After announcing the news of Sen Feng being the next village chief, and settling down some disputes, it was time for their departure. When Chief Chu announced their departure, many were quite sad but they could do nothing except smile and hope for the best. Chief Chu was done preparing and Yu Lin was also. The two were ready to leave as they stood at the entrance of the house. The home family was also there to send them off. Yo Mei wept in Chou’s arms as she was having trouble seeing Yu Lin go.
“It’s okay mother. It will only be for four years and I will be back.” Yu Lin reassured her as she gave both her parents a hug. She then moved on to Ju Hua and Sen Feng. Ju Hua bent down and gave her a tight hug.
“Take care of yourself Yu Lin.” she said. Yu Lin nodded her head.
“I will aunt Ju Hua. You take care of yourself too.” Yu Lin said. Yo Mei then stepped back as Yu Lin stepped in front of Sen Feng. Sen Feng only side eyed her before looking away.
“Hmph! Finally there will be some peace and quiet in the house.” he said.
“Not with you still there.” Yu Lin said back. He snapped his neck back.
“What did you say you brat?!” Sen Feng yelled.
“Sen Feng.” Chief Chu and Yo Mei said with a chilling voice at the same time. A shiver went down Sen Feng’s back before he plastered a fake smile on his face.
“Take care of yourself and my dad Yu Lin.” he said. Yu Lin only rolled her eyes before moving onto the next person.
He Lan stood there his eyebrows curved down, and his eyes looking away. His mouth was slightly pouting.
“Where’s Mei Rong and Leng Zhuang?” Yu Lin asked.
“They couldn’t make it today, so they told me to give you their wishes.” He Lan replied, still looking down. “Do… you have to go Yu Lin?” he asked carefully peering up. Yu Lin smiled as she reached into her robe and pulled something out.
“He Lan,” she walked up to him, “look up.”
“Hmm?” He Lan looked up and found himself only a couple of inches away from her face. He blushed as he felt something tightening around his head. Yu Lin then backed away and smiled.
“Happy Birthday He Lan!” she said. She watched as he reached up to touch the fabric around his head.
“This…”
“That’s the robe I was wearing when we first met. Even though you worked so hard to stitch it up, I’m sorry to say that I cut it back up to make this headband for you.” Yu Lin put her hands together as if she was begging for forgiveness.
“Why?”
“Because it’s the best representation of our relationship. At first we weren’t too fond of each other, but now we are good friends. Look, I’m wearing it too!” Yu Lin held up her arm to reveal a blue fabric bracelet on her wrist, covering her endless bracelet. “From now on, let’s stay good friends He Lan.” Yu Lin smiled. He Lan entire face was red as quickly looked away.
“Y-y-yea.” he replied. The other adults looking at them only laughed internally. Yu Lin was oblivious to their looks. She then sat on a chair which had two straps connected to it. She held hers and Chief Chu’s bundle, and tightened it onto herself with a rope which she tightened herself onto the chair as well. Chief Chu then pulled the chair on like a backpack. The two of them waved the rest goodbye and Chief Chu then quickly leaped away. Yu Lin didn’t stop waving until the rest of the people there grew so small she couldn’t see them anymore.
Chief Chu and Yu Lin traveled onwards for three days and two nights without rest. Chief Chu wanted to get the training area as fast as possible. He also did not want to stop somewhere for rest because he didn’t want to bring attention to Yu Lin. He would only drink water and eat bread when he felt like it. Yu Lin on the other hand spent most of her time reading and would look up occasionally to enjoy the view. She spent the last couple of hours also sleeping.
“Yu Lin,” Chief Chu shook Yu Lin’s shoulder, “Yu Lin wake up. We are here.” Yu Lin opened her eyes to find herself surrounded completely by trees. She set their things on the ground and got out of the seat. She stretched her body and yawned. She looked around to see only wildlife. She turned around to see that they were at the base of a mountain.
“Where are we?” she asked as she bent down to pick up their bundles.
“Mount Dali.” Chief Chu answered.
“Mount Dali? This…”
“It’s located in the most northern part of Green continent. Here, there is no one to bother us and our training. Follow me Yu Lin.”
Chief Chu started to walk towards the mountain. Yu Lin stumbled behind as she carried all their luggage. Yu Lin watched as Chief Chu felt the wall of the mountain. After it looked like he found it, he pressed a leverage and the mountain split in half. Yu Lin jumped, a bit startled. Chief Chu then walked inside calmly. Yu Lin gained her composure and quickly followed behind. The mountain then closed behind them.
“Woah!” she breathed out in awe. Inside she could feel such an abundance of pure energy. Not only that but inside was a siheyuan. They entered the siheyuan and Yu Lin followed Chief Chu to a room.
“This will be your room from now on,” he said as he grabbed his bundles off of Yu Lin, “put your stuff away and meet me back at the main garden.” Yu Lin nodded as she watched Chief Chu leapt off somewhere. She dropped her stuff on a table and then quickly returned back to the main garden.
When she got there, she saw Chief Chu sitting in the center with his legs crossed on the ground. She walked up and sat down the same, across from him. Chief Chu had his eyes closed and when he heard Yu Lin sit he opened them. Yu Lin could feel shivers from his look. It was a look she had never seen before. It was a look that said if she said the wrong thing she was going to die.
“Yu Lin- no, you,” Chief Chu’s voice seem to cut into Yu Lin, “who are you?” Yu Lin’s eyes widen as she swallowed hard.
“What do you mean grandpa? I am, Yu Lin.” she replied. In less than a second when she said that she felt Chief Chu’s fingers wrapped around her neck. She froze.
“Tell me honestly. Who are you?” Chief Chu hissed. Yu Lin went cold.
“What… do you mean? I… don’t understand.” Yu Lin’s voice quivered as she stared straight into his murderous eyes. Chief Chu narrowed his eyes as he remembered the night he had started to doubt the child in front of him.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Yu Lin!” Chief Chu ran up to her and tried to grab her arm. When his hand touched her skin though he retracted it and winced. He looked at his hand and could see a blister started to form as if he just got burnt. He looked up to see steam rising out from Yu Lin’s body. ‘Just what is going on?’ He thought as he stared wide-eyed, unsure of what to do. Just then Yu Lin’s lips started to move and she croaked something out. He went closer.
“S… me… ong…” she muttered.
“What is it Yu Lin? Say it again so grandpa can hear!” Chief Chu said as he put his ear right next to her lips.
“Save… me… Qi… Long…” she croaked out. Chief Chu backed away, surprised.
“Qi Long?” he wondered why she was uttering this name. It was as she was uttering the name of the person she loved. He knew everyone around her and their names, but he did not know this name.
“Ugh!” Yu Lin grunted. Chief Chu saw her squirming in pain. ‘I got no choice left.’ he thought as he picked Yu Lin up by putting one arm under her knee and the other on her back. He clenched his teeth as he felt his hands burning. He quickly leapt to her room and set her on the bed. His hands trembled as he saw his scalded arms. He paid it no mind as he leapt back to the room where He Lan was at.
“Wang Pei,” he said as he got there, “we need to go now.” The physician turned to look at him.
“Hong Hu! What happened to your arms?” Wang Pei exclaimed.
“Master!” Tang Tang covered her mouth in shock.
“No time to explain. Tang Tang, please stay here and watch over He Lan.” Chief Chu threw Wang Pei over his shoulder and leapt back to Yu Lin. He set Wang Pei down by the bedside. “Look at her.” Chief Chu said as he closed and locked the door. He didn’t want anyone walking in and getting hurt. Yu Lin was still panting as sweat rolled off her face. Wang Pei raised his hand up to put on Yu Lin’s forehead but Chief Chu quickly grabbed his arm. Wang Pei looked at him confused.
“What?”
“I don’t think you should touch her right now. She is the reason for my arms and hands.” Chief Chu said.
“That’s impossible. If she was, then she shouldn’t even be alive right now!” Wang Pei exclaimed.
“I do not know. She is not human, nor a troll, or an elf. She is a mixed breed and that may be why she is still alive.”
“Still, creatures cannot stand such hot temperatures. Their bodies would probably burst into ashes already!”
“But she’s an elto. This is the first time I have seen an elto live up past the age of one!”
“What? She’s an Elto? She’s not a mix between human and elf, but mix between elf and troll?”
“That’s right.”
“And she’s still alive? What is she?!”
“No time to explain, hurry and check up on her!”
“But how can I check her if I can’t even touch her?”
“I don’t know, but figure something out. You’re a physician aren’t you?” Chief Chu said. Wang Pei let out a sigh before he turned back. When he turned back to look Yu Lin had stopped panting. She was now breathing normally. He frowned as he raised his hand up. “Wang Pei!”
“Shh!” he hushed Chief Chu. Chief Chu watched as he put his hand on Yu Lin’s forehead. He was ready for him to retract it like he did, but Wang Pei did not.
“She’s not burning. She just has a high fever now.” Wang Pei said as pulled a bottle out of his bag. He then laid Yu Lin’s torso on his shoulder, and poured the contents of the bottle inside her mouth. After that he pressed some of her meridian points to cool her down further.
“What? Are you sure?”
“I am.” Wang Pei replied as he set Yu Lin down.
“But just earlier, she was as hot as a furnace… what is this?” Chief Chu frowned. Wang Pei walked up to him and gently grabbed his upper arm. With just this gentle touch, Chief Chu winced.
“Never mind her for now, we need to take a look at you. Sit down.” Wang Pei led Chief Chu to the tea table. He had Chief Chu laid his arms on the tea table. He pulled out a bottle and shook the bottle onto his hand. A small pill fill out, which he stuffed into Chief Chu’s mouth. “Swallow this. It’s a painkiller.” he said. Chief Chu did as he was instructed. After a few minutes he felt the pain from his arms lessen.
Wang Pei then pulled a salve and a pair of scissors. He gently cut off the sleeve of Chief Chu. He sighed as he observe the burns.
“This… it will take a while to heal.” Wang Pei said.
“How long?”
“Maybe a couple months at the least… ugh, only at times like these did I wish my chi center was bigger so I could heal you thoroughly. The most I can do is probably just repair one of the skin layers.” Wang Pei scratched his head in frustration. Chief Chu could only sigh.
“Let me help.” the both of them jumped, startled at the sudden voice. They turned to see Yu Lin standing there next to them. Her eyes seemed to be unfocused.
“Yu Lin! What are you doing? Get back to b-”
“I’m sorry. You got hurt because of me.” Yu Lin said as she hovered her hands over Chief Chu’s burns. “Don’t worry though, you will feel better soon.”
“Yu Lin!” Chief Chu was going to stop her, when all of a sudden he felt his arms recovering. He looked down to see each layer of skin that was burnt being repaired, one after another. His jaw dropped and he looked up to see Wang Pei’s jaw lying on the floor also. After just a few moments, his arms and hands had returned to normal, as if they were never burned in the first place. Both the men were speechless.
“Thi-thi-this… what?” Wang Pei could barely get his question out. Yu Lin looked at Chief Chu and smiled.
“I’m all done grandpa. You’re all better now.” she said proudly before her eyes closed and she began falling towards the ground. Chief Chu caught her just in time. He picked her up and placed her back on the bed. When he turned around he saw Wang Pei staring at him in disbelief. Even Chief Chu didn’t know how to react. In his 102 years alive, he had never seen anything like this.
“I-i-i-is she… a sp-sp-spirit?” Wang Pei was trembling as he pointed at Yu Lin. Chief Chu shook his head.
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“No… she called me grandpa so she couldn’t possibly be a spirit.” he said.
“Then how did she know how to do that? How did she know how to heal your arms? It was as if she was an Adva- no a Mast- no a Grandmaster ranked healer!” Wang Pei exclaimed.
“What?! A Grandmaster ranked healer?!” Chief Chu finally understood why Wang Pei was shaking. “No… way…” he was in disbelief. The two of them only stared at each other, unsure of what to do.
“A-a-anyways… what should we do? If she is a spirit… when she recovers then she might do something harmful to us. If she’s not a spirit, then… what is she?” Wang Pei scratched his head. Chief Chu thought about it for a while. He did always think that Yu Lin was wiser than other children, and her attitude about things were certainly different. He kept on thinking and thinking before letting out a deep breath.
“First, let’s not tell anyone about this. We don’t want to raise any alarms or suspicions. She’s weak right now. If she is a spirit then she would wait to recover. We can also question her when she regains her consciousness. If she doesn’t know anything then she is a spirit.” Chief Chu said. Wang Pei nodded his head.
“I agree.” Wang Pei said. Chief Chu touched his forehead for a second as he continued to think.
“What is going on?” he muttered. He suddenly opened his eyes when he felt someone grabbed his arm.
“First, let’s wrap your arms. Your servant from earlier saw that they were burned so if it all of sudden gets better then she’s going to be suspicious. We can also question the girl about it when she wakes up later.” Wang Pei said. Chief Chu nodded as he sat down and let Wang Pei wrap bandages around his arms. “Maybe,” Wang Pei put the bandages away as he looked up and met Chief Chu’s eyes, “He Lan’s wounds… maybe she was the one who healed him too.” As soon as he said this Chief Chu started to piece everything together.
“That may be true… in that case, even if she is a spirit…” Chief Chu and Wang Pei turned to glance at Yu Lin for a moment. “For now, let’s just see what happens. I will have to go to talk to Tang Tang about this too. You should stay here and keep an eye on her. If anything happens, just blow on that whistle I got you.” Chief Chu got up and left the room.
He arrived back at the room where Tang Tang was looking over He Lan. Tang Tang saw him and got up from the bedside.
“Master. Is young lady alright?” Tang Tang asked, concerned.
“She’s alright now Tang Tang. Where did Ju Hua and doctor Wang go?”
“Ju Hua escorted doctor Wang back home.”
“Is that so? I see… anyways, please keep this matter quiet. Do you understand Tang Tang?” Chief Chu looked at her with serious eyes. Tang Tang straightened her back and bowed.
“I understand master.” she said.
“Good. You can go get some rest now.” Chief Chu said. Tang Tang nodded as she left the room. When Chief Chu was sure she was gone, he walked up to He Lan. He placed his fingers on He Lan’s stomach. ‘It was definitely opened earlier… and it would not have been easy to fix… but to look as if he was never injured?’ he thought to himself. ‘He didn’t know what had happened, but he had a suspicion that Yu Lin wasn’t who he simply thought she was.
The next day Chief Chu went to see Wang Pei in Yu Lin’ room. He glanced at Yu Lin before looking at Wang Pei.
“How is she?” he asked.
“It worked Hong Hu. She should be fine now.” Wang Pei replied as he held up the medicine bottle with a smile. Chief Chu frowned, still worried. He turned back to see Yu Lin’s eyes slightly open, looking at the two of them.
“Yu Lin! Do you feel alright?” Chief Chu walked up to her. He watched as Yu Lin’s eyes slowly fluttered back close.
“Don’t worry too much Hong Hu. She’s probably just tired. We should let her rest more.” Wang Pei said besides him.
“Are you sure?”
“I am. Just let her sleep.” Wang Pei reassured him. Chief Chu put his hand on his chin, thinking for a moment before putting his arm around Wang Pei’s shoulder. He turned Wang Pei around and walked away from Yu Lin. “Wang Pei,” he whispered, “just in case she is a spirit. Don’t tell her your name. In case something happens to us, at least you will be safe.When she is fully recovered, I will make sure she uses all her energy so that she does not do anything reckless. ” Chief Chu said. Wang Pei looked at him and nodded his head.
“I understand.” Wang Pei said.
---
Chief Chu went to Yu Lin’s room to check up on her. When he was at the entrance, he saw Yu Lin staring at her abdomen with a concentration.
“Yu Lin?” he called out. He saw her abruptly looked up and when she saw her she jumped onto her feet and bowed.
“Thank you. Thank you very much and I’m sorry for all the trouble I have caused. If it wasn’t for you, then I will not be alive right now. Thank you.” she said with sincerity. Chief Chu let out a heartily laugh as he stepped inside the room.
“Get up Yu Lin, you don’t have to do this. If it wasn’t for you my grandson would’ve died already.” Chief Chu said as he observed her reaction.
“What do you mean?” Yu Lin asked, confused but Chief Chu could see a small sweat bead trailing down her face and her face was slightly stiff. He smiled.
“He Lan told me all about it. About how you came up with the plan to escape, and about how you stayed behind to help him. That boy was really worried about you.” he replied. Her face relaxed immediately.
“Where is he?” she asked smiling.
“As punishment for what he, and the other kids, try to do you, I sent them out to collect some herbs with Tang Tang.”
“I see… but, who is that physician that has been taking care of me these past few days? I keep asking him but he won’t tell me his name.” Yu Lin made an annoyed face. Chief Chu let out another laugh.
“That man? I wonder why he won’t tell you his name…” Chief Chu touched his chin as he looked up, feigning innocence.
“That’s right… I wonder why too.” Yu Lin nodded her head. Chief Chu shrugged his shoulders.
“If he won’t tell you, then I’m sorry to say that I can’t tell you either.”
“Grandpa!” Yu Lin complained but Chief Chu just shook his head.
“Anyways, rest while you can. When you’re better your training is going to be tripled.”
“What?! Why?” Yu Lin almost yelled. Chief Chu’s expression got a bit stiff, a bit caught off guard, but he quickly followed up.
“I told you not to fall asleep, but you fell asleep anyways. Why didn’t you listen to me?”
“But that wasn’t something I could control! If a person is tired, a person will eventually fall asleep.”
“Shhh, shh, shh. You still went against my word, so enjoy this time while you still have it.”
“I’m going to tell my parents!”
“Your parents are the ones who entrusted your training to me.” Chief Chu smiled at Yu Lin. He watched as he let out a groan before looking back at him.
“Talking about my parents, where is my mother?” she asked with worried eyes.
“Your mother is still in the other village right now. She wanted to come straight here and see you but she stayed behind to help rebuild the village instead after hearing that you were alright.”
“Heard that I was alright? How?”
“I sent a message to Sen Feng through a bird messenger. Don’t worry, she will be back soon.” Chief Chu gave Yu Lin a reassuring smile. She nodded her head. “Anyways, I have to head back to attend to some matters. You try to get as much rest as you can alright?”
“Yes. Again, thank you very much.” she said as she gave him another bow. Chief Chu turned around and began walking out the door, but paused.
“By the way Yu Lin, did you… feel a presence inside of you or feel anything try to take you over?” he carefully asked. He saw her eyes widened as she swallowed and looked down.
“N-n-no. I don’t really remember after I got hurt by the witch.” she answered. Chief Chu raised an eyebrow.
“Is that so? I see then… well I will see you later then.” Chief Chu pondered for a second before walking away. When he stepped out into the hallway he saw Wang Pei delivering medicine. He stopped him for a moment. “Come to my room later. We have something to discuss.” he whispered. Wang Pei nodded his head, and the two parted ways.
-
Chief Chu locked the room to his door as Wang Pei took a seat at the tea table. He went and sat across from Wang Pei.
“How is she?” Chief Chu asked.
“She is recovering well.” Wang Pei answered. “I also asked her who she was like we both planned, but she knew who she was. She didn’t say she didn’t know who she was, or that she had lost her memory. It was quite weird how she responded… like a healer would to another healer. A patient would be confused… but she wasn’t.” Wang Pei scratched his hair. “I also told her to thank you as you burned your hands and she didn’t show any unexpected reaction.”
“That’s true. Just earlier she thanked me sincerely, as if she didn’t remember healing my hands or arms. She did seemed a bit nervous when I asked her if she felt any spirits enter her, but other than that she seemed to be completely normal. Like she was Yu Lin.” Chief Chu was also confused.
“However… has she ever learned about medicine before Hong Hu?” Wang Pei asked. Chief Chu thought about it before shaking his head.
“ I do not think so.”
“Really?”
“Why?”
“Earlier I was just talking to her about the medicine that I was giving her. Unlike normal children who would refuse medicine, she drank all of it. She seemed to have a lot of knowledge about medicine. She told me that she read about it in books, but when I went to your library earlier I didn’t see her name on any of medical books for check out. Did her parents give her books about medicine to read?”
“No, I don’t think so. Medicine books are not cheap but also hard to come by so her parents could not have possibly given her those books to read.” Chief Chu said. The two of them thought together for a while.
“Anyways, we should just continue to watch over her for now.” Wang Pei said. “It doesn’t seem like she’s possessed by a spirit, but… she does have some amazing skills for a three year old.” Chief Chu just nodded.
---
“I plan to take her away from here after Sen Feng’s wedding to find out the truth. If she is dangerous, then I don’t want her to harm any of the people here.” Chief Chu said as he watched Wang Pei grab another book from the shelf and throw it into his sack.
“That sounds reasonable.” Wang Pei said back. “Besides, it’s always better safe than sorry.” Chief Chu nodded in agreement to him.
“That’s true.”
“By the way, where are you taking her?”
“To Mount Dali.”
“Mount Dali?!” Wang Pei exclaimed.
“Yes. It’s the safest place I know. If something happens to me while I’m trying to find out who she is, then at least she won’t be able to escape.”
“I see… that’s a good place to go then.” Wang Pei had a conflicted look on his face. Chief Chu perked up as he suddenly remembered that day’s dinner.
“Did you really feed her chicken ginger soup Wang Pei?” Chief Chu asked. The conflicted look disappeared from Wang Pei’s face as he shook his head.
“Of course not,” Wang Pei replied, “but I do find her rather interesting Hong Hu. She seems to be very interested in medicine. I even asked her to be my apprentice, but she rejected me.” Wang Pei let out a small laugh.
“What?! You off-”
“Wait, she’s here.” Wang Pei whispered as he smiled.
“Hello Yu Lin.” he said grinning. Yu Lin put on a fake smile as she walked inside the library.
“Are you going somewhere sir?” she asked.
“Ooohhh, never thought our young lady here would be curious about my plans.” Wang Pei snickered. Chief Chu just rolled his eyes. The smile disappeared from Yu Lin’s face as she gave him an are you serious face. Wang Pei let out a laugh before nodding his head. “Yes. I will be leaving soon. I already said goodbye to the others. Ho- I mean Chief Chu only asked of me to take care of your health. Now that you are fine, I will be going.”
“Oh no! Don’t go sir! I will miss you so much!” Yu Lin said with sarcasm. Wang Pei let out another laugh as Chief Chu quietly chuckled.
“Don’t lie, I know you won’t miss me one bit! Don’t worry though, I will come back to visit.” Wang Pei gave Yu Lin a wink. Yu Lin looked away in disgust.
“Please come back when you can. My home is your home, and you are always welcomed here.” Chief Chu patted Wang Pei’s shoulder a bit too hard. Wang Pei slightly wince before smiling.
“Just summon me each time you need me. I will always be at your service.” Wang Pei said back as he gave Chief Chu a small glare.
“But, are you really not going to tell me your name sir?” Yu Lin put a hand on her hip. Wang Pei nodded his head with a smile.
“One day I will eventually, but not today, besides it will make you think of me constantly.” Wang Pei let out a loud laugh. Yu Lin rolled her eyes. “By the way,” Wang Pei reached into his robe and pulled out something wrapped in a red cloth, “a present for you Yu Lin.” he walked over and handed it to her. Yu Lin frowned as she took the present.
“What is it?” she asked as she was ready to pull away the cloth.
“A ba-ba-ba-ba-bap, open it later not now, alright?” Wang Pei pushed the book forward so Yu Lin would stop. Yu Lin looked up at him confused before shrugging her shoulders.
“If you say so... anyways, thank you very much for your care this past month. If it wasn’t for you then I’m not sure I would’ve recovered this fast. Please be safe sir, and do come back often to tell me of your medicine journey.” Yu Lin sincerely said as she gave him a bow. Wang Pei before patting her head.
“Alright then, I have stayed long enough. I will be leaving now.” Wang Pei said.
“Let me lead you out then.” Chief Chu gestured towards the exit.
“I will also see you out sir.” Yu Lin got up.
“No! You stay here. If you follow us then I might get too sad and would want to stay instead. That won’t help with my medicine journey will it?” Wang Pei firmly shook his head. Yu Lin narrowed her eyes before sighing.
“I understand. Goodbye then sir. Please do come to visit when you are not busy. Be safe on your journey.” Yu Lin gave him another bow. He chuckled as he hugged Chief Chu and Chief Chu leapt away.
The two of them arrived at a cliff, which had a perfect circle drawn on the ground.
“What did you give her?” Chief Chu asked as he put Wang Pei down.
“Just a copy of a book my master finished writing a few months ago before he passed away.” Wang Pei answered nonchalantly. Chief Chu’s jaw dropped before he gave Wang Pei a light punch.
“Why did you give it to me instead?” Chief Chu yelled. Wang Pei laughed as he cowered away.
“Relax Hong Hu! Besides, you won’t understand it anyways… but I have a feeling she would.” Wang Pei stepped into the circle. When he got to the middle, lines that weren’t there started to glow on the green grass. “Continue to look after her Hong Hu. I don’t think she’s a bad person, even if she’s a spirit. I still think you should find out how she knows so much though. If you find out that she’s not a bad person then give her to me. I would love to have her as an apprentice.” Wang Pei grinned. Chief Chu cocked his head.
“Why?”
“I’m not telling you.” Wang Pei let out a hearty laugh before disappearing. A vein popped up on Chief Chu’s head as he watched him disappear.
“That scum!” Chief Chu cursed under his breath. He then laughed before leaping back home. On his way a certain thought came to him. ‘I must find out her true identity. If not, then if things come to worst I am going to have to kill her for the safety of everyone.’ The smile disappeared from his face as he continued to leap.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chief Chu glared at the little girl whose life he held in his hand. She looked frightened.
“You,” he started, “you are not an ordinary child. An ordinary child wouldn’t be able to heal someone’s wound like they are a Grandmaster ranked healer! An ordinary child wouldn’t be able to know so much knowledge about medicine from books she has never read before! Now answer me, who are you?” Chief Chu’s voice was cold.
Yu Lin looked at him shocked. She felt her mouth go dry. ‘He knows. He knows everything.’ She didn’t know how to react. She felt his grip go tighter and she clenched her teeth.
“If you do not wish to die then tell me. Who are you? Are you a spirit who has taken over this body? If you are, then what do you want to do? Who are you?!” Chief Chu yelled at her. Yu Lin closed her eyes tightly before opening them. She looked at Chief Chu and despite the harshness in his eyes, she could see he was in pain because he had to do this. She felt her heart tightened as she figured out she was the one who pushed him to do this. She gently put her hands on his hand that was around her neck.
“I… am… Li… Hu Die…” she croaked. She saw his expression get softer and his grip looser.
“What… what did you just say? Who are you?” he asked. She swallowed hard.
“I am Li Hu Die,” she answered, loud and clear this time, “the healer who healed your calves 25 years ago. The one whose cousin is now your daughter-in-law. I am, that Li Hu Die.”