Chapter no.33 A Broken Past part 2

Lin Lai woke up to the sound of flapping wings and a gentle rocking motion. She sat up and looked around, confused and disoriented. She found herself on top of a giant swan, with a crystal beak and feathers tipped in sparkling crystal.

Panicked, Lin Lai tried to stand up, but her legs were unsteady and she nearly fell off the swan. She grabbed onto its neck, trying to steady herself. As she looked around, she saw that they were high in the sky, flying over a vast landscape of rolling hills and forests.

Just as she was starting to feel dizzy and panicked, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see the man who had rescued her.

"Don't be afraid, Lin Lai," he said gently. "I am Lü Fengxian. I've been watching over you as you slept. You're safe now."

Lin Lai looked at him, wide-eyed and still scared. "What is happening? Why am I on top of a giant swan?"

Lü Fengxian chuckled. "It's a long story. But for now, just know that we are going home."

Home?

Where?

What is going on?

Hundreds of such thoughts raced through Lin Lai's mind as Lü Fengxian tapped her shoulder causing her to immediately turn to Lü Fengxian who pointed forward.

Following the man's finger, Lin Lai found herself gazing upon the city carved into the mountain, she couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder. The sheer scale of it was staggering, with towering spires and intricate carvings covering every inch of the rocky surface. It was as if the city had been carved directly out of the mountain itself, a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of its creators.

The narrow streets wound their way between the buildings, teeming with people going about their daily lives. In the center of the city, a grand palace rose, its gold-plated roof gleaming in the sunlight.

As the swan with crystal feathers soared through the sky, Lin Lai could feel the excitement and adrenaline coursing through her veins, an unknown feeling that she had never felt. She held on tight as Lü Fengxian guided them towards the barrier protecting the city, her heart pounding in her chest.

Suddenly, the swan tilted to the side and began to perform a barrel roll, its crystal feathers glinting in the sunlight. Lin Lai let out a cry of fear mixed with delight as they spun through the air, the city below a blur of colors and shapes.

She felt a sense of freedom and exhilaration, an addicting feeling that she wanted to experience more and more as they passed through the barrier, the shimmering energy field surrounding the city.

"Well done, Lin Lai," Lü Fengxian said, patting her on the back as Lin Lai's mind went blank.

She didn't know what to think.

As the swan with crystal feathers descended toward the palace, a group of servants rushed out to meet it. They were dressed in fine, flowing robes and wore expressions of awe and reverence on their faces.

Lin Lai and Lü Fengxian dismounted the swan, and it folded its wings and lowered its head in a gesture of respect. The servants approached and bowed low, their eyes fixed on the swan.

Lin Lai didn't know what to say or even think as everything was so new to her.

" Papa !"

Lin Lai was startled by a young boy who came running up to Lü Fengxian and threw his arms around him in a hug. Lü Fengxian chuckled and ruffled the boy's hair, a look of love and affection on his face that made Lin Lai's heart squeeze in jealousy.

"Lin Lai, allow me to introduce you to my son, Lü Bu," he said, gesturing towards the boy.

Lin Lai smiled shyly and nodded, trying to hide behind her hair. Lü Bu, seeing her shyness, took it upon himself to be her protector in his childish mind.

"Don't worry, Lin Lai," he said, puffing out his chest. "I'll protect you from anything that comes our way!"

Lü Fengxian ruffled Lü Bu's hair as he looked at Lin Lai.

" Welcome to the Divine Feather Sect and your new family."

Lin Lai didn't know why but tears seemed to stream down her face as she heard those words.

The tears of pain and sadness that had been long since dried, now flowed as Lin Lai felt the first instance of happiness in her life.

...

Time seemed to rush past Lin Lai who quickly grew into a remarkable young woman, with a quick mind and a natural talent for cultivation as she was quickly recognized throughout the palace for her abilities and monstrous talent.

As she grew, so did her friendship with Lü Bu, who worked hard to be her protector and her loyal friend, if anyone saw the two they wouldn't think that Lin Lai and Lü Bu were anything less than brother and sister. Together, they explored the halls of the palace and learned the ways of the Divine Feather Sect.

Unfortunately, the Divine Feather Sect was often subject to battles, as they were on the front lines against the Immortal Demon Sect. But Lin Lai never let that discourage her, and she worked hard to hone her skills and become a powerful force in the Murim.

....

The night was calm and still, the only sound was the soft rustle of the leaves in the trees. The stars twinkled above, casting a gentle glow over the landscape. A gentle breeze blew, bringing with it the faint scent of jasmine.

The twin moons rose high in the sky, casting their pale light over the land.

As Lin Lai slowly walked through the palace, she couldn't help but feel a sense of peace and solitude. The quiet of the night enveloped her, and for a moment, she was able to forget about the horrible situation that the Divine Feather Sect was in.

For decades, they had been holding off the Immortal Demon Sect, and they were now weakened and worn out. Their supposed allies from the Murim Alliance seemed to have ignored every request for help, leaving them at a greater disadvantage.

Lin Lai sighed and leaned against a column, gazing up at the stars. She knew that she couldn't let herself get discouraged and that she had to keep fighting and find a way to turn things around.

But at this moment, she just wanted to enjoy the peace of the night, to let herself drift away from the worries of the world. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting the calm of the night wash over her.

For a little while, at least, she was able to forget about the troubles that plagued her, and she was able to find a moment of peace. And she knew that, no matter what the future held, she would always be able to find solace in the quiet of the night.

" Sister !"

Hearing the sudden shout, Lin Lai couldn't help but sigh as she looked back to see her brother, Lü Bu running towards her.

" Let me guess, Mei Mei rejected your confession and now you want me to talk to her so that she could at least go on one date with you."

" W, what .... No !" Lü Bu shouted out in embarrassment as a blush covered his face.

" Hmm, surprising." Lin Lai answered with a raised eyebrow.

" What do you think I am ?"

" A closet pervert who switches who he loves ... every 2 months."

" Hey !"

" You know it's true."

" Stop spreading false rumors about me."

Lin Lai narrowed her eyes as Lü Bu felt sweat drop down his face.

Sometimes, his sister was too frightening.

" So, why are you running towards me like a lunatic ?"

" Oh, the patriarch wants to see you."

" You know you can call him father right."

" Yeah but I have to see him as the patriarch first and father second."

" Whatever, failed lover boy."

" Hey !"

...

Lin Lai stood outside of the patriarch's office, her nerves on edge as she tried to figure out why she had been called for. The eerie silence that filled the corridor did little to help her nerves, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

She took a deep breath and raised her hand to knock on the decorated door, her heart pounding in her chest.

Finally, mustering up all of her courage, she knocked on the door. She waited, her nerves stretched to the breaking point, as she heard her father's voice.

" Come in."

Lin Lai stepped into the patriarch's room, her senses immediately overwhelmed by the heavy atmosphere that filled the space. The room was ornately decorated, with intricate tapestries hanging on the walls and lush rugs covering the floor.

A large fireplace took up one wall, the flames flickering and casting a warm glow over the room. The air was thick with the smell of incense, and the faint sound of chanting could be heard in the distance.

Lin Lai gazed upon Lü Fengxian, who sat on a throne-like chair at the head of the room. He was an imposing figure, with piercing eyes and a serious expression on his face.

Lin Lai bowed her head in respect as she approached him, her nerves on edge as she waited for him to speak. She could feel the weight of the room pressing down on her, and she knew that this was a moment of great significance.

"Lin Lai," Lü Fengxian said, his voice deep and gravelly.

" My dear daughter, how fine of a woman you have become ?"

" Thank you, father."

" I heard that you recently broke through to the Soul Altar realm."

" Yes, Father. I am currently stabilizing my soul altar."

" Ha, I couldn't be more proud but Lin Lai, I am sure you know, what the current status of the Divine Feather Sect is ?"

With a melancholic look in her eyes, Lin Lai nodded.

" We have long been abandoned by the Murim Alliance. It is just a matter of time before the Divine Feather Sect becomes a part of history."

" Fa..." Before Lin Lai could speak Lü Fengxian raised his hand, stopping her dead in her tracks.

" But I have found a solution that could save the Divine Feather Sect."

Lin Lai looked up with a look of absolute happiness before that look faltered as she saw the grave look etched into her father's face.

" Is something wrong ?"

A tear escaped Lü Fengxian's eyes causing a shock to reverberate through Lin Lai's body as she saw her father bow to her.

Lin Lai immediately stood up and held onto her father's shoulders.

" Father, why are you bowing? What's wrong ?! Didn't you find a solution to all of this ?"

Lü Fengxian closed his eyes as he answered back.

" Yes, I have but for the survival of the Divine Feather Sect, you need to marry the young master of the Black Mirror Sect."

Lin Lai felt a shock go through her body as she heard the patriarch's words. She had been expecting him to ask her to take on some sort of mission or challenge, but she had never expected this.

She felt a sense of panic rising within her, and she struggled to keep her emotions in check.

" Father."

Hearing Lin Lai's voice, Lü Fengxian looked up as he saw Lin Lai struggling to keep her emotions in check as she put on a smile.

" As long as it is for the sect, I am willing to marry him."

Lin Lai felt Lü Fengxian wrap around her in a hug as he apologized.

" I am sorry, I failed as a father."

" N, No you didn't!"

Lin Lai screamed out as tears flowed down her face.

" You need to think of the sect first. Even though I was never your real daughter, you gave me a home and a family and I will always be in your dept for that. If marrying someone can even repay a fraction of that dept I am willing to do that."

Lin Lai's tears soaked through the fabric of Lü Fengxian's shirt, but he doesn't seem to mind as he continued to hug her if one looked at his face. There wasn't a shred of love or care on had for their child ... no, Lü Fengxian had a cold and calculative look in his eyes as he rubbed Lin Lai's head.

" Thank you for what you have done for the sect."