"It's me" an icy voice sounded before the door was open. A great beauty with mature charm was present in the line of vision of Ming Rui.
The latter looked at her flatly " It's time huh".
"Exactly, it has been five years till date. Now that your son has grown up, it is time for you to fulfill your promise" Aunt Shu responded as a matter of fact.
Meng Rui was reminded of the painful memories from the past.
The Ye clan is a medical faction in Henji city which deals with all types of herbs and medicine. They have a wide range of talents cultivated from a young age. Every ten years, three cities nearby Henji shall send some supervisors to conduct assessments in the four prominent fields. In addition to the martial arts, medical and strategist profession there is also weapons making.
The young seedlings who get selected can take an entourage of five people with them to the respective cities. Ye Guang the young master of the Ye clan main branch was fourteen years then and was qualified to move to Sho city.
Ye Guang was quite the arrogant guy being pampered since he was a kid and had an average talent compared to the other geniuses. This dissatisfied him and caused to distort his nature to being lascivious and hot tempered.
In order to select his entourage, he was only looking for both talented and beautiful time. When the convoy has come last time, Ye Guang travelled to this place.
Ming Shin being one year old, his mother had stayed back in Juuko avoiding the hustle and bustle while her husband was busy in managing the event affairs at Pitu village.
Ye Guang being the lustful guy sneaked out in search of beautiful women. He happened to kick a hut open arrogantly when he caught sight of Ming Rui breastfeeding her son.
A porcelain skin that of a doll and that elegant temperament with such bodily curves. Though Ming Rui quickly covered herself after panicking, the sight of the jade shuang and lotus waist made Ye Guang's eyes red.
He pounced upon her like a beast while the latter tried to find an object to defend herself while screaming. Aunt Shu who was the guard then of Ye Guang quietly followed to protect him, but this scream made her break into the house.
Applying a little bit of her might, she restrained the man. "Why do you stop me Ning Shu?" he bellowed.
"Come back to your senses young master. Don't lose the clan's face !!" Ming Shu glared at this impudent rascal while signaling Ming Rui to calm down.
"Phew !! Fine, I'm taking her to be one of of my entourage" Ye Guang compromised but had some other thoughts, How can Ning Shu not know what his evil thoughts are.
A lot of people crowded around and Ning Shu dragged Ye Guang out not cause more attention to it. That night when Ming Jian was made aware of the things, his temper flared out.
Ning Shu came alone next day to take Ming Rui as the young master's follower where she met a strange man. His eyes seemed to be smiling, but she was suddenly felt as if a thunderbolt.
What is this man? How come, there's such powerful people in such remote place. I can't move !!
Ming Rui dissuaded "Husband, I don't think she is a bad person".
"Or else? You think she can still be alive? Where is that scum?" Ming Jian reduced his intensity a bit to let Ning Shu answer.
The latter replied with difficulty " W-Who are y-you cough" with her heart being stuffy as if gripped tight.
"Are you sure, you want to know?" Ming Jian smiled while the latter shuddered and couldn't even have the strength to process anything.
"Dear, you should stop. Don't make this thing any big and attract unwanted attention" Ming Rui solemnly warned.
Ming Jian twitched and let go the pressure which Ning Shu just fell soft. She thought she was going to be killed for sure. Listening to their dialogue, she seemed to discern something.
"The young master is a lunatic. I can stop him now, but I cannot do anything when the clan intervenes" Ning Shu was helpless and looked bleak about her own future.
"Are you saying that I should send my wife to that beast as a follower?" Ming Jian was an inch away from crushing Ning Shu to a pulp.
"You're wrong, five years....I can fight for five years. Ye Guang should immediately leave for Sho city. I can g-give an excuse to the Ye clan and wait for five years". Ning Shu replied with fear.
"What happens after five years?" the former whispered like a devil.
"Don't worry, since Ye Guang will not be at Ye clan, she only needs to be of use to the Ye clan and gain enough recognition. I will make sure of her safety!! " the latter replied with all the will power she had.
"Just by you?" Ming Jian mocked her condescendingly. Ning Shu was already a strong foundation realm expert then but as weak as a lamb in front of this man.
"Alright Ming Jian, this is unavoidable. I believe this is the best for us" Ming Rui looked at him and her son with affection.
Ming Jian clenched his fists " Remember it, should anything in the slightest happen to my wife, there shall be no Ye clan or it's roots" casually replied.
Ning Shu did not feel it as any exaggeration. She was somehow sure that this man could do it and fear seeped right in her heart.
Remembering this, both of them were silent for a while. "This time I requested the clan lord to take you as Miss Ye Ling's follower. She might try to put on some airs, but actually just a naughty girl" Aunt Shu sounded to convince her.
Ming Rui was a bit relieved after hearing it "I shall return with you" her tone was quivering looking at her son. The former also held quite some appreciation for the boy's performance earlier.
'A tiger father doesn't have a dog son' huh Ning Shu thought.
She took out a bottle of pills " This is Ni yuan dan. It is most crucial phase when transforming your bones and this will help is strengthening him" and offered to to Ming Rui.
The latter worked hard to study the medical field path to gain quick foothold in the Ye clan these five years. But looks like I still do not how to make these pills. She quietly reached out for them and put it in her robes.
After the incident fiver years ago, Ming Rui applied some herbs to look herself as an average woman with not so ugly face but where can she hide her contours.
"I'll be waiting then" Ning Shu quietly left.
Ming Rui just stared blankly imagining her son without a mother's love in the coming days and how much would she miss him. 'But all of this is to keep our family safe' she mumbled to herself.
A pair of eyes had been keeping an eye on the situation here ever since Ning Shu arrived. Those eyes contained pain, helplessness and also infinite anger.
Early in the morning of the third day when the sun just shone in the east. Ming Shin twitched and opened his eyes with difficulty. After adjusting to it, he felt he could see clearly and the swellings on the face were gone.
His hand was being held by Ming Rui. He felt warm and had a sour nose 'Mom did not even rest properly all night'. Noticing the movement, the latter woke up to see that her son woke up and was all teary eyed.
"Look who's crying up so early? Didn't you say that you would be so strong, stronger than everyone and protect me?" Ming Rui teased.
Shin rolled back his tears " Definitely" though it was a bit hoarse.
Ming Rui immediately took him to her bosom and hugged him tight. Tears fell down quickly as pearls at the very thought of being away from her precious jewel.
She replied in a choked voice " Y-Yes, mother will wait for you to be strong".
Ming Jian who was outside was looking at the sky with red eyes.
After properly arranging Shins clothes, she told him to get ready for the medical assessment.
Ming Shin jumped out and went to get ready. Only then did he notice that he seemed to be stronger. Upon closer inspection, he found out that he had already broken through Level 8 warrior.
Woww, now if I fight with Tai Xun, I'm confident to at least fight him to a draw. The eight layer warrior is not even my opponent.
'Now I shall pass today's exam and go to Henji to become even stronger' Ming Shin was excited. But immediately he felt sad that he might have to leave his parents.
"Such is martial way Shin. There are many people who are detached to such family matters and relationships. Everyone has their own way to comprehend martial arts. Carve out your own way Shin" he remembered his father once spoke as such.
'My own path, I shall move forward and when I'm strong enough, I will move my parents to the place where I am' Shin strengthened his will.