PATH OF THE STAR HUNTER

Due to geographical reasons and the unique needs of the Eternal War Maiden Sect, the only thing that could ever spark interest from their higher-ups were high-ranking alchemists and incredibly powerful women to forge alliances with or even add to their ranks.

Luckily, Fei Long and Xiauyue counted as one of those two options, as they were without a doubt some of the most powerful martial artists on the continent. On the alchemy side, the alchemist competition would be today, and the girls from Xiauyue and Fei Long’s sect had finally arrived, it was time for them to shine in the competition.

Thinking of the competition, Fei Long remembered Sasha. Of all Desmond’s lovers, it was Sasha who made the biggest impression on both Fei Long and Xiauyue, and it wasn’t just because she was the strongest of the group, in fact, that had very little to do with it. It was Sasha’s monstrous talent in alchemy that left Fei Long and Xiauyue speechless.

According to what Ai Zuling had shared with them, Sasha had everything she needed to make it to the finals in the upcoming alchemy competition. The problem was that it took Sasha only months to reach the level necessary to reach the finals of a competition for alchemists with decades of experience.

“I remember Desmond always complaining about his bad luck, he must be the most cynical man in the universe.” Fei Long couldn’t help but comment as she entered the living room of the residence where she used to meet with the rest of the girls before breakfast.

Fei Long made that comment without expecting any response, but someone actually responded to her. “To be fair, my luck with women is the only exception to the rule, if I told you where I was stranded for almost a month, you would agree that I have the worst luck.”

Fei Long froze, and so did Xiauyue who was only a couple of steps behind her. Although they hadn’t known each other for long, the impact Desmond had on the lives of Xiauyue and Fei Long was not something that could be underestimated, so even though five years had passed in this world, there was no way the girls would forget the voice of the person they considered their best friend.

Unable to squeeze out more, Fei Long said only one thing. “Desmond.”

.....

Standing across the room, Desmond had stripped of all his battle gear, dressed only in a black tunic with blue patterns and brass buttons, the same one Fei Long had given him the day they met. Seeing his friend, with whom he had shared laughs and jokes, with whom he shared the table and lived, Desmond smiled wistfully and answered. “Hello, Fei, it’s been a long time.”

Five years, during which she went through two wars, dozens of battlefields, and took countless lives, Fei Long believed that she had become as tough as steel, that she had matured and changed, and that she would no longer feel vulnerable, wanting to depend on someone else; but Desmond took all that away from her.

Just a moment, that was all Fei Long needed, a moment where she could vent her sorrows and complaints, she just wanted to depend on her old friend even for a couple of hours, sharing drinks again. Little did Fei Long know that Desmond was in on it, he too wanted someone he could share and vent with, preferably someone besides the girls.

As Fei Long let those feelings take root in her, Xiauyue walked out of the hallway and saw Desmond. This time, Desmond took the initiative. “I see that you are still as calm and graceful as ever, Xiauyue, for a second I thought that you would have gone wild like Fei.”

In addition to giving Xiauyue a small giggle, something that was not often seen, Desmond also managed what many had considered impossible, making Mei Fei Long lose her ferocity, at least she didn’t look fierce when she was flushed with embarrassment.

Somehow, even though it had been five years for Fei Long and Xiauyue, seeing Desmond like this and teasing them made them feel like it hadn’t been that long. It didn’t take long for the three of them to talk heartily trying to catch up on everything that had happened.

As expected, during the conversation, Claire, Sasha, Cecilia, and Revna woke up and joined in on the fun. Trying to give Desmond space to catch up with his old friends, the girls decided not to participate too much in the conversation, but that didn’t stop Fei Long from raising an eyebrow after an hour.

“You know, I suddenly really want to punch you in the face, Desmond.” Fei Long commented after getting tired of seeing the girls flirt with Desmond non-stop, especially Claire and Revna. Claire looked like she was about to do something inappropriate at any moment, and Revna just stared at Desmond as if she couldn’t wait to service him in bed in every way imaginable, it was incredibly frustrating to have to watch them.

As if she could read Fei Long’s mind, Claire replied. “Maybe then you understand how annoying it was to be in our place, watching you flirt with Xiauyue all day; we at least have some modesty, you completely forget about the outside world.”

Fei Long was speechless, and Xiauyue only blushed. Although somewhat dense, Fei Long and Xiauyue weren’t stupid, many people had pointed out how uncomfortable it was to be around them for the same reasons Claire had commented, it was just that they usually didn’t care enough about other people’s opinions, but things were different now.

“That aside, it looks like you two are in some serious trouble.” Desmond commented breaking the tension.

Xiauyue and Fei Long nodded solemnly. At the expectant looks of the duo, Desmond shrugged. “Don’t even look at me, I’m currently on vacation, and I don’t plan on helping even my girls, much less you two.”

The surprise did not quite describe what went through the minds of all the people present who heard what Desmond said. Ignoring even Claire, Desmond continued. “For starters, none of you need my help. From what I’ve heard, Fei and Xiauyue have everything under control and the help you girls are giving them is really the best thing you could do for them. In all honesty, even if I wanted to help, I have nothing to contribute.”

It was hard to balance the disappointment they all felt when Desmond refused to offer his help to any of them, but it certainly felt good to be recognized the way he did. This also reminded everyone that, despite the image that Desmond had left in them through various experiences, he was not invincible or infallible, he had recognized that their current efforts had exceeded what he was capable of, which gave more confidence to all the girls.

When all was said and done, the girls could be quite independent if they wanted to, and they didn’t need a knight in shining armor coming to save them every time. Even when it came to Cecilia and Sasha, both girls contributed more than enough that no one dared to consider them just helpless damsels.

Of course, even though Desmond was serious about wanting to take a vacation, he was lying when he said he wouldn’t do anything to help them. Although Desmond had ignored Myrilla’s suggestion about meeting the girls, he still believed that the angel of love had a good point, it would be best for the girls to go through the trials and challenges to come on their own; at least to the extent possible.

As for Desmond? he was fine watching from the side, stepping in only if necessary, but not as a knight in shining armor, but as one more part of the team.

As everyone debated their own ideas, Fei Long gave a rather familiar smile and asked Desmond a question. “So vacation, any ideas where to start? because I have something on my mind, something fun and relaxing.”

Desmond smiled back and answered. “Oh so fun and relaxing, you have my attention.”

To any viewer, seeing Desmond and Fei Long smile like that was creepy like seeing an evil clown with a red balloon, even wolves would run with their tails between their legs seeing the dangerous smiles on their faces.

Ten minutes later, Desmond and Fei Long were looking at each other in a training area. Perhaps out of nostalgia or some other reason, be it friendly or competitive, Fei Long wore a women’s tunic to match the one Desmond wore, black with blue patterns and bronze buttons. Due to their black hair, blue eyes, and height, Desmond and Fei Long could very well be blood brothers, or at least they gave that impression.

Seeing the two people about to engage in hand-to-hand combat, Cecilia was the one who had to come forward and ask the question that probably everyone else had on their mind. “Is this what you call fun and relaxation?”

To the ex-priestess’s exasperation, Desmond and Fei Long nodded with big excited smiles.