Saying so Wei Wuxian took out his flute and the Jade Trio formed a circle around him. Wei Wuxian started to play a low-frequency tune. No sooner he played the flute than suddenly six men covered with black robes jumped from the trees and circled the Jade Trio along with Wei Wuxian. Their faces were covered with black clothes. Only their eyes remained uncovered.

Meanwhile, Jin Ling and Zizhen hid behind the bushes along with Zhang Euni and Buqi. Zhang Euni peeped from the bushes to see the Jade Trio and the Yiling Patriarch(Laozu) in action.

As the 6 men made a circle around the Jade Trio, a half-moon smile appeared on Wei Wuxian's face.

"Sizhui, Zhiquiang, Jingyi...Stop the blows but don't even make a scratch on their body."

Wei Wuxian commanded and the Jade Trio became even more careful. Within no time, the black men attacked them. The Yiling Laozu played a soft yet powerful tune while the Jade Trio blocked the attacks for him. Normally no person can survive the strength of Jade Trio of Gusu, especially the Yiling Laozu, but these men seemed to fight well with them. A slight frown appeared on Yiling Laozu's face. He closed his eyes and played a high frequency yet moderate tune. Black smoke started to form around the six men in black robes but it didn't affect them. They dodged the black smoke pretty well by moving their swords in the air cutting the black smoke. One thing became clear that they are very good or better say, excellent swordsman. Zhiquiang looked at Sizhui and Jingyi and the three of them nodded their heads as if they already planned something. Suddenly Zhiquiang took out a talisman and threw it which formed a blue fire circle around them.

This startled blue fore startled the 6 men. They hesitated for the next attack. Wei Wuxian took the opportunity and played a strong tune with high notes. As a result, black smoke gathered around the blue fire and got merged with it. Black smoke merged with blue fire formed circles around the men. They swiftly moved their swords around them to destroy the black smoke merged with blue fire but it seemed quite strong. It was the perfect time for the Jade Trio to take control of the situation. They fiercely attacked the black robe men. In the course of time, Sizhui's sword was about to pierce the neck of one of the men but he dodged. As a result, the sword went into the black clothes around his neck and the cloth got removed. Sizhui used his spiritual power in the sword. So while dodging the blow the man lost his balance and fell down and rolled towards the bush.

The sudden appearance of the man startled Buqi and Euni. Before they could scream, Zizhen and Jin Ling covered their mouths with their hands. The man who rolled by the bushes fell unconscious. Suddenly Euni's attention fell on the mark on the exposed neck of the unconscious man. It was a snake symbol.

Euni involuntarily tried to go near the man to have a clear look at the mark but Jin Ling held her.

Seeing one of their man knocked out, the remaining 5 men became furious. They increased their pace of attack while Wei Wuxian played a strong tune with high notes. Though the men increased their pace, the black smoke merged with blue fire hindered their attacks. This made the men even more furious. One of the men took a small sharp knife and threw it towards Zhiquiang. To protect Zhiquiang, Sizhui came on the way and pushed him dodging the knife. While dodging the knife, the knife formed a deep cut on Sizhui's upper arm. Sizhui hissed due to the sudden pain. Wei Wuxian saw Sizhui getting injured. Sensing the situation going out of control, Wei Wuxian played a sharp tune. As a result, the black smoke merged with blue fire started to circle around the men violently and within a few minutes the smoke entered the bodies of the men and suddenly all of the men got disappeared forming a black smoke.

No sooner the men got disappeared than Buqi, Euni, Zizhen, and Jingyi came out of the bushes. Jin Ling ran to Sizhui whose arm was bleeding.

"A'Yuan, does it hurt much? You are bleeding so much." Jin Ling worriedly looked at the wound.
"It doesn't hurt much." Sizhui smiled but it was clear that he was in pain.
"Here you go." Saying so Euni tore lower part of her robes and gave it Jin Ling so that he could tie it around the wound to stop bleeding.
"Euni, why do you tear your clothes?" Sizhui complained.
"Shut up!" Jin Ling shouted as he tied the piece of cloth around the wound.

"Senior Wei, should we inform Hanguang-Jun about this?" Zhiquiang asked.
"Not yet. I will deal with it." Wei Wuxian said with a serious face.
"Wei gege, are they puppets?" Zhang Euni asked.
"Why do you ask?" Wei Wuxian looked sharply at Euni.
"Because they got disappeared with high notes of your flute. If it was human, then they won't disappear." Euni replied.
"I too agree with her, Senior Wei." Jingyi stood beside Euni.
"Well, I am not sure about it. I will look into this matter. You guys don't tell anyone about today's incident. Not even to Zewu Jun and Jiang Cheng." Wei Wuxian warned.
"We promise, Senior Wei."

Everyone said together except Euni. Euni's attention was somewhere else. The snake symbol on the neck of one of the men lingered in her mind. She was in a dilemma about telling it to others. First, she thought of telling it to Wei Wuxian but later she decided to check it herself and tell Wei Wuxia when she would be sure about it.

"A'Ni...what are you thinking?" Wei Wuxian waved his hand.

This was the time when Euni came back to her senses.

"Ha? I...I am sorry. I didn't listen to your previous words." Euni said lowering her head.
"It's okay. Don't tell about this incident to anyone. Not even to Zewu Jun and Jiang Cheng."
"Oh! I swear Wei Gege, I won't tell anyone."

Euni said showing him three fingers of her right hand. Wei Wuxian smiled at Euni's cute act. Then he looked at Sizhui who was also smiling at Euni.

"A'Yuan, does it hurt much?" Wei Wuxian asked gently touching the wound.
"Not that much." Sizhui smiled.
"Well, it needs medication as soon as possible. Though it doesn't look like it has poison, yet we can not take any risk." Wei Wuxian said examining the blood on the wound.
"Who will give him medication?" Jingyi asked.
"Jiang Cheng." Wei Wuxian replied.
"But Wei gege, you told not to tell about this to anyone," Euni asked.
"Tell him that Sizhui got wound while practicing with me." Wei Wuxian stated.
"Senior Wei, but you don't use swords anymore." Zizhen asserted.
"Zizhen...I know Jiang Cheng won't believe such a silly lie. Tell him that I used Chenqing against Sizhui during practice. This well help A'Yuan get the right medication." Wei Wuxian smiled.
"Thank you, Senior Wei." Sizhui smiled.
"You guys to return to your rooms now. And yes, make sure to go to the library pavilion tomorrow." Wei Wuxian chuckled.
"Will you go too, Wei gege?" Euni asked.
"Yes! Sure. I am excited for tomorrow." Wei Wuxian smiled.

"A'Yuan, you will stay with me." Jin Ling said holding Sizhui's other hand.
"It's okay A'Ling. I can take care of myself." Sizhui smiled.
"No A'Yuan. Let Jin Ling take care of you." Wei Wuxian smirked.
"Yes. You should listen to Wei Wuxian uncle." Jin Ling said putting his hands on his hips.
"What!? Say again!" Wei Wuxian demanded.
"What should I say?" Jin Ling said confusingly.
"What did you call me earlier?" Wei Wuxian smiled.
"No...its...Senior Wei..." Jin Ling hesitated.
"Hahaha." Wei Wuxian laughed. "You call me uncle. I am your uncle from both your maternal side and paternal side."
"Paternal side? How?" Jingyi asked.
"Because the body I have is Mo Xuan Yu's and he is the brother of your father and your uncle Jin Guangyao. So I am your uncle from both ways." Wei Wuxian arched his eyes brows.
"Whatever." Jin Ling rolled his eyes.
"Such a brat! By the way, Zizhen and Jingyi accompany Buqi to her room and Zhiquiang, you accompany Euni." Wei Wuxian commanded.
"I can go to my room by myself," Euni said innocently.
"I don't want you, girls, to fall in any trouble."
"But..."
"No more buts A'Ni. Zhiquiang will accompany you."
"Mn. As you wish Wei gege."

Euni pouted earning a smile from Wei Wuxian.

She looked at Zhiquiang who was looking at Jin Ling holding Sizhui lovingly.

"Lan er Gonzi...do you think that they are cute?" Euni whispered.
"Who are cute?"
"The ones at whom you were looking just a while ago. Sizhui gege and Jinling."
"I don't know."
"Ah? Lan Zhiquiang...they are really cute. Such a cute couple." Euni said making eyes as if she was in love.

"Zhang Euni...stop looking at them." Jingyi gently hit Euni's head.
"Ouch! You saw it?"
"Hm. Do you think I am blind?"
"Hehe. Sorry Jingyi. Well, we will be going now. I feel tired."
"Hm. Take care Zhang Euni."
"Mn."

When Euni left the place with Zhiquiang, it was around 6 pm. Darkness started to invade the evening sky. Euni and Zhiquiang were walking through the woods. Euni was thinking of the snake mark. So she remained silent and Zhiquiang didn't like to talk much. As a result, they remained silent. This awkward silent with Euni being around him made Zhiquiang feel a little weird. He looked at Euni. Euni was immersed in her thoughts so much that she didn't realize that Zhiquiang was looking at her.

"Euni?"
"..."
"Zhang Euni?"
"..."
"ZHANG EUNI!!!"

Zhiquiang's high voice made Euni flinch. She snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Zhiquiang.

"A-ah? Sorry, I was thinking something else."
"Is anything troubling you, Zhang Euni?"
"No."
"Are you sure? You are so quiet today."
"Don't you always say that I talk too much? I thought you will like it when I remain quiet."
"Zhang Euni, you are really ridiculous"
"Hey! What's ridiculous here!? You... Ouch!"

Euni fisted her hands so tight that the cuts on her hands responded to the pressure. She looked at her palm due to the sudden pain.

"What happened? Are you alright?"

Zhiquiang hurriedly took her hand into his and looked at her cuts. Those cuts were not that severe but the thorns of bushes were much sharp forming deep cuts of her soft palms.

"Does it hurts?"
"Uh?"
"Does it hurts when I touch your wounds?" Zhiquiang said softly touching her cuts.
"Well, no...ouch!"
"Why do you lie when it hurts?"
"Well, you don't need to worry about that. I am used to these cuts."
"Ridiculous!
"Hey! Lan er gege...is that your favorite word?"
"..."
"Lan er gege...don't ignore my words okay!?"
"Don't call me like that."
"Oh...hehe...I just forgot."
"Hm."

Saying so he let go of her hand and continued to walk to her room. As they proceeded towards her home, darkness predominated the area. Zhang Euni was afraid of dark. So she started to follow Zhiquiang. Usually, Euni used to walk beside Zhiquiang but now she was walking behind him.

"Zhang Euni? Why are you hiding?" Zhiquiang asked side-eyeing Euni?
"I was just...hm..its so dark."
"Then follow me."
"Huh!?"
"I know you are afraid of darkness. But why is the area surrounding your room is so dark?"
"Well...normally I lit candles to avoid darkness. Since I was away from the morning, so..."
"It's okay. Just follow me."
"How do you know I am afraid of darkness?"
"You told me earlier."
"A-ah? You remember that!!!?" Euni's eyes almost popped out of her sockets.
"Mn."
"Woah! The great Lan Zhiquiang, one of the Jade Trio of Gusu remembered the tiny information about a normal silly girl like me!? Wow! I really feel blessed." Euni said dramatically raising her hands in the air.
"Ridiculous!"

Zhiquiang expected reaction from Euni but there was no response. He waited for a few seconds for her response but went vain. Euni was following him. So he turned back. Euni was following him very closely, with a distance of few inches behind him. As he turned towards her, she got bumped into him.

"Ouch! Zhiquiang! Why do you turn back?"
"Are you okay?" Zhiquiang asked looking at her but kept his cold face as usual.
"Yes. You don't need to worry so much about me."
"We are here. You can go to your room now."

Zhang Euni was so absorbed in following that she didn't realize that they reached her room.

"Oh...hehe. Thank you for helping me Er gege."

Saying so she turned back and was about to open the door of her room, Zhiquiang stopped her.

"Wait!"
"Why? Is something wrong?"
"Your hands."
"What's wrong with my hands?! They are alright." Euni said showing him her hands.
"They are wounded."
"Oh! I can take care of it. Thank you."
"Will you handle it alone?"
"Handle what?"
"You said you are afraid of darkness. Inside the room, it must be darker. Will you handle yourself or do you need my help?"
"I can handle myself. Thank you for asking."

Saying so she opening the door of her room. The room was darker than outside. Euni can fight everything but not the darkness. It was so dark inside, Zhang Euni felt as if her heart became light weighted. She looked back to find Zhiquiang still standing there. She gave an awkward smile and entered the room. Zhiquiang was still standing there waiting for the door to get closed. Suddenly he heard a scream. It was Zhang Euni's scream. He rushed inside. Zhang Euni was sitting in the center of the room hugging herself tightly. She was trembling. She didn't light the candles.

"Euni? Are you alright? What's wrong?"

Zhiquiang ran to her and side hugged her. Euni was shivering so much that she even couldn't utter a single word.

"I am here. Don't be afraid." Zhiquiang hugged her tightly.
"Zhi...Zhiquiang... it's so d-dark. Please don't leave me."
"I am here. I won't ever leave you."

Zhiquiang took a fire talisman and threw it in the room. The talisman lit the candles as it flew all over the room. After all the candles got lit, Zhiquiang spread his palm and the talisman came back and got burned before landing into his palm.

"Euni...It's okay now. See, there is light everywhere."

Euni was still holding Zhiquiang firmly with her eyes closed tightly. Hearing Zhiquiang's words, Euni slowly opened her eyes. Her eyesight became blurry due to tears. She loosened her grip on Zhiquiang.

"Thank You."

She said as she moved a bit away from Zhiquiang. Zhiquiang gently extended his hand to wipe her tears. Euni was looking down. The sudden contact of Zhiquiang's fingers on her soft cheeks made her look at Zhiquiang.

"Zhiquiang?"
"Mn?"
"I think you should go now. It's already late."
"Your hands."
"I can take care of myself."

Zhiquiang shook his head and took her soft hands into his. He gently touched her cuts which made Euni flinch a little. Then he took out a potion from his sleeves.

"What's it Zhiquiang?"
"Medicine."
"What? You had this medicine from morning?"
"Mn."
"Then why don't you give it to Sizhui gege?! He was bleeding badly."
"It's for you."
"For me!? Lan Zhiquiang, are you kidding me?! His wound is so serious."
"He has Jin Ling to take care of him."
"So what? I can take care of myself."
"So stubborn!"
"The potion looks like a locket. I thought it was for your girl."
"." Zhiquiang gave her a blank look.
"What's with that look Zhiquiang?"
"I don't have a girl."
"Huh? Really?! You are still single? How come your brothers found their partners but not you?"
"I haven't found my ideal one."
"Really? Do you still not find your ideal one."
"."
"What's with that silence? It means you found your girl right?"
"."
"Your silence tells all Zhiquiang. Don't tell me it's me." Euni laughed.

Zhiquiang gave her a cold death glare to her.

"Haha...you don't need to be so serious Lan er gege. I am just kidding. How can you like me? We are like ice and fire."
"Mn."

With a nod, Zhiquiang gently applied the medicine to her palm. All the time Euni was looking at the potion. She loved the locket shape.

"Mn."
"Thank you Zhiquiang gege."
"Well...hmm..."
"Do you want to say something?"

Zhiquiang looked down. He gently took out a jar full of blue butterflies.

"Woah! Blue butterflies!!? How did you get them?"

Zhiquiang remained silent. He opened the jar and the butterflies flew out of the jar.

"Wow! Zhiquiang...they are glowing. They are so beautiful. But how did you get them?" Euni exclaimed
"I used my spiritual power to it. So the yellow butterflies turned blue and they are glowing."
"But you caught two jars of butterflies"
"I actually caught 3 jars. I hid one for you."
"For me!?" Euni's eyes widened. "How did you know that I love them?"
"I saw you playing with them."
"Hey...everyone plays with butterflies."
"I have never seen someone as old as 17 years playing with butterflies like 5-year-old kids."
"Pssst. Why you always mock me? Anyways thank you for this."

Suddenly Zhiquiang put all the lights out. The blue glowing butterflies started to glow even more lightening the entire room.

"Zhiquiang! They are glowing even more."
"You can use them as night lights while sleeping."
"You did this for me?!"
"Mn. Because you are afraid of darkness."
"Thank you so so so much Zhiquiang. Thank you."

Euni jumped like a kid. A curve of smile appeared on Zhiquiang's face.

"Wait...Zhiquiang, are you doing this because I gave you fireflies?!" Euni said putting her hands on her hips.
"No."
"Then why do you do this for me?"
"Because you are afraid of dark and love butterflies."
"Really?"
"Mn."
"Zhiquiang...you should really get a girl for you."
"Why?"
"What why? Don't you need a girl for you? Don't worry I, Zhang Euni, will help you get a cold ice-princess for you."
"Ridiculous!"
"Hahaha. Zhiquiang, I think you should return to your room now. It's already late and I have to learn the sword from you tomorrow."
"You can postpone tomorrow."
"Why? I need to learn it as soon as possible." Euni pouted.
"Your hands are still hurt."
"It's okay. They will get cured by tomorrow."
"Mn."
"Well, see you tomorrow at an unusual place at 5 am."
"Mn."

With a nod, Zhiquiang left the room as well as the place. Euni quickly closed the door so that the butterflies wouldn't escape. She returned to her bed and slid herself into the sheets. She was looking at the glowing butterflies in her room. The room had only the glowing butterflies but no candles. She was smiling at the glowing butterflies.

"Thank you so much for these butterflies Zhiquiang."

----------------------------

1. Please point out if there are mistakes. Its 3220 words and I cannot backread so many words.

2. Sorry for typing mistakes.

3. English is not my first language, so please compromise with it.