Chapter 11: Chapter 10: First meeting
As the hooded figures closed in around him, Lian suddenly felt an inexplicable force surge through his body. The energy burst forth from him, slamming into the doors and gates of the courtyard with incredible force. The wooden doors shattered, splintering into a thousand pieces as the gates crashed to the ground.
Lian's eyes widened in shock as he stumbled backward, his heart racing with fear. He closed his eyes, praying that the chaos would subside.
But when he opened his eyes again, he saw a figure standing in the entrance of the courtyard. The figure was dressed in elegant, black attire that seemed to shimmer in the moonlight. A coat with intricate, silver embroidery cascaded down its back, and a pair of piercing eyes seemed to gleam with an otherworldly intensity.
Lian's blood ran cold as he took in the figure's appearance. The white hair, the piercing eyes... it was a face that haunted his childhood memories, a face that had visited him in his darkest nightmares.
The figure began to walk toward him, its movements fluid and effortless. Lian felt his heart racing, his breath catching in his throat.
Suddenly, the hooded figures around him began to shiver and tremble. Mei, the woman who had introduced herself earlier, hastily removed her hood and drew her sword.
"You dare to show your face here?" she spat, her eyes blazing with anger.
With a fierce cry, Mei charged at the white-haired figure, her sword flashing in the moonlight. But the figure didn't even flinch.
With a lazy wave of its hand, the figure sent Mei flying across the courtyard. She crashed into the wall, her sword slipping from her grasp.
The other hooded figures followed Mei's example, charging at the white-haired figure with a chorus of angry shouts. But each one met the same fate, sent flying across the courtyard with a mere wave of the figure's hand.
Lian watched in horror, his mind reeling with fear. Who was this person? What kind of powers did they possess?
As the last of the hooded figures fell to the ground, the white-haired figure turned its attention to Lian.
Lian felt his heart stop, his breath catching in his throat. He didn't know if the figure was friend or foe, but one thing was certain - it was far more powerful than anyone he had ever met.
And as the figure began to walk toward him, Lian couldn't help but wonder - was he about to face his salvation, or his doom?
As the white-haired demon drew closer, Lian's eyes locked onto his face, and he felt a jolt of recognition. He knew this face, but before he could process the memory, the demon scooped him up like a sack of grain.
Lian's face burned with discomfort and vulnerability as he was carried away. He didn't dare struggle or complain, fearing the demon's wrath.
The demon carried Lian out of the courtyard, opening a portal that seemed to lead to another world. Lian's eyes widened as he stared into the swirling vortex.
As they stepped through the portal, Lian felt a strange sensation, like his stomach was dropping out from under him. When they emerged on the other side, Lian found himself back in his own courtyard.
His master, Ling Xiao, was pacing back and forth, looking worried sick. As Lian appeared, Ling Xiao rushed over, concern etched on his face.
"Lian, what happened?" Ling Xiao asked, helping Lian to his feet.
Lian's eyes welled up with tears as he flung himself into Ling Xiao's arms. "Master, I thought I was never going to see you again!" he sobbed, behaving like a frightened child.
Ling Xiao patted Lian's back, trying to comfort him. "It's okay, Lian. You're safe now. Tell me what happened."
As Lian calmed down, he began to explain the events of the evening, starting with the liquor he had bought, the poisoning, and the kidnapping. He showed Ling Xiao the dried blood on his mouth, and Ling Xiao's expression darkened.
But as Lian reached the part of the story where the white-haired demon appeared, he hesitated. Something held him back from revealing the demon's role in his rescue.
Why had the demon saved him? And why did Lian feel a strange sense of gratitude toward this mysterious figure?
Lian decided to keep the demon's rescue a secret, at least for now. He would observe and gather more information before revealing the truth to his master.
As Lian finished his story, Ling Xiao's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. "We'll investigate this further, Lian. But for now, let's get you cleaned up and rested."
Lian nodded, still feeling shaken but grateful to be back in the safety of his master's courtyard. Little did he know, his adventure was only just beginning.
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Lian had been cooped up in the courtyard for four days, refusing to venture out. His master, Ling Xiao, had had enough.
"Lian, it's been four days!" Ling Xiao exclaimed, exasperation etched on his face. "What's wrong with you? You're not a child anymore."
Lian looked up from his seat on the stone bench, a hint of defiance in his eyes. "I'm still traumatized, Master. The kidnapping was too much for me."
Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Traumatized? You're not even making sense. You told me you didn't know any techniques to escape, but you somehow managed to end up back in the courtyard. What's going on, Lian?"
Lian's eyes darted around the courtyard, searching for an escape route from his master's questioning. He had deliberately left out the part about the white-haired demon in his story, not wanting to reveal the truth.
"Master, I...I just need some more time, okay?" Lian pleaded, trying to sound as pitiful as possible.
But Ling Xiao was not having it. "No more time, Lian. Today, we're going to the top of Jade Mountain. Get up."
Lian's eyes widened in horror. Jade Mountain? That meant they would have to pass through the Jade Forest, a place Lian dreaded.
"But, Master...I don't know if I can make it," Lian stammered, thinking frantically for an excuse.
"I already fed the chickens," Ling Xiao said, anticipating Lian's first excuse.
Lian thought for a moment before speaking up again. "But, Master, I want to train."
Ling Xiao chuckled. "I'll train you at the top of the mountain. Now, let's go."
Lian's face fell as he realized he had run out of excuses. With a heavy sigh, he stood up, resigned to his fate.
As they set out toward Jade Mountain, Lian couldn't help but think that this was going to be a very long day.
As they walked, Lian turned to his master with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Master, are you really sure you need me? Do you want to let me go as a disciple? I would really appreciate it if you could undisciple me right now."
Ling Xiao's expression turned stern, and he raised his hand, smacking Lian on the head. "I never wanted to be a master, you being my disciple isn't something I can choose! And 'undisciple' is not a word!"
Lian rubbed the spot where he had been hit, pouting like a sulky baby. He worked his face into a comical expression, exaggerating his pain.
Then, he turned back to Ling Xiao, stuck out his tongue, and said, "Master, this is bully! I'm sure the heavens are seeing how much of a bully you are! Master, I will surely repay you back!"
Ling Xiao's eyes narrowed, and he took a step forward, his voice low and menacing. "You will do what? You will do what? Ah, ah, you...!"
Lian took off running, laughing and darting between the trees. Ling Xiao chased after him, his long strides easily keeping pace with Lian's.
As they ran, Lian's laughter echoed through the forest, and Ling Xiao's stern expression slowly gave way to a hint of a smile.
Despite their master-disciple relationship, the two were more like siblings, always bickering and complaining at each other. Lian, at nineteen, was still young and impulsive, while Ling Xiao, in his late thirties, had a more measured approach to life.
As they emerged from the forest, Lian slowed to a stop, panting and grinning at Ling Xiao. "You can't catch me, Master!"
Ling Xiao shook his head, chuckling. "You're a handful, Lian. But I'll get you next time."
Lian's grin faltered for a moment before he recovered, sticking out his tongue at Ling Xiao. "I'm shaking in my boots, Master."
Ling Xiao rolled his eyes, smiling. "Let's get moving. We have a long journey ahead of us."
And with that, the two set off toward Jade Mountain, their banter and laughter echoing through the landscape.