Wu Chen quickly schooled his features and took a slow sip of his tea to steady his thoughts. He would certainly have remembered someone like this man had he met him before.

'I am Ren Qiguang of the Thunder Palace. I apologize for my rudeness, but we were honored to see you fight in the Festival of Elements recently. Your swordsmanship and lightning abilities were astounding. You truly deserved the championship. I interrupted you because my friends and I were hoping you would join us for a meal.'

Wu Chen looked up at Ren Qiguang's disarming smile and then glanced at the men seated at the other table. They all seemed to be watching the two with an excited look.

'I have just finished my own meal, so I am no longer hungry.' Wu Chen answered slowly. The man looked a little disappointed, and Wu Chen's eyes sparkled with hidden humor, 'However, I would be happy to enjoy my tea with you and your fellows if you won't find me rude.'

A wide smile spread across Ren Qiguang's face as he gestured to an open chair next to his own, 'Please! We would be happy to have you join us.'

Wu Chen made a polite hand to fist bow, and the other men stood and returned it, 'Thank you for the generous invitation.' Wu Chen said smiling.

'It truly is our honor.' Spoke one of the disciples. He had an easy smile with dark brown eyes. He was the only one with his hair down, and it fell in soft waves to his shoulders, 'I am called Su Chunwen, this is Zhang Boyan, and the quiet one on the end is Shi Feng.'

Wu Chen nodded to each man as their names were mentioned. They were certainly a polite and happy bunch, thought Wu Chen. After so many days of stress and pressure, it was nice to just sit at a table with such a group. It refreshed the soul.

Since he had been found out by the boisterous young men, Wu Chen removed the bulky hat and placed it in his Void pouch. As he did so, the table grew quiet. Noticing the change in atmosphere, Wu Chen glanced up at the faces around him. He blushed at the open admiration in their gazes and quickly asked, 'So, did you all come for the opening of the secret realm?'

Ren Qiguang had only seen Wu Chen from a distance before, so he was completely at a loss when seeing the full effect of the beauty seated next to him now. The blush on Wu Chen's cheeks made him look delicate and fairy-like, but he had seen the man wield his swords with his own eyes. He was not someone to offend.

He peeled his eyes from Wu Chen's face and quickly covered his admiration by pouring his guest a cup of tea.

'Zhang Boyan and Shi Feng are here to help assist the judges and ensure that things go a little more smoothly this time. Su Chunwen and I will be entering the competition for slots. What about you? Aren't you supposed to be on a Clan Quest?'

Wu Chen laughed easily, 'You are right, Ren Qiguang Gongzi. I am still on my quest. I happened to hear about the secret realm after I finished escorting some people to Linan. I thought I might try my luck if it didn't take too much of my time.'

'Wait!' Zhang Boyan shouted excitedly, 'Was it you and your Guardian who saved those three people from Blood Cultists?'

Wu Chen nodded and took a sip of his tea. He hadn't realized that news traveled so quickly here. They had not even been in town for more than a night and half a day.

Ren Qiguang's eyebrows lowered as he cast a puzzled glance at Wu Chen, 'That's right. I heard about that, too. Why are you alone here then, Wu Chen Gongzi? Shouldn't your Guardian be with you?'

Wu Chen set his teacup down and sighed. He spoke softly, his grief clear, 'My original Guardian was killed by the Three Banded Spirit Cobra in the mountain pass. I am currently awaiting his replacement now.'

'But didn't you have a Guardian when you helped those three people?' Shi Feng asked in a quiet voice. The sadness on Wu Chen's face was obvious to everyone at the table, and it affected their mood greatly.

Wu Chen's face grew dark, 'The man who accompanied me was not a true Guardian of the Lu Clan. He offered to be a Guardian on my quest, and though there were many times that he helped me, he betrayed my trust in the end. I have since requested a replacement Guardian from the Lu Clan and am awaiting their response.'

'It sounds as though you have had quite the adventure already, Wu Chen Gongzi!' Su Chunwen said as the server set down several dishes on the table.

Ren Qiguang gave a thoughtful look to the man next to him. He could see why his master had wanted him as a disciple. It was too bad he had refused in the end. It would have been interesting to have a shidi with such talent and bearing.

As the men began to enjoy their meal, Ren Qiguang turned to Wu Chen, 'I don't think I would be comfortable knowing you are without a Guardian, Wu Chen Gongzi. Linan isn't the safest town to be alone in despite your skills. Maybe you would consider letting us be temporary Guardians until your replacement comes?'

The other men grew excited, and everyone began trying to convince Wu Chen to agree at one time.

Wu Chen laughed heartily at their enthusiasm, 'How could I impose on you all? I don't even know when the replacement will be here, and the man who betrayed me is still here in town as well. He is very powerful. I would hate to bring trouble to your doorstep.'

'It is truly not a hardship.' Ren Qiguang chuckled, 'Our Master sent us down the mountain to assist with the opening of the realm and gain experience. What better way to gain experience than by helping out a fellow cultivator on a quest?'

Wu Chen looked at each of the men and found himself very comfortable in their presence. Although he felt as if he was imposing, the truth was that he couldn't do this alone. He had no idea how long it would take for a replacement to arrive, and they seemed eager to help.

'Then I humbly accept and thank you for your offer of protection.' Wu Chen rose and offered a low bow of thanks, which caused a spate of embarrassed coughing from his new protectors.

'There's no need for that here.' Shi Feng smiled softly with a slight blush, 'You should drink your tea before it gets cold.'

Wu Chen nodded and sat to enjoy his tea with his new friends. It had been a long time since he had felt so relaxed. What followed was a spirited discussion of martial arts, and Wu Chen found that he was actually enjoying himself.

That is, until he looked up and saw the dark countenance of Chu Haoyu outside storming his way toward the restaurant.

Wu Chen didn't want to cause trouble for his new friends, so he quickly stood and claimed that he needed to relieve himself of all the tea that he had been drinking. The others laughed and waved him off with his promise to return quickly, but Ren Qiguang noticed his tense smile and watched carefully as Wu Chen left the restaurant.

He saw Wu Chen step outside and stop in front of an obviously upset man with a red ribbon twirling in the wind. He guessed that this must be the man who was supposed to protect Wu Chen and had betrayed him. Ren Qiguang's eyes darkened, and he prepared himself in case his help was needed.

'So, this is where you've been.' Chu Haoyu gritted out, 'I've spent the whole day worried that you had been taken by that slavery group, and you're here having a nice meal with a bunch of Thunder Palace disciples. Have you forgotten what the sects are doing to the clans?'

Wu Chen cast his cold gaze on Chu Haoyu, 'What I do and where I go are no longer your concern, Chu Haoyu.'

Chu Haoyu took a deep breath and tried to calm his anger. Anger never worked with Wu Chen. He swallowed and attempted to coax him, 'Can you please just come back to the inn and talk with me? I will behave myself properly, I promise you. I know I was rude...'

'You know, but it never stops you.' Wu Chen stated coldly, 'You made your stance clear on the tree, and I am not willing to take any more risks. Let me go, Chu Haoyu. Our fates are not tied with a red thread.'

'Wu Chen, are you ready to head back with us to the inn?' Ren Qiguang asked as he and the other disciples walked out of the restaurant and calmly formed a protective ring around Wu Chen.

'I have to go release a couple of arrays from my old room and grab a few things. Then I'll be happy to join you.' Wu Chen said, his relief making him smile up at the handsome young man.

'We'll follow you then.' Zhang Boyan said with an easy grin. 'That way you can just come with us when you're done.'

'Sounds great.' Wu Chen said. Then, giving one last look at the fuming Chu Haoyu, he led the four sect disciples to the inn he'd stayed at the night before.

Chu Haoyu was furious. He gripped his fists so tightly that his nails cut into his palms, and blood dripped slowly through his fingers.