Sunlight filtered through the dense forest, casting dappled patterns of light and shadows across the ground.

The air was thick, with the subtle scent of damp earth with a sweet perfume of newly blossomed flowers. The sound of rustling leaves and an occasional chirp of a bird, made Susu felt as though she was home.

And she loved every second of it.

Nature.

That was Susu’s utopia, it would heal her in ways meditation couldn’t. And sadly, it couldn’t soothe her mood. A mood that been brewing the past two months as she made her way from the north of Huaxia to the west.

Despite the forest’s serenity, the sun shone mercilessly, its rays piercing through the foliage and scorching the ground below. It was a stark contrast to the peaceful surroundings.

As Ban Susu made her way through the forest, she could the heat from the sun’s rays bared down on her, forcing her to remove her conical hat and veil.

A subtle wisp of wind caressed her face, alleviating the buildup of heat she’d accumulated throughout the day’s trek. As relentless as the sun was, it had the effect to add additional weight to her shoulders, which sadly matched her anger with the same simmering intensity.

It was like a mirror of fury, echoing Susu’s sentiment for Zhao Xing. “How could you?” She muttered softly, finally giving herself the reprieve to speak. “How could you do this? You were meant to protect her...not create a Sect!”

Even the relentless sun of Axsum couldn’t match the incandescent fury that blazed within Ban Susu. She stomped her way through the forest, clenching and unclenching her fists.

A sudden gust of wind washed over her, trying to calm the storm of anger that roiled within her. As much as she seethed, she appreciated the serenity around her, but her anger wouldn’t allow her to the serenity.

It was a stark reminder of why she trained herself so vehemently. Strength, that’s what’s she needed to show. If she was weak, it wouldn’t allow her to be domineering…it also wouldn’t allow her to protect the child as she sees fit.

Axsumite…or not.

The years of separation had been gruelling on Susu. She knew that she’d only been with the child for a few months. However, those months proved to be the best time of her life.

That feeling of separation didn’t hit her during her year of seclusion, but she felt it when she arrived in Axsum, seeing so many similar-looking children running around happily…she wanted her to live a life like that.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips, echoing through trees. Her master’s voice echoing in her head. You’re not strong enough to protect her Susu, Zhao Xing will take care of her until you are.

She hated those words, still. Eve after all these years…but as much as she hated them. She couldn’t deny the truth in them. “You were right Master,” She whispered, “You were right…I was too weak. I’ve ascended to the Qi Perception Realm…and I still feel weak…”

Susu groaned a sigh, knowing full well her master wouldn’t answer. It pained her knowing he wasn’t here to provide guidance. “I’ve taught you everything I know, He would say.”

And that truly pained her, knowing, he wasn’t there anymore to protect her anymore.

The sun began to set, but Ban Susu was nowhere near the edge of the forest. She pulled the map from her sleeve and fingered it, trying to figure out where she was, using what little light she had left.

The golden hues of the dying day painted the sky, setting the backdrop for her journey’s end. She figured out where she was and quickened her steps.

She walked a few more steps then kicked off the ground using her Qinggong and soared to the highest tree. As darkness swept across the forest, she cuddled herself in the tree and forced her anger into a ball and left it there.

Despite her anger, she knew it didn’t mean anything until she could see how Zhao Xing raised the child. “At least she’s safe for now…I hope.” She said, then closed her eyes and forced herself to sleep.

*

Ban Susu awoke to the caress of the morning light filtering through the gaps in the foliage above her. The tranquil melody of the forest greeted her as she opened her eyes, the soft chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves.

For a moment, she lay there, letting the peace of the morning wash over her. After finally forcing herself to rise, she stretched out her limbs, working out the stiffness from sleeping in the tree.

The first rays of the sun kissed her skin, sending a tingle of heat up her arm straight up her neck. “Soon,” She said “Soon.”

After packing her belongings, Susu made her way to a nearby river. She had noticed on the map, using it as a marker.

She leapt from tree to tree, using her Qinggong as gracefully as a swan. The light taps she made sounded like hollow drums, but the way she soared through the air, was nothing short of beautiful.

She slowly rose to the tree lines, the foliage unfolded beyond her eyes, showing Huaxia at its finest. Green, thick, misted…but most of all peaceful.

To her short left, diamonds flickered in the distance below a tree line, she turned left and began skipping across the tree lines.

Once she made a decent distance, she kicked off a tree, and flipped twice, giving herself the speed to increase her descent. She zoomed down like a loosed arrow, she sieved past a tree and twirled in the opposite direction, kicking off the tree, and felt her body twirl in a circle. She hit the ground with elegance and skidded four meters in the dirt, muddying her boots even more.

“It’s been a while…” She said aloud, feeling her heart thump in her chest. That was the exhilaration she needed to relieve her anger. And using your Qinggong to catch criminals is nothing but annoyance, but using Qinggong for enjoyment is one of the best feelings. It’s the purest sign of freedom, using your Qinggong like this.

Susu slid off her boots, then unfastened her sash, and felt a cold draft across her skin, forcing goosebumps to rise. She then carefully removed her hanfu coat and undershirt and garments on a nearby rock.

She dipped her left foot into the water, feeling her body cool immediately. She then brought her right foot in and walked into the water.

The water was cool and refreshing against her skin, washing away the grime and fatigue of her long journey. When she emerged from the water, her skin glistened in the morning light, beads of water trailing down her body as she donned her clothes once again.

Revitalised, Susu took a deep breath and slid her backpack onto her back, foregoing breakfast and made her way out of the journey, hoping to reach her destination within a few hours.

As she trekked to the edge of the serene forest, she couldn’t help but feel the wonder of the lush greenery, a stark contrast to the arid landscapes of Axsum, which was surprisingly more mountainous than Huaxia… something she didn’t could be possible.

After walking through the trail for a few hours, a sign with a few characters appeared in the distance. She kicked off the ground and floated a few meters, gliding with the wind. She landed a few meters from the sign and walked toward it with haste and anticipation. Susu stared up at the sign, noticing how faded and worn it was due to the elements.

Purple Mist Valley

“Finally…” Susu whispered, she walked ahead, and then noticed hoof prints trailing under the sign. She turned to her left, where the hoof prints trailed from and noticed that a bunch of riders had not too long made their way into the valley.

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As Susu entered the valley, she felt the weight of the air as she inhaled. It was thick moisture, carrying a sweet, intoxicating scent that tasted like lavender but smelled like a flower.

A peculiar blend of emerald and dull brown covered the valley floor. The plants were half-dead, their leaves crinkled and brittle, yet they bore green tips. “The rain hasn’t fallen for awhile…hence the brittle leaves. I know there was a drought, but for it to be this bad…it’s scary. Yet, the valley still smelt green.”

As she ventured deeper into the valley, descending and watching the environment change. The barely green foliage began to recede, replaced by a thick mist that clung to the ground.

A cacophony of shouts and grunts echoed through the valley, drawing her attention. Susu ran through the purple haze, spotting a group of young men defending themselves against a band of bandits.

Susu sprang into action, bounding down the side of the valley with a nimbleness that defied the steep terrain. As she neared the conflict, she could better discern the difference. There were seven young men, no older than seventeen or eighteen, their faces painted with resolve and determination.

As they stood back-to-back each other, some wielded farm tools and what seemed to be the most experienced out them wielded old battered swords. They moved with surprising skill and coordination, their attacks focusing on disorienting the horses.

On the other side, a dozen bandits dressed in rags and wielding hodgepodge weapons such as rusty swords, scythes and axes. The mountain horses they rode were hardy, eyes filled with malice and avarice.

As they circled the young men, their leader, a burly man with a twisted scar running down his face, barked orders. “CIRCLE THEM! QUICKLY, WE DON’T NEED THE VILLAGE ALERTED!”

Susu slipped into the shadows of the trees on the opposite end, then made her way to the blind side of the bandits, silently circling the skirmish.

As she moved, she took note of the young man who was barking orders. The men tightened their defence, leaving attacks to the one at the front and back and interjected only when needed. I’ve seen this formation before, Susu thought, but couldn’t point out where she’d seen it.

The urge to intervene thrummed within Susu’s veins, but if they were truly to improve, they must face opponents stronger than them, they must understand their mistakes…in hopes they learned from them.

Two bandits lunged from opposite ends, their rusty blades glinting ominously. The young men on the defensive line moved in tandem, parrying the incoming attacks with their farm tools. A scythe met a blade, a hoe against a club. Metal clashed against wood, sparks flying in the dusky air.

The lads’ defence line began to falter under the onslaught. One boy, the youngest among them, faltered, his arm shaking from a downward stroke from a curved knife.

He dropped his fork and tried to flick it up with his leg, but the bandit had lunged forward.

The leader of the boys, a lean figure with a fierce gaze, pivoted to his left, narrowly ducking under an Axe swing. He released his left hand from his rusted sword and scraped up a handful of dirt. “EYES!” He shouted, then flung the dust into the bandit’s eyes.

The bandit howled from momentarily blinded. The leader lunged forward, burying his rusted sword into the bandit’s gut. He crumpled to the ground, shock and anger painted across his face.

But there was no time for respite.

Two bandits angered by the death of their friend interloped each other and broke through the defence of the pitiable formation.

The boy-leader realised and spun, bringing his sword in an upward slash, blocking the attack from the right then turned to the rest. “CHEN! RUN! WARN MASTER XING AND MASTER YING!”

“BU— “

“RUN!”

No.

The bandits covered the boys trying to stop any of them from escaping. Two lads retreated when they were to step forward, forcing the leader to intercept. He dropped his sword which made Susu’s eyes gape.

He half-spun then made two quick steps and leapt in the air. The bandits to the right saw his ascent and raised their spears. He deflected their spears with two swift kicks, then buried his hand into a bandit’s chest with such vigour a loud crack groaned within the valley, sounding like a tree falling in the short distance.

The man’s chest cavity sunk into his body like a crater, frightening the surrounding men. “Monster,” they all muttered.

“What are you doing?” The Bandit leader growled, “Look at him, he’s winded, hurry up and finish him.”

“He already kil— “

The scared face bandit threw his chained sickle and pierced one of his men’s hearts. He leapt off the horse and stared at the remaining bandits. “THEY’RE CHILDREN! KILL. THEM!” He growled.

“CHEN RUN!” The boy leader snapped.

The shortest boy in the group turned and darted off. He barely made two steps and the scared-face bandit had his sickle sieving through the air burrowing towards him like an arrow.

The leader of the group tried to grab the chain, but two bandits thrust their spears at him, forcing him to dance back, avoiding the thrust.

Susu moved like a wraith, sieving through the purple mist using instantaneous steps. She flicked and grabbed Scourge, unfurling it with a flick of her wrist. Then cracked it with such poise and ease, the anger that was boiling within her dissipated instantly.

As Scourge intercepted the sickle mid-air, the blade flopped to the ground with a metallic thud that echoed through the valley.

The young boy Chen, flopped to the ground from surprise realising that Susu appeared next to him in an instant.

Horror flashed across the scar-faced bandit’s face the moment he saw the aura swirling around Susu, making her seem to glow within the valley. He then turned to his men, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING…KILL HER,” He growled, trying to run away.

“Before any of you step forward. You have one chance before I end this. Choose wisely.” She said calmly.

“KILL THE BITCH!” The scar-faced bandits huffed.

The bandits turned to Susu, raising their weapons and began to attack. “I see…so idiocy still reigns supreme within Huaxia. Fine. I’ll show you the error of your ways,”

Susu cracked her whip to the right of the first bandit’s ear. As he froze in fright, she looped Scourge around his neck. Then she twisted her waist, lifting him off the ground with ease, then sent him crashing into a nearby tree. A loud crunch of broken bones resounded through the air, forcing the remaining bandits to freeze.

Just as she anticipated.

She snapped Scourge again, snaking it towards another bandit. It coiled around his rusty scythe, bending it out of place, effectively making it useless. The bandit dropped it, but Scourge was already wrapped around his ankles. Susu yanked him off the ground, flicking him into the air.

She leapt into the air bearing a palm strike into his chest. He yelped from the pain and shot back towards the ground, leaving a crater beneath him.

Susu landed on the shoulders of a club wielder. The man looked up and Susu saw his lips curled into a sadistic smile which made her stomach churn in disgust. “Degenerate…”

The Qi from her Core Dantian flooded into the meridians within her right foot. She stomped off the club wielder’s right hand, spraying blood all over the ground. “You don’t need that anymore.”

The man dropped to his knees holding his maimed hand and tried to stop the blood from flowing. Susu walked off the man’s shoulder and eyed the remaining bastards. “You have an opportunity to leave. I suggest you do so.”

A bandit tried to circle her, attacking her from the back. She spun, coiling Scourge at an unusual angle. The whip snaked through the air bending around Chen then hit the bandit in the neck. A subtle snap echoed and fluttered to the ground dead. “Humph,” she said.

Another bandit tried to attack her from the back, but Susu danced around him. She cracked Scourged as it sliced through the air, slashing across not one, but two bandit’s chests. They howled out in agony, dropping their weapons and clutching their chest.

The remaining bandits ignored the lads and charged at her in unison. Her lips curled into a smirk and with a twirl, she sent her Scourge snaking out, coiling around a low-hanging branch. She leapt, pulling herself up in one swift motion.

The bandits collided with each other, their momentum carrying them forward. They disentangled themselves quickly, screaming at the did and tried hacking the branch down. The attack was as amateurish as it could be.

She turned to the scar-faced bandit and began walking towards him. He watched her approaching, gnashing his teeth in anger. His hand trembled as he gripped his chain-sickle.

Susu executed an instantaneous step, appearing right next to him. He darted right, but before his second step could land Susu wrapped Scourge around him his feet, tripping him over.

She channelled her Qi into Scourge then snapped one final time, hitting him in the back of his head, a part of his exploded from the impact and he lumped down dead.

“Everyone greets Master!” The young leader said, surprising Susu. She turned around noticing each one of the young men kneeling with their hands cupped together.

“Student Greets Master,” They all said in unison.

“I don’t remember making any of you all my students.”

“You have not Master,” The leader said.

“Then why call me Master,”

“You are known to us, Master Susu…Master Zhao and Master Bo have told us to greet you with the same respect we give them.”

Susu pursed her lips in annoyance. This is Zhao Xing, I know it…he told them of me. He knows I prefer to live innominate, this could become troublesome…however.

“I see, young one, what is your name?”

“My name is Luan, the first disciple of Master Zhao Xing, Master Ban.”

“First disciple?”

“Yes Master, aren’t you a little old?”

“I am, I began my training late,”

“…and you persisted,”

“I tried Master Ban.”

“You performed the Leaping Shredding Claw well, it’s not perfect. You lack the Qi to perform in its entirety, what realm are? Mind Awakening Realm?”

“Mind Awakening Realm?”

“Mind Awakening Realm, that’s fantastic for someone who’s started so late. You’re ready to enter to Jianghu.”

“Master said that my temperament isn’t mature enough to enter alone.”

Susu chuckled wildly, which made the lads look at each other confused. She shook her head looked at Luan pensively. “Shredding Claw Xing, has the goad to tell someone, they lack the temperament? I have to see this,” She said softly.

“Master?” Luan asked confused.

“Talking to myself Luan, ignore me.”

“Yes Master.”

“…tell me something Luan,” Susu said calmly. “Does Master Zhao have a peculiar child with him?”

“Peculia--“ Luan said, then quickly realised what who she meant immediately. “Yes, Master, Little Li is within the valley.”

Li? Is that what he named you? Susu thought apprehensively, at least you’re still alive, Susu thought, relief washing over her.

“But she doesn’t reside with Master Zhao currently,” Luan continued.

“What?” Susu growled, anger flashing across her face, startling the young men. They all eyed each other as if Luan had said something wrong, ensuring their death. “Where does Little Li reside?”

“In the Hollow Mountain Village, with Physician Lin.” Luan answered.

“I see, take me this Hollow Mountain Village, I would like to meet this Physician Lin.” She said, biting the

“As you wish Master Ban, follow me.”