(11) Jin RuiYing

Wu LiJing was in her room, looking at the proof of her and Mo ShiLan's engagement. Mo ShiLan sent the engagement papers he had, and she only raised an eyebrow when Cheng ChunHua delivered it to her.

She didn't care to hide it from Cheng ChunHua and opened the envelope to take it out. She stared at it for a moment before she lifted it over a fire and burned it. She already burned the copy she had.

Then she noticed there was also a letter, written with Mo ShiLan's handwriting. She didn't feel the need to read it, but since he took time to write it, she respectfully glanced at the words in it before she tossed it in the trash. She then looked at Cheng ChunHua, who had wide eyes and quickly lowered her head when she noticed her master looking back at her.

"In the future, there is no need to let Mo ShiLan in if he enters the sect. You must let me know first," Wu LiJing ordered with indifferent eyes. Since they were no longer engaged, he should follow proper protocols. She rarely met with anyone, turning all guests away, and only allowed certain people to enter her manor because she liked peace and quiet.

Cheng ChunHua blinked a few times in silence. "Ah?" She was speechless. What was in the letter delivered today that made her master say this? Were they currently fighting for once? But then why would her master burn it?

"Broken engagement," she casually spoke two words before turning to read her book again.

Cheng ChunHua was shocked still for a while before she exclaimed, "What?!" So suddenly? Now that she thought about it, her master never asked her to send gifts over to the Mist Clan or to the Bright Venus Sect since a few weeks ago… How long ago was it? But why did her master look so detached? Wu LiJing didn't even look a bit sad?

She glanced at her master a few times before she finally left to do her job, completely bewildered. Except when she was about to exit the door, she tripped over herself and her face flopped to the ground in pain. She groaned and quickly stood up, glancing back to make sure her master didn't see. But she did… again. She quickly bowed and left in embarrassment! Why did she always trip, even over nothing?!

Wu LiJing glanced at the burnt papers for a moment before she went back to read a book leisurely. With the free time she has now, she should read the storybook that she found a few months back. She never got to finish it. What was it about? A woman who leveled up by finding cheats and skills in only a few years, which she found to be entertaining with how unrealistic it always was. And how many guys have already appeared? Where were all the women? This, she was curious about.

Just then, Wu LiJing paused and looked at the box of sweets sitting on her table. She forgot to give it to Cheng ChunHua… She opened them and a sarcastic smile formed. These desserts were too sweet and weren't to her liking.

Wu LiJing didn't really have any like or dislike towards desserts at first since she rarely ate them after her parents died, but when she tasted those that weren't too high in sugar after trying a bunch of them in order to buy Wu QiaoHua the best ones, she came to love eating semi-sweet desserts. She bought the sweet ones for Wu QiaoHua and got herself ones that weren't too sweet, whenever she passed by a popular store.

That was why although Mo ShiLan gifted her desserts multiple times, she gave most of it to Wu QiaoHua because most of them contained high sugar. Now, he was apologizing and asked for her to null their engagement with some sweets... but they weren't even those she liked to eat. It didn't matter to her much, honestly, that he never understood her preferences even after more than four years.

She sighed and grabbed the box, standing up. He didn't have to try and bribe her and even sent the wrong desserts. She already agreed to it when he first asked but he didn't listen and just left.

After she left the box in QiaoHua's room, she went back to reading her book.

A few more days passed, and QiaoHua finally returned but LiJing was not present in the sect.

…

Wu LiJing sat down in a private room and ordered some beef brisket, stir-fry chicken, fried beans, and steamed pork belly. There was a knock on the door and a harmless-looking, handsome man with blond hair entered.

Jin RuiYing smiled and greeted her as she greeted him back.

"Wu LiJing, you are dressed differently today. I almost didn't recognize you." He sat himself across from her with his fancy red gown compared to her simpler one.

"I don't have a mission so I don't have to wear my uniform." Whenever sect disciples went on a mission, it was more convenient to wear their uniforms to help others identify who they are, so they have the power to investigate or do what they need to do. It is also useful to wear in general since disciples from sects are treated better than others, especially those from prestigious sects. Another way was to show their sect token that all disciples carried with them.

Instead, today Wu LiJing wore a simple white gown with a violet hue designed with simple floral embroidery and had a white embroidered tassel that she always carried on her waist. Half of her hair was neatly tied up with a purple ribbon.

She frowned as she stared at his robes. "You look gaudy today."

"I was on a blind date," he confessed with a long sigh.

She raised an eyebrow. "Did she run away?"

"Hey! Look at my face! Would she run away from this handsome chiseled jawline?"

"Where? She may have run off in fear that your lover had attended in your place instead."

He slapped his hand on the table. "I do NOT look like a girl!" This was his touchy subject and only she would dare bring it up to him.

She narrowed her eyes and glanced at his hand on the table. He quickly coughed and retracted his hand.

Wu LiJing smirked inside. Her busy life wasn't fun, and he was so easy to rile up so she found herself irritating him at times for entertainment.

"Anyway! I only went there to show off and reject her. My mother is way too impatient, always setting me up with these girls! If she's gonna choose, at least choose those who are prettier than me!" He pointed to his face, as if it was the most precious thing in the world.

"Your mother may have to deal with a single son her whole life then," Wu LiJing smiled. She always made fun of Jin RuiYing and called him girly, but he could pull off a handsome look with that attractive face of his - after all, he was still a man. It was just… he was born with a face that was still prettier than most women.

He glared at her and scoffed, ignoring her words. Then his eyes brightened, remembering something. "Hey, hey, have you heard? About the Genius Medicine Doctor?" He was itching to tell someone when he just learned of it not long ago.

Wu LiJing shook her head as she drank her tea. She didn't really pay attention to things that don't matter to her.

He smiled widely, scooting closer to the table. "Aiya! You're missing out! There's big news about the legitimate daughter of the Lily Clan, who has been mistreated since her step-mother entered the household. There's some big family drama and the father was all in the dark about it! Everyone thought she was the perfect stepmother, treating her stepdaughter even better than her own daughter and never asking for much, always humble. But everything was revealed when the second madam finally tried to kill the leader of the Lily Sect for the inheritance but was caught red-handed by no other than the legitimate daughter! She showed proof that they tried to have her raped and that even her fiancé was in on it because he liked the half-sister instead! It was crazy when I learned about it."

Wu LiJing sipped her tea, uninterested. "Mm. Sure."

Jin RuiYing smiled. "But that wasn't what was the most interesting part. This lady was known to be trash, unable to cultivate. Then suddenly, she showed her actual powers after she got rid of her enemy! She had been in hiding since her stepmother was after her life and money. Sooo, it turns out she was already at the Core Refining Realm, only after cultivating for two whole years! Can you believe it?! This means her talent is unrivaled!"

Wu LiJing raised an eyebrow. "Really? Only in two years?" That meant this person had to break through to different levels first before reaching Second Tier because there were four stages in each tier. If this girl was already at mid-stage, she broke through five stages in two years, which was unheard of. Many stayed in one stage for at least one year and those years only elongated once they broke through to a new tier.

He nodded his head; glad he finally caught her attention. "I confirmed it! Who do you think I am?" He opened his fan and proudly fanned himself.

Wu LiJing frowned. "Then wouldn't it be dangerous for her cultivation, breaking through so many levels in such a short time?" Taking one's time to learn how to cultivate and understand one's body and techniques was important, or it could become a future problem, like how a child must first learn to crawl before walking.

He scratched his head. "I don't know how she did it… However, it probably has to do with the fact that she is now called the Genius Medicine Doctor. Apparently, she can create amazing pills that are incredibly effective. She saved the sect master from the Wonder Tree Sect who was already half dead and people called it a miracle."

Wu LiJing scoffed and showed a small smile. "A miracle? It is not a miracle. This simply means that her pill making skills are not to be underestimated."

Finally, there was a knock on their door and a servant brought in their food.

"Oh! Beef brisket, my favorite!" Jin RuiYing flapped his fan happily with beaming eyes. "Hm? Some garlic fried string beans too?"

Wu LiJing nodded. "Enjoy." She already paid for everything.

Jin RuiYing glanced at Wu LiJing and smiled haughtily. She ordered his favorite dishes just to thank him for the information he had collected thus far. After all, he finally was able to confirm who her enemy was. It took years of hard work since her enemy covered their traces so well!

"I also want some crab and lettuce on the side." He glanced at her.

Wu LiJing nodded. "Bring in your best crab meat and fresh lettuce." The servant nodded and left.

"After you're full, I expect a thorough and detailed report," she said as she reached for some of the pork belly.

Jin RuiYing hit his fan on the table playfully and he smiled wider. "Of course!" They usually met up when he collected a good amount of information so he could personally inform her of his findings. Since he also had a chance to go out and have fun, he didn't mind.

He remembered a few years back when he first met Wu LiJing. Back then, he wasn't as close to his family compared to now. He was a rebellious kid and constantly argued with his father and mother, refusing to listen to them because he thought that his parents loved his older brothers more. His parents compared him to his brothers constantly, whether it be their abilities to lead or their cultivation, and he came to develop a low self-esteem without realizing it.

He was the youngest, the fourth child and third son in the family. His older sister was only three years older than him, but he was still quite spoiled by her. It was only her who he could entrust his feelings and only she could convince him to do something, even if it were to eat the charcoal food she boiled.

He thought he was useless back then and refused to have to do anything with the business in the family, which worsened his familial relationships. His second oldest brother frequently made fun of his girly face and it became his forbidden subject, while his oldest brother seemed to either glare at him or ignore him as if he were useless and shouldn't have been born in the first place.

His father tried to force him to join the business and run a small shop of theirs, but Jin RuiYing refused. They got into a large argument for the first time. Jin RuiYing always ran away and stayed out for a few days before returning. But this time, his father refused to let him go and after he said some words along the lines of, "Why was I even born into this family?", he was hit in the face. He probably said some more hurtful words that he still regrets muttering… and then was locked up in his room. Now that he thought about it, it was quite embarrassing. Why did he even make such a fuss about it?

Then his sister somehow was able to convince him to do what his father wanted a few days later. But it was his ignorance and stupidity that led up to his meeting with Wu LiJing.

He was in charge of the shop but didn't have much experience, so his sister helped him, going with him to check up on the shop when necessary. One day while his sister was out, a woman came into the shop and wanted to sell a piece of information. She was hesitant and claimed that her information was to be told only to the shop owner because it could be dangerous.

Since he wanted to prove to his parents that he was useful, he agreed to listen to her information without thinking it through, thinking he was going to find out something big. But after he finished listening, he was shocked - because it was about his father.

She claimed to be the maid of a woman who was the hidden mistress of his father.

She wanted to exchange this valuable information with information about his father's relationship with his family and about his father's true identity, because apparently, his father was keeping his identity a secret from his mistress.

He realized this woman was talking about his father when she took out the jade pendant his father always carried with him. Jin RuiYing was furious, especially because he always thought his father only loved his mother. The promise of love his parents made between themselves was known throughout the whole manor as well. How would his mother feel if she found out?

The lady set up a meeting time for him to witness the affair to confirm this man's identity. He was too angry and immature that he believed it, thinking he would confront his father when he saw him.

In the end, he was captured by thieves who he learned already knew his identity, even if he was not well known in their business. That already proved they weren't the typical thieves one saw in the streets, that would pickpocket a few victims and call it a day. After listening to their conversations, he learned they were the thieves who had been targeting merchant families and were able to get away with it due to the high-level cultivators amongst themselves.

These thieves thoroughly investigate the families they target and try to obtain their weaknesses in order to catch them at the right time, and use that weakness to get rid of the merchant business and steal their fortune at the same time. They worked on a much larger scale. The worst part of it was that… his sister went after him.

He didn't know that she had followed him when she found his movements suspicious. He was trash at that time and didn't care to concentrate on his cultivation, so although he knew some moves and techniques, he was useless. His sister hid and waited patiently until there was an opening before she tried to save him but was still caught. That night… his sister died in order to give him a chance to escape. And the one who ended up saving him was, Wu LiJing.

Jin RuiYing had run out of the mountain they kidnapped him to, looking for a place to hide when he saw smoke ahead. He ran as fast as he could even with his blood dying the ground red. Not only was he covered with his blood, but his sister's as well. When he reached the smoke, he realized that it was just remnants to the fire that was already put out. He screamed for help like a madman, with probably the most desperate and literal disgusting face he'd ever made as dirt, tears, and snot ran down the skin of his face, hoping someone was nearby.

It was then that he saw a figure, dressed in elegant purple robes, jump down from a tree. The first thing he thought when he saw her was that she had a pretty face, but only almost as pretty as his. The second thing was that she looked very young, so he was afraid he had just taken another down with him. And then he fainted.

When Jin RuiYing awoke again, he realized he was still alive. He didn't know what Wu LiJing did, but they managed to escape. He wallowed in sorrow and blamed and detested himself. He didn't have the face to go back to his family - his beloved sister was dead, and it was because of him. He thanked Wu LiJing, but then realized that maybe he was better off dead too. That way he wouldn't be living in guilt. But if he died, then wouldn't his sister's sacrifice be in vain? He questioned why he wasn't the one who died instead and still does to this day.

He was unsure as to why, but his savior stayed with him for three days, even when he was just a stranger, and she didn't even seem to really care about him. After all, the young lady who saved him had a nice face and neat look, but her eyes were indifferent, looking at him like a bug, unlike how other girls had looked at him before. If she had asked him to pay her back by marrying her after saving him, he wouldn't be surprised. But instead, she just stared at him silently and made him uncomfortable, so he didn't know how to deal with her.

On the fourth day, she finally spoke to him after checking up on him in silence for the past three. "I am not going to return for a few days," were the words she spoke before she vanished like a ghost.

He suddenly wondered if she was even real? Was he saved by a ghost? Or was he just going crazy from being depressed?

After a few days, she really did return. However, this time, her robes were in tatters and she was a bloody mess as her body emitted a cold aura. She walked into his room and looked at him with dark eyes, as if to make sure her prey hadn't moved from his spot. He gulped and almost screamed in surprise when he saw her, thinking she was some kind of blood-sucking demon. Then she closed the door and went to her own room.

She stayed at the inn for another few days and he realized that she never really rested, always swinging her sword in the private courtyard of the large private area she bought in the inn. Then one day, she entered his room while he was crying again, from his nightmares of the day his sister was killed.

"Why do you keep crying?" she asked him then.

"Because I'm useless! Because of me, my sister died!" He hit his chest as if he could not feel enough pain as his wounds became agitated. "I should just die!"

Wu LiJing was silent for a long time before she said in a softer tone, "Then get revenge."

"Didn't you hear?! I'm useless!" he screamed, feeling frustrated.

"Then train and become stronger." He looked up at her when he heard her change of tone and noticed a somber glint in her eyes which seemed as if it was slowly enveloping her pupils.

"Become strong and make them regret killing your sister. Torture them until they wish their heads were split from their body, instead of feeling the pain of each nail, toe, finger, and body part being slowly crushed. Poison them until their corrosive insides are oozing out with black liquid, yet they are still breathing to taste the iron in their mouth. Cut them until they are dried of blood but can still feel the agony of the metal meeting bone. Enter their dreams to destroy their mind, until they have gone senile, wondering if hell is reality or if reality is hell."

Then with her lips lifted, her beauty seemed devilish as she smiled for the first time in front of him. He felt shivers run through his body and wondered how it was possible for her to look like that even with her youthful face still containing some baby fat. Yes, back then, she still had some baby fat.

Though he should feel startled because those malicious words were the most she had ever spoken to him since they met, he instead clenched his hands and his tears stopped as he asked, "And how can I do that?"

Her chilling smile softened. "Did you not hear me? Or have your injuries made you deaf as well? Instead of wasting your time and wallowing in grief like you have in the past week, train. Becoming strong is all about time and persistence. Gather information about your opponent before you strike. So that when you do, there won't even be room for struggle. Aren't you part of a merchant family, who also specializes in gathering information? You already have some power at hand." She sat down on the table as she stared at him.

He blinked for a few moments before his eyes widened. "You knew?"

"Why do you think I haven't left yet?" Her eyes returned to being indifferent as she spoke, pouring herself some tea.

Now that he thinks about it, didn't she use a lot of words to denounce his intelligence?

"Is that why you saved me?" He asked after, guessing she saw the pendant he carried with him that had his family's crest on it.

She sipped her tea first before she answered, "I saved you because I pitied you. In fact, I had overheard a conversation regarding your situation but did nothing due to my weaker abilities. I couldn't save your sister, but since I could save you in that situation, that was the least I could do." She suddenly sounded humble.

He clenched his hands harder. He felt that it was unfair but knew that this was reality. If it were him… he would probably turn a blind eye as well. After all, there was only one of her, while there were many of them. He took a deep breath and bowed, finally becoming more sensible.

"Thank you for saving me," he said.

She nodded. "If you want to thank me properly, you can do me a favor." She stopped drinking and put her cup down with a small clink.

He looked up at her. "Is that why you have been monitoring my condition?" She wouldn't ask him to marry her… right?

She stared at him. "You're smarter than you look."

He suddenly felt annoyed but knew better than to bicker with his savior. "What do you want then?"

"Your life."

"I'm not ready for marriage!"

She had a deadpanned face then and the room was full of silence. She seemed to be questioning her decisions before she ignored him and continued.

"I need you to help me investigate something. For free. I also don't mind paying up for you to profit from this exchange in the future, should the investigation take longer than necessary."

He thought about it and glanced at her cautiously. "I need to know what it is first." He observed her facial features. Was she really as young as she looked? He didn't want to admit it, but she seemed just a bit smarter than him even if she looked a few years younger.

"Like you, I want revenge," she said with a resolute tone, her eyes unblinking. "I am a direct disciple of the Moon Sect, but that is not enough."

"I… I am born with a green core and am not as skilled as my brothers."

She raised an eyebrow. "I do not have a blue or purple core, and here I am, stronger than you."

"I-I might take a long time before I can do what you have asked for…"

She smiled. "I can wait a few years."

He realized that she was probably willing to stay here with him to keep him alive, due the benefits he could give her that she didn't have currently. She was stronger than him and even a direct disciple of a sect, but she didn't have anyone she really trusted or someone to gather information for her. And he would become that person.

Their relationship started from there, a relationship of mutual exchange.

Jin RuiYing currently glanced at Wu LiJing as he ate another piece of softened beef. Their relationship now was good enough that she even knew his favorite foods. Right? There was no need to be so timid in front of her now like in the past when they barely knew each other.

After they enjoyed their meal at the restaurant, Wu LiJing put up a barrier formation, and the room was enveloped with a serious atmosphere.

"I have confirmed my guess," Jin RuiYing said with a smile.

A few years have passed and he was able to get his revenge. Now he is stronger. He worked to improve his cultivation and although he still wasn't as strong as Wu LiJing, he was proud of his own growth. She was part of the reason for his change. Maybe without her, he wouldn't be here now.

…Except that didn't stop him from trying to gain some profits. His smile turned into a witty grin and he fanned himself. "How about you throw in some money first? I worked very hard for this information and am sure it would be to your satisfaction!" His thumb was up as he spoke excitedly.

Wu LiJing silently stared at him. After a long while, he chuckled awkwardly and put his fan down. "I was just kidding! Haha! It was a joke!"

Okay, he lost. He can't stand sitting alone in silence with this woman. He sighed and his expression changed.

"Did you know that your father had a concubine before your mother?"

Wu LiJing frowned. No, she didn't.