Lin Xiao was back in his 'house', deep in thought about a plan to get rid of the raiders.
He knew he had to strike at night to take advantage of his Shadow Steps skill, which would make him stronger and faster under the cover of darkness.
However, he was troubled by the cruelty of the raiders and wondered how he could deal with them without resorting to killing.
After a while of pacing and thinking, he finally came up with a plan. He quickly went to find Mei, who was still practicing her swordsmanship.
"Mei," he called out softly. She turned to him, her face set with determination. "I have a plan. We're going to deal with those raiders tonight."
Mei nodded, ready to follow his lead. Lin Xiao explained the details of his plan to her, outlining what they needed to do and how they were going to execute it. Mei listened intently, without missing a beat.
Soon, they found themselves on the mountain overlooking the raiders' camp once again. The moon was high, casting a silver light over the landscape.
Lin Xiao's heart pounded with a mix of fear and determination.
He knew the risks, but he also knew they had to act if they wanted to free the village from the raiders' tyranny and make himself safer for '3 days'.
Lin Xiao turned to Mei. "Remember, Follow the plan, and we'll succeed."
Taking a deep breath, Lin Xiao activated his Shadow Steps, feeling the surge of power and agility coursing through his body.
They began their descent towards the camp, moving swiftly and silently under the cover of darkness.
Lin Xiao led the way, weaving through the shadows with Mei close behind. They approached the camp from a side that was less guarded, making use of the terrain to stay hidden.
As they got closer, Lin Xiao could hear the raiders' drunken laughter and see the faint glow of their campfires.
He motioned for Mei to stay close as they crept towards the cages where the women and children were being held.
Lin Xiao's heart ached seeing their frightened faces, but he was confident they would be free soon.
Lin Xiao used his Memory Manipulation skill stealthily, creeping into the shadows and altering the memories of the raiders.
He made them believe they were his loyal men, turning them against each other. Chaos erupted in the camp as raiders attacked one another, their minds twisted by Lin Xiao's manipulations.
Meanwhile, Mei focused on the leader, a man named Guang.
The memory of the scars he had inflicted on her face and the pain he had caused fueled her anger and determination. She approached him, her sword at the ready.
"Well, well, if it isn't my little artwork," he mocked, gesturing to the scar on her face. "Come for another scar, have you?"
Mei's grip on her sword tightened, her knuckles white.
"You won't hurt anyone else," she said, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger.
The leader laughed, a cold, harsh sound. "You think you can stop me? You're just a weak, scarred pathetic girl."
But Mei stood her ground, her eyes blazing. "I may be scarred, but I am not weak. And I am not alone."
With a cry, she lunged at him, her sword flashing. The leader barely had time to react, parrying her blow with a sneer.
They clashed, sword against sword, the sound of metal ringing through the night.
Mei fought with everything she had, each strike fueled by the pain and anger of her past. The leader's taunts only made her stronger, his cruel laughter driving her forward. She was no longer the scared girl he had tortured; she was a warrior.
Mei's sword technique was still unrefined, and Guang's experience quickly became apparent. He taunted her with every missed strike, driving her back.
"You think you can beat me, girl? You were nothing then, and you're nothing now!"
With a wave of his hand, he drained the life force from his men to heal himself, laughing maniacally. "I'm an immortal now, Mei! You can't defeat me!"
Mei's frustration grew, but she remembered Lin Xiao's teachings. As she fought, she began to use her Memory Manipulation.
Each time she managed to touch Guang, she erased chunks of his memories. His mocking demeanor shifted to confusion as his mind started to unravel.
"What's... what's happening?" Guang stammered, his eyes losing their sharpness.
Guang's confidence began to waver as his mind became a jumbled mess. He swung his sword wildly, his once calculated attacks now disjointed and erratic.
Mei pressed on, exploiting every opening and continuing to erase his memories.
With each touch, Guang's eyes grew emptier, his movements slower.
The once proud and cruel leader was now a shell of himself. Mei felt a surge of empowerment as she saw the terror in his eyes, the realization that he was no longer in control.
Finally, Guang's eyes turned completely blank. He staggered, his strength gone, his mind shattered.
Mei seized the moment and drove her sword through his heart. He gasped, a look of disbelief and confusion on his face as he crumpled to the ground.
Mei stood over him, breathing heavily. Tears welled up in her eyes, She had finally avenged her suffering and freed the village from his tyranny, but in the end she had to use her powers.
...
...
Lin Xiao watched the entire battle. He was shocked at how she used her skill.
He approached her, and Mei noticed the majority of the raiders following behind him like obedient puppets.
Lin Xiao spoke confidently, "From now on, they will protect your village."
Mei nodded, her expression complex.
Together, they made their way back to the village, the dawn breaking behind them.
As they entered, the villagers were initially shocked and wary. They assumed that Lin Xiao and Mei had betrayed them, bringing the raiders back to finish what they had started.
One of the villagers shouted, "Traitors! You've brought them back to kill us all!"
Mei stepped forward, her voice strong and clear. "No, the leader is defeated now. The Great Immortal has preached and changed the ways of these raiders. They will protect us from now on."
The villagers' expressions shifted from fear to awe and disbelief.
Murmurs spread through the crowd as they tried to process what they were hearing.
Lin Xiao, observing Mei, realized that she was deliberately withholding the fact that she had superpowers and was the one who had killed the leader.
She wanted the villagers to believe in the myth of the immortal, rather than revealing her own transformation.
One of the elders, his voice trembling, asked, "Is it true, Mei? The leader is truly gone?"
Mei nodded, "Yes, he is gone. We are safe now."
Lin Xiao was impressed by her composure and the way she handled the situation.
He stepped forward and added, "The raiders will serve as your protectors. They will ensure that no harm comes to this village again."
The villagers, still in shock, slowly began to accept what they were hearing. Some fell to their knees, thanking the "immortal" for his mercy and protection.
Others cautiously approached the raiders, who stood quietly, their previous aggression now absent.
As the village slowly returned to a state of cautious optimism, Lin Xiao and Mei walked away from the crowd.
Mei sighed, relieved but also burdened by the responsibility she had taken on. "Thank you, Lin Li," she said softly. "For everything."
Lin Xiao smiled, "We did it together, Mei. The village is safe because of you,"
Mei nodded, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Lin Li. I will remember that."
Feeling the weight of exhaustion, Lin Xiao began to make his way back to his 'house'.
The events of the day had drained him both mentally and physically, and he longed for some rest.
As he walked, he noticed the sun was starting to rise, casting long shadows across the village.
Just then, a system notification appeared in front of him, hovering in the air like a ghostly reminder:
[Days Survived 1/3]