Ⓘ  ⓐⓜ  ⓐ  ⓑⓐⓓⓓⓘⓔ,
ⓑⓐⓓⓓⓘⓔ,  ⓑⓐⓓⓓⓘⓔ.
Ⓟⓡⓔⓣⓣⓨ  ⓛⓘⓣⓣⓛⓔ
ⓡⓘⓢⓚⓨ  ⓑⓐⓓⓓⓘⓔ.
Ⓜⓞⓓⓔⓤⓝ  ⓓⓞⓔⓛ  ⓓⓐⓔⓡⓞ  ⓓⓦⓔⓡⓐⓙⓘ.
Ⓒⓐⓣⓒⓗ  ⓜⓔ  ⓘⓕ  ⓨⓞⓤ ⓒⓐⓝ.

Tian Xing walked slowly, without any specific aim. She knew she would find civilisation in one way or another.

Tian Xing, as she walked, felt somewhat strange.

All of this was very familiar to her.

There was one single pattern in this whole thing.

She would wake up after death, find herself in another world, presumably in a place that is not usually inhabited by humans, find civilisation, find out the world she is in, help the people she wants to, and afterwards, die. And the cycle repeats.

'Is there some sort of purpose in this? What exactly am I here, no, in these worlds for? It's as if I am being sent in these worlds just to prevent the tragedies of these worlds' characters from happening.'

Of course, she couldn't help everyone, but she did help those she knew would suffer.

Why?

Because that's what she wanted to do. Help. When there's the chance to. Especially knowing what is going to happen if she doesn't.

Even in her life as Rubi, when she read these novels, she felt a deep desire to keep the people she saw suffer through, safe under her own cover.

It was because when she needed it herself, no one was there for her.

But some part of Tian Xing wished for some solace as well.

One of the other important things was, she was a demon. Her demonic energy and spiritual energy was in coexistence. Which was rather weird, because in natural cases, one would Qi deviate in such a state.

As she walked, Tian Xing realised she was actually walking up, meaning this was a mountain.

'Huh? Well that's new. I have never ended up in a mountain before.'

As she walked, she saw a house. And this house, it can be classified as a small manor, it was pretty well made.

As she walked towards to find some clue of where to get to the nearest civilisation, she saw a very familiar figure sitting on the veranda of the manor.

The person wore white clothes, had his hair styled sophisticatedly and was drinking some wine. He had a sword with him, had an exceptional build, signifying he was a very good martial artist.

It was Ye Baiyi.

'Holy shit. I ended up in the world of...wait, is it Faraway Wanderers or Word of Honour?'

Faraway Wanderers was a famous Danmei novel written by Priest in Tian Xing's lifetime as Rubi. Priest had written several novels and was a famous Danmei novel writer in the Danmei community and among Danmei novelists.

While Word of Honour was a live action adaptation of the same novel, a large portion of the story, many of the characters' behaviours, the plot progression and even the existence of characters and their roles were different.

All in all, Word of Honour was practically a different story with many of characters of Faraway Wanderers and some characters exclusive to the drama. It could be considered as an alternate universe of Faraway Wanderers, where many things happen vastly different from the novel.

Usually, Tian Xing didn't like the changes of the live action adaptation of Chinese Danmei novels, because they were largely tweaked in many places for no reason and she rather liked the original plot more. But Word of Honour was the only live action adaptation of a Danmei novel that she preferred more than the novel itself. From the characters to the story and plot, she liked the live adaptation a lot.

That, by no means, meant she didn't like the novel itself. She just enjoyed the drama more.

Tian Xing as she was thinking these, suddenly felt a cold chill near her neck.

And sure enough, when she looked down, there was a sword near her neck.

Ye Baiyi was holding his sword, "Who are you? And what do you want? State your purpose." He was as sharp as ever.

Tian Xing slowly backed away from the sword, "Please do not misunderstand. I simply noticed this manor and thought I could get some help, nothing more. I am not here to harm anyone. Besides, I do not even know how I came here."
"You expect me to believe that crap of bull?"

Tian Xing smiled awkwardly, "I am truly telling the truth." She bowed, "I am Tian Xing. A rogue cultivator. No one of too much importance."

By now, Ye Baiyi noticed her here and there tattered clothes. The woman was extremely beautiful, had creamy skin and sharp but delicate features, there were two little earrings of gold dangling down her ears. Her hair was jet black and smooth, but her most noticeable feature was her eyes, which were neon yellow. He had never seen someone with eyes like that. He smiled smugly, "Well, what about it? Do you want help? You seem to be in a dire state."
"It would be highly appreciated."

"Baiyi! Who is it you are holding your sword at?"

It was Rong Changqing.

'This...is Mount Changming.' Tian Xing though meaningfully.

Which means nothing had happened yet.

'I wonder how Wu Xi and Jing BeiYuan are. I hope they are safe and happy.'

Wu Xi and Jing BeiYuan were characters from another novel from Priest, Lord Seventh, which was a prequel to Faraway Wanderers, but both novels were independent and the roles of the characters of Lord Seventh had a very minor role in Faraway Wanderers.

Nonetheless, she hoped the best for them.

"Do you always space out in the middle of nowhere anytime?" spoke Ye Baiyi with a jab.

Tian Xing liked his character, but faced with his jabbing, she couldn't just suck it up, so she raised an eyebrow at him, "Unlike you, I have things I need to get in line. I don't go drinking wine and eating three people's worth food all day."

Ye Baiyi felt horribly offended at the remark, "You! How dare you?"
"Learn some manners, will you?" she smirked, "You are gonna stay bitchless for the rest of your life if you keep being like this."

Rong Changqing had reached towards them by now, "Would anyone care to explain what is going on? Guniang, who are you and how did you end up here?"
"Greetings, I am Tian Xing, and unfortunately I have no idea how I ended up here. And well, I was looking for some people in search of help."

Ye Baiyu spoke up irritated, "This woman is treacherous. One minute of talking and she already is not talking properly."
"You are the one who started it. It's not like you are gonna die without jabbing someone. So please refrain from doing so."
"You-"

Rong Changqing sighed, "Enough. Baiyi, you really shouldn't treat her like that."

Tian Xing smiled, "Baiyi, eh? May I know your name, dear benefactor?"
"It is Rong Changqing, pleased to meet you."
"Likewise."

"A-Die..." came a small call.

"Ah...is it...your son?" Tian Xing asked Rong Changqing.
"Ah yes."
"Oh."

'This guy, I need to stop him from being obsessed with the whole gathering martial arts' techniques thing. It was the start of basically everything. Oh, and also the Ghost Valley. I need to stop it from establishing. Wait, did I come after the establishment of the Ghost Valley?'

Ye Baiyi clicked his tongue, "Look, she is spacing out again. Oi, woman. Come to your senses."
"Brother Rong, your friend is indeed very...interesting." Tian Xing commented off handedly.

Tian Xing had nothing against Ye Baiyi. In fact, he knew how much he loved the people he cared about, even though he would rather die than showing it.

But bickering was fun.

Rong Changqing sighed and smiled awkwardly, "Ah...let's get inside then...Guniang, we can talk about how we can help you."

_______________________

Tian Xing casually sat gracefully and she saw Madam Rong, Wang RuoXie, pour a cup of tea for the people sitting.

Tian Xing spoke softly, "I thank everyone for the kind hospitality. Apologies that I have to trouble you."
"It is no trouble, Guniang." Spoke Rong Changqing.

Tian Xing smiled, "May I know why the benefactors are living in this desolate mountain?"
"Ah, it's just for solace. This mountain is ideal for cultivation. And it is peaceful in here."

Tian Xing nodded slowly, "I see. I suppose then living in the mountain somewhere would be better for me. I am in desperate need of some solace and peace. Maybe that's why I ended up here without my knowledge."
"Guniang has no idea how she ended up here?"
"None at all."

Wang RuoXie smiled, "You can live with us."
"Eh???" Tian Xing feigned surprise.

Rong Changqing thought, "Hmm...that seems good to me. We were getting bored anyways."
"Aaahhh...is it...fine?"
"Of course."

'Are they for real? Damn.'

Tian Xing bowed, "I will be eternally grateful if you let me live here for a while to cultivate."
"Rise up. It is fine. Oh I never knew your name. What is it?" Asked Wang RuoXie
"Tian Xing."
"What a beautiful name."

Ye Baiyi just came in with Rong Xuan, "I heard the last bit. Is she really living with us here?"
"I am." She smirked.

Rong Xuan saw it and immediately his mind connected.

'She will be fun to talk to.'

Rong Xuan was always friendly and carefree. He liked the attitude of this person.

_______________________

"Stop eating you buffalo." Tian Xing snatched the bowl away from Ye Baiyi.

The said person was annoyed beyond description, "Give me the bowl back!"

Yes, this was precisely two weeks after she started to stay in with them.

There was an extra room in the manor for her to stay. So accommodating was no issue.

Rong Xuan continued to laugh quietly as he heard their bickering. Ye Baiyi snapped, "I can eat however much I want."
"You are gonna get overweight."
"I cultivate a lot. There's no way I am going to get overweight."
"In that case, come and snatch the bowl." Tian Xing challenged.

"You! Alright we are down." Ye Baiyi swiftly moved his hand. Tian Xing also moved her hand away. There was a mischievous smirk on her face.

And then the chase began.

Ye Baiyi was quick. But Tian Xing was quicker.

'Ah. She is fast.' Ye Baiyi had to give credit where it was due. She was definitely much more capable than he thought.

Tian Xing stood a bit distance away from him with the bowl and started giggling softly.

"I underestimated you, it seems." Ye Baiyi admitted, "You are actually fast."
"Oh, you admitting it? That's new."
"Oh shush."

The chase went on for a while before Rong Changqing came and stopped them, "What's going on? Both of you, stop."

But as soon as he saw the picture, he didn't want them to stop.

Tian Xing was giggling, its sound akin to jewellery clinking and crystals falling. Ye Baiyi, although was chasing the bowl in her hand, was laughing carefree and Rong Xuan was also laughing, enjoying whatever they were doing.

Rong Changqing sighed, he had been sighing too much nowadays.

"Both of you. Stop. Lady Tian, let him have the bowl."

Tian Xing suddenly stopped, Ye Baiyi collided with the air for while because of the momentum and finally took the bowl, "Finally!"

Tian Xing, however, was quiet. She softly spoke, "Xing-jie."
"Hmm?"
"Call me Xing-jie. We are past formalities." Tian Xing smiled.

Rong Changqing was surprised, "Ah...but..."
"No buts, A-Qing. Call me Xing-jie. You too, A-Yi."
"A-A-Yi!??? Who said you could call me that???" He sounded scandalised.

"I did." Tian Xing's voice was serious with no signs of mischief. She seriously meant what she said.

Rong Changqing looked in her neon eyes, which were warm and soft. He had never seen such coloured eyes. He smiled, "Then don't mind if I do, Xing-jie."

Tian Xing smiled, "Thank you."

Ye Baiyi was a little stunned the entire time. The mood suddenly shifted so much. He didn't expect to see her that serious about something.

It was off putting to see someone actually get serious when all you saw was their bickering and mischievous side.

He spoke up lowly, "You okay?"
"Yeah." Tian Xing, as if, had turned into a completely different person.

Xing-jie.

There must be some attachments to that name, was what Ye Baiyi thought.

"I guess I will just have to make do."

Rong Xuan spoke, "But...I am too young to call you Jie..."

Tian Xing looked at him and suddenly laughed, "Call me Xing Ayi then."
"Hmm! Xing Ayi."

[Ayi means aunt in Mandarin.]

Wang RuoXie laughed softly while covering her mouth with her sleeve.

'It seems like we will have a lot of new events coming.'