QingYu: A Wuxia Tale (Going Through Reediting)

The Second in Command's Past

(Mei's POV)

Captain Jiang was quiet as we walk back to the direction of the camp. I told him everything and after hearing my story he still hadn't said anything or ask any question.

But before we got out of the forest he stopped me by putting his arm in front of me.

"You mean you were abused by those monks too?" He asked and his eyes met mine.

I stared at his handsome face. Captain Jiang is so good looking it should be a crime. He is the most handsome man in the camp. One of the richest too. He can have any man he wants or anyone really.

But he chose to pursue me. Why, I have no idea. He said he loves me and I highly doubted that the first time he said it to me.

Now, I can test that "love" he is talking about.

I nodded, "I came to that temple when I was ten summers old. Those monks, they will drag any child in the Head Monks room to "cleanse" them. But the truth was they would molest those children and thrash them within an inch of their lives. Many won't survive that kind of torture and they will come out of that room dead. I survived, so does Dayu..."

I watch his face pale as I talk, "And those monks are dead," he put his hands on my shoulders, his eyes glinting. "Tell me if they are not dead and I will kill them for you Mei. I will..." he looks desperate.

I put a hand on top of his, "They are dead. Someone got to them first. He came one early morning. Seized Dayu and came back to kill everyone on that temple and burn the whole place down. But he spared me. Even though I didn't help Dayu when he was begging me while those monks dragged him,"

That will always be my nightmare. Seeing an eight summers old Dayu being drag by those monsters. Crying and begging me to help him. I know what will happen to him on that room. I know there was a chance he won't survive.

But Dayu did and I cried as I tended to his lashes as he looked blankly back at me. I knew the boy's story when he came to the temple. Lost both parents in a raid, and now those monks broke his spirit.

I think that night truly change my cousin. Dayu lost everything that night, including his trust to people.

But Uncle Shu came. And he saved Dayu.

Me? Dayu saved me...

"He spared me. Dayu," I said as Caprain Jiang and I walked again. "He could have just left me there to burn with the rest of the monks but he saved me. He asked his savior to save me too. And then we became family. We trained together and vowed to have our revenge against those who raided his village and killed his parents."

"Master General and General Wang," Jiang sighed heavenward. "I can't believe it..."

"Believe it. We have evidences. Ten years of spying, you will trip into an evidence during that long time. Dayu will have his revenge. He will not stop,"

"And Qing? Is your cousin using my friend?"

I stared at Jiang, "Before you worry about your friend, shouldn't you worry about yourself first? Aren't you curious if I am just using you too?"

Jiang stopped walking and turn to me. "Use me. If using me will protect you then use me Mei. But Qing..."

"Dayu is using him to protect himself. If your friend feels for Dayu what you feel for me, then he will be happy to be used by my cousin," I said.

Jiang took some moment to think then he nodded. "Qing will get hurt no matter what..."

I nodded, that much is true. Before all of this got to it's finish, Captain Wang will get hurt. "But Dayu has his plans. I trust him. He will know what to do. Now I will trust you. Let's test that love you keep on shoving at me. Do this for me and for my cousin and I will be yours until you want me,"

"Forever then?" Jiang smiled happily. I nodded, "Until we die then," I said.

He sighed. "Do you really have to be morbid about this? Let's be positive, you will survive this. We will live together for a long long time..."

"If Dayu dies, I will die with him. Dayu shouldn't be alone..." I said in a clear tone.

That was what Uncle Shu asked of me when he saved my life and took me under his wings.

"Mei, Dayu should never be alone. I want you to be with him, always..."

I promised Uncle Shu that I will. And I intend to keep that promise.

Jiang sighed again. "Then we will keep Dayu alive. Are you two a package deal or something?" He sounded tired.

I hid a smile and nodded. Yes, that would be an appropriate term for Dayu and me. We are a package deal. To have one, you also have to pick the other one.

"Do you now know what you will say?" I asked Jiang before we approach the gate.

He nodded. We rehearsed it already. "Hide, I will handle this. I might also enjoy looking at Master General's face as he hears what happened to his plan to get rid of Dayu. He shouldn't have bypassed me and gone behind my back. Now my second in command is dead. It will be bothersome to replace him."

I shook my head as I watch him angrily stride to the gate of the base. I took a step back to blend in to the darkness. I want to search for Dayu to make sure if he is fine.

But I changed my mind. When Captain Jiang gave his report on what happened at the forest tonight, Captain Wang will need me.

I have to be ready in case he wants to ask me some questions. We can't afford mistakes. Our lives, Uncle Shu, Dayu and I, depend on us being shadows.