Chapter 166 - Happy Graduation

As part of their graduation rites, the four of them did not need to attend the nightly training and spent the time in one of the locked rooms in the building. It was the room with the most furniture that they had seen there. The screens were painted with a river and the best serving trays were shining. Paper lanterns in various sizes hung from the ceiling and the other side of the wall was a view of the mountains and the setting sun. They could even hear some of the birds.

"You're all done with your training," Master said and picked up the intricately painted teapot and poured them each a cup. "It was short, but you still graduated from this school. I hope you put everything into good use."

"I don't think there's anything 'good' but I'll toast to that," said Wuming and they all drank the liquid. 

"Do you give certificates?" asked Qing Lok. "I think I need something on our wall aside from Chen's plaques."

Master gave a hearty laugh. "Unfortunately, my dear boy, we have to keep things minimal and could not afford luxurious celebrations."

The school did not charge for a tuition fee. They lived off on donations by the people who knew of their existence, also known as the people who might need an assassin in the future.

"I wish you lot could've stayed for a few more months. I have more to teach all of you. But I am glad I got to handle your family. It's a great addition on my resume."

Wuming said, "You can list me as your reference person. I'll speak great things about you."

Master beamed. "I saw you looking at that blade above you." They looked up on the framed thin sword. It had a design that looked like flames on the steel. "You can't take it."

Wuming pouted. "Guess I'll just have to steal it."

Master turned to Qing Chen and Feng Xuan, "As for the two of you… here's a little something." He pulled something from the wrist of his robe. A rolled parchment. "Look at it later."

Qing Chen twirled in front of him but it did not look like it was script. He handed it to Feng Xuan. Master poured them another cup.

"To the hardest art to master."

They all drank to that.

**

Master had advised Qing Chen and Feng Xuan that they should be on their own way if they want to get to their destination before dark. When they exited the beautiful room, Qing Chen pulled his wife to the side and they opened the scroll.

"It's a map," she said and flipped it over.

"Why is he setting us up on a treasure hunt?" he asked looking at the huge red X on it.

"Better get right to it."

After grabbing a pair of flashlights from the supply closet, the two went out and followed the line on the parchment. It didn't feel so unusual that they path lead them to the forest.

"Are we going the right way?" Feng Xuan asked, twirling around about twenty minutes into walking.

"I am a pretty good navigator. We are going the right way." Qing Chen examined the map again. "We should be close."

"Maybe that's the only downpoint in me," she said. "I really don't know how to hunt."

"Me neither, but trust me, you'll figure it out the moment you need it the most." Like how he did that night while he was looking at the person at the woods.

Qing Chen looked up and saw a huge white X on a tree bark. "I think we're here." They didn't have to use their flashlights as the sun had just disappeared behind the mountains. 

"Here?!" Feng Xuan swiped a thin plant of the view and they finally saw a cabin. "I'm getting war flashbacks."

Qing Chen was by her side at an instant. "I don't think there are any other people here."

Feng Xuan stepped forward, looking around, making sure. Qing Chen followed and opened the unlocked door. Everything looked clean and polished.

"Well, this certainly did not look like the shack where I was held before. It's far much nicer," Feng Xuan observed. There was even a head of a deer mounted at the wall along with other antlers. It was either they were fake or it was really old to look real.

There was a small kitchen, a fireplace, a dining, and a living room. The bedroom was on the far corner of the small space. Qing Chen was examining the full fridge when his ears pricked. "Do you hear that?"

Feng Xuan strained. "I think it's water."

There was a back door and they went out. Outside was a small pool of steaming water outlined with huge rocks. At one corner, there was a short powerful falls.

Qing Chen grabbed the folded paper on the kitchen counter.

"So neither of you have to scale the wall tonight. Happy graduation.

- Master"

"This is crazy," Feng Xuan said joyfully, enticed with the idea of dipping in the hot water. Oh, her muscles definitely need it.

She went inside the bedroom and found a duffel bug by the bed. She opened it and took out some clothes. She quickly undressed and put on the swim suit that was prepared for her and tied it. There were oils and smooth rocks near the mirror. 

Qing Chen opened the door. 

She lighted up. "Someone's getting a massage tonight. Go get dressed, we're swimming."

"I'll meet you there."

Qing Chen made sure they had enough clothes before stripping his off. When he got out of the cabin, the cold wind immediately bit to his skin and he lightly shivered. The warm water heated him up and he plunged his whole body as Feng Xuan was floating.

He resurfaced, feeling the knots on his body unravel.

"Hey, Chen," said Feng Xuan, walking towards him. "Have you ever done something freaky in the water?"