I wonder how many days are left for the third trial to end. How many more days of hard work? I thought as I took a shower and tossed in bed with no one to answer my questions until I fell asleep.
"I woke up to the sound of beating drums. Who the hell is disturbing me from my sleep?" I lamented, only to open my eyes and behold the old lady, who was more like the evil stepmother, and Master Xiao Yan standing beside her.
"Get up, you lazy brat!" she yelled at the top of her voice.
"What exactly do you want from me? Can't I have a peaceful day, ma'am?" I said weakly, now turning my back against her and covering my face with the duvet.
"Your masters are awake, but here you are, sleeping peacefully like a baby. Will you get up now?!" she yelled, now throwing hundreds... is it a hundred? or thousands of clothes at me.
"What exactly do you want from me?" I said angrily, now standing up.
Thank God I was already dressed before this woman came in with this man called Xiao Yan, all thanks to Mom, who always advised me that ladies should always put on clothes before sleeping, and not nighties but trousers or any cloth covering, I thought with a frown plastered on my face.
"Those are senior disciple clothes. Wash them by the stream, only then will you have breakfast," said the old lady.
"What?! I should wash all these, like what the heck?" I yelled as I inspected the clothes one by one.
"Yes, that's your duty for today. Hurry up and get to work," she said with seriousness in her tone.
These people are really testing my patience. I'm not a washing machine. Even a washing machine would break down at the sight of these clothes.
"You are a terrible cook, so I asked the chef to prepare the seniors and juniors' disciple food. All you can do now is wash clothes, and you better wash them well. Junior disciple Xiao Yan will show you the way to the stream," she said, and was about to take her leave.
"Ma'am, I'm not a maid. Just have to remind you that I'm going to become a junior disciple after the last trial," I said while she paused to give me an audience.
"Become a disciple first, but before then, do the chores, and we'll see if you're really going to become one of the Mount Hua sect or if you're going to be kicked out," she said sarcastically, after which she took her leave, now leaving me alone with Master Xiao Yan.
"Follow me, I'll show you the way," said Xiao Yan, now leading the way while I followed him, carrying the clothes with his assistance.
The stream is a little bit far from the Zhang Han quarters. I've gotten sore legs just from the distance, now feeling terribly tired.
"Here we are. You can go ahead and wash here. I'll come back in two hours to get you," said Xiao Yan, after which he made an exit until he was out of sight.
I'm the only one at the stream after all. Not a single day passes without some strenuous work, I thought as I sat down dejectedly on the ground with my legs dipped inside the stream water.
"Mom! I miss you. I really want to come back home. I'm tired," I yelled, now throwing some tantrums like a toddler.
Noises of people's chattering could be heard from a distance as I raised my head up, only to see Feifei, Mimi, and Muyang, and other participants under Sword Master and Earth Master, also carrying a basket full of clothes, as they all stood across the stream.
"Feifei!" I yelled upon seeing her, as I ran all the way to her, giving her a big hug with tears rolling down my cheeks freely.
"How are you? I've missed you so much. Never thought I would meet you here. We're not allowed to go out, only for today," said Feifei with a broad, beautiful smile on her face.
"Yes! Our masters are not strict in other places, only for going out. We're only here today because of our chores. We have some laundry to do, you know," said Mimi.
"You are also here to wash clothes? Who are you washing with?" asked Muyang, pointing to the mountain of clothes across the stream.
"It's only me. I'm the only disciple, after all," I replied sadly.
Pardon...
"You're washing all these yourself? Did you offend your master already?" asked Mimi.
"That's not good. Your master is too strict. No wonder there aren't many disciples under Sect Leader Taiyuan," said Feifei scornfully.
"Even though our masters banned us from certain things, he's still caring. We eat and sleep on time. We communicate with other disciples. It's just fun being under him," said Mimi with a smile on her face.
"I haven't eaten anything good since yesterday. That bastard Zhang Han is really stressing me out. Even a baby doesn't wear this many clothes!" I yelled at the sight of the clothes lying on the floor.
"Bastard? Are you allowed to call your senior disciple that? No wonder you've been given a hard task. Your mouth is responsible for your sufferings," said Muyang as he shook his head in pity.
"You!" I yelled, ready to strike Muyang, but was soon held back by Feifei.
"Leave him alone, Hua. He doesn't belong to the Master of Sword Disciple. I and Mimi will help you. Here! Here is a cake," said Feifei as she handed over some osmanthus cakes to me.
"Really? But you also have laundry to do," I said with a sad look.
"It's okay. Others will handle that. Let us help you since you're the only disciple selected for Senior Disciple Zhang Han," said Mimi with a hug.
"The third trial will end tomorrow anyway. Today is the last day of our sufferings," exclaimed Muyang excitedly.
"What? Tomorrow? How come I don't know about that?" I asked, looking all confused.