Chapter 19 Illusion

Xiaoyi, Lu Yi and Yanhui finally got to West.

"Do you guys think we should go deeper, it is getting colder, Xiaoyi said shivering because of the cold. There was mist everywhere and the place was extremely dark.

"Don't you notice we have been going in circles, Lu Yi said after a while.

"Yes, I saw this tree earlier, Xiaoyi said pointing at the huge tree in front of them.

"The bone is also here, Yanhui chimed in.

"It seems we are in maze, Lu Yi added and they finally began to study the place.

"There, there, something seems to be there, Xiaoyi screamed as she pointed in direction of what she saw.

"This is a Qi Mechanism which had 9 direction. Dai, Mo, Qiang, Jun, Jia, Gen, Du, Ren, Gu.

"Gu and Gen were danger sign so if we should rotate the mechanism in their direction, we are in deep trouble. Du and Ren indicate trap which will inevitably prevent us from leaving here. Qiang and Jun indicate death gate. Dai and Mo indicate illusion. Jia indicate good luck, Lu Yi explained after a while.

"How did you know all of this, Xiaoyi asked in awe.

"I learnt from book, Lu Yi said seriously studying the mechanism.

"This is not the time to banter okay, Yanhui said and turned to Lu Yi.

"What to do right now, Yanhui asked nervously.

"Let bet on it then, Xiaoyi said and bravely rotated the mechanism.

"Nothing is happening, they all chorused but regretted in the next second.

They were all separated.

Yanhui began to call out Lu Yi and Xiaoyi name frantically but to her surprise,she saw her father.

"Father, she said and walked towards him joyfully.

"Daughter, I have finally seen your worth, you are now allowed to work at Ministry of Justice, her father said holding her hand affectionately.

"Thank you Father, Yanhui said happily as she bowed.

Xiaoyi meanwhile was in another place.

Her mother, uncle, father and Liao Man surrounded her. Even Jingyue no longer hated her but smiled at her.

"Uncle, why are you back, Xiaoyi asked as she snuggle into her mother's arm.

"I came back because of my little girl, her uncle said with a loud laughter.

Lu Yi however saw his father and mother. His mother was dressed elegantly and she waved her hand at him lovingly.

"Son, look at what mom had embroidered for you, his mom said with a smile.

He felt tears gushing out of his eyes as he knelt in front of his parent to observe filial piety.

Yanhui was the first to snap out of the illusion.

"Dad, why are you here, Yanhui asked while looking through some cases of the Ministry of Justice.

"I've always been here, her father responded with affectionate eyes.

Yanhui suddenly remembered something and stood up.

Her father will never grant her wish so easily and moreso how on earth did he get here.

Immediately, she was drawn by a powerful force and was back to normal. Xiaoyi and Lu Yi were still in a daze and there was even tears on Lu Yi's face.

"Wake up, it is an illusion, Yanhui started shaking the two vigorously.

In Xiaoyi illusion, Liao Man was playing a game with her.

"Where is Lu Yi, Xiaoyi asked while Liao Man continued to stare at her.

"Am so stupid, you are not supposed to be here, Xiaoyi hit the table hard and stood up.

Soon, she found herself out. Yanhui was sweating profusely.

"Thank goodness, you came out, Yanhui let out a loud cry.

Xiaoyi was breathing heavily.

Lu Yi was still in the illusion.

Xiaoyi began to call out to Lu Yi vigorously and unexpectedly she was drawn into his illusion.

Yanhui rubbed her chin tentatively.

"Why was she drawn in, Yanhui thought and continued to shout out their names.

She suddenly had a thought in her mind and rotated the mechanism again. She was quite unlucky and rotated towards Du Ren. She bent her head low to prevent herself from being hit by the flying arrows and harmful object aimed to kill.

Inside Lu Yi's illusion, he was surrounded by dark force and was fighting with his life. He seems to be protecting a woman. The force kept slashing him while Xiaoyi watched from afar. She then noticed the surroundings where she was. Everywhere was covered in snow which made Lu Yi's face look paler but he refuse to give up.

"Run Mother, Lu Yi was shouting worriedly as he could not hold up the dark force any longer. Xiaoyi suddenly saw herself in his illusion.

"I will take her away, Xiaoyi watched as herself told Lu Yi confidently which Lu Yi gave a faint smile.

She began to run with Lu Yi's mother in the illusion. A mysterious man suddenly appeared and stabbed her right in the chest. The man also stabbed Lu Yi's mother. Lu Yi immediately ran towards them with red eyes. His body was soaked with blood both his and his enemy.

With a slash, Lu Yi sent the mysterious man flying. He knelt sadly in front of the lifeless bodies and held both in his hand.

Xiaoyi said ran towards him.

"Lu Yi, it is all illusion,she said shaking him vigorously but he seems not to hear her or seems to ignore her.

He looked at Xiaoyi with bloodshot eyes and Xiaoyi immediately hugged him. He looked pretty pitiful.

"He may seems strong but he was fragile. He has always to live simple and protect what was dear to him, Xiaoyi thought as tears drop from her eyes slowly.

Soon , they were out.

"Finally, you are out, What to do, I rotated towards Du Ren, Yanhui screamed as she held her injured arm in pain. Xiaoyi and Lu Yi were also injured pretty badly. Lu Yi really had it rough, he was injured inside the illusion and combined with the arrows hitting him, he was in pain.

"Get down now, Lu Yi commanded and Xiaoyi immediately squatted.

Lu Yi then thought for a while before rotating the mechanism.

After a while, the traps stopped.

They found the cave collapsing.

"What have you done?Yanhui said in fear.

A door suddenly opened and they all rushed out.

They found themselves on an open desert.