Upon the disappearance of dark figure . Everything resumed .
Again the mocking , unbridled laughter reverberated.
Leiting again turned childish mature emotions vanishing from his eyes .
Young heir of kaou clan noticed the piercing gaze of Brother of leiting .
He stretched his hand grabbed the brother .
"Do you feel anger .haha .But what can you do."saying he slapped the brother .
"Please let my child go "The mother stood up again and grabbed the your heir's hand .
Young heir tried to throw her by shaking his Hands .But the mother didn't moved and inch .she firmly grabbed the hand and looked straight at young heir in the eye .
For some reason Young heir felt miniscule in front of mother .He was a clan heir from cultivaton clan .But he couldn't shake off a pale,thin mortal woman .He grew angry .But the next words from the mother made him even more angry .
"Please if you feel Even shared of guilt .Let go of my child .Even if it's to lower your guilt .let go we won't come back here.Never "said mother straight to his face as looking at his sinful soul.
Suddenly the young heir felt thump in chest .Afraid of the gaze .
Me guilty ? Guilty for dealing with low-lives .Hah how can that be possible.He said to himself .But he couldn't help but avert his gaze .
"Sickly woman .I never have felt guilty of anything.you think I will feel guilty for dealing with low-lives like you .I won't feel guilt even if I were to commit crimes against you low-lives.Rape,murder,arson I won't feel guilty of anything."Said young heir in arrogant tone
"Ah right you have daughter too right .
Although she isn't upto my standards.who knows once she grows up .she might be able to become my Plaything with lowest standard.Or if not she can be my bath maid too.Right once I am done playing I can send her as Plaything to others "laughed young heir with evil smile .
"No please don't "cried out mother in agony.Her nails dug into young heir's hand .young heir felt sharp pain from his arms .He threw eldest brother away .and tried to shake off mother .Even ruthlessly slapping her .But the mother of 3 didn't let go .
He turned to the guards.
"What are you waiting for her to kill me . Don't think you will go unpunished when my father knows about it . quickly deal with her and throw her out . otherwise both of yours head will fly .And even your family . Don't think they will go unpunished."Threatened young heir kaou
The guards quivered and moved to follow the order .They didn't wanted to die .Nor let anything happen to their families.So even if they had to cruelly separate mother of 3 from young heir or to throw and kick young childs .They didn't hesistate one but.
Before long the mother of 3 was beaten .Her right hand injured beyond repair .
"Oh right Grab that young girl .She is to become my Plaything when she grows up .from now on she can live as servant inside kaou clan Heheehe . Aren't you honoured sickly women "young heir laughed .
In response mothe of 3 body only twitched.
"Throw 3 of them far away .I don't want to see them anywhere near our clan "said young heir before going inside the clan doors .
The guards looked at the 3 miserable lives with cold eyes .They decided to throw them far from village inside the wilderness .
As for young girl she was thrown inside the clan doors .From now on she will never be able to get out of these doors .
********
1 and half day later .
The mother was sitting beside the tree , unable to move .Lei ting wanted to care for her .But he didn't know how to .He could only say .
"Don't cry .... Don't cry mother "
But mother's tears kept sliding .
At this time The eldest returned with some food and water .He brought the supplies from village .Only some elderlies were left in village .Rest villagers escaped to the other town & villages .As any time army could match on their little village .After that they will only meet bad end .But the eldest child didn't have enough smart to think about all this .He only worried his family .
After placing the things on floor .He clenched his fists in anger .Still turning cAlm .He tried to comfort mother .
"Mother don't worry .I will continue to practice the martial book father gave me .after that I will become increasingly strong .And I will even bring sister back "The young child tried to be serious & confidant in his tone .But how could mother not know it was Moreover who knows she will be alive till than .unless they had strength to go against kaou clan .Her daughter will never come back .
Thinking of her daughter .Mother cried out .
" Ziyan my daughter....my daughter.if only you weren't born from me "
Mother hugged the both child.
"If only you were born in better place .In a better family .You wouldn't have to suffer .You wouldn't have to live so miserable "mother cried as she patted both childs back .
Seeing her the both child cried .
*********
At night.
Lei ting's family was sleeping in wild .when they heard sound of rumble.small stones vibrated .
Countless rhythmic footsteps sounded .As horses thuded the ground .Mother of lei ting saw the enemy army marching from far .
She quickly hide together with the child .inside the lush grass in the wilderness .
Only after the Army left .They dared to lift their heads.
Hour later They saw from far.
village was being burned ,releasing smoke which reached heaven .it was hard to say if there were people alive in the wooden huts .If they were they too burned & died .some the better looking houses were looted thoroughly of any supplies.Some of the Elderly which didn't left the village 2 days ago were roughly grabbed and murdered mercilessly.And .Those who tried to flee became bloodied corpse in the wilderness.
The cries and screams sounded to the far places .
These scene shook them to the core .
But the strange thing was even after after burning the village .The army didn't march towards kaou clan residence.The area around the whole clan was intentionally ignored .
'why is there so much difference 'The eldest brother clenched his fist & gritted his teeth.
*********
3 months passed .
During 3 months .
Leiting and his family were living in hiding .But even than they dared not stay at any place for long .They lived in the wild forest far from the reach of humans .Only coming out of hiding at night to look for supplies & food .
Though they weren't living alone .As many others had been living in hiding .just like them far from human cities .Inside the forest in a stone cave .This place had become refuge for people to hide far from human settlements like town ,villages and cities .
But even than They couldn't rest their hearts .Some of the healthy people were always on the lookout for the army .For they knew once army discovered this place .A slaughter will happen and all of them will die .
Leiting's eldest brother had been practicing the moves from martial book his father gave him .Infact he had already learned everything from the yellow book and even mastered them .But even than he practiced it every day .It didn't matter whether he had eaten or not .whether it rained or thundered.Even if he had already mastered every posture ,every move shown in the book .He would always try to perfect it .
But it was also because he didn't knew what to do next . where to learn better moves & posture.He had no way to learn further .
Leiting too under his brother's guidance had started to practice martial moves depicted in yellow book . Though he still child he could go toe to toe with an adult ordinary men .
Suddenly both the brothers heard hacking coughs .
"Cough"
Cough
Cough
"Mother "Shouted both & ran towards their mother .
On a uneven stone floor .Their mother was laid on just a straw grass .The apperance of the mother had turned more sickly.she looked even more pale and lifeless by everyday .
But they couldn't do anything to change it .They had no medicine nor a doctor to treat her .
All they had was an old woman in the group of refugees with some little experience in illness .And she had already told them to harden their heart As Their mother would'nt live for long .
But they couldn't even think about it let alone see it happen .But yet they were helpless to do anything.
Others could only spoke empty words to comfort them .
The mother continued to cough .
"Water where is water "Eldest brother shouted.but the pot near them was empty .
"I will go bring water "shouted eldest and darted off to the water stream .
But seeing the dead bodies near the stream his hope was dashed .
"Today When we came .We found dead bodies of this animal .we suspect this stream has been poisoned.There is no water anymore .we have to change the location "said and Elderly man will hopeless look .
"Noo.But mother needs water .There must be Something else we can do . somewhere we can get the water from ."
"We have already checked nearby places .There is no water .Either we have to wait for rain or go ...." Elder didn't complete his words .'look for in the nearby town ' for it was equal to risking one's life .
Nearby settlements were already occupied by Opponent army .Even if they weren't occupied.There was low hope of getting something form town in these war times .
Every thing had turned precious in these war times .People were cautious & worry of strangers and there was nothing for free .
No to mention they didn't had money .
"But than what do I do "Eldest child cried .
"There is nothing we can do.unless the war ends .we can only wait in hiding . "said elder man with sigh .
*********
Leiting had heard everything.There was no water .And without water no one can live .
To live water was needed .Not only for mother but for others too .But they couldn't do anything to find water .
But thankfully he had heard And elderly woman talking about a place .where they could get water & food .
Even army wouldn't dare to touch these place .For it was place where cultivatiors gathered to drink and enjoy and till they dropped down drunk
It was 'Hunters tavern ' where he had heade to .
Along the way He was careful to not get seen by any army people .He had heard from others .if the army knew their whereabouts all of them will die . After hour of walking he was tired but he didn't stop till the Tavern came into his view .
"Mother ,brother wait for me .I will definitely water "Said leiting.
Before leiting entered he saw the inside scene from window .
The scene inside was joyous and intoxicated .
Everybody was drinking regardless of their occupation.The people inside carried weapon on them .Polished and sharp ,blunt and edgeless .
Suddenly the fight broke out .
Punches and kicks were thrown and each other .Perhaps it was hard to determine in their drunken state who they were fighting .
But regardless of who was infront of them .They were beaten .Some had teeth flying out of their mouth .Others bled from the opening of their previous wounds .Soon a winner emerged from them .A bearded muscle man just like barbarian and savages in the stories he had heard about .
Leiting was trembling his legs unable to move .How could he ask for water from these people .They will not give him anything.
He stood there .
Suddenly the old man gaze towards him .
Leiting felt as though a beast was ready to pounce on him .He fell down on his butt.
After some minutes he collected himself and ran to the hiding place .
A day passed .
The situation inside the refugees place was turning even dire .Regardless of their age everyone needed water .Even leiting's lips were dried out let alone others .
Some elders tried risking their lives to get water .But were soon denied by others .
The elders argued against each other with little strength.
Suddenly his mother stopped moving .only realeasing hoarse noises .seeing her fear gripped Leiting's heart .
Lei ting couldn't rest and see his mother dying .His brother was nowhere to see.so he had to do something .
So he again came to 'Hunter tavern '
Seeing the scene inside again made him afraid.
"If someone wants to drink in front of me .he must crawl first to show me respect " said bearded man while beating a strong hunter .After he sat on a high sitting chair.
Everyone looked at scene calm & serious as though it was normal .
Leiting tried to control his fear .After repeated trying he entered the Tavern .
"Please anyone help me .Give me water "
"Gahhh This is Tavern there is no water .ghhh"came a voice from corner .
"I just need drinkable please "leiting pleaded.
A man approached leiting .he kicked his legs .
"If you want to drink water you have to crawl first that is the rule here ."
Suddenly a chorus sounded .
"Crawl if you want to drink "
"Crawl like a dog "
"Crawl like a snakes "
"If you want to drink .you must crawl "
Leiting was skinny and weak from malnourishment and from travelling to here .He tried to crawl but in just two steps he fell down .No one showed him mercy .all of people resumed their drinking .
Bearded man sitting on high position trembled.coming down he lifted the child up and made him drink water .
Everyone inside was stunned .
Leiting felt recovered maybe because the water he drank was different .
"You are a courageous child"
Bearded man wanted to return to his position.He could see the dissatisfaction in their eyes .But he ignored it .
When he was about to sit down .
Someone placed the child on his position.(Implying that now that he lowered himself infront of child .The child was above him )
Bearded man didn't mind .when he was about to drink wine again.
Chorus sounded .
Crawl if you want to drink .
Crawl crawl if you want to drink crawl .
Everyone looked at him . Suddenly the position of top & bottom were reversed.if he wanted to drink .He had to crawl to the child .
Bearded man was angry why do he have to crawl .he was strong .strongest here .
He lifted his wine cup again.just when he was about to drink.His hand was grabbed .
He beat the grabbing person .Than another person caught him .
Soon he beat everyone up .only the child remain sitting .
"I....I need water .lot of water "
Bearded man lifted the child and brought him to back side .Grabbing a small 3 ft. barrel .He filled it from well water .
"Don't come here again.Even if you are courageous.This is a place .where people enjoy one moment and fight another moment .A child like you will die in a moment .unnoticed by others "said bearded man .
"I...want to be strong like you .so I can protect my family "said leiting embarrassed.He was already asking too much .The man had already helped him .But he couldn't help it .he wanted to be strong too.
"Come again and find me "said bearded man .
'There are too many miserable child's like this .How many you can help 'Bearded man sighed to himself .