Xie Haoran felt a cold shiver running down his spine as Ru's fingers were wrapped around his neck in a deadly trap. Damn! She wasn't going easy even on her brother. He wanted to complain that this was not the way he had expected this reunion. But he couldn't since Ru's eyes told him that she wasn't in the mood for any nonsense. He could only answer her with the truth.
"Grandmaster Xiuying's last disciple sent an SOS. I was the one who was assigned the rescue mission," answered Xie Haoran in a very submissive tone.
"Grandmaster Xiuying's last disciple?" repeated Ru with a frown. "Who is that?"
"That would be me," she heard a familiar voice and turned her head to look. Her brows raised considerably as she saw Zhang Han standing at the side. "Senior brother is here for me."
"Zhang Han?" Ru couldn't believe it. She always felt that Zhang Han's presence was too small for her to pay any attention to him. He seemed rather like a fool sometimes. But apparently, she wasn't really as great at reading through people as she thought she was. "You're Grandmaster Xiuying's disciple?" Zhang Han only nodded his head in reply. "Wow! You hid quite well."
Zhang Han smiled a little, "I'll take that as a compliment, young master Ru. After all, it's not every day that young master Ru would compliment anyone."
"And you also know me. Why am I not surprised?"
Zhang Han chuckled softly at her response, "I knew young master Ru, the moment I first saw you with Xiao Zhiyuan. Whether you called yourself Alev Knight, Rong, or whatever, it couldn't change the fact that you're young master Ru. My master loves to talk about his eccentric disciple. And with your reputation, it wasn't hard to recognize you. Especially, those green eyes of yours gave you away."
Ru was impressed. He deserved to be Grandmaster Xiuying's disciple with his observing skills. He caught on to her identities way faster like no other. Even with Xiao Zhiren, she had to disclose her identity herself. With Ji Syaoran, she gave away a bit of hint for him to catch on to. But with Zhang Han, there was no loophole and yet he caught on.
"At first, I had my doubts because you acted like an idiot which was in complete contrast with the way people liked to describe you." Ru scowled at his choice of words for describing her carefree nature as her being an idiot while he went on, "Your closeness with Xiao Zhiren and Xiao Zhiyuan made me doubt many times. After all, you were labeled as the most unfriendly person. But on my graduation day, you just confirmed my suspicions. Those aberrant fighting skills couldn't just be anyone's."
Ru nodded her head. He had seen her killing those bounty hunters. "You told Haoran?"
"He did," answered Xia Haoran. "At first, I didn't believe him. Not until he sent me your photos with Xiao Zhiren and Xiao Zhiyaun."
Zhang Han couldn't help laughing at Xia Hoaran's words which earned him a glare from his senior brother but he chose to ignore it. "Senior brother, aren't you gonna mention how you're were hopping mad with jealousy when you learned about young master Ru's indulgence towards Xiao Zhiyuan?" He bit the inside of his lip to stop himself from laughing any further. "I'm sorry but I can't forget the way you looked at that time."
Ru finally loosened her grip on Xia Haoran's neck as she questioned, "You're jealous?"
Xia Haoran tried to avoid her eyes as he answered, "Wouldn't I be? You actually chose another over your own brother." Ru's eyes widened at his words. "Even now, you're here for him. You're here to save Xiao Zhiyuan." Ru tried to touch his head but he moved back avoiding her touch, "Don't worry, this time I won't ask you to come back home with me. It's really up to you. As for now, Xiao Han can show you the way to the main lair of those people."
Ru opened her mouth to say something when she heard another voice, "Xiao Han doesn't know the way. We were blindfolded when they took us there." Ru looked behind and found Lily sitting at the boulder, she lowered her head and bit her lips, "I'm sorry for failing you, master."
Ru frowned at her words, "I sent you with Yuan to enjoy, not for his safety. So, you didn't fail me in any way." Lily was grateful that Ru thought this way but she was still feeling guilty. So, Ru added, "This has nothing to do with you, Lily." She looked towards the Black Mist squad who immediately moved towards Lily to check up on her.
Ru was moving towards Xia Haoran when Zhang Han came between them and said, "Even though I was blindfolded, I was awake when they brought me out of the dungeon. So, I can tell you the way. But I'll follow as well. I can't leave that little uncle of mine alone there."
Ru nodded at him. She didn't have to ask anything else. Knowing your way around in darkness was a basic skill, it wasn't a surprise that Zhang Han could remember everything about their way. But she still wanted to say something to her little brother who was sulking now.
Rong could feel her struggle as he walked up to Xia Haoran. "Little Hao..."
Xia Haoran crouched down beside the wolf he killed earlier and said, "Sorry, this young master won't be joining your battle. My mother has strictly forbidden me to do so. Besides, I think I'll be having a barbeque party instead." He looked over his shoulder to find every one of his team members standing behind him as he asked, "This looks delicious, right?" Nobody answered his question but not like he was looking for one.
Rong rubbed his head saying, "That's what I was going to say, stay out of this fight. Don't get involved at any cost!"
"You're still so predictable," scoffed Xia Haoran. He had already guessed what was running through both his brother's head. They weren't gonna let him fight. He was still a young kid for both of them. Oh, he'd have loved to prove them wrong if only his mother really hadn't made him swore that he won't get into any unnecessary fight. "Now, go along already! Time is ticking! It's already close to nightfall."
Zhang Han nodded at his words and turned to Ru, "Let's go, young master Ru."
Ru looked at her little brother and said, "I'll be right back." Xia Haoran didn't reply but still nodded stiffly. He watched both his brothers giving orders to their respective teams as they walked away from him.
Seeing their figures getting further and further, he stood up. "Young master Haoran, are we really not gonna help?"
Xia Haoran looked at his subordinates and shook his head, "They can manage it on their own. Let's call back home and see what grandfather has to say about this." With a complicated look in his eyes, he whispered, "Stay safe... I really don't wanna lose both my brothers all over again."