CHAPTER 21: VENGEANCE

Cecilia woke up and noticed that she was in Xing Fu’s bed dressed in her white undergarment. She was confused of how she ended up here and remembered their fatal wedding day. They were under attack by Tsui Man and his men. They had killed all of the guests, Physician Wei, and Xing Fu, leaving her vulnerable for them to kill last. Then a heavy breathing was heard close to her left ear. She turned her head and was surprised to see Xing Fu sleeping peacefully next to her.

“Am I dreaming?” she thought to herself.

Her eyes started to well up with tears in disbelief of his presence. He looked handsome like she remembered on their wedding day. Her body turned to face him and she stared hopelessly at him, wondering if he was only a figment of her imagination. Her right hand touched his left cheek and it was warm.

He’s alive! Tears began to stream down her face.

Xing Fu woke up from her touch. He turned his head and saw her face full of wet tears. He held her hand that was on his cheek and gave her a warm smile. Then he turned his body to face her.

He wiped her tears and whispered, “Why are you crying?”

She choked on her tears as she answered, “You didn’t die…”

“Die?” he chuckled. “Wife, you’re so silly.” He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead.

She raised a brow, “Wife?”

“We had a wedding yesterday.” He lightly tapped her nose with his index finger, “Is your memory loss catching up to you?” and laughed.

She thought to herself, “The wedding was real and the massacre was only a dream.” Her heart lightened in relief.

“Now don’t cry anymore ok?”

Her lips tightened with a smiled and she nodded.

“Husband?”

“mmm?”

She scooted closer to him and their lips almost touched. She stroked his hair and said softly whispered, “Since I didn’t have any recollection of our wedding yesterday…make me yours again…”

He liked what she said and had a big smile on his face. “My pleasure…”

He leaned her back down on the bed and began to passionately kiss her. His tongue danced exotically with hers as she savored his sweet honey in her mouth. While their lips locked tight, both started to undress until their naked bodies were fully exposed to one another. His hands fondled her body and traveled down as they go to feel her hot silky skin against his fingers. When his fingers touched her sensitive spot, she felt a tingle, giving her the urge of wanting him. Her hands grasped tighter around his neck and head as he continued to play her body. Moments later, she felt his pride deep inside of her and a sound of painful delight came out of her. He began to harmonize with her as it danced in her in rhythms.

After making love, both lay naked underneath the blanket to enjoy their moment of silence. Her head lay on his shoulder, stroking his bare chest, and questioned herself, how could she forget a special moment like this yesterday? She hugged him tight.

He stared down at her. “What are you doing?”

“I don’t want to forget this moment again.”

He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her on the head. “If you forget, we can always do it again…”

She blushed and lightly punched him on his rib cage.

“Ow…” he chuckled.

She raised her head to look at him and pouted, “It’s not fair that you have all the fun and I forget moments like this.”

“Then I will write it down of what we did so you can read it.”

She liked the idea and gave him a big smile. “I love you…”

“I will always love you…” he said and kissed her forehead.

---

As days turned to months, their love and affection for each other grew stronger than ever. She cooked for him, washed his clothes, helped him put on his clothes, and washed his feet at the end of the day. As for Xing Fu, he helped her with chores, combed and decorated her hair, and helped paint her eyebrows every morning. They bathe together, made love daily, and visited their magical place of jelly-like flowers to enjoy their quiet times. This was the life that she always wanted. To be with the man that she love and start a family with.

One clear morning, as they walked back home from their magical place, she saw their front yard full of corpses, and pools of blood were everywhere on the ground and on their house’s exterior walls. Her eyes widened, stunned by all of this.

“Wh…what happened? How did all of these dead bodies get here?”

Xing Fu spoke softly, “Xiao Xing…it’s time to wake up…”

Her heart suddenly sank and knew what he meant. Memories of their wedding massacre came rushing like a flood into her mind. She saw Tsui Man and his men disrupted their wedding ceremony and killed their guests, she and Physician Wei fought and got seriously wounded, Physician Wei being killed, and then she remembered…Xing Fu. He rushed to her and shielded his body from Tsui Man’s bullet. His dying body collapsed to the ground in her arms, and his warm blood on her hands.

She shook her head in denial as tears flowed heavily down her face. “No…It can’t be…”

He turned her to face him. “Xiao Xing…”

She sniveled, looking sad and stunned at him. “It can’t be! I felt your warmth! We’ve kissed and made love!”

He raised his hands and wiped her waterfall tears. “My dear Xiao Xing, for these past months, I have enjoyed every moment spent with you, but you have to realize that this is only a dream. You have to wake up and continue to live…”

“No…I want to be with you!” she sobbed.

His eyes glistened. “It is not your time. There are many things in life that you still have to do…”

She couldn’t answer him. Her tears choked her words, making her hyperventilating. He was her life, her world, and her only love. He gave her a hug and stroked her black silky hair.

“Xiao Xing…”

She held him tight.

“Please don’t leave me…”

He kissed the top of her head. “I’m sorry, but I have to. Promise me to live your life to the fullest…Please, promise me.”

She nodded, sobbing uncontrollably.

Xing Fu comforted her, “Shhh…don’t cry anymore my silly Xiao Xing…”

After her crying died down, he slowly pulled her away to look at her for the last time. Her face was a mess, and like always, he parted her hair to the side, and wiped her tears and nasal mucus from her face.

“There, I can see my beautiful wife’s face…I wanted you to know that I will always love you…”

He leaned over and kissed her on the lips. His body started to glow bright like the sun and then, he vanished. She didn’t feel his lips on hers anymore and opened her eyes. He was not in front of her and she began to search for him.

“XING FU!!!”

Devastated, she collapsed to the ground and realized that he was gone forever. She gave out a heart-wrenching cry.

---

Cecilia muttered in her sleep, “Xing Fu…Xing Fu…”

Guo Jing and a young man heard her and quickly ran to the bed where she lay. Happy, Guo Jing called her name to wake her up. She heard Guo Jing’s voice and woke up to see his blissful face hovered above her. Her eyes wandered the room and realized she was not in the Yu residence, but in Wei Chen Clinic. She frowned; saddened that she was back in the real world.

“I’m so glad that you’re awake,” said Guo Jing.

She looked at him. “How long have I been unconscious?” she asked in an airy voice.

“Since this afternoon.”

Only this afternoon? In her dream, her time spent with Xing Fu felt longer, making the days felt like months. She tried to sit up, but her body was too weak and her chest hurt. The young man quickly grabbed her shoulders and helped her sat up. Her eyes fixated on him, wondering who he might be. She noticed that his eyes were hazel like hers, with thick slanted eyebrows, and a heart shaped face. His black hair was tied up in a high bun and had a silver hair piece to secure it. He wore a blue outfit that was made out of fine silk, and she figured that he must be from a noble family.

She glanced at Guo Jing, “Who is he?”

The man introduced himself, “My name is Qiao Shun, son of Governor Qiao Wei Min of Mu Village.”

She raised her brow, “You’re his son?”

Qiao Shun chuckled, “You seem to be surprised.”

“I’ve never met the governor’s son before that is why.”

“Miss Xiao, you are not the only one. Due to my constant traveling, most villagers only knew my name and have not seen my face also.”

“I see…” Then she remembered the wedding massacre and her eyes widened, “XING FU!” she turned to Guo Jing, “Where’s Xing Fu?!”

Guo Jing and Qiao Shun glanced at each other and sighed sadly. Guo Jing turned to her and had teary eyes.

“He…”

She knew the answer and interrupted Guo Jing, “You don’t have to say it anymore…I know…” and lowered her head in silent tears.

“I’m sorry…”

She whimpered in sadness, “Xing Fu…”

Guo Jing thought about Physician Wei and began to cry with her. “Brother Wei…he…he is also dead…”

--FLASHBACK--

Guo Jing and Qiao Shun rode their horses on their way to Xing Fu and Cecilia’s wedding.

“Physician Guo, I appreciate that you’ve sacrificed your time to check on my mother’s health,” then he sighed, feeling guilty, “I’m sorry that you had to miss Mr. Yu and Miss Xiao’s wedding ceremony.”

“Don’t worry about it. They’ll understand. Also, your mother is an old acquaintance of mine, so taking care of her health is my first priority.”

Qiao Shun smiled in relief. “Thank you.”

They reached the Yu residence and stopped. Their faces shocked in horror to see dead bodies of men, women, and children, slaughtered like animals everywhere on the ground. They got off their horses and quickly ran to check if there were any survivors. There was none. Then they heard fighting in the backyard and rushed toward it. In the backyard, they saw Du Yu Sheng stabbed Physician Wei in the stomach with his fluted sword.

Guo Jing’s heart sank. “BROTHER WEI!”

The Seeker and Physician Wei turned their heads and saw them.

“Bro…ther…” said Physician Wei softly.

Then Du Yu Sheng pulled out his blade and Physician Wei fell to the ground. Guo Jing was in tears and he ran to Physician Wei, while Qiao Shun flew toward the Seekers to fight. The Seekers had lost a lot of their internal qi and were badly wounded to continue to fight. They needed to retreat, so Navigator Xu threw three daggers at him. Qiao Shun saw the daggers and quickly maneuver his body in midair. The daggers missed, and he landed on the ground. By the time he glanced back at the Seekers, they were already gone. He turned around to check on Guo Jing, saw him holding dying Physician Wei in his arms, and walked toward them.

Guo Jing sobbed harder as he heard Physician Wei’s breathing got heavier and slower. Physician Wei’s eyes were dazed and tried to speak, but his words were only air. He slowly turned his head to look at Cecilia, pointed his finger at her, as he tried to speak again.

“Sh…she…g…mark…”

Guo Jing and Qiao Shun looked at Cecilia’s unconscious body on the ground and wondered what Physician Wei was trying to say. Qiao Shun quickly ran to Cecilia to check on her. Physician Wei coughed out more blood and Guo Jing frantically tried to wipe the blood off of his mouth.

“You…you will be alright…” he cried.

Physician Wei looked at Guo Jing and smiled. Then he gasped and took his last breath; his body limped in Guo Jing’s arms.

Guo Jing’s eyes bulged out in disbelief and cried out, “BROTHER WEI!!” and buried his face in Physician Wei’s body, sobbing.

--FAST FORWARD TO PRESENT--

After Guo Jing told Cecilia what had happened, both wept of their lost loved ones, and Qiao Shun patted their shoulders to comfort them.

---

The next morning, nearby the shore of Xing Fu and Cecilia’s magical place, Xing Fu’s body was on top of a bed made out of stacks of wood. On top were colorful jelly-like flowers that Cecilia had picked and decorated. Guo Jing and Qiao Shun stood close by her. Their eyes wandered and were astonished by this mystical place. They never knew something this beautiful existed.

She gazed down at Xing Fu’s lifeless body. He looked as if he was only sleeping. She lowered her body to get a closer look at his colorless face and held his hand. It was cold and stiff, so she rubbed his hands and hoped to heat his skin.

“Where’s your warmth that I long for?”

No matter how many times she tried, his hand was still icy cold, so she stopped, and began to cry.

“Why did you have to leave so early? We were supposed to grow old together…” Her heart felt heavy and tight from crying. She exhaled and continued, “Why heaven have to be so cruel?” She looked at the blue sky and shouted angrily, “Give Xing Fu back to me!” and sobbed hysterically as she placed his cold hand on her right cheek.

Qiao Shun sighed heavily. Seeing a woman wept over her lost love was very heartbreaking. Then he heard sniffing and turned to see Guo Jing crying also.  

“He was a good kid…his love and kindness will be missed.”

Qiao Sun patted his shoulder to comfort him; then he walked toward Cecilia and stood behind her.

“Miss Xiao, it’s time…”

Cecilia didn’t want to hear those words and didn’t move.

“Miss Xiao…”

Finally, she let go of Xing Fu’s hand and placed it by his side. Cecilia leaned toward Xing Fu’s face and kissed his cold lips. Then she touched his colorless face one last time to bid farewell.

“I will miss you my love…”

Cecilia and Guo Jing kneeled down in front, while Qiao Shun lit Xing Fu’s flowery bed with a torch. The wood caught on fire instantly; minutes later, Xing Fu’s body went up in flames. She watched as his body burned into crisp and wailed.

After Xing Fu’s body turned to ashes, most of it was buried in the middle of the field of flowers. The rest was placed on a cloth. As Xing Fu’s wish, she began to sprinkle his ashes over the jelly-like flowers. The ashes formed faint clouds of smoke in front of her as it fell to the ground. She started to visualize his warmed smiling face in it. Xing Fu was her new world. He was the one that saved her life, gave her the name Xiao Xing, took care of her, encouraged her to find her memories and Kai, taught her how to cook, read, and write; and when he found out about her special qi and saw her killed the bandits, he never once got scared of her, judged her, nor loved her less.

In silent tears, she spoke to him, “Xing Fu, I will continue to live my life to the fullest. We will meet again in the next life my love…I love you.”

Gold dots of lights emerged from the petals and floated to the surface. They surrounded her as she continued to sprinkle the ashes. Guo Jing and Qiao Shun stood outside of the field and watched in awe of this magical moment. For a second, they thought she looked like an immortal goddess mourning for her mortal lover.

“What is this place?” asked Qiao Shun.

“This was where Xing Fu found Xiao Xing’s unconscious body.” Guo Jing became perplexed, “What I don’t understand is how this area suddenly blossomed to become a heavenly place.”

Qiao Shun narrowed his eyes in suspicion at Cecilia. Hearing Guo Jing’s comment about the place made him think if she had something to do with it. He bent down and plucked a red jelly-like flower from the ground. It remained spry and both struck in amazement. Qiao Shun took out a handkerchief and carefully wrapped the flower up.

Guo Jing saw what he was doing and asked, “What are you doing?”

Qiao Shun looked at him and smiled. “This flower is unique. I’m going to give it to my mother.” Then he glanced at the field of flowers, “How come Physician Wei isn’t buried in this beautiful place?”

“He wanted to be buried with his family’s grave site.”

“I see.” Then Qiao Shun glanced at Cecilia. She had finished sprinkling Xing Fu’s ashes and stood still. “Let’s go to her.”

Both walked toward her and stood next to her on each side. Guo Jing became worried, “Xiao Xing, are you alright?”

She didn’t respond to his question. Her mind was too clouded in getting revenge. She clenched her fists. “I’m going to kill them…”

“If you kill, you are no better than them,” said Guo Jing.

She glowered at him of what he said. “I AM like them.”

Her words sent chills down to his spine. He remembered what Physician Wei had told him about her possible identity of being an assassin. She was like them; a killing machine. He sighed and knew his words were meaningless to prevent her from killing.

“You’re severely poisoned. If you use any of your martial arts, you will trigger the poison and die,” said Guo Jing.

Her anger lessened and became worried about her health. She needed to be cured to get vengeance. “We can make an antidote right?”

Guo Jing let out a big sigh and shook his head. “It’s impossible. Anyone strike by that witch’s poison palm dies immediately. You were lucky, because Physician Wei stopped the flow of the poison before it reached to your heart.”

She looked away, “There’s no hope for me then…”

“There IS another way RIGHT Physician Guo?” Qiao Shun looked at Guo Jing with a wide grin.

Guo Jing bowled over by Qiao Shun’s slicked move.

She turned to Guo Jing and demanded, “Tell me what you know!”

He avoided eye contact and became anxious. “I…”

“TELL ME! Or else I am going to touch you!” she threatened and pointed her finger at his shoulder.

His eyes widened in fright and quickly leaped away from her before she touched him. Qiao Shun quietly laughed at the sight, yet he wondered what the touching was all about. He knew that Guo Jing was once a demon, but for her to touch him was something he had never seen.

Qiao Shun decided to intervene and blocked in front of her. “Alright Miss Xiao, since Physician Guo is in fear of you touching him, I will tell you instead,” and chuckled.

She folded her hands in front. “Go on…”

Guo Jing grabbed Qiao Shun’s shoulder from behind to stop him from speaking further.

“Qiao Shun…”

Cecilia showed Guo Jing her finger again and Guo Jing became silence.

Qiao Shun continued, “There’s a place that can heal any sorts of injuries, wounds, you name it. The place is called Immortal Tears and it’s located in Wu Tribe of Wu Mountain…”

“Immortal Tears?” she muttered.

He continued, “I’ve never been there but I’ve heard about it from my mother. It is Wu Tribe’s sacred place. Outsiders had tried to get to it but died on their way inside the Black Forest”

“Why?”

“Either they got lost and killed by Wu Tribe’s warriors, or got killed by…” Qiao Shun glanced at Guo Jing and patted his shoulder. Then he pointed at Guo Jing, “Demons.”

“So you know Physician Guo was a demon.”

“Yes.” He gave her a tight smile. “The Black Forest is a maze and it’s where Demons are trapped. A talisman is useless. It will only protect the person within a couple of hours and that’s it. Only the person with the mark of the Wu tribe symbol will be unharmed.” He looked at Guo Jing. “He knows the forest and could maneuver it with ease. The only problem is that he is a mortal now. Demons hate traitors and will kill them.”

She smirked, “Don’t worry. That won’t be a problem.”

“Oh? So, how are you going to pass the Black Forest then?”

“I have my ways.” She turned to Guo Jing and saw his blanched face. She stood in front of him and exhaled. “I know you are scared, but please, help me get cured.” Her eyes started to well up with tears again as she thought about the wedding massacre. “Both of us have lost someone we’ve loved and cared. Physician Wei was your sworn brother and Xing Fu was my love. You know about my special qi. I won’t let anything bad happen to you when we enter the Black Forest…Please…”

Tears fell from Guo Jing’s face and he wiped them. “Fine. I’ll go.”

In joyful tears, she thanked Guo Jing. Qiao Shun was intrigued by her amount of courage to face the demon forest. Anyone would not dare to step foot in the forest after hearing many deaths. She, however, didn’t let that stopped her. Then he thought about her special qi. What is this special qi that she thinks it will protect her from demons? Qiao Shun needed to find out. He joined them of their happy moment.

“This is great! I know the back roads of Chu Kingdom so you won’t encounter many mishaps. It is also the shortest way to get to Wu Tribe. Why don’t I and some of my men come along to protect the both of you?” said Qiao Shun.

Guo Jing shook his head, “Thank you Qiao Shun, but I will have to say no. This is Xiao Xing and my battle. You also have your mother’s health to worry about. Family should always come first so please understand.”

Qiao Shun nodded and sighed. “You’re right Physician Wei. Why don’t I draw the map then? Give me two days, then the both of you can depart.”

Guo Jing and Cecilia were delighted to hear this and thanked Qiao Shun.

“You’re welcome,” and Qiao Shun grinned.

---

The Yi twins stood still as Tsui Man paced back and forth holding a wine bottle. He drank to numb his wounded body and to think about the situation. He was messed up pretty bad from Cecilia. She was a real tough woman to kill. His upper body was bandaged to cover the bullet wound, his side upper lip and lower corner were busted, and his skin on his face were bruised and torn. He took another gulp of wine. He couldn’t get the image of Cecilia stopping his bullet in midair out of his mind.

Nobody could do that. Even in my world, it is impossible…

He took another gulp.

“What should we do about the deal with the Seekers?” asked Chong Lin.

Tsui Man huffed angrily and left the main room as the Yi twins followed him behind. Tsui Man and the Yi twins entered in the Seekers’ guestroom and felt a strong energy around them. It made their bodies felt heavy as if it was pressing them to the ground. Tsui Man saw them sitting crossed leg meditating to recuperate their loss of internal qi.

He glared at the Seekers and interrupted them. “I’m breaking the deal! You f***en Seekers cannot even kill that b**ch!”

The Seekers were distracted by the idiot and lost their concentration. They opened their eyes and turned to give Tsui Man a scowled look. They did not like what he said.

Navigator Xu sneered. “You said you can handle her, but at the end, you ran off as a coward instead.”

In fumed, Tsui Man pointed at Navigator Xu, “SHE’S A F***EN DEMON!”

Venomous Vixen corrected him. “She’s a Celestial Goddess!”

“Celestial…Demon…who gives a fuck what she is! You failed. End of story!”

The three Seekers’ bloods were boiling. They wanted to kill him but they knew they could not. Navigator Xu threw a dagger and it stuck on the wooden floor nearby Tsui Man’s feet as a warning. That made Tsui Man and the Yi twins jumped.

“You insolent fool!” said Navigator Xu angry.

Tsui Man was going to curse them more, but Venomous Vixen spoke. “Unbeatable Tiger Tsui Man, don’t give up just yet. We know one person that can kill her for sure.”

Tsui Man scoffed, “Who?”

“Our master Yao Du Yi.”

Tsui Man laughed hysterically.

Yu Du Sheng smirked, “You have forgotten, Master Yao Du Yi is a Celestial god, and not just any god, but a Prince…”

Tsui Man raised a brow, “IS? Are you saying that he is not a Fallen Immortal?”

All three Seekers had wide grins on their faces. This was music to Tsui Man’s ears to hear that someone, a god, could kill Cecilia. He began to laugh evilly.

“So is the deal back on?” asked Yu Du Sheng.

“Fine.”

“You should rest well and recover soon. You have a god to rescue,” said Venomous Vixen.

Tsui Man agreed and left the room loudly laughing as the Yi twins closed the doors. The Seekers could still hear Tsui Man’s annoying laugh down the hall and detested him.

Yu Du Sheng glanced at them, “After master is save, we find the protection, and then kill him.” The others agreed and nodded.