A SECRET PROTECTION

Gu Xiao Ying slipped into the shadows, his eyes fixed on Feng Yan's quarters. The night was dark and quiet, the only sound the soft rustling of the wind through the trees. He had been waiting for this moment, his heart pounding with anticipation.

He moved silently, his footsteps quiet on the stone floor. The Sect was asleep, but Gu Xiao Ying knew Feng Yan would be awake, her mind always alert and aware.

As he reached her door, he paused, his hand hovering over the handle. He took a deep breath, his heart racing with excitement. And then, he slipped inside.

Feng Yan was sitting in the darkness, her eyes gleaming in the moonlight. She sensed his presence, her head turning as he entered. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them crackling like electricity...

In the still of the night, Feng Yan's quarters were suddenly interrupted by the silent arrival of Gu Xiao Ying. His eyes locked onto hers, a hint of mischief dancing in their depths. Feng Yan's instincts kicked in, her hand instinctively reaching for her sword. But she didn't need to draw it from a scabbard - as a cultivator, her sword was a part of her, stored within her body. With a swift motion, she summoned the Azure Dragon, its blade shimmering in the moonlight as it emerged from her very being.

Gu Xiao Ying's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. He too was a cultivator, and his sword, the Moonwhisper, was a part of him. He summoned it with a mere thought, its blade shimmering with a soft, ethereal glow as it emerged from his body.

Their blades clashed, the ringing sound echoing through the night air. The fight was intense, yet almost... choreographed. Feng Yan's thoughts raced as she paused, her sword hovering in mid-air. Something about this stranger's movements felt... familiar.

Feng Yan's eyes narrowed, her grip on the Azure Dragon tightening. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice firm.

Gu Xiao Ying chuckled, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Why, I'm your future husband, of course!" he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Feng Yan's face turned red with rage. "You dare to joke about such a thing?" she spat, her sword trembling with anger.

Gu Xiao Ying held up his hands, a mock innocent expression on his face. "Oh, no, no, no! I'm quite serious! I've seen our future together, and let me tell you, it's a beautiful thing..." He trailed off, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Feng Yan's anger reached a boiling point. She charged forward, her sword flashing in the moonlight. Gu Xiao Ying dodged and weaved, his movements fluid and graceful, but Feng Yan was relentless. She pinned him to the wall, her sword pressed against his throat.

"Reveal your true identity, or face the consequences!" she hissed.

Gu Xiao Ying's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Ah, Feng Yan... you're so quick to anger. But very well, I shall reveal myself... for now."

With a swift motion, he summoned the Moonwhisper, its blade shimmering with a soft, ethereal glow. And as the light danced across his face.

Feng Yan's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with questions. "What do you mean by 'destiny'?" she demanded, her voice firm.

Gu Xiao Ying chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Ah, my dear, that's a story for another time. For now, let's just say that I'm... Ling Jing, from the Wudang Sect."

Feng Yan's grip on the Azure Dragon tightened. "What business do you have here, Ling Jing?" she asked, her voice wary.

Ling Jing shrugged. "Just passing through, Feng Yan. I heard rumors of a talented cultivator in these parts, and I had to see it for myself."

Feng Yan's eyes narrowed. "You're not here to cause trouble, I hope?"

Ling Jing smiled, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Trouble? Me? Never. I'm just a curious soul, seeking knowledge and wisdom."

Feng Yan wasn't convinced, but she let it slide for now. She had more pressing matters to attend to, like her upcoming mission to hunt down the demonic creatures terrorizing the countryside.

As she turned to leave, Ling Jing called out, "Feng Yan, be careful on your mission. The roads are treacherous, and the demons are getting bolder by the day."

Feng Yan turned back, her eyes locked on his. "I can handle myself, Ling Jing. I don't need your concern."

Ling Jing smiled, his eyes glinting with a knowing light. "I'm sure you can, Feng Yan. But still, be careful. The shadows are full of surprises."

And with that, he turned and disappeared into the night, leaving Feng Yan feeling both uneasy and intrigued. Who was this Ling Jing, really? And what was his true purpose here? Only time would tell.

Feng Yan charged into the fray, her Azure Dragon flashing in the moonlight as she battled the demonic creatures terrorizing the countryside. She was a force to be reckoned with, her skills honed to perfection. But despite her prowess, she couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her, protecting her from the shadows.

It started with small things - a demon suddenly faltering, a trap springing harmlessly to the side, a mysterious gust of wind blowing her hair out of her face. At first, Feng Yan thought it was just luck or her own skills, but as the occurrences continued, she realized that someone was secretly aiding her.

She tried to catch a glimpse of her mysterious benefactor, but they were always one step ahead, disappearing into the darkness like a ghost. Feng Yan's frustration grew - who was this person, and why were they hiding from her?

Little did she know, Gu Xiao Ying, or rather, Ling Jing, was watching over her, his Moonwhisper sword flashing in the shadows as he took down demons and defused traps. His eyes never left Feng Yan's form, his gaze burning with a fierce protectiveness.

He had been doing this for months, ever since he first discovered her on a mission. He knew she was strong, but he also knew the dangers she faced, and he couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to her.

So he watched, and he protected, always staying one step ahead of her. And though Feng Yan never knew it, she owed her life to the mysterious Ling Jing, her secret guardian in the shadows.

Gu Xiao Ying walked through the gates of his sect, exhausted but triumphant after completing a successful mission. But as he approached his parents' chambers, he sensed a strange tension in the air. His mother and father stood waiting for him, their faces stern and disapproving.

"Mother, Father, why are you staring at me that way?" Gu Xiao Ying asked, a hint of unease creeping into his voice.

Without warning, his father's hand shot out, delivering a stinging slap to Gu Xiao Ying's face. "How dare you!" his father thundered. "You're meddling in the affairs of another sect! What were you thinking, Gu Xiao Ying?"

Gu Xiao Ying's face burned from the slap, but he stood tall, meeting his father's gaze. "I just wanted to know what the Wudang Sect was up to, Father. I didn't mean to cause any trouble."

His father's expression turned even darker. "You're a member of the Qing Shan Sect, Gu Xiao Ying! You have no business interfering with other sects' missions. You're putting our entire sect at risk with your reckless behavior!"

Gu Xiao Ying knew he had gone too far. He had been warned before, but he couldn't help his curiosity. He had to know what was happening beyond his sect's borders.

His father's voice cut through his thoughts, cold and unforgiving. "You're confined to your quarters for a month, Gu Xiao Ying. No training, no missions. You'll have time to reflect on your actions."

Gu Xiao Ying felt a pang of frustration and anger, but he knew better than to argue. He bowed his head, accepting his punishment. But as he turned to leave, he caught his mother's eye, and for a moment, he saw a glimmer of understanding there. She knew why he did what he did, even if his father didn't. And that gave him the strength to face his punishment, knowing that one day, he would continue his quest for knowledge and truth.

Gu Xiao Ying thought he had gotten away with it, sneaking out night after night to protect Feng Yan from the demons that lurked in the shadows. But one fateful evening, as he returned to his quarters, exhausted but triumphant after a successful mission, he met his father's piercing gaze staring at him from the doorway.

"Gu Xiao Ying, you've defiled your punishment," his father said, his voice cold and unforgiving. "You've disobeyed me and shamed our sect. You'll pay for your disobedience."

Gu Xiao Ying knew he was caught, and his heart sank. He had hoped to avoid detection, but his father's eyes seemed to see right through him.

His father's expression turned even darker. "Your new punishment will be a month of solitary confinement, with no access to your sword or your powers. You'll have time to reflect on your actions and learn to obey."

Gu Xiao Ying felt a stinging sensation, as if his father's words had slapped him across the face. He knew he had gone too far, but he couldn't help himself. He had to protect Feng Yan, no matter the cost.

As his father turned to leave, Gu Xiao Ying called out, "Father, please... understand—"

But his father's response was swift and merciless. "Silence, Gu Xiao Ying! You've had your chance to explain. Now, face the consequences of your actions."

And with that, his father slammed the door shut, leaving Gu Xiao Ying alone in the darkness, his heart heavy with regret and his spirit crushed by the weight of his punishment.

Gu Xiao Ying's eyes gleamed with determination as he whispered to Jiang Wei, his trusted friend and fellow cultivator, "Jiang Wei, I need a favor. I'm confined to my quarters, but I need someone to protect Feng Yan. She's in danger, and I can't be there to watch over her."

Jiang Wei's expression turned serious. "What's going on, Gu Xiao Ying? Why can't you leave your room?"

Gu Xiao Ying's face twisted in frustration. "Father's punishment. I disobeyed him, and now I'm paying the price. But Feng Yan... she's innocent. She doesn't deserve to be hurt because of my mistakes."

Jiang Wei nodded resolutely. "I'll do it, Gu Xiao Ying. I'll protect her as if she were my own sister. But be careful, your father's eyes are everywhere. If he finds out, it could mean trouble for both of us."

Gu Xiao Ying's eyes locked onto Jiang Wei's, filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Jiang Wei. I owe you one. Keep her safe, please."

Jiang Wei nodded and slipped out of the room, disappearing into the night, ready to take on the task of protecting the unsuspecting Feng Yan. And Gu Xiao Ying, though confined, felt a sense of relief knowing that his friend had his back, and Feng Yan's safety, in his hands.

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