Chief Chu reached the living room in a matter of seconds. His eyes widen as he saw Yu Lin clenching her teeth in pain with her small hands over her stomach. Chief Chu stepped inside the living room and using his chi energy, closed off any entrances. All the windows and door slammed shut, only the light illuminated inside the house.None of the guards notice anything strange because they were not at a high enough level to detect chi energy, but Chief Chu wanted to be safe. He knew that if the wrong people knew about Yu Lin, then Yu Lin’s life would be endangered. Chief Chu got on his knees and placed his hand over her chi center.
Chief Chu’s eyes widened in shock. He could feel Yu Lin’s chi center growing an immense amount of chi energy. ‘If only she knew how to properly control her chi energy.’ Chief Chu thought. The only way someone could transfer their chi energy into a chi energy stone is by doing it themselves, or having someone pass their chi energy through their body, and into the chi energy stone. Chief Chu believed that the bursts of chi energy earlier was ejected by Yu Lin’s body without her own will. Never in his mind could he imagine a three year old ejecting their own chi energy. Chief Chu could feel Yu Lin’s chi center almost filled up. If it filled up all the way it would’ve been fine, but Chief Chu had a feeling it was going to overflow and burst Yu Lin’s chi center.
He only had two choices. One of them was to force Yu Lin to release her chi energy by opening some of her pressure points and the other was to absorb Yu Lin’s chi energy into his own body, and eject it into the chi energy stone. Both were highly risky. Chief Chu could open Yu Lin’s pressure points to let the chi energy run out, however he had no way of closing it. Only Yu Lin could close it on her own, although he thought this was highly impossible because Yu Lin was only three. The other one was risky because he didn’t know if Yu Lin’s purple chi energy was a dominant energy or a neutral energy. If the purple energy was a neutral energy then he would be fine with it passing through his body because he has neutral yellow chi energy. If Yu Lin’s purple chi energy was dominant, then Chief Chu would have to risk his own chi center shattering. Chief Chu decided on the latter for he felt he was responsible to look after Yu Lin, even if he had to risk his own life to do so. To efficiently do this he needed Yu Lin to be still, and he needed to have the least amount of obstacles to her chi center.
“Listen to me Yu Lin, you need to move your hands away from your tummy so I can reach your chi center alright? You are going to have to be as still as possible. I promised you that I would ask for your permission. Can I?” Chief Chu honestly didn’t care for her answer but because he knew that Yu Lin was only three, he didn’t want to break down what little trust they had. Yu Lin looked at him and nod. She could feel her chi center reaching 95% capacity. She pulled her hands away, and tightly held on to the sides of her robes while clenching her teeth.
Chief Chu placed three fingers on Yu Lin’s stomach and had his other hand on the chi energy stone. He then started to absorb Yu Lin’s chi energy. Chief Chu was prepared for the worse as he felt the chi energy travel from his left hand, to his chi center, and then out his right hand into the stone. Although he was prepared for the worst, he did not feel anything bad happening to him. Instead he felt that this purple chi energy was just like any other neutral yellow energy, but yet it felt stronger.
Yu Lin could feel her chi energy leave her as she clenched her teeth in pain, and tightened her fist. As time passed she could feel her swirling chi energy slowed and then stopped. Now her chi center was only 75% full but she felt better. Chief Chu opened his eyes and noticed that Yu Lin wasn't in any immediate danger so he stopped the transfer of chi energy.
“How do you feel Yu Lin?” Chief Chu picked Yu Lin up and put her on a wooden chair.
“Better. Thank you grandpa.” Yu Lin gave Chief Chu a small bow.
“No need to thank me. When you are with me, your safety is in my hands.” Chief Chu patted Yu Lin’s head. Yu Lin gave him a small smile.
“Rest here for a bit, let me go tell one of the maids to give you some refreshment.” Chief Chu got up and walked away. Yu Lin leaned her head back to relax on the chair. She didn’t say anything but she confirmed that her chi energy was neutral. Yu Lin knew what Chief Chu’s two choices were, and she knew what he was doing when he chose to transfer her chi energy directly. Yu Lin knew that her chi energy, in one way or another was a neutral energy. She personally didn’t want Chief Chu to do the transfer and choose the first one, but the pain was too great for her to refuse.
“Grandpa!” She heard a voice scream out happily. She pulled her head up to see a boy around her age with scarlet red hair. The boy had excitement in his light brown eyes until he saw Yu Lin. The smile disappeared and a glare replaced it. “Who are you?” The little boy asked coldly.
“I am Du Yu Lin. Who are you?” Yu Lin answered. When the little boy heard her name, his face was full of fury.
“Ahh!” He yelled as he ran up to her. He pulled on her robe and Yu Lin landed with her feet to the ground. She didn’t have enough time to react. The little boy grabbed her collar and sent a punch her face. Yu Lin took the first one because she was stunned at what was going on, but blocked the next one with her palm. They were both standing at eye level. Yu Lin knew that the boy was obviously a bit older than she was because elves were known to grow faster than humans.
“What are yo-” before she could finish the boy had let of her collar and was swinging with that free hand. Yu Lin moved her head back to dodge the punch and at the same time stretch her leg to kick the boy. The boy went flying before he landed on the ground.
“Young master!” she heard another person scream. She turned to see a middle aged, plump woman running towards the boy. “Young master are you ok?!” She picked the boy up as he rubbed his chest. The woman turned to glare at Yu Lin. “Who are you to think you can hurt young master like this?!” She yelled. She didn’t let Yu Lin reply as she stood up and raised her hand in the air ready to slap Yu Lin.
“Stop!” A deep voice roared. They all turned to look to see Chief Chu at the doorway. “Are you going to slap my personal guest Zheng Jiao?!” Chief Chu glared at the woman.The woman dropped to her knees.
“Master Chu. Your servant Zheng Jiao humbly apologizes. Your servant did not know this young lady was a guest of yours and acted rashly. Please forgive this servant of yours.” She begged. Chief Chu looked at Yu Lin.
“Are you alright Yu Lin?”
“Yes grandpa.” Yu Lin nodded.
“Who are you calling your grandpa?!” The little boy’s voice rang out. “Don’t call him that with that dirty mouth of yours.”
“Xiao Lan! Who are you calling dirty?” Chief Chu yelled.
“If she isn’t dirty than what is she grandpa? I can’t believe you would even bring her into our home!” The little boy retaliated.
“Do you want to get punished Chu He Lan? Apologize to Yu Lin right now!” The little boy was actually Chief Chu’s 4th son’s son. In total Chief Chu had 5 children who were all boys. The last one died during childbirth. Out of all of them only his youngest son gave him a grandson. The others were to busy playing around to settle down. Although his 4th son was married and had a son, the wife of his fourth son passed away three years later. His fourth son was depressed for a while, until his fourth son decided to go train until he leveled up, leaving his son with Chief Chu.
“You are going to punish me? Do it then. I would rather be punished than apologize to someone like that dirty beast there.” He Lan stormed out of the room with Zheng Jiao following him. Chief Chu shook his head.
“I am sorry Yu Lin.”
“It’s alright.” Yu Lin figured that a kid his age with that kind of anger probably bears a grudge against her race. Chief Chu was glad that Yu Lin didn’t question much.
“Tang Tang, bring the refreshments in.” A servant walked in with fruits and juices on a platter. She gently sat it down on the table. “Keep Yu Lin company for a bit. Tang Tang, I will be right back.”
“Yes master Chu.” the servant replied as Chief Chu walked out of the room. Yu Lin just shrugged her shoulders and began to munch on the refreshments.
After a short while Chief Chu returned with He Lan. He Lan had an angry look on his face but this time he didn’t rebel. He looked at Yu Lin but did not say anything.
“Xiao Lan.” Chief Chu looked at him. “What do you have to say to this pretty girl here?” He Lan breathed out heavily and then lowered his head in a bow.
“My name is Chu He Lan, and I am very sorry for earlier. Please overlook what happened earlier.” He said in a very monotoned voice. Yu Lin silently chuckled inside, but she looked composed on the outside.
“It’s alright.” She said. Chu He lan then raised his head.
“To apologize for earlier, would you be willing to come play with my friends and I?” He Lan put on a forced smile. Yu Lin raised her eyebrows and looked up at Chief Chu. Chief Chu only smiled and nodded his head. Yu Lin looked back at He Lan’s light brown eyes.
“Un.” she replied. He Lan smile again and turned around.
“Please follow me this way then.” He started to walk out of the living room. Yu Lin followed closely behind him. She didn’t know why but she had a feeling that Chief Chu wanted to keep her away for a bit.
Yu Lin followed him behind a house into a garden. There was a huge pond in the middle of the huge garden, and four small figures were standing next to it.
“Lan Lan!” One of the figures called out as it ran towards them. As the figure got closer Yu Lin could see that it was a girl with pink pigtails waving around. “What took you so long?” She grabbed onto one of He Lan’s arms. He Lan glanced at Yu Lin and then looked back at the girl.
“I just had to do some things. Everyone say hi to this girl. Her name is Du Yu Lin.” He Lan said. The three figures walked up to them.
“Hi Yu Lin. My name is Po Leng Zhuang. My older brother is the gate guard here Po Leng Jing.” Leng Zhuang waved at Yu Lin. Leng Zhuang looked like a younger version of Leng Jing, except he had light brown hair. Yu Lin gave him a small bow.
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“Greetings Leng Zhuang.” She said. The little girl had a confused look on her face.
“What is that white mark on your face?” She bluntly said. Leng Zhuang shot her look but the other two just stood there. Yu Lin looked up at the little girl.
“It’s my birthmark.” Yu Lin replied calmly. Yu Lin didn’t feel any sort of embarrassment. When she was Hu Die she died at the age of 30 years old. Adding the three years that she was reborn, Yu Lin had 33 years of life experience under her belt. She understood that kids can be rude sometimes because of their questions and boldness but she didn’t mind.
“I see. My name is Yan Mei Rong.” The little girl gave Yu Lin a smile. “Just so you know Lan Lan is mine. You can’t have him.” Mei Rong hugged He Lan’s arm tighter. Yu Lin gave her a small bow.
“I will bear that in mind Mei Rong.” She said. Yu Lin looked up at the other boy waiting for his introduction, but he only gave Yu Lin a disgusted look.
“Ugly beast.” He spat out and turned his head away.
“Wu Pu!” He Lan shook Mei Rong’s arm off and walked up to Wu Pu. He Lan whispered in his ear. An evil smile showed up on his face and then he nodded.
“Sorry for my rudeness earlier Yu Lin. My name is Lu Wu Pu. My brother also guards the gate.” Wu Pu’s beady brown eyes had an evil intention within them. Yu Lin gave him a small bow.
“It’s alright.” She replied. He Lan clapped his hands.
“Now that we have all greeted each other let’s play a game.” He said with a mischievous smile on his face.
“What type of game Lan Lan?” Mei Rong ran back to him and hugged his arm.
“What about sword fighting?” Wu Pu suggested rubbing his chin.
“Huh? How boring. How about we play house?”
“Mei Rong we played house plenty of times. Let’s test our new friend’s sword skills. She must be learning because she wants to go to a good school like us too.” Wu Pu threw Mei Rong’s suggestion away. Mei Rong pouted but didn’t say anything else.
“I don’t think it is a good idea.” Leng Zhuang shook his head. Although Leng Zhuang was young he was very knowledgeable. He knew that Yu Lin was younger than she looked because his grandma would talk about her midwife experiences, and how children of other races grew faster than the human race.
“If you’re scared you don’t have to participate Leng Zhuang. We all know you don’t like fighting anyways.” Wu Pu said. Leng Zhuang’s face flushed red.
“I am not scared. Let’s play.” He shook his head. Wu Pu and He Lan smiled.
“I will spar with our new friend first.” He Lan said. He picked up a nearby stick and threw it at Yu Lin. Yu Lin backed up and watched the stick hit the ground.
“I am not interested in sparing.” She said in a nonchalant tone. Truthfully Yu Lin did want to spar, however she remembered she was wearing her finest clothing and she didn’t want it to get dirty or for it to tear.
“Why? Are you scared?” He Lan looked at her with mocking eyes.
“I am not scared. I just don’t want to waste my energy with something like this.” Yu Lin kicked the stick away. He Lan had an annoyed look on his face.
“You don’t have a choice.” He said as he picked up a real sword from the ground and pulled it out. “Don’t call me unfair for pulling out a real sword. That won’t break easily from a sword like this.” He Lan smirked. Yu Lin knew it was true that the stick wouldn’t break easily. Just from appearances she could tell it was a ten thousand year old golden bamboo stick. Golden bamboo sticks were extremely tough and that some martial artists actually used golden bamboo sticks that weapons.
“You are still being unfair by using a real sword against me.” Yu Lin said.
“What do you mean unfair you disgusting beast?! It is actually unfair for me to battle with such a dull sword against your tough skin!” He Lan shouted and ran towards Yu Lin. Leng Zhuang and Mei Rong screamed He Lan’s name, but Wu Pu stood there smiling. Yu Lin saw He Lan running towards her and reacted quickly. She rolled the golden bamboo stick under her foot, put her toes under it, and then kicked it up in the air grabbing it with her right hand.
He Lan swung his sword down and Yu Lin blocked it with the bamboo stick. Although Yu Lin in her previous life was a healer, before her chi center got shattered she was aiming to become a swordswoman. She practiced The Li Clan’s 12 forms of Sword Fighting martial arts.
He Lan’s eyes widened as he saw Yu Lin block his attack, but then he let out a smile. He swung his sword again and again. His smile soon faded though as Yu Lin managed to block all his attacks. ‘How is this damn beast blocking all my attacks?’ He screamed in his head. Out of all the six year olds in Glorious city, He Lan was the most talented with the sword. He even fought people older than him and won. If Yu Lin hadn’t practiced The Li’s 12 forms of Sword Fighting then Yu Lin would’ve been on the ground right now. Yu Lin let out a small smile. She was amazed at He Lan’s swordsmanship and knew he would go far in his path.
Seeing Yu Lin’s smile, He Lan thought Yu Lin was mocking him. He got angrier and stepped back. He pulled his arm up and swung down with all his might. Yu Lin widened her eyes and knew she wouldn’t be able to block this attack with her golden bamboo stick so she backed away. He Lan’s sword sliced the an end of Yu Lin’s cap releasing all her white hair, and then went straight down slicing through Yu Lin’s silk robes. Yu Lin’s pink robe got tear from where it was located on her left collarbone all the way down to the end. Yu Lin down at her robe and her jaw dropped. He Lan seeing Yu Lin’s expression stopped attacking. He had a mocking smile on his face.
“Did I tear your clothes? I hope you understand that this is a sparring match so anything goes.” He then let out a wicked laugh. Wu Pu behind him started to laugh also, but Leng Zhuang and Mei Rong gaped at the scene. A memory from Yu Lin’s past flashed through her head from when she was 10.
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Hu Die had tears streaming down her face as she watched her stepmother hold her blue robes, with white patterns on it. Hu Die could remember her sick mother sowing the robes for her to wear on her 16th birthday.
“Please stepmother, please don’t cut my mother’s robes she gave me. It was her last memento to me.” She begged. Two servants were pushing her down, keeping her from standing up.
“This piece of garbage?” Her stepmothered hissed. “This piece of garbage that you didn’t even allow my beautiful daughter to wear? Hahahaha! This piece of garbage is just a waste. It doesn’t matter what I do to it.” Her stepmother picked up a pair of scissors. Her stepmother snickered as she began to cut through the fabric.
“No! Please don’t!” Hu Die cried out loud. Her stepmother didn’t care and kept cutting the robe. After her stepmother was done, her stepmother mother spat on her before leaving her quarters. The two slave girl also laughed before they let her go and walked out.
Hu Die piled up the scraps of her robes from the ground. Her tears flowed down from her milky white cheek.
“Mother, your useless daughter apologizes. Please forgive me in heaven for not being able to protect your last memento.” Hu Die hugged the scraps tightly.
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Yu Lin could feel fury stir within her. ‘In my last life I was weak and couldn’t protect my mother’s memento, but in this life I am different.’ She thought. Yu Lin did not care how old the kids standing in front of her were anymore. She was too angry. She looked up and glared at He Lan.
“Apologize!” She said through clench teeth. He Lan stopped laughing and looked back at her.
“For what?”
“For tearing my clothes. Apologize!”
“Apologize for those cheap clothes. Haha! You are so funny.” He Lan kept on laughing.
“Apologize or else-”
“Or else what? What are you going to do to me? I am the young master here and you are a dirty beast!” He Lan was cocky. He believed that no matter what he did his grandpa would just excused him.
“Then, don’t blame me for being rude.” Yu Lin took off her pink robe, folded it and gently placed it on the grass. Now she was only wearing her white silky dress underneath. Yu Lin then held the bamboo grass with both her hands and put it straight up in front of her chest. “First form of the Li Clan’s Sword Fighting martial arts.” She whispered quietly so only she could hear herself.
He Lan seeing Yu Lin wielded his sword in preparations for defending. He smiled thinking that Yu Lin would not be able to beat him as he stared at her. She was at least a meter in distance away from him. Suddenly, to his surprise Yu Lin showed up right next to him.
“Wha-” He couldn’t finish his sentence as he felt something slam into his stomach. He Lan then flew backwards having the air knocked out of him.
Author's Note: Well that was a long chapter but you made it! Thanks for reading everyone! :) [https://forum.royalroadl.com/images/smilies/smile.png]