Tragedy befalls

In Liuhua town.

Ling Xue was sitting on a chair. It was already noon and the siblings were out for a tour around the town.

She was working on a bamboo stick with a dagger. The bamboo stick was green like an emerald and was straight. She was carving some holes on it with a calm and patient look on her face. She seemed to be enjoying it.

Just then the door opened with a light sound and Lan Xing came inside with a plate full of snacks and tea on a tray. She looked at what Ling Xue was doing and smiled.

"Master, you are making a flute? Why don't you wait till brother Ying and others come here with your favourite jade flute? They must arrive here in two more days." Lan Xing walked towards her and placed the snacks and tea on the table as she said. She then served the tea and snacks to Ling Xue.

Limg Xue smiled slightly as she looked at the bamboo flute which was finally done and caressed it gently. The bamboo flute was simple but looked elegant with the few carvings she just made. The carving was of a dragon with 3 claws with floating clouds. It was simply done but still seemed very unique. There was also a name carved on it which meant 'XuanLong' (black dragon).

"I can't help it. I have the habit of taking it with me anywhere I go. Without having my flute by my side makes me feel bored and empty so I couldn't help but make one." Ling Xue smiled warmly and put the flute down on the table.

"Master, you must really miss your flute. You even carved a dragon and name of your favourite flute. After all, if you said that you are second when it comes to flute skills then no one in the world can say that they are first." Lan Xing said with a proud smile.

Ling Xue chuckled softly when she saw her proud face as if she was talking about herself instead then poked her forehead lightly.

"You and your sweet tongue. The world is vast and ocean is deep, who knows how many crouching tigers and hidden dragons are there. There is always someone who is better than you in life which brings out the ambition hidden deep inside. It either works as a motivation for achieving success or jealousy ignited from inferiority which swallows one's rationality. It all depends on a person's own capability and thinking. My flute skills can be considered just fine. No need to praise it so high." Ling Xue calmly said as she ate a dumpling.

"Woah, master, you have such profound thoughts about the world. If it were others instead of you, they might not be able to stay so humble. But really, master, your flute skills are excellent! I can even bet that you are the best in playing a flute." Lan Xing felt that her master was too humble of her skills so she tried to give her more confidence upon it.

Ling Xue shook her head with a helpless smile and looked at the flute. No one would have guessed that the most sought after godly artifact that everyone under the heavens wanted to snatch from her was actually the same flute they were talking about.

This wasn't known by anyone other than she, herself. Even her most trusted subordinates didn't know what exactly was the godly artifact. Some guessed that the godly artifact was her spirit sword, 'LanTian'(Blue sky) while some guessed that it was a godly cauldron that could make medicine and poison beyond anyone's imagination which helped her become a genius medical practitioner.

But no one could guess that it was the flute that always accompanied her wherever she went because she never treated it like some godly artifact that should be hidden carefully but like a normal jade flute which made others believe that it was just a normal flute.

"After I get my flute back, I will give this to Xiao Li. She must like it very much. Though, she would look at anything with those sparkly, curious eyes of hers like a little puppy. That silly girl." Ling Xue then thought about that cute smiley face and her smile grew wider.

" Oh! By the way, master. What do you plan on doing with the siblings? Are you going to let them follow you all the time or just let them be after we are done with our work?" Lan Xing asked after being reminded of the siblings.

She also had good impressions of those siblings and they were also her master's saviours so she couldn't help but ask after thinking about how they might fare when her master left them in the future.

"Follow me..? No, they are just normal people with no aptitude for cultivation. They will only get in unwanted trouble and danger if they continued to stay with me. I think a simple and peaceful life is what suits them the most. And that's also what they wish for themselves. I won't let them follow me even if they wanted to so that they can be safe. After Lan Ying and others arrive, we will leave right away after leaving some money for them to buy a house and live a normal farming life. That would be for the best." Ling Xue said it calmly but there was sadness hidden inside her deep eyes when she thought about those innocent smiles. If she could, she might have chosen to take them with her too.

Now that she thought about it, she finally realised that she thought of them the same as she did about her cult members whom she took as her family. And she didn't want to part from them, she wanted to look at the cute smile on Xiao Li's face and the shy glance from Ah Feng when he saw her.

She sighed and stopped thinking about it. Whoever followed her in this life will have to be on their toes to look out for any danger that might even take their life so she didn't want to make them suffer.

"I also think that it is the best way. They should live a normal life with no sufferings like before." Lan Xing nodded and said with a small smile.

Ling Xue picked up the flute gently and raised it to her lips. Then a gentle tune flowed from the flute which was like water flowing in a river. Like the sound of the rain drops in a rainy day. The tune sounded warm but there was a feeling of hidden sadness in it. Anyone who heard it couldn't help but feel tears welling up in their eyes.

Lan Xing also closed her eyes and drowned in the beautiful tune, thinking how she could finally hear her master's flute.

***

In the gate of Liuhua town, a large group of soldiers strode in on their horses which made the commoners look at the spectacle in curiosity. They whispered to each other in confusion and tried to guess why the soldiers suddenly appeared in such a remote town.

The crowd parted to the sides to let the soldiers have enough space. The soldiers at the back then got off their horses while the leader stayed on his horse. The crowd finally became silent after seeing the cold glares from the soldiers.

The leader looked around the crowd which had increased even more after seeing them in the street and cleared his throat.

"We came here today in the decree of his majesty, the emperor to inform you all that the gates will be closed for the slaves from other countries from now on and that no one is to leave and get in without proper identification. Whoever defies it will be beaten to death on sight!" The soldier's voice was loud and clear which made the crowd to buzz more louder in shock after hearing what he just said.

" No one can leave without identification? What must have happened for his majesty, the emperor to give such commands?"

"Right? It must be something serious to actually not let any slaves in or out of the town."

The news about the assassination attempt was suppressed immediately so no one other than the nobles in the capital who took part in the banquet knew about it and they didn't dare to spread it around in fear of angering the emperor.

" Quiet! Listen to me till the end first!" The leader frowned and shouted loudly. The commoners trembled in fear and shut their mouth up. Some even didn't dare to breathe loudly in case the soldiers found it noisy.

"His majesty, the emperor also said that many spies sent from enemy countries were found in disguise of slaves that escaped to our great Yan from other countries. Because this is a very serious matter which could harm the state in such troubling times where war might break out anytime, his majesty, the emperor decreed to have the second Prince, Prince Xian to be in charge of this matter and have all the escapees and slaves be captured for investigation!" The leader said the last sentence in a cold and ruthless voice.

The crowd looked at each other in confusion and terror after hearing about the spies. All citizens feared war so they felt that capturing all the slaves is a good idea.

"Whoever tries to stop us from capturing them and tries to escape will be killed no matter if they are slaves or not! Soldiers, spread out and capture all the slaves! We won't hurt those who aren't related as long as you behave properly." The leader then commanded the soldiers and searched around the town for slaves.

The crowd dispersed in terror and confusion while some slaves tried to escape but were caught instantly. It was easy to tell who was a slave or not because of the tattoo in the neck.

"W-what are you doing? Why are you capturing us? We didn't do anything!"

"My child! He is only 4 years old. Please let him go!"

"Uwaaa! Mother! Mother! I'm scared."

Young, old, middle-aged, even small infants and children weren't spared as long as they were slaves. They were all captured and tied up with ropes and chains.

Many slaves tried to escape but were killed with just one slash from the sword. Seeing this scene made other slaves to tremble in fear but didn't dare to try to run again.

"This...this is...what is going on? Why...why are the soldiers killing and capturing them?!" Ah Heng who finally came to the scene with the others after looking around the town couldn't help but stay rooted in fear of the bloody and chaotic scene in front of him.

Ning'er covered Xiao Li's eyes in fear while her body trembled unconsciously. Ah Feng hid behind Ah Mo when he saw the scene while Ah Mo also stayed rooted on his place in terror. There were many slaves killed for trying to run away which soaked the earth with blood.

"Search! Capture all the slaves!" Ah Heng and others heard the shout from the soldiers which finally let them understand the situation.

"Oh no! This isn't good. We must run away! We can't stay here any longer! They are here to capture all the slaves!" Ah Heng said anxiously then carried Ah Feng on his arms.

"Run! We should run! Run as fast as you can!" He then started running towards the opposite way where the other gate was located. Ah Mo finally reacted at his shout and carried Xiao Li and ran behind Ah Heng together with Ning'er.

"Ling Xue, we should let Ling Xue know too! What if she also got caught? We should go and inform her!" Ning'er anxiously shouted when she remembered that Ling Xue was still in the inn.

"But the inn is at the opposite way. We won't make it on time! The soldiers will get there faster than we can!" Ah Heng shouted as he ran without stopping.

"But..but she is still there. We can't leave her alone." Ah Mo also said nervously as he slowed down a bit.

"I also don't want to leave her in danger! But...but we can't do anything about it even if we tried to! We can only hope...that she isn't one of us and will get out of this danger without any harm." Ah Heng said through gritted teeth.

Ning'er and Ah Mo also quietened down after hearing him with sorrowful expression on their face and ran faster towards the gate, praying for the safety of Ling Xue instead of themselves in their heart.

....

They finally saw the gates from afar which was still wide open. Many other slaves were also running towards it in hopes of getting out of the town safely.

"The gate is still open! We can get out of here!"

"Go! Fast! We must get out of here!"

"I don't want to die! Don't close the gates!"

But just when they got near the gates, the guards suddenly closed the gates tightly. A guard then shouted at them.

"You think you all can get out of here so easily?! His najesty, the emperor has already decreed to capture you all. No one is allowed to leave!"

"Why?! Why must you do this?! We didn't do anything wrong so why do you want to capture us??"

"Please let us leave! We didn't do anything! We aren't spies at all! Please let us leave, we will never come here again! Please spare us."

"Please spare us! Spare our lives...."

The slaves begged and shouted at the guards to let them leave but the guards didn't listen to them at all.

"You all are just some filthy slaves. What's the point in even leaving you alive? You all must be grateful that our Great Yan at least let you take shelter in here till now! Hmph! Capture them all! If anyone tries to struggle, kill them!" The guard shouted at them with eyes full of disdain and mockery.

The guards quickly acted and tied all the slaves with rope and put them in a cage. The slaves tried to struggle but the soldiers either broke their hands or legs or killed them without second thought.

"Oh no, the gate is closed. We can't escape anymore. What should we do now?" Ah Heng said with a frown on his face, his hands trembling. This matter was very dangerous. If they really got caught, anything could happen to them, even losing their lives.

"You there! Pull down your collar and show me your neck!" A soldier suddenly came towards them and shouted.

'Damn it! We can't escape now. What should I do? I can't let them capture the others. I must let them escape!' Ah Heng thought to himself anxiously.

"Ning'er, I will hold the man back. You take the kids and run away!" Ah Heng whispered to Ning'er as he looked at the soldier who was nearing towards them.

"No! You should run with us! I won't go if you don't!" Ning'er shook her head and objected.

"Ning'er! You should listen to me! If you don't escape now, they will capture all of us!" said Ah Heng.

"Brother, let's escape together." Ah Mo looked at Ah Heng and said.

"Ah Mo! Listen to me and do as I say! Take Ning'er and the kids with you and run away." Ah Heng then suddenly charged towards the soldier after he finished saying that. The soldier was caught unaware and stumbled down together with Ah Heng.

Ah Mo bit his lower lip hard and pulled Ning'er and others away with him. Ning'er didn't want to leave and struggled as she cried out Ah Heng's name.

"Ah Heng! No! I won't leave! Ah Heng!! Come back with us!"

Xiao Li and Ah Feng also cried when they saw Ah Heng fighting with the soldiers, barely even holding them back.

Ning'er suddenly broke free from Ah Mo's grasp and ran back towards Ah Heng.

"No! Sister!!" Ah Mo cried out in shock.

Ah Heng looked back when he heard the shout but before he could look back, a sword pierced through his chest from the front. The soldier then pulled out the sword from his chest, blood flowing out of the wound, dyeing his clothes red.

"Ugh!" A muffled groan was let out from his mouth which was now filled with blood.

"How dare you lowly slave! You should have just behaved obediently and let us capture you. Hmph!" The soldier looked at Ah Heng coldly and said in a disdainful voice.

Ning'er suddenly stood still with wide eyes as she looked at the scene.

"Ah Heng.....no....NO!!!AH HENG!!" Ning'er screamed out his name as she ran towards his falling body. Ah Mo also looked at him in shock and despair.

"No..Ah heng! Ah heng, you can't die! Ah heng! Speak to me...no..no!" Ning'er held onto the dead body of Ah Heng on her arms as she cried out in fear, anxiousness and sorrow. Ah Heng had already died till she got near him, his eyes wide open.

"Hmph! Soldiers, there are more slaves over here. Come and help me tie them up." The soldier then called out to other soldiers who were tying some slaves with ropes.

Ah Mo couldn't decide what to do. If they tried to escape, they would end up being killed by the guards. Ah Heng was gone now so he was responsible to keep the kids and his sister-in-law safe. He looked at Ning'er who was crying as she held onto Ah Heng's dead body and looked at Xiao Li and Ah Feng. He gritted his teeth and went near Ning'er.

'Being captured is better than everyone dying like this. Brother, I will definitely keep them safe even if I have to die.' He thought as he looked at Ah Heng's dead body with teary eyes.

"Brother mo, big brother..big brother, he...he is dead...he is dead!" Xiao Li and Ah Feng cried as they looked at the stiff body of Ah Heng, terror and sadness creeping up their hearts.

Ah Mo didn't say anything as tears trickled down his cheeks.

"Hmph! Slaves like you must know your place. If you try to struggle again, I will kill you all like this. Take it as an example." A soldier sneered and said.

"Tie them up!" The soldiers then quickly captured them and tied them up with ropes tightly. Ning'er tried to struggle to stay near Ah Heng but she was dragged away together with the others.

"The kids, at least spare the kids! They have nothing to do with this. Please spare the kids." Ah Mo begged the soldiers when he saw Xiao Li and Ah Feng getting tied up too.

"So what if they are kids? Who knows if they are spies or not! No one will get away from this. You better shut your mouth or else they will die." A soldier said with a cold voice.

Ah Mo could only stay quiet and let himself be dragged towards the cage, his sorrowful eyes still lingering at Ah Heng's dead body.

'We couldn't even... say goodbye to her. I hope she is at least fine.' Ah Mo then closed his eyes as he thought about the girl.