**Chapter 14: Do those trees swaying in the wind remind you of Treasure Hoarders hiding within?**
Meanwhile, Fang Xun's group had originally planned to start their journey by listening to Old Ironmouth Tian's storytelling. However, their morning was delayed by shopping for Ningguang's clothes, forcing them to adjust their itinerary.
Since Fang Xun was unfamiliar with Liyue, the task of revising their plans naturally fell to young Ningguang.
After receiving the assignment, the little girl sat on a stone bench, deep in thought. When pondering, she liked to tilt her head, causing a stray strand of hair to bob adorably.
After a moment, Ningguang blinked her big eyes and exclaimed excitedly, "Fang Xun-gege, I've got it! Let's go to Wangshu Inn to see the Silkflowers!"
"There, you can witness a spectacular sea of Silkflowers!"
"The best time to admire the Silkflowers is right now. If we miss this window, we'll have to wait another day."
The mention of the Silkflowers at Wangshu Inn lit up Ningguang's beautiful eyes.
She adored flowers.
Whenever she visited Wangshu Inn to sell goods, she always made a point of lingering there, not just to rest, but more importantly, to gaze upon the magnificent sea of blossoms.
Ningguang had always carried a lingering regret—the kind a little girl feels when she sees something new and exciting, only to turn around and find no one there to share it with.
But now, things were different.
She could share these wonders with Fang Xun, letting him appreciate the sea of flowers she loved so much!
Seeing the longing in Ningguang's eyes, Fang Xun naturally agreed, following the lead of his little guide.
"Alright, let's set off right now. Destination: Wangshu Inn."
"Mhm! Let's go! Let's go!" Ningguang echoed Fang Xun's words, her small voice sounding endearingly earnest.
Gazing at the pitiful little Ningguang, Fang Xun's mischievous side suddenly surfaced.
He crouched down, ruffled Ningguang's hair, and said with a smile, "Ningguang, let's play a game, okay?"
"The first one to reach Wangshu Inn gets a mysterious prize!"
Hearing about a game, Ningguang's eyes lit up with excitement. After all, she was just a child, and playing was in her nature.
"Get ready! I'm starting the countdown: three... two... one..."
"Mm-hmm, I'm ready!" Little Ningguang nodded earnestly, her voice so earnest yet so childlike that it was impossible not to smile.
She was just too adorable.
"Three... Go!"
Fang Xun had no intention of counting down. He immediately sprinted north.
By the time Ningguang realized what was happening, Fang Xun was already far ahead.
"Fang Xun-gege cheated! He didn't even count down before running!"
Little Ningguang pouted indignantly, but she immediately chased after him.
Perhaps Ningguang herself didn't realize it, but Fang Xun had already carved a deep place in her heart, gradually and unconsciously.
Meanwhile, Fang Xun deliberately slowed his pace ahead, waiting for Ningguang to catch up.
***
Before transmigrating,
Fang Xun had never understood why parents in short videos teased their children so often. *Why do they do that? The kids are so adorable!*
But now he understood. If children weren't born to be played with, then life would be meaningless. When a cute little one chases after you, babbling and showing off their adorable antics, the happiness in that moment is incomparable to anything else.
Soon, they exited Liyue's north gate and continued northward along the road.
When Ningguang grew tired, Fang Xun slowed his pace accordingly. They walked and rested intermittently to recover their stamina, taking the opportunity to admire Liyue's scenery along the way.
Fang Xun wasn't in a hurry to reach their destination. After all, as a certain slacking poet once said, "The destination isn't everything. Before you arrive, use your eyes to observe the world around you."
The phrase "observe the world" resonated deeply with Fang Xun. He now wanted to truly observe this world called the Teyvat Continent.
To look at these towering trees,
The leaves rustled in the breeze, accompanied by a faint, rustling sound.
Fang Xun nearly mistook it for Treasure Hoarders hiding within.
But in the next moment, a group of figures burst from the forest.
Their faces were masked, obscuring their features, leaving only their fierce, brutal eyes visible.
Those eyes seemed inhuman, more like the predatory glare of wild beasts.
The masked figures wore tattered, filthy clothing that appeared to have gone unwashed for an extended period, reeking of grime and decay.
*How could they stay clean and fresh while constantly crouching in the undergrowth?*
What truly caught Fang Xun's attention were the weapons in their hands—a collection of daggers that glinted with a chilling, deadly light under the sunlight.
*These are Treasure Hoarders!*
The moment Ningguang saw the Treasure Hoarders, the smile on her face froze, replaced by terror and panic.
For someone who had lived her entire life in Liyue, the Treasure Hoarders were a nightmare made real.
No one ever wanted to encounter them, especially in the wilderness.
This group operated without any moral boundaries, employing methods of extreme cruelty.
Ningguang noticed that some of the Treasure Hoarders' daggers were still stained with fresh, undried blood.
The vivid crimson drops slowly dripped onto the floor, sending a chill through her heart.
After all, she was just a six-year-old girl, and her capacity to withstand such pressure was limited.
Seeing her distress, Fang Xun subtly moved to shield Ningguang behind him.
The little one was still too young; he couldn't let her be frightened.
Ningguang's breath came in ragged gasps, her fear overwhelming her.
Normally, she would have quietly slipped away before the Treasure Hoarders noticed her. But today, she had come face-to-face with them!
These men were exactly as the rumors in Liyue described: their entire being exuded an immense, suffocating pressure that made it difficult for Ningguang to breathe, as if she were about to suffocate.
She felt like prey caught in the gaze of a ferocious beast, her limbs frozen in place.
Just as Ningguang was paralyzed with fear, Fang Xun stepped forward like a mountain, blocking her view with his towering figure.
....
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(End of Chapter)