Black Greed

TWENTY SIX

Years goes by as her constant life goes: teaching Lan YuXia, guiding Jiang WanYin, taking care of Jin Ling, casual meet up with Lan XiChen and the others.

But who would've thought that a tragedy will befall from someone that she had learned to cherish.

Nie MingJue died.

She was in her secret home near Yiling mountain when a spiritual messenger butterfly came to deliver the news. She rushed to Qinghe Nie sect to confirm the news.

And there she saw all members wearing their mourning robes as they pay respect. Shock rippled to her face as she saw the depressed look of Nie HuaiSang who's always a cheerful one.

"This isn't real right? This is an illusion."

"Eldest sister," Nie HuaiSang called out. "Brother, he—"

She strode forward towards Nie HuaiSang and hugged him. She needs to be strong for the remaining Nie relative. "Let it out, HuaiSang. Big sister is here, I will help you to overcome this."

Her words were like a key to open something in him, making him cry louder in her arms. "Eldest sister..."

"Sshh, it's fine HuaiSang." She patted his head gently. "Your Second and Third Brother will help you. Can you keep it together for your sect?"

"I'm scared, Eldest Sister...what if I did something horrible?"

"Why would you? You're smart on your own way. You might not be as strong as your brother, but I know you will be able to handle this through. For your brother. So man up, I don't care if you won't wield your blade and choose the pen. It might be better then for you. Just don't give up."

Lan XiChen came together Jin GuangYao. "HuaiSang, are you alright?"

"Second Brother, can I borrow Eldest sister for a while?" Nie HuaiSang asked, ignoring the question from Jin GuangYao.

"You brat, why are you asking permission from the smiling idiot?" Wei MeiLan said.

"I don't want Second brother getting angry because you two don't have time for your night hunts."

She sighed. "Lan Huan won't get angry at you or I'll cut the source of information for them. Now, let's move the topic. We, your three elders, will help you get through your dilemma. But, if you do something reckless, I'll hit your butt. Are we clear?"

Nie HuaiSang winced at the thought. "B-but..."

"It's fine," Lan XiChen assured him. "Wei Qing won't give you much tough love, I think?"

"That doesn't ease me up, Second brother." Nie HuaiSang shook his head.

Lan XiChen chuckled. "Take a rest today, we will help you with the process until it's complete. If you need help, we are here."

"Second brother, third brother, eldest sister, thank you," Nie HuaiSang knows he's on pinch and still at loss, but they came and supported him unhesitatingly. "I owe you in the next lifetime if I can't pay you in this lifetime."

Wei MeiLan chuckled. "Silly boy. Why owe us? You're our little brother, and I'm sure elder brother will say that too."

Jin GuangYao. "Your Eldest sister is right. We will support you and help you as much as you need it."

The three of them helped Nie HuaiSang to keep the QingHe Nie sect from declining. Wei MeiLan had started teaching Jin Ling to write and count at a young age. She included manners and ways of gentleman slowly to mold him as a good man in the future. Despite the difficulties of explaining his circumstances, she tried so hard to tell him the real story or he will be brainwashed by someone.

"Aunt Mei," Jin Ling called her once. "Why aren't you staying at Lotus Pier? That's your home, right?"

"It was my home indeed, A'Ling," She never denied it. "But, now it's not. I know you don't comprehend what I'm telling you right now, but you will soon."

"Then why can't you come to me to LanLing and decided to stay here?" They are currently at the place that Wei MeiLan had created. At first, it only belonged to her, but now many people had resided over and they started farming. She extended the barrier and adjusted it. She's now the chief of the hidden village inside the huge forest, and the people living there are happy.

"LanLing is not my place either, A'Ling," She caressed Jin Ling's face and patted it gently. "LanLing is your home, so as YunMeng. But I neither belong to any two."

She gazed at the people moving around. "This is my home for this where I belong until he picks me up."

"Aunt Mei, are you happy?"

"With things right now, I am. One must be patient in obtaining their happiness. I have struggled a lot to obtain this life I want. It might have costed some lives, but I need to move forward to recognize their sacrifices," She pat his head. "Remember this A'Ling: everything that has conspired has it's own reason as to why it happened. You cannot judge everything based on what you saw only. Use all of your senses to perceive the truth. Ask and sense the truth in the sound. Observe and look for the clues. Instincts will guide you and keep you safe. As much as I want to pamper you, it's not suitable for a Jin heir.

"You're no longer young, my dear nephew. The skills I taught to you, use them. Protect the people that is important to you and the common folks. If ever I heard you are using that against others to take advantage, I'll punish you."

"Aunt Mei, I promise that I will use my  skills for the good." Jin Ling promised.

"Competition for the title is a dangerous one. If one is meant for you, it will be given to you. Greed won't do any good for you," She added. "You must return to your clan, A'Ling. You are always welcome here anytime you want to come."

Jin Ling saluted at her. "Aunt Mei, thank you!"

The child had set off and he sent him out with smile in her face. But as soon as the former disappeared, her face turned serious.

"It's time to clean up."