"Hah... hah... hah... hah..."
Gulp...
"Hah... hah... hah... l-leave me alone!"
"Hahaha, listen to this bitch. Sure, after a few rounds of fun~"
'Like usual, a group of bandits hounding an innocent child... Sigh.' In the setting of a moonlit forest that appeared to be abandoned, about ten kilometers south of a disheveled hut, a pretty young female was running while coughing, her messy hair and sweat-stained forehead would bring about anyone to become a white-knight.
It was a known rumor that a group of bandits strolls the mountain range actively at night to abduct women, but not a single victim had returned. Although some Elders had a few guesses, the girl is now positive of what her fate would be if arrested. The bandits kept crying out vulgar words in turns, she wasn't even sure she'd glimpse the dawn of hereafter.
The girl decided to take a glance over her shoulder as she ran, she was almost intoxicated by pain, her bare feet stained red and bruised, her fair arms clutched to a stack of herbs without any means of a reservation. Just as she saw the group of six men closing in, her strength slipped from her legs almost instantly. 'I'm done...' She thought inwardly.
Bang...
The little girl suddenly whacked against something immovable yet soft. She was sure her path was clear a moment ago, all it took was a second for her to look back, and unexpectedly someone was standing before her. Her first thought was that she fell into a trap, she didn't even spare a glance at the scattered herbs but looked in horror at the woman that stood there in a palace dress.
Mesmerizing curves, plump body, jade skin, emerald eyes, and... vertical pupils? She stood there with her arms crossed underneath her well-proportioned breasts, and a cold sarcastic smile decorated her face. She didn't even glance at the frightened kid, she casually waved her arm in an arc, releasing six crescent-shaped blades of blood that decapitated each of the bandits.
"Who the hell are you-..."
"Another beaut-..."
"Palace dress huh-..."
Each of the six had a random remark that was cut short. The pitiful-looking girl was speechless. She wanted to thank the woman, but she felt insignificant facing her gaze. It was an obvious look that had 'You're a waste of my time' written all over it. She didn't have time to think before the woman forced a warm smile.
"I'm Becca, how about you do me a favor?"
"I-... I'm Yue... Zhan Yue..."
Yue wanted to understand the situation before her eyesight spotted the scattered herbs. She then exclaimed in her mind as she remembered her bedridden father, she had a limited time to bring some herbs for a passing-by doctor that accepted the job after her mother kowtowed till her knees grew sore. Alas, the doctor probably grew impatient and left as she was supposed to reach the hut ten minutes ago.
Yue didn't even have the time to feel depressed before Becca picked her up without awaiting her reply. Yue wanted to scream in protest yet the scenery blurred out due to Becca's speed, leaving Yue to deal with her first motion sickness. A few moments later, Becca dropped Yue to stand on her own, yet the lass dropped to her knees with a purple face and a mouth discharging puke.
'Humans... Pitiful...' Becca thought inwardly with a sneer that swiftly turned into a motherly smile as soon as Yue glanced at her.
Becca then leaned down with a golden tissue to clean up Yue's face, whilst the latter was still trying to process what happened in the last... 10 seconds? She wasn't even sure anymore. Everything was vague.
"Let auntie help you tidy up your appearance. I saved your life, now you will repay me."
"Wait... The herbs- bandits-... My father...!"
"Shhhh... It'll be alright." Becca had to cut Yue midway through her panic with a gentle touch, she caressed her cheek with a reassuring smile before whispering. "You go into that cave, someone will ask a favor from you. Be sure to live up to his expectations and I will personally tend to your father."
Yue was still lost in thoughts, everything happened too fast, suddenly a beautiful woman appeared to solve all her problems in exchange for something. Although weak, Yue isn't naive. Living for 17 years in this harsh environment she knew nothing is for free. And what is the price for not only her life but her father's as well? She didn't know, but if she could afford it, she's willing.
After steeling her resolve, Yue nodded lightly before struggling to stand up. She then took a deep breath and ventured into the cave... Unbeknownst to her, Becca wore an expression of disgust before she grunted unhappily. She will simply visit the rotten hunt before parting a healing pill to Yue's parents then return to her castle and never leave as long as that man lingers around.
'Hateful, he made me touch these garbage humans. Hump!' Becca thought to herself before storming off, her pale cheeks are surprisingly warm red...
- - - -
'It's very dim here, if not for the full moon I wouldn't be able to see anything...'
Yue kept observing the cave as she strode inside. It was very cold, her bare feet would occasionally shiver but she can't complain. It took a while before she reached the heart and she couldn't help but stand there stunned.
A young man that looked her age sat quietly crossed legs, his eyes were closed but she knew very well he's aware of her presence. The atmosphere around him had a weird tranquil vibe that unintentionally caused her to relax. He had long ink-black hair, jade white skin, well-built physique outlined by his white robes. Her heart couldn't help but skip a beat as she instantly labeled him as an otherwordly existence.
She guessed he must be cultivating because she heard rumors about humans who practice for longevity. They call them cultivators and they have supernatural prowess... She just doesn't understand what would someone like that do in such a backwater place, and what would his connection to that auntie Becca be?... More like, who is auntie Becca exactly?!