Chapter 182: My First Friend
As the sun dipped below the horizon and the moon rose, casting its ethereal glow over the landscape, it became clear that we were on our own for the night. Neither the Core Elders nor any representatives from the Moonlit River Sect came to check on us or guide us to accommodations.
Some disciples headed toward the Moonlit River Sect. In contrast, others set up camp on the outskirts, grumbling that the smell would only worsen the closer they got to the river.
I set up an array to block out the foul odors, and Song Song and my cousins joined me in making camp on the outskirts of the Moonlit River Sect grounds. The array was about the size of a small house since any bigger would make it too weak, and I didn't want to waste more Qi on a mere convenience.
“You’re handy to have around,” Song Song said. Sitting on a rocking chair, she absentmindedly played with her hair, twirling strands around her fingers. The rocking chair barely moved, the soft, wet ground swallowing its rhythm.
“Don't try to break the array barrier; it's quite fragile. This is one of the first times I've cast something like this outside of practice," I responded.
Liu Bo found a comfortable spot on the grass. Meanwhile, my other male cousin Liu Heng, diligent as always, started a fire. Liu Qian was preparing meat-based skewers while I watched them like an owl.
Some of the nearby disciples eyed us with thinly veiled jealousy. Still, they were too intimidated by Song Song to approach and ask for the same smell-canceling barrier I had set up for our small camp.
"Well, I'm going off to see how a foul-smelling river came to be. Anyone want to come along?" I asked.
My cousins glanced at me before returning to their tasks, saying nothing. Song Song, on the other hand, stared at me like a hawk, and from the glint in her eyes, I knew she was about to say something snide.