The memory of his own selfish past hurt him more than any wound. If he had known his actions would bring him such profound pain and an unforgivable, continuous nightmare, he might have chosen the same path as his brother, Wang Changming. At least, he would have died peacefully, certain that the person he loved, loved him in return.
As the night faded into morning, he stared at the shadows stretching before them. Seeing Miao Mingzhu's shadow walking faithfully beside him reminded Wang Biming of all the days when he stood utterly alone, abandoned by those he cared for.
He looked at her, his voice sincere. "Mei, thank you for being by my side."
Miao Mingzhu's face softened. "It can't be helped. The Miao family owes too much to the Wang family. You are my gongzi but you always regard me as your mei mei . For this, thank you."
Wang Biming smiled sadly. "Let's go."
As their shadows continued to move across the ground, his mind slowly returned to those desolate days when he had no one, abandoned by those who once loved him because of his own terrible wrongdoing.
After Wang Biming found that Mu Dishi had left him, he decided to return to the Wang Manor with Miao Mingzhu. They had walked throughout the night, and as the morning sun fully rose, Miao Mingzhu looked at his face, which was beaded with profuse sweat.
Miao Mingzhu quickly took out a handkerchief and gently wiped his forehead. Spotting a large tree near a stream, she suggested, "Da shixiong, let's rest there."
Miao Mingzhu helped Wang Biming sit down under the tree. His lips began to tremble violently, and then he coughed up a mouthful of blood. Miao Mingzhu instantly sat behind him and began imparting her internal energy to him.
Wang Biming protested weakly. "Meimei, stop. Stop. You are the only one who can protect us. I don't want you to waste internal energy like this. My internal energy will come back sooner or later."
Miao Mingzhu frowned, refusing to stop. "You should never have sacrificed yourself for Mu Dishi. It's not worth it." She looked at him with frustration. "Da shixiong, why did you do it?"
"This is what I should do," Wang Biming replied simply.
Miao Mingzhu checked his pulse, then took out a pill and handed it to him. "Da shixiong, should we travel by sea? It's faster and more convenient."
"That is a good idea," he agreed.
"Enough rest let's continue walking. There may be a village ahead. Let's go and see if we can find us a horse," she said, helping him up.
The village was large and bustling with people. Miao Mingzhu helped the weak Wang Biming into an inn and requested a quiet table by the window.
Wang Biming asked, "Meimei, have you sent a message?"
"I did, but I haven't heard from anyone yet, other than my subordinates and the four elders" she replied, indicating the general lack of support.
Wang Biming scoffed bitterly. "When Father was full of power, they clung onto Father, but when he died, they treated us like strangers."
"What about Yueguang Sect?" Miao Mingzhu asked about his own sect.
Wang Biming made a firm decision. "Meimei, summon those who are loyal to us. We are going back to the Wang Manor. I will not go back to Yueguang Sect!"
Miao Mingzhu gave him welcome news. "Da shixiong, my subordinates and the four elders have already arrived at the Wang Manor."
"Meimei, thank you for always standing beside me," he said gratefully.
"You have always stood by my side," she returned.
Suddenly, Suo Dongmei appeared at the top of the stairs, looking down at them with a wide, malevolent smile. "Since you two have always stood beside each other," she smirked, delivering her deadly punchline, "How about dying beside each other?"
Wang Biming and Miao Mingzhu looked out the window. The street was blocked by twenty armed men, and more of the Suo Clan members were pouring into the inn.
Miao Mingzhu smirked, defiance in her voice. "Suo guniang, you surely came well prepared? However, ganging up on us—aren't you afraid you're going to pay a heavy price?"
Suo Dongmei leveled a cold assessment at them. "I've been watching you for some time now. It seems you're the only one capable of fighting right now." She pointed at the ailing Wang Biming. "He is obviously useless now."
Miao Mingzhu smiled thinly. "You really know how to pick a day to fight with us."
Miao Mingzhu snatched two wooden chopsticks from a shelf and threw them at Suo Dongmei and ten of her followers. She grabbed Wang Biming's waist and they flew out, landing on the roof of the house across the street.
Suo Dongmei chased after them, but Miao Mingzhu turned and launched four small green snakes at her. Suo Dongmei quickly drew her sword and chopped the snakes into pieces, but by the time she landed on the rooftop, Miao Mingzhu and Wang Biming had vanished.
Suo Dongmei sneered. "Miao Mingzhu, I don't believe I can't catch you."
A subordinate asked, "Leader Suo, what should we do now?"
Suo Dongmei was decisive. "We are very close to Jiangnan, and there is only one place they will go. They want to travel by sea." She gave the order. "Send all of our men to guard the docks. I want to see how far they can go. No matter what happens, don't let them go back to the Wang Manor!"
After fleeing from the Suo's clans, Wang Biming and Miao Mingzhu arrived at the dock, they found the area heavily patrolled.
Wang Biming sighed. "Meimei, they know we are going to travel by sea."
"Then let's find another way," Miao Mingzhu replied.
Wang Biming's frustration boiled over. "Mingzhu, kill her. I'm so annoyed with this little fly."
As the rain began to fall, they walked into another inn, only to spot Suo Dongmei inside. They hurriedly walked out and headed toward the outskirts of the village.
Wang Biming felt his whole body sinking, his mind clouded. He drifted in and out of the present, the rain washing his face, triggering a painful memory he could never forget.
(It was at this same time of year when Mu Jiao Long sent him and ten other juniors to deliver herbal medicine. Two hours from home, it started to rain heavily.
Mu Fai said, "Da shixiong, we have to find shelter."
Wang Biming spotted a building. "There is a house over there, let's go and see if anyone is home." They found a small hunter's rest house. "I don't think there is anybody home. Take shelter only, don't destroy anything."
Mu Fai called out, "Da shixiong, where are you going?"
Wang Biming smiled warmly. "I told Dishi I would be back today. Knowing Dishi, he will wait for me. If I don't hurry back soon, that little bird will be soaked in rain."
Mu Fai protested. "But da shixiong, it's raining! Dishi will not wait for you."
"It's only two hours away. You take care of the rest of the juniors." Wang Biming hurried away.
Mu Fai yelled after him, half-joking, "Da shixiong, be careful! Crazy bastard, if Dishi were a girl, I think you would have completely fallen in love with Dishi!"
Though far away, Wang Biming heard the words and chuckled, muttering to himself, "You are right, I am completely in love with Dishi."
From a distance, Wang Biming saw the tall boundary stone. Standing next to it, a small figure in a light green outfit held a white umbrella. Mu Dishi. He ran to him.
Wang Biming stopped in front of him, breathless. "Dishi, I'm back."
Mu Dishi's voice was concerned. "It's raining, you should have taken shelter."
Wang Biming smiled, his heart soaring. "I knew you were waiting for me; I didn't want you to wait too long, so I hurried back." He pulled Mu Dishi into his arms. "Dishi, I miss you. Do you miss me?"
Mu Dishi started to reply, "I…"
Wang Biming cut him off, lowering his head and kissing his lips. He whispered against Mu Dishi's mouth. "You miss me too, right?"
Mu Dishi murmured, "Mm."
Wang Biming whispered, "I miss you more." He continued the kiss.)
The sound of the rain today was exactly the same, but the person next to him was no longer the person of yesterday.
Wang Biming wept softly. "Mingzhu, I really want to go back to those carefree days. Enjoying a simple vegetarian meal under the tree with people who really love and care about me. Those are the days... that I never want to forget." He cried openly. "Now, they are all gone, because I chose to abandon them." He laughed weakly, and the echoes of his juniors' voices flooded his mind. He looked at the roadside trees, remembering them sitting happily.
(Mu Fai: "Da shixiong, you are a little biased when it comes to Dishi and us."
Mu Chung: "Nope. Everyone can see that you treat Dishi better than us."
Mu Chen: "Apple?"
Mu Chung: "Let Dishi pick first."
Mu Chen: "Bun?"
Mu Chung: "Let Dishi pick first.")
Wang Biming gave a final, rattling chuckle and vomited a mouthful of blood, passing out in Miao Mingzhu's arms. "Da shixiong! Da shixiong!" She looked up and saw an abandoned old temple nearby. Supporting Wang Biming's unconscious body, she led them toward the forgotten structure.