love at first sight... // zhuiling

Chapter 21

DISCLAIMER: From this point forward, you may find swear words in people's dialogue. Read at your own risk.

Everyone looked up to see a man sitting on top of the manor's roof. He was drinking a bottle of Emperor's Smile and holding his sword. Looking more carefully, you could see blood on his sword. Immediately, Hanguang-Jun struck Wangji, shooting a wave of spiritual energy at the delinquent. However, the man was able to block the attack with his sword.

The fact that this guy can deflect Lan Zhan's guqin... Wei Wuxian thought. His cultivation level is not something to laugh at.

"Who are you?" Jingyi demanded. "Why are you killing innocent people?"

"Young one, let me tell you about life." the man explained. "Men like us have a duty, whether it's right or wrong."

"Cut the bullshit." Wei Wuxian yelled. "Tell me your name, and let's fight."

"Senior Wei, do you think that just because you have the Stygian Tiger Seal, you are undefeated?" the man asked. "Since I'm nice, let me introduce myself and my new creation. I'm Li Yao and this is my Dark Amulet."

Smiling evilly, he opened a Qiankun Bag to unleash his creation. The Dark Amulet looked similar to the Stygian Tiger Seal, however it somehow held more resentful energy than the Stygian Tiger Seal. The 2 demonic cultivators found themselves head to head in a series of attacks. Seeing the situation, Hanguang-Jun decided that the situation at hand was too unstable for the junior cultivators. 

"We need to leave now." Hanguang-Jun told the juniors. "I have one Teleportation Talisman. We need to all hold hands to safely transport all of us back to the Cloud Recesses. Understood?"

"Yes." the juniors replied.

One by one, the juniors linked hands, ready to be transported back to the Cloud Recesses. Jin Ling and Sizhui were at the end of the chain, but they can still be transported. Meanwhile, Wei Wuxian continued to fight Li Yao. Li Yao proved to Wei Wuxian that he was a gifted demonic cultivator. Both parties sustained damage, however they kept going. Everything was set for motion. Hanguang-Jun pulled his Teleportation Talisman out and was ready to summon it. Suddenly, Li Yao threw his sword at Jin Ling, hoping to injure him, slowing the escape process. However, Sizhui broke his link and dove in front of Jin Ling to save him. 

"SIZHUI!" Jingyi yelled. 

To help Sizhui, Jin Ling broke his end of the chain. Hanguang-Jun realized what was going on, and tried to stop the Teleportation Talisman. However, it was too late. Hanguang-Jun and the rest of the juniors had already vanished.

"Sizhui, are you okay?" Jin Ling asked, tearing up.

"Jin Ling, I'm okay." Sizhui responded, smiling.

Li Yao had struck Sizhui's abdomen. Although it was not severe, Sizhui was still injured and unable to move effectively.

"Don't worry, Sizhui" Jin Ling said, sobbing. "I'm going to get us out of here."

"Jin Ling," Sizhui said quietly, "there's a cave right there."

Jin Ling looked left to see a cave in the distance. Using the pillars and trees as cover, Jin Ling carried Sizhui across the manor and ran over to a cave. Meanwhile, Li Yao had sustained heavy injuries from Wei Wuxian. To stop any further damage to themselves, they both used Teleportation Talismans to escape. Wei Wuxian did not realize that Sizhui and Jin Ling did not make it back, and therefore did not pick them up. The manor went quiet. Only the wind whispered in the dark. Still in the cave, Jin Ling looked outside to see if Li Yao had left.

"Sizhui, are you okay?" Jin Ling asked, frantically. "We can go now."

Jin Ling started positioning his arms around Sizhui's shoulders to carry him. Suddenly, Sizhui grabbed his hand.

"Jin Ling," Sizhui said, "The Cloud Recesses is more than 2 miles from our current location. It's no use."

"Then, what are we going to do?" Jin Ling asked, starting to tear up again.

"Just stay here, and wait for Hanguang-Jun and Senior Wei to arrive." Sizhui explained. "It won't take them long."

"Okay," Jin Ling said, "Wait here, let me grab some supplies."