The sun was high, and the humidity dense; all perfect for plants, mushrooms, animals, and what not. Well, that "what not" is answered with one simple word.

-          IT'S HOOOOOOOT~

Pamella and Xián Leng have been walking for quite some time. Since the sun was burning up, Pamella could tell it was late evening, and they have been walking for approximately seven hours, consecutively; without actual rest.

After arriving from the Imperial flower festival, Pamella all of a sudden stated that both Xián Leng and her, would go the next day, out to retrieve the first Wise Spirit charm at Jīnhuáng kingdom; wherever that was of course. Do to the turn out of events and her encounter with that "King of Hell", Bùxìng, she felt that she couldn't be wasting time. She got what she wanted; finding out who and where was her real body, that was fine, but the unsouring part was, that the person in its care was crazy, soul eating demon, that not only ate the soul of her recent body's owner, but that if she failed to get all the gold charms he'll eat her soul as well.

Master Weng tried to make them stay longer, since both didn't know everything that needed to be known of the whole ordeal, or even themselves. Specifically, he was worried that due to Xián Leng's temporary amnesia, he wouldn't be of much help in this new period. Things like trails, mountains, and rivers were less likely to look like when he was happily skipping before he went dark and got himself cursed. This was spoken in secret by Master Weng to Pamella.

She had known all the time, they were on a tight situation, both were out of their time and didn't know where to start, so that fact showed to be an obstacle difficult to get over of. They could die if they were not reasonable enough. Either way, if she thought on how much it would take for them to know Tang Dynasty China's geography and history, she'll surely get eaten by that psychopath by then. She insisted that she had to get a move on.

Seeing that she was reluctant to change her mind, Master Weng called out to Hei Bao and told him to go with Pamella and Xián Leng on their journey to show them the way. Pamella felt thankful but that taking Hei Bao along was too much.

-          Don't you need the help of your student Master Weng? I don't want to change a disciple of yours, path just because I am bad at following directions.

Master Weng assured her.

-          Nonsense! That's one of the things a disciple of mine must do. This journey would help Hei Bao liberate some stress and cultivate more than he did closed in this wreck of a town. Also, Hei Bao, I know this place can get kind of boring sometimes.

Hei Bao quickly denied it.

-          Not at all teacher! It's not boring at all.

Master Weng laughed while waiving his hand.

-          Boy! If you don't get bored, I do! If my Master offered me a chance to escape from a place like this I would be jumping out of joy and kissing his feet. So, I won't believe you even if you deny it a hundred times more.

-          ...

Hei Bao didn't think that Master Weng would ever ask him to abandon his side so bluntly. Hei Bao didn't want to part with Pamella; he had grown to like her presence, maybe like a brother watching over his little brother, or better say sister, on her case. He had also got accustomed to Xián Leng, even if he didn't talk as much as Pamella with him, the guy was somehow entertaining. Thinking that Pamella could get lost or get hurt wasn't appearing to his liking and that's when, after some minutes of thinking, he finally decided on Master Weng's offer.

Master Weng clapped.

-          Fantastic! You better bring me new books if you find any.

Jiti appeared out of nowhere.

-          CAW! And where would they even fit?! There's no space even for the air in here!

Master Weng ignored his nagging and directed to Pamella.

-          Take him with you to.

Her eyes opened in amazement.

-          Are you serious Master Weng?!

He closed his eyes and started to walk towards the kitchen, lighting a fire.

-          Of course, I do not lie when serious things are involved. Please, take that guy with you. Maybe, without him here, I can take a break and enjoy some of the books I haven't read yet, at peace.

Hei Bao gave a piece of his thoughts, a little bit concerned.

-          Master Weng, I don't think Jiti would want... ?!

An old, spider web covered, wooden briefcase slammed over the table they were all conversing at. Jiti gracefully hovered down on top of it and looking bright eyed at Pamella, he put his two wings together and begged.

-          Old man Weng said I could go! CAW! CAW! Please! Oh, please take me with you! I won't be any trouble I swear! I would not, I'll try, not to nag every day. Also, I can help you scan out the distance between you and your surroundings. No good? Oh, please take me with you!

Pamella looked at Xián Leng who just shrugged and then at Hei Bao which moved his head in a negative jesture. Jiti glared at him from the corner of his eyes and then almost teary looked at Pamella and Xián Leng.

Just the fact that Jiti had said he'd "try" to behave made Pamella doubt to bring him along to their trip. She looked at him again. Looking at the poor creature's eyes, and exasperation to get out of his routine of a life, she could relate to him. She herself had wished for her life to become more adventurous and newer, and without even planning to, had changed it to a whole other level. She didn't know if to be glad or curse her luck, but she knew she couldn't deny the poor guy. She nodded in agreement. Hei Bao on the other hand, head palmed himself while grunting. Jiti flapped his wings and tried to "kiss" Pamella on the cheeks, but Xián Leng grabbed his tail.

-          Hey! What are you trying to do? You have no lips to kiss with! A kiss from you would end up poking holes in one's face!

Jiti sulked at the fact that Xián Leng was right. Pamella giggled and stretched out her arms.

-          You could hug me though. Hugging won't throw me into a hospital.

Xián Leng let go of his tail, and he settled himself on Pamela's shoulder.

A sweet smell entered both nostrils of Pamella and she turned towards the kitchen where Master Weng was. She asked.

-          What you doing there Master Weng?

He answered gleefully.

-          Oh~ Just some sweet buns for you to take with you. I figured you'll not easily find places to eat once you leave Luoyang.

He has a point there...

Pamella hadn't thought about the accessibility of food and water until Master Weng mentioned the matter.

Guess I wasn't well prepared to head out after all... Better get a bottle, or something to fill with drinkable liquid.

They head out from Master Weng's at seven in the morning. Pamella had hugged the old man in thanks for his hospitality. Xián Leng had shaken his hand, being brought down by Master Weng. He hugged Xián Leng, whispering,

-          Remember well what I told you last night. Now you know the connection you have with Miss Pamella. You'll learn more about everything soon, but for now, don't let her or you get hurt. Strengthen and protect yourselves; that's all good for now.

Xián Leng eyed the yawning, slightly drowsy Pamella that almost fell backwards and had tried to slap herself awake. He swore to himself he'll protect her with his life, not excluding the fact that he had to also protect himself if he wanted her to remain alive and well. Getting to know the truth about their soul contract eased him up a bit; he no longer felt too estranged and could act efficiently to their progression on the trip. Also, he now could link his out of character actions since the first time they met; he'll blame it all to the soul contract. Nothing else.

Hei Bao moved to kneel in front of Master Weng.

-          I would give my all to bring their task to its success.

Master Weng patted his black hair, eared head.

-          I know you will, and I'll pray that everything goes smoothly for you all. If you see it necessary, maybe you can sacrifice Jiti to any foe you encounter on your way. Anyone who'd eat him would gain an acceptable amount of prowess.

Jiti cawed from a far.

-          HEY! Old man would you stop giving them weird ideas! I don't taste good anyways.

Master Weng snorted.

-          Even so, for gaining a higher level of spiritual energy I don't know of anyone who would deny such an offer.

Hei Bao silently chuckled and lifted himself up.

-          We shall be on our way then...

Master Weng frowned.

-          Don't look so concerned boy! It's not like I need you to protect me. You know how much energy I've build up along these many years. Who would dare go against me?!

Jiti screamed at Hei Bao to hurry up, and so, Hei Bao turned around after giving his last farewells.

After some time, here they were under the evening heating sun, that even under the tree canopies made their whole surroundings hot and their bodies sweaty. Pamella's feet were numb as well and she could swear their presence was disappearing as their pace became faster. She suddenly collapsed unto a nearby boulder where she took the chance to take off her boots, socks, and massage her aching fingers. She grabbed three hand sized dried leaves she saw at the ground near her and waved them in a hand fan gesture over her face, but it was a worthless try, so she threw them back to where she picked them up from, while clicking her thong. She continued rubbing her feet until a nice cool shadow covered her from the sun's rays. Holding a questioning look and tone, Xián Leng inquired.

-          What are you doing down there bare footed?

Hei Bao followed behind him, with Jiti on his shoulder.

-          Did you twist your ankle Miss Pamella? If so, I can carry you the rest of the way, you don't seem to weight much.

Xián Leng,

-          ...

Pamella answered after sighing.

-          No need to worry I didn't twist my ankle, but...

Xián Leng raised one of his eyebrows.

-          But what? Stop with the suspense, get to the point!

Pamella closed her eyes while lifting her face and shrugging her arms.

-          Fine, Fine. It's HOT! I said so before.

Jiti interjected, correcting her.

-          You SCREAMED it before. People must have heard you in the next town! CAW!

Pamella cleared her dry throat, ignoring Jiti's remark.

-          It's hot, and my feet hurt. Can't we take a break just for thirty minutes.

Jiti again contradicted her.

-          My feet don't hurt though.

Hei Bao flicked a finger on his forehead, earning a hurting scream. Jiti flew over to Pamella's shoulder, as if his weight didn't make her feel heavier than she already did.

Hei Bao snapped at him.

-          You stupid bird! You don't walk on your two feet for many hours straight, as we do. So, stop giving useless opinions!

Xián Leng knealed in front of Pamella looking down at her already bruised, by too much walking, feet. He was aware they hadn't rested for a long time, but if they didn't hurry to the next town given by the directions of Hei Bao, night could catch up to them and it wasn't strategically reasonable to wear off their spiritual energy in lighting their way. Even if their Qi level was high enough to last a fight three days long, many unwanted creatures lurked the nights, so Qi expenditure would increase. That is why, even if Pamella's feet look already seriously beaten, they had to keep going.

Now that she was sitting, her body was giving up on the idea of ever getting up so, she avoided Xián Lengs demanding gaze, which was clearly telling her to put her boots back on and move her ass from the giant rock.

Xián Leng frowned and then softly sighed, getting back up into a straight up position. Hei Bao was planning to offer again to carry Pamella, but his words remained trapped on his throat when Xián Leng immediately lowered himself, putting one arm under Pamella's knees and the other, under one of her arms. She reacted, embarrassed by the unexpected and unaccustomed action.

-          Wha... What are you doing?!

Xián Leng answered coolly as he started to walk forward, continuing their journey.

-          Didn't you say you were tired and weren't going to move an inch from that rock? I'm carrying you to town. Anyways, I don't plan that your whining pulls us all back and make us walk among the dark.

Pamella frowned at him telling her she was the only one making the whole trip slower.

-          Why you... Put me down, I can walk by myself!

She shifted, trying to make him drop her, but his grip lightly hardened on her knee joints, making her winze by pain a little. Xián Leng still staring at his front.

-          You can't walk. Judging by your injuries each step now, would feel like walking among a nailed floor. Instead of being so uptight, you should be thanking me for offering you help. I could have left you to walk on your own; feel the pinching pain, but I didn't.

Pamela eyed him from the side of her long eyelashes.

-          Why didn't you? You could have...

Xián Leng chuckled and looked down to her.

-          I am not like that, so you can rest until we get to the town.

Pamella remained gazing at that straight faced, but soft-hearted man that was holding her body as if it was light as a feather. He once again, without being aware of his true identity, proved Pamella that even the "Lord of Darkness" could be kind and a well-built Samaritan.

Hei Bao with Jiti again on his shoulder, walked at their side, reassuring her.

-          Sleep a little Miss Pamella, we are not that far anyways from Tiāndì Town.

Pamella closed her eyes and leaned her head unto Xián Leng's chest, breathing in that pleasant flower aroma of his that ever so, made her mind waver into the deepest part of her dreams.