Sacrifice

[Present Time]

"Miss Han Suyin. Why did you want to become a Doctor in the first place?"

In the dimly lit room, the air hung heavy with the scent of antiseptic, mingling with the faint aroma of freshly brewed tea. Miss Han Suyin sat with poise, her gaze fixed on the elderly man who posed the question with genuine curiosity. As she listened to his inquiry, memories danced behind her eyes, each one a chapter in the intricate tale of her journey.

Leaning back in her chair, she took a sip of the steaming tea, allowing the warmth to soothe her before she embarked on her narrative.

"I didn't come from a rich family," she began, her voice soft yet resonant with conviction. "When I was young, being ill meant that you were close to the brink of death. No one cared when you were poor. You were just another mouth to feed, so you would have been another count to that death."

Her words carried the weight of years spent in the trenches of poverty, where survival was a daily battle against the odds. "But amidst the darkness, I found a flicker of light," she continued, her gaze distant yet unwavering. "Becoming a doctor was not merely a profession; it was a beacon of hope, a promise to defy the injustices that plagued our world. In the realm of medicine, there are no distinctions of wealth or stature. Every life holds equal worth, every soul deserving of salvation."

The room fell silent, save for the soft rustle of fabric as Miss Han Suyin folded her hands atop the worn wooden table. "I want to save as many as I can to the best of my ability," she declared, her voice steady with determination.

"For in each patient I see not just an individual, but a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. And in their healing, I find purpose."

Her words lingered in the air, imbued with the weight of her unwavering dedication. Yet, amid the quietude, a sense of reverence seemed to settle upon the room, as if acknowledging the profound calling that had guided her path.

"There's a reason why the Gods had sent you here," the elderly man mused, his voice tinged with reverence. "You were destined to follow this path."

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Suyin's heart pounded against her chest like a relentless drum, each beat echoing the adrenaline-fueled rhythm of survival.

Gasping for air, her lungs strained against the weight of waterlogged breaths as she struggled to make sense of her surroundings. The sensation of her left arm wrapped tightly around the gnarled trunk of a colossal tree sent shivers down her spine, a lifeline tethering her to an uncertain fate.

The river surged around her, a tumultuous force of nature that threatened to engulf her in its merciless embrace. Yet, amidst the chaos, Suyin clung to the tree with a tenacity born of desperation, her fingers digging into the rough bark as if anchoring herself to the very fabric of existence.

Each gasp for air was a desperate plea for a reprieve, a battle against the suffocating grip of the currents that sought to drag her down into the abyss.

Miraculously, as if in response to some unseen force, the relentless currents began to flow, their ferocity waning like a spent tempest.

Suyin's breaths came in ragged bursts, her chest heaving with exertion as she clung to the tree with trembling limbs. With a mixture of exhaustion and determination, she loosened her grip, releasing her hold on the steadfast trunk.

And then, as if by some divine intervention, the river fell silent, its once-turbulent waters now placid and calm.

With a sense of disbelief mingled with relief, Suyin felt the riverbed rise beneath her feet, the shallow depths offering her a chance to get out of the water.

With every ounce of strength she could muster, she pushed herself forward, each step a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Finally, with her heart still racing and her body trembling with exhaustion,

Suyin collapsed onto the shore of the river, the damp earth yielding beneath her weight.

Gasping for air, she lay there, her chest rising and falling in rhythm with the gentle lull of the water nearby. In that fleeting moment of reprieve, she offered a silent prayer of gratitude for her survival, a testament to the indomitable will to persevere against all odds.

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The air was thick with tension as Wu Fei's voice pierced through the stillness, echoing across the expanse of the river.

With each syllable, the weight of dread hung heavy in the air, a harbinger of impending doom.

She could hear the tremor in her own voice, the fear that gnawed at the edges of her resolve as she raced towards the crest of the hill, her heart pounding in sync with the urgency of her footsteps.

Before she stood the imposing stone shrine, a silent sentinel amidst the chaos that unfolded beneath its watchful gaze.

And there, amidst the somber serenity of the riverside, lay her father, a solitary figure engulfed in the throes of anguish. Wu Fei's breath caught in her throat as she took in the scene before her, her mind reeling with the realization of what had transpired.

Old man Wu, once a pillar of strength, now lay crumpled upon the earth, his body racked with sobs that echoed through the stillness like a lamentation of lost souls.

Around him lay the silent specters of the dead, their lifeless forms a grim testament to the tragedy that had unfolded in their midst. And looming over it all, like a specter of madness, was the deserted sedan chair, a silent witness to the chaos that had engulfed them all.

"Weizhe! Qin Fuhua!" Wu Fei's voice trembled with urgency as she called out to her companions, her eyes ablaze with fear. With swift strides, they followed in her wake, their hearts heavy with the weight of what they were about to confront.

As they reached the crest of the hill, Wu Fei's cry rang out into the stillness, cutting through the silence like a blade.

Old man Wu looked up, his eyes alight with a manic fervor as he met his daughter's gaze. His laughter, hollow and mirthless, echoed across the river, a chilling reminder of the madness that had consumed him.

"F-Father!" Wu Fei's voice quivered with emotion as she rushed to his side, her heart torn between love and despair. "W-What did you do to her?!"

The words hung heavy in the air, a damning accusation that reverberated with the weight of unspoken truths.

And in that moment, Qin Fuhua's rage threatened to boil over, his fists clenched in silent fury as he moved to confront the man who had wrought such devastation upon their lives.

But before he could act, a hand stayed his advance, Weizhe's steady gaze a silent plea for restraint. If the identity of Tienzheng (his scholar form) was revealed that he knows martial arts, there would be no point in him having that identity.

The air crackled with tension as Weizhe, embodying the essence of his master's strength, swooped in with the swiftness of a falcon, seizing the collar of old man Wu in a vice-like grip.

His eyes burned with a fierce intensity, mirroring the fury that simmered beneath the surface as he demanded answers.

"What did you do to Miss Suyin?!" Weizhe's voice rang out like thunder, a primal roar of indignation that reverberated through the stillness of the riverside.

Behind him, Wu Fei and Qin Fuhua surged forward, their footsteps echoing in unison as they closed the distance, their resolve unyielding in the face of adversity.

But old man Wu, his eyes devoid of remorse, met their accusations with a deranged laughter that sent shivers down their spines.

"There's nothing left you can do. She's already dead," he sneered, his voice a twisted symphony of madness and malice.

The words hung heavy in the air, a chilling confirmation of their worst fears.

Qin Fuhua's fists clenched with unbridled rage, his knuckles white with the force of his fury as he moved to strike old man Wu with a blow fueled by vengeance.

"What did you do to her?!" he roared, his voice a primal scream of anguish and rage that echoed across the river, mingling with the mournful wail of the wind. Every fiber of his being screamed for justice, for retribution against the man who had wrought such devastation upon their lives.

As Wu Fei stumbled forward, her voice trembling with a mixture of disbelief and despair, she felt the weight of her father's betrayal crashing down upon her like a tidal wave.

"F-Father... please tell me there's no way that you killed Miss Suyin," she pleaded, her words a desperate plea for absolution in the face of unspeakable horror.

But old man Wu's laughter echoed in her ears, a haunting cacophony of madness and despair. "It was a sacrifice made," he cackled, his voice a twisted mockery of sanity. "Not as perfect as I wanted, but it still failed! I tell you, my child! It failed! Your mother will never be alive again!"

In that moment, as the truth of her father's depravity washed over her like a tidal wave, Wu Fei felt something inside her shatter. The illusions of her childhood shattered like fragile glass, revealing the darkness that had lurked beneath the surface all along. And as she gazed upon the monster that her father had become, she knew that there could be no redemption for the sins that stained his soul.

Qin Fuhua's fists clenched with impotent rage as he stood before old man Wu, the facade of his scholar identity now a bitter reminder of his own vulnerability.

The weight of his princely title hung heavy around his neck, a burden that shackled him to secrecy and restraint. If he dared to reveal his true identity now, it would unravel the carefully woven tapestry of his plans, exposing him to dangers far greater than the treachery before him.

And yet, even as his mind raced with the turmoil of indecision, Qin Fuhua knew that he could not stand idly by while injustice reigned unchecked.

The memory of Suyin, her unwavering kindness and strength, burned bright in his mind, fueling the flames of his determination.

But before he could act, old man Wu's voice pierced through the silence like a dagger, his words dripping with mockery and despair.

"The plan that was made to open the door. Our riddle will never be solved anymore, my child!" he lamented, his laughter ringing hollow against the backdrop of tragedy.

The sound of his father's laughter grated against Weizhe's nerves, his muscles tensing with the urge to lash out in fury.

But before he could unleash the torrent of anger that simmered beneath the surface, old man Wu's demeanor shifted once more, his laughter giving way to sobs of despair.

"Why, you stupid—" Weizhe's voice trailed off, his breath catching in his throat as old man Wu's hand moved with swift purpose, the glint of a dagger catching the fading light.

"F-Father!" Wu Fei's cry of anguish filled the air, her heart lurching with a mixture of horror and grief. But even as she reached out to him, she knew that the man before her was no longer her father, but a mere shadow of the man he once was.

With a final, desperate act, old man Wu plunged the dagger into his own chest, the sound of flesh tearing against steel echoing through the stillness.

As his lifeless form crumpled to the ground, a sense of profound loss settled over the riverbank, a testament to the tragedy that had unfolded in their midst.

Wu Fei's heart ached with a hollow emptiness as she stood amidst the aftermath, her gaze fixed on the lifeless form of her father.

The realization of his indifference cut deeper than any blade, a wound that seared her soul with the bitter sting of abandonment.

Struggling to maintain her composure, Wu Fei fought against the tide of emotions threatening to overwhelm her.

But as the scene before her unfolded, Qin Fuhua stepped forward with a protective instinct, shielding her from the harrowing sight with his own body.

Meanwhile, Weizhe's gaze swept over the surroundings, his eyes alight with a fierce determination.

"It's here," he declared, his words laden with the weight of revelation.

The place they had sought for so long, the key to unlocking the gates of salvation for the sick Princess, lay before them at last.

Yet, amid the triumph of their discovery, a somber acknowledgment of the sacrifices made along the way hung heavy in the air.

"Wu Fei, let's leave Tienzheng here to say some last words to Suyin. We'll find something for you, okay?" Weizhe's voice held a gentleness that belied the gravity of their situation.

With a nod of resignation, her heart was heavy with the weight of unspoken grief.

Alone amidst the silent expanse of death, Qin Fuhua knelt amidst the lifeless bodies, his fists clenched in silent fury.

As memories of Han Suyin flooded his mind, her smile a beacon of light in the darkness in his life, Qin Fuhua refused to accept the finality of her demise.

"There's no way that you're dead," he whispered, his voice a fervent plea against the cruel hand of fate. "If you were, I would have to see your body first."

Qin Fuhua stood before the imposing stone shrine, his gaze fixed on the riddle inscribed upon its weathered surface.

The weight of their quest bore down upon him like a mountain, each word of the riddle a puzzle to unravel, a key to unlocking the secrets that lay hidden within.

"The flower that was laid to rest on the heart of the door, opening to cure the sadness in the world. There's just one that only opens it. She who emits the scent of the flowers. The beauty within its door to happiness."

With a sense of determination, Qin Fuhua retrieved the rose-shaped key he had acquired, its intricate design a testament to the mysteries it held.

Placing it before the shrine, he waited with bated breath for some sign of recognition, some indication that they had finally found the answer they sought.

But as moments passed in silence, the shrine remained unmoved, its stony facade betraying no hint of acknowledgment.

Frustration gnawed at the edges of Qin Fuhua's resolve as he struggled to find a way to fit the key to the puzzle before him, each attempt met with resounding failure.

With a heavy heart, Qin Fuhua conceded defeat.

Though the quest for the shrine held immense importance, it paled in comparison to the urgency of uncovering the truth behind the tragedy that had befallen them.

Casting one final glance at the silent shrine, he turned his attention to the lifeless bodies strewn about the riverbank, each one a silent witness to the carnage that had unfolded in their midst.

Approaching the one remaining servant, Qin Fuhua's heart sank at the sight of the man's weakened state.

His words came out in a hoarse whisper, barely audible over the gentle lapping of the river nearby. "So that bastard died," the servant uttered weakly, his voice tinged with resignation. "That girl was wise enough to push herself in the water... but she never came back up."

As the servant's breathing grew labored his eyes began to lose focus. "I'm sorry—" the servant's voice trailed off, his gaze drifting upwards towards the infinite expanse of the night sky, his final breath a fleeting whisper lost amidst the echoes of their sorrow.

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As Suyin lay on the damp earth, her body wracked with pain and exhaustion, she felt the tendrils of darkness closing in around her. Each gasp for air was a struggle against the suffocating grip of fatigue, her limbs heavy and unresponsive as she fought to hold onto consciousness.

But despite her best efforts, Suyin could feel her strength waning with each passing moment, her body succumbing to the relentless assault of pain and exhaustion. Desperation clawed at the edges of her mind as she prayed for a miracle, a glimmer of hope to guide her through the darkness that threatened to consume her.

And then, as if in response to her silent plea, a flicker of light pierced the darkness, casting its warm glow upon the surrounding forest. With renewed determination, Suyin summoned the last reserves of her energy, her voice barely a whisper as she called out for help into the night.

"H-Help..."

Her words echoed through the stillness, a desperate plea that hung in the air like a fragile thread. But even as despair threatened to overwhelm her, Suyin refused to give up hope, her voice growing stronger with each successive attempt.

"Hellllpp....."

And then, against all odds, a response echoed through the darkness, a beacon of hope amidst the encroaching gloom.

"Is anyone there?!"

Suyin's heart soared with relief as she heard the distant voice, her spirits buoyed by the promise of salvation. Summoning the last vestiges of her strength, she called out into the night, her voice trembling with emotion.

"H-Here...!"

As the torch drew nearer, casting its warm glow upon her battered form, Suyin felt a surge of gratitude wash over her. And in that fleeting moment of clarity, she caught a glimpse of the face of her rescuer, the familiar features of Qin Fuhua etched in her mind like a lifeline amidst the darkness.

"Fuhua..."

And with those whispered words, Suyin surrendered to the darkness, her consciousness slipping away as the warmth of oblivion embraced her.

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As Suyin's eyelids fluttered open, she was greeted by a haze of delirium, her senses dulled by the feverish heat that coursed through her veins.

The world around her seemed to blur and sway, a surreal symphony of disjointed sensations that left her feeling disoriented and disconnected.

Her body trembled with the conflicting sensations of intense heat and bone-chilling cold, each breath a laborious struggle against the weight of exhaustion.

The clamor of metal clattering against metal reverberated through her foggy mind, mingling with the distant murmur of water boiling nearby.

With each fleeting moment of consciousness, Suyin fought against the overwhelming urge to surrender to the embrace of sleep. But as exhaustion pulled her deeper into its grasp, she found herself drifting once more into the comforting oblivion of slumber.

In that liminal space between wakefulness and dreams, Suyin's mind danced with fragmented images and half-formed thoughts, memories, and emotions that defied rational comprehension.

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"There's an addition to this... and that."

Suyin, amidst the haze of her consciousness, caught fragments of a conversation drifting into her awareness, the voice deep and resonant, unmistakably masculine.

It swirled around her like a gentle breeze, carrying hints of familiarity and care. Her mind struggled to piece together the puzzle—had Weizhe and Qin Fuhua finally located her? With a tentative effort, she willed her heavy eyelids to part, allowing a sliver of light to filter through, just enough to cast a dim glow upon her surroundings.

"No. That would counteract with each other..."

The voice continued its deliberation, pacing the room in measured steps, the sound of footsteps mingling with the crackling warmth of the nearby fireplace. Suyin's senses, dulled by fatigue and injury, strained to discern the figure before her. Through the blur, she made out the silhouette of a person, cloaked in a halo of long, flowing white hair.

Suddenly, the pacing ceased, and the figure turned towards her, a burst of anticipation flickering in his eyes as he noticed her stir.

"Ah, lady! You're awake!" Suyin lifted her gaze to meet the eyes of her savior. A smile graced his features, lighting up the room with its warmth and familiarity. Recognition dawned upon her—this was the same man she had met when she traded the herbs for his medicine! 1

The man with feminine-white hair beamed at her, his eyes alight with relief. "You broke your fever. That's great!" His voice carried a genuine sense of happiness, a melody of reassurance in the quiet room.

Before Suyin could voice her question, another presence entered the room, disrupting the two.

A woman with a demeanor more assertive than the man sported the same ethereal mane of white hair, tied up neatly. Her abrupt entrance halted her movements as she took in the scene before her.

"You're awake! What a blessing!" The woman's tone held a blend of concern and relief as she turned her attention to the white-haired man, her hands finding their place on her hips in a gesture of admonition.

"Your pacing probably caused her to wake up. Why weren't you quiet?"

Suyin, feeling a surge of gratitude for their care, interjected softly, "No. It's fine. I just woke up."

As she glanced around the cozy cottage, her eyes taking in the familiar warmth of the fireplace and the comforting proximity of the kitchen, she realized she was in a home.

"Lady, what is your name? If you remember, we met once," the male inquired, his voice tender and inviting, as if eager to bridge the gap of familiarity that hung between them.

"I'm Han Suyin."

Zheng Zhelan's gentle smile widened as he introduced himself and his older sister. "My name is Zheng Zhelan, and this is my older sister, Zheng An," he said, the soft glow of kindness illuminating his features.

Suyin winced as a pang of pain shot through her, a stark reminder of her lingering injuries. "Thank you for saving me..." she murmured, momentarily forgetting the strain on her shoulders.

"Where am I?"

"We are near Shu Qin, one of the largest cities in the country," Zheng An replied, her smile reassuring.

Recognition flickered in Suyin's eyes as she pieced together the significance of their location. "Shu Qin... where the emperor resides?"

Zheng An nodded solemnly in confirmation.

"I'm sorry, Suyin. We needed to reach Shu Qin to attend to some urgent matters. I possess limited medical skills, enough to prevent you from succumbing to your injuries, but little more," Zhelan explained, a note of disappointment tainting his tone.

"No, it's fine! Thank you for saving me. I wanted to be here anyway... Where did you find me?" Suyin inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"You were lying by the river near the border of Qin while my brother was gathering herbs. It was fortunate that he was out there, despite his... upset stomach," Zheng An chuckled softly. "But he managed to carry you all the way here. We had to keep moving forward."

As Suyin lay there, her mind swirling with questions and sensations, she couldn't help but wonder about the journey that had brought her to this unfamiliar place.

"So the current had moved me all the way here. How long was I unconscious and lucky enough to reach the other side from where I was?" she mused silently, her thoughts a whisper in the quiet room.

Suddenly, a sharp twinge of pain jolted her back to the present.

"Sss. Ouch!" Suyin winced, the inflammation in her shoulders asserting its presence with renewed vigor.

"I'll be back, Didi. Keep an eye on her, kay?" Zheng An's voice broke through the haze of discomfort, her departure marked by a gentle wave from her brother.

As Suyin closed her eyes, she sensed the undercurrent of anxiety emanating from Zhelan. Opening her eyes once more, she spoke up, her voice laced with a quiet resolve.

"The herbs that were picked up when we first met... a combination of those would help relieve the pain."

Zhelan turned to her, his expression a mixture of apology and uncertainty. "I-I'm sorry. As I mentioned, I do have not too much knowledge in medicine... but I do in poison. It's the total opposite of what I learned to counteract the yin and yang, but-"

"Yes, they're both the same. I learned from a mentor also," Suyin interjected, her words a calm reassurance. "A way of balance to help treat."

Zhelan nodded in agreement, a silent acknowledgment of their shared understanding.