Few days had passed now, after JianYu arrival.

JiuTian looked to the centre, where she was overlooking at a beautiful pond at the hideout. The water was sparkling with a beautiful red as the dried leaves of autumn, floated above carried droplets of water in their tiny boats, reflected in the morning sun.

It was a wonderful day as she sat there watching and daydreaming in the sun. That day when she met him, was a total opposite of today, but the days spent with him every day, resemble today.

However, she could only reminiscence for a while longer because, LiRen kept bugging her about the details of the meeting that happened yesterday.

"Tell me," said LiRen to JiuTian.

"These details are confidential, and your life is in less danger if you knew less," advised JiuTian as she remembered the talks they had during the meeting.

Meeting

JiuTian looked at each and every person, in the room. There was ShiBa, Ah Zhong, BuDao, ZhiMei and of course JinGe. Her eyes landed on JinGe and the words she said to her, which convinced her to attend this meeting, "No matter what others said or whether you would or would not join in, you are part of us and you have the right to know about the things that are happening."

BuDao started off the meeting, "With everyone finally here. We will start off our meeting. First, I would like to inform everyone here that the cases of missing person are increasing in the city. Our informants have told us that since five years ago, people are missing from their homes. Although, they have reported it to the government, no progress has been made."

"Why aren't the people protesting against the government?" asked JiuTian who was a first timer in these discussions.

Even if she doesn't know much about the human civilization, she had heard from LiRen that they are such things as the government who will protect the citizens, to uphold peace and justice.

"The government had put a small team of soldiers specifically tasked in finding these people. It's been ongoing for a long time. Although they weren't quite successful, but their firm intention to continue, gain sympathy and the respect of the citizens. Every year, the general himself would apologize to the family of these missing people. This quelled the protest," said ShiBa.

"That was one swell move he made," said Ah Zhong which everyone agreed.

"This is such a laughable tale," said BuDao with disgust. "There were the ones who kidnapped them and only released some as show."

ZhiMei continued, "From listening to all the children's we saved, it seems that the people who were kidnapped were all locked up in the city's governmental office. Exact location unknown. The children seems to be drugged and unable to remember, the prison where they were imprisoned but they told me that they are many others locked up within, mostly children."

"It seems then the second and third news would be important," said BuDao and then looking at JinGe.

"The other news which I would like to tell all of you is related to the white clothes group," told JinGe, seriously. Tension seems to rise in the room, at the mention of the white clothes group.

"Regarding the disappearance of the many children, woman and man in this city, I would like to conclude that it has something to do with the white clothes group," said JinGe.

"After so long, we are able to gain an upper on them as I have gained information that they are transporting the kidnapped people by the end of the city lord meeting, on the very last day of the meeting, which they will hold a banquet in celebration."

"Where are they going with the people? Where are they held?" asked Ah Zhong who was a little impatient.

"The place where they held the people is unfortunately, not in their camp out at the forest. The place where they are going to be escorted however should be to the camp," answered JinGe towards Ah Zhong's questions.

"However, this is still an assumption. I need to verify the existence of the place where the people are held," continued JinGe.

"This is going to be hard," said Ah Zhong.

"We do not have a clue at all where they are kept or else, we would have saved them long ago," continued ZhiMei which Ah Zhong nodded.

"There is still one place that we still haven't searched," said ShiBa.

"Yes, the city governmental office," stated BuDao.

"The place had been our toughest opponent. We are unable to gain any information from that place. Even bribing was no use," continued ShiBa while looking at JinGe.

"The soldiers there were as tight lipped as they are loyal. Even the laziest, poorest, or the drunkest soldier in that place, none were willing to reveal any information of any kind," said Ah Zhong who was both admiring and hating that characteristic which they had.

"Then there is good news. I have been invited to the city tour which included going to the governmental office in XinYe which I am allowed to bring an escort with me," announced JinGe to the rest.

"This would give a chance to investigate the place," stated ShiBa.

"Yes, but who will accompany DaJie?" asked ZhiMei.

Her question was greeted with silence as everyone was in their own thoughts.

JinGe knew that she needed someone who looked weak but were able to fight if needed, a girl would raise less suspicion compared to a man and suggested, and "I would like JiuTian to accompany me."

"What are your reasons?" asked BuDao because he knew that the others would question someone who is new to the group to be responsible for such an important task, even if DaJie was the one who insisted.

"She is a girl, and she is able to fight. If I or the children is in danger, she would be able to support me in escaping," said JinGe.

ShiBa and the rest nodded in agreement.

"It's logical," thought everyone.

The meeting continued for a little longer as they discussed about the transport and the banquet, however everything was still in discussion as the locations of the prisoners needed to be able to lay down for some concrete planning.

When the meeting was over, ShiBa came over to JinGe and JiuTian. "The people who are missing are still increasing. However, these few days the disappearance had slightly changed. Somehow, the victims that had disappeared beforehand are turning up dead in alleyways. DaJie, please be careful when you go out."

JinGe gave him a warm smile and nodded but just before he left, said to ShiBa, "It seems strange that they have been hiding all these years with their kidnappings and suddenly being overly exposed. I have a hunch that it might be another's doing. Please investigate further."

"Yes, DaJie," said ShiBa and then he turned to leave.

"Just tell me already," pestered LiRen which bought JiuTian back to her senses and angry at how he had continuously pestered her and ruined her good mood. She decided to punish him. JiuTian looked at him and with one powerful push behind his back; he was shoved down into the pond.

JiuTian laughed at the man as he fell into the pond, however what she doesn't expect was the fact that he did not know how to swim,

"Help. I can't swim," he cried.

"Oh no," thought JiuTian who can't swim either. Everyone was away; there aren't other people at the house right now. She was panicking and did not know what to do and then she thought of JianYu who was in the room upstairs. "He must know how to swim," thought JiuTian.

She called out to LiRen, "Wait I will go get help," and ran away.

LiRen could barely hear what she said and thought that the girl had abandoned him there. It felt like ages as he struggled in the water although only a minute had passed.

Just when he was about to give up and admit to his fate, a hand was reaching towards him, a slender and pale hand, however instead of helping him, it hit him in the head.

"LiRen, the water is not deep enough that you will die. Just stand and you will be alright," said the voice and when he did, the water level only reached his shoulder.

The young scholar was embarrassed by his own foolishness, and he could not look in the person's, especially since he knew who it was.

He tried climbing out of the pond, but he was weak and kept falling back into the pond. JiuTian came back with the rope in her hands as in the middle of it, she passed the storage room and took the rope with her instead of seeking help from JianYu.

When she arrived and saw the scene in front of her, she threw away the rope and quickly went to help. With JiuTian's aid, he was finally pulled out from the pond, all wet and slightly pale.

The moment he was back onto the aisle, the scholar glared at JiuTian and then turned towards the girl and said, "Thank you," to her while his ears were blushing red from side to side.

"Why are you staring at me?" asked JinGe. "Do I look weird?"

"It was nothing," said the scholar, looking away with his ears still red. "Once again, I am embarrassed in front of her," thought LiRen.

"Quickly go and get a change of clothes," said JinGe from behind. "Your shoe is missing one."

LiRen stared at his feet and indeed odd shoe had disappeared. He sat down and took off the other. He bowed and said, "Thanks for pointing it out," and walked off hastily.

While JiuTian was laughing and then nudging lightly at JinGe," You are really sly. Magic sure is convenient," said JiuTian to JinGe, with a little envy.

"I did not do anything. I just snap my fingers," replied JinGe as she increased the water in the pond to its original level.

However, after what she did, JiuTian was grinning at her even more and then her expression changed because, she saw the person who came out from the room upstairs, it was JianYu, his hair had been tied back and he was looking at them.

She stopped laughing immediately and JinGe, who saw the girl's face, knew that her master must have noticed them. JinGe signaled at JiuTian with her eyes, "Is he up there?" it seems to say, which she understood and signaled back at her with a small nod of head, "Yes."

JianYu called out to JinGe, "Disciple come up here. I want to have a word with you." And then towards JiuTian, "You as well."

Demon

The moon was hanging in the sky, yet a lonely figure was seen roaming the streets. JinGe was not at the hideout. Holding onto a bottle of wine, her mind replayed the scene that happened in the afternoon.

Since JianYu was getting better each day and the day of the tour approaching, JinGe was feeling relieved and can't help feeling a little cheerful, but it seems her troubles aren't over as JianYu was bringing up old issues again.

In the afternoon, she was called by JianYu. JinGe closed the door to her room after JiuTian entered and then looked at her master as he took a seat.

Half an hour before, JianYu was in the room alone. It took longer than he anticipated but some of his wounds were starting to close. "It's thanks to the good Qi surrounding this place," thought JianYu as he continued to circulate it with his hands.

But seeing, how he was severely injured, it meant that his skills aren't at its finest; there are still room for improvement. In order to protect JinGe, he needed more training, and he has to head back to the heavenly realm.

However, if he went alone, then all his training would be wasted if JinGe was left behind and encountered any danger.

And then he was disturbed by the cry of help from below. However, he had to take some time to stop his circulation first, so it took him a while before he gone out from his room. When he was out, he saw JinGe using her magic powers. He should be protecting her, but it seems he is giving her too much freedom, especially seeing how she had used her powers reckless.

Back in the room, he sat there, looking at the bed and said to the girls, "We are going back to our realm."

"But-"

He raised his hand to stop JinGe from talking and continued, "I will not let it go this time, not this time. I, myself am unable to protect you. We must head back, to train myself and you to be stronger."

JinGe was surprised that he was bringing up the issue again. She wanted to tell him that he wasn't incapable, it that's the person was just stronger than him but if she said that, it would only prove that her words were contradicting with the truth because he was injured after fighting with the masked man.

She was unsure about what to tell him and stayed silent.

JianYu looked at the grim face she was making and proposed, "I will not take you away right away. I will give you one month time to leave. Plenty of time for your body to heal and wrap up all your businesses here and then we will leave."

JinGe was a little flustered and said in haste, "Did not you say that we could not go back because I only have half of my soul."

"Yes, I did say that. But we have your soul here right now," said JianYu as he looked at JiuTian.

It was JiuTian's turn to get flustered, "Wait, are you going to combine our soul together again?"

"That is why I have called the both of you here. I have thought of a way to bring you two back together, without combining your soul together," explained JianYu. "So, you could still stay as yourself while JiuTian would still be JiuTian."

"But surely, JiuTian you would not want to go with us, right?" asked JinGe at the girl, shifting her attention to her.

JiuTian stayed quiet for a while and finally uttered, "We should go back."

"Why are you talking like this?" asked JinGe who could not believe her ears that JiuTian would be willing to go back to the realm with them. "Did not she say that she would want to find her lover?" asked JinGe.

JiuTian looked away, but said, "He might be in heavenly realm. I might have a chance if we go."

Seeing that her last hope had abandoned her as well, JinGe looked at the both of them in disbelief and said once more, "I would not be going back, whether in one month or not."

JianYu stood up from his seat and said in anger, "This place is too dangerous. We should really be going back. This place is not your home. Your home is in the realm, back with the clan."

"No! This place is my home. I am born here, live here. I have friends, families. I-"

Unable to finish her sentence. JinGe willfully as she stormed off from the room and away from the hideout.

After JinGe left, JiuTian looked at JianYu who reclined himself on the chair, as he was tired again after his sudden outburst and asked him, "Why did not you tell her the reason?"

"It would be better to keep it hidden from her. I do not want her to know the cruel truth. The truth behind her birth and the death of her mother. That is what her mother would have wanted as well," said JianYu with a grim face.

"Yet you told me. I am feeling special now."

"I need your cooperation. Help me urged her to go return," stated JianYu while looking at the faraway memory that only he remembered. It saddened him as JiuTian left him alone.

JinGe still wandered aimlessly around the city, however, when she looked at the dark night sky, full of stars which seems like it was mocking her with their twinkle, and she felt a little melancholy. She stood there for a long time, her head held up, staring at the sky.

The breeze came and went; even he was helpless in carrying away the girl's burden.

"Why are you here?" asked someone.

JinGe lowered her head slowly and turned to look at the person. It was YongSan, who still wearing his full armour as he had just finished patrolling the city and was going home when he met JinGe.

However, the person who met her eyes was not his but the person behind him as JinGe caught ZhenYu's figure.

The man was walking around the city as well with YongKang following him. They had just finished a dinner with a close family friend who lived in the city.

She did not wait and ran away in haste.

However, her running away made it even more suspicious and caught ZhenYu's attention. YongSan ran after her first, and then followed by ZhenYu who thought that YongSan had found someone suspicious and followed along in case he needed help.

What is fortune and what is unfortunate sometimes are only a flip of a coin.

It was on this very night, that the monster which had been terrorizing the city came out. It had been happening for a week now, the disappearance and murder of people.

In the YongSan's mansion, a girl was poking at some charcoal which was heating some wine, "Are you out patrolling again?" asked SongLing, YongSan's sister.

Although, as expected YongSan did not say anything and was about to leave when she continued, "The Elder would like it to be exterminated and 'it' to be retrieved. Leave no mess behind," as she got up from her seat.

"You do not need to come," said YongSan.

"I would like to offer my help to you," said SongLing sarcastically. "As there seems to be no progress."

"I am not as incapable as you think I am," and he rushed off into the evening, leaving her there standing. The matter was of upmost importance. He will and must protect the town from the menace which is terrorizing it.

"It would be redemption for the things that I have done towards-"

The man stopped in mid sentence. He never regretted, but remorse haunted him night after night.

After this chapter, is it more clear JinGe and the bandit's motive? 

An appearance of a demon. I am so excited when I wrote this. Will QianHua, the purple wolf demon survive or will he be exterminated? Read on in next upcoming chapters!

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