Chapter 45: I feel you

"New asura has born!! It is a woman!!"

"Long live the asura!!"

Xiu Zhen woke up on an altar. Her body wasn't covered with anything yet so many people surrounded her. She wanted to feel ashamed, but at her final moment she was being naked in front of the villagers too, right? Beside, she was already dead.

Some women took Xiu Zhen away from the altar and give her a bath. They dressed her with beautiful blue robes, and placed the best hair ornaments on Xiu Zhen's half bun hair. They led her to meet someone. In her journey, she passed by so many luxurious rooms. Ah, this must be a palace. Afterward, they opened a very huge gate, and a man sat on his throne elegantly, waiting for her arrival.

"Welcome."

'It's him!', Xiu Zhen immediately surprised.

"Congratulation, you have reborn to be an asura just like me. Glad that I could took your soul right in time before you are lost somewhere else."

"Asura...? Me...? Why.... Do I reborn?"

"Oh? The priestess could feel sadness too, huh? I thought you only knew how to harm people."

Xiu Zhen couldn't reply anything.

"Jiang Wen. You snatched one of my loyal soldier away and his position remain empty until now. No one is as great as him. Do you not feel guilty towards me?"

Jiang Wen. His name carved perfectly in her memories that weren't erased.

"Can't speak? Why?"

That man stepped down from dozens of stairs to the point where Xiu Zhen stood.

"Have you finally learn something before your death? Or actually, you've just gone worse?"

The tormenting moments she faced in her last moment kept playing inside her mind. She began to feel hazy. She unconsciously cried a tear.

"Please, Your Majesty... Punish me to death..."

"You have died, didn't you? Why should I give you another death?"

"Please... I beg you. Just kill me, eat me, or whatever....", She kneeled and lowered her face down to the floor.

But that man lifted her head up and their eyes meet.

"Since you are a dimwit, I will make it clear for you. You are already living in your punishment, priestess. Being immortal while living your life in full of remorse, isn't that torturing?"

He smirked evilly while his red eyes glowed.

"Yes, the nature is wise. You were having a delusion to be a goddess. Now you are reborn to be her enemy. Isn't that ironic? Fear not, we are as strong as them. But there's a price to pay in order to be strong, priestess."

He lowered his lips beside her ear, while she herself threw a blank stare at the ceilings.

"You have to eat humans."

Her pupils were shrunken.

He raised his head, "Very well. From now on you may live in this place. Go on, do whatever you like."

".... Understood."

Her ocean blue eyes that were showing ruthlessness now showed nothing but emptiness. Her face remained unshakable and strong, but not with her fragile soul. One tickled could break her heart to ash. Well, at least she felt no anger anymore.

She traveled to the human world. She collected every books and articles about one ritual she wanted to perform. 2 months were needed for her to gain enough knowledge, now it was about the time for her to prepare for the performance.

Each day she killed one person. She ate their flesh, but not with their hearts. She casted a spell on each of those human organs so they won't be withered or rotten. They needed to be in a good condition.

She walked endlessly, without a rest, lurking from every places, every woods, every villages, and every cities. She walked with no directions, but her eyes kept searching for a proper prey.

It was already the 100th day. Xiu Zhen had collected 100 human hearts. She walked to the shrine in her original village. No one could see her since she had became a ghost. She saw her own cemetery below the tree where she used to be tied. 'Half Demon Half Goddess', was written on the tombstone. They hung her painting on the tree, but they stained her face with a pig's blood. They didn't burn any incenses but to insult her, they placed an empty incenses burner and gave her rotten dish as her offerings. After what she had done, she deserved it.

She passed by some farms and fields. The path she walked led her to the shrine that had already burnt down. She searched for her compass below the debris, but she found nothing. Very well, she had to let it go. It had been 5 months after her death anyway, it was too late to searched for it.

Thus she began the ritual at the spot where the shrine should be. She casted a spell and a circle drawn beneath her shoes. She summoned all the hearts that she had collected and placed them in the middle of the circle. She prayed and kneeled in hope those human hearts could be the offerings to make her ritual succeed, but unfortunately all of them were burnt down and the circle vanished. It marked the failure of her ritual.

'Rustle Rustle!', Something behind her moving in a high speed. She immediately summoned a barrier.

"Who's there?"

"Hoo... A newly born asura.", A woman dressed in purple with a moon crescent emblem on her forehead appeared.

Xiu Zhen instantly froze. Beautiful flowing white hair like silk. Eyes shining like violet sapphire. Long white eyelashes like feathers. A thin warm smile. There was no mistaking it, this woman was the moon goddess.

"W-What are you doing in here, Mighty Moon Goddess?"

"Huh? How could you know me? Have we ever met before?"

Xiu Zhen widened her eyes. So, the goddess didn't know who she was. It seemed the Asura King's spell was still inside her, eventhough she died and left her original body. Her sins as one of the moon goddess's servant still perfectly hid.

"Hmm you are still 5 months old, huh? You'll make a perfect prey for me."

The excess of the purple thin cloth sash that tied from her stomach to her back raised up to the air. It seemed this sash was her weapon. Then, so many powerful attacked came from it. It movements were to fast, while Xiu Zhen was merely a newborn asura and had zero experience in the battlefiled, let alone to fight a god.

She was wounded badly, her barrier kept broken each time she summoned it. She didn't bring any weapon and she was lack of magical knowledge too, so she didn't know how to fight back.

"Ugh!", Xiu Zhen kicked to the ground.

"Hmm hmm! So easy. If I could bring your head, I instantly will be promoted to be one of the Celestial Royals!"

The moon goddess stepped on Xiu Zhen's stomach and pressed it to the ground forcefully. Xiu Zhen yelled in pain.

"Ahhh you are so weak! Oh boy, it's my lucky day!! Bumped into a baby asura in my path, now I will be promoted in no time! Yeayy!! Goodbye, baby asura!"

She pressed her foot stronger. The moon goddess sash raised to the air, and pointed at Xiu Zhen, readily to slice her in pieces. Ah, for her it was Xiu Zhen's bad day.

"Not too soon, goddess."

'GASP!!', The moon goddess was so surprised when she saw a crimson blade beside her neck.

"Y-Y-You... T-T-The A-A-A-", She turned her head slowly to the man behind her that gave the shudder on her neck.

"The Asura King, yes. I thought you can speak fluently, why are you stuttering right now?"

"You lay your hand at one of my 'child', goddess. Now her 'father' is angry.", He smiled.

The child and father were a sarcasm because the moon goddess called Xiu Zhen as baby asura.

"F-F-Forgive me, L-Lord A-Asura. I-I-I-It was a-an a-a-accident!", she couldn't speak clearly.

"You, too, are a newborn aren't you? How old are you? 100? 200? Aww, you are still a baby, huh?", He stroked her hair with full of smile, but that smile only made the moon goddess more trembling.

"F-Forgive me-", 'Gasp!!', The moon goddess colar was being pulled.

"Listen, brat, a novice like you oftenly made a graveyard mistake. I have seen too many stupid yet ambitious newly gods or goddesses like you lose their lives for trying to kill newborn asuras in order to be a Celestial Royal. Yeah, that way could make you being promoted in no time but don't ever dream about it. As long as I live, I will protect my own kind. Do you understand me?"

'Gulp!', She nodded quickly until her head almost fell off.

"And get your dirty shoes off from my 'child' or I will cut your beautiful legs from your body."

She immediately did what he ordered. Xiu Zhen was finally freed.

"Do you still want to live?"

"Y-Y-YES!!!", The moon goddess started to cry.

"Go on, apologize to her. You, too, are a newborn, so treat your 'little sister' like how the elder supposed to act."

"F-Forgive me, Lady Asura!!", She sobbed. Wow, she looked terribly ugly when she cried, far different with her debut. Perhaps because her heavy make up ruined by tears?

"A-Ah.. My apologize too, Mighty Moon Goddess.", Xiu Zhen bowed awkwardly.

"Good girl.", He led her to turned her body to the forest and then he pushed her back forward, "Now go! Don't ever look back or I will behead you!"

"HIIIIIIIYYYYYYYY!!!!!", The moon goddess rushingly ran away into the forest.

The Asura King sighed a long breath, "And you, priestess! Argh! Why are you keep bothering me!? How long do you plan to roam desperately in this world, huh!? Do you think this world is safe for you!? Not anymore!! This world is our battlefield, if you lost your track you will die!!"

She remained silent after being lectured by the Asura King.

"Haaaa.... To deal with women is always the hardest! Bai Wu, and now this one....", He muttered.

"Very well, I'm being too pushy. Pray tell, priestess, what was your intention of roaming alone in this world without any self defense knowledge?"

".... For a ritual."

"Again?? What kind of ritual??"

".... Resurrection."

The Asura King had no words to be spitted. Resurrection? It was a tale, there was no such thing in this world. Once one soul leave its place, it could never came back.

"For whom...? Jiang Wen?"

Xiu Zhen nodded.

"Have you performed the ritual?"

Xiu Zhen nodded once more. She kept staring at the grass below the Asura King's shoes.

".... And the result is?"

"None.", She shook her head. She immediately in tears.

That man sighed a long breath. He have had enough watching her cry.

"Here, this must be the one you looking for in this place."

He handed over the compass. The compass was perfectly fine. She took it away and cried harder. She thought it was already gone or thrown away by the villagers. This compass was very precious for her, this was the only thing that Jiang Wen left. Meanwhile that man seemed to be annoyed with her noisy cries.

"T-Thank you, Your Majesty... F-For saving this for me... H-How can I repay you...?", Xiu Zhen sobbed.

That man smiled, "Bow to me."

Xiu Zhen instantly on her knees. That man raised his crimson blade and placed its sharp edge on her left shoulder.

"From now on, you will be my underling. Increase your strength in whatever way you like. Join your hands in the battlefield. You will have to replace Jiang Wen's role, so I will bestow upon you a thousand of preta soldiers. Obey only my words and no one else. If you betray me, I will erase you. That's how you will repay me, priestess. How is it? Sounds fair enough, right?"

"Thank you... Thank you, Your Majesty...."

__________

"And that's my story."

Ai Lie stared at the mature woman beside her without a blink. Her eyes are already bursting with tears.

"This...", She summoned a compass on her palm, "This is the only thing he left me."

'Li Hua' is written on the compass.

"Li Hua...?", Ai Lie muttered.

"Li Hua is my real name. They said the ghosts whom wanted to released their hatred towards their pasts would change their name into an alias."

"... Is it a tradition or obligation?"

"No. It was just a tale. I was one of those foolish ghost who bought that lies. In contrary, those who changed their name never did released their agony. They just grew sadder each day. But those who are blessed enough to finally be able to release their agony will changed their name back to their real names."

"D-Does that mean... Lord Xin Suan?"

"Indeed, you are sharp. Lord Xin Suan, too, changed his name. Xin Suan means sadness, obviously that's just an alias."

Ai Lie is speechless. From this she knew that until now, both Xiu Zhen and Xin Suan still can't let go of their pasts.

"And the reason why today I feel so empty and desperate.... Today is the 15th of 3rd month of Lunar Calendar, where the moon is at the fullest."

"T-That means..."

"Yes. It was supposed to be my born day, the day that he never forget. He always made a celebration, while even my disciples didn't know about my born day. Yet at one of this special day too, it was my final meeting with him.", She calmly gulped another glass of her drink. It seems the alcohol in her clay jar is almost ran out.

"Oh my...", Ai Lie covered her face.

"In the end I betrayed everyone. The goddess I worshiped, the villagers, my discpiles, the Asura King, and... My own lover. I achieved nothing but sorrow. Such foolishness, wasn't it?"

"No... Don't say that.", Ai Lie immediately raised from her chair, she hugged her tightly.

"Are you not disgust towards me, my dear? I am a true sinner. I killed innocent people, I had sexual activities, I fell into endless insatiability, and then, after I reborn I ate humans eventhough not as much as the others. All of taboo the things that should be avoided by monks, I have done it all. I believe, even you as a normal human will be hesitate to do what I've done."

"Don't say that, My Lord... Back then, you had no choice... But now that you have atoned your sins, there is no reason for me to judge you. No, in the beginning, I am no one to judge.", Ai Lie pushed herself backward to see Xiu Zhen's face, "Beside, at least what you did has a right purpose behind."

"You really are pure and naive... I have to tell you, my dear, whenever I look at you, you remind me of him. Both you and him share the same warm gaze towards me and never have the mind to stay away me."

"There is no need to cry over me.", Xiu Zhen wiped Ai Lie's tears with her wide sleeves.

"B-But... I-I feel pity for you..."

"Why should you?"

"I don't know... I feel you. I could feel your pain clearly inside my heart eventhough I have never been in your position."

"Oh my goodness.", Xiu Zhen stroked her hair.

"But Young Maiden... You have to leave before it's too late."

Ai Lie is stunned.

"Leave, and never look back. I will help to sent you back to your world after the ritual done. Forgive me, but to tell you the truth, I still need your help."

"B-But why?? All of the sudden..."

"I am afraid of your future in this realm. His Highness is indeed kind, but it doesn't erase the fact that he was a vicious demon who ate more than hundred thousand of humans."

Ai Lie took a pause. She seems to be confused.

"Not only him but also us the others. Who knows one of us will have an ill will towards you?"

"No..."

"What?"

"No. Forgive me, I have to refused.", Ai Lie stared at Xiu Zhen straight into her eyes.

"But why?"

"This time I will exchange you my story, Lord Water. The exact reason why I stayed in this realm was because of my family."

Ai Lie told her about her family's debt, her family's toxic behavior. She told Xiu Zhen that her family couldn't pay her debt while she was the only one who fight for it. She told Xiu Zhen that she and her family were almost became homeless. She told Xiu Zhen that she almost took her own life because of desperation, but Xin Suan stopped her by sending his messenger. Xin Suan helped her family to pay their loan. Xin Suan gave her a place to stay, and actually he never burden her to repay his generosity. Even more, he pampered her, shared his affection, and defended her.

"I can't turn my back from him, Lord Water. He is my savior. Whatever he wants to do to me is up to him. Even if in the end he eats me, I wouldn't mind. I have dedicated myself to him in the day I came to this realm, and I want to repay his kindness with all cost. So that's why... Don't kick me out from here."

Xiu Zhen watched Ai Lie's tears that rolls down on her cheeks.

"Have you ever made a contract with him, Young Maiden?"

"Oh...? Umm... No, I guess?"

"Good. I believe there will be a day when he made one with you. I believe, he hold you closest to his heart. In fact, all of the women I knew, no exception to me, who ever fell for him were all defeated by you."

"H-HUH??", She is blushed.

"May I ask? Do you love him?"

Ai Lie stunned for a while. Her face grew redder. She is hesitate to tell her the truth but finally she nods her head.

"Then, remember my words. Don't repeat the same mistake as mine. Once a demon fell for human, he became mad for love. Don't ever made the contract one-sided, if he sacrificed himself for you, you should sacrificed yourself too. I believe without being told you will do what I asked."

She nods again, "Of course, My Lord! But, My Lord, what about the peaceful contract? I mean, no demons may harm me..."

"That's true. His Majesty is a wise man. I pray he will never have the slightest ill intention in mind. Or I have another idea."

"What is it?"

"I am now very capable at making medicine. I will search for a new formula that could hold the feel of bloodlust. Once I have succeed, I will inform you."

"Wow! Lord Water can create medicine?"

"Why yes. Here, I will give you the medicine that I seek until my death."

Xiu Zhen hands over a small yellow cloth bag with small black pills inside.

"This...?"

"We called it panacea. It could heal any illness, injuries, even to grows limbs back to their original forms. This medicine is very worthy for humans. Take this, it may come in handy."

"Thank you, My Lord!"

"Very well... You must be tired, forgive me. You may leave.", Xiu Zhen raised from her wooden chair.

"Oh, My Lord, there is something I have to said."

"What is it?"

"Happy born day, Lady Li Hua.", Ai Lie smiled.

Xiu Zhen feels happy. They end their conversation with a warm hug like sisters. Finally Ai Lie knew that Xiu Zhen is actually not holding any dislike towards her. A priestess with mind of stone but heart of glass. She is both strong and fragile in the same time.

Ai Lie went upstairs to her room, leaving Xiu Zhen behind. It's already midnight. She kept the panacea inside her bag, along with the leaf of Butterfly Wings Tree. Then, Ai Lie remembered about Xiu Zhen's birthday. 15th of 3rd month of Lunar Calendar where the moon is at the fullest. She begin to curious.

"Eventhough this world is a parallel world, will it be the same?", She opens her wooden window.

Yes, the crimson moon is shining brightly, lit up the dark sky, along with the sprinkle of tiny stars. The moon is at the fullest, just like what's in her original world supposed to be. It is so big, as if the moon is actually not far from her bedroom. She raised her hand, as if she wanted to reach the moon. Even the moon is shining up there in the sky for celebrating the priestess's born day. Now Ai Lie understands why Xiu Zhen worshiped the moon goddess. Xiu Zhen was the child of the moon herself.

The cold wind blows heavily. Her body is shivering. Her old worn pajamas can't warmth her anyway, so it's time for her to sleep. She closed her window, wrapped herself inside Xin Suan's black robe, covered herself with blanket, and finally, she fell in a deep sleep. In the next morning, Xiu Zhen starts to train Ai Lie the dance performance. The atmosphere between Ai Lie and Xiu Zhen that was cold is now very warm. They exchange smiles, words, and laughter. Finally, this training session doesn't feel like hell anymore, but it feels like Ai Lie is being taught by her favorite teacher.