Author's Note: Sorry for that unnotified hiatus! Summer vacation was ending so I decided to spend some time with my family and didn't have any time to write! Anyways, school is starting soon however I will be trying to write more! Thanks for reading everyone! ::)
Yu Lin sat on her bed as her fingers traced the title of the book with her fingers. ‘Heavenly Sky Research Group: Poison And Antidotes.’ she read in her head. She couldn’t contain her excitement as she opened the book and began flipping through the pages. Her eyes started to tear up as a smile formed on her face. ‘Those brats… those brats who everyone thought was good-for-nothing a....they finished it... they actually finished it.’ Yu Lin wiped her tears away with the back of her sleeve as she continued turning the pages of the book. Yu Lin didn’t fall asleep until dawn came that day with the book in one of her hands.
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Hu Die stared at the bunch of healers in front of her. There were approximately fifteen people in the classroom. They were healers who managed to passed the exams but have failing marks for their in class practices. The academy couldn’t turn them away either for they had already paid for their tuition for the next two years.
Hu Die closed her eyes and swallowed hard as she walked in front of the classroom. All the healers looked at her in awe.
“Do you guys, know who I am?” she asked loudly.
“Yes.” They all answered in unison, some of them smiling happily.
“Then, do you guys know why you guys are here?”
“...yes.” they all answered dejected.
“Then, do you guys know why I am here?”
“You are here to tell us that we can never make it as healers, so we should just go home, right?” a male answered in a sad voice.
“Hey you,” Hu Die looked at the student who just spoke, “what is your name?”
“Huh? Wha… it’s Zhi Shu, Fei Zhi Shu.” he answered timidly.
“Why are you here?”
“Wha… uh… well… because I wanted to help people… like my mother.”
“Like your mother?”
“Yes. My mother was a teacher and she helped changed many of her students… but three years ago she passed away due to an unknown illness... I want to help people's lives like she did.”
“Then, what makes you think you can’t do that?”
“It’s because… I am poor… and because I have no talent.” Zhi Shu quietly said. Hu Die sighed and shook her head.
“No. That’s not why you can’t do it. You can’t do it because you make excuses for yourself! All of you!” Hu Die yelled, directing her voice to all the students as she slammed the table next to her. The kids looked down as some of their faces turned red. “All these things about you being poor, your lack of skill, all these are just excuses!?!” The students looked at each other nervously, avoiding her gaze. “All of you guys have no place here. You guys are all failures! You guys don’t deserve to be here because this academy has no place for losers like you!” Some of the students began tearing up. “But,” Hu Die softly said, “we should change that.” the students looked up at her.
“What do you mean?” a female student asked.
“I’m saying that you guys should change.”
“How?” a male student blurted out. Hu Die gave them a smirk.
“Come in.” she said. The door to the classroom opened to reveal a male healer. The male healer bowed to the class.
“Nice to meet you all, my name is Sun Du Yao.” he said.
“Sun Du Yao? Isn’t he one of us?” some of them muttered.
“This person will now be in charge of you guys. He will the one the help you guys.” Hu Die announced.
“Help us what?” Zhi Shu asked.
“Help you guys prove your worth. Some of you guys may not be smart. Some of you guys may be poor, and some of you guys may not have kills but you guys all made it here. You guys worked hard to enter this school and you did. So, I will not kick out people who have worked their hardest to enter this academy. I will guide them in a path where they can continue to help people in their own ways. Do you guys understand?” Hu Die eyes soften as she smiled at them. Tears ran down some students’ face while others trembled at the hope before.
“Yes!” they cried out. Hu Die nodded her head and then turned to face Du Yao.
“I leave them to you and your project Du Yao. People may look at you guys like this is a useless project, but I believe that the results will save a lot of people in the future.” Hu Die smiled. Du Yao nodded his head.
“I understand… and, thank you.” Du Yao replied and then bowed again. Hu Die smiled before nodding her head.
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Yu Lin opened her eyes to find herself tucked neatly underneath her blanket. She yawned as she sat up and saw the book sitting on the table with a pot of water next to it. She stretched her body before getting out of bed and picking the book back up. ‘I should reread it at least three more times to fully understand and memorize it.’ She thought to herself before setting it on her bed and then washing her face with the pot of water.
After she was done cleaning herself she sat back down on the bed and flipped to the first page of the book again. She was going to start reading however got interrupted by a knock on her door. She lifted her head and set the book down.
“Who is it?” she asked.
“Yu Lin?” a muffled deep voice resonated behind the door. Yu Lin smiled before jumping off her bed and walking over to the door. She opened it to see her father standing there.
“Good morning papa.” She said before bowing. Chou smiled as he saw his daughter.
“Good morning Yu Lin! Are you feeling better today?”
“Yes papa.”
“Then, do you want to come to town with me?” Chou asked. Yu Lin thought about it for a second before nodding. Chou smiled and then reached out his hand.
“Let’s go.”
“Alright!” Yu Lin took his hand.
Unlike with Yo Mei who walked through the center of town, Chou and Yu Lin walked on the outskirts of town. During the walk Chou would point to houses and tell her about the ones he built, and how long it took him to build it. Yu Lin listened carefully paying attention to each word as her father chattered away happily. After about half an hour they stopped towards a small stream to rest.
Yu Lin put her hand in the stream and felt the cold water swim through her fingers. She turned her head to look at her dad who was sitting on a nearby boulder humming to himself. Yu Lin smiled before she walked and sat down next to him.
“Papa?”
“Hmm?”
“Why… why are you different from other trolls?” Yu Lin asked as she looked at him. She had always wondered why he wasn’t aggressive or violent like normal trolls. How he seemed more humane than some humans she had encountered before. Chou stiffened before swallowing hard.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, in the story books, they always show the troll as the bad guy. They always show how he goes and hurt other creatures… but you’re different. You are nice, and you help people instead of hurting them. Why?” Yu Lin carefully said. Chou let out a sigh before patting Yu Lin on the back.
“Shall I tell you a story Yu Lin?” Chou said as he picked her up and sat her down on his lap. Yu Lin raised her eyebrows confused before nodding. “Alright then… let’s see. A long, long time ago, there a family of trolls that lived in the mountains. In that family there was a papa, a mama, a mistress, and three brothers. The oldest brother’s name was Du Li, the middle was Du Zhi, and the youngest was Du Chou. Li and Chou were full blooded brothers sharing the same parents however Du Zhi was only their half brother as his mother, the mistress, was human. The three of them lived happily… or so it seemed to Li and Chou. They would always hunt for wild animals to eat as they lived far from human villages. The unfortunate humans that did get caught would be given as an offer to their papa and mama. Usually the three brothers would have stored enough meat to last them through the winter, however that year was a harsh year. The family had ran out of food halfway through winter and by the end they were barely alive. Zhi was sent out to hunt as he had the most strength out of all of them, while the rest of the family stayed home. It was during this time… that Li suggested something horrible…” Chou looked down with sad eyes.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“What did he suggest?” Yu Lin softly asked.
“Li suggested… he suggested to eat the mistress for dinner that night.” Chou quietly muttered. Yu Lin’s eyes widened.
“What… happened?” she cautiously asked.
“The papa and mama… they agreed to Li’s idea for the aching in their stomach was getting worse by the day. Chou however, did not agree to it as he was raised up by the mistress unlike Li who was raised by mama. The mistress was terrified and weak, however she could not run away because she was chained at the foot. Chou tried to stop them… but he was too weak. After a few punches he was slammed down to the ground. He could only watch as the mistress screamed while the rest of his family ripped apart her limbs and he fell unconscious. When he woke up the whole room was splattered with blood as Zhi kneeled with his shaking back against him.
‘Brother Zhi,’ Chou said, ‘what happened? Where’s everyone?’. Zhi’s back stopped shaking as he stood up and turned around to face Chou. Chou froze when he saw Zhi’s face. Tears gushed out of his fury filled eyes as he slowly walked towards Chou. Instinctively Chou couldn’t help but back away however he didn’t get far as his back hit the wall.
‘Did you eat her also? Did you, Chou?’ Zhi had asked in the human language. Right there Chou recalled what had happened before he fell unconscious and shook his head.
‘No.’ He muttered back.
‘Ha...ha...haha… Ah!’ Zhi yelled before running up to Chou and wrapping his fingers around Chou’s neck.
‘Don’t lie you monster! You are one of them! You are one of those disgusting creatures!’ Zhi had yelled… Chou didn’t know what to do other then shake his head.
‘I didn’t do it. Please don’t kill me.’ he could only beg. Zhi didn’t listen as he choked him even harder but just as Chou was about to pass out he had let go of Chou. Zhi had turned around and picked up his axe as Chou was gasping for air.
‘If you didn’t eat her… then prove it to me. Repent for what your family has done… help the humans, do not hurt them… raise a family and don’t make them like ours.’ Zhi had said. Chou looked up to see Zhi looking down at him with lifeless eyes. ‘I will be watching from the heavens Chou. I will be watching you.’ Zhi then raised the axe he was holding, and swung it at his neck. Chou… couldn’t believe that just in one day… he had lost his whole family… but because of that incident, he had promised himself two things.” Chou swallowed hard.
“What are they?”
“First, to never harm another human and secondly, to make sure that he will always be there for his family.” Chou looked down and smiled at Yu Lin. Yu Lin smiled back.
“Thank you.” She said as she hugged her father. Chou eyes widened before hugging her back.
“Thank me for what Yu Lin?”
“Thank you for the story papa.” Yu Lin patted Chou on the back. Chou smiled again before gently pulling her off. He had originally wanted to tell Yu Lin the story when she was older, however because of her maturity he thought that telling her now would not be a bad idea.
“Let’s go back. You must be hungry. Papa will even give you a piggyback ride!” Chou cheerfully said as he threw Yu Lin onto his back. Yu Lin let out a gasp before bursting out into laughter as the two headed back. “Also, Yu Lin, make sure to properly tuck yourself to sleep so you don’t get a cold at night. You understand?” Chou sternly said. Yu Lin raised her eyebrows for a moment before nodding her head.
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Chou let Yu Lin off in front of the siheyuan as the two headed inside. When they stepped through the gates Yu Lin saw Chief Chu speaking to another elderly man and she shuddered remembering her future training.
“Good afternoon Chief Chu!” Chou loudly called out as he waved towards him. Chief Chu turned his head and smiled as he nodded his head.
“Good afternoon Mr. Du.” Chief Chu said as Chou and Yu Lin stopped in front of them.
“Good afternoon Mr. Lu.” Chou bowed his head to the elderly man and then he slightly nudged Yu Lin.
“G-good afternoon Chief Chu and Mr. Lu.” Yu Lin quickly said as she bowed her head to the both of them. When she looked up her eyes met with Mr. Lu’s beady ones as he looked at her with scorn. Yu Lin averted her eyes as she quickly looked at the ground.
“What are you two doing here?” Mr. Lu asked, his voice as sharp as a blade.
“Oh yes, I forgot to mention Mr. Lu, the Du family has moved in with me.” Chief Chu said lightly. Mr. Lu let out a puff of disapproval air before shaking his head.
“Disgusting beasts.” He muttered under his breath. Yu Lin looked back up a tiny bit annoyed as she locked her gaze again with his. This time she did not look away as she continued staring into his eyes. Mr. Lu glared back down and directed a murderous aura towards her.
“Excuse me Mr. Lu, did you say something?” Chief Chu asked as he stepped in front of Yu Lin.
“Nothing Chief Chu. Would you mind if we take this conversation… somewhere private?”
“Of course not, follow me to my room.” Chief Chu said as he gestured his arm out in the direction of his room. He then turned around and bowed his head at Yu Lin and Chou. “Please excuse me for now Mr. Du and Yu Lin. Oh, and if you can, please tell everyone I will be absent for lunch today.” Chief Chu smiled.
“That will be no problem Chief Chu. See you later then.” Chou bowed his head back. Yu Lin didn’t say anything back as she only bowed her head. Chief Chu nodded his head before he and Mr. Lu took off to his room.
Yu Lin returned to her room alone as Chou left for the dining room. Chou had wanted to walk her back but she told him that she was alright going alone. She couldn’t yet eat with the others yet as the physician had her on a strict diet to help her recover and forbid her from the dining room just in case she got tempted to eat the food there. ‘What is his problem?’ Yu Lin thought as Mr. Lu’s face flashed across her head as she stepped inside her room. ‘Why did he sa-’
“Where have you been?” Yu Lin jumped startled as she looked up to see the physician sitting down with a tray of food and medicine on the table.
“I just went on a walk with my father. It wasn’t physically exhausting so you don’t have to worry about anything.” Yu Lin answered as she sat down. The physician shrugged his shoulder before sliding the tray of medicine in front of her. Yu Lin grimaced as she looked down at the bowl of dark brown, almost black, liquid before picking it up and gulping it down. She shuddered after she was done as she placed the bowl back down on the tray and pushing the tray back. The physician let out a small laugh as he pushed the tray of food in front of her. Yu Lin side eyed him for a split second before picking up her small spoon and scooping the congee into her mouth. The physician held up the Poison and Antidote book.
“How was it? Confusing right?” the physician said looking at her. Yu Lin merely shrugged her shoulders as she continued eating. The physician raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything else. “Hey little girl.” the physician finally spoke after a while.
“Hm?”
“Do you want to become my apprentice?” he asked. Yu Lin coughed as she suddenly choked on her congee. The physician quickly poured her a cup of tea and handed it to her. She dranked it and after the itch disappeared from her throat she looked up at him with surprised eyes.
“What? Apprentice? Me?”
“Mmhmm. You seemed to be pretty interested into medicine too, and my intuition also tells me that you already know a lot. How about you give it a try?” The physician casually said.
“No thank you sir. I am more interested in martial arts than in medicine so I will have to decline your offer.” Yu Lin said as she continued eating.
“Are you sure? You might regret this.” The physician squinted his eyes at her.
“I’m sure.” Yu Lin replied. The physician then let out a sigh and just shrugged his shoulders.
“Oh well then I guess. Just know that if you do want to become my apprentice in the future it will be hard.” The physician let out a chuckle. Yu Lin ignored him as she continued on with her food.