Rou Lang successfully did her first human kill. If in the past, conscience may quickly invade her. But not now. No hard feelings but feeling of relief. After all, she only did what she did to survive. If she did not kill him, she will suffer a worse fate than death. An unwritten rule, but agreed by all cultivators, killing is as normal as eating. If you must slay, then do it. It not only protect yourself from vile evil forces, but a fast way of growth. No cultivator has ever reached a higher state without experiencing bloodshed washing his hands.
Rou Lang was mentally exhausted. Sending off consciousness outside the body can drain too much mentality. Now her head is aching from the intense exercise. But aside from exhaustion is a feeling of excitement filling her heart and she subconciously smiled.
"I have successfully manipulated water through conscious meditation. This is a great start."
Bang!
The door burst open. In came the old woman holding a steel pan. She cried out in shock when she saw the bloody state of her grandson.
"AHHHHHH!!! WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY SON?"
Now it was her son. It wasn't unexpected. The old woman looks like a sl*t who's into younger men. It would also not be surprising if they are involved in an illicit relationship.
The old woman clasped her son's face. She stared at Rou Lang viciously. "You will pay for killimg him, you b*tch!!"
She swung her pan aiming for her head which was efforlessly evaded. Yet she changed trajectory and hit her in the forehead. Ringing sound shook her head, worsening her headache. The old woman crazily sent random attacks that is filled with madness. Everything hit by the pan was smashed. Even the wall vibrated when she hit it. Rou Lang side-stepped and rolled to avoid those angry hits. But even she cannot keep up with the fast pace and was hit several times.
The old woman got more irritated and after a failed attack, she violently threw the pan away. She reached under the bed for the saber placed in there.
"I will kill you!" Again, she swung the saber in parallel strikes, such force can cut woods easily. Despite her being old, she can swing the blade very fast and change direction through her keen perception.
Without counter-attacking, Rou Lang got cut several times but she have to do better than that to keep her head intact under the violent trashes. A kick on her abdomen pushed her on the dead man's body. The body was actually very soft. She can press the chest down with a slight force. Her technique might have also drained his bones out of liquid. And the area near the heart is extremely sunken that blood would flow out if even touched a little. Poor fellow got into vegetative state.
"Apologize to my A'wu or I'll kill you!"
"Never!"
The old woman brought down the blade with all her might, aiming to chop her head off. But instead, the target evaded and she cut off her son's head.
Swish!
It was as easy as xutting tofu. And the swishing sound of beheading is just the right pitch to consider a fluent music. The old woman watched in horror as liters and liters of blood gushed out of her own son's head. Shock made her eyes go wide they might pop out any moment.
"YOU..!"
Rou Lang has nowhere to go. She was trapped in a corner and it won't be long before a bloody saber might axe her brain. But she was not worried. Whenever she encounter threatening situations, her heart would thump loud and she would sense dread overcoming her. Like death could just claim her life any second. Those symptoms were not felt. Another bloodshed will surely bath the floor tonight. And it isn't she who will be it. Rou Lang has long prepared her trump card -the Nirvana fire. A swishing sound was all it takes for her to call off the summoning.
Swish!
A knife emerged from the old woman's belly. Her blood immediately died her skirt red. She froze from her action as she slowly turned around. Behind her is Zou Jia who was obviously afraid for what he've done and what she'll do. But she died before she could slice down her saber. She fell down in a thump.
Both survivors' eyes met each other. Rou Lang was atonished at the young boy's action. She wouldn't know why he killed his grandma. But the reason might be of hate. It was obvious. Whenever the grandma and grandchild talk, it would be of orders and no complain. Furthermore, he might be helping Rou Lang all along.
Rou Lang watched as the boy's eyes rains with tears. It was understandable. Killing is not a fun thing for any child. Especially of their own relative. Even scenes of much blood and violence is extremely traumatic to their innocent minds which should not be tainted with such corruption. It was too late however. Zuo Jia has lived in a house full of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Killing is just one way step for him to become like them. He wasn't willing. He just wants to live a normal life like any other kids does.
○ ● ○
A trending issue was circulated throughout the village. It was about a woman who was forced to marry but she retaliated and killed the man. An even more shoking news state that a boy killed his own grandmother because of revenge for their daily abuses. This topic was spoken anywhere and almost everybody has not taken a sleep without knowing such. The village people gathered to the hall where their village chief resides. They want to confirm the incident. However, several people have already admitted its accuracy.
The old woman was not a known figure but it is said she was once a prostitute who married one of the locals. She has a first husband whom she gave birth to Zuo Wu. When her husband went missing, she lived with another man and gave birth to Zou Jia. Then that man went missing and she's been living with her both sons till now. The younger son, Zou Jia has confessed how his mother would punish him everyday and would shout at him for no reason. He also confimed that his mother and brother are into an illicit relationship and had been into incest after being drunk. Both were the source of severe trauma on the poor boy.
Rou Lang, on the other hand gave her own testimony. She was taken into the house, and even robbed off of her weapon. Zou Wu tried to rape her but she killed him before he can get to her. Her reasoning was justified a pardon since it is every woman's right to be free from violence particularly rape. No one complained about it and they even condemned the dead woman for doing such wicked deeds. If not for the stranger, they would be still committing unforgivable acts.
"Rou Lang, we are truly sorry for what you've experienced on your first day here in the village. If we would have been careful, such awful acts would not have taken place. We promise to be more strict in conducting our rules and regulations. This will not happen again", said the chief village.
"I know, sir. I am thankful for your help."
"I surmise it is not good for such a young lady like you to live in any of our house. Especially since... you are injured, and you even lost your arm. We have agreed with the honorable abbot to let you stay in their temple temporarily."
"Temple?"
"Yes. Shaolin Temple. It is built just near here long before our village was born. All monks there are kind and friendly. You will surely not be mistreated in any way. Furthermore, I know the abbot very well. He is already old, but he is smart. You can learn more about him. It will be beneficial for your future growth... if ever you decide to be a cultivator or simply a martial artist."
"Thank you, sir." She bowed.
"Ah, and about your weapon, I already dispatched some men to search the house and the backyard to wherever it was buried. Rest assured that we will return it to you once we found it."
She smiled.
The next hour, she has eaten her fill, took a bath, changed into her new clothes which were donated by the village pwople, and was all ready on to set off with the horse. Before she left, she noticed little Zou Jia peeking from the distance. She smiled and waved at him to get closer.
She run to him and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Zou Jia. If not for you, I would have already died. The village chief said you are the one who found me in the forest, and singlehandedly brought me home. I can't figure out how to thank you enough."
She pulled back and noticed his tomatoe red cheeks. She laughed. "Now now, be a good boy while I'm gone, okay? I will bring you many treats when I get back. Promise me that you will immediately report to the chief if you are bullied."
The shy boy nodded. "I... promise."
Rou Lang set off with the guide. She waved her hands for a goodbye.
Treking a distance of five miles, through the narrow and rough road, off they go. Rou Lang do not know horseback-riding so she made sure to go slow. When the sun is up high in the sky, they finally reached a clearing.
The ground was concrete. And a gate was just above with a plaque of the traditional Chinese characters inscibed. Before that, she must ascend the one hundred steps. Without hesitation, Rou Lang walked alone towards the waiting gateway.
With a window closed, a door opens. And every door is a possibility for improvement. If she wants to sharpen her skills, or even first have skills, she must construct a pillar of foundation through experience. And the dirst way to her path of dao, is the Temple of Shaolin.