Mu Qinghe stood at the edge of the towering cliff, the wind whipping her hair and tugging at her robes like the claws of unseen beasts. Far below, a raging river churned between jagged black rocks, frothing like a silver serpent in a frenzy. Her sword gleamed faintly in her trembling grip as Duan Hei and his lackeys spread out, sealing every path of escape.
"Duan Hei," she said coldly, her voice carrying over the howling gale, "there is no enmity between us. Why force me to this point?"
Though her words held anger, her eyes were calm — like steel that refused to bend.
"Junior Sister Mu," Duan Hei drawled, lips curling into a mockery of a smile, "indeed, there is no enmity. Once, you were the shining jewel of our sect. But now… with your dantian shattered, your cultivation crippled, you're nothing more than prey. The Duan family has accepted a commission — someone requires a fire-type spirit root to be extracted. And as a ruined cultivator, you are… the most convenient choice."
"You beast!" Mu Qinghe's voice rang out like a sword strike. "Do you not fear the sect's punishment?"
"Punishment?" Duan Hei laughed, stepping closer, confidence radiating like poison. "Will the Fire Sable Sect waste breath punishing me for killing a cripple? You are nothing but a broken tool now."
Her eyes blazed with defiance. Without hesitation, she tightened her grip on the sword, turned toward the abyss — and leapt.
The world became a blur of wind and roar. The cold air bit into her skin, and the silver serpent of the river surged upward to meet her.
Duan Hei i would rather die to the river than let you bastards extract my spiritual roots. Alas to think this is how i met my end.
"Damn that woman!" Duan Hei's curse was sharp over the cliff's edge. "Does she think death will save her?"
"Our mission's failed. We should leave before anyone notices," Zhen Wei muttered.
We can't do a large scale search if we do and sect find out even if they want to let us go they still have to give us some punishment to keep face for ten sect. Too bad she choose to die.
Zhen Wei thought to himself.
The next moment, icy water engulfed her. The force crushed the air from her lungs, the current tossing her like a drifting leaf. Her body, already exhausted from the chase, grew heavy, her vision dimming until the world dissolved into darkness.
When her eyes opened again, the scent of herbs filled her senses. She lay on a soft bed within a small, tidy room. Sunlight filtered through wooden shutters, casting warm strips of light across neatly stacked bundles of dried plants. On a nearby rack hung delicate clothes clearly meant for a young girl.
I… survived? The river should have claimed me… Where am I?
She tried to sit up, but her limbs were leaden, refusing to obey.
The door creaked open. A girl, no more than twelve, stepped inside, her small arms cradling a bundle of fresh herbs. Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Big Sister, you're awake!" she exclaimed, her voice bright with relief. "I brought medicine — you should eat it. It'll help you get better."
Mu Qinghe's gaze softened slightly. "Did you… save me? Where did you find me? And… where are we?"
Mu Qinghe tried to speak, but the girl was already pressing the bitter leaves to her lips."First, get well," the child said with quiet firmness. "Once you're stronger, we can talk. I'll tell the kitchen to make some soup."
The taste was sharp and acrid, but Mu Qinghe chewed and swallowed without complaint. "Many thanks. What's your name?"
The girl's lips curved into a small, almost shy smile."Shen Yuexin," she replied.
Shen Yuexin, never heard of a Shen family before either it's a far away place or it is a mortal family.
She move toward the door.
"Rest i be back with soup when it is done."
Shen Yuexin walk out of the door as she move toward the kitchen. Just than a voice echoed within her mind.
"I told you not to save that girl. Someone else would have done it anyway."
Hearing the voice she visibly cheer up and talk in her head.
"Brother I can't just let someone die. Beside it is not like she is a bad person."
"Are you talking back now. if i had a body i would teach you a lesson to respect your elders."
You stingy brother always scolding me. Never telling me anything about cultivation.
"Brother , Is she a cultivator?."
She ask referring to Mu Qinghe.
"Her dantian is broken at most she can be considred a first rate martial artist."
The voice reply back.
"How is your martial arts practice going your not slacking off are you."
Shen Yuexin puff her cheeks as she say in a pouting tone.
"Brother i work very hard. Yet you still say i am lazy."
Just than she reach the kitchen.