The morning sun poured through my window. Another day had dawned, bringing with it new hopes and aspirations. It was the day of the second trial to become a disciple at Mount Hua Sect.
Fei Fei and I had to wake up early so as not to be late for the trial. We walked down the mountains, both dressed in white robes with pink lining, and in our hands, we held swords as Luli followed us.
We were already one meter away from the inn before encountering something shocking.
"She's a pregnant woman, we should help," yelled Fei Fei, rushing over to assist the woman as soon as she sighted her.
It seemed like they had been robbed by thieves, as the servants guarding the carriage were killed along with the maids.
"Please help me," said the woman, wincing in pain, as tears rolled down her cheeks freely.
"We should go, or else you'll be late for the second trial. Someone else can help her," whispered Luli to both of us, who seemed to be lost in our emotions.
"We can't let her die here," said Fei Fei, to which I nodded. We both helped the woman up and took her to a nearby hut.
"I'm sure someone is staying here, but he's not around," said Fei Fei after studying the insides of the hut. She rested the woman on the bed before turning to me.
"We need a doctor. Go and get a doctor immediately," I ordered Luli, to which she obeyed as she quickly left the hut.
The mountain was quite far from the capital city. I just hoped Luli would be able to get the doctor here in time.
"My baby is coming, please help!!!" screamed the pregnant woman in pain.
"She'll be here soon, I promise. Just hang in there a bit longer," I said, patting her on her back to calm her down.
"Why isn't she here by now?" asked Fei Fei worriedly, as she walked around in circles, her hand placed on her forehead in frustration.
"It's been over an hour, and Luli isn't back. What could be wrong?" I thought.
"Don't push until the doctor arrives, please. Just save your energy," Fei Fei pleaded, as she looked at the pregnant woman who was already getting weak.
"It's painful!" cried the pregnant woman, with tears rolling down her cheeks.
"I don't think she can endure the pain any longer, and if this continues, we might lose her," said Fei Fei, her gaze fixed on me with worry.
"We should try. I've watched different movies about childbirth. I can just give it a try," I said, making Fei Fei scrunch her face at me in confusion.
"I'll help her give birth. We can't just watch her die."
"Are you sure?" asked Fei Fei worriedly.
"We can't allow her to die. She's already getting weak, which is dangerous for her and the unborn baby," I replied. I went to the pregnant woman, who was lying on the bed tiredly.
"There is a kitchen outside with firewood. You can go out and boil some hot water. Also, there are some clothes on the wires outside. Kindly get them here, and yes, pass me that pair of scissors," I instructed, to which Fei Fei complied.
After some minutes, she was finally back with some hot water, which I mixed with a little bit of cold water to reduce the temperature. I placed the napkins and scissors in it to soak.
"Madam, I really need your cooperation. You have to push when I ask you to," I encouraged, with my gaze fixed upon her. She nodded.
"Push!!!" This routine continued as the woman pushed when instructed, and Fei Fei kept massaging her forehead with a warm napkin.
After a few minutes, I could see the baby's head...
"Push!!" I screamed again, and finally, the baby's head was out, followed by the body.
"It's a baby girl," said Fei Fei excitedly, as she watched me clean the little treasure carefully with some wet napkins and wrapped her in a dry cloth before handing her over to the mother, who was extremely happy.
"She's beautiful," Fei Fei commented on the baby's appearance, but we were soon distracted by Luli, who appeared with a man beside her.
"You're just coming? I don't even know what to say to you," I yelled angrily.
"It's my house you're bringing me to, after all," said the man who stood beside her.
"Your house??" asked Fei Fei.
"Yeah, you're all in my house. Anyways, let me check on the mother," he said, as he checked the mother's pulse, ensuring everything was fine.
"You're also a doctor? Thank goodness. We'll leave the mother and baby in your care now. We really have to go," said Fei Fei, as she dragged me along with her.
"There's no point going to the trial. I'm sure they are done by now," said Luli, as we ignored her and ran all the way to the Mount Hua Sect.
Fei Fei and I were surprised to see all the participants still present at Mount Hua.
"What's going on here?" asked Fei Fei.
"Are they done, or better still, haven't they started?" I asked, facing her with thousands of questions written all over my face.
The trial coordinator appeared in front of us, fully dressed in a blue robe, as he addressed us with a smile.
"Congratulations to the winners," said the trial coordinator with a smile.
"Darn it! We're late after all," I said sadly, with Fei Fei looking equally sad.
"We haven't done anything. You've only kept us waiting," yelled one of the participants angrily, as Fei Fei looked at me surprised.
Other participants started to arrive too, as I looked at them in confusion, including Fei Fei.
"What's going on here?" I thought, with no one to answer my question.
"As we all know, the second trial is to test your kindness towards the weak ones. The trial had already started before you all even got to the Mount Hua gate."
"What is he saying?" asked a lady angrily.
"Are they really joking with us or what?" said another.
"You all must have come across some people in need of your assistance along the way. Only those who helped passed this trial, and they are the ones who have been confirmed to have passed the trial. Those of you who have been waiting in the sect since morning failed the second trial, so kindly leave the premises," said the trial coordinator.
What??? We passed?? I thought, my brows raised at Fei Fei, who smiled happily.
"This is not fair," said a man.
"How are we supposed to know it was our test?" said another.
"Please leave the premises before you get dragged out by the guards," commanded the trial coordinator with a serious tone, making the failed participants leave in a hurry before they got dealt with.
Only 30 participants passed the second trial, including Muyang, Mimi, and the other nerd guy, Yu Ming, I thought with a smile, as Muyang and Mimi waved at me happily.
"Please open the golden gate," said the trial coordinator, and behold, the big golden gate was opened.
"The third trial starts now, which could take days, months, or even a year," stated the trial coordinator.
I'm glad I passed the second trial, but what the heck? How will I inform Luli about not coming home for a year? I thought, and I could see the same worries written on the other participants' faces.