Bandits

In a dark room was a girl who was hugging herself on the top of her bed. She was caught in her shock. Su Lan enters very quietly. "Gongzhu your meal is here," she mutters as quiet as she could. Li Fu Ling didn't move at all. Su Lan could only leave the food behind and she went out.

She sighed and shook her head at Mama Gui. Mama Gui look at the entrance to Li Fu Ling room and retreated. Li Fu Ling has been like that since the day Li Bai Xue went missing. She covered it up by saying that she wasn't well from the fright she saw.

The entire palace was in turmoil. Everyone is fighting to get their daughter into Crown Prince Zhu's hand. Zhu Shan was still looking for Li Bai Xue. Fan Sang was ill and couldn't get up from her bed. Li Mei Tang has been quiet as well. She hasn't been as playful or active as before.

Su Lan sigh once again. She was glad that she wasn't involved in the palace struggle. She thanked God for giving her a bad look that could not attract anyone.

***

Mama Gui had reported to Feng Jiu about Li Fu Ling being. She hit the teacup in her hand against the table.

"Ungrateful!"Feng Jiu shouted and got up. She went over to Li Fu Ling's manor and barged into her room. Li Fu Ling was stilled in a trance. She walks up to her and slapped her hard. The sound echo outside the room.

Su Lan felt shivers crawling up her back. Su Lan looks over to Mama Gui. Mama Gui was still and was emotionless. 'Are you even human?'

Li Fu Ling snapped out of her trance and saw Feng Jiu above her. She was startled. Her Muqin had never hit her from young no matter how many mistakes she did. This was the first time she receives a slap from her Muqin.

"Muqin?"

"Everything I do is for my children. So don't waste my effort! I raise, taught, and put everything into you so don't you dare waste it!"

Li Fu Ling couldn't keep quiet, "Why? Why kill her!"

"Do you want to lose him? Even without her many others will take him. Do you want him gone?"Feng Jiu asked. She knew that she had hit her weak spot.

Li Fu Ling lips quiver. Zhu ge was her weakness. He was the person she loves even if he hates her. "I love him Muqin."

"Good, then remember to live and fight for the things you want." Feng Jiu love this daughter of her. She groomed her so she knew everything about her like the back of her head. She was no less than Li Bai Xue it just she was naive. "Child everyone is waiting for you, "Feng Jiu said. After that, she left Li Fu Ling manor.

Su Lan enters to check up on her. She didn't hear what they were talking about, but she could hear their voice. She saw Li Fu Ling at her vanity. She was combing her hair. She had on a pair of clean clothes. Su Lan was startled for a bit.

"Su Lan I want to wash my face," Li Fu Ling said.

"Yes!"Su Lan said. She ran out of the door. Li Fu Ling put the comb down, and look at herself through the mirror.

She remembers her Muqin word. 'I will repay you in the next life for all my sin.'

***

Li Bai Xue and Tang Lin have been traveling their way up to Jingling. It was in the center of trade. It was home to many ports which made it rich in trade. It's no wonder that the merchant would live there. They were close to Jingling. They dressed up as beggars so they could move around more easily.

"Luye Jie, "Tang Lin called out.

"Hm."

"Why were you in the forest?"Tang Lin asked. She never really thought about it until now.

"Ah. It the same as yours. I was chased by bandits, and got lost," Li Bai Xue lied.

"Why don't you go back home then?"

"Home...? My family was killed off. I don't have a home to return to," Li Bai Xue said sadly.

Tang Lin could feel the sadness behind Li Bai Xue's words. "Then come home with me. I am an only child and always wanted a sibling. Fuqin and Muqin always dote on me so they wouldn't refuse me, "Tang Lin said.

Li Bai Xue giggled. She reminded her too much of Li Mei Tang. Li Mei Tang had always brought joy to her, and that's what Tang Lin was doing. Li Bai Xue stop giggling when she felt the same presence again. The same presence been following them for days. She didn't mind because it didn't do anything harmful when it had the chance. Lu Hu also told her that this presence felt familiar.

As soon as they were closed to Jingling, three people jumped in front of them. Li Bai Xue pushes Tang Lin behind her. Tang Lin was scared, but act like she wasn't. Li Bai Xue observed them.

Two were so skinny that you couldn't even tell if they were humans or skeleton, while the one in the middle was so fat that he had three stomachs. They all so ugly looking. The clothes they had on were enough for Li Bai Xue to tell that they bandits.

"Boss it seems like beggar only," the skinny one said.

"Boss they seem like a pretty lady though," the other skinny one said.

"En. That evil serpent will like it." the fat one said. He then walked closer and closer to Li Bai Xue. Li Bai Xue's hand had a dark blue light surrounding it. Her insides hurt, but she had to protect Tang Lin. Before he could touch her, he was sent flying away.

"Boss!" the two henchmen said. They then went chasing after the fat guy. Li Bai Xue was also surprised because she didn't even do anything. She felt something behind her and turn around. She saw a person in a cloak.

"Don't touch Gongzhu!" the person screamed.

Li Bai Xue's eyes widen. She knew that voice out of anywhere. "Lin Qian!" She grabbed the cloak, and it fell apart. What she saw next scared her and Tang Lin. On Lin Qian's right cheek was a long straight line that stretches from beside her eye to her mouth. It was a scar on her face that will never disappear. "It all my fault!"Li Bai Xue cried.

"Gongzhu! I was prepared to die for you. I am prepared to trade my life for you. This scar means nothing as long as I can protect you then nothing else matter, "Lin Qian said sincerely.

Li Bai Xue was happy. She was happy that Lin Qian was alive. From what Lu Hu told her, a lot more people were coming. She was worried about Lin Qian. Thank god you are still fine. "Lin Qian I am so lucky to have you as my friend." Lin Qian was touched when Li Bai Xue saw her as a friend and not a slave. Li Bai Xue then felt a pull from her sleeve. She had forgotten about Tang Lin. "LinEr this is my friend Lin Qian. Lin Qian this is Tang Lin."

"Friend? Then why does she call you Gongzhu?"Tang Lin questioned.

"Ah! It's her nickname for me," Li Bai Xue said.

"Oh."Tang Lin said. She turned around and started walking.

"Lin Qian from now on you can't call me Gongzhu. My name is Pang Luye," Li Bai Xue said. Lin Qian wanted to laugh but maintain herself. She dared not laugh at her master.

Tang Lin then scream and ran behind Lin Qian. The three bandits came back. Lin Qian and Li Bai Xue were ready to fight, but they bow down on the floor. "PLEASE HELP US!!!"

"Huh!?"

***

"Our leader was sealed away when he was weak by the evil serpent. She is so cunning. She attacked him when he was weak. She also happens to know our leader can't die. How is that fair!" the fat one shouted.

"Exactly! Not fair at not! Not only that but she killed many of our brother off, and is controlling us non-stop," the first henchman said.

"Our leaders have always helped the people in need and hurt the bad so how can he turn out like this," the second henchman said.

"Wait is this leader immortal?"Lin Qian asked.

"Of course he is! Our leader never died even if his heart is pierced," the fat one said.

The light in Lin Qian's eyes changed. Li Bai Xue made a decision. "I- I sorry! I don't think I can help you." It wasn't that she didn't want to help. It was because Tang Lin was here. She was weak and doesn't even know how a demonic beast looks like. Tang Lin also has to return home. She got up along with Tang Lin to leave.

"Gong- Luye let's help them please," Lin Qian said. Li Bai Xue was dumb-stricken. Lin Qian had never gone against her words nor request for anything. Since it was her first request she couldn't refuse.

"Fine." The bandits were instantly gleaming. "So where is this leader of yours?"

"He is seal in the Ice Jade which is always beside the evil serpent," the second henchman said.

"Oh. We must not be rash then. Tell me about this evil serpent," Li Bai Xue said.

"Oh. She ..."

Tang Lin didn't want to stay, but she was not bold enough to leave the place alone. Who knows what might happen to her on the way back home. So she could only stay with them. She was wearying of her surroundings since she was scared of bug.

"This evil serpent seems like a demonic beast transform into a human. If I am right she should be a Pianzi She. Lu Hu," She summoned.

Lu Hu appeared and scared most people. Tang Lin was with her for the past few days yet she has never seen anyone like her. The bandits were used to the kind of magic, but they were not used to seeing a cute little girl.

Lu Hu pretend everyone stares on her didn't exist. "Master, "She called out.

"Lu Hu, have you ever fought with a Pianzi She?"

"Yes. I have. They are very smart and cunning, but lack strength. I am strong but are lazy. We even out, but they will still beat me because of their intelligence," Lu Hu stated.

Li Bai Xue bit her lower lips. "We really can't be rash about this matter. By the way who are you guys?"

"Yudi," the fat one said.

"Luo Ru," the first henchman said.

"Heliu," the second henchman said.

"Li- Pang Luye. Tang Lin. Lin Qian. Lu Hu," Li Bai Xue said as she points to everyone. She sighed for she almost said her real name. "This matter will need some more thinking. Do you guys have a base? Are there any more brothers?"

"We have a base at the bottom of a cave. We do still have brothers, but some were killed off and the rest are locked up," Yudi said. The other two became silent.

"Hump! Don't worry we will kill that evil serpent off! When we do that then you will be united with your brothers."Tang Lin shouted. She forgot about how much she wanted to leave when she saw them looking sad.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" they all exclaimed. They were happy that finally, someone would help them from this terrible nightmare.

"En. Enough. Take us to that base," Li Bai Xue said. They then followed the three. Li Bai Xue didn't notice the change in Lin Qian's eyes.

'Is it you, Hao Wan?' Lin Qian bit her lower lip.