"Although I have nothing to thank you with, I'll secure this favor deep within my heart. One day, I promise to repay you for this kindness," Vlad gratefully said, his words meant more for Qing Yulan than Fang Tian.
"It's really no big deal, Junior Brother Vlad," Fang Tian said with a wide, stupid smile, already treating him like a fellow member of the Seven Swords Sect. "If ever you require my assistance in the future, feel free to call on me. I promise to come as soon as possible!"
"Brother Fang…" Qing Yulan spoke with a sparkle of admiration in her gaze.
'How fake - and I wasn't even thanking you,' Vlad inwardly sneered. He wasn't blind either! It was clear as day that the dumb brick-head was just speaking big for the sake of impressing little Miss Healer.
"How annoying."
"???"
"Huh, what was that you said, Junior Brother Vlad?" Asked Fang Tian, sure that he heard wrong.
"Oh, I was just saying that you honestly don't have to go so far for me. You've already helped more than enough!" Vlad smilingly said, all while cursing Fang Tian and his ten generations inside his head.
"It's really no issue. No issue at all, haha!"
Fang Tian started to laugh.
"Haha!"
Vlad started to laugh as well.
Then Fang Tian laughed louder.
But Vlad wasn't one to give in so easily, as he increased the volume level by another notch.
"HAHAHA--!"
It eventually reached a point where even the Entry Disciples in the nearby homes could hear the insane laughter as well. It was when they began to yell at the idiots next door to shut the fuck up that they finally went silent.
"Well, I ought to be going then," Vlad broke the silence, his handsome face all smiles. "I have to make it in time for the Entry Disciple registration process after all."
"Yes, that would be for the best." Fang Tian cupped his fists as a form of respect, personally seeing him out the door. "But do come by again another time."
"Naturally," Vlad happily replied, catching the hint that he was no longer welcome here. With Fang Tian caring less and less about hiding his repulsion for him, he too stopped caring about the idiot's opinion, and on his way out, he playfully spoke to Qing Yulan. "Next time I get hurt, I trust I'll have you personally nurse me back to health."
Qing Yulan was momentarily stunned. Vlad was suddenly acting like a completely different person from before, with his every movement now exuding a devilishly mischievous charm.
"Well?" Vlad flirtatiously smirked, sneakily sliding one of his arms behind her smooth lower back. He pulled her in close, their lips almost touching, their breath intermingling. "Won't you say yes?"
"Y-Y-You…" Qing Yulan was at a loss for words, practically malfunctioning. She turned redder than an apple, all her blood rising to her head; it was unknown if this was due to anger or embarrassment.
But before Vlad could properly gave her the time to answer – or slap him silly – he brushed his thumb against her cherry-red lips before letting go of her and stepping outside, all done in one fluid motion.
"Until next time, cutie."
Vlad gave a smooth wink before leaving for good, his next destination already set in stone.
In his wake, he left a seething Fang Tian and a beautiful Healer who felt her legs go soft, her heart beating a thousand times a second.
She didn't know whether to be mad or embarrassed or furious.
What she did know was that no matter what she did, she couldn't get that man out of her mind!
His otherworldly appearance. His devilish charm. His… mighty third leg. They were all pulling her in, refusing to let go even after his disappearance!
'W… What is happening to me…? I've already promised my heart to another – to Fang Tian – and yet…'
She didn't dare to finish the last part of that thought. In fact, she cleared her mind right away, using every ounce of her will to forget all about that deceitful man.
She wasn't even sure he actually had amnesia or not anymore!
But you know what they say about repressing forbidden desires… It only makes those desires grow more and more over time – until eventually, they can be locked away no longer.
Fang Tian observed the trembling Qing Yulan, immediately realizing that it was not fright that was making her shake as so. His eyes quickly filled with a burning rage – a level of anger that he's never felt for another living soul.
'I helped you when no else would, and this… this is how you repay me!? Good! Good!! I'll make sure you regret your whole existence, BASSTARRRRD!!'
[Half an hour later]
[Entry Disciple Registration Hall]
Vlad may have had to travel across multiple miles of bumpy terrain, but he finally reached his destination. The first thing he saw upon arrival was a large brick wall. The wall was over twenty meters in height, looking especially imposing.
In front of the wall that stretched in both directions for thousands of meters, there was an old man sleeping on a rocking chair. Hanging above him was a massive sign with Chinese words that read 'Seven Swords Sect' in an italic gold font.
"Hmm?" The old man immediately noticed Vlad, slightly opening one of his eyes. "Now who might you be?" He calmly asked, emitting a killing intent that raised the hairs on the back of Vlad's neck. Members of the Seven Swords Sect wore specific garments, so for Vlad to appear from within the Sect's grounds without appropriate attire was obviously more than a little suspicious.
But having expected something like this to happen, Vlad already had his response in the chamber, "I was visiting a relative who's a Disciple of the Sect. However, after spending some time here and seeing all of what the place had to offer, I've decided against returning home; I'd like to join the great Seven Swords Sect instead!"