Chapter 123: Separation Anxiety
True to her promise, Anji designed a water-conjuring spell and created a bath everyone enjoyed. Gu Ying and Bai Dajin were in charge of charging the spell, and everyone had a good soak. The horses could also drink to their fill, and they slept peacefully under a blanket of stars.
The next day, the horses galloped energetically and entered the first sparse forest they had seen in two days. The weather was cooler, and there were more birds in the area.
"There should be water in this area," Mingshen told Anji. "With this many trees, it should be possible to find it."
Thrilled, they travelled through the small grove, and Gu Ying offered to hunt so they could have some meat with their dried buns. Fortunately, there were many mountain chickens to hunt for lunch. The Mystical Qilin Sect was near here, and Anji had mixed feelings.
"Brother," she called out while Gu Ying and Bai Dajin roasted the freshly caught chickens. "What was it like for you to leave the mountain with your sworn brother Zhang Mou? Was it scary? Did you not miss father and mother?"
Humming, Mingshen wondered if his youngest sister was having separation anxiety. It was common for young children to have it. Anji, who had been raised in the sect her whole life and pampered with constant attention from everyone, might not be ready for this. However, her shifu summoned for her, which was a favour that not even their father could refuse.
When Mingshen left the Celestial Dragon Mountain, he was already older than Anji. He also did not prefer the constant company of others, which is why he often spent his time alone in the library. Unlike Anji, who enjoyed being around others, the three other Zhao siblings were introverted and preferred alone time. Yihao would spend his alone time in the mountains causing mischief, while his older sister would use it to focus on her martial arts training. Hence, it was difficult to answer Anji’s question.