Chapter – 32 - Why Does Su Maihiya Want Siyu?

"Unghh!"

Barely managing to make it out of the interior territory of the clan, Rihanna found herself a safe nook inside the Green Morang forest, and slid down to the ground unceremoniously. Even now she could feel a jarring and scorching heat travelling through her internals. Dizziness and nausea raked through her mind and body, making her want to retch, but when she open her mouth, wanting to turn her gullet inside out, all she could gather together was a pile of foul smelling bile.

Chest heaving in pain and a heavy pressure, she sank back into the ground. Every muscle, every bone in her body wanted to carve themselves into the earth, wishing never to rise up again.

'I am sorry.'

It was so soft and tiny, that it almost went past her tired mind. Trying to focus despite the overpowering nausea, she cracked her dry lips to reveal a faint laugh.

'What are you sorry for? You've already done your best. Every time, I have made it through only because of you. I guess this time the opponent was too powerful for both of us. Even you didn't sense him following us.'

Rihanna licked at her chapped lips, even this little task churning waves of exertion and nausea within her. She gasped, breathing heavily.

'But what the hell did he do? He could have killed me easily. Is this some kind of a slow burning thing? Is he like some kind of sadist....loves seeing his victims slowly groveling their way to death? Sure a psycho pervert.....Sheesh! Is this the way I am going to die in this world?'

'No.....He has put a soul tracker inside you. No matter what disguise you take, no matter where you go, how you hide your aura....even if you die and are reborn....he will be able to track you down using the Split Dark Aura he has inserted into your soul.'

'What?! What the f.....!! Oh...I really want to throw profanities at his head now! How dare he! And what the heck is this stupid Split Dark Aura?! He is really an old eternal psycho pervert!.....Aish!!'

Rihanna stopped only because she was panting like she raced against a super fast express.....the anger inside was far from burned out! After trouncing around like a dying fish, she finally managed to gasp in enough air to continue.

'What are we going to do now? I can barely move. This way those people will definitely suspect something is up. Is there nothing we can do about this stupid soul tracker?'

'There is still some time. I'll put you to sleep. It is not a dangerous thing. It only attaches itself to the soul, but doesn't harm it. The roots of your soul were shaken when this thing attached itself, so you are in pain. But that will soon disappear. I'll try to speed up your soul-healing progress. You should be more or less fine once you wake up. As for what you can do.....unfortunately you can do nothing right now. Not with your current level of cultivation. I am not sure if that fellow realized that you can cultivate via a different process.....hmmm...let's not think about that right now. Come....let me put you to sleep.'

The purple light surged out once more, and Rihanna slipped off into an unconscious state. Fluffy was already stretched out beside her with his lights still knocked off. Rather strangely, the pink hog was up and kicking, but had whined his way behind them. He was now out of the inner region, and none of them knew if it would add to the surging chaos in the clan!

By the time Rihanna returned back to her room, most of the commoners had already dispersed according to their duties. Some of the guests and hosts were up as well, and though it was early noon, sounds of waking up, washing, and then having their meals could be heard from different quarters. Not knowing what to do with the pink Hog, Rihanna instructed the now-awake Fluffy to take it with him and hide in the green Morang forest and only come when she called for him. And then she went off on her own mission of the day.

Rihanna explained off her disappearance to the drunk-bout she had enacted out the night before. Turned out many of the commoners had sneaked sips of the drinks the night before, and though such actions were highly looked down upon, the hosts themselves were suffering from severe hang-over's and had little energy to bother over such trifling issue. Overall they were punished with a cut in their wages, but otherwise left un-bothered. Rihanna sighed in relief. Seemed like the happenings in the interior region had not yet reached the ears of the members outside.

Rihanna went around her work, supervising the commoners in their tasks of the day. A lot of work was pending. The Central Hall had to be cleared, but that would have to wait as the clan members responsible for supervising their work were no-where to be found.

Surprisingly, Young An was hovering around the guest house where the Su Clan members were being housed.

"What's wrong? What are you doing here?"

Young An looked at 'him' in consternation, opening and closing his mouth as if wanting to say something but unable to decide. Rihanna stared at him for a while, then suddenly looked around.

"Where is young Siyu?"

Young An looked even more perplexed and dejected. Finally his lips quivered as he gave a pathetic smile.

"She is being taken in by the Su clan. The young miss has taken a liking to her."

Rihanna squinted at him sharply, then giving a glance at the guest house, she turned around and left immediately, dragging poor Young An along.

Reaching a safe distance, she turned and shook him vigorously by the collar.

"What do you mean she is being taken in by the Su Clan? What happened during the time I was....passed out? Do you know how scheming and cruel these clan people are? How can you allow your sister to enter such a place?! Do you think she will be able to come out of it alive?"

Young An shivered in her grasp, his eyes widened in fear. Rihanna sighed and let him off. He sank down to the ground, tears rolling down his eyes.

"Stop crying. Tell me what happened."

"She had been tasked with serving the Young Lady of the Su Clan for the past few days, and somehow the Young Lady took a liking to her. So now she wants to take her back to the Su Clan with her and keep her by her side. She even said that in return she would give her a lot of benefits....even for me. But if we refused, then she would make it difficult for us to remain in Moon-Grave City! She even threatened that commoners like us disappeared every-day, and no one would care where we went!"

Rihanna sat down next to him and put an arm around his shoulders, patting him lightly, inwardly seeking Little Purple's advice.

'Does she have some kind of special physique?'

'No....most probably she just really likes her, and wants her to be her maid. Hey....you were her maid before....maybe Young Siyu is just for filling up the blank space left by you.'

'Hmph!....But I really don't want to hand Young Siyu to her just like that!'

'Are you seeking justice for Su Matsao now? But what in the world are you planning?'

'Well....I don't yet have the strength to take revenge. But are you sure I can't create some chaos in the Su Clan?.....I want to give them nightmares even when they are awake! So much, that when children of their clan don't go to sleep at night, their clan elders will say - go to sleep, or Su Matsao's spirit will come and take you away!'

Rihanna sniggered, leaving Little Purple feeling speechless. What were with these Bollywood dialogues in her never ending repertoire?! Fine, she had the Trans-mutating Jade with her anyway.

'But you need to keep a low profile. Remember, that Sect Leader might still be connected with the Su Clan.'

'Hmmm....'

Rihanna got up and brushed off her clothes, then pulled up Young An.

"Let's go. If she is planning on taking Young Siyu, then we'll just come along with her! This is called a Buy 1, Get 2 Offer!"

Dragging a very confused and tear streaked Young An, Rihanna ran back to the Su Clan guest house. The Clan Leader, meaning 'Grand-father Su' was currently standing in the courtyard, all ready to take his leave. Su Maihiya and the other disciples were still assembling in the courtyard. Young Siyu stood in a corner, her head down, trying to hide her sorrow under her lowered eyes-lids.

Rihanna rushed up to Su Clan Leader, and immediately fell down on her knees, pulling Young An down with her. She cupped her hands before her chest, then extended her hands forward, and suddenly started kowtowing, her forehead hitting the ground with each kowtow. Leaving everyone in the courtyard thoroughly surprised and confused!

Rihanna saw their surprise from the corners of her eyes, and wondered if Asian style bowing did not exist in these lands.....well, never mind. She would surely make it a hot favorite thing for all people before long! Everyone stared at her rhythmic banging, till finally Grand-father Su came to his senses and shouted out in a loud base voice, almost shaking all the buildings nearby.

"What the hell do you think you are doing? Is this some new way of embarrassing the guests? Chen Clan...you have really shown us great honour this time!"

The Chen Clan members in the vicinity had also gathered following this sudden drama, but now they looked at Rihanna with displeasure.

"Please, Clan Leader Su....this is my own action, and has nothing to do with the Chen Clan. Sir, please listen to me and make a fair decision! I am a poor commoner. I just came from Dark-Forest City, and after a very long time was able to find the long lost children from our village. All members of our village are part of one single family, So they are my nephew and niece by blood. and they already call me Grandpa! And yet, in a few days I find that one of them is to be initiated into your clan. I am very happy for Young Siyu, that she is so blessed that Young Miss here sees her capabilities. But please kind Sir, do understand how painful and heartbreaking it is for this old man and her young brother to lose one of their members so suddenly! I have come before you to show you all my sincerity, and hope the Great Su Clan Leader will be benevolent and help us today!"

Grand-father Su looked positively vicious in all his anger, but in front of all the Chen Clan members, and also members of other clans who too had pushed their way into his courtyard by now, he simply couldn't lash out at the Old Man. So he turned and glared viciously at his young Grand-daughter instead. Su Maihiya lowered her eyes, hiding her thoughts as she contemplated something, then put on a gentle smile and walked towards Rihanna.

"I am so sorry. This was my mistake. But I really like Siyu. She looks so innocent and enchanting, and is very quick in wits and efficient in work. So I just couldn't stop myself from wanting to take her in as my head maid. But since she is such a dear family member for both of you, tell me what you seek from me. I will do it as long as it is in my capacity."

Rihanna scoffed at the 'delicate-approach', but still managed to tweak out a few tears from her old tear-ducts.

"Please, this old man only seeks to be with his only family members here from now on. If you have already taken in young Siyu, then please accept Young An and this old man too in your clan. We promise to serve you faithfully, and will do whatever you tell us to do, and never complain!"

Everyone, especially Su Maihiya, Grand-father Su....and Young An looked surprised at this sudden request. He wasn't seeking benefits....but instead wanted to snuggle his entire family in through this opening?! He was really bold! Su Maihiya could feel her ears and neck turning red from suppressed anger, as she continued to smile gently.

"I am truly heartened to see such love and care between family members. But....your request does put me in a tricky spot! All servants taken in by the clan have to go through a number of tests and trials. Only then can they become a part of the clan. How can I let the rules slide and let you enter on a whim....why don't I..."

"But why not? You have already let the rules slide for one girl. What does it matter if you let it slide for two more people? At least that way the family of three will get to stay together.....and everyone will once again witness the great benevolence of the Young Lady of the Su Clan!"

Everyone turned simultaneously to the voice coming from behind the crowd.

What the heck?! Isn't that the Chen Clan Leader....Ah! No....The crazy sadistic psycho pervert!!....What the hell was he still doing inside the Clan's territory?! He must really be seeking death to swagger all over the place after what he had done in the inner regions!