Yu Lin grimaced as she felt the king ape’s claw tear through her right shoulder. If it had been a normal person, then that person’s arm would’ve been ripped off their body.

“KEEEKKK!” Yu Lin heard the king ape squeal. She glanced back to see the king ape hitting his hand that now had a couple droplets of Yu Lin’s blood on it. Yu Lin turned her attention back to Nie Fu.

“Are you alright?” she asked and he looked at like a child and nodded. “Are you su-” Yu Lin stopped as a gust of wind blew towards her face and something caught her nose. She looked at Nie Fu’s robe and pulled it towards her nose.

“Huh? M-master?” Nie Fu exclaimed but Yu Lin ignored him as she sniffed some more of his cloak as she pulled it around. Her eyes narrowed as she found the source of the scent. ‘Koogi Lust… this scent is Koogi Lust,’ she thought. She looked back at Nie Fu and glared at him for a moment before pulling his cloak off of him. “Wah! Master! Wh-what are you doing?!”

In the meantime a robe appeared in her hand from her endless bracelet and she wrapped that one around herself and tied it around her waist before pulling on Nie Fu’s cloak. She observed the apes and saw that their whole attention was now on the cloak that she was holding. Yu Lin slowly moved away from Nie Fu and the rest as she watch the apes. The king ape looked up from his hand and his eyes burned with fury at Yu Lin. He raised his pointer finger up and pointed at Yu Lin.

“KEEEEEKKK!” he squealed and the apes all roared with him as they all started to run towards her. In that moment a sword appeared into Yu Lin’s right hand as she held the sword in front of her.

“HYAA!” screamed an ape as it jumped towards Yu Lin first and Yu Lin swung her sword at an upwards motion at the ape. The ape dodge the attack, but Yu Lin wasn’t done yet as she leapt up into the air and started diving down. She slice at the ape with a circular motion and the ape let out a yelp as it went down.

Yu Lin jumped off that ape as two others jumped at her and kicked one of them while extending her body and slicing the other one with her sword. They both let out a yelp as they fell down and the other one jumped up to grab Yu Lin. Yu Lin twisted her body as she moved her sword in a zigzag direction at a fast pace, cutting through the apes claws, and hands. The ape screamed out in pain as Yu Lin sliced off its arm and it fell to the floor along with the others. Yu Lin landed on the floor and clenched her teeth as she grabbed onto her right shoulder. Sweat trickled down her face as she panted for her breath.

She looked up to see that the only one still standing was the king ape. She took in a deep breath as she picked her sword up and pointed it at the ape. The ape yelled as it ran towards her with all its might. Yu Lin pushed herself up with her legs as she turned a full circle in the air towards the ape. The ape reached out to lash at her and at that moment Yu Lin ripped of Nie Fu’s cloak and threw it at the ape, blinding him. The ape snarled at the cape before wrapping his hands around it and tearing at it ferociously. Yu Lin landed on the ground and watched as the king ape lick the cloak and started to chew away at parts of it.

“I was right,” Yu Lin muttered, “what kind of bastard would do this?” she hissed under her breath. Yu Lin took in a sharp breath before walking up to the king ape and she pointed her sword at him. She took in a deep breath before bringing her sword down. The ape let out a small cry as it fell and died. Yu Lin picked up what was left of the cloak and set it on fire. She dropped it and it also lit the king ape on fire, and not before long only ashes and bones were left.

“Hey! M-my cloak!” Nie Fu cried out.

“You won’t need it anymore,” Yu Lin said as she turned to look at them. The elves looked at her with disgust. Her classmates just looked at her wide-eyed, and Zhi Shu showed no expression on his face. Yu Lin’s sword disappeared back into her endless bracelet. She looked in the village to see that there didn’t seem to be anymore apes chasing after her. She turned and bowed to Zhi Shu.

“I will see you back at the academy, Teacher Li,” she said as she turned around.

“Yu Lin!” Zhi Shu yelled out. “What about your shoulder?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Yu Lin said before leaping away.

-

Mei Rong saw everything and she swallowed hard before running back to He Lan.

She reached He Lan and saw that they had taken care of everything on this side. She looked at him with a conflicted expression. She watched as he saw her and ran to her.

“How is it? Is everything alright on that side?” He Lan asked. She gave him a smile and nodded.

“Someone already took care of everything,” she replied.

“Someone? Who?”

“The new… healer student.”

“Really? They must be skilled to be able to do so!”

“Un,” Mei Rong nodded.

“Who is it? Did you ask for their name?”

“N-no… I don’t know…” Mei Rong lied.

“What are you two love birds doing?! We still need to help clean up some of the mess!” Jin Long yelled and Mei Rong nodded as they walked up to him.

-

Yu Lin found a secluded cave on her way back and she stopped in there. She crumpled some dried leaves and left them at the entrance to ward off demon beasts. After that she walked inside the cave and pulled off the blood soaked robe as a candle appeared in front of her. She lit the candle and then started to strip off her clothing. She clenched her teeth as she pulled each piece of clothing off. By Yu Lin there was a small bush of greens growing. When her blood touched the bush it shriveled up and died.

Yu Lin sat crossed leg and placed her hands on her knees. She closed her eyes as she started to heal her cut by moving her chi energy to her shoulder.

-

After about fifteen minutes Yu Lin opened her eyes and let out a sigh. A bucket and small bowl appeared in front of her and she began to wash off her shoulder along with her clothes. She washed off her robe first and as she picked up her cloak she stopped. She brought her cloak up to her nose and she smelt it.

“Koongi… lust… on me?” she furrowed her eyebrows and gritted her teeth. “So… I was the target… not Su Nie Fu… that explains a lot,” Yu Lin’s red eyes started to burn, “Dragon Lair? If you want me dead… then don’t blame me for anything that happens…” Yu Lin’s voice was as sharp as a sword.

-

Yu Lin reached the gates of Jongan academy after she finished washing and sewing her clothes back together. She reached the gates and the guards stopped her.

“Why are you back alone?” they asked.

“Because I had to find a way back myself. My teacher should already be back already,” she answered.

“But your teacher and the rest of the group has not come back yet,” the guards replied. Yu Lin pursed her lips together. It had taken her two hours to travel back because she had stopped. By that time the rest of them should have already returned.

“Really?”

“Really,” the guards answered. Yu Lin looked at them with doubtful eyes as she stood there in silence.

“Let her pass,” Zhi Shu’s voice rang out from behind her and she turned around to see him along with her class, and a few of the elves.

“Yes!” the guards said as they bowed. Yu Lin bowed to Zhi Shu as he walked up to her.

“Rise,” he said and she did so. She looked to see that none of the Martial Artists students were there, and Sheisa was also not there.

“Where are the others, Teacher Li?” Yu Lin asked.

“They will all be returning back soon,” Zhi Shu explained. Yu Lin nodded her head before following Zhi Shu onto the platform.

All of the students stood in a line in the courtyard as Zhi Shu walked back and forth in front of them.

“Today,” Zhi Shu’s voice was calm, “we faced great danger, however, thanks to one of our students no one got injured,” Zhi Shu stopped in front of Yu Lin, “since the day has been long you may all go rest, except for you, Yu Lin. Follow me,” Zhi Shu said as he turned around.

“Yes, Teacher Li.”

Yu Lin entered Zhi Shu’s office and closed the door behind her as Zhi Shu took a seat in his chair. Yu Lin walked up to his desk and bowed.

“What do you need me for, Teacher Li?” she asked. Zhi Shu looked her up and down before he stroked his long beard.

“How long have you been practicing for martial arts?”

“Since a long time ago… I don’t remember,” Yu Lin replied. Zhi Shu glanced at her shoulder for a moment as he continued to stroke his beard.

“Then tell me… why does your blood smell like the Insuda flower?” Zhi Shu’s got straight to the point. Yu Lin froze for a moment. She had expected that Zhi Shu would find out after her injury, but she did not know that he would confront her so fast.

“I do not understand,” Yu Lin lied with a straight face, “what does Teacher Li mean by this?” she watched Zhi Shu’s hand fly up before he smacked the table.

“Don’t lie to me! Tell me the truth!” he yelled. Yu Lin balled her fist as she continued to look him straight in the eyes.

“I do not understand. What does Teacher Li mean by this?” she asked again, her words colder than before. One of Zhi Shu’s eye twitch as he looked at her. The two of them seemed to battle with their eyes before Zhi Shu let out a frustrated breath.

“Alright. You don’t want to tell me, that’s alright. I won’t dig any further. Go!” Zhi Shu turned his back towards Yu Lin.

“Thank you, Teacher Li. Goodnight, Teacher Li,” Yu Lin gave him a bow before walking back to her room.

Yu Lin closed her door and she looked at her room. She observed the whole room to make sure that not a thing was out of its place before she walked out to her own bath. She stripped and enter the bath allowing its warmth to embrace her. She thought about the day’s event and let out a breath. ‘Even if you a friend in my last life… in this life, you could be foe. Sorry, Zhi Shu,’ she thought to herself as she leaned back in her bath.

-

Yu Lin opened her eyes as she heard a knock on her door. She quickly pulled on her uniform before opening the door. She saw Yang Yang standing there with a worried look on her face.

“Are you alright?” Yang Yang asked. Yu Lin looked around to see no one behind and she stepped out of her room.

“I’m alright. What brings you here?” Yu Lin asked.

“I came to check up on you. I saw how you protected Nie Fu yesterday and… I saw how much you got hurt. I was worried,” Yang Yang said.

“Why are you worried? Are we friends?”

“W-we… we might not be friends… but I will still worry for a classmate of mine. Besides, you helped saved all of us. How could I not be worried?” Yang Yang looked down. “I… I am sorry too… I thought you were short and weak… I didn’t expect for you to be so strong… sorry,” Yang Yang gave Yu Lin an apologetic smile. Yu Lin looked at her fingers for a moment before just nodding.

“It’s alright. I don’t mind,” she said. Yang Yang’s smiled turned bright.

“Then, shall we go eat breakfast together? I will show you around!” Yang Yang proposed. Yu Lin looked at with no expression yet thoughts raced in her head. ‘Was it you? Are you just pretending to be kind so you can gain my trust? Did you put that Koongi Lust on me yesterday?’

“Yu Lin? What’s wrong? Are you not hungry?” Yang Yang asked. Yu Lin shook her head.

“No. Let’s go,” she said and Yang Yang gave her a big smile as the two headed to the cafeteria together.

-

The two sat down by each other to eat and Yang Yang looked ecstatic as she stared down at the food on her tray.

“I’m so happy! I always wanted to eat breakfast with someone but…I… I am not that popular here. So… hehe,” Yang Yang gave out an empty laugh. “But, things will be different. I have you! Let’s become friends! I promise that if you become friends with me I will never betray you!” Yang Yang said sternly. Yu Lin just looked at her, debating about what to do.

“Look, Yamanaru! The fat pig and a low life creature are having breakfast together! I guess they know their own kind after all!” Qian Su cackled as she approached them, fanning herself. Yu Lin looked up at her. ‘Is it you?’ she thought. She knew it wasn’t Yamanaru for Yamanaru did not even touch her yesterday so she ignored him. Qian Su glared at her.

“Who do you think you are to be staring at me for so long?!” she yelled. Yu Lin looked down at her food and picked up her chopsticks. She began to eat and Yang Yang followed her. “Don’t ignore you low life creature!” Qian Su yelled as she grabbed the corner of Yu Lin’s tray and tried to flip it up. Yu Lin pushed it down with her fingers as she looked up at her.

“Stop,” Yu Lin warned, “while I am still being kind, stop,” Yu Lin hissed. She watched as Qian Su swallowed hard before backing away.

“Don’t tell me what to do! You are lucky that today I am tired, or else I would have ended you already!” she screamed as she stomped away and Yamanaru followed her. Yu Lin paid her no attention as she continued eating her food.

-

After breakfast, Yu Lin and Yang Yang parted ways after Yang Yang told her that today was a free day. Yu Lin wanted to read and Yang Yang wanted to go out to buy sweets.

Yu Lin headed to the white section’s library and in there she saw Chen Hua checking out books. Chen Hua noticed her and smiled. ‘Or… is it you?’ Yu Lin thought as she gave him a headbow.

“What’s this? You also like to read?” Chen Hua said as he walked up to her with a couple books in his hand. Yu Lin nodded.

“I do. Sir Shan also likes to read?”

“Un. I love books! There are always so much more to learn in this world!” Chen Hua exclaimed as his eyes shined. Yu Lin’s eyes soften as she looked at him. ‘Just like your father…’ Yu Lin thought.

“Then, can sir Shan recommend me any books?”

“Yes! Of course!” Chen Hua smiled as he looked through his book stacks. After a moment he handed her a book. “This one is one of my favorite! It talks about basic medicine and others may find it useless at this level… but I believe that going back to the basics is the key to everything. I hope that you also enjoy it. You don’t need to check it out! Just return it to me when you are done.”

“Thank you, sir Shan. Then I will be on my way,” Yu Lin gave him another headbow before walking away.

-

Yu Lin looked at the door handle to see a diamond sparkling back at her. Her hand rose and she knocked on the door. After a moment, the door opened to reveal Nie Fu’s standing there.

“What do you wan-” Nie Fu was yelling at her with anger but after realizing it was her he stopped, “A-ah! Sorry. What is it m-master?” Nie Fu asked. Yu Lin cocked her head as she looked at him.

“I wanted to check up on you. Are you alright?”

“Y-y-yes! I’m fine. I took a huge dump this morning and it cleaned everything out of me!” Nie Fu stuttered as a sweat bead trailed down the side of his forehead. Yu Lin took notice of this.

“That’s good. If I could help out my fellow servant, then the injury on my shoulder is nothing at all,” Yu Lin said. She watched as Nie Fu’s lips curled down and he looked nervously to the ground.

“M-m-master! Th-thank… thank you… If it wasn’t for master then… I would be dead by now.”

“No. I’m sorry. I ruined your cloak. If you want, I will give you mine.”

“N-n-no! It’s alright. I can always get another one from Teacher Li. Don’t worry about it m-master! I… I am still resting… so… if master would excuse me…”

“Un. I understand. Rest well and take care of your body. If something happens to you, then my shoulder would have gone to waste.”

“A-ah… alright… I understand…” Nie Fu gave Yu Lin a bow before retreating into his chamber. Yu Lin stood in front of his door for a moment, in deep thought, before she turned around. She started to walk back to her room and on her way she saw Saruto talking with Chen Hua. After a moment, Chen Hua left and Saruto started to walk towards her direction. He saw Yu Lin and gave her a small headbow. Yu Lin gave him a headbow back before watching him past. ‘Is it you? But… yo-’ she felt a tug on her arm and she turned to see Leng Zhuang.

“Why did you decide to come here?!” Leng Zhuang yelled at her. She shook off his arm.

“Why? Is my existence here really that bad?”

“Yes! Yes it is! Your existence here has turned this academy upside down!”

“And? Do you think I care?”

“You should!”

“Why?”

“Why? Because you owe him that much…”

“Who? Who do I ow-”

“Chu He Lan! You… you owe him that much…” Leng Zhuang’s eyes quivered as he said He Lan’s name. Yu Lin looked away.

“I… I don’t owe him anything. He means nothing to me, just as you do, just as she does. I will live my life the way I want to live it. If any of you guys come in my way… I will not hesitate to do what I need to do in order to achieve my goals. You can relay my words to them,” Yu Lin hissed before she pushed Leng Zhuang out of the way and headed back towards her room. ‘I’m sorry… I have long… long long ago destroyed all the feelings I have for you guys… I’m sorry…’ Yu Lin thought as she walked away.