Yu Family

Doc and Yu Mei walk quietly out of the forest. Yu Mei stole a glance at Doc from time to time. It seemed like there was something that she wanted to say.

No longer able to ignore the stares, Doc turned to her and smiled, "If there's something you would like to ask, feel free."

"I don't know if it's a burden or an opportunity, but there's something that I would like to give you," Yu Mei said.

"You don't have to give me anything," Doc responded.

"It's just that I don't want it, I can't help but think that this evil thing is what got Lin killed," as she spoke she pulled out a strange carved piece of wood. The black carvings looked similar to something ancient people would carve.

Yu Mei immediately placed the wood in Doc's hand. He looked at it for a little bit, he gave Yu Mei a curious look.

"I think this was Lin's "opportunity," he gave it to me before he left. He said that if anything happened to him then I should use this."

"How will this help you?" Doc asked.

"I don't know, he told me to drip blood on it, but I don't want it, please take it. But be careful! It got Lin killed."

Doc silently nodded his head.

The pair continued together and soon exited the forest. Yu Mei led Doc into town until they came to a large house. Compared to the other houses, it was practically a palace.

When they arrived, a middle-aged man was overseeing some people as they loaded several wagons.

"Father!" The girl cried and ran to her father.

The man turned and ran to his daughter enfolding her in his embrace. The girl cried.

"Lin is dead, father, Lin is dead!" The girl collapsed into her father's embrace. As the girl wailed, a lovely middle-aged woman rushed out of the house with tears streaming down her face.

"Yu Mei, Yu Mei!" The woman cried and soon she joined her husband and daughter. The family hugged and the mother and daughter cried. Doc noticed a few other younger children with red eyes.

They approached and one boy yelled, "Who could kill big brother Lin?!" The boy started crying and then the other children joined him.

Pretty soon, the whole family cried, while the workers stopped and respectfully waited for the family to recover.

Finally, the father asked gently, "What happened, we've heard many things."

Yu Mei collected herself and recounted the events leading to Lin's death. She described how Ji Qinn of the Purple Mongoose Sect killed Lin. Then she pointed out Doc and explained how he buried him and all the kindness he showed her.

The father stepped away from his daughter and approached Doc. He clasped his right hand over his left hand and gave a slight bow.

"Thank you for your help, young man."

Doc reciprocated his act, "Please sir, it's what any human being would do."

"Good choice of words, those people of the Purple Mongoose aren't human beings." The man sighed.

Doc waited for the man to continue.

"Sigh, it's the reason we're leaving. There's no one here to keep lawless sects like them in check. This place is not somewhere to raise virtuous children."

"I understand," Doc responded.

The man looked at Doc and noticed his worn clothes, but handsome appearance. "What happened to you, did you get lost in the forest?"

Doc laughed helplessly, "Yeah, something like that, I'm certainly lost."

"Do you have any money?" The man asked. Doc shook his head no.

"Wait a moment," the man left for a moment and said something to his wife. She and Yu Mei dashed off. He then said something to the oldest of the boys who also left.

The man walked over to Doc, "Normally, I would invite you for a meal and help you find your way. Due to the circumstances, I plan to leave as soon as the wagons are loaded."

"Please, do not worry about me. Take care of your family," Doc smiled kindly.

"Maybe I can't invite you in, but I can at least let you wash up and get some clean clothes."

"It's okay, don't put yourself out because of me," Doc backed away.

The man put his arm around Doc, "Nonsense, you must let me help you a little, don't be too proud. If you weren't with my daughter, who knows what could have happened? Plus, Lin was practically my son-in-law. If you don't come with me, my heart will never be content.

Relenting, the man took Doc into the house. Inside, Doc was led to a room with a hot bath. After bathing, he was presented with fresh and expensive-looking clothes.

Yu Mei brought him to the kitchen for some food. He was only in the house for about an hour, but he was completely refreshed.

Escorted by Yu Mei and her mother, Doc exited the house and came before Yu Mei's father. Seeing Doc, he motioned for his son, who left and returned with several things.

"Here are a few things to help you get back on your feet. If you ever find yourself in Winter Feather City, please stop to see us," Yu Mei's father gave Doc a backpack filled so tightly it looked like it might explode. He also handed him a bag filled with money and a couple of other things.

"What kind of weapon do you use?" The man asked Doc. Doc was surprised at first but after thinking about Lin's murder he realized a weapon was exactly what he needed.

"What do you have?"

"Lots of things, swords, spears, axes, whips, Tell me what you need."

Doc thought for a moment while looking at some of the armed men around him.

He pointed at one of the men, "A crossbow and a knife would suit me."

"You don't want a sword or spear or something?" The man asked.

"Uh, yes, a sword would be nice thank you." The man nodded and gave Doc a knife and a sword along with a crossbow and several bolts for the crossbow.

Ready to go, Doc looked at the kind family, "Thank you for your help, take care!" Doc especially waved at the strong girl Yu Mei. He turned and left the family.

Yu Mei approached her father, "Do you think he'll be okay father?"

"He'll be better than us if we don't get out of here. Help your mother load your brothers and sister into the family wagons."

Although her father was calm she could tell that he was nervous. She had never seen her father like this. Hurrying off, she helped Mother and the family left not long after.

Along the dirt path into town, Doc was flipping the wood artifact Yu Mei gave him into the air, and then catching it he looked thoughtful.

"Where have I come to?" Doc asked no one in particular.