Book 13: Chapter 27


    Xia Xia Sister My sister


    I sat next to Ying, who was lying on the ground. I, honestly, never thought the first expression Id see from her would be one of agony. She looked ghastly pale. Lucia sat to one side and held Niers hand. Concerned, Lucia quietly said, She has been this way the entire time. Her fever is too serious. Your Highness, you need to bring a doctor, or she might not make it.


    Nier asked, But are there doctors in this vige?


    Theres definitely a doctor except they wont be professional. Checking a fever is within their capabilities, though, I said, standing up. Ill go look for a doctor. You girls stay with her. Lets put tonights task aside for now. I need to ensure Yings safety first and foremost.


    Its dark, Your Majesty.


    Its all right. This vige is considerably safe. There are only a few families. Ill be fine. Also, you should already be aware the people of this vige dont have any actualbat abilities. Dont worry about me, Nier. You two just watch over Ying.


    Mm.


    Nier was reluctant to let go of my head. I kissed her forehead and quietly said, Sorry, I know you two have just returned to me, but I have something to do. I promise well go home once this matter with Ying is over.


    Nier gave a nod and sniffled. I walked up to Lucia and kissed her lips. I had onest glimpse of Yings painful expression before turning to leave.


    I went down to the vige. The stone steps were slightly cold at night. The green shrubs during the day were dark enough to be a little scary. The mes in the vige below werent bright. Dark clouds shrouded the moonlight. I regretted not bringing a fire torch out with me. I reached the entrance to the vige, nheless.


    The vige didnt have any guards. The main door was shut, but it wasnt difficult to jump over the shabby fence by the side. I went onto the main street. Homes on either side of the street lit fires for light. I settled on the entrance of the store selling vegetables and meat.


    In my opinion, the owner was nice, rtively speaking. He was arguably reasonablepared to the others. He knew what the people feared, so he knew the meaning of Yings existence. Therefore, I reasoned it would be all right to see him.


    Im closed, said the owner.


    The owner came out from the store in coarse cloth clothing when I almost ripped the door down. He was angry, though. I told him, Yings condition is very poor. You saw her today, right? She needs a doctor. Is there a doctor here?


    I guess you could say Im the doctor of this vige. Having said that, I dont believe I can treat her. I dont want to enter the shrine, either. Youve caused an uproar. The shrine is a forbidden zone to us. The vigers will ostracise me if I go inside. Theyll think I helped Ying. Consequently, if Ying once again


    Again? I cut the owner off, eyes fixated on him.


    The owner froze. He was aware he just had a slip of the tongue, therefore abstaining from speaking again. He fiddled with his hair, and then turned around: Thats just how it is. I cant offend the vigers for Ying or your sake. I need to live here


    What exactly did Ying previously do?


    That has nothing to do with you, does it? Moreover, its in the past now.


    I took a swift step and grabbed his cor when he wanted to turn around and leave. In a serious tone, I said, Youreing with me to check Yings condition now, or Ill spare you from having to think about life as a viger anymore. You see those two girls today? I assure you just one of them alone is enough to massacre your entire vige, because theyre my bodyguards.


    The owner looked back at me as though there was nothing in the world worth living for: If you kill me, therell be no doctors to take a look at Ying.


    Didnt you just say that you might not be able to treat her? Lets have a bet, then?


    The owner sighed: All right. Ill go and take a look; however, I cant promise I can treat her. Im only a doctor in my spare time. The wyrm wounded her of all things. My medicines might be useless. In any case, <strong>*sigh*</strong>, Ill go.


    I looked around to check that there was nobody behind. The owner went back inside to change. He picked up a basket and went with me. He warned, Dont stand out too much. Lets hurry before somebody sees me. Ill be done for if they see me.


    Just walk normally. Nobody will see you in the middle of the night.


    I wouldnt be so sure. I did something guilty, after all.


    Atone for it, then.


    Isnt that what Im doing now?


    When we arrived at the shrine, he knelt down next to Ying and gave her a check-up. He let out a sigh of relief: Lucky. She has a fever, though. Her wound is just an ordinary wound. Theres no venom or rotting. You treated her in time. Ill leave these few bags of medicine. Just serve them to her at the fixed times.


    Thats a relief, then. I let out a breath of relief.


    The owner fumbled through his bag. He took out a few paper bags and ced them to the side. He told me how to prepare and serve the medicine. He immediately got to his feet after. He didnt want to stay inside for another second. I stood up and left the shrine with him, with him walking in front.


    He suddenly stopped at the entrance of the shrine. He turned around. I tilted my head and asked, Whats the matter?


    I think there are some things I should tell you. I cant mention them in the vige, but I can now. Furthermore, if I dont tell you now, youll probably go and verify it soon, wont you?


    The owner reached into his pocket and took out a few rolls of paper. He took out a stick, lit it up then put it in his mouth. He took in a breath and blew out a mouthful of smoke. He didnt look at me; instead, he looked at the dark sky. Voice soft, he asked, You noticed her calling a name in her current state, right?


    Yes.


    Thats her younger sisters name.


    I know that already.


    Do you know where the child is right now?


    I dont.


    The owner smiled, and then had another smoke. I watched the lit up red circle slowly move. I waited for him to continue. He borated, I told you I did something guilty on the way here. I did something Im very guilty about. When Ying first arrived at the shrine, we didnt treat her with this attitude. Ying got along with everybody really well. Lots of kids were willing to y in the shrine, too. At the time, Yings sister, Xia, was still with her. One unfortunate day, Ying went berserk. Xia tried to stop her but failed. That day, Ying murdered five kids in the shrine. After that fiasco, the infuriated vigers charged to the shrine and kidnapped Xia. They blinded Xia, and then locked her in the house by the harbour. Thats what led to Yings rtionship with the vigerspletely changing. From then on, Ying never showed any emotion again.


    So, youre saying that Ying is here to atone? Youre saying the vigers fear her, because of her going berserk?


    But I saw the truth. I came to deliver stuff that time and saw what exactly happened.


    The red me went out. The owner firmly stepped on it: The truth is Ying wasnt the one who went berserk. It was the children who went berserk. They picked up Yings sabre without her knowledge. The sabre is, in fact, the source of Yings power, which can also be described as a sabre containing hatred and souls. Its not a power an ordinary person can withstand. The sabre consumed the children. The sabre turned the children into a part of the countless evil souls Ying had in. Ying had no choice but to kill the children. She didnt exin herself; or rather, nobody wouldve believed her exnation. We blinded her sister, because of those children who brought it upon themselves. Consequently, we turned her sister into a chain to restrain her. The pain and self-me Ying felt further pushed her to stay here and endure all of this for eternity.


    Is that the reason she wont retaliate no matter what you do to her?


    Yes. Im a sinner; I knew the truth, yet didnt dare to speak up. Do you know how it feels to personally steal the perfectly functional eyes of a girl? I, personally, took her eyes. Im now looking at the world Xia wont ever see again. Im watching those iron chains restrain her forever. Im still a weakling, even now. Youre not, though. Youre an outsider, and you care for Ying. I cant do it. I have too many concerns, but you can help Ying.


    He gave me a few soft pats on my shoulder. After a long sigh, whispered next to my ear, Dont let others know I was the one who told you. Xia is in <em>that</em> house. Bring her out. Ying has the right to choose her own life. It wasnt her mistake, but shes too kind and gentle Take her away. Im begging you. Take her away. Ying shouldnt belong here.


    I never knew a persons tears could be so clear and bright. I didnt say anything so as to avoid making him feel awkward. He wiped the corner of his eyes. Then, he took in a big breath and gave me a few shoulder pats before leaving the shrine.


    I went up to the stone steps and watched the owner slowly vanish into the darkness. He looked feeble from the rear. He looked as if the darkness could swallow him at any given moment. He wasparable to a star weakly shining for itsst few moments. Only a few stars shone through the sinister dark clouds. Even then, their light was almost invisible. However, a weak light was still a light. Perhaps I should say, Only when weak stars gather together, can they shine through the dark clouds shrouding the sky. I wanted to save her. I could save her.


    I went back to the shrine. Lucia and Nier were lying down next to Ying. The two of them were falling asleep. The two of them had to busy themselves right after they were rescued. As a result, they were spent. I walked up to their sides and whispered, Rest up you two. Leave the rest to me.


    Mm Your Majesty


    All right, Your Highness.


    The two nodded. They grabbed my hands and shut their eyes.


    I focused on Yings face, but I wasnt sleepy at all