14 Kill or be Killed

Shi Jing came to the hall and bowed before Madam Fu. "Yes, my lady?"

"Go and bring Bai Ling to the temporary rooms." Shi Jing obeyed immediately and turned to the rugged figure to her right. When she faced Bai Ling, she paused for a second then gulped.

Beautiful.

Shi Jing was not expecting someone that beautiful to appear. Madam Fu saw her reaction and narrowed her eyes. "Why are you still here!"

This prompted Shi Jing to move faster, and the two exited the hall. When walking down the hall, Shi Jing slowed down to walk with Bai Ling.

"My name is Shi Jing. I am a maid here." Bai Ling looked at the girl to her left then nodded. Since Bai Ling did not respond, Shi Jing quietened down in embarrassment. She did not mind that Bai Ling ignored her, though. She took the time to study Bai Ling. From what she could tell, the girl was cold. From the moment she saw her to this moment, her expression remained the same.

Shi Jing wondered what Bai Ling went through to be this apathetic. Shi Jing's gaze lingered on her lips, and she felt herself blush. Every part of her was perfect. Shi Jing looked away, too shy to keep observing Bai Ling.

"Your room is coming up ahead." Soon after, the two arrived before Bai Ling's room. "Here it is! You have some change of clothing in the room, but I suggest taking a bath first."

Shi Jing clasped her hands behind her as she held her breath. She waited for Bai Ling to respond. She wondered if Bai Ling's voice would sound as beautiful as her.

"Thanks. Where can I bathe?" Shi Jing went weak in the knees at Bai Ling's voice. She was right; everything about Bai Ling was perfect.

"I will take you to the bath right now." Bai Ling did not answer and waited until Shi Jing moved.

Looking around the building, Bai Ling had to admit that it was luxurious. It was not as luxurious as the manor, but it was well decorated with fine furniture. The colours were beautiful as well.

The two left the hallway and came to another courtyard. It seemed like this was behind the pavilion.

Steam rose from the top of the building, and when the two went inside, rowdy laughter could be heard.

"Wait here; I am going to get your things to bathe." When Shi Jing left, Bai Ling to this chance to take off the outer layer of her clothes. The steam inside was only bearable then.

When Shi Jing came back, Bai Ling's hair, which had seemed short minutes ago, tumbled down her body. Her hair was surprisingly long, even for that era. The ends swept the floor behind her, looking like a curtain of death.

The strange thing about her hair was that it seemed like it was breathing.

"H-here is your stuff." This was the first time she became so flustered looking at anyone. You have a private room. Enter and walk to your left. It is the second door down."

Bai Ling took the stuff and headed where Shi Jing told her to go. When Bai Ling went through the second door, the heat increased. The scene before her stopped her from taking off more layers.

She clutched her top and walked to the room that Shi Jing prepared for her. When she went in, Bai Ling sighed in relief.

Bai Ling observed the lavish bath. She stripped down as she stepped towards the hot pool of water, and when she reached the edge of the pool, she dived in. Underwater, the faces of the two men she killed flashed in her mind. Now that she had time to relax, the adrenaline and tension left her body. She screamed out into the water, letting out all of her emotions.

Though she was coldhearted when killing, it was her first time killing after all. Anyone with a heart would be affected by it. Bai Ling was a young girl too.

Bai Ling came up for air after she finished screaming. She scrubbed her body, from head to toe. She wanted to get the stains of her assaulters off her body and out of her mind.

Thinking about the things she went through, Bai Ling's anger flared. Those men deserved it. If she didn't kill them, they would hurt her. Recently, Bai Ling came to terms with a harsh truth. It's kill or be killed. In this would she had no one to protect but herself.

Thinking about it this way, Bai Ling realized she had more freedom than she ever had. Although she loved her grandmother, it became hard to be a normal kid. She had to grow up fast. Now, she had a new lease on life. She could do what she wanted in this world.

Despite the new life, the circumstances of how she came in this world were harsh. If she had the chance, she would kill the men from her old world.

[Would you?]

The voice was fleeting, but Bai Ling faintly picked it up. She looked around the room, spooked by the soft voice she heard.

Taking that as a cue, Bai Ling got out of the hot springs and got dressed. Bai Ling left the room in a rush, trying to escape the voice she heard.

When Bai Ling exited the room, various gazes fell on her. She was looking down and walking close to the wall. Everything about her said she did not want to be in the room.

This cold demeanour enticed a few of the men who were in the public hot springs. Before they could approach her, Bai Ling left the hot spring hall.

Shi Jing trailed behind Bai Ling after she left the hall. After her bath, shi Jing could not take her eyes away. At that moment, Shi Jin had a thought that frightened herself.