(31) Five Years Later

Inside of a private room, two distinguished figures, the Jade Gentleman and Genius Medicine Doctor, were currently sitting closely to each other.

The figure in white with a gentle aura stared at the doctor in green, who was feeling his pulse.

"How do you feel?" Han Yanling asked in a gentle tone.

There was a smile on Bai ZhiJun's face and he nodded. "Not too bad." Her touch, as always, did not feel so repulsive compared to others. There was a slight uncomfortable feeling in his body, but that was all.

The doctor sighed and retracted her hand. "You will need to interact more with others… Do you have any personal maids?"

Bai ZhiJun shook his head.

Han YanLing nodded. "How about other female friends?"

Bai ZhiJun thought about it and Han YanLing sighed again. "If you want to be cured, you have to make a bigger effort. Or else, you won't be cured anytime soon."

"I am already fine with you," he said. Ever since she saved him, for some reason, his body did not loathe her as much as it usually would if it was someone else. This clearly indicated that his illness was due to a mental problem. Since she knew about his illness from the beginning, she proceeded to avoid touching him as much as possible when they first met, which made him see her in a good light.

Han YanLing smiled. "That is a good first-step then. Your illness stems from your subconsciousness, so you have to revisit your memories. I won't ask how this condition came to be, but if you refuse to revisit your memories, then you should at least try to interact with the opposite gender. Start minutely first and see where it goes. It has been five years, Bai ZhiJun. Listen to my advice, please." If her patient was refusing, then she really could not do anything.

Bai ZhiJun stared at her and wanted to say that having her is already enough. But he did not say anything as their session was interrupted.

A domineering figure entered and looked at Bai ZhiJun with a glare.

"Kang WangYong! You can't just enter when I am seeing a patient!" Han YanLing glared.

"It's been long enough."

Han YanLing sighed and rubbed her temples. "You never listen," she muttered. But she was also feeling butterflies inside, knowing he was simply jealous, so she couldn't stay mad at him. "My maid is here with me, why are you like this again?" She smiled helplessly. When was he finally going to admit his feelings for her?

"Everyone knows my feelings for you," Han YanLing boldly declared. "Only you refuse to listen to me." Then she kicked him out and apologized to Bai ZhiJun.

Bai ZhiJun nodded and his gentle smile became smaller. As she was about to give him some medicine, he suddenly spitted, "What do you think about me?"

Han YanLing blanked out for a moment. "Excuse me? Sorry, can you repeat that?"

Bai ZhiJun's smile deepened as he asked softly, "What do you think about me?"

Han YanLing's eyes slightly widened. Did the perfect Jade Gentleman just confess to her?! She could never have imagined this! She was speechless for a moment and blushed slightly. But then she remembered the domineering figure from a moment ago and sighed. What can she do when her heart was already lost to another? She shook her head. "Please stop with the jokes, Sir Bai." She smiled. "You know my feelings." She was clearly rejecting him.

The light in Bai ZhiJun's eyes dimmed and he nodded. "Mm. I know." He stood up. "Give the medicine to my guard." Then he left.

…

A purple figure swung her sword faster than the eye could see and a head went flying off in the direction of her sword move. Blood gushed out of the body that flopped to the ground like a dying fish and splattered on her sleeve. "Tsk." It seems she needs more practice. Beheading someone was the fastest way to end their life and prevent any mishaps from happening. Wu LiJing didn't keep count but this should already be more than the fiftieth person she has beheaded.

"Ah! Murderer!"

Wu LiJing's cold eyes went to a shaking cultivator, who fell to his butt and pointed at her with a pale face. There were two other bodies without heads lying on the cold ground.

She observed him, scanning his body from top to bottom. He wasn't one of them, too weak and dumb. She sheathed her silver sword and turned around to leave. This was the last spot her master told her to investigate. Now she can finally go and do what she needs to do. It took her five years in the Divine Emerald Sect, but now she finally knows how to cure her cousin. Just as she was about to decide on where to go from there, she noticed a pigeon flying towards her.

Taking the letter from the pigeon's leg, she let it go and scanned the letters. Her eyebrows creased slightly. Wang Ting sent a message: there was a disruption inside of the Moon Sect while her master had been away. Sighing, she looked towards the blue sky.

It was time to return to the Moon Sect.

…

"What? She killed them and ate their hearts?" a figure wearing gray robes asked while admiring a sword in his hands. He was currently in his room, where many beautiful swords are displayed on the walls, standing out amongst the few paintings he hung up.

"Yes, Master. They were cultivators of a small sect but…"

Silence.

"Leave her be. I know she finds it hard to control herself since she has been preventing herself from killing others."

"But… she may give away…"

"I said to let her be," with the master's voice turning darker, his subordinate gulped down the rest of his words. It seems their master has been indulging Su YiJu, that ethereal-looking woman. The subordinate really couldn't believe how well their master had been treating her and letting her stay near him. Has he really fallen for her? Until now, their master had only cared about that 'item'.

"Is there any good news?"

Snapping out of his thoughts, the subordinate answered, "Master, Cai Qiu has said that the beginning of her mission is already completed. However, the Moon Sect is still one of the top major sects, so it's hard to crack them even from the inside."

"Hm… I thought it would be easy since their sect leader is never around as of late." Gu LieRi looked at his reflection on the blade, showing the scar on his lips. He smiled. "But that's still great news. It would only take a few more years and they'll fall. Once the Moon Sect is gone, then we'll aim for those even higher up." He chuckled evilly as his sword came down in a swift motion, breaking the table in front of him in half.

"Hm, good sword."

His subordinate who had his head lowered shivered inside. These swords were a collection from cultivators his master has killed throughout the years. His master always made sure to have someone else to blame before he killed someone, so he has never been caught. He had been aiming for strong cultivators of smaller sects in order to weaken them before he decided to aim for a major sect. Since Cai Qiu made it as an inner disciple inside the Moon Sect and reported that the sect leader hasn't been inside their sect, they decided to target the Moon Sect, thinking it would be easier.

"Master, Cai Qiu suspects the 'item' is not in the Moon Sect. All of the disciples she has asked know nothing of it."

Gu LieRi paused and put the sword away. He looked at his subordinate and grinned as his eyes dilated. "And do you think anyone would be dumb enough to talk about it since it's such a precious object? Would mere disciples know of such things?" His voice was raised and the dark glint in his eyes made his subordinate sweat as he quickly bowed.

"No, Master!"

"Tell Cai Qiu to continue on the operation."

"Yes, Master!"

It was silent within the room yet Gu LieRi noticed the annoying man hadn't left yet. "What else is there?"

"M-master," he gulped, "a- a few of our men have been getting slaughtered. I believe someone has caught on."

A dark aura filled the room and the subordinate kneeled immediately as sweat dripped down his back. He really didn't want to report this, but it was necessary.

Gu LieRi laughed. "So… the person who stole the 'item' has caught on? Good, very good. Just perfect, actually." He was smiling but his eyes contained a kind of madness that terrified even his own people. "Come," he whispered sweetly as he took a sword and unsheathed it. "In that way, I can catch you in one swoop."

…

Swish!

Wearing dark robes, Wu LiJing hid like a shadow behind a tree away from curious eyes as she used a spell she had learned within these five years, the Stealth Spell. It masks her presence and makes her less noticeable to others. She observed the female inner disciple with droopy eyes from a distance. The sun is already setting but Wu LiJing hasn't noticed anything abnormal.

Two days have passed and this disciple, Cai Qiu, hasn't shown any sign of meeting up with others or doing anything odd. This showed that she was a skilled infiltrator, but Wu LiJing was even more skilled in being patient. She had waited for more than ten years to take revenge for her parents. Thus, what can waiting a few days do to her?

Since Wan Ting couldn't really focus on following Cai Qiu due to her main duty to protect QiaoHua instead, Wu LiJing had to do it. Since she never goes out of her manor unless necessary, no suspicion would be raised even if she's not seen by anyone. Wan Ting informed her that recently, the disciples have been attacking each other more frequently and getting punished by the masters. And many of these disciples were those who were baited to enter the Mountain of Beasts from before.

The masters haven't suspected anything yet, thinking these are merely petty fights due to conflicts among disciples. But it is obvious that bigger problems are due to arise as these conflicts add up. Wu LiJing also realized - someone wanted to bring the Moon Sect down.

Wan Ting sent her a letter immediately after she took a risk and followed Cai Qiu out, witnessing her meeting with suspicious persons. That's what led up to Wu LiJing's current stalking situation, observing this inner disciple that is highly some kind of spy.

Just then, Wu LiJing saw Cai Qiu smiling and talking to a girl, another inner disciple in a suspicious manner as she brought them to a secluded area. Wu LiJing's eyes narrowed. Wu LiJing couldn't really hear the words they exchanged since they were whispering very quietly to each other and she was further away, but she didn't worry and had a feeling something would happen soon.

And she was right.

Once the sky was dark and the moon replaced the sun, Wu LiJing finally saw some results. The inner disciple from before was suspiciously meeting up with Cai Qiu in the middle of the night. Wu LiJing hid on top of a hidden tree near-by as she listened to the conversation.

"Cai Qiu, what did you want to tell me?" the female disciple who looked to be around her late teens asked.

Cai Qiu smiled. "Nothing much. I just heard you've been a little sad since Huang He has been ignoring you. You were friends for five years, but he suddenly started to avoid you and treat you coldly, right?"

Wu LiJing frowned. Why were they talking about this in the middle of the night?

The female disciple hesitated and nodded dejectedly. "I don't know what is wrong with him…" She looked up with bright eyes. "Wait, do you know something? Is that why you asked to meet up in secret?" Perhaps if she knows, she can do something about it and mend their relationship again.

Cai Qiu smiled and nodded. Her eyes moved left and then right as she quickly scanned their surroundings. "It's because… he doesn't like you anymore."

The girl's eyes widened. "What?" Her heart was suddenly beating loudly against her chest as she looked into Cai Qiu's eyes. "What do you mean?"

Cai Qiu chuckled and took a step closer. "There's a girl he likes who told him not to go near you if he was serious about her. So he chose her over you."

Tears fell out of the girl's eyes. "B-but… aren't we just friends?" Both of them basically grew up together and worked together to become inner disciples.

Cai Qiu grabbed the girl's shoulders and pulled her closer, forcing the girl's eyes to stay on her. "Don't you feel sad? Betrayed? He fell for a girl he only knew for less than three years, but he chose 'her' over 'you'." She grinned and her droopy eyes curved. "Why don't you go and take care of this girl? I believe her name was Liang Bo. Take this knife." She handed the girl a knife.

Wu LiJing's gaze went to its blade and her eyes became dark. Was it poisoned?

"If you stab her, everything will be all better. After all, don't you like Huang He too?"

The girl looked at the small dagger and shook her head. "No… I can't!" This was clearly unreasonable!

"Look at me," Cai Qiu ordered.

Once the girl made eye contact with Cai Qiu again, the girl's pupils transformed into red ones. "Remember the pain of betrayal. You will do this. Think about it, Huang He will be all yours once she's gone." She handed the dagger to the girl.

The slowly girl nodded and hid the knife in her sleeve. Then she muttered, "Right… he betrayed me first… we were friends for so long…"

"And remember," Cai Qiu continued, "You never met up with me tonight. You bought that dagger yourself." She smiled.

The girl nodded, with her eyes turning back to their normal shade of brown, and then walking away.

Cai Qiu glanced around again before she sneakily went back to her room.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Cai Qiu felt chills behind her back and whipped around with wide eyes. "E-eldest Senior Sister! What are you doing here?" She forced a smile on her face.

Wu LiJing's indifferent eyes were darker than usual as she summoned her sword. "Tell me, why are you aiming for the Moon Sect?!" Everything is suddenly made clear to Wu LiJing. All the happenings, including what occurred to QiaoHua.

"What are you talking about, Eldest Senior Sister?" Cai Qiu asked lightly, her smile dropping.

Wu LiJing let out a sneer. "I saw everything. You have been using a manipulation spell to create conflict inside the Moon Sect. That's why nothing can be traced back to you. If I had to guess, eye contact is the trigger to the spell."

Cai Qiu's droopy eyes blinked and then she chuckled. She covered her lips as her chuckles became louder.

"Are you the one who poisoned QiaoHua?!" She pointed her sword towards Cai Qiu in rage.

Cai Qiu met Wu LiJing's eyes and said, "You won't remember what you witnessed."

There was only silence as Wu LiJing shook her head with a forceful aura. "Do you think such a measly spell will work on me?!" She swung her sword and Cai Qiu quickly dodged.

Cai Qiu grinned. "Well, it was worth a try. What a shame… it seems I cannot control those who are aware of my abilities." She chuckled. "Yes, it was me." Since Wu LiJing already found out, then there was no use hiding it. "However, I only did so indirectly by providing the poison, just as I provided the dagger to that girl earlier." She grinned. "So technically, I didn't do it. The one to actually do it is someone you know very well…" She snickered as if she was trying to hold it in. "It's your dear cousin's best-friend, Xin Mei." Then she let out a louder laugh.

Wu LiJing's eyes widened. What? She paused. Memories rushed to her head and her hold on her sword tightened. "Do you think I'll believe you?! You manipulated her."

Cai Qiu chuckled again. "Back then… I could only influence the thoughts of others by magnifying their negative emotions, emotions that have already existed. Unlike now where I can actually manipulate their feelings and actions…" She giggled and sighed. "Ah, the look on her face when she realized what she had done due to her jealousy against her friend."

She laughed once more. "I thought she wasn't going to do it, but she didn't let me down. It also allowed me to bring you down, dear Eldest Senior Sister. What opinions do you think everyone here has about you now? Hm? I was able to complete my goals of isolating you among your peers. Even your beloved fiance doesn't think well of you anymore after I sent him those messages." She sighed, as if it was a pity. "He even came straight here to check up on your cousin."

Wu LiJing attacked her, not allowing her to say more. "It doesn't matter."

"Eldest Senior Sister… it seems you think the opinion others have of you does not matter. But rumors can play a bigger role than you think." Cai Qiu stopped talking when she felt a deep gash on her back and she fell to the ground. She still chuckled as she was hit and spit out blood, rolling on the ground to prevent herself from being stabbed.

"You will tell me today, who sent you?!" Lijing released a strong chi attack and Cai Qiu cried out in pain.

Cai Qiu glared at Wu LiJing and then smiled with red lips. "Help! Help me! Eldest Senior Sister! Please forgive me!" She ran towards the sleeping quarters where they had somehow reached.

"You won't get away!" Wu LiJing stabbed her arm and Cai Qiu screamed.

"What's going on?" a cultivator who was woken up rubbed his eyes. Who was screaming for help in the middle of the night?

Soon, a few disciples and masters who felt the disturbance quickly arrived.

Cai Qiu looked like a sorry mess and was bleeding from head to toe. She cried and said, "Eldest Senior Sister, I may have found out that you poisoned your cousin, but I promise to keep quiet! I'll keep your secret!"

Wu LiJing's eyes narrowed as her sword stayed on Cai Qiu's neck. So she was trying to escape in this way? "Tell me, why are you after the Moon Sect?!" She would have killed this intruder already if it were not due to the interrogation she needed to do.

Cai Qiu smiled and whispered, "All hail The Lightless Crows." Then she screamed, "I will prove my innocence here tonight!" She ran into Wu LiJing's blade, catching Wu LiJing by surprise.

Gasps were heard among those who saw the blade run through a human body and a few screamed in fright.

Wu LiJing took her sword out of the broken neck and bit her lips in anger as she clenched her sword. She sliced the head off and muttered, "I won't let you off." A few disciples fainted from the sight and Wu LiJing's cold gaze went to everyone there.

"Get rid of this intruder's body and feed it to the dogs!" she ordered with an extremely cold voice.

Master Lu frowned with his stern face and he quickly ran towards her. "Wu LiJing, what happened here?"

"There has been an intruder inside the Moon Sect, posing as a disciple."

A few who heard gasped and Master Lu frowned deeper, creating two big creases around his eyebrows.

"Master Lu, since Master is not here, I hope you and the other master will decide on what you need to do to deal with the possibility that there may be more intruders." Her voice was indifferent.

"She was an intruder?"

Wu LiJing nodded and her sword vanished.

"But why..." Master Lu muttered.

Wu LiJing stilled and shook her head, with her eyes lowered. "I do not know. She killed herself before I got an answer… And Master Lu, there is a problem I must discuss with you in private."

The next day, the first thing she did was summon Xin Mei to her quarters.

Xin Mei's hands were trembling as she stared at the pale ground, unable to look at the cold figure standing in front of her. She already knew why Wu LiJing called her here when she learned that Cai Qiu had died last night by their eldest senior sister's sword.

After a long silence, Wu LiJing finally asked, "Why did you do it?" Wu LiJing thought about it all night and she realized Wan Ting never reported anything suspicious about Xin Mei. That's why, of all people, it couldn't have been her. More than Wei SuSu even, Xin Mei seemed to genuinely care for Wu QiaoHua. She always interfered when others tried to belittle Wu QiaoHua or bully her. And that book about poisons, it had to be because she was doing her own research to cure Wu QiaoHua's condition.

Xin Mei froze and gripped her hands tightly until they became white. She whispered with a shaking voice, "Because I was envious..."

"Not because you were manipulated?"

Xin Mei kneeled with a loud thud! It took a while before she looked up, eyes filled with tears, as she showed a small smile. "In the beginning, I thought Wu QiaoHua was so lucky and I was happy for her - she had someone who would look after her even if she was an orphan like me. Even when her cultivation rose above mine due to the constant herbs you gifted her, I was simply glad for her. But as time went on, I realized… she always took for granted the things she received as if it should happen that way. And then I came to admire you, Eldest Senior Sister - the invincible Ice Goddess. I don't know why but I started to think, why am I not her? Why don't I have a cousin or sister who would help me as well? Take care of me or look after me? Because I would know how to appreciate someone else's effort."

Tears ran down her cheeks as she spoke with a trembling voice, confessing all of the pent-up emotions inside of her. "But we were still friends. I thought she was selfish, but knew she was also kind. Though I didn't know what overcame me when I added the poison to her drink, I knew it was still due to my conflicting emotions. When I learned it took away her cultivation, I regretted it and hated myself."

She sniffed. "I hated that I had such thoughts and ended up doing something stupid. That's why I always tried to make up for it by looking after her. And then when I realized that I did someone else's bidding because they were aiming for you all along, Eldest Senior Sister, it made me feel worse. Why did I do something like that when nothing came out of it?"

She sobbed and took a deep breath. Wiping her tears, "I am tired now, Eldest Senior Sister. I admit I was a coward. I couldn't come up and confess that it was me in the end. Even when I knew who gave me that powder, even when you were blamed for everything, I couldn't bring myself to do something. And that has also led to this moment." She banged her head on the ground as hard as she could as she kowtowed. "I know my wrongs, Eldest Senior Sister. Please punish me!" She closed her eyes. Even if she was banished from the sect, she would have no complaints. Even if… Even if she died, then it would be justified. Her dreams haunted her with this moment for five years, she wanted it to be over.

The room was still, as if there were no one inside it. Wu LiJing stared at Xin Mei, the one person she thought she could trust by Wu QiaoHua's side. She turned around and closed her eyes. "You are to be planked forty times and drowned in ice-cold water for two days, demoted to an outer disciple without redemption. I will also inform the masters of this…" Her voice quieted, "However I will not tell QiaoHua nor announce what you did. It is up to you if you want to tell QiaoHua."

Then Wu LiJing walked away, leaving a sobbing girl on the floor as she stared at the woman she had always admired with grateful eyes.

"Thank you, Eldest Senior Sister!" Xin Mei sobbed and wondered, if she had someone to care for her and guide her properly, then perhaps she wouldn't have made such a grave mistake. No, then she wouldn't have felt such envy towards her friend. Even now, she wished she had someone who would love and care about her the same way their eldest senior sister did towards Wu QiaoHua.