Wenrou kept forcing his head inch by inch into the ground.

  Leiming seeing this, just moved past this time if he was to block his path

  again, he would beat him up just as bad as the other boy.

  …

  As Leiming was walking past, Wenrou could feel that this was

  his final chance. He had to do something, or he would never be able to break

  the binds that wrapped around his life suffocating him every day.

  “Do you know what it is to be alone?” Wenrou’s voice sounded

  out, it wasn’t strong nor weak. It resounded in everybody’s ears, as somebody

  was done injustice by the heavens themselves.

  Leiming upon hearing Wenrous voice, slowed down he didn’t

  completely stop. His distance from Wenrou was only measly few metres. He didn’t

  turn around, he kept looking away. Neither Wenrou or anybody else could see his

  face. However, if they could see his face they would see a look of contemplation,

  and a flicker of deep longing in his eyes.

  Leiming looking away, began to speak. His voice was

  completely calm and tranquil not a speck of emotion contained within it “To

  have been surrounded with loved ones is a gift from the heavens...” as Leiming

  was going to continue, Wenrou cut him off.

  “To keep them close by is dependent on how much you love

  them. Your determination to suffer, so that they never have to suffer.” Leiming

  looked down at the ground as he heard Wenrou’s words. Feeling the solid dirt

  beneath his feet, feeling his foot press into the earth. It was like the words

  took him back to another time.

  “I ran away from home, because I was ashamed I would never

  have the ability to protect the people I loved. I left my loved ones behind,

  because I wasn’t strong enough to stand in front of them. I never wished to be

  protected if I could not protect them.” As Wenrou continued to say that, he

  turned his head to gaze at Baohu and Ri.

  Ri seeing Wenrous sorrowful gaze, felt a heavy pain in her heart.

  Wenrou continued whilst looking Ri in her eyes “Grandpa

  Baohu, and Ri are leaving this planet in a few months’ time. I will be left

  alone again.” Ri hearing this, and seeing Wenrous sorrowful gaze as if, he was

  saying I am sorry I cannot share your burden with you. I am sorry for being

  weak! Seeing Wenrou like this, Ri had to avert her gaze, it was too painful

  hiding this from Wenrou! But, somehow he already knew the truth.

  “I often ask myself when will the pain go away? The truthful

  answer to that question is, never. Pain is like an ocean; it changes intensity

  with each wave coming to shore.”

  As Wenrou’s final words came crashing out, he slowly stood

  up and moved into a bowing position. “Master Leiming. Will you teach me? Just

  like you, I want to have the ability to protect my loved ones and take care of

  my own problems. I have been told since birth, that I will never attain the

  constitution to practice martial arts, and that my essence accumulation has

  never began. Although, I have been told that, I never gave up the notion that

  one day! One day I will break my fate! I have never begged fate, not once. Fate

  gave me this type of body, so I will never beg it! I will instead break it! The

  only person, I am willing to beg is you Master Leiming!

  With each word sounding out it was like an ocean tidal wave,

  as it continued each wave was getting stronger and more resolute.

  The more Leiming listened, the more he was entranced. He couldn’t

  move from his spot; he was long fixed unable to move in fear that if he did, he

  would break the atmosphere. These words were especially familiar to him.

  Baohu was shocked to have heard that Wenrou knew about them

  leaving in a few months’ time. He was constantly trying to find a good time to

  Wenrou, but was unable to break this boys heart. As a kind man, he didn’t like

  to hurt innocent people, but somehow Wenrou already knew! He could only feel

  bitter, maybe Wenrou resented him a little for not telling him straight away,

  man to man. But what is done is done.

  Leiming, just twisted his head to the right, half his face

  showing he began to speak “Your words are true to your soul. I felt your

  painful soul touch me. Your pain is deep, but talking is different to action. Are

  you responsible to your words? You must have the will to die if you plan to

  train under me!”

  “I have had the will to die since I came to terms with my

  body. What I will not allow is to die a dogs’ death!” Wenrous gaze became

  fierce, like a trapped tiger in a cage. Waiting to break free!

  “We will see. Bid your farewell to the people behind you. I

  am waiting up ahead on the cliff. I’ll give you a few hours, do not rush

  yourself.” With that Leiming, continued up ahead. Knocking his hat even lower

  to cover more of his face, he trotted towards the cliffs ahead of him.

  Baohus eyebrows knitted together, thinking to himself “He

  can help Wenrou? What does this mean?”

  Wenrou felt a cold sweat rush over him. This was the first

  time he was given true hope to do something with his life that had meaning! He

  was ecstatic, but before he could realise any of his other feelings, he turned

  to look towards the cart where Baohu and Ri was situated at.

  “Wenrou? You knew already? How?” Ri asked, her voice was

  extremely quiet and contained a hint of displeasure.

  “We usually sell the dead beast carcasses and other goods,

  where Grandpa Baohu always takes the earnings to spread evenly between us, and

  this was the case up until a few months ago. I noticed Grandpa Baohu, had begun

  to place all the earnings into just my sack. At first, I thought nothing about

  it, it wasn’t until I heard Grandpa Baohu. A few months ago, Grandpa Baohu got

  out of his bed and sat close by me. I heard him mutter it to himself then, he

  thought I was asleep but I wasn’t. I wasn’t able to sleep as well, because I

  felt something wrong, something different in the air, something different

  beneath me in the ground and inside me all day like a worm moving about inside

  my stomach. When I heard Grandpa Baohu, I knew why I was restless, it seemed

  even you guys were unwilling to stay on this planet.”

  Baohu had an apologetic look plastered over his face. Ri

  looked sorry as well. Baohu understanding the situation started to speak, but

  coughing first as a way to break the tension “Wenrou, I’m sorry. It is just

  that there was no way for us to include somebody innocent into our world.”

  Wenrou seeing the apologetic continued “Grandpa Baohu I do

  not blame you guys at all. You have even taken me in, and helped me out. You

  never looked down at me, not once. You held me at the same level as Ri. I am

  just sorry; I am not strong enough to repay your kindness.”

  Ri was extremely quiet, and looked displeased at her

  Grandpa. She said extremely quiet manner “Grandpa, can you give me my bag of

  holding now? I am at the final stages of my 7th stage, I wish to

  give Wenrou some gifts before I never see him again”

  Baohu seeing, how resolute and firm Ri was could only

  comply. He knew she wanted to tell Wenrou herself, but she didn’t have that chance

  anymore. He took out two small pouches, and handed them to Ri. They were small

  and brown, with a mini rope binding on the mouth of the pouch keeping it

  closed. “One is for Wenrou, his accumulated earnings for staying with us.”

  With that Ri grabbed them with a quick swoop and jumped over

  to Wenrou. “Oi. Let us depart!” She had seemingly returned to her jubilant

  self. Wenrou upon seeing her usual mannerisms kick in, could only feel pleased

  that she no longer felt sad about the whole ordeal.

  --

  It took a few minutes for Wenrou and Ri to disappear. They

  moved through the overpasses and out of the mountainous area, making their way

  to a small forest nearby. It wasn’t big, but it was big enough to be secluded

  for people to speak.

  Wenrou kept following Ri closely, he never thought it but he

  was going to miss her annoy him, or to call his name the way she did.

  Following behind, his gaze would linger on her long hair

  bouncing and swaying behind her. He had taken her looks for granted, but now

  that their time was near to the final farewell, he noticed more things about

  her. The way she would joke with him, how she ate her food all lady-like in the

  forest and how he could get her angry by just being himself.

  While moving through the small forest, Ri didn’t know how to approach Wenrou now that they were

  alone. She was usually the strong one, but had no idea what to do now nor the

  courage.

  Wenrou, taking the initiative he moved to grab her arm,

  where they touched she felt scared and excited at the same time. He stopped her

  movements, and he moved in front of her. Looking straight into her deep green

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  eyes, he could feel losing himself. This close in was akin to being lost in a

  green moonlit pearl.

  ----

  After a few breaths, Wenrou, feeling the courage building within he started “I

  won’t say goodbye to you. This isn’t the end; I will see you again one day.”

  Then he slowly let go, his hand floating down her arm, slightly touching her gently their

  palms gradually touched feeling each others sweaty palms, finally their fingers slightly retracted unwilling to let go.

  He walked slightly away letting go slowly, looking around the forest, Ri had a bashful

  expression. Ri didn’t like the feeling of being embarrassed or shy. She could

  only look at Wenrou, he had a weak constitution and always joked about with her,

  but he had become her best friend over the years. Her only friend. She touched

  his back, with her palm with a bit of force pushing him into a tree.

  “Hehe. If I never knew you, I would think you are a great

  man right now.”

  Both felt a little relieved now, the atmosphere a moment ago

  was quite intense and left them with weird feelings inside. Wenrou hugging the

  tree he was pushed into, just wryly laughed and continued “What I will miss the

  most is Grandpa Baohus cooking.”

  “EEE? What about me?” She grabbed the back of his hair, and

  gently pulled it back. Not willing to hurt him too much. Wenrou feeling his

  hair being pulled back, let go of the tree, twisting his body he came into

  close proximity with Ri, hugging her immediately. His head following the ricochet

  of his body, also entered her hot zone.

  ‘Puck’

  “AHHH! What was that for!?” Ri asked, extremely surprised by

  Wenrou being straightforward. He had never been like this before. She didn’t

  know what to think or feel…

  “Most of the time I was being hit, and humiliated was because

  the boys in the class would see me leave everyday accompanying you. So all the

  beatings, some of it you are responsible! You owe this to me!”

  Ris hands had moved to land on Wenrous chest seemingly her

  final barrier to stop Wenrou’s advances. Ri wasn’t going to push him away. This

  was the only boy she had this much contact with. No matter how strong Ri is,

  she still wanted to experience what it felt like to kiss, what it felt like to

  be held. Ri would grant him this moment, she moved in closer, her hot breath

  brushing past him, him inhaling her beautiful scent. Ri feeling Wenrous pounding

  chest.

  She closed in, their lips interlocking beneath the forest

  lit up by the suns blazing red colour, the leaves falling around them, they

  stayed interlocked for a few breaths. Their tongues swimming in each others mouth, unwilling

  to part. Ri didn’t quite understand what was happening, but she enjoyed this

  feeling.

  Wenrou felt uncontrollable, the more he kept touching her

  the less he wanted to let go. He was a 17-year-old male, first time kissing a

  girl, such a beautiful girl at that. He felt this lust, washing over him,

  unwilling to let go.

  His arms like starving tree roots that found water, wrapping

  more and more around Ri’s waist.

  After what seemed like a long time had passed, Ri pulled

  back, but their heads never parted. Holding each other trying to process what

  happened she could only say looking at the ground below, whilst clearing her

  throat “Ahem. before me and Grandpa leave. I want to pass you some stuff. Since

  you’re a freeloader, you will need some stuff to take care of yourself.”

  Wenrou waking up, felt extremely shy especially when he saw

  a rosy ting covering Ri’s face. He pulled back, moving his right hand to lift

  Ri’s face, taking another long glance into her eyes before he continued “What

  is it?”

  “This bag of holding. It is a magical pouch, upon slapping

  it with Qi you will be able to access its contents. Although, if you are never

  able to activate your Meridians to circulate Qi, pass it to your new master to

  help you opening it. However, you must tell him not to look at the contents.

  Only to open it, to allow you to access some of the items in there. I can’t

  name everything but there is a few pellets and pills to help you, when needed.”

  Ri looked a little unsure towards the end of her speech, she

  looked back up meeting Wenrous gaze for gaze

  “There is a medallion in there. It is of a Lion, sitting

  above a pool with the reflection of the moon in it. You must keep the medallion

  safe at all times. If you make it to the Alliance planets, and your ever alone

  all you will need to do is show that medallion.”

  "Oh, you must add blood to link it to yourself!" Ri added extremely fast.

  Wenrou could only nod. He had never seen what most of these

  things look like. His arms still holding Ri tightly, he moved in again. This

  time it wasn’t for a kiss, but just to hold her. His head landing on her

  shoulder he looked sad “We must go now, the sky has darkened, the forest looks

  cold and empty. I don’t wish to say farewell in this desolate forest. Let us

  return.”

  Ri looked a little reluctant, but could only nod this was

  the only time she had seen Wenrou vulnerable, he looked like his true self in

  this moment. She could only comply as her Grandpa will leave tonight with her.

  In her mind, she knew that Wenrous case was forever set in stone, he would

  never be able to cultivate or practice martial arts. Maybe this Master Leiming,

  would just protect Wenrou for a period of time. Long enough for him to find his

  way in the world.

  Making their way back to the cart. Ri had parted from his

  side, moving closer to the cart. She looked up at Baohu “Grandpa, I am ready to

  leave tonight” Baohu only nodded in confirmation.

  “Wenrou, let us say our farewells as well.” Saying that

  Baohu, lightly stepped moving right in front of Wenrou. Wenrou seeing this,

  could only suck in cold air, this old man was dangerous as well. Maybe no less

  than his Master!

  Baohu within arms distance of Wenrou, threw his arms out

  gesturing Wenrou to come in close and hug him. However, the moment he did he

  felt a cold chill pass through his spine, then he heard Baohus chilling voice

  enter his ears “If you have hurt my granddaughter, I would castrate you right

  here and now boy”

  Wenrou just looked back disbelievingly, upon seeing Baohus half-closed

  gaze, and his rusted metalic like moustache gave him a feeling of deep fear.

  Added with his, disgusting human features made Baohu look like a toad demon.

  Then Baohu continued “I know you are a good boy,

  hehehehehehe. I would never castrate you here in front of Ri hahahaha.” His

  gaze turning more relaxed, he patted Wenrous head which looked like it was

  about to roll off from sheer fear.

  “I will miss you Wenrou. You have always been generous and,

  even though Ri kissed you, you still had the mind to let her go. You never

  asked for more than we gave you, and I do hope in the future we will meet

  again. For now, you must forge your own path. Create your own fate!”

  Saying that with an aura of profundity, Baohu closed his

  eyes and approached Wenrou with his lips puckered out. Wenrou seeing this tried

  to struggle, trying to push this toad like man with all his strength, but it

  was to no avail his voice sounded out involuntarily “ahhhhh, help me! Ri!”

  Ri seeing this only giggled.

  Baohus lips landed firmly on Wenrous lips, this man was just

  too devious. Wenrous mind began to cry out in shock just what kind of diseases

  he contracted just of this type of connection!

  All Wenrou could think is “will I turn into a toad!?”

  Baohu pulled back with a mischievous smile, that was

  punishment for taking my granddaughters first kiss! With that, he slapped

  Wenrou on the shoulders, and looked at him thoughtfully for another second.

  With a slight nod, he moved away, walking back to the cart and getting ready to

  make preparations for tonight.

  “Farewell Wenrou!”

  “Bye Freeloader!”

  As they both made off, Ri could only look back feeling sour

  inside. Saying goodbyes, was the worst thing, she then looked back at her

  Grandpa and said in a trembling voice “Grandpa, you will never leave me right?”

  He could only laugh, he bumped shoulders with her, nodding

  in confirmation that he will always be by her side.

  Seeing them move into the endless night, the sky was lonely

  no stars to accompany it tonight. The raging red sun in space looked unruly

  just like Ri.

  Looking towards the horizon, his master was waiting for him.

  Each step he took, felt like the shackles that fate had branded on him, began

  to shake off him. His body feeling slightly lighter with each step.

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