Ning Jinyu had a dream. In it, the rabbit she was raising died, a bloody mess. She saw the black dragon again, licking the blood from its claws, its eyes fixed on her, filled with profound depth and desire.
She awoke from the dream just in time to hear a rustling sound outside her door.
She then noticed a hole had appeared in her window at some point, and a strange fragrance was drifting in from a cylindrical tube.
She wrapped her outer robe tightly around herself, took the Sword from her bedside, and clutched it under the covers, unable to stop the fear rising in her heart.
Clang. The sound of the door lock being picked.
Closing her eyes, she sensed faint footsteps and breathing. The cloying gaze made her skin crawl.
“Junior Sister, oh, Junior Sister, didn’t you used to like me? You’ve raised the rabbit I gave you so well. Why did you have to move to Sword Storage Peak? You are mine.”
It was Pan Zheng’s voice, not the giant dragon, nor a demonic beast.
Ning Jinyu breathed a sigh of relief and opened her eyes, calmly saying, “Senior Brother, what are you doing here?”
Pan Zheng hadn’t expected her to still be awake.
He hesitated for a moment, stunned, before forcing a smile. “Junior Sister, my heart belongs to you. What about you?”
Ning Jinyu shook her head. “Senior Brother, I am only sixteen. Men and women should not be so familiar. You should leave.”
Pan Zheng’s expression changed drastically, and he began to reach for her.
Ning Jinyu was prepared. She used the hilt of her still-sheathed sword to knock his hand aside, then flipped out of bed.
At night, she didn’t tie her hair up. Her black tresses cascaded down, and in the lamplight, her palm-sized face was breathtakingly beautiful.
Holding her sword, she looked like a fairy under the moonlight, her face delicate and charming.
The sight sent Pan Zheng’s heart racing. He spoke again, “Junior Sister, I’ve been investigating you for several months. You have parents who are farmers, don’t you? In Anju County. I am the county magistrate’s son. Your parents have already agreed to betroth you to me. Just be a good girl, won’t you? Besides, as a Personal Disciple, for you to choose to live in such a remote place, weren’t you just waiting for me?”
…Get lost.
The incense in the room was still burning. Ning Jinyu had no desire to deal with him and headed for the door, only to find it locked tight.
“Junior Sister, there’s no one for a hundred miles. I’ve locked the door. Just be obedient and submit to me.”
Ning Jinyu turned back, pointing her sword at him. “Pan Zheng, I am a Personal Disciple of Sword Storage Peak. You trespassed into my room at night. I will tell my master tomorrow and see how you explain yourself! If you leave now, I will not pursue this matter.”
“You’re wrong, Junior Sister. We have a marriage agreement. It’s perfectly normal for us to make our union a reality.”
…As Pan Zheng spoke, he lunged at her. The commotion startled the rabbit, which began to scurry around in a panic.
Ning Jinyu swung her sword at him. The incense must have been an aphrodisiac; it was making her feel inexplicably hot, just like the drug she had taken that day.
“Junior Sister, it’s not good for a girl to play with swords. Be careful.”
Pan Zheng had no weapon and dodged her attacks in a rather pathetic manner.
When Ning Jinyu saw him start to lecherously untie his belt, rage burned within her. The restraint she had shown at first vanished, and in her fury, she thrust her sword forward.
Schlick. The sound of a blade piercing flesh and blood.
Pan Zheng’s eyes widened as he collapsed into a pool of blood. He didn’t even have time for last words.
Ning Jinyu used her sword to hack off the door lock. She stood at the entrance, taking deep breaths for a long while until she felt the aphrodisiac’s heat subside from her body. Only then did she, sword in hand, nervously make her way up the peak to find someone.
She had killed someone.
She was a timid, weak girl who feared trouble, but even she had her breaking point.
She did not regret this.
The incident kept Sword Storage Peak in an uproar until dawn.
No one slept that night.
“You bitch! Master, she killed Second Senior Brother! Master-Uncle Zhang, is your Sword Storage Peak going to shelter a disciple who is so vicious and cruel to her own sect members?”
Ning Jinyu was kneeling before the main hall of Sword Storage Peak again. Seated above were her master and Pan Zheng’s master.
Luo Jingmin stood to the side, staring at her with hatred.
Xiao Jing frowned and cupped his hands. “Master, Little Junior Sister had no choice. Senior Brother Pan trespassed into a woman’s residence at night and even used Bewitching Incense. If Little Junior Sister hadn’t fought back, wouldn’t she have been the one to suffer? This matter cannot be blamed on Junior Sister. Furthermore, Junior Sister Luo, please watch your words!”
Luo Jingmin, her eyes red, retorted, “My Second Senior Brother already had a marriage agreement with her! Even if something had happened, it’s not a crime punishable by death.”
Ning Jinyu looked up at the people around her. Their gazes held helplessness, surprise, disgust, and also the disdain of someone who had brought it upon herself.
Who told her to choose such a remote place to live!
Didn’t she have a marriage agreement with him?
Ning Jinyu clenched her fists and kowtowed to the main seat. “Master, I am unworthy of being a disciple of the Sword Sect. Please expel me from the Sect.”
Luo Jingmin said urgently, “This can’t be the end of it! She must pay for Second Senior Brother’s life with her own.”
Slap! The sound of a palm striking a face echoed. Luo Jingmin looked in disbelief at Zhang Guoyi on the main seat. He looked incredibly imposing. “Why are you so malicious, you little girl? The matter has come to this, and it was your Second Senior Brother who was at fault first. However, killing is a grave matter. Therefore, Ning Jinyu, you shall descend the mountain. From this day forward, you are no longer a disciple of my Sword Sect.”
With red-rimmed eyes, Ning Jinyu presented her Sword. “Jinyu is here to bid a final farewell to Master and Second Senior Brother.”
“Take this sword with you. A sword recognizes its master. Since you chose it, take it with you.”
“Thank you, Peak Lord.”
Ning Jinyu took the sword and stood up. She gave Luo Jingmin one last look. The girl’s eyes were still filled with the same venomous hatred. Ning Jinyu had no idea who she had offended.
Life was unpredictable. Not long ago, she had decided to stay in the Sword Sect forever, but now, she could no longer remain.
She went back to pack her things, returned her Taoist Robe, and changed back into her simple, farm-girl clothes. Finally, holding the somewhat frightened rabbit and her sword, she made a trip to Elegant Bamboo Peak.
She had only just learned his name, and now she had to say goodbye.
…
“Song Qingyan, I’m leaving.”
“Where are you going?”
“Down the mountain. I’m not a disciple of the Sword Sect anymore. If we have a chance to meet again in the future, I’ll cook for you again. I’m giving you this rabbit. I have to go now.”
Her eyes were red, but she feigned a relaxed air, smiling as she spoke to him.
“I’ll go with you.”
“Huh?”
Without another word, the young man packed his bundle and casually placed the rabbit back in her arms.
“I’m just an Outer Sect Disciple who isn’t even registered with the Sect. I don’t even have a Taoist Robe. I can leave whenever I want.”
Ning Jinyu was a little baffled. She hesitated.
“But… aren’t you going to cultivate anymore?”
“What can they teach me?” His tone was rather mocking.
Ning Jinyu felt a strange warmth. This person had only eaten her cooking for a few months and taught her swordsmanship, and now he was willing to leave the Sword Sect with her.
She rushed over and hugged his waist, an overwhelming sorrow welling up and wetting her eyes. “Wuwuwu, thank you. Why are you so good to me, Song Qingyan? In this world, you are my best friend.”
“…” He just found it boring to stay here.
Inhaling the sweet fragrance from the young woman, he hesitated before placing a hand on her back and patting it comfortingly.
Little crybaby, so delicate.
When they left through the mountain gate, one person had become two, and no one said much.
Only a few people came to see Ning Jinyu off.