Chapter One Hundred Eleven: Luo Water, Luo River

After retrieving needles and thread from the front desk, I returned to the room to find Wan'er had already stepped out of the bathroom and was lying on the bed watching television. I was dumbfounded—she was actually watching a Korean soap opera. How could she even understand that?

I wasn't concerned with what she was watching, but rather with the wound on her waist. Wan'er was lying there wrapped only in a snow-white bath towel, holding the remote control. If someone didn't know the truth, no one would ever suspect she was a ghost, let alone an ancient one.

Her smooth, dark hair cascaded effortlessly over her graceful shoulders, evoking a desire to reach out and hold her.

"Dachuan, you're back," Wan'er said, sitting up. She curled the corners of her lips and tilted her head. "I have something to discuss with you."

"Go ahead, no need to be so formal." I meant it. Wan'er was a girl from ancient times, likely accustomed to a society where men were superior to women, but I preferred that we be equal and natural with each other.

"I don't want to call you 'Dachuan' anymore; it feels awkward and uncomfortable. How about I just call you 'Brother' from now on? Oppa!" She smiled, her eyes curving into crescents.

I nearly fainted. Damn, Korean dramas really are a menace! She had learned that so quickly. I wondered if she’d start calling me "Uncle" in a few days? But, truthfully, I rather liked her calling me "Brother." "Wan'er, do whatever you like, as long as you're happy."

Seeing that I agreed, she lunged at me and planted a kiss on my lips. "Oppa! You're the best, you're so sweet!"

"Little sister, just calling me 'Brother' is fine, let's skip the 'Oppa,' okay? It feels weird!" I said, pulling her against my bare back.

"Hehe! If you don't like it, you don't like it. I'll just call you Brother from now on. When Ying-jie comes back, I'll call you Brother too. Doesn't that count as showing respect to her?" Wan'er chuckled softly in my arms. Since I’d met her, these past two days had been her happiest. It was easy to understand; after waiting for two thousand years, she’d finally met the person she was looking for. She had every reason to be happy.

Yet, watching her sweet, contented smile, my heart tightened, and I felt a sense of melancholy. While having a beautiful woman in my arms was pleasant, behind her sweet smile, I could faintly see the disappointed face of Wang Ying.

"Wan'er, get up. Let me stitch your wound. It's too hot today; it could easily get infected." Thinking of Wang Ying, I felt a wave of sadness and gently helped Wan'er up.

Seeing the gloomy expression on my face, Wan'er’s smile slowly faded. "Brother, are you thinking about Ying-jie again?"

I nodded. "We’re here laughing and joking, but who knows where she is suffering?"

"Brother, don't worry. No matter what, I will help you find Ying-jie and rescue her," Wan'er said with firm resolve.

My heart warmed, and I hugged her shoulders. "Alright, let's look at your wound."

Wan'er gently removed the bath towel, her graceful body once again revealed before my eyes. Her snow-white skin shimmered under the light, an irresistible sight.

Wan'er lay down, exposing her wound to me. I tried my best not to be distracted and, in a few minutes, managed to stitch the wound shut. I applied some of my own blood to it, confident it would be healed by morning.

"Brother, thank you." Wan'er gave a faint smile, stepped off the bed, and put on her undergarments one by one.

"Wan'er, what are you doing?" I was confused and a little disappointed.

"Brother, I've thought about it. I like you, but I cannot be with you while Ying-jie is away. I want to help you rescue her; only when she agrees to let us be together will I be with you." As she spoke, she even put on her outer clothes.

I smiled bitterly, at a loss for words. A girl's heart is as elusive as a needle at the bottom of the sea. Everything had been progressing so well—why this sudden change? I couldn't understand it. True love often demands possession, and whether Wang Ying would be able to tolerate her was still an unknown.

Sigh! Since Wan'er had made this decision, I had to respect her, just as I had to respect Wang Ying. There were still so many things to do: rescue Wang Ying, find Wei Qi, and in the next step, deal with Xing Yun and his band of lackeys. None of these tasks would be easy.

Not to mention that I had no idea where Wang Ying was right now; even if I found her, how could I make her recognize me? And Wei Qi—where had that guy run off to? He wasn't allowed to die before me. As for Xing Yun and the old monk, I would never forgive them. I had to avenge Li Danian and the others.

"Brother, let's sleep. You take the bed, and I'll watch TV, but I'll keep the volume down." Wan'er walked over, gently pushed me down, and tucked me in.

"Wan'er, why don't you come and sleep too?" I sat back up.

"Brother, I don't need to sleep or eat. You get some rest. I want to watch Song Hye-kyo and Professor Do." Wan'er giggled, kissed my cheek, and pushed me back down.

I stopped resisting. After all, Wan'er wasn't human; she didn't need sleep or food. I had been exhausted all day, so I might as well sleep. But sleep isn't something you can just force. As I lay in bed, Wang Ying’s image kept appearing in my mind. How was I supposed to save her?

During today's battle with Zhao the Nasty, if it hadn't been for the power of the Fengchi divine weapon, I likely would have been completely routed. Thinking of Zhao the Nasty, I recalled what he said: Xing Yun wanted to capture me alive. Why? To cut out my heart while I was still breathing?

I couldn't make sense of it no matter how I thought about it, and eventually drifted into a hazy sleep. When I woke up again, I found that Wan'er had already prepared breakfast for me; it looked like she had gone out to buy it.

"Brother, you're awake? Hurry and eat. After you're done, I'll take you somewhere," Wan'er said with a gentle smile.

"Wan'er, could you please not be so good to me? I can just go out and buy breakfast myself. You don't even eat." Since she didn't eat, having her prepare breakfast for me early in the morning made me feel quite embarrassed. Most girls would still be curled up in bed sleeping at this hour.

"Brother, what are you saying? In terms of family, you are my brother; in terms of love, you are my man. If I'm not good to you, who would I be good to? Hurry and wash up, then eat. I'll take you somewhere after." Wan'er helped me out of bed and even tried to assist me to the bathroom, but I laughed and told her I could manage on my own.

After washing up, I sat down to eat the breakfast she had prepared. Though she didn't eat, she rested her chin on her hands and watched me.

"Wan'er, why don't you try a little? It tastes good!" I offered her a piece of bacon.

Wan'er shook her head. "No, I can't digest it."

I didn't insist and continued to eat. After breakfast, we packed our things and left the hotel.

"Brother, where is Luohe Town?" Standing on the street, Wan'er asked me.

"Luohe Town? It's north of Ju County. Why are you looking for Luohe Town?" I was quite puzzled.

"While you were sleeping, I used the phone to look it up. The Luo River is the ancient Luo Water. The banks of the Luo Water were Ziyi's hometown. He once sealed a 'Luo Water Ring' at the Luo Water Temple. Once we obtain this ring, it will be able to trigger the power of the Fengchi Sword to a much greater extent. Once the two are combined, the power will likely far exceed the Palm Thunder," Wan'er explained.

"Luo River... Luo Water?" I was a bit dizzy. I knew the Luo River—it was a small town north of Ju County. Last time, Wei Qi, Li Danian, and I had gone there looking for a blood ganoderma, only to find a poisonous one that nearly killed me. But I had never heard of a Luo Water Temple in my entire life, let alone some Luo Water Ring.

However, if there was a glimmer of hope, I had to pursue it. With my current abilities, I was no match for Xing Yun and his people. Even if I used the Palm Thunder against my better judgment, I probably wouldn't beat Xing Yun—how could a student ever defeat his master?

With Wei Qi gone, I couldn't drive his "Prince Charming" car. I thought about summoning the Purple Gold Colt, but it was broad daylight, and I didn't want to scare anyone. In the end, we just hailed a taxi.

After much difficulty finding one, it took over an hour to reach Luohe Town.

Standing by the small stream in Luohe Town, Wan'er looked helpless. "Brother, you didn't bring me to the wrong place, did you? Is this the Luo Water of the past?"

"Little sister, this is the Luo River, not the Luo Water." I sighed, looking at the stream, which was only a few dozen meters wide. This was summer; in spring or autumn, there would be no water at all.

"Today's Luo River is the ancient Luo Water. Let's walk forward and see. We'll find someone to ask." Wan'er took my hand and we started walking forward.