Chapter 41, Vermilion

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In a place where the participants and spectators first witnessed. Where archaic pillars form a circle and surround the area.

A view far away, could make you awe at the brilliance of not one, but three palaces. Carved and made from marble.

In between lies the long stretch of grasses and flowers. A faint depiction of paradise.

The place has a certain magical way in which it supplies the flora with sunlight, and causes it to look bright. Even if the island is in reality hiding away from the sun.

It was approaching dusk, but still the 'New blood trial' continues.

In front of a portal, there were individuals who have competed previously.

Having different looks on each of them. Some were tired, some were energetic. Either grief from a friend's death, or excitement for more. Alas the majority are willing to join the sad puppy covenant.

It didn't help that the place was getting dark. Only increasing the damp mood of the unfortunate.

Red Sin, the lady who proclaimed to deliver justice to every wicked individual, was thinking of something. Earlier, she paused when she noticed grayness.

Zhou Huan was kind of under the weather as he just realized something recently about his brother.

Tengfei, who was beside him, had a look of longing. The longing to rest in the inn that is.

A young man was lazily filing his nails. He changed his clothing to something else, but his always closed eyes and calm demeanor, made him recognizable. Vino Pheol.

Beside him was a burly man with white wrappings shown underneath his new changed clothing. A giant in size. The man who proclaimed to be number one in the Orain board. Gongsun Mu.

The announcer's voice was then heard, "Have you rested well? Judging by some of your looks, I guess that you're thinking as to how little the contestants are currently left. That's right only twelve are there. Would be thirteen, if it weren't for someone bailing out earlier."

He gave a slight pause before continuing, "And the next stage is not life threatening like the last. All you have to do is to find food from the wild. Replenish the hunger in your stomach quickly. There's a curse laid out on the place where you would become hungry really quickly. And I mean it, you would feel like dying if you don't get any food in the first seven to eight minutes. The rules are the same as before, no other weapons/techniques allowed except the ones we gave you. Also, killing each other is not allowed and we'll immediately punished, if found out."

Tengfei showed a wry smile towards Huan. In response, he shook his head before dropping his shoulder.

Their hopes for it being a simple test became nothing but a past wish.

The announcer then spoke out, “So, you people would pass through this place and survive. There’s a time limit of an hour!" He then purposely waited for a moment before yelling out, "Get ready now!”

A countdown was then done before all the contestants entered the portal.

The first thing Tengfei looked for, after entering inside the place, was a lake. Looking around and seeing that there were lots of trees, gave him a sense of annoyance. It would had been easier to look if it weren't for them.

Though he could already feel his stomach churning horribly. At first, it was annoying to run but he managed to get used to it.

Passing by some bushes, he noticed the jeweled looking berries on them.

He would’ve have eaten them if it weren’t for his fear on being poisoned.

The real issue now is where he could find the lake. And if it actually does contain fish.

After some time, he had been trying to find trails that lead to the river. Enduring the pain from his stomach.

While searching desperately, he didn’t notice that the ring Lihua gave him... was glowing.

Only when he tripped and fall on the ground, it came to his sight. A buzzing warm glow coming off.

He wondered what’s wrong and so he channeled his mana into it.

A bright light appeared before an arrow pointing somewhere was formed. He wondered if the ring understood him and so it pointed the way.

There was no time for thoughts so he went towards the direction. As he ran, he could’ve sworn that he heard a giggle.

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Lihua took a sit beside her friend. Patting away the dust on it before so.

It was weird that just days ago they weren't that close. Now they were conversing with each other while even sharing food.

The lady known as Li Meixiu then asked after surveying her little friend's face, "You have anxiety written all over, you know?"

"Well, my prince really does love having an affair with the mistress of death. I can't force what he chooses." Lihua rolled her eyes before revealing a tired sigh.

Li Meixiu popped a sweet in her mouth. She relished the flavor as she thinks about Lihua's answer. She found a devious thing to point out as she says, "Prince.. huh." She took another sweet before continuing, "That cheeky Tengfei. He did something again to his princess. Now the red-haired damsel is showing off her love towards a poor las like me."

Lihua flicked her hair before replying, "Hmph, you're lucky I'm in a happy mood."

A greedy look appeared on the eyes of Li Meixiu, "So does that indicate the 'Yes' sign to get teased?"

Lihua shot a glare at her before replying with a mellow tone, "Of course not."

"Fine, I get it. I'll not steal you from your Tengfei." She said.

The red-haired princess nodded slowly as she stares at her friend with a squint. Feeling that she's teasing her in a way that only she can pull off. Or maybe another talking doll.

Lihua also took one of those caremel delights, feigning the enjoyment to the doll.

Li Meixiu found her act cute, but didn't comment about it.

As if wanting to strike a new topic, Meixiu then says, "They will be going through a troubling test."

Hearing the rules from the announcer, Lihua corrected, "An annoying one you mean."

They watched as each and every one of the contestants go through the portal.

Having her attention focused one particular screen, Li Meixiu comments, "Look. Your prince seems to be searching frantically of something."

Lihua nodded before watching him with a worried look. She didn't know what's going inside his head. Even after witnessing a mistake he did.

"I have to give him credit for avoiding food that he doesn't know. But for avoiding a common luscious berry..." She then sighed. the princess then added, "I guess he's quite paranoid when it comes to toxin."

"But he's going to starve at this rate."

After seeing Tengfei fall to the ground, LIhua averted her eyes before thinking, 'It pains me to see him at this state...' She then gripped her fist tightly. At least her expression lightened when she saw Tengfei's look after getting up. 'He seems to have a clearer head than before.'

She watched as he traverses through the vines, bushes and even large spiderwebs before finding the lake. Walking right through it before descending the pond. Hiding away from people's sight.

After a little while, he came back with a large fish on his arms. The fish having a trunk used for sucking in little fishes and a body as wide as two of your arms combine.

This shocked everyone that witnessed it.

He looked happy as he brings the elephant fish with him.

Tengfei dropped the fish on a flat rock before thinking of something. He made a quick fire set up with things nearby before cooking the fish.

He knew that it would take some time, so he filled his stomach with plants he knew.

Lihua seeing her lover eat feral plants made her speak, "He chose to avoid those luscious berries and instead eat those bitter ones instead." Showing a complicated look afterwards.

Li Meixiu gestured with her hand, "Maybe he's familiar with them. I remember speaking with someone who was a beggar and he would scavenge for plants. Says a lot of his past."

The princess remained silent for some time. She then sadly proclaimed, "While we were eating the finest dishes, he..."

Her friend eyed her before saying, "You shouldn't blame yourselves. There was nothing you could've done at that time. Just be thankful that you know him in this way."

Lihua massaged her forehead after realizing how she acted. She then gave a low sigh before exclaiming, "I'm so emotional now a days."

Her master commented, 'You think so?'

She twitched in response.

Li Meixiu patted Lihua's shoulder before telling her, "Have some faith on him. Worrying is good and all, but I doubt he would want his lover to grow white hair."

"...White hair?" Lihua became worried.

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Zhou Huan sat down before eating the apples he plucked just recently. It took him some effort to climb the tall and stury apple tree.

'These apples were worth the climb.'

He felt really hungry and the fact that he still had a lot of time before the test was over, dreaded him.

After finishing some of the apples, he wondered around before eyeing something on the ground.

Further inspection made him realize that it was not 'something' but instead 'someone'.

It was a lady. Starving, he presumed.

He walked near to her, crouched down before uttering, "Oh." He then poked her with a stick, "How did a fair lady like you end up in such a state?"

The lady remained silent as she felt the poking. She then looked up with her pale expression, "Food..." She asked.

Zhou Huan was in a joyous pickle. He could try finding food for this lady or ignore her and instead look for his own. It's a shame that he had to encounter a woman!

Though she was not beautiful, maybe above average at most. He still couldn't leave her behind. Especially by the fact that her body wasn't that lacking, surely his wooden stick can vouch for him.

He thought for a long time on which was the right decision. Even almost forgetting the dying woman in front of him.

Zhou Huan realized his mistake and gave her some apples.

She took them and ate like a wild feral beast. Leaving not even the core. She even licked her fingers.

Seeing her now, Zhou Huan could depict her entirely.

The lady had a short green hair, sapphire eyes, freckles, and a normal looking face with traces of attempted makeup. Garbed in leather clothing, meant for adventurers. Having a mace and a buckler to her sides.

Zhou Huan now only realized that this woman was the one from the remote regions of Krehor. Being a Physical cultivator/Enhancer. 'Her name was... Quack?'

She sat down and had a relief look. The lady then offered her hand before saying, "I'm called Quafilia! My friends call me Quacy!"

Huan surveyed her gloved hand before asking, "And what's that pointy plant supposed to be for? Poison, paralysis or something else?"

Sweat started dropping from her forehead, she then plucked it out before scratching the back of her hair. Afterwards made a nervous laugh before saying, "I almost forgotten to remove that... Oh silly me."

Zhou Huan pointed at something, "Don't forget that stick."

She twitched before realizing that all her plans became a complete failure. Quafilia threw away her stick before raising her arms. She then said dejectedly, "Poor me! A man has seen through all my plots. Even feeling through my breasts with his heinous stick!"

Zhou Huan gave a wry smile before standing up. He knew that this woman was no good. Suspicious to boot. Or he just wants to go away before someone accuses him of being a pervert.

Seeing that Huan was leaving her, she got up immediately and ran after him. She even yelled, "Wait! Don't leave me alone! I'm bad with gatheringggg foooooddd!!"

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The fish was looking tastier each moment.

Tengfei added more twigs into the fire before checking out the large elephant fish. A beautiful sight. The aroma it had been giving off, made his mouth water. The lake wasn’t that cold and fishes there were easy to catch for him.

When he thought that he could eat his fish alone, a man approached from a bush nearby. Long hair with a clean looking face. His appearance didn’t match his words, “Leave the fish with me. You’re a smart one and I guess you know what happens if you refuse.”

Tengfei gave out a sigh before standing up. He patted the dirt away before surveying the emerging flame coming out from one of the man’s hands. He prepared himself to defend his fish, even if he would go in combat.

Step by step, the long-haired man approached.

Tengfei knew it would be troublesome to fight him, ‘No matter where you go, bandits always find a way.’

His attention was directed at the man completely that he didn’t realize the young lady behind him.

She eyed her ring before swinging the heavy rock at Tengfei’s head. As if recalling a past painful memory, he dodged reflectively. He never knew that being stabbed from the back would save him later on.

He then erected a barrier by channeling mana. This prevented the man’s manifested flame sword to hard his body. Though he didn’t want to prolong the barrier timing.

The moment he saw that the flame sword bounces back, he released the barrier and activated his other ring. The exact ring that Lihua gave him. By doing so, it caused a bright flash, blinding whoever was unlucky to keep their eyes open at that time.

In this case, everyone except Tengfei.

He knew that this was the perfect opportunity and so he channeled almost half of his mana into the last ring he has. A bird made of light emerged, but instead of coiling a person in mana thread. It had been flapping its wings, confused.

Tengfei twitched before thinking, ‘She didn’t tell me about this...’ Even Lihua who was in the audience's room, glared at her friend.

The lady who wanted to knock Tengfei unconscious felt panicked from seeing the bird.

She channeled most of her mana into her ring and aimed it at him. She had to take the risk of killing him. Or she understands very well as to how dangerous that bird might get. Bright blue enrgy swirled around the tip of her finger. Creating a water spiral. She aimed her finger at Tengfei before nodding towards her partner.

The long-haired man was keeping Tengfei at bay with his flaming extended sword. Or whip should I say. Tengfei looked around for an opportunity to escape that dangerous looking strike.

He could almost feel the large amounts of mana behind that technique. There was little no hope in this situation. He doubts that a light barrier could protect him not from one but instead two attacks.

He closed his eyes and subconsciously hardened his body. Awaiting the pain. Instead of a blast sound though, all he could hear was that of a frightful man’s voice, yelling out, “Behind you!” When Tengfei opened his eyes, he strangely focused on the white mask.

The white mask of a lady in black cloak. It was Red Sin.

The long-haired man had a look of someone in rage and worry, he brandished his fire blade. He eyed his prey. And let the rage ooze through him as he replays the event of seeing his partner turn unconscious. Looking like mad man, he rushed toward her.

Though when they were a meter apart, he shot a pebble at Red Sin using his free hand. This caught her in surprise as she felt her mask vibrate.

The long-haired man used this opportunity to launch his fiery blade at her. Seeing all of this, Tengfei wanted to do something.

He erected a barrier in front of the Long-haired man, just enough so that it stopped his swing mid launch. Longed haired man snickered in hate before getting launched far away from the water technique of Red Sin.

Tengfei wiped away the sweat on his forehead as he tries to calm his poor heart. He looked at the two-unconscious couple before sighing in relief. Though his relief turned to dread as he looked at Red Sin. He thinks that it's not over yet. Red Sin looked at him and released a chuckle.

She then said, with a hand placed on her mask, “My my, after being rescued... do you think I have the rights of coming in between you and your fish?”

Knowing that it was safe, Tengfei relaxed himself before saying, “Thank you for helping me back then.”

She shook her head before replying, “No problem." Her eyes surveyed him before she answers, "It's is true, exactly like the questions in your head, I do have a motive in helping you.”

Tengfei furrowed his brow.

Red Sin then continued, “I would like to share that large fish and have some discussion.”

Tengfei gave a thought before nodding.

”Follow me then.” Though she stopped for a moment before adding, "That was a brilliant barrier you made before. Saved me from using that."

The gray-haired young man felt a little happy from being complimented.

She brought Tengfei with his fish, inside a cave where she covered in it some sort of thin magical sheet. Red Sin then answered to Tengfei’s curiosity, “This just prevents those eye beasts on seeing and hearing us. Giving me a moment of privacy.“

She then took out some stuff from her storage ring before creating a camp fire. Patting the ground, she gestured Tengfei to sit. He did as told but still wondered where is this leading to.

The lady clapped her hand, “Before we talk, I would like to get rid of this hungry feeling.”

She then removed her mask before taking slices of cooked fish onto her bowl. Enjoying the taste afterwards.

Tengfei looked at her face and felt shocked. Numerous ugly like scars were all around her face. Though if they were removed, he could safely say that she would have a coveted mature look.

As if predicting what he would ask, she interjected, “I know, I know, you don’t have to question. I hate questions. I’ll just say that these scars were from my past and hopefully it doesn't ruin your appetite.”

Tengfei wondered as to how peculiar she acted. And another was whether her whole body was covered with those scars...

He ate his fill of the fish before awaiting her to speak.

The lady took her time to finish her batch. She then started, “So, I’ll just jump straight to the point.” Her vermillion eyes stared into the soul of Tengfei before asking, “Do you ever have a memory of me?”

Tengfei felt like death loomed over. It was hard for him to breath. He managed to shake head though.

Red Sin then asked, “Ever had the feeling of knowing me?”

Tengfei felt like it gotten easier to breath and so he replied, “Yes.”

She put away her hood which revealed her black hair before twirling it with her finger. After thinking of something, “It seems we know each other but have no memory of it.” Then she started laughing as she surveyed Tengfei. Shaking her head afterwards.

The gray-haired young man was really confused as to the situation he is in. He knows deep inside him that the lady in front was someone he met... but when?

Tengfei looked at her and was about ask something. But he was stopped.

Red Sin narrowed her eyes before saying, "Remember, I don't like questions."

He scratched the back of his head before thinking of something. He then uttered, "Justice, huh." Followed up with his eyes looking up.

Red Sin raised one of her eyebrows, before realizing what he's doing. A smile curved before she answered vaguely, "No worries, I can't even see into you. The main reason why I'm so puzzled by your presence."

She chugged the liquid inside the metal mug which gave off the scent of fine wine. Her eyes which had traces of lacking sleep, darted around the place. Red Sin then said, "Though I can't see your sins. I felt your feelings of regret and sadness from you."

Tengfei hands shacked before he recalled a bad memory. A really horrible memory. Even worse than the time Tinia backstabbed him. He could almost smell the iron from his friends.

The lady with the seductive body, made a gesture before saying, "Don't vomit on the fish. It died for our stomach's sake and not the rubbish."

Luckily, he swallowed back. He eyed her before saying, "You made me remember again. And here I thought that it would only occur at most, once a day."

"Sometimes you have the wish of forgetting your past... don't you?" She fixed her hair.

Tengfei remained silent.

The lady then continued after seeing his expression, "Not only you, but everyone has sometimes that particular wish. But no one pursuit it as much as I did."

Tengfei looked at her and saw the sadness and anger behind her eyes. He was baffled due to the person being really sorrowful.

He then answered, "If I forgotten every bad thing in my past, I wouldn't be who I am currently. For better or worse, I found people who I cherish and wouldn't trade that."

Red Sin revealed a lonely smile as she closed her eyes. She then wore her mask before saying, "That's why, I envy people like you." She then started packing up.

After putting back everything she had, she gave a wave before saying, "If we meet again, I'll grant you the right to ask me 'one question' ".