(20) The Divine Emerald Sect

Weeping sounds rung within a neatly decorated room with two beds next to each other. A beautiful doll with a soiled pink dress was on the floor, laying on its back, with black beads of eyes reflecting no light as it was not alive.

A thin girl wearing plain white clothes for mourning, was crying with her head on her bed. More than a month has passed and Wu LiJing was clearly still not over her parent's deaths.

She woke up crying at times from the nightmares and then there were moments when she would wake up and run to her parent's room, thinking everything was a dream. The home that was always enveloped in a comfortable silence was now replaced with a deathly one.

Then there would be nights when she wouldn't be able to sleep because the darkness seemed so terrifying, like it was going to morph into a demon that fed on human suffering.

Wu LiJing felt a light tug on her sleeve and lifted her head. Wu QiaoHua, also wearing white robes for mourning, was looking at her with tearful eyes.

She sniffed and said in a small voice, "Sister LiJing, I'm hungry."

Wu LiJing looked outside. It was already afternoon; time for lunch. She quickly wiped her tears and stood up with weak legs. "Okay, I'll make lunch," her voice was hoarse as she spoke and tried to sound strong.

Wu LiJing's mother loved to cook, so they always had delicious meals. But now, they had to do with the mediocre chicken porridge she made. There was a small cut on Wu LiJing's finger, but it would heal soon so she didn't care to treat it as she lifted the pot onto a table.

The eleven-year-old girl forced a smile and patted her smaller cousin's head. "Here, eat." She scooped some porridge into two bowls. Wu QiaoHua, with her clumsy hands, raised her spoon and blew on it before eating with a wide grin, already forgetting the sorrow she had felt earlier from feeling lonely and hungry.

Wu LiJing stared at Wu QiaoHua with her tired eyes and the words her mother left rang in her ears, "Take care of Wu QiaoHua… take care of yourself…" She gripped her robes and looked down at the porridge. She had to eat even if she didn't want to. She managed to take a few bites, but threw it all up afterwards.

Once the sun was down and the air was cold, Wu LiJing woke up once more from a nightmare, leading her to enter the small training ground her father built for her to practice in.

Pak!

Pak!

Her fists hit the straw doll he built long ago as she took deep breaths. Over and over and over and over again – until she could no longer feel anything below her wrists. "Ah!" She missed the doll, messing with her form, and she fell on her knees as she felt her cheeks become wet, with small sobs emerging from her lips. Having no strength left to stand up, her fingers curled into a fist on the ground, clamping dirt into her palms.

"Father… mother… I can't do it." She felt so lonely and afraid. Her teary eyes gazed at the moon. Please, take her too. She closed her wet eyes as she felt the darkness that she had been fighting pace nearer and nearer. Her body shook - she should not be afraid of it. She unconsciously stood up and walked towards the pond just a distance away from the training ground.

"Sister LiJing! Sister LiJing!"

Wu LiJing's eyes focused and she turned around to see QiaoHua running over with red rimmed eyes. The little girl tripped and fell, scraping her knee, but she quickly got up again and ran over to Wu LiJing.

"Sister LiJing! D-don't go anywhere! Don't leave me alone!" The girl was a sobbing mess as she clung onto LiJing's sleeve tightly, letting out ugly cries. Wu LiJing realized her little cousin probably had a nightmare.

LiJing stared at QiaoHua and couldn't help crying with her. "I'm sorry QiaoHua… it's my fault. If I didn't leave and wasn't mean to you, father wouldn't have gone out to find me. Mother wouldn't be sick… Now, we don't have any family…" She sobbed, unable to talk properly. "I-I should just be gone!"

QiaoHua quickly shook her head, gripping LiJing's sleeve in fear. "No! Don't leave QiaoHua alone! You still have QiaoHua! QiaoHua is your family. We are still family, right?" Her cries that sounded louder than her small body quivered in the air, causing the frogs near-by to jump away in fright.

Wu LiJing froze subtly. Then she sniffed and stared at Wu QiaoHua who was currently wailing much harder than herself. She wiped her own tears, only gazing at her cousin who still needed her.

"Okay," she whispered as she hiccupped. "We are family." She gently held QiaoHua's hand and hesitated but patted her head. With a soft voice, "I promise I won't leave you."

She took QiaoHua back to bed and soothed her until she was able to sleep.

LiJing's tired eyes peered at Wu QiaoHua. She gently patted the girl's head. With clenched hands, she promised: she wouldn't cry anymore.

Before Wu LiJing went back to sleep, she gathered many of her parents' belongings and clenched her hands as she stared at them. Her mother's words echoed in her mind once more.

Take care of Wu QiaoHua. Take care of yourself.

…

Wu LiJing was traveling at an extremely fast pace and only took about a few days before she reached her destination, the Divine Emerald Sect, famous for its concentration in medicine and pills and also one of the top major sects, placing fourth place compared to the Moon Sect that placed sixth place in the current ranking.

Many sects have their own ways of making money to obtain enough resources for their disciples. Their Moon Sect funds came in from Sect Master Wang's massive tea business. His business sold various flavors of tea that were categorized into two types: normal tea and tea that was infused with spiritual herbs that could enhance health as well as cultivation.

The Divine Emerald Sect on the other hand, is known for growing all types of medicinal as well as spiritual herbs, meaning the sect was a treasure trove. Therefore, they were much richer compared to other sects because they had multiple famous clinics and doctors around the world that kept the money flowing in.

The sect master of the Divine Emerald Sect is also known as the Divine Doctor, who is an expert in acupuncture and is known to be deadly if angered since she could easily kill someone with her knowledge of the human body and medicine. Since their whole sect is full of resources, their disciples focus more on spells and on expanding their chi absorption and control. Most of them also study the herbs they grow and learn how to heal the body in different situations; thus, the sect master is very particular in choosing who can enter the Divine Emerald Sect. Consequently, their sect, although one of the richest, is also smaller.

Wu LiJing started from the bottom of a large mountain, called the Emerald Mountain, and finally climbed to the top, where the sect was located. She looked around and smiled - of course, there would be multiple spells put in place to protect the sect from intruders.

There were people in the past who coveted the resources that grew inside the Divine Emerald Sect, and thought they could easily invade the smaller sect, but failed miserably, paying for their idiotic mistake with their lives.

The top of Emerald Mountain, where the Divine Emerald Sect resided, had a small palace built around it. The surroundings were full of spiritual energy, a reason towards the successful growth of various spiritual herbs.

Wu LiJing could already sense the energy that brushed against her fingertips without stepping into the sect and breathed in the fresh nature. Everything around her was extremely healthy and green, with the trees growing until they almost seemed to reach the sky and the wildflowers blooming all year-round from perfect warm weather that never changed in the Emerald Mountain.

She walked towards the entrance, which also had a large seal on its wooden doors that only opened for the disciples themselves. There was a notification formation which she noticed earlier, meaning someone should be coming soon to get her.

The circular wooden door was engraved with gold and carved with delicate designs, with no door handle to use, showing how uninviting the sect was to outsiders. Beautiful vines grew around the door and the tall walls, marking the territory of the Divine Emerald Sect. The dark tiles looked neatly placed and gave off a protective vibe, with two beautiful lanterns on the sides of the door, unlit, since it was currently the daytime.

The door opened and a girl wearing light green robes that had beautifully embroidered flowers appeared. She smiled amicably. "To what does the Divine Emerald Sect owe for this young miss to pay a visit?"

Wu LiJing saluted. "Wu LiJing, Second Direct Disciple of the Moon Sect, is requesting to enter to meet with the sect master."

The girl's smile softened, and she saluted. "Ah! I see it is Miss Wu, Greetings! Please come in. Master has been waiting."

Wu LiJing returned a small smile and walked inside without having to worry about the spells put in place. She glanced at the other multiple spells placed at multiple spots of the entrance that didn't activate. Ah, this whole mountain was basically their playground, with all of these intricate spells placed in different areas - whether for fun or to tease their guests, only those who placed it would know. She suddenly felt proud of her master for being able to become friends with someone so amazing.

The lush green that covered the mountain was true inside the sect as well. Trees of all sizes were trimmed to look neat and elegant. There was even a section dedicated to mandarin and peach trees. Once she passed the small forest of trees, she truly entered the sect and saw fields and fields of herbs, whether they be normal or spiritual. She kept her gaze calm and forward as she followed the girl who was leading her respectfully through different paths, allowing her to see multiple grand buildings with a touch of simplicity in design.

A few disciples who were out in the fields or talking to each other saw her and couldn't help but wonder who their guest was. It was not a common sight to see a stranger enter their sect.

Once Wu LiJing could see a manor in the distance, they came upon a beautiful large field of flowers in front of the manor, filled with various colors and species. Her eyes marveled at this sight. The flowers that were blowing in the gentle wind swayed and showed off their petals and colors as they blended into each other to create a soft rainbow cloud.

She passed the entrance, containing a circular open door carved with orchid designs around its frame, and took different turns before she reached the closed paper doors of a room.

The disciple knocked on the door. "Master, Miss Wu of the Moon Sect has arrived."

"Mm. Let her come in," a calming voice replied back.

The disciple saluted and left Wu LiJing alone.

Wu LiJing took a deep breath and slid the door open. The first thing she noticed were the different bonsai trees that were aesthetically placed in different places of the room. There was a beautiful vase of orchids, placed in the front entrance, another one on the side table by the window, and another on top of a beautiful drawer. Smaller vases accompanied them to compliment the main flower.

There was also an accent four door cabinet of a darker wood, painted with gold and other colors to create some kind of story within the picture. Everything looked luxurious, from the carved desks to the drawers, cabinets, and even the carpets. Though the outside looked quiet and simple, even with the grand buildings, the inside was very lavish.

Her attention was only distracted for a moment before she spotted a woman's back, slightly bent as she tended to a bonsai tree.

Once the woman heard that the footsteps had neared, she turned around and the one long green earring on her left ear noticeably dangled. Once her whole face was visible, a shorter earring on the side of her right ear sparkled.

The woman who looked to be around her mid-thirties spoke, "Wu LiJing, welcome."

With a cordial smile, her thin willow eyebrows slightly lifted. She had light brown almond eyes that were slightly slanted upwards. Her pointed small, long nose was touched with a small mole that enhanced the mature air emitting out of her body.

Her long dark hair was let down and half was tied up into a fancy braided updo, with a few fancy accessories dangling and sparkling grandly. Her beautiful and sophisticated muted-green robes flowed to the floor with a tint of blue at the bottom of the skirt. Beautiful embroidery decorated her clothes and a simple jade pendant hung from her thin sash.

"Sect Master Yao," Wu LiJing saluted to greet her.

Yao YuHuan walked over to Wu LiJing as her thin most-outer robe dragged behind her. "I've been waiting," her mature female voice resounded. "Come. Let us sit and enjoy the snacks I've prepared. I just knew you were going to arrive today or tomorrow based on how fast you move."

Most people who first meet Sect Master Yao would be slightly overwhelmed with the fancy clothes and accessories she wore on a daily basis as well as her mature beauty that came from within.

When Wu LiJing first met Sect Master Yao, who had visited the Moon Sect, she was surprised by how much one could dress up and still look so sophisticated. She has seen other girls overdress and look like an idiot, which was a reason she decided to always keep her outfits and accessories simple.

Purple and green moon cakes that were flower shaped laid on a fancy glass plate with two empty teacups laid out on a table. Wu LiJing sat down across from Sect Master Yao.

"Wu LiJing, how are you? WeiYue isn't making it too hard on you, is he?" Yao YuHuan stopped her guest from pouring them tea and did it herself. A calming fresh smell permeated the air.

"I am well, Sect Master Yao. Master has been the same. How about Sect Master Yao?"

"How many times have I told you to just call me aunt? Using such a grand title as Sect Master makes us seem like strangers."

Wu LiJing hesitated and then said, "Aunt Yao."

Yao YuHuan smiled. "I haven't been going out much, and have been tending to my flower garden outside, studying more herbs and relaxing while my disciples take care of most things."

"Is Master Yao attending the competition this year?"

Yao YuHuan rolled her eyes but still looked sophisticated with the natural makeup on her face. "I don't want to every year, but it's technically mandatory for all the major sects to attend. Hence, I will once again fake sickness and send out my best disciples." She smiled and her eyes sparkled with mirth. "Wu LiJing, if you get tired of following your master's whims and want to skip out, I can gift you a special herb that can help you fake sickness."

Wu LiJing showed a small smile. What she found interesting about Sect Master Yao was that she skips out on any competition or events between the sects if it doesn't interest her, even if it was mandatory. She was someone who did whatever she wanted, and due to her title as Divine Doctor as well as her position as a sect leader, no one would dare say anything against her actions. Wu LiJing shook her head. "No need. As a proper disciple, I should fulfill some of Master's wishes."

Yao YuHuan looked at Wu LiJing with pity as if she was wasted on someone like Wang WeiYue. The sect master took a bite of the moon cakes. "Right, in the letter you sent me, you wanted to go through our library to search for a cure for the Pinpoint Powder?"

Wu LiJing nodded. "Aunt Yao, do you have a clue as to what the cure may be?"

Yao YuHuan had one long finger on her chin as she thought about it. "I thought about it, but no. I know what this poison is, however, no one's ever come up with the antidote for it. You might have to do more research since it's an odd poison." She smiled and leaned in, patting Wu LiJing's hand. "Eat some more cakes and rest before you go to our library."

Wu LiJing's serious eyes brightened. "Aunt Yao… does that mean?"

Yao YuHuan nodded and her smile softened. "I give you permission to look in our library. I will let you know how to neutralize the spells and get to the underground floors. Just remember to rest properly, alright?" Yao YuHuan knew what kind of person Wu LiJing was and she trusted her.

A sincere smile appeared on Wu LiJing's face and she bowed deeply with a salute. "Thank you, Sect Master Yao!"

"Hm?" The sect master raised an eyebrow.

"Aunt Yao!"

Yao YuHuan smiled and nodded.

Thus, the days where she kept herself in a library for most of the day occurred once again. Besides a few meals that she skipped, she remembered to sleep for at least four to five hours and also remembered to train her skills and do her morning routine. While she was at it, she also mastered the few new spells she had been practicing.

After one whole month of not going out at all, she finally exited with a small token given by Yao YuHuan, so she could easily enter the sect once she returns without activating the protection spells. The reason was simple – she needed to go and take care of certain people she could not stand being too arrogant.

Inside of a private room, Jin RuiYing scanned the cheap lavender robes Wu LiJing had purchased on the go with furrowed brows, showing he was clearly displeased. "I know you are going to throw these clothes away… but do you have to choose such an ugly design?"

With a dead-pan expression, Wu LiJing ignored him. The robes she was wearing weren't ugly, but simply very plain. No design on it what-so-ever. It was just plain lavender and the material was also cheap.

Jin RuiYing sighed. "If you're going to attack them, make it epic. No, you have to seem majestic." He waved a hand and one of his minions brought over a robe of the same color. But this time, there were beautiful embroidered white lilies and plants on it as well and other minute designs that clearly showed it wasn't a cheap dress.

"Wear this instead. You can throw it away afterwards. I've always disliked the robes you chose in the past. Tsk, tsk."

Wu LiJing stared blankly at Jin RuiYing, who was wearing a fancy blue robe himself and suddenly thought that he would probably get along well with Sect Master Yao. "No need," she refused as she put on a black veil.

Jin RuiYing pouted. "I won't even ask you to pay me back for it."

"I'm not playing dress-up," she said.

"Think about it! If you appear in extravagant clothes, the ones who escape will report your appearance, which would make them afraid for their lives, thinking you're someone from a very powerful backing and would be able to crush them with one finger!" He raised a finger as his flamboyant voice echoed.

Wu LiJing raised an eyebrow. "I don't know…" She thought about it… actually, it does sound a bit reasonable. She stared at the dress and remembered the first meeting with Sect Master Yao … Indeed, looking expensive could have an effect.

"It's worth a try," she finally said with a nod.

Jin RuiYing grinned and sighed inside while Wu LiJing took the robes that also had a new veil as well as a few accessories. She rolled her eyes inside. He was probably so bored now that he wanted to play dress up with her. Was that the reason for the frown on his face whenever he saw her in a different robe?

After she was done changing, she left.

Jin RuiYing grinned and fanned himself with joy. "Hehe! She can just wear that dress from now on." Then she would stop wasting money on those ugly cheap robes. He specifically asked someone to put a spell on that dress! Not a speck of blood will be able to stain it! He can't believe someone came up with such a spell. It's so useful!

He shook his head, thinking how there can be such a handsome and smart man like him in the world.

…

"This is one of the more popular styles nowadays! Young Master has very good eyes!" A store clerk said with smiling eyes.

The handsome man wearing light colored clothing nodded with a gentle smile. "I think it'll look good on her… Alright, I'll take it."

Bai ZhiJun stepped out of the clothing store with a personal guard walking beside him.

"Master, I'm sure Miss Han would be pleased when you gift them to her personally!"

Bai ZhiJun nodded. It was going to be Han YanLing's birthday soon and this village was famous for its beautiful lantern festival. Therefore, Han YanLing wanted to celebrate her birthday during the festival, one day before her actual birthday instead. She invited a few friends and he was included. He had been deciding between different things for the past few days and finally decided to buy her a dress. He smiled at the thought that she might wear what he got her for the lantern festival.

"Run!"

There were suddenly a few screams and the sound of clashing swords. He lifted his head when he noticed a flutter of something in the corner of his eye. A woman wearing fancy lavender robes was falling right in front of them, with golden hair pins dangling in her hair.

When Bai ZhiJun looked up, his gaze met with cold eyes that made him slightly freeze. Her delicate embroidered robes fluttered in the wind and her veil that was already loose, untied and flew off her face, revealing a stunning appearance that had not an ounce of makeup and shined with natural radiance. Her pink lips were slightly parted and her body was graceful. She was so close that he took a step back unconsciously.

His guard who was behind him also witnessed this beauty's fall and muttered, "Ice Fairy…"

The so-called Ice Fairy landed on one foot and then twisted her body around, with a silver sword in her hands. She swung it and her long hair beautifully gilded behind her as a large slash of chi set off from her blade.

Crash! The building to their left started to crack and people ran out as fast as they could. Then she jumped and evaded an upcoming attack that aimed for her body.

The guard behind Bai ZhiJun snapped out of it and observed the fight occurring between the fairy and another male cultivator.

"Hahaha! So the one who attacked me is a beauty! Perhaps you want to work for me? No, how about you come and be one of my concubines?" The man had a slight crooked nose but could still be considered handsome. It was only his sneer that ruined his otherwise more innocent looking face.

Wu LiJing's eyes turned dark and she showed a sinister smile. "If you kill yourself… I might consider it." She jumped in his direction with a light tap of her foot.

The man laughed once more. "I like your fussy nature!" He matched with her attack and jumped backwards.

Wu LiJing coldly looked at him. Disgusting. "Why don't you look behind you? Your building doesn't seem like it'll stay up any longer," she said as she stabbed towards him and he dodged.

He glanced at his building and his eyes rounded. The building was crumbling to the ground!

"My precious business! My women!" He glared at her. Then he finally decided to probe for her level and realized he couldn't see it. Due to his tendency to underestimate women, he hadn't thought to check her cultivation before. He grit his teeth. "Who are you?!"

"Hm… who am I? Your other business… I was also the one who destroyed it." She chuckled.

"It was you?!" His smile turned into a vengeful sneer. "I won't go easy on you just because you're a woman!" Then what looked like sparks started to wrap around his sword and he swung it, with a blue lightning strike going towards her.

Bai ZhiJun frowned and was ready to intercept, summoning his sword. But before his sword manifested, the cold woman smiled and ran towards the man, lifting her sword and slicing the lightning in half.

Bai ZhiJun immediately zoned his attention on her. This scene seems familiar…

The young man's eyes widened, taken by surprise, making him resemble a silly chicken.

Shocked, he couldn't block her attack in time and screamed as his hands flew to his face and his sword fell on the floor with a cling! Blood gushed through his fingers, dripping down his butt chin and tainting the ground.

He pointed at her with his bloody finger and screamed, "You! I won't let you off, you wretched bitch!" His eyes were red as he grabbed his sword but then his hand was sliced off and he screamed once more.

"This is all you are… I expected more from the trash who was born from those people. But trash can only breed more trash after all." She sighed.

"Please let me go!" he suddenly pleaded as he held his handless wrist in pain. "Y-you can have those girls! You can have my business! I'll give you anything! Just please let me go!" He kneeled and tried to get closer to her to beg but she took a few steps back in disgust.

"M-my father is someone powerful! He is a clan leader! Whatever you ask for, he'll give it to you! Just please spare me!"

Not caring to listen more, she first cut off his private part to teach him a lesson, then stabbed into his heart without hesitation. His screams and cries were deaf to her ears as she watched the blood gush out. Once she pulled her sword out, the blood surged out like a spray of water, but the blood splatters that dripped on her dress simply slid down to the ground without staining one little part of it. She stared at his quivering and dying body and then turned around.

"Big Sister!"

"Young savior!"

"Young Miss!"

"Miss Fairy!"

She was swarmed by a few beautiful young girls, who thanked her warmly with teary eyes. They have been forced into prostitution for years now and could not escape no matter how much they worked. Thus, they thought they would be stuck in this horrid place forever.

This young master had an innocent looking face, but he had a disgusting hobby of torturing others for pleasure. Almost every one of them has experienced being tortured by him. They only had thanks to this beautiful miss for saving them.

Before Wu LiJing destroyed the building, she already sneaked most of the girls out of the building. Then she attempted to kill all the men who were working within the institute like she did in the other bases. She didn't think she would meet this disgusting young master.

"No need to thank me," she said in an even tone. Then she turned around and met eyes with the same man she landed next to a moment ago.

Bai ZhiJun saw her indifferent eyes and stiffened slightly in place again unconsciously. He nodded towards her but she ignored him and walked off with her sword vanishing from her hand.

"Please wait, Miss!"

Wu LiJing halted and turned around. Normally, she would ignore others, but she was in a good mood from having just killed someone so she didn't mind hearing what this stranger had to say.

Bai ZhiJun's eyebrows furrowed. Why was Li DiSung, his guard, calling to her?

"I picked up your veil," Li DiSung said as he hurried over to her. He took out a white veil that was made from expensive silk and she calmly took it back.

A mild smile on her face, she nodded, "Many thanks." This veil should also have the same spell on it. She walked away after putting it on.

The guard blinked a few times and grinned. "Wow! It's like a dream!" A beauty smiled at him! It was a small smile, but a smile is a smile, right?!

Bai ZhiJun stared at his star-struck guard and shook his head. He glanced towards the lady that was already gone. Then his calm eyes went to the crumbled building. Some illegal business was being run here… in the middle of a town without it being known.

This miss's fighting style was similar to that of the other veiled lady. If they were the same person, then this is highly likely to be related to the previous affair. He shook his head. No… he shouldn't care about this. Han YanLing was already satisfied with his answer. There was no reason to look into it… and it looks like this lady already has everything dealt with too.

"Li DiSung, are you done?" his tone was soft, but contained a strictness that caused Li DiSung to snap out of it and quickly run over with a sweaty smile.

…

Wu LiJing observed the robes she was wearing. "Hm… how useful," she muttered, lifting a sleeve. Not a speck of blood. Even her veil was safe. There was such a spell? She suddenly wanted to learn it too. For now, she would have to wear this outfit whenever she went out to save up on her money.

"Should I go hunting?" she thought to herself. Then her gaze caught onto a man's back as his dark red robes flickered behind him. Her indifferent eyes brightened. She took off her veil and walked forwards.

"Sir WangYong, what a coincidence," she saluted towards the attractive man, who had a cold countenance that was slightly similar to hers. The only difference was that he had a more domineering presence since he never truly smiled, always displaying a stony expression, which prevented others from getting too close.

Kang WangYong nodded. "Indeed. What are you doing here?" He observed her outfit, finding it unfamiliar since she always wore her dark purple uniform. "You look good," he commented lightly. It was a little odd seeing her wear something different from her usual uniform.

Wu LiJing felt her face turn warmer and she looked down at her hands. "…Thanks."

Kang WangYong looked around. "Are you here on a date?" That would be the only explanation.

She looked up. "What?"

"It's the Lantern Festival tomorrow," he explained.

Wu LiJing blinked. Festival? "Oh… that's what I came here for. I was alone and near-by for a mission and heard about the festival… are you coming as well?" No one noticed the small light that shone in her eyes.

Kang WangYong nodded and Wu LiJing smiled. She clenched her robes and asked casually, "Then would you like to see the festival together?"

Kang WangYong stared at her and she stared back with a calm smile, but her hands were slightly shaking. He shook his head.

"I am coming here with someone else tomorrow."

She nodded with a smile. "I see. Then perhaps we'll see each other tomorrow."

Kang WangYong nodded. "I hope you will enjoy your time at the festival." He saluted and left.

Wu LiJing stared at his back. She wanted to ask; did he have a date as well?

Suddenly, a young woman's pale face appeared in her mind. Her lids were closed and two trails of dark red blood swept down her cheeks. Wu LiJing could feel her beating heart that had tried to leap towards the man who was already gone, and she closed her eyes with clenched hands.