A week passed since then as Yu Lin tried to investigate but couldn’t do much as no other students wanted to interact with her. Kumamono was still resting in her room and did not come to class. It seemed like the poison was taking a rather harsh toll on her body despite being treated. Sanji and Su Me had ignored her completely and she hadn’t summoned Nie Fu for a while.

Yu Lin was getting ready to go to class when she heard a knock on her door. She opened the door to see Vice Principal Sato standing there. Vice Principal Sato glared down at her. Yu Lin quickly bowed.

“Greetings Vice Principal Sato.” she said.

“Pack up all your things. I give you three minutes.” Vice Principal Sato hissed. Yu Lin stood upright and looked at her.

“I’m already done.” she replied. Vice Principal Sato narrowed her eyes.

“Then follow me.” she snarled as she turned on her heels and started walking. Yu Lin closed the door behind her as she followed her.

The two ended up at an open courtyard where Principal Ro, Si Zhong, and another elderly male was looking at them. Yu Lin saw the elderly male and her eyes widened just for half a second before returning back to normal. She looked back down as she continued to follow Vice Principal Sato. She ended up in front of a huge clear glass ball. She quickly bowed to each of the people there.

“Greetings Principal Ro, Teacher Mu, and…” she waited.

“Li zhi shu,” a calming low voice said.

“Teacher Li,” Yu Lin said before standing upright. Principal Ro stared at her for a moment before opening his mouth.

“Before we can put you into the higher section of Medicinal Studies, we must test what rank you are at right now. Those who are in the white section must be at least gold rank.” Principal Ro said. Yu Lin looked at the glass ball in front of her and knew what to do. She placed her hand on it and insert some of her chi energy inside. After receiving her chi energy, the glass ball illuminated a gold color with a hint of red.

“Oooohh. 8th Leveled Gold Ranked… quite a feat for such a young person,” Zhi Shu commented. Vice Principal Sato and Si Zhong’s jaw drop a bit as Principal Ro just continued to stare at her. Yu Lin pulled her hand back from the glass ball and the color soon fated.

“Is this good enough?” Yu Lin asked.

“Yes. You will now be put into the yellow section of Medicinal Studies. Teacher Mu, please show her to her new room,” Principal Ro ordered. Just as Yu Lin was about to open her mouth and retaliate, she heard another voice speak out first.

“Wait a moment here Principal Ro,” Zhi Shu said, “Such a talent would be wasted being in the yellow section. I suggest we put her in the white section immediately. Her rank and intellectual are both high enough to do so.”

“But Teacher L-”

“Let’s just do it this way. People out there would also benefit more from this,” Zhi Shu stared at the principal. Principal Ro looked at him for a long moment before letting out a small sigh.

“Let’s do that then,” Principal Ro said. “I will leave her up to you then, Zhi Shu.”

“Don’t worry, Principal Ro, I will make sure her skill gets put to good use,” Zhi Shu answered and bowed.

Yu Lin watched as Principal Ro and Vice Principal Sato turned around and walked away. Her eyes shifted to Zhi Shu who stood up straight and turned to look at her. His stroked his long white beard and gave her a grandfatherly smile. Her heart clenched for a second before she bowed her head.

“Thank you Teacher Li for he-”

“Why is a beautiful young lady like you wearing a uniform for male students?” Zhi Shu suddenly interrupted her. Yu Lin closed her mouth as she stood back upright. She was not fazed by his question.

“I was handed this, so I wore it,” she answered.

“Hmm...that Tsugumi… alright. Save the formalities for later, let me escort you to your room,” Zhi Shu said as he led the way. Yu Lin just nodded as she followed him.

The two walked silently through the hallways and Yu Lin could see how the White section was way more extravagant than the Red section. She continued to look around her to memorize the new place.

“Are you not curious?” Zhi Shu broke the silence.

“Curious about what?” Yu Lin asked back.

“About how I know you are a female.”

“What is there to be curious about?”

“You are not curious at all?”

“Only those who are truly wise will see past the guise.”

“Ho ho ho!” Zhi Shu let out a laugh. “That’s right! That’s right!” he chuckled merrily. He let out a small hum and they walked for a few moments before they reached the corner of a building. There was two doors with a red jewel in the center of the doors, connecting them together.

“Insert your chi into the jewel,” Zhi Shu nodded his head towards the jewel. Yu Lin nodded and did as so. Afterwards, the jewel lit up a bright light before turning back to red. “This room is yours now, and no one except you and a few higher-ups, such as me, can enter the room. In two hours come to the courtyard that we passed by earlier and I will introduce you to the rest of your new classmates.”

“I understand. Thank you, Teacher Li,” Yu Lin gave him a bow. She watched as he was walking away before he suddenly stopped and turned around. He walked back to her and placed a hand on the side of his mouth.

“Also, I just wanted to tell you that you are very lucky. The Ruby room is the only room to have its own bath included with it,” he whispered before letting out a small laugh and walking away. Yu Lin just shrugged her shoulders at him before turning around.

“Open,” she said and the two doors opened, revealing a big room behind it. She walked inside and closed the doors behind her. She looked around to see that there was more furniture and the bed was better compared to her stay at the Red section. There were also doors leading on the opposite side of the wall and she opened them to reveal a small backyard with a small bath that had water constantly running through it. She let out a sighed relief before sitting down on her bed. A book appeared in her hand and she began to read it.

-

Yu Lin was the first one to the courtyard and she sat down on a stone chair that was next to a circular table. She tapped her fingers on the table as she rested her chin on the other hand.

“Are you the new student?” a high pitch voice asked from behind her. Yu Lin stood up and turned around to see a curvy student with black hair and purple eyes smile at her. She gave her a small head bow.

“I am Du Yu Lin. Please to meet you,” she said. The girl smiled as she walked up to Yu Lin.

“I am Ni Yang Yang. Please to meet you too,” she said before letting out a small laugh, “I have to thank you.”

“Thank me? Why?”

“For putting that stupid giant in his place.”

“Giant?” Yu Lin was puzzled a moment before she nodded her head, “ahh, you mean my servant. It was no trouble at all.”

“Who are you calling your servant?!” a familiar voice yelled out. Yu Lin turned her head to see Nie Fu stomping his way towards them.

“Who do you think you are yelling at?” Yu Lin hissed as she glared at him and he stopped in his tracks as a small sweat bead trailed down his forehead.

“I was jo-joking around master! Forgive me! Forgive me!”

“Forgive you? Your master went through some traumatizing events lately yet I heard nothing from my servant at all. Were you hoping that I was going to get kicked out?” Yu Lin watched as Nie Fu’s face turned a bit blue as if he was caught in act before he quickly shook his head.

“No, not at all! I wouldn’t dare to think of such a thing master! Please, believe me!” Nie Fu begged. Yang Yang laughed at the site of the two.

“Haha! I never thought the day would come where I will see the proud Su Nie Fu begging someone,” a female voice mockingly said. Yu Lin looked behind Nie Fu to see a girl with green hair and purple eyes walking towards them fanning herself. Her nose was tall, her lips plump, and her body was glamorous. “The person he is begging to… hmph, just a lowlife creature,” she let out a wicked laugh as she clapped her fan closed.

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“Ni Qian Su!” Yang Yang yelled.

“What do you want, fat pig?” Qian Su cocked her head at Yang Yang. Yang Yang’s face flushed red before she glared at Qian Su.

“Y-you! Take your words back!”

“My words? Which words?”

“The words about Yu Lin! You are crossing the line here!”

“Hahahaha! Why? Was what I said wrong?” Qian Su let out a laugh.

“No, nothing you said was wrong at all!” a man said as he walked and stood beside Qian Su. “Everything was correct,” he said as his brown eyes mocked Yu Lin. His orange hair bounced as it hung in a high ponytail on his head. A long lion tail peeked out from behind him. His face was extraordinarily beautiful, each feature a sight to be seen on their own.

“Mineki Yamanaru!” Yang Yang yelled.

“So you are the rumored White Spotted Witch,” Yamanaru chuckled as he walked closer to her, “the rumors say that you slept and paid your way into the school,” he circled around her. “I, of course, don’t care about that part. What I really care about is, who would sleep with such an ugly creature as yourself,” he sneered, “no wonder they say, rumors are rumors and the truth is far from them.”

“Yamanaru! How could you say such things?!”

“I only say what I have heard. Is there something wrong with that, Yang Yang?” Yamanaru smiled at Yang Yang.

“Y-yo-”

“Are you going to continue defending that low life creature, fat pig? I don’t think father will be very happy with your decision,” Qian Su threatened Yang Yang. Yang Yang squinted her eyes at Qian Su as she closed her mouth and bit her lip.

“Please to meet you, miss Ni, and sir Mineki,” Yu Lin gave them both a small head bow. Qian Su rolled her eyes as Yamanaru just let out a chuckle.

“Don’t expect me to give you a head bow back. I, Ni Qian Su, will never bow my head to a creature like you!” Qian Su hissed.

“That’s fine,” Yu Lin said, “I wasn’t expecting any manners from someone who seemed like they don’t even have a clue about what proper etiquette is.” Yamanaru narrowed his eyes as Qian Su flushed red and glared at her.

“Y-you!” she clenched her teeth.

“You have quite a mouth there on you,” Yamanaru hissed at her, “are you not scared, that your mouth will get you in danger in these walls?”

“I don’t only have a mouth but also ears,” Yu Lin turned her attention to Yamanaru, “rumors have it that instead of climbing into beds of women… our young sir Mineki here climbs into beds of… men. After seeing how you look today, I can see that rumors are just rumors after all. Women won’t even accept a man with your looks, why would men?”

“Y-you! Wha-”

“Ah! I was wrong. Seeing a beautiful and feminine face as yours, men would accept you after all. I guess some rumors aren’t just rumors. I apologize, sir Mineki,” Yu Lin gave Mineki an apologetic bow.

“Shut your trap, you slut! If I don’t teach you a lesson today, I will not be the daughter of Marshal Ni Hue Tian!” Qian Su yelled as she turned her fan in a circle. Blades appeared at the end and she rushed towards Yu Lin.

“Careful, Yu Lin!” Yang Yang yelled.

“Stop!” a voice roared out. Qian Su stopped in her tracks and quickly pulled her fan back. She flipped her fan again and the blades disappeared. Yu Lin turned her head, curious to see who the voice belonged to. Her eyes widened as she saw a face that looked similar to someone she knew.

-

Hu Die was preparing food when she heard a knock at the door. She smiled as she got up from blowing the fire and went to open the door.

“You’re already home?” she giggled as she opened the door. The smile disappeared from her face when she saw that the one at her door was not her husband. Instead a stranger stood there in front of her. The stranger’s face was similar to her husband’s face, except the stranger had softer features.

“Please to meet you, sister-in-law,” the stranger’s voice was gentle. Hu Die snapped out of her confusion and quickly bowed on her knees. She placed her hands on her forehead as she gave the stranger a deep bow. She knew that Qi Long was the youngest in his family, the family that didn’t accept them.

“Greetings, older brother-in-law,” she said as tears formed in her eyes.. The stranger grabbed onto her shoulders.

“No, no! Please raise sister-in-law,” the stranger said as he pulled Hu Die up from her knees. Hu Die quickly wiped her tears away as she looked up and smiled.

“Please, come in for some tea older brother-in-law,” she said. The stranger smiled and nodded his head.

Hu Die served him some tea as they sat on pillows with a small circular table between them. Hu Die looked up to the stranger and her hand shook nervously.

“Excuse me brother-in-law, but may I ask for your name?” Hu Die said. The stranger set down the teacup and smiled at her.

“My name is Shan San Long, the third son of the Shan family,” he answered. Hu Die nodded and gave him a smile back.

“May I ask… why have brother-in-law come visit?” Hu Die asked carefully. San Long looked at her for a moment before smiling and setting a small bundle on the table.

“I came to deliver the wedding gift I prepare for you two,” he said. Hu Die stared at the bundle on the table as tears began to form in her eyes.

“Brother-in-law… you… you accept us?” Hu Die’s voice was barely audible.

“Yes.”

“W-why? We… we…” Hu Die couldn’t get any words out.

“I am not like my father and other brothers. I don’t care about status or reputation. Qi Long and I have always been close despite our age gap. I trust in his judgment, and as long as he is happy with his decision, I will support him with all that I can,” San Long said. Hu Die nodded her head.

“Thank you… thank you…” she said through sniffles, “thank you for accepting us… thank you… for not abandoning us…” she got on her knees and started bowing to him. “Thank you! Thank you!”

“Sister-in-law!” San Long got up and went over to her side. “Sister-in-law, please don’t! I don’t deserve your bows! Please!”

“Thank you! Thank you!” Hu Die continued to bow to him.

-

The male student walked closer to them and Yu Lin saw traces of his face that looked just like Er Long’s. The only difference was that his nose was taller and his hair was blue. Other than that he looked almost identical to Er Long.

“What are you doing holding your blade against another student, Qian Su?!” he yelled. Qian Su hid her closed fan behind her and kicked her feet into the ground.

“He started it,” she said as her bottom lip covered her top.

“That still does not justify you holding a blade against another fellow student. Apologize to him,” the male student said. Qian Su narrowed her eyes at Yu Lin and turned her head away.

“No. I won’t apologize,” she said.

“Ni Qian Su!”

“Shan Chen Hua!” Qian Su yelled back, “I won’t! You can’t make me!” she ran and hid behind Yamanaru.

“Qian Su!” Chen Hua looked at her with disapproval.

“If she won’t apologize then just let her be. There’s no point in forcing her if she’s not sincere about it,” a low voice rumbled behind Chen Hua. Yu Lin was so concentrated on Chen Hua that she did not see Saruto standing beside him. Chen Hua just let out a sigh and shook his head. He walked up to Yu Lin and bowed his head. Qian Su let out a sharp gasp.

“Chen Hua!” she yelled.

“I apologize on her behalf, new student,” Chen Hua said before standing up and looking Yu Lin in the eyes. Yu Lin quickly looked away and nodded her head.

“I will take it, not because I am kind, but because I pity you for doing so much for a person like that,” Yu Lin said.

“Y-you!” Qian Su pointed to her.

“Thank you, new student,” Chen Hua gave her a small head bow.

“No worries,” Yu Lin said as she gave him a small head bow back.

“That’s right, I don’t think I have heard your name yet. What is your name?”

“I a-”

“His name is Du Yu Lin,” Teacher Li said as he entered the courtyard with Leng Zhuang besides him. Everyone quickly bowed to him.

“We welcome and honor Teacher Li,” they all said.

“Please rise,” Teacher Li said.

“Thank you, Teacher Li,” they all said as they stood back up.

“From this moment, he will be one of your fellow comrades on the field and in the classroom. From now on you guys won’t be known as the Seven Heavenly Fairies but the Eight Heavenly Fairies, understood?”

“Yes, Teacher Li!”

“I hope you all will be kind to each other and help each other out. I will let you guys rest for the day as tomorrow we must venture out to test your abilities. Pack what you guys need. Understood?”

“Yes, Teacher Li!”

“Good. Everyone may return to their quarters or wherever they want to go, except the new student,” Zhi Shu looked at Yu Lin, “you follow me,” Zhi Shu turned around and started to walk away.

“Yes, Teacher Li,” Yu Lin said as she followed him.

“Yes, Teacher Li,” the rest said behind her.

-

Yu Lin stood in front of Zhi Shu’s desk as he picked up some paperwork on his desk and started flipping through it. Yu Lin caught her name on one of the paper and knew what he was reading.

“Tomorrow, we will be going to a village to help heal people. Each person can charge how much they want to a citizen to heal. You may also take as much herbs as you want from the herb hall. The only thing is that none of the treatments may come for free, and you must make enough money to compensate for the herbs that you give out. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Teacher Li,” Yu Lin replied.

“Hmmm… I see that you are quite experienced already. You must be feeling like you know everything huh?”

“No. I am still continuing to learn everyday. The more experience, the better.”

“Hmm… good. You may leave,” Zhi Shu nodded his head towards the door as he stroked his beard.

“Yes, Teacher Li,” Yu Lin gave him a bow and started to head out. She was close to the door when she heard him call out.

“Wait!” she froze and turned.

“Yes?”

“I have a question for you.”

“What is your question?”

“If… if we meet someone with an extreme injury, let’s say a black situation… how will you save a person like that?” he asked. Yu Lin’s hand went over her endless bracelet as she looked up.

“I have my own ways, Teacher Li. You also don’t need to worry about it, it’s safe. It will not harm anyone, you have my word,” she said. He looked at her for a moment before nodding his head.

“Good. You may leave.”

“Yes,” Yu Lin gave him another bow before retreating back to her quarters.

Yu Lin plopped herself on her bed and let out a sigh. ‘I hope tomorrow goes by smoothly…’ she thought before she closed her eyes, wanting to take a nap before preparing everything she needed to.