Ah Yin stared at him with uncertainty and wariness like a morsel about to be devoured. She wondered how long he had known the truth. Since he learned about her martial soul, he had waited until this moment to confront her.
She felt more terrified than she had ever felt. Her cultivation had only progressed to her third ring. She was far too weak right now. It shouldn't have been possible to see through her. Yet it had happened by this person she called a friend.
Even as her thoughts spiraled, she remained aware of his gaze. Her mind was in disarray, she needed to think. He was right there, he was strong, he knew the truth. She needed to calm down.
Her thoughts were divided by chaos. Part of her was terrified of him. Another part was saddened that this would happen by his hands. A sad part believed she would never see the world, eat food, or see her clan again. A small logical part of her realized this was strange.
The last part of her so small, was resounding. "That's right why would he do this? Better to end her life suddenly. Nor was there killing intent in his gaze." Her thoughts blasted through her head. Was she simply reaching for nothing?
Tang Yuan noticed the cacophony of emotions upon her face. Surprise, shock, fear, sadness, terror, despair, and resignation. Then suddenly she gained a look of composure. He was surprised that neither anger nor killing intent appeared in her eyes.
It had been a possibility he had considered from the start. Kill him to silence him. Instead, she showed everything but killing intent. Did she simply not think of it, or was she that pure? Either way, it was truly interesting to him.
"It looks like you have calmed down. I trust you will listen now, Sister Yin." he addressed her by the familiar title. Would it help her calm down, or the opposite?
"Yes," Ah Yin managed to say weakly. She had managed to regain her outward calm. Yet inside she remained slightly wary, the event too much. "Why did you tell me like this?"
Tang Yuan understood her meaning. "You saved both mine and Bibi Dong's lives. The weight of our lives. I value that more than my desire for your Soul Ring or Soul Bone." he told her frankly. Trying to be as open as possible with her right now.
He could kill her right now. Take the Soul Bone at the least from it. The thought had occurred to him before. But the taste and regret it would leave would linger. Especially having gotten to know her for this short time.
Ah Yin let out a breath she was holding. She did not doubt his words. He'd already had a chance to kill her, he didn't. There was no reason to do so normally. A new feeling filled her, gratitude she felt gratitude to him.
"Brother Yuan, thank you," she said, smiling at him with a soft smile. It was the type of smile seen so rarely. One that would capture hearts easily. Her eyes filled with gratitude and joy made it all the more enrapturing.
Tang Yuan took only a moment. Thankfully he was not completely an eleven-year-old. If he were, this would have been the moment his heart was captured. At least that's how it went in most tropes. He coughed still affected slightly.
Tang Yuan's face turned severe. "You shouldn't thank me yet. After all, I should have simply not said anything. But time is ticking down quickly. Our allies are looking for us including a Titled Douluo." Tang Yuan revealed the entire reason for this surprise.
Ah Yin let out a breath in surprise. She understood why he had chosen to confront her. "Were you worried about me being discovered?" she asked another smile appearing on her face.
Tang Yuan let out a breath at the question. Honestly, that was what she took away from his words. A wry smile crossed his now-exasperated face. He stepped towards her as his face grew stern.
Ah Yin watched as he approached her once more. She watched Tang Yuan move closer to her. "Brother Yuan? You seem angry with me?" She picked up on his sudden frustration easily. Did she do something to anger him?
Tang Yuan walked right up to the girl. Who had grown far too comfortable with his presence? She didn't even have the slightest fear now. Did she even have a sense of caution? It annoyed him a bit honestly. He wanted her to trust him of course, but not this easily.
He brought his hand to her forehead. Flicking her forehead with just enough strength to sting. He felt slightly better after doing so. It was obvious this girl needed more caution and wariness.
Her eyes held a confused, slightly aggrieved look. She rubbed the spot with her hand. "That hurt, what was it for?" It had come out of nowhere for no apparent reason seemingly.
"Look I want you to trust me, but aren't you too relaxed? For all you know, this is a trick. So I could earn your trust for later schemes." Tang Yuan pointed out intending to increase her caution. He noted his composure had loosened slightly.
"Then you wouldn't have revealed knowing my nature. Instead, you would have waited. Then you could kill me, or have an ally do so." Ah Yin countered his words. It was strange his attempt to draw suspicion.
Tang Yuan sighed technically she wasn't wrong. At least normally in this situation. Of course, it didn't take into account something like sacrifice. Or simply waiting for the ring for later. Though it didn't really suit his martial souls either.
"Just be more careful. Having you alive means a ring and a Soul Bone whenever needed. Along with other reasons for your continued life. Or they try to push you to sacrifice!" he told her directly as his final statement. He felt they were things to be wary of in this world.
Ah Yin's frowned at the mention of sacrifice. That he would know even about that. Still, he was pointing it out as a potential danger. She wouldn't sacrifice, unless she had no other option. Even then she doubted she could ever be so close to someone.
As she cleared that thought, she smiled at Tang Yuan. "Brother Yuan thank you for your forewarning. I know they come from concern. But in this case, I choose to trust you because of them." Her eyes met his own her gaze steady shining with trust.
Tang Yuan sighed "Very well I will say no more. You have been apprised of the dangers. Just don't be stupid Sister Yin." Hopefully she would not fall victim to a similar fate as in canon. It would be disconcerting after this.
"You need not worry over much. My clan and I prepared for my entrance into the wider world." She sought to reassure her friend now.
"Said preparations are not infallible as you have shown me," her voice was less certain then.
"Preparations?" Tang Yuan wondered what they had done. Usually the most prevalent thought was, "an herb perhaps?" It was a shot in the dark, that concept was usually found in webnovels or fanfiction.
Ah Yin looked at him once more in surprise. "I suppose you knew about me. They are precious herbs for Soul Beasts who transform. Even if the time of effectiveness is limited." She admitted to him astounded at his knowledge.
The Hiding Herb, an incredibly rare and obscure plant. It lacked any defense and had only a single ability. Consuming it had shrouded her aura as a soul beast. It would do so for at least more than a decade even now. Ah Yin explained to Tang Yuan.
Tang Yuan meanwhile wondered about that same herb inwardly. "Was such a thing what happened in canon, or only in this world? Then perhaps there was a flaw in the herb, or the effectiveness was lost." he couldn't be certain, nor did he think he ever would.
With what needed to be said, said the two sat in silence. Both thinking on the last few minutes of conversation. Doing so for a dozen minutes. Ending with both returning to their search for now at least. A new air of trust had appeared with the shedding of secrets.
They had spent another two hours traversing the forest. Finding several more herbs of interest in that time. Now the two of them walked back in silence. They still had another hour of sunset at least in the day.
As they stepped into the village their trip had ended. Continuing forward they headed for the apothecary. Bibi Dong had been stuck watching the place all day. Knowing her she would be slightly bored now. At least that had been the plan, but another had a different idea.
His muscular form stepped before them blocking their path. The clothes of a hunter were upon his body. A quiver of arrows peeked out behind his shoulder. With a spear in his hands, the tip was well made. Han Lee stood before them with a smile on his face.
Ah Yin frowned feeling his gaze on her body. Having grown more aware, she understood his attention now. He seemed to stop after a few seconds so she kept her silence for now.
Tang Yuan felt as the hunter's gaze fall on him instead. He sensed hostility from him, but not to an extreme extent. Though seemed to have grown from yesterday. Likely because of this trip and the events of yesterday.
"Ah Yin, did you go to retrieve herbs again? You know it's dangerous going without protection. Next time I should tag along." Han Lee spoke confidently as if doing her a favor. Completely ignoring Tang Yuan's presence beside her now.
Ah Yin pursed her lips, his words annoyed her slightly. Was it that he so dismissed her own ability? Or that he dismissed her friend? All the while his eyes strayed from her face. "I had Brother Yuan with me Mr. Han. Once more it is a trip I have taken many times before alone."
Han Lee's smile wilted slightly. Especially as she called him Mr and that brat brother. He had known her for years, but this brat only a few days. "Ah Yin, there are soul beasts in the forest. Even if they are decade-level they are incredibly dangerous."
Tang Yuan noticed his voice had grown lecturing. To normal people and Soul Trainees, beasts at decade level were dangerous. Yet that was well known, and his tone though was condescending. He supposed the man didn't know the truth.
He decided to speak up "Sister Yin has traveled the forest many times before. She has never encountered trouble before." Tang Yuan spoke on her behalf. Not that he expected much given the actual reason for this talk..
"Entering the forest without a guide shows otherwise. A kid like you needs to be more careful." he was right in some ways. But it was drowned out by his hidden meanings and feelings. Along with simply lacking knowledge of things.
Tang Yuan knew it would be easy to handle this actually. Summon his martial soul and intimidate the man. Perhaps it was his pride, he didn't want to take the easy route. Not so easily at the very least. Until a line was crossed at the very least.
Ah Yin had watched the back-and-forth. "Brother Yuan we should return to the shop. Sister Dong will be growing impatient," she told Tang Yuan softly. "Mr. Han I appreciate your concern, but I have confidence in moving through the forest." Her voice was soft and gentle, but there was another quality to it as well.
Ah Yin began moving, and Tang Yuan followed behind her. Feeling a bit like a child that had been called out. No he was a child right now despite being more mature inwardly. Still, it seemed to bring an end to the argument between them.
Han Lee felt a flash of fear at the mention of Bibi Dong. That girl, or whatever she was. No way anyone normal could have a presence beyond soul beasts. As a result, he nearly held his tongue, but then he remembered the other matter.
He turned around after they walked by him.. His eyes traced Ah Yin's form a for a few moments. Then "Ah Yin wait…" he tried to speak up. Suddenly he found his words stopped by her gaze.
Ah Yin for the first time seemed upset, maybe disappointed. "Mr. Han, we will be going now. However please restrain your eyes," she spoke not loudly, nor did her words hold anger. But they were piercing beyond anything those qualities might have given.
Han Lee could only nod. As he turned around if he pushed her now. He sensed the results would not be enjoyable. Inwardly his anger towards the boy increased. She had never said anything before, but now that boy had changed that.
Frustration filled him as he marched back home. He would need to work harder to regain her sight. Perhaps he should beat that cocky boy down. The arrogant brat was asking for it being so naive. Handling it in the forest the fool!
They stepped into the house with relief. They moved into the hearth room finding Bibi Dong present there. The girl looked up from a scroll she had in her hands. Her gaze grew happy momentarily, then it changed to slight annoyance.
"So the two of you have finally returned." She put a bit of effort into sounding annoyed with them both. Then she paused as she realized a change. Her eyes narrowed as she realized they were standing closer to one another. It was subtle, but it annoyed her for some reason.
"We ran into that Han Lee again at the end. That and I enjoyed Sister Yin's tutoring about the forest and village," he explained to the acting girl. She was slightly annoyed, but she acted like it was more.
Bibi Dong blinked at that. Remembering that man from yesterday. The thought brought a scowl to her face. Remembering his wandering eye.
Ah Yin went to begin her work storing the herbs. Stepping into the room she set aside for her work. Removing the herbs from her storage bracelet. She began to process them as she needed to.
Bibi Dong turned to Tang Yuan "So, how was the trip to the forest?" She had a great deal of interest in the trip now. Especially given the noticeable changes.
Tang Yuan wondered what had caught her attention. Still, he began to recount parts of it as he prepared the hearth. Taking out four Soft Bone Rabbits that had already been mostly prepared. He began to season them with the spices on hand.
After properly coating them he put them to cook. The smell of spices began to come from the hearth. As the meat began to sizzle the mouth-watering aroma filled their noses. Time seemed to pass agonizingly slowly as the food cooked.
Ah Yin emerged from her alchemical room. Making sure to shut the door behind her for safety. She had good timing as well. The rabbits were just about ready now.
Tang Yuan roasted them a little. "Just a bit more. They are practically done, but need a bit extra." he watched them closely fighting with himself. It's just that they smelt so good and he was hungry. Finally, he said, " Okay, they are done."
With permission of the cook given, the three began. In a matter of minutes, the first rabbit was reduced to nothing. The biggest contributor surprisingly, was the demure Ah Yin. She ate the rabbit with an almost elegant haste.
Tang Yuan found it surprising that her elegance surpassed his own and Bibi Dong's. Both of them had received training in these matters. But she simply had a natural grace to her. It didn't quite explain how she ate more than them though.
Putting that aside the three of them each took a remaining rabbit. This time it took longer for them to finish. But each of them had a soul master's appetite. The other rabbits were eaten down to nothing as well.
Tang Yuan couldn't help glancing at Ah Yin. She had eaten her rabbit, and a larger portion of the first. Then she had begun eating leftover fruit. Was she just a big eater naturally, or did she just enjoy it that much?
Bibi Dong glanced at the more mature Ah Yin. Idly wondering if that was how she grew so much. She looked down for a moment. Then she shook her head banishing those strange thoughts for now. Why was she thinking about that?
Dinner was a mostly silent affair this time. Everyone was drawn into their own thoughts as they ate. They talked a bit about the trip to the forest of course. But only a few bits.
Then the three of them found themselves tired. Especially Ah Yin the day had been filled with surprises after all. With that tiredness, the three of them headed to bed. Ah Yin and Bibi Dong took the bed. Tang Yuan made a bed on the floor using a bedroll from his belt. All three of them quickly drifted off.
Authors Note: I decided to give a heads-up. There is a very dark scene in the bandit section of this chapter.
Hours later Tang Yuan found himself waking up to loud voices. His mind was groggy as it normally was at first. That faded quickly as he heard the loud noises from outside! Screams, people were screaming outside!! The village was under attack!!!
Tang Yuan rose from the bed with a start. He needed to move now and get the girls up. Stepping into their room in haste he moved toward the bed. Ah Yin had already awakened and was trying to get Bibi Dong up.
Bibi Dong woke up after a few moments of effort. She looked confused at the presence of her two friends. "What's going on Sister Yin, Brother Yuan?" Her eyes glanced at them both in concern. Then she heard screams outside and understood.
Bibi Dong tried to rise from the bed in a panic. Prepared to march outside to save them. Only to find a weight pushing her back to the bed. Tang Yuan's hand had pushed her down. "Brother Yuan?" she asked confused about why he had done that.
Tang Yuan sighed, removing his hand as she paused. She wasn't in a hurry anymore thankfully. "Dong'er before we go outside you need to understand something. Outside people are dead, others will be worse off. People are panicking, children are crying, and many are also hurt!"
He paused to let both of them grasp his words properly. All of it was obvious at first thought, but there was more to it. "Right now we can not stop to help them. If we do the enemy will continue killing unchecked. The enemy may take hostages as well, and we need to be prepared."
Bibi Dong flinched at the statement. Even if she understood what he meant as well. Hostages might cause them to hesitate or even surrender. Then they would suffer similarly to the villagers. She shivered at the thought of it.
Tang Yuan glanced at his companions. Seeing both had understood he considered them. Ah Yin was the eldest, and the queen of a beast tribe. Bibi Dong though was a younger girl even if she had experienced darkness before. He hoped they both could act, he hoped that he could act.
Tang Yuan got up from the bed. They could only act as best they could. "Alright, let's go. We stick together, the enemy may have Soul Masters." he moved his martial soul swiftly already summoned.
The two girls followed a moment later. Both summoned their martial souls as well. Bibi Dong's steps grew softer as her eight legs moved. She squeezed through the doors. Her mind was now calmer, colder, and more predatory. Adversely that mindset conflicted with her concern for the villagers.
Ah Yin's Blue Silver Emperor appeared in her hand. A large vibrant sprout of the plant appeared in her hand. Golden veins ran through the plant showing vibrancy. Three Soul rings appeared at her feet Yellow, Yellow, and Purple.
The three stepped warily out of the apothecary. Looking in different directions for enemies they saw the village first. Houses seemed to be burning either from accidents or intentionally. They could already see corpses on the ground.
They began moving instantly unwilling to stay standing around. Ah Yin, the most sensitive to life spread her senses. She quickly sensed a gathering of life. Though whether it was enemies or civilians, she couldn't say. "This way."
They moved quickly towards the location. In front of a house was a gathering of men. Eight of them at a glance, arranged in a rough semi-circle. Two of them held a girl of sixteen or so in place.
Her clothes had been ripped in places, exposing flesh including her breasts. They molested her flesh with lecherous hands. Despite that, her gaze was on the same thing the men were. Filled with discomfort, tears, and horror at what she saw. As she tried to look away a hand forced her to look.
Tang Yuan felt fury at the sight. He could guess what was happening in the circle. "Two women at least, more than eight of them. The mother or elder sister is in the circle as are the rest of them." his voice was tight and controlled as much as possible. A dark undercurrent beneath the calm.
Ah Yin gazed at the sight with some horror. Recognising the girl vaguely even if they hadn't spoken. "I sense roughly 15 of them," she told her companions. Her normally kind gaze was filled with wrath and killing intent.
Tang Yuan nodded "Ah Yin send your vines at them tangle as many of them as you can. Prioritize the two with the hostage, pull her to you. Bibi Dong and I will approach." he told them both coming up with a quick strategy. The other hostage would be in danger he knew.
Suddenly a scream rang out drawing their attention. More of the captured girls' clothing had been torn. Another voice rose from the circle before being silenced.
Bibi Dong moved then her form enraptured by cold fury. Her legs skated upon the ground like a silent assassin. She had transformed into a lethal killing machine. Bloodlust was already beginning to leak.
Tang Yuan took after her a moment later. Not speaking further aiming for the middle of the circle. 15 people, 2 hostages, 8 in a circle, so 5 inside the circle. He needed to kill those five if possible.
One of the eight noticed their approach. His face turned panicked as he realized their presence. It took him another moment to begin screaming. Alerting the others who themselves took a moment to process. Especially the two holding the girl who had been moving her hands.
It was already too late. Vines ripped from seemingly nowhere moving at them. They didn't tangle however instead, they pierced. The tips of the vines pierced five of the men like spears, especially a certain two. A larger portion tangled around the girl moving her away.
While they were shocked Bibi Dong arrived. Her legs pierced three of them with lethal intent. Poison spread even as she continued at the other five.
Tang Yuan moved past her as she paused. A glance revealed everything, she was on her back. Two at the sides, one on the chest, another at her head, and one between her legs. He threw several knives with lethal accuracy at her rapists.
The man at her head was slowed down by his pants being down. He had only a moment of shock before the knives arrived. One pierced his shoulder, another pierced his arm on the opposite side. Finally a third pierced his forehead, killing him.
The other five daggers hit the three at her hands and chest. A dagger nicked the closest man's neck, as a hand tried to stop the blood. Another hit his shoulder. The one at the chest took two daggers to the torso. The last dagger stabbed the fourth man in the hand.
As the five now four recoiled, Tang Yuan arrived at them. Punching the second man in the neck causing more blood to flow. He would die soon now three. A half-hearted swing landed on the head of the third.
As he flew back, Tang Yuan stepped over the woman to the fourth. A spear was lodged in the man's chest a moment later. Tang Yuan's gaze turned to the fifth man who had retreated. His sword trembled in his hand as if facing a demon.
Tang Yuan approached his pace slowing down slightly. He glanced at the woman. Between her thighs, semen had already begun seeping out. Tang Yuan looked away suddenly wishing he had something to reduce fertility. He threw a sheet onto her as he stepped away.
Tang Yuan approached the cowering man. How typical cowering now that his life was going to end. For a moment he wondered how to handle this. The woman was saved, but that didn't mean she was okay.
Tang Yuan waved his hammer at the man. The blow destroyed the sword as a second hit struck his hand. A scream came from the man as he collapsed holding his mangled hand.
"Mother!" A voice called from the side. Tang Yuan glanced to see the girl running towards the woman. Tears ran down her face.
The woman reacted for the first time. Wrapping her arms around her daughter comforting her and herself. Tears ran down her face from pain, and grief of loss.
Tang Yuan turned to the man. Swinging his hammer crushing the man's head. What a quick death for them in comparison to the lifetime of pain. Tang Yuan watched as his companions approached.
Ah Yin's gaze was locked on the mother-daughter pair. "What should we do? We can't leave them here." She wanted to approach them both. But she didn't know if that would seem like a threat.
Bibi Dong's face was a dark mask. Rage at these bandits for their actions. "They died too quickly," she voiced aloud.
Tang Yuan glanced at her. "Do you believe any number of screams could truly help them. I considered that for a moment. Yet would it have truly been for them or for my own rage? No, what they need is each other, and time a long time." He reminded her because that was a long and dark road.
Bibi Dong looked at him. She was angry right now she knew. "I don't think I'm wrong," she countered. Those men had tortured these women and laughed while doing it.
Tang Yuan was silent for a moment. "You might be. Truthfully we have no idea what they might feel right now. I pray that we never do. We will kill these men like the evil men they are. If you wish to make that end painful then do so, but do not lose yourself as they have." He did not try to persuade her either way.
Ah Yin turned from the conversation. Her martial soul at the ready vines appearing. "Come out now!" she called her voice stern. The mercy and compassion she would normally show strained.
"It's me Ah Yin." a familiar voice called out as Han Lee stepped out. Actually, a reassuring sight to see in this circumstance. His gear was slightly roughed up, with a slash on his cheek. His spear was stained with blood.
As he appeared so did others as well. A small group of villagers less than twenty. Four hunters accompanied the group including Han Lee. Others held swords and one held a hammer.
Han Lee stepped forward bowing slightly. Suddenly feeling like a fool Ah Yin was a Soul Master, that kid was a Soul Master. "Honored Soul Masters I imp…"
"Enough, we will assist your village. Now is not the time for flattery. Take these two and leave the village." Tang Yuan interrupted him in the middle of his speech. Then remembering something he glanced at the group "A woman would be best to help these two, someone familiar."
Han Lee nodded even as a woman ran to the two. She quickly wrapped the two in a hug. Friend or family then. That was good another familiar face for them. They would need that in the days to come.
Tang Yuan glanced at Han Lee a final time. Then he looked at Ah Yin, "Where is the next gathering of life?"
"The village's center is the most abundant, the Spirit Hall building. It's a massive gathering." Ah Yin revealed what she had sensed. That should be the main force present. "Smaller groups are scattered amongst the village. None as big as this group was."
"We target the smaller ones first. Reduce their numbers, and save villagers along the way. Then we attack the main force that will be a bloody affair. Does that sound best?" Tang Yuan asked the girls, aware they might have other ideas.
Bibi Dong spoke up "Wouldn't attacking the center first be best? Kill and save as many as possible in a single move." She asked even as she herself saw some flaws. The others could rush to the center at the sound of a horn. "Never mind, I can see the problems."
Tang Yuan nodded before he began moving. Ah Yin stepped past him as he followed to the first target. The three of them moved quickly leaving the villagers behind.