"I will make hidden weapons for you... and I don't want any money either, Rong Rong. But I will only make a limited number for Seven Treasures... one because Sis and I are the only ones who can produce them and know the blueprints, and two because she is right. Hidden weapons are important for us. It's just..." He looked at her not explaining further. "...I would like to request a favor from you in exchange for that."
Rong Rong blinked and then nodded. "Sure. I don't mind. I spoke with my father, who gave me free rights to speak for the clan, so I can fulfill almost anything within the Seven Treasures' means."
"Alright... I want your clan to accompany and protect my Sister when she is going to leave soon, " he said, and Rong Rong blinked.
"Sure, that is no problem, " she said, then looked at Tang Yin. "I didn't know you wanted to leave, though. Has something happened—first Jiang, now you?"
"Nothing too serious... just reasons," Tang San answered and then looked at Ning Rong Rong. "I would also prefer if you keep it to yourself for now. For good reasons, Sis will be going to Haishen, the Sea God Island. She will need someone really competent to protect her, and if it's someone who could help her a bit as a sword instructor, that would be even better."
Ning Rong Rong nodded. "That's not a problem. I can make sure she has someone to guard her the entire way. Our clan also has a number of skilled swordsmen, so I can arrange for that. All I need to know is when you need someone and a few days to prepare for anything."
"Alright, thank you." Tang San said, and Tang Yin blinked, surprised at how readily Rong Rong had agreed to his request and didn't second-guess his answer.
"Say, why aren't you asking for... well, the reasons to reasons?" she asked Rong Rong curiously, and Rong Rong laughed.
"Because I know the answer far too well," She told her. "You wouldn't believe how often older people inside the clan used reasons as an answer for things I was too small for understanding what was going on. I still get it today on occasion. You don't want to go about it in detail, so it's fine, I won't ask. Occasionally, you just don't want to talk about things."
"Whew, that sounds like something only a big clan girl would know." Tang Yin admired. "Didn't see that coming, to be fair."
"Well," Rong Rong shrugged her shoulders. "...at least if it's clan issues and matters. I understand more than I want to; it's been unavoidable all my life."
Rong Rong bowed to them and left them behind with a long look at the door when it closed. She gulped and then walked to the edge of the forest. In front of her, a white-clothed person appeared.
"Tell Father they are willing to make a few of their weapons for us and teach us how to use them. They have to make them themselves, though, meaning we can only gain a limited amount. All they wanted for it was for one of our own to guard Tang Yin when she was leaving Shrek for Sea God Island. Preferably someone who knows swordsmanship. If you don't mind... Tang Yin is my friend, so I would be happy if Uncle Sword would agree to accompany her or send someone he finds is strong enough to ensure she is safe."
"I will, young miss." The man said and vanished as Rong Rong walked back to the Academy and saw Oscar standing there and watching her. She smiled at him. He had been the one who had welcomed her from the get-go. In hindsight, she did feel a bit bad about it.
"Hi," She said and looked at him.
"Hi," He answered her, and they were standing there just looking at each other awkwardly.
"Ehh..." They both started and then shut up. Oscar grinned. "Ladies first."
"I... I wanted to apologize for how I treated you in the beginning. It wasn't right of me to do so." She told him and bowed. "Really, I am sorry."
"No, you don't need to apologize. It's not like I couldn't understand, " he said, " although I am happy you did."
"No, it wasn't right. I shouldn't have been so arrogant. Flender was right. I am not the best, you surpass me easily, as does Ning Feng. If I want to be arrogant, I first need to be able to back it up." She looked straight at him, unflinching, and Oscar felt shivers run down his spine seeing her so determined.
Her beautiful gaze, her clear eyes, and the gentle sway of her long hair trailing shimmered gently among the moonlight. Then he remembered the things the Grandmaster had told him about the clan rules of the Seven Treasures Glass.
"I am waiting to see that happen, " he said and smiled at her. "I am sure you are going to make it."
"I will, " she said, grinning and running towards him, hugging him. "For all the right reasons."
Oscar stilled and was stiff when Rong Rong left him behind, and she turned, staring after her as she ran away. "Damn," he muttered. "She is so pretty. I will have to work a lot if I wanna make her see me at some point."