Zhao Renshu picked up his half-eaten chicken on the floor and he sat by the bonfire reheating the chicken. After a while, he gave the half-eaten chicken to Ping'an. When Ping'an reached over for the chicken. Zhao Renshu saw the scar on her right palm. He stared at her scar and refused to let go of the chicken. Ping'an decided to withdraw her hand.
Zhao Renshu chuckled, "Sorry." He gave the chicken back to Ping'an.
Ping'an again reached out and grabbed the chicken.
Zhao Renshu, "You didn't eat much, you must be hungry. You can eat all of it." He stared at Ping'an. "By the way, why is there a scar on your right palm?"
Ping'an replied, "I was born with it." She continued eating the chicken.
Knowing that he also had a scar on his palm, Zhao Renshu smiled excitedly. He said, "Really?" He took off the glove of his right hand and held up his palm for Ping'an to see.
Ping'an, "Were you born with it?" approached Zhao Renshu and checked his palm.
Zhao Renshu, "Yes, according to my late master." He put his glove back on.
Ping'an, "Will your palm hurt and burn like it on fire every fifteen days of the month?"
Zhao Renshu, "No... Yours?"
Ping'an nodded, "Yes. Every fifteen days of the month." She continued eating the chicken. "Do you have it on both palms?"
Zhao Renshu shook his head, "No, only the right palm."
Ping'an explained, "I have it on both palms. Every fifteen days of the month both of my palms will burn like it on fire. Recitation of the teachings of Buda and not eating meat can help relieve some pain."
Zhao Renshu, "Now, this is very strange." He looked at Lu Duyi. "So, how do you end up with this rapist?"
Ping'an, "To make a long story short. He happened to run into my father's inn. He took my grandmother hostage. I exchanged places with my grandmother."
Zhao Renshu: "Do you know he is a rapist?" Zhao Renshu smirked.
Ping'an sighed, "At first I didn't know until he tried... Anyway, I told him I was sick and I only have two months to live. He promised to let me go after we reach the other side of the mountain, then we happened to meet those three wolf fairies, you know the rest of the story."
Zhao Renshu turned to Lu Duyi, "Did you tell her about your last victim?" Zhao Renshu smiled at Lu Duyi. "Umm... Lady Hue... that's her, you promised to let her go if she let you rape her, but when you are done, you kill her and put her in a waterhole."
Lu Duyi sounds like he was out of breath, "How... the... fuck... do... you... know...?"
Zhao Renshu calmly replied, "Her father is one of many fathers who hired me to bring you back, alive..." He looked at Lu Duyi. "They mention something about wants to skin you alive to compensate for their pain." Zhao Renshu noticed that Lu Duyi started to sweat. "Sleep well tonight, because tomorrow we are going down the mountain."
Zhao Renshu went outside and sent out a single firework signal up into the dark sky.
Ping'an, "What is that?"
Zhao Renshu walked back inside and sat next to the bonfire beside Ping'an.
Zhao Renshu, "Signal to let the rich people know that the task has been was completed." Zhao Renshu gentle pulled on Ping'an's right hand. Ping'an sat down next to him. "If you are tired, you can lie right here." He pointed to a big bag. "We can use it as our pillow."
Ping'an lay down on the floor, then lowered her head and placed her head on the bag opposite Zhao Renshu. Their two heads are placed side by side, and their bodies face different directions.
Zhao Renshu turned to Ping'an, "What's your name?" His mouth was next to her right ear.
Ping'an, "Ping'an." She stared straight at the ceiling.
Zhao Renshu, "Ping'an? Who named you?"
Ping'an, "My grandma."
Zhao Renshu smirked, "Ping'an mean safe?"
Ping'an, "My grandmother said, let me be the one who protects the safety of those I love."
Zhao Renshu, "Pretty name and very meaningful. What is your surname?"
Ping'an, "I am not allow to use my father surname." She let out a breath. "Don't ask me why."
Zhao Renshu, "It's okay. I'm an orphan. I don't even know my surname. I took my late master surname. My master found me in an abandoned temple. Oh... by the way, the name is Zhao Renshu." He smiled at her. "But you can call me Renshu or Renshu ge ge." He tried to comfort her.
Ping'an, "Do you always talk to stranger like this?"
Zhao Renshu, "Yep. You are not the first, but lying next to a stranger like this, you are the first." He laughed. "I feel like I've known you for many years."
Ping'an, "that's why you kept staring at me then?"
Zhao Renshu, "Yep...then, when you show me your palm scars, I believe we have already met somewhere before."
Ping'an, "I wish I could be like you. Carefree and able to laugh in any situation."
Zhao Renshu, "If you really want too, you can. Want to come with me?" He looked up at the ceiling. "Have the sky as ours roof, the ground as ours bed, the stars as ours lantern. Journey the world in our own terms."
Ping'an smiled, "That sound fabulous, but I have my duty to care for my grandma."
Zhao Renshu continued, "There are a lot of dangers out there, but that is the fun of it. We get to journey far and wide and provide help to those who in need. If we are tired of traveling, we will return to my house. I named it "Peach Blossom Valley." He turned to Ping'an, but Ping'an is already asleep. "Dang it. At least give me a signal that you are sleeping so I can stop talking." He closed his eyes and he too fell asleep, leaving Lu Duyi kneeling on the floor.
Ping'an was awakened by the smell of food the next morning. She slowly opened her eyes and saw Zhao Renshu roasting two pigeons. On the floor to the left of Zhao Renshu are five white peaches. When she got up and sat, she saw Lu Duyi still kneeling.
Zhao Renshu, "Eat something we are going down the mountain today." He turned to Ping'an.
Ping'an, "You are taking Lu Duyi to claim your reward?"
Zhao Renshu, "Yes."
Ping'an, "Are you going to Peace Town?"
Zhao Renshu, "No, it's the town next to it." Zhao Renshu handed Ping'an one pigeon. "Peace Town is next on my list. When I was in East River Town, I've heard many people say something like "If you visit Peace Town and don't dine at Sunrise Inn, it is definitely not worth a visit." He laughed. "Ha...ha...ha...ha... they said the beauty living there is very beautiful, even the prettiest flower is ashamed when it placed next to her."
Ping'an, "She is very beautiful." She looked at him with a smile.
Zhao Renshu teased, "More prettier than you?" He gave her a flirty smile. "I have to see it to believe it."
Ping'an, "You go to East River Town. I will return to Peace Town. I am worried about my grandmother."
Zhao Renshu, "No way. I told you Peace Town is already on my list. When I hand this bastard over and get my money, we will go to Peace Town together. Aren't you afraid you might meet those creatures again?"
Ping'an gave it some thoughts and she agreed to accompany Zhao Renshu to send Lu Duyi to the rich people.
Zhao Renshu pulled out a rope, then tied Lu Duyi's hands together and dragged him down the mountain. After walking along the mountain road for two hours, the muddy trail led them to the main open dirt road. They saw a small group of people talking to each other. When they approached the group, Ping'an could see that everyone was holding a knife in their hand and starring at Lu Duyi. Ping'an recalled what Zhao Renshu told Lu Duyi back in the temple "They said something about skinning you alive to compensate for their pain" echoed in her mind. The rapist must imprinted deep pain in their hearts for them to act savagely.
Zhao Renshu looked at Lu Duyi, "I think they are here for you."
Lu Duyi's face turned pale. He was shaken badly. Zhao Renshu and Ping'an saw sweat dripping from Lu Duyi's face. The expression on Lu Duyi's face showed that he already knew his fate.
Zhao Renshu, "It's better for you to stay here. I'll go talk to them, and we will be on our way." He smiled at Ping'an.
Lu Duyi pleaded, "Please don't leave me with them." He begged Zhao Renshu over and over again. "If you leave me with them, they will kill me."
Zhao Renshu sighed, "You should've thought of that, before committing those crimes."
Ping'an watched Zhao Renshu dragged Lu Duyi towards the group of people. She couldn't hear what they were talking about, but after Zhao Renshu talked with the group of people, Zhao Renshu returned to Ping'an.
Zhao Renshu, "Let's go Peace Town." He smiled at her. "I am ready for some good delicious meat dishes."
Ping'an said shyly, "Please lead the way."
Zhao Renshu with his wide mouth opened, "What? You don't know the way?"
Ping'an embarrassingly said, "Honestly, I have never been out of Peace Town."
Zhao Renshu laughed, "Fine. Wait here." He walked back to the small group of people for about ten minutes then came back. "It's this way."
As Ping'an and Zhao Renshu walked away.
Lu Duyi screamed, "You two can't leave me here. Aaaahhhh!"
A Man said, "This is for my daughter." He stabbed his knife into Lu Duyi's body.
Another man said, "This is for my wife." He also stabbed Lu Duyi.
Ping'an and Zhao Renshu don't have to see to know what the small group of people are doing to Lu Duyi. They knew from the screams that the small group of people took turns stabbing Lu Duyi. When Ping'an and Zhao Renshu despaired from the small group of people. They still heard Lu Duyi's screams slowly fading away as they walked further towards the open road to Peace Town.