The Tale of Elegance – The Moon Chapter (Part 1)

page views:1 Publication date:2023-05-27

On April 7th, 559 of the Black Luman calendar, in the eastern part of the Dargan Kingdom
, it was early summer. The sky was a clear, lake-like blue, dotted with only a few wispy white clouds. The temperature had warmed up but hadn't truly become hot yet; the refreshing afternoon breeze invigorated the spirit.
The air was filled with the distinctive scent of pine from the forest, mixed with the fragrance of unknown flowers. Petals, not yet faded, lay scattered on the tender green grass, baked by the sun's heat, emitting a lingering aroma.
Among the trees, there were the sounds of insects courting, birds chirping to attract their companions, and soft snores.
A charming girl, nestled in a bed of fragrant lavender, listened to the melodious birdsong and drifted into a sweet dream. A fallen petal landed on her delicate nose, swaying in the breeze from her breath.
"Ha...ha...achoo!" Finally, the girl couldn't help but sneeze, slightly opening her languid eyes before falling back asleep.
"A pure and lovely young girl,
her rosy cheeks are like the red roses of the mountains and forests, her
smooth skin is like the fresh snow of Mount Everest
, and her languid sleeping posture would even make the forest spirits fly down to admire her.
A passing traveler wishes to ask you,
where is Sternke going?"
A soft and melodious voice rang out, dispelling the call of the goddess of sleep. The girl opened her eyes and saw a handsome and elegant traveler standing not far away, leading a thin gray donkey, smiling and tipping her hat in greeting.
"Hello, elder sister."
A hint of surprise flashed across the traveler's delicate oval face, quickly turning into awkward embarrassment.
"I'm pleased to receive such a beautiful compliment, but I'm a man!"
"Are you a bard, big brother?"
"Yes! I'm a poet who travels the world, bringing joy to all." Mentioning his profession, the traveler proudly puffed out his chest, but then his shoulders slumped in disappointment. "However, I'm a down-on-his-luck poet who can't even afford three meals a day."
Seeing the traveler's ever-changing, amusing expressions, the girl chuckled softly, took a piece of bread from her pocket, and handed it to him.
"Haven't you eaten yet?"
"I haven't eaten for a day and a half." The traveler took the bread and began to devour it without hesitation.
The girl looked at the man before her; although he wolfed down his food, his manners were still remarkably elegant, clearly well-educated. His cloak was dirty, but the harp on his back was well-maintained, seemingly testifying to his identity.
The girl was excited. Bards were a respected profession on the continent, often held by impoverished nobles and educated commoners. They traveled far and wide, chanting beautiful epics and melodious songs, moving freely among the wealthy and powerful, while also imparting knowledge to the common people. Sometimes, they would even use magic to heal the sick.
Occasionally, royal families of certain duchies, in order to train their next generation, would send their sons to travel the world as poets. Among them were many who would later become legendary figures, their fame spreading far and wide. The existence of these individuals shrouded the profession of bard in a romantic veil.
In the girl's village, poets only came during major festivals. She remembered how, during last year's harvest festival, the village women danced gracefully to the melodious strains of poetry.
The gray donkey, head bowed, grazed nearby, seemingly dissatisfied with its master's meager existence, shaking its head incessantly.
"Phew! Thank you so much, I haven't had a full meal in ages. This guy can at least eat grass, but I can only gnaw on bamboo." The traveler patted his stomach contentedly after his meal.
"Are you full? Want some more?"
"That's enough. Kind little girl, to thank you for your generosity, I've decided to tell you a story as a thank you gift." With that, she skillfully picked up her zither, and amidst the clear music, the traveler began to sing.
"Deep in the distant snow-capped mountains..."
"Hey! I've heard that story before, it's the story of the Great Sage Kadar breaking the spell on the Sleeping Princess, right?" "Ah!
You've heard that? What about the story of the fifteen missing people from the Bronze City in the Western Desert?"
"I've heard that too."
"And... the pirate king's treasure on the overseas island of Hunu?"
"I've heard that too. Why do you only ever tell Kadar's stories?"
"Because the Great Sage has the most stories!"
After trying four or five different beginnings, the girl smiled and shook her head each time, leaving the traveler scratching his head in confusion.
"Ah! I've really lost to you. I've used up all the stories I know."
"You really are a second-rate poet! All you know are these old stories."
"That's why I don't even have enough to eat."
The traveler, somewhat discouraged by the rejection of his professional abilities, tilted his head and thought for a moment, then exclaimed happily, "There's a riddle you definitely don't know. How do you put an elephant into a cupboard?" He then added, "You can only use three actions!" "
Force it in."
"Wrong."
"Kick it."
"Still wrong."
"Saw it."
"How could you be so cruel?"
After several incorrect answers, the traveler laughed, "None of them are right. Do you want me to reveal the answer?"
"Don't tell me yet. I'll definitely figure it out, but my mind is a bit muddled right now. By the way, didn't you ask for the way to Stürk? Go straight ahead, through this forest, and turn left at the fork in the road."
"You really don't want me to tell you the answer?"
"Really, no."
Seeing the girl's stubborn expression, the traveler chuckled and said, "Then, you can tell me your answer next time we meet." Pulling the reluctant donkey along, the traveler turned and left.
"My name is Ruoping Loxley. What's your poet brother's name?"
"Wandering across the continent,
accompanied by the free breeze, his
soaring notes
bring laughter and blessings to the people.
When people ask about his name and surname,
it's a legend that exists only in whispers
. There's a voice called Kino."
Kino is the famous god of play on the Wind Continent, witty and fond of frolicking. He's a constant presence at all celebrations. The traveler using this as his name naturally means he doesn't reveal his real name. After
a long period of noisy laughter, things suddenly quieted down. Listening to the fading sound of hooves, the girl felt a pang of loss.
"Ruoping… Ruoping…"
"I'm here."
A dark-skinned boy ran up, panting.
"Kexin. What do you want?"
"Miss Lili is looking for you."
"I've only been out for a little while, isn't my sister worried?"
Kexin didn't speak, but pointed to the sky. The horizon was tinged with red; it was already dusk.
"Ah! Oh no, I completely forgot the time!" Ruoping exclaimed. "I'm going back now, Kexin, you should come with me!"
"Wait a minute."
Suddenly, a delicate little purse was stuffed into her palm. Before Ruoping could react, Kexin, his face flushed, ran off in the opposite direction, making a face as he ran.
"Ruoping, Locke, I hate you the most!" He tripped and fell, then quickly got up and darted into the woods, disappearing from sight.
Ruoping stood there, stunned. "What is he doing!" she wondered.
Flipping the purse, Ruoping hummed a little tune as she strolled home. The purse, adorned with gold thread and elegant embroidery, was a priceless treasure, far beyond what one could buy in the countryside. Kexin, the village chief's only son, had the opportunity to go to the city and thus the money and chance to acquire it.
"I'll show this to my sister later, make her happy," Ruoping thought, happily admiring this rare luxury item as she walked.
Ruoping lived alone with her older sister, Lili. She had no memory of their parents, whom her sister had mentioned, only of their constant moving from childhood. Lili supported herself through handicrafts and taught Ruoping to read and write. At twenty-five, Lili rejected all suitors, devoting herself to living with Ruoping.
"Sister, you should find a brother-in-law soon!"
"Sister is so ugly, who would want me?" Whenever Ruoping asked, Lili would always refuse with a faint smile, a layer of indelible sorrow on her beautiful and elegant face.
She tiptoed into the yard; smoke rose from the chimney. Just as she was about to startle her sister, a loud noise suddenly came from inside the house.
"Don't think that just because I'm injured, I won't dare kill you. The guards here are as insignificant as a speck of dust; I don't even consider them a threat."
"If you kill me, word will leak out, and you'll be hunted down within a hundred days."
Ruoping was shocked. In her memory, no matter the occasion, her sister always spoke softly and politely. But now, although her tone was still calm, her cold words revealed a sharp, unyielding intent, which terrified her.
Another man's voice was even stranger, very deep, with an unusual coldness that sent chills down her spine.
"You little wench, you've got a tough tongue. Looks like ten years of debauchery have made you forget all the discipline you received." A crisp sound rang out, like a vessel being smashed, followed by the sound of tearing cloth.
"You... what do you want to do... ah..."
Ruoping peeked through the crack in the window and saw the scene inside, her heart pounding with fear.
Inside the room, Lili sat on a chair, her upper garment torn open, revealing her full breasts. A shard of ceramic was embedded in her snow-white left breast, blood staining her skin. Lili pursed her lips, her delicate eyebrows furrowed, seemingly enduring immense pain, afraid to utter a sound.
A black figure stood with hands behind his back, dressed strangely, his large body completely shrouded in a cloak, the black cape fluttering even without wind.
"Your temper is as stubborn as ever. Hmph, I'm asking you, where is our child?"
At the mention of the child, Lili's face changed drastically, yet she remained silent.
"Hmph! Let's see how long you can endure this!" With a push, the shard pierced deeper, her breast jerked, and the pain intensified.
Ruoping could no longer bear it, grabbed a stick used for firewood, rushed into the room, and struck him with it.
"Don't hit my sister!" Before the words were even finished, it was as if Nanbang Kingdom had fallen into an incredibly resilient, invisible net. Before Ruoping could react, she was thrown back by the recoil and slammed heavily against the wall.
"Sadaka, don't hurt her!" Lili cried out.
Ruoping struggled to her feet and saw that the man in black, Sadaka, had turned around. His two blood-red eyes seemed to emanate waves of evil power, enveloping her.
"Oh! Is this the child?" Sadaka said coldly. Although his tone was cold, anyone with eyes could sense the suppressed excitement within.
"Help! Help!" Ruoping cried out loudly. Although she was panicked, she knew that the enemy before her was beyond her ability to deal with, so she quickly called for help to attract the villagers.
Sure enough, Sadaka's hands trembled, clearly unable to contain his fear.
Lili, however, thought differently. Sadaka's ruthlessness was beyond what little Ruoping could comprehend. His eyes blazed with murderous intent, his hands trembling, clearly gathering magical power to kill everyone who approached.
Enduring the pain, Lili gritted her teeth and said, "You've seen what you wanted. I agree to all your conditions. Please, leave now." She had no choice but to hope he would weigh the situation and leave. Sure enough,
Sadaka hesitated for a moment, then coldly snorted, "Remember what you said." Without moving an inch, the black shadow vanished in a flash. Outside
the window, a dark trail quickly disappeared to the west.
"What happened?"
"Miss Lili, are you alright?" A commotion arose as villagers came to check.
Lili put on a long robe, covering her exposed breasts, and walked to the window, enduring the pain as she softly said,
"I'm fine. A robe was just burned in the fire. Thank you all for your help."
Seeing that everything was alright, the villagers dispersed.
Ignoring her own injuries, Lili first helped Ruoping up, anxiously asking, "Are you hurt? Does it still hurt?"
Ruoping bit her lip and said, "I'm fine, sister, your wound..."
Lili smiled bitterly, shook her head, and lifted her shirt. A shard of metal was embedded about half an inch deep, blood still flowing from her full breasts.
Enduring the pain, Lili forcefully pulled out the shard, her snow-white breasts trembling, blood spurting out.
"Sister!" Ruoping cried out.
Lili covered the wound with gauze, wearily saying, "Don't worry, sister's alright!" Then, lowering her voice, she said, "No matter what happened today, you mustn't mention it to anyone, not a single person, understand?"
Ruoping nodded, but her doubts deepened.
That night, Ruoping was so frightened that she fell ill at home, suffering from chills and fever for several days, completely unable to get out of bed.
Meanwhile, in the once peaceful village, a horrifying event began. Every morning before the rooster crowed, a young girl would disappear without a trace, no matter how hard the villagers searched. The
missing girls were all sixteen or seventeen years old, beautiful and flawless virgins, which fueled the villagers' suspicions and filled them with panic.
One, two, three, four, five—five days in a row, five pure and beautiful girls had fallen victim to this cruel act. The anxious villagers formed a self-defense force, searching the village at night, but to no avail. When the rooster crowed on the sixth day, a sixth girl joined the ranks of the missing.
"A devil! It must be a devil!" the agitated village chief muttered to himself.
Although they had guarded every exit from the village impenetrable, they hadn't even caught a glimpse of the enemy, and could only rely on supernatural forces.
"What should we do? There are no monks or magicians here..." Ultimately, they were just ordinary people, naturally possessing a primal sense of awe for things beyond human capabilities.
Ruoping was also anxious, not only because her friends were among the missing, but also because, since that day, Lili, who had previously never left the house, had begun going out every day at noon with a pile of food and medicine, until evening.
Faced with Ruoping's questions, Lili only offered a bitter smile and remained silent. Sometimes, Ruoping was certain that behind the thin earthen wall, her sister's sobs could be heard, very softly, very quietly.
This made Ruoping even more uneasy. She vaguely felt that the matter was related to Sadaka that day.
However, not everything was so bad. Amidst the series of fears, something made Ruoping overjoyed. From the second day after she fell ill, every morning, a delicately woven garland of flowers would be placed in front of her window facing the courtyard, allowing Ruoping to be bathed in the elegant fragrance of flowers every day, making her reluctant to get out of bed.
This became Ruoping's deepest anticipation each day. She was filled with gratitude for this unknown caregiver and always wanted to find an opportunity to thank him.
On the morning of the sixth day, Ruoping, who hadn't slept all night, closed her eyes and quietly waited for the flower delivery person to appear. Just before her patience was about to reach its limit, a series of light footsteps approached from afar, and the rich fragrance of flowers filled the entire room.
Ruoping cautiously opened her eyes and saw a familiar figure about to leave. The dark body and agile steps... it was...
"Hey! Kexin!"
Hearing the sweet call from behind, the boy knew he'd been caught. His dark skin flushed, and he yelled, rushing out the door as fast as he could, fleeing in panic.
Seeing Kexin's reaction, Ruoping froze, speechless.
Lili, who had noticed the two children's childish behavior early that morning and had been silently watching, couldn't help but laugh and say, "This is the trouble of a fifteen-year-old!"
Suddenly, a tearing pain shot intensely from deep within her womb, rushing straight to her head. Lili was in so much pain she almost collapsed to her knees, one hand gripping the doorframe, the other clutching her lower abdomen. Large beads of sweat streamed down her forehead, and her face contorted with pain.
Noticing her sister's strange behavior, a dark, unknown shadow fell over Ruoping's heart, as if a giant black hand had gripped her tightly, leaving her unable to let go for a long time. On
the morning of the seventh day, Kexin finished weaving the flower wreath and carefully entered Lili's courtyard. He didn't know why, but he had fallen deeply in love with the blonde girl, so full of the charm of the mountains and forests.
Ever since the sisters moved to this village three years ago, he had been immediately captivated by the still-childlike Ruoping. Her clear, melodious laughter, her crystal-clear blue eyes, and her pretty and charming appearance were deeply etched into Kexin's heart.
Whenever she ran off to play in the back mountains, Kexin would often follow closely behind. At those times, Ruoping's innocent and flawless spirit truly made her seem like a forest sprite.
Reaching the window, just as he was about to put down the flower wreath, he saw Ruoping half-reclined on the bed, her lovely blue eyes blinking as she looked at him, smiling sweetly—she had been waiting for him all along.
Kexin's face immediately flushed red; he didn't know what to do.
"Good morning! Kexin, come in and have a seat!"
These words dispelled his doubts. Kexin stepped into the room. Beside Ruoping's bed was a small table with some simple yet delicious snacks prepared on it.
"Please sit down! These snacks were specially made by Sister Lili for a boy with some unknown troubles. You must try them!" Ruoping smiled mischievously.
"Ah! Thank you, they're delicious." A little flustered, Kexin blushed.
"I should be the one saying thank you. Thank you for sending me flowers for so many days. Oh, and I haven't thanked you for the purse from that day!"
"Do you like them?" " I
really like them." Ruoping nodded happily. "This is the first time I've received a gift from someone. Sister Lili was complaining that she never met such a cute young man when she was young." She looked at Kexin and chuckled.
Realizing his intentions had been seen through, and that she hadn't refused, Kexin calmed down and began to talk to Ruoping. The two gradually chatted and laughed. Finally, they talked about family.
"I'm so envious of those who have siblings; they're never lonely." Ruoping thought for a moment, then added, "But I also have a wonderful older sister that no one can compare to."
"Don't you remember what Mom and Dad look like?"
"I can't remember at all. My sister said they passed away before I could remember anything." Ruoping's eyes began to redden. "Every time I see other people being picked up by their parents, I try desperately to remember what they look like, but no matter how hard I try, I can't remember, I just can't remember!"
Seeing Ruoping's expression, Kexin felt a pang of heartache. He gently held her soft hand and said, "From now on, let me stay with you, okay?" It was a bit abrupt, but he knew it was the right thing to do.
Receiving Kexin's expression of gratitude, Ruoping nodded happily and said, "Thank you." Suddenly, she remembered how, when she was young, her older sister always took her around, moving from place to place, never staying in one place for long, as if they were hiding from someone. Could it be...
? A piercing alarm bell shattered the peaceful and warm atmosphere, startling Kexin awake . They were still on high alert; the garrison had lost sight of another woman this morning, and the urgent alarm bell meant something was calling them.
"I have to go," Kexin said, getting up to leave.
"Ah! Wait a minute." Ruoping leaned closer to her new lover and gently kissed him. "Thank you for giving me such a beautiful memory."
Through his clothes, Kexin felt the warm, smooth, and alluring body beside him. Soft strands of hair brushed against his neck, and the faint fragrance of virginity tingled in his nostrils, giving him a strange impulse. He was fifteen years old, considered an adult in the village, and he knew what this impulse was.
He abruptly turned around, hugged Ruoping tightly, his face flushed, and stammered, "Ruoping...I...I..."
Seeing his little lover in his arms, still unaware of what had happened, gazing at him innocently, Kexin's desire vanished, yet he couldn't bear to let go. The two remained tightly embraced, savoring the beautiful atmosphere of the moment.
"Young Master Kexin." An uninvited guest appeared at the door, apparently there to inform Kexin to attend a meeting.
Kexin and Ruoping blushed deeply, reluctantly releasing each other and straightening their slightly wrinkled clothes.
"We've caught the traitor, the suspect's assistant," the villager announced coldly. "Miss Ruoping may also come to see him."
Without being particularly sensitive, Ruoping could clearly sense the strong contempt and disdain in the man's tone, which made her very uneasy, sensing a dangerous undercurrent.
The meeting place was the council hall on the south side of the village. It was very simple, but it was the place for important village gatherings. According to normal rules, Ruoping, given her status and age, should not have been allowed to enter. Her presence here must indicate a major incident, a fact Kexin was well aware of.
Upon entering the hall, several people were already waiting, their faces grave. They were several respected elders of the village. On the ground, a person lay listlessly, hands bound.
"Miss Lili."
"Sister!" Ruoping cried out upon recognizing the captive's face.
She rushed to her sister's side, helping her up. Seeing her sister's disheveled state, Ruoping burst into tears. "How could this happen? Sister, what happened?"
"Miss Lili is a traitor! How could that be? Is there a mistake?" Facing the elders, Kexin dared not be rash, but bravely asked the question.
"There's no mistake, although we're also very reluctant to believe it..." The village chief shook his half-gray hair and slowly said, "Jed, tell us again what you saw in front of everyone."
"Yes, village chief." The villager who had just brought Kexin and Ruoping nodded. He began to recount what he had seen that morning.
According to him, because he wanted to earn more money, he went to the back mountain early to collect firewood. Just before dawn, he spotted a dark shadow moving westward at an astonishing speed, so fast that he almost thought he had seen a mountain spirit.
Remembering the strange things that had been happening in the village lately, he barely suppressed his fear and followed the direction the dark figure had disappeared in, finally stopping before a cave.
He cautiously approached the cave without making a sound and peeked inside. What he saw nearly made him scream.
Inside, a man draped in a black robe was rhythmically thrusting, and beneath him, a young girl writhed, her white body writhing, tears streaming down her face, crying out in desperate sobs.
The man's movements weren't wild; rather, they were quite rhythmic. His hands constantly kneaded the girl's full breasts, while his hands gently caressed her smooth skin, stimulating her erogenous zones—clearly a seasoned expert.
Gradually, the crying stopped, and the girl began to moan seductively, her slender waist and firm buttocks swaying, drenched in sweat. She began to respond to the rapist's actions. The sight made the onlookers blush and their hearts race.
The man's thrusting movements, as if following a certain pattern, began to quicken, becoming an eerie rhythm.
Suddenly, a piercing scream echoed throughout the cave. The man in black abruptly lowered his head and bit the girl's snow-white neck—not a kiss, but a beast-like tearing. The girl began to howl incessantly, and bright red blood began to flow; the man in black was actually sucking the girl's blood.
The girl flailed her arms frantically, like a drowning person desperately trying to grasp something. A horrifying change occurred: the girl's once crystalline skin gradually turned yellowish-brown, becoming a layer of withered, wrinkled skin. This change appeared all over her body. Finally, her wildly flailing arms fell limply to her sides, the girl's eyes widened, and she died a gruesome death on the ground.
Witnessing this shocking scene, he almost fainted from fright. Just as he was about to slip back to report while his legs could still move, a voice rang out.
"How long are you going to commit these atrocities?"
The voice sounded vaguely familiar. Upon closer inspection, it was none other than Lili, the woman everyone admired.
Lili's expression was cold and aloof, unlike her usual gentle and kind demeanor. She wore a black robe, a nighttime garment to conceal her identity.
"Using these innocent girls to heal your wounds, your injuries should be ninety percent healed. In two days, when you've succeeded, leave this village immediately and don't bother me again."
"We haven't seen each other for twelve years. How can a brother's visit be considered harassment?" The man in black chuckled dryly, kicking the girl's corpse far away.
"Besides, how can these village girls and wild women compare to my sister's alluring body?"
He unbuttoned Lili's black robe, letting it slowly slide down to her feet, revealing a beautifully sculpted body. Beneath the black robe, she was completely naked.
Lili tilted her head back, tears welling in her eyes, enduring the humiliation as she exposed her body to the cold wind. The man in black chuckled cruelly, forcing Lili to lie face down, her snow-white buttocks raised high, revealing her delicate vulva. He deliberately used this dog-like position to humiliate her sister's last remaining dignity.
"Ah..." Without any foreplay, the man in black thrust his penis into her still-dry vagina. The intense pain made Lili cry out.
"Heh... don't pretend to be so high and mighty. You help me with my cultivation, a dual cultivation of man and woman, it'll benefit you too..."
"I don't want this kind of power gained from killing."
"You don't want it... you don't want it..."
Hearing this, the man in black intensified his movements, gripping her full, snowy buttocks and thrusting violently, making loud slapping sounds.
"Ah... ah..." Lili's cries echoed incessantly.
"Hey! Such a tight cunt. It seems no other man has enjoyed your body in these twelve years. What a pity..." the man in black panted. "By the way, that girl next to you isn't bad-looking. I wonder if her cunt is as slutty as her mother's."
"Ah... she's an abandoned baby I picked up. Don't do anything... ah..." The truth she had been desperately trying to hide was finally brought up, and Lili answered guiltily.
"Ha! I know every single hair on your body. Do you think you can fool me with this kind of lie?" He slammed his fist into her peach-like white buttocks, leaving a red mark. "Sister, where did you hide the child we had back then?" Her
deepest secret was exposed, and Lili felt that all her sacrifices had been in vain. She collapsed to the ground in despair. At this moment, the man in black increased his strength and sprinted with all his might, roaring repeatedly. He had clearly reached the final moment.
The villagers who witnessed the incestuous relationship between the siblings were stunned into silence. They knew it was time to leave; if the couple discovered their presence, they would be dead.
Half-running, half-crawling, they returned to the village, gathered a few strong men, armed themselves, and captured Lili, who had just entered the village. They took her to the council hall for questioning before preparing to ambush the man in black.
"That's the whole story. These two are despicable; they should be executed as soon as possible to prevent future trouble," a villager said bitterly. He had a cousin who was a victim on the third day.
"Sister… this isn't true, is it? They're lying, aren't they? Say something…" Ruoping cried in panic, feeling as if her world had shattered into pieces.
"Ruoping, I'm so sorry, you have to forgive me..." The words were on the tip of her tongue when Lili saw the terrified look in Ruoping's eyes. She knew the answer; her daughter refused to acknowledge her.
"I'm the bastard child of incest..." Such a filthy answer was beyond Ruoping's capacity to bear. Lili knew this very well, but Ruoping was her own flesh and blood! For so many years, she had secretly hoped that one day Ruoping would call her "Mother"! Now... now...
"That bastard isn't a good person either. I went to fetch Young Master Kexin just now, and I saw the two of them embracing in bed. It must be that slut trying to seduce the young master..."
Hearing this, the people around began to kick her while she was down.
"Yes! Mother and daughter are both troublemakers, so young and already attracting men..."
"What good can the offspring of incestuous siblings be..."
"A demon...this must be the offspring of a demon..."
"What does this have to do with demons..."
"Who are you?"
"Don't you know who I am?...Clap clap (clapping sound) I'm the weird uncle."
"Get out of here...@%&$..."
The contemptuous glances around her were like sharp swords piercing Ruoping's body. The uncles and elders who were kind yesterday were now looking at her with disdain and contempt, as if she were something incredibly filthy. Ruoping felt dizzy in an instant.
"Liars...liars...you're all big liars..." Ruoping cried out, turned around, and ran out of the council hall.
Several villagers wanted to stop her, but gave up because of Kexin's expression. After all, dealing with the main culprit was more important.
Ruoping ran for her life, her head spinning. The scenes from just moments ago kept replaying in her mind.
"Bastard..." "Slut..."
"Child of the devil..." "Little whore who seduces men..."
These words, like the most vicious curses, echoed incessantly in her ears. Ruoping cried, wanting only to find a secluded place to hide away and escape all this.
She ran out of the village and into the woods where she usually rested. She hid in a secluded tree hollow and began licking her deep wound.
This forest was Ruoping's favorite place. The lush trees and dense foliage might deter most people, but for Ruoping, every time she stepped into it, it felt like returning to her childhood cradle. Quietly listening to the rustling of the pines and the chirping of birds, the babbling brook was a place that could cleanse the soul; being there, she felt as if she could hear the whispers of fairies.
Ruoping often overslept here, and at sunset, her anxious older sister, Lili, would come searching for her, her soft calls more melodious than any bird in the forest. This was Ruoping's warmest memory, but… but…
her thoughts drifted, and Ruoping remembered many old stories. One year during a festival, Ruoping was the only one in the village without money for new clothes. Lili, feeling sorry for her sister, specially bought her fabric on credit to make her clothes; once, when Ruoping was sick, Lili carried her high-fevered sister on her back, crossing the mountain in the snowy night to find a doctor.
Countless nights, she gently told bedtime stories; the first thing she saw upon waking was Lili's warm smile, "Get up and have breakfast! Be careful not to catch a cold."
Countless warm memories warmed Ruoping's heart once more. She had always believed that her sister was the closest and most beloved person in the world, a fact that would never change with time or space. But, no matter what, she never imagined that her sister would become her mother.
Indeed, from the time she could remember, Ruoping had longed to have a mother like other children. But why did fate grant her wish in this way?
"Clouds part, water reflects the moon, clear
light shines on the eaves,
red candles flicker,
bamboo zither plays softly,
playing by the cold window.
Hearts connected by a single line,
forming a circle, a circle
within a circle, a circle
of fate,
you are my sweetness."
This was Lili's lullaby every night when Ruoping was little. Back then, she was too young to understand the lyrics, only listening to the song to sleep.
Playing, playing. Only after careful consideration did she understand the deeper meaning of the lyrics. It turned out that the older sister had poured all her longing and the pain of not being able to recognize her daughter, right before her eyes, into this children's song.
A cool breeze caressed her skin, and the surrounding temperature became chilly. Outside the tree hollow, the hooting of owls began.
"It must be evening!" Ruoping's thoughts calmed down, but the problem remained. She didn't know how to face Lili, the older sister who had been her only companion for so many years, or rather, her biological mother.
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from afar, slowly approaching. Someone was getting closer.
"Sister!" Ruoping was overjoyed and instinctively ran out of the cave to look for Lili, but then a pang of sadness struck her as she thought of the unresolved problem.
"Little...girl..."
A hand grabbed Ruoping's ankle. Ruoping was terrified. "Is it a mountain spirit? Or a ghost?" Without thinking, she stomped her foot down hard.
A long, agonizing scream echoed through the forest. When Ruoping calmed down, she saw that the one who had grabbed her was a ragged young traveler, none other than the wandering poet she had met seven days ago, Kino. The unfortunate man had been knocked unconscious by her.
"Ah! Delicious, so delicious! I've been lost for days and haven't eaten in ages."
They started a fire, sat down on the ground, and Kino, leaning against Ruoping's small lunch bag, ate his fill. This confused poet seemed to have been lost in the forest for seven days, trapped there ever since.
"Where's your donkey?"
"Oh! It probably looked down on me as its master. Six days ago, it suddenly threw me off and I don't know where it went."
"You really are quite clumsy."
Looking at his amused expression, Ruoping's previously troubled mood gradually eased, a change that left her bewildered.
Carefully examining the man before her, though his face and head were covered in mud and he looked quite disheveled, his movements exuded a refreshing quality, like a cool summer breeze gently blowing away all the gloom.
Ruoping suddenly had a feeling that in the legends of the past, many extraordinary individuals were among the wandering bards. Was this man also a wandering, eccentric figure? Could he help her resolve the doubts in her heart?
"It's truly an honor to have such a beautiful lady paying attention to me, but the age gap between us seems a bit too large," Kino said with a smile, winking at Ruoping.
"Age gap? How old are you this year?"
"Sometimes, a man's age is a secret. Anyway, I'm older than you."
"How much older exactly?"
"Much older than you!"
This answer wasn't special, but Kino's lips always held a mysterious smile, as if there was some special meaning in the answer. This made Ruoping feel unbearable, as if she was being treated like an ignorant child.
Many years later, Ruoping learned the answer to this question from Xiangji. At that time, no one knew the meaning behind that smile.
"Thank you for your hospitality. Shall I sing another song as a thank you?"
"No way! Your singing must be terrible."
"That's a problem. You've already heard my story!"
"I...I have a question I want to talk to someone about." Her face flushed, Ruoping barely mustered her remaining courage and recounted her experiences of the day.
Some parts were so embarrassing that Ruoping couldn't continue, but no matter what she heard, no matter how shocking or even scornful the content, Qinuo's expression remained unchanged from beginning to end, always the same—just a gentle, faint smile, as natural as if he were listening to a child picking up a leaf.
This gave Ruoping the courage to continue. After several pauses, Qinuo didn't interrupt, letting Ruoping finish the story herself. When the firewood was added for the second time, Ruoping finished.
"Brother Kino, do you think I'm dirty?"
"No!"
"You're lying... The villagers all say I'm a slut, a bastard born of incest..." Ruoping cried as she spoke, "You say that on the surface, but deep down you must think the same thing as them."
"In my heart, you're still the same as when I first met you, a pure and innocent girl." Kino smiled, gently patting Ruoping's trembling back from her sobs. "Little girl, there's something I hope you remember well: if you've done anything wrong today, it's definitely not because of your birth."
"Everyone comes into this world to achieve happiness. Judging a person's merits and demerits is based on their actions after birth, not their origins."
"But... the villagers..."
"To live is to be strong. You absolutely don't need to feel inferior because of other people's opinions," Kino said. "When you grow up, you'll find that humans are the most fickle and forgetful creatures."
The deeply furrowed brows showed signs of relaxing, but the gloomy expression remained unchanged. Kino knew that this young patient still had unresolved questions.
"Ruoping, do you hate your sister?"
"No. How could that be... It's just... it's just..." Caught off guard by the sudden question, Ruoping blurted out her thoughts. She couldn't harbor any resentment towards Lili, yet she couldn't easily let go of her grievances. It was a complex mix of pity, anger, injustice, and familial affection.
"In the distant East, in the land of silk,
there's an ancient children's song
; they sing it: '
Those who give birth stand aside,
the kindness of those who raise them is greater than heaven.'"
The flowing melody poured through the deep, silent forest. As the beautiful notes traveled with the wind through the treetops, even the squirrels busy munching on fruit stopped, looking around for the source of the sound.
Ruoping listened to the foreign nursery rhyme; its simple melody possessed a unique quality that resonated deeply, leaving her speechless. More importantly, the seemingly simple lyrics struck her deeply. When she heard "the kindness of those who raise them is greater than heaven," she paused, and a tear slowly fell.
"Girl, no matter what you think, there's a debt of gratitude you can't forget—the one who raised you to this day," Kino said softly. "Perhaps you have some doubts about your sister, but within those doubts, there must also be something real!"
"Something real...?"
"Yes. I believe your arrival wasn't the product of a fleeting romance, but a woman's deepest blessing. Before you make a decision, shouldn't you talk to her and listen to other perspectives?"
Hearing this, Ruoping stood up, a firm and profound expression on her small face. Those words had indeed illuminated a path for her in the darkness.
"Thank you, big brother, you've given me so much courage."
"Have you found your answer yet?"
"Not yet... but... I will find it," Ruoping smiled, her voice radiant. "Big brother, you should also find your direction well, and don't get lost again."
"I know! You're such a troublesome little devil," Kino replied with a smile. "Then, let's play a tune for this courageous girl."
The notes soared through the woods once more. Ruoping, filled with courage, ran back to the village. She needed to talk to Lili, to face her sister, or... her mother.
Running back to the village, Ruoping was completely oblivious to the many difficulties she would inevitably face; her only thought was how to confront Lili. Because of this, she failed to notice anything amiss around her.

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