Yu Feng and Yi Ling both dressed up as father and son.
Yi Ling had gotten used to these disguises. She often thought that her mother was just being overprotective ever since her father died. She never asked her mother what happened. All her mother said was that her grandfather Yu Fang and her father Yi Wen died in the village fire. So, when they went out in disguise for the first time, her mother told her to call her "Father" and that she was her "Son."
As both father and son walked into town, they noticed all kinds of flowers decorated along the street. They called it the Flower Festival, a celebration for the beautiful women in town. Since their town wasn't very crowded, they celebrated these kinds of events to appreciate their women and to keep them in town. Yi Ling was so happy! She loved all the flowers decorated in the town.
"The town smells wonderful, mo... father!" Yi Ling bit her tongue. She almost slipped.
Yu Feng glared at Yi Ling but said nothing.
As they continued to walk down the street, all the lights of the establishments and shops were lit. The flowers glowed beautifully along with the lights. Though no stars could be seen in the sky, it was still a magical night. All the women were dressed beautifully. Some were giggling in the shops, looking for jewelry; some were eating at the stalls, and some were gazing at the river. Some had partners, some did not. Most men were ogling them. Some were shy, some were courageous and asked the ladies if they needed company during the festival.
All was well as both father and son went into a restaurant to grab some dinner.
Yu Feng ordered Yi Ling's favorite foods. Since they were celebrating Yi Ling's birthday in advance, she thought she might as well go all out. She usually just made her favorite foods rather than celebrating somewhere else. This was a first.
Yi Ling's eyes went wide when the food came in. They were in their own small room, so no one could see or hear them from the outside.
"Thank you, mother!" She hugged her mother.
"Happy birthday, Ling'er." She hugged her daughter back. "Even if your grandfather and father are not here, always know that they are watching you from wherever they are now." She kissed Yi Ling's forehead.
"Yes, mother." Yi Ling saw her mother wipe some tears away.
Yi Ling always felt like her mother tried to be happy just for her, as she often heard her mother crying herself to sleep at night.
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As the family ate, a middle-aged man came into the restaurant.
He had heard that there was a festival here tonight. As a lecherous man, he couldn't pass up this event. Although he wasn't that powerful, he had the backing of a powerful family. His father once saved a General of the Azure Kingdom and died. Ever since then, he was taken in by the General's Manor at the age of nine. He owed his life to that person and thinking that by raising his kid he would be repaying that debt.
Since then, he grew up spoiled and lecherous, lazy and a brat. He was dressed up to look rich and of high status, but he was only at the 2nd Rank of Qi Condensation. He came into town today to hook up with some women and bring them into his harem. It was time to add another one or two, he thought, rubbing his chin while going up to the second floor.
A little boy came out from one of the rooms and accidentally bumped into him.
"Sorry, sir, I didn't mean it!" Yi Ling bowed her head as she tried to apologize to the man in front of her.
The middle-aged man was in a good mood tonight, so he just brushed it off. "Next time, watch where you're going!" He yelled, acting all mighty.
As he walked off, he heard someone yelling from the room that the kid came out of.
"Ling'er! Remember to hurry up, okay?!" Yu Feng shouted at Yi Ling.
"Yes, father!" Yi Ling replied. She wanted to go to the restroom, but it was located downstairs, behind the restaurant. As she walked away, she didn't hear her mother anymore, but the middle-aged man did.
"Brother Wen, our daughter is growing more and more beautiful. I'm afraid I can't hide her any longer. Yi Ling might be cursed. She is bound to attract all the bees that come her way." She whispered all this, thinking no one would hear her.
The middle-aged man did anyway. Although he was a weak cultivator, his hearing was better than that of normal people. At first, he didn't pay it any mind, but as he heard the name Yi Ling, his ears went red, and his eyes went wide. He remembered that name. The name that made him kill all the people who lived in that small village. He hunted them. He didn't know why, but as soon as he saw Yi Ling that day, his mind went blank. All he wanted was to have that child and make her his young bride. Yes, he was that lewd and lecherous. He was a pig indeed, but who cared? he thought. As long as he was backed up by the General's Family, he could do whatever he wanted. The General didn't have a son, only a daughter. Unfortunately, the daughter didn't like him. He was aiming to be her husband, but that woman was playing hard to get.
As he thought back on the little boy that passed by, he knew now why he didn't find her back then.
She ran away! That little b*tch! I won't let you escape this time. This time you will be mine! He thought and then he walked to where the little boy was heading.