Out in the dark, Yi Ling had just finished doing her business when she heard a laughing sound.
"Hey little kid, do you know me?" The middle-aged man came out from the shadow close to the tree. A sinister smile could be seen on his face. He walked closer to Yi Ling to get a better view of her.
Yi Ling was confused. Isn't he the man from earlier? Didn't he already let me go? "Sir, I already apologized for bumping into you earlier. I am sorry again if I offended you." Yi Ling bowed her head again.
The middle-aged man was now in front of Yi Ling, smiling maniacally. "If it was just that, I would've really let you go. Unfortunately for you, you are someone I have been looking for a long time." As he said this, he grasped Yi Ling's hair and untied it very fast.
Yi Ling's hair unraveled, dazzling in the night light. It seemed like it was shimmering, almost magical. She was that special. The middle-aged man was now totally sure that he had the right person.
Yi Ling was shocked! She never would've guessed that the middle-aged man would untie her hair. Does he know me? Why is he looking for me? she thought.
"My dear, why are you dressed up like a boy? You look ugly like that!" The middle-aged man lifted her chin up. Yi Ling tried to avoid the man's hand, but for some reason, she couldn't move at all. Her body wouldn't budge, and she couldn't even speak. This is bad, she thought.
"Now, let me see that face. What did you put on your face? Tsk tsk..." The middle-aged man grabbed a cleaning cloth and rubbed it on Yi Ling's face. Her face started to get pearly white, her lips were red like an apple. She really looked like a fairy, he thought. He was starting to get weird ideas, and his body was getting warm as well.
"You must be wondering who I am, right, dear?" He looked straight into Yi Ling's curious eyes. "I met you five years ago, and since then, I've decided to make you my young bride." He smiled shrewdly.
Yi Ling couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her face was full of emotions—shocked and disbelief. Did he cause the village fire? she questioned herself.
And as if the man could read her inner thoughts, he replied, "Yes, I was the one who ordered everyone in that village to be killed. Because of you, I made that decision. I could see that everyone in the village loved you. For that reason alone, I couldn't leave anyone alive. Don't worry, now that you are mine, I will take care of you. I will not treat you unfairly." His eyes glistened as he thought about making her beg for him at night. He loved feeling superior to everyone else.
Tears started to fall from Yi Ling's beautiful face. Grandfather, Father, and all the people in that village—they all died because of me. How can I face Mother who is waiting for me? Because of me, because of this face, I will bring harm to anyone that I love. Mother! I must get this man away from Mother! she thought. Her body was trembling really badly.
"Dear, no need to be scared. I will pamper you. This, you don't need to worry about." The middle-aged man smiled. It made Yi Ling's hair stand on end. Unfortunately, she was weak. She couldn't move at all.
Mother must be worried about me. I must get her out of here! she thought.
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The middle-aged man was notorious for his lecherous nature. Ever since he was taken in by the General's Manor, he had abused his position, indulging in every carnal desire. Women were nothing more than objects to him, toys to be used and discarded. His reputation in the Azure Kingdom was that of a vile predator, using his status to exploit and ruin countless lives.
He relished in the fear and helplessness of his victims, deriving pleasure from their suffering. His twisted mind found joy in dominating and controlling those weaker than him. To him, Yi Ling was the ultimate prize—a beautiful, innocent girl who could be molded and broken to his will. The thought of having her entirely under his control made his blood boil with excitement.
Yi Ling's mind raced with worry and fear. This man had caused the death of everyone she loved. His touch made her skin crawl, and the thought of what he intended to do filled her with dread. She knew that if he took her, her life would be over, and her mother's heart would break.
Grandfather, Father, and all the people in the village died because of me. How can I live with this guilt? How can I face Mother who has sacrificed so much for me? Her thoughts were consumed with the need to protect her mother. I must get this man away from Mother! she thought.
Despite her fear, Yi Ling's determination grew. She knew she had to escape, not just for herself, but for her mother. She had to find a way to outsmart this vile man and protect the only family she had left.
"Dear, no need to be scared. I will pamper you. This, you don't need to worry about." The middle-aged man smiled. It made Yi Ling's hair stand on end. Unfortunately, she was weak. She couldn't move at all.
Mother must be worried about me. I must get her out of here! she thought, her resolve hardening. She would find a way to save them both, no matter what it took.