deep autumn now, it was amazingly beautiful here. Subtle scents hung in the air, creating a romantic atmosphere; people remained far away, and the silence was broken only by the sounds of their own footsteps and the singing of birds.

— Lady Gong is overly modest and underestimates herself, — he answered the question with a soft smile, — no, I am not going to join the order. Everyone has their own destiny and I, like everyone else, must follow what the Gods have predetermined. Tell me, wouldn't you like to see something else besides the Phoenix Valley?

Li Ming

The forgotten feelings from a simple walk were so strong that she didn’t pay much attention to her companion’s silence, but, in general, it wasn’t bad. What could she talk about now? A smile adorned her face, and she looked at the young man with interest.

— Ping Xu Wang, would you like to invite me to travel with you? — holding back her laughter, she just continued to smile. Traveling, yes, she wouldn’t refuse, but then, before her death, and now… and now she has a goal to help the master.

She frowned slightly. Master, why such affection and obligation? Shaking her head, she drove away the thought.

Su Bi Yu (Di Shi)

Sweet girl, who would suspect now that under the gentle image there is a spellcaster. And not a weak one. More precisely, a maiden spellcaster. He knows for sure. He remembers them all, every soul that was forever imprisoned in the weapon, in their order. Unlike those who served in accordance with the divine contract, these souls were bound against their will, and their contract was indefinite. Smiling at the provocative question, he lightly squeezed her slender fingers.

— Even if I invited you, would your family allow you to go? But, — the spellcaster looked at the sky, where the sun was inexorably sinking to the west, — perhaps the lady will do me the honor of sharing dinner with me?

Li Ming

She started laughing. Family, is there anyone alive from the family? And even if there are descendants, who needs it with a connection to weapons? Especially since in these times, for some reason, girls do not train.

She understood well during these days that it is better to be weak and fragile than to try to return to the past way of life. And as for training, Ming Jing will not refuse her, she is sure of it.

The offer is tempting, dinner in a wonderful company is like balm for the soul. Everyone is busy with their own problems, and Li Ming does not want to think about them now.

— There is no reason for me to refuse the offer. How can I not please the venerable wang with my company a little more.

Su Bi Yu (Di Shi)

Following tradition, the spellcaster ceremoniously thanked Li Ming for the honor and, changing direction, led his companion into the city.

Having reached the tavern, he chose a remote table located in the very corner of the establishment. Having invited the girl, he made an order and poured wine into cups. Surprisingly, the revived weapons were like two peas in a pod, similar to the people they were before.

— Once again, thank you for accepting the invitation and allowing me to enjoy your company before leaving. Who would have thought that such charming flowers bloom in the Phoenix Valley. Now I even regret that obligations to the master from whom I ordered a sword for my younger brother force me to leave this place so early. But making a spiritual weapon is not easy, and I want him to manage to cope with this task before his birthday. Miss Gong Li Ming, do you have a large family?