Lianfeng wandered on the streets. The streets where she bore the hardest period of her life, fighting for survival. The streets brought back memories and a lot of pain with them. The walls and alleys, though polished by new prosperity, still bore an oppressive air. Approaching the little hut that had once been her sole refuge, a place that had provided her shelter and relief, she felt a pang of loss upon seeing it replaced by a small school. She could hear the teacher inside, “Confucius said …”


    The school was called ‘Wen school’. It suddenly dawned on her that many shops, eateries and schools had the character ‘Wen’ in it. She was now curious as to why all these places had the character ‘Wen’. She asked on the streets and found about the famous Ms. Wen. People praised her and blessed her name every time she asked.


    Jinggu had changed considerably over the years. Although it had not regained its influence in the martial arts world, it had managed to become an important hub of trade. This was partly due to the new businesswoman who had arrived ten years ago—Ms. Wen. She was involved in every major business, from ports to carriages, from flowers to fireworks, from property selling to clothing. She was the most famous person after Mr. Wei in Jinggu.


    Ms. Wen was not only known for her talent in business but also for her kindness. She had opened schools for orphans and the poor, contributed extensively to charity, and promoted science. She was well-loved by the commoners—yet there remained an unsettling irony.


    How could someone so benevolent rise in a place now ruled by a man like Mr. Wei? A man whose ascent was as ruthless as it was mysterious. A man who wore the mask of success yet harbored a darker legacy.


    What an interesting lady. I wonder if I will meet her.


    She decided to visit the hill where her tribe lived. She went to the outskirts of Jinggu and up to the valley. After crossing the cave, she stood at the entrance of her tribe’s place, now covered with thick forest. The place which once had the melody of her tribe was now left with eerie chirpings of the bird. She didn’t have the heart to visit the place. She tried to move her feet, but it felt like they had become lead and were caught in a swamp.


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    She just stood at the entrance for what seemed like an eternity. Someone tapped on her shoulder and she was surprised to find Shi Meng there. The sun had sunk low and was now casting long red rays of sunlight.


    “I thought you’d be here.” Shi Meng said with relief. “Since you didn’t return, I came to check on you.”


    Lianfeng asked, staring at the forest, “Do you think that their spirits are still here, at this place?”


    “I don’t know. But I like to believe that they all ascended to heaven.”


    “I still remember Shi Wei’s face covered with blood. His dead body at the doorstep, the screams of the kids who were caught hiding. I heard Aunt Xue begging for mercy for her newborn baby. She wouldn’t even say ‘please’ ever.” Lianfeng took a pause, and gave a wry chuckle. “But that day, she groveled at their feet. And still, they showed no mercy.”


    “Do you think they blame me, Xiner? For choosing to live my life and forgetting about them?”


    “You didn’t really forget them, did you?” She gave a comforting look to Shi Meng. “You couldn’t, could you? And as for choosing yourself, I think they had be happy. As you said that day at the river, they had want us happy. But I simply couldn''t let go of the grudge, that''s why I pursued."


    After a moment of silence heavy and unsaid words, Shi Meng said, "Let''s visit the hill. It''s been a long time."


    They both took steps towards the top of the hill. There were no remains to be seen, the forest had covered everything.


    Lianfeng took a deep breath and with a wry smile whispered, "We''re back."


    They returned soon after, their footsteps quickening with the thought of not worrying Aunt Li and Uncle Zhou. As they walked along the cobbled path, Lianfeng learned more about Magistrate Wei''s journey. Magistrate Wei was himself from humble beginnings and rose because of the imperial examination. Aunt Li and Uncle Zhou had been his earliest servants and followed him through life''s trials and triumphs, forging a bond as strong as family. Disrespecting them was equivalent to disrespecting Magistrate Wei. Once a young nobleman berated and kicked Uncle Zhou in the belly. Mr. Wei was so furious that he almost killed the young noble; but alas was stopped by Uncle Zhou. From that day on, no one in Jinggu dared to disrespect them. Mr. Wei had lost his parents at the tender age of 20, and Aunt Li and Uncle Zhou had stepped into the role of surrogate parents, their care enveloping him like a warm embrace.


    Lianfeng lay motionless on her bed, eyes fixated on the ceiling, thinking how the so good, so benevolent, so charitable; Mr. Wei was actually a cold-blooded murderer who had not even spared children.