Escaping Heaven
The courtyard fell silent as Wen Shia froze, his sword raised but completely immobile. A wave of shock rippled through the onlookers as Xiang, her eyes blazing with a mix of sorrow and determination, whispered an incantation under her breath. A faint, shimmering aura surrounded Wen Shia, and his rigid form began to relax. Slowly, he turned, now fully under Xiang's control.
Gasps erupted from the crowd. The Heavenly God stepped forward, his voice stern and filled with disbelief. "Xiang, what are you doing? Controlling your master like this is not only dishonorable but unforgivable. Release him at once, or you will lose everything!"
Xiang laughed coldly, her voice sharp and defiant. "Lose everything? Haven't I already lost enough? You've all labeled me as a villain—so now, I'll show you just how villainous I can be. Yes, Wen Shia is my master, but if the world insists on casting me as the enemy, then I'll trouble him as one."
Her gaze softened briefly as she turned to Wen Shia. "Master, clear the way for us. We're leaving."
Wen Shia, his sword gleaming in the faint light, stepped forward. The guards hesitated, fear flashing in their eyes. They knew that facing Wen Shia in combat was a death sentence. The Heavenly God stood powerless, watching as Xiang and Wen Shia walked away from the sacred grounds.
"You will regret this, Xiang," the Heavenly God called after them, his voice echoing across the courtyard. "Wen Shia will hate you for this. He will never forgive you."
Xiang didn't look back. "Then so be it," she whispered, her voice steady but her heart heavy with unspoken grief.
---
Arrival in the Village
After fleeing Heaven, Xiang and Wen Shia eventually arrived at a remote, impoverished village. Its simplicity stood in stark contrast to the grandeur they had left behind. As they entered, a group of wary villagers approached them.
"Are you refugees?" one of the elders asked, his tone cautious.
Xiang nodded respectfully. "We're just looking for a place to live. I can work hard and help in exchange for a roof over our heads. We mean no harm."
The elder scrutinized her carefully, his sharp gaze unwavering. "What is your name? Why have you come here? If you seek trouble, leave now. But if you truly desire peace and are willing to help, we might let you stay."
Xiang replied earnestly, "My name is Xiang. I've come here to live in peace, not to fight. This is my friend, and we only need a place to stay. In return, I promise to help the village however I can."
After a long pause, the elder nodded. "Very well. Follow me."
He led them to a small, modest hut on the outskirts of the village. It was simple and bare, with two small rooms and a few scattered kitchen utensils. Though far from luxurious, it was shelter.
Xiang stepped inside, a small smile on her lips. "Thank you for offering us such a kind place to stay," she said sincerely. She glanced at Wen Shia, noting his hesitation. "Master, this might not be what you're used to, but from now on, this is our home," she teased gently.
Reluctantly, Wen Shia followed her inside. Without wasting a moment, Xiang began tidying up. "Let's clean this place up first," she said with determination. Together, they scrubbed, swept, and organized until the humble hut felt more like a home.
By the end, though still simple, the house was cleaner and cozier. Wen Shia, despite his initial reluctance, seemed slightly less displeased.
---
Adjusting to Village Life
Life in the village was unlike anything Wen Shia had ever known. Xiang quickly adapted to the rhythm of rural life, helping the villagers fetch water, chop firewood, and mend roofs. Wen Shia, still under her control, reluctantly participated in the tasks, his unease slowly giving way to quiet observation.
Meals became a shared ritual. One evening, Xiang proudly presented a simple dinner of spinach soup and handmade noodles. "It's not much," she said with a triumphant smile, "but it's warm and filling. Let's eat."
Wen Shia hesitated, his refined palate unaccustomed to such humble fare, but eventually, he ate in silence. Over time, he began to adapt, finding an odd comfort in the simplicity of their new life.
For Xiang, however, the weight of her actions loomed large. She relished the peace of village life and the satisfaction of honest work, but a shadow hung over her. She knew this fragile tranquility couldn't last forever. The choices she had made in Heaven, the powerful enemies she had defied—they would catch up with her sooner or later.
For now, though, Xiang clung to the fleeting solace of the present, treasuring the moments of normalcy as she sought clarity in her conflicted heart.