The bandits arrived outside of the gate with the rest of their spoils from the town, and then the leader of the bandits went ahead and rhythmically tapped his fist on the gate. A deep resounding knock could be heard from the gate.
THUMP THUMP THUMP
After a few seconds the gate began to tremble and then it slowly opened and revealed a crack that is just large enough for the group of bandits and the luggage of girls into the mountain. Just before they went in they heard a deep and hoarse voice speak from inside the mountain, it sounded quiet but everyone heard it quite clearly.
"Back so quickly?" It sounded like it came from a man who has been through the vicissitudes of life, but it still held a kind of power that made everyone including the bandits to tremble "Hm.. and so many children this time?"
The bandit leader looked towards the rest of the group and nodded with his head to signal them to go outside, which they happily took that offer upon themselves. Then with his strength he dragged carriage of cages through the mountain.
The path he walked on had a long carpet that extended out into the distance, it was a colour similar to the lush greenery outside but it also seemed spiritual. That was laid on top of an organised stone brick floor, the bricks were polished until you could almost use it like a mirror and could see the flickering of the torch lights that accompany you walking through the mountain. It was very minimal but like ingredients mixed into a pot, it gave off a very grand aura that refreshes your mind and puts you at attention.
At the end of the carpet was a table with many books and other things that a cultivator often uses scattered cross it. Some of these books gave off an eerie feeling, but to Shen Zhengqiu she found it somewhat comfortable, almost familiar. Sitting on a chair that was slightly bigger than those around it, a well-groomed old man sat flipping through a book quite casually, seemingly waiting for something.
Clack
When the sound of the bandit stopping and kneeling in front of the table was heard, the man lifted his head and put the book down with the cover facing the ceiling and looked deeply at the bandit kneeling reverentially but also out of fear in front of him. His eyes were a black that seemed to contain more stars than the night sky and were full of wisdom, this complemented his wrinkled appearance. He didn't look weak or frail, but it almost looked like a young man who was at his peak and full of vigor, perhaps because of the 'goods' in front of him.
"Yu.." He spoke clearly and slowly, such that time seemed to slow down "Well done, you may leave now and if I find what I need I shall fulfill my promise"
A glint of excitement but also worry flashed in the bandit leader's eyes. He would truly be happy if his current master found what he needed, but after months of searching he couldn't find it, but if he did get it. Greed escaped from his heart. Him and his men would be able to feast like an Emperor for as long as they have been searching. But what he truly wanted was a new sword, perhaps he will keep some money with his other savings. He then cleared his mind, bowed slightly and replied "Yes, Grandmaster Zhen"
Once doing so, he walked past the cages of the girls and glanced at them briefly, a flicker of envy appearing in him. He knew that although this master of his seemed perverted from the eyes of his brothers, due to his rather strange request but he knew that the girls who listened to him did get treated well. An example of that could be found by a few girls cleaning around the hall, making sure everything was perfect and shining.
When he left, the gate started to creak before slowly closing and blocking out the light of the sun. Grandmaster Zhen looked at the group of terrified girls with hope in his eyes, although he seemed full of vigor but that was only because he was quite excited at the possibility of advancing into a legendary realm. The truth is that he is nearing the end of his lifespan and is quite anxious at the prospect of himself dying, resulting in him turning to techniques that honestly don't sit right with himself. He would feel pity towards the victim, but that is all there is to it as his life is the most important after all.
He clapped his hand three times summoning a few fair looking maids and ordered them to find a place for the caged girls to stay. He was quite absorbed in his book and will make time for the girls later.
-
From her comfortable home to it being burnt down in the bandit's attack and then being put in a cramped and uncomfortable cage, Shen Zhengqiu now finds that she is in quite a spacious room with a few of the other girls who travelled with her and a maid that stood by the entrance.
"If you listen to master well and do not disrespect him, he won't treat you unfairly" The maid remarked softly gazing at the girls in front of herself. She sighed slightly and hoped whatever that master of hers wanted would be found soon, otherwise more innocent people will be continuously getting dragged into the mess. Although she does listen to Grandmaster Zhen, but that's purely out of no choice, she would actually want to tear his throat out but she needs to live first to enjoy that. The maid then turned around and disappeared from the entrance under the blank stare of the girls.
Some of them started sobbing quietly whilst the others quickly found their own beds and laid down in them mentally exhausted. As for Shen Zhengqiu, she went to the bed furthest in the corner away from the entrance and sat according to the manual her Ancestor gave her. She was reading through it in her mind earlier and didn't really pay much attention to her surroundings, so she always had a blank sort of gaze on her.
After getting comfortable enough and sitting in a lotus position, she ran through the [Heavenly Lotus Manual]. It was considered as an incomplete manual if learned by people who haven't awakened the Spirit Demon blood as after reaching a certain realm there is nothing else to work on. However, Spirit Demons have a natural instinct and create a path suitable for themselves, thus resulting in generations of Spirit Demons that are distinct. Through the passage of time, the manual has been refined and is the most compatible with the conditions of Spirit Demons, their Pure Yin Constitution and perfect comprehension.
-
Sitting in that position for just above an hour and breathing in a strange but harmonious way, Shen Zhengqiu had large beads of sweat dripping from her body and could feel an itchy and painful feeling on her bones. The Spiritual Qi within the air was trying to enter her bones, but it ended up not doing a lot. She opened her eyes and wiped the sweat off her forehead and then stood up. Although listening to the manual made her sweat and ache in her bones quite a bit, but she felt full of energy. However, she really didn't like this sweaty feeling.
Walking from her bed, Shen Zhengqiu arrived in front of the boiling water in the centre of the room. It sprouted through the floor and made a pool forming a natural spring and constantly emitted steam. She was going to take her clothes off before jumping in, but then she shook her head and kept them on. They weren't all that clean and it was only the inner wear she uses to sleep in as the bandits took off everything else, which made the rest of the pure maidens deeply ashamed but she wasn't all that bothered as she has lived mostly without her sight and didn't really care too much of what others thought, it's just that it was a bit cold.
Dipping her toe in, unlike the burning sensation you would expect the water to give, it gave off a very soothing and warm feel. When she felt that, Shen Zhengqiu had no reservations and just sunk herself into the spring till it was just below her chin. Her hair floated on the surface while she let out and audible moan.
If she had to be honest, this was the most blissful bath she has ever taken. Usually she only uses a boiled pot of water and then washes herself down with it, but with this she can immerse herself in it relaxing her body.
She slowly fell asleep, totally unaware of how her actions caught the rest of the girls attention making them join her, but they didn't have the audacity to do so in their clothes and stripped till entering the soothing spring.