Scars of the Past
Feng Wei maintained his respectful posture in front of his aunt, while a profound sadness consumed his heart. He decided to use his skills to manipulate the situation and gain his aunt's trust by sharing with her some of the traumas his predecessor had faced during his childhood, resulting from his mother's lack of love.
"I remember several occasions when I would visit my mother, hopeful to receive some affection and recognition," he said, his voice choked with painful memories. "I trained hard and learned sword techniques to impress her, but she always seemed too busy to pay attention to me. There were moments when I would showcase my progress, and she would barely look at me, as if I were invisible."
With a trembling voice, he continued his narrative:
"On one desperate occasion, I escaped into the dense forest that surrounded our sect. I believed that if I distanced myself enough, my mother would finally notice my absence and come find me. But what I found were lonely days, facing the relentless cold and the dangers of wild beasts."
"For seven whole days, I hid among the trees, afraid and hungry. The nights were especially terrifying, with howls echoing all around me. I fought against despair, waiting for the loving embrace that never came. My life hung by a thread, on the brink of the abyss of death, while I faced the hardships of the unforgiving wilderness that surrounded me relentlessly."
With tears in his eyes, Feng Wei felt a tightness in his chest as he shared his story with his aunt, questioning himself if he had exaggerated the play. Surprisingly, she agreed to help him heal his blocked meridians and remove emotional impurities. However, she presented two conditions, smiling tenderly as she spoke:
"Feng Wei, my dear nephew, I'm willing to help you heal your meridians, but I have two conditions. First, I will take care of our medicinal herb garden, and you will assist me in that task. Additionally, I would like you to give me massages to alleviate the pains I've been experiencing. It will also be a way for us to spend more time together. I can sense your loneliness, and I wish to be your company."
Feng Wei was surprised by his aunt's generosity and the love she demonstrated by offering him this opportunity to be together.
With a feigned shy smile, Feng Wei replied, "Aunt, I'm deeply grateful for your understanding and willingness to help me. I accept your conditions wholeheartedly. We will take care of the garden together, and I will provide you with the best massages I am capable of."
As Feng Wei conversed with his aunt, the shadow of a woman approached stealthily, observing the conversation between him and his aunt. It was one of the cultivators responsible for Feng Wei's protection.
In a grand hall, the sect leader and Feng Wei's mother received the news.
"Did he really say that?" she asked with an indifferent look and a pensive expression, as if remembering something.
She imagined the day when Feng Wei ran away.
Feng Wei distanced himself from the somber hall and walked towards the forest, seeking solace in his secret refuge. There, amidst the tall trees and timidly filtering sunbeams, his most faithful friend awaited him: the little bunny that always accompanied him. He sat on a fallen log, holding it tightly as tears trickled down his face.
"My dear companion," whispered Feng Wei sadly, "you are the only one who understands me. When my mother cast me aside, I was forced to flee to this forest, hoping she would come looking for me and embrace me, showing that she cared. But instead, I was left here alone, facing the perils of the night and the cutting cold."
For seven long days, Feng Wei struggled to survive. Wild beasts howled around him, hungry and ready to attack. The boy was exhausted and weak, with his heart filled with pain and despair. Yet, the will to live and the hope of being loved were the flames that still burned within him, propelling him to resist.
In the end, it was Feng Wei's determination that saved him. He found a safe clearing in the heart of the forest where the beasts didn't venture. Helpless and frozen, he was finally found by a group of sect disciples who brought him back to safety. Even after all he had endured, his longing for love and connection with his mother remained strong, despite the emotional scars his childhood had inflicted upon him. Until one day, something happened that completely changed his personality.
He had decided to capture his mother's attention by any means necessary. He had heard about an ancient rune dungeon that guarded a relic, the legendary Blood Necklace. It was said that whoever wore it would forever love the person who gifted it. As an innocent child, he believed in that legend and saw an opportunity to win his mother's love.
Feng Wei recalled with sadness the fateful day he decided to enter the dungeon. Deadly traps awaited around every corner, but his desperate desire for love blinded him to the imminent dangers. His loyal bunny, always by his side, followed him courageously, protecting him as best it could.
In the heart of the dungeon, Feng Wei finally found the Blood Necklace, but joy quickly turned into tragedy. Traps were triggered, throwing him into a fight for survival. The bunny, loyal and fearless, sacrificed itself to protect its friend, facing the traps in its place. For days, Feng Wei wept, holding the blood-stained necklace in his hands and embracing the lifeless body of his beloved friend.
In that moment of pain and loss, Feng Wei blamed his mother for not being there, for not giving the love and attention he so desired. He vowed to never seek her again, believing that she was responsible for his friend's death.
As Feng Wei distanced himself, carrying the burden of his emotional scars, his mother, the sect leader, found herself in her hall. Memories from the past flooded her mind as she remembered the day Feng Wei stopped searching for her.
Desperate and consumed by grief, Feng Wei fell to his knees, clutching the blood-stained necklace in his hands. He sobbed and screamed until his voice was lost, pleading for help to save his friend. His cries echoed through the forest, carrying with them the anguish of a boy who had lost the only true connection he had.
In the hall, the sect leader heard the distant echo of her son's cries. Her heart tightened even more, and an overwhelming sense of guilt washed over her.
A mixture of sadness and regret filled her heart, and a solitary tear rolled down her cheek. But the feeling was quickly extinguished as she recalled her dark past.