Chapter 12:song yu 2

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Chapter 12

The morning sun shone brightly, casting its golden rays over the village as Lin Yue and Li Wei stepped out of the magical space once again. They found themselves back in the familiar surroundings of the village where they had arrived days before. Today, they were set to meet Song Yu, and Lin Yue had decided to offer her assistance at the clinic.

As they entered the small but bustling medical hall, the scent of herbs and medicines filled the air. Song Yu greeted them warmly, his usual eccentric grin on his face as he set aside the medicine he had been preparing.

"I'm so glad you've decided to help today, Lin Yue," Song Yu said, ushering them into the back room. "There's plenty to do, and I can always use an extra pair of hands."

Lin Yue smiled at him, her eyes glancing around the room. She could sense the underlying tension in the air, a subtle unease that seemed to linger. It wasn't just the threat of the Mystic Valley looming over them, but the people in the village who were clearly struggling, the weight of their burdens written in the lines of their faces.

As she helped Song Yu with various tasks, such as grinding herbs and preparing medicinal salves, Lin Yue found herself listening intently to the conversations happening around her. The villagers were speaking of their hardships, of illness and injury, and of the way their lives were constantly overshadowed by fear. Song Yu explained how people came from all over the region to seek his help, but despite his best efforts, there was only so much he could do.

"I didn't come to this town by accident," Song Yu confessed to Lin Yue as they worked. "My father's grave is here, and that's what brought me to this place. But there's more going on here than meets the eye."

Lin Yue nodded, her curiosity piqued. She had heard bits and pieces of Song Yu's story, but there was always more beneath the surface that he hadn't yet revealed.

Their conversation was interrupted when two men rushed into the clinic, carrying a third man between them. The injured man looked like he had barely clung to life, his body battered and bloodied.

"Doctor, please! You have to save him!" one of the men shouted, his voice trembling with desperation. The other man echoed his plea in a frantic tone.

Song Yu's face hardened as he sprang into action. "Bring him to the back room. Lin Yue, help them."

Without hesitation, Lin Yue followed the men into the inner room, where the wounded man was carefully placed on a table. Her heart sank as she took in the sight before her. The man's body was covered in deep, violent gashes, as though something—someone—had sliced into him with monstrous force. The wound on his side was particularly disturbing: five long, deep marks as though a giant hand had raked across his flesh.

"Song Yu, what happened to him?" Lin Yue asked quietly, unable to tear her eyes away from the gruesome injury.

After Song Yu disinfected the wound, he turned to the two men and asked what had happened. They explained that they had ventured into the outskirts of the Mist Forest to search for rare herbs and gather water, but their mission had quickly turned dangerous. They had been attacked by a one-eyed man who demanded to know if they had seen a pregnant woman, a man, and four children. When they denied any knowledge of them, the one-eyed man grew enraged. He had been ready to kill them when another figure appeared seemingly out of nowhere—someone powerful enough to stop the attack and save their lives.

But the rescue had come at a high cost. One of the men had been gravely injured in the struggle.

Lin Yue exchanged a glance with Li Wei, her mind racing with the implications of their words. She knew the Mystic Valley had its eyes on them, but this story confirmed just how deep their reach went. The one-eyed man's questions hinted at something much larger, something they were not yet fully aware of.

After a moment of silence, they resumed their work, but Lin Yue couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over her. The atmosphere in the clinic grew heavier, and she found herself glancing over her shoulder at the two men who had brought in the injured one.

A short time later, four masked men arrived at the clinic, each carrying large packages of medicine. They were silent as they placed the bundles on the counter and quickly turned to leave, not saying a word to Song Yu or anyone else in the room.

Lin Yue's eyes followed them with suspicion, her instincts on high alert. As they disappeared out the door, she turned to Song Yu, unable to hold back her questions any longer.

"Who were those men?" she asked quietly.

Song Yu looked up from the counter, seemingly unfazed by the appearance of the masked figures. "They're from the Mystic Valley," he said matter-of-factly.

Lin Yue froze. The Mystic Valley again. She had heard rumors of their power, but this confirmed it—these men weren't just ordinary followers; they were enforcers, and they were everywhere.

For a long moment, Lin Yue was silent as the weight of this knowledge sank in. The Mystic Valley controlled the entire Tianxian Kingdom, and it had its hands in every corner of the continent. Lin Yue had known that the people after her were powerful, but she had underestimated just how far their influence reached.

She glanced at Li Wei, who was busy grinding herbs, pretending not to notice the troubled look on her face. Her mind was racing—what were the chances of escaping the Mystic Valley's grasp? It seemed impossible, but she knew one thing for certain: staying here wasn't an option.

Song Yu continued to chat aimlessly, but Lin Yue didn't hear his words. Instead, she found herself lost in thought, her mind turning over the idea of escape. She needed to grow stronger, but how? She could only rely on her spatial abilities for so long before the Mystic Valley would find a way to neutralize her.

Later that afternoon, Lin Yue decided to explore the town to see what people were up to. As she walked through the quiet streets, she noticed how desolate everything seemed. The shops were sparse, and most of the villagers appeared to be living in fear, hesitant to speak freely. There were a few stands open, but they looked like they were run by people loyal to those in power—like Song Yu.

She returned to the clinic, her mind filled with uncertainty. The village, the town, everything felt like a trap. She couldn't stay here much longer.

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Later that Evening

Back at her room, Lin Yue and Li Wei prepared a simple dinner. After they finished, Lin Yue retired to her room, and Li Wei followed her in. He picked up one of the twins, patting them gently.

Lin Yue sat down beside him, her eyes distant. She knew what she had to do. She had to leave.

"I'm planning to travel to another country," she said quietly, her voice resolute. "I can't stay here—not with the Mystic Valley watching my every move. I need to grow stronger."

Li Wei looked at her thoughtfully. "I can help with that," he said after a pause. "I come from Wuyuan, six countries away from here.i know a quiet place, far from the influence of the Mystic Valley."

Lin Yue's mind whirled as she processed his words. Wuyuan. It sounded like a place where she could find some peace—perhaps even the strength she needed. But there was one more thing she had to consider.

"I don't want to go back home," she said, her voice tinged with bitterness. "They would never let me in. They'd probably kill me before I even set foot inside the door."

Li Wei nodded, understanding her decision. "Then come with me to Wuyuan," he said. "You'll be safe there. And we can figure out what to do next."

Lin Yue's heart clenched, but she knew it was the right choice. She had to leave, and going with Li Wei was the only way forward.

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