A graceful foot landed on the ground, followed by the other as the fluttering robes came to a complete stillness under the weight of gravity and pooled around the celestial’s feet who had just descended from heaven. It was the goddess of the moon as her calm and glittery eyes under the moonlight opened.

  She didn't have to search at all. When Nian Yue opened her eyes Zi Yin stood right in front of her, smirking behind her graceful fingers and painted dark purple nails.

  Nian Yue sucked in a sharp breath. “You. You trouble me like nobody.” There was a snarl to her tone, clearly expressing her displeasure from yesterday.

  Zi Yin tucked her arms behind her back and nodded. Her head rose in pride. “I know.”

  Nian Yue couldn't believe the audacity. Her left eye twitched in annoyance. “...What do you want??” Nian Yue snapped. “You are neither an innocent ghost nor a naive lingering spirit, that is for sure. What is that you're aiming for from me?”

  Zi Yin’s smile faded, replaced with a blank face, drained out of all emotions. “I have already said what I want. Did I not, goddess?” She suddenly advanced towards Nian Yue. Her steps were heavy, slow and calculating. Her eyes locked on Nian Yue like a predator aiming towards its prey, causing Nian Yue to take a step back with caution.

  “I want to know..” Zi Yin said, as she approached Nian Yue further. Nian Yue continued to step back, one by one, until there was nowhere to go. She was cornered to a tree while Zi Yin loomed over her like she wanted to hunt her down. “Why..”

  Goddess Reincarnation.

  Nian Yue gasped. Her forehead symbol gleamed with faint light as she was connected with the spiritual transmission line. Her eyes widened, concerned.

  Lord An Xu– Nian Yue tried to speak.

  Zi Yin raised an eyebrow as Nian Yue’s focus wavered from her.

  Lord An Xu don–

  Nian Yue’s view was suddenly blackened as a palm approached her face. Zi Yin’s thumb pressed firmly against Nian Yue’s forehead, specifically over her crescent moon symbol. The rest of her fingers rested on Nian Yue’s head.

  There is bad news. The martial troop had gone missing. They haven't reported back. An Xu said

  Nian Yue struggled, shooting a glare at Zi Yin as she tried to remove her hand from her head. “What is wrong with you?? Let go!” Nain Yue hissed through gritted teeth.

  Zi Yin merely smiled. The smile was nothing but cruel as her thumb started circling around Nian Yue’s forehead symbol with a little more pressure. The gleaming crescent moon over Nian Yue’s forehead whirled with energy all of a sudden, the energy that couldn't be contained by the thumb covering it as it spilled from the cracks.

  Nian Yue felt dizzy all of a sudden, overwhelmed. It felt as if the flow of her qi was slit, distorted and flowing uncomfortably. As if it was surging in more than one direction. A weak whimper escaped her lips as she tried to push Zi Yin away, but her fingers could only cling weakly to Zi Yin’s wrist. She was no longer in control of her own consciousness.

  “....”

  Nian Yue let out small puffs of breath. Her body tried desperately to keep itself from slipping away, to keep its senses intact, but nothing seemed to work because at that point she did not even know what was happening, what she needed to protect herself from? Her eyes were barely open. She couldn't see correctly. The only thing in her view was Zi Yin. Something or someone was overpowering her, as if controlling her and she was forced to give up.

  We have tried contacting them but–... An Xu paused suddenly.

  Zi Yin let out a long sigh. Her lips curled into a mischievous smirk full of delight.

  ……

  A long silence before the connection suddenly cut off, like a thread snapping in half under a second.

  “Pfft..” Zi Yin finally pulled away and let out an amused laugh. She took a few steps back and indulged in the amusement she had created for herself. “Martial gods missing? Are they children?” She chuckled to herself, inclining her head with a crooked smile. “Maybe they are. Like lost little lambs easily frightened when a big bad wolf showed up..”

  Nian Yue’s forehead symbol was no longer gleaming. She was left all to herself, to collect her thoughts and try to make sense of what had just happened. Her head was still dizzy. And soon her vision started to blur too. She took one last glance at Zi Yin, “You.. witch,” to curse her before losing the last shred of vision she had.

  When Nian Yue woke up, she felt a pair of arms wrapped around her waist, fingers gently tapping on her stomach. She was laying on the grass. The gentle moonlight filtered from the leaves of the tree hovering over her head, was soothing to her skin. It could be said that this was one of the best sleeps Nian Yue had in a long time. But moments like these were not meant to last long. When she realized who was behind her, firmly pressed against her back, her eyes bulged out.

  “Hm~ mm..” Zi Yin hummed a soft melody to entertain herself, thinking the goddess was still asleep. The melody was horrible.

  Nian Yue didn't wait long, she immediately pulled herself away from Zi Yin, before pointing a diabolically accusing finger at the ghost. Her cheeks dusted the same color as rose blossoms. “You wrecked-witch!”

  Zi Yin scrunched her nose. “Not a nice thing to say after I spend hours protecting you under my gaze.”

  “You call that protection!?” Nian Yue yelled, “How was it protection when it was you who–” Nian Yue couldn't continue. She forced herself to stay silent.

  Zi Yin inclined her head as if urging, waiting for the goddess to continue.

  Nian Yue was unable to bear that face any longer. Her hand retreated and then clenched in fist by her side. “....Do not follow me.” Nian Yue made the decision. The bitterness was evident in her tone.

  Zi Yin remained silent. She leaned back against the tree, resting her back as she closed her eyes as if showing—she did not care.

  Seeing the lack of interest shown by Zi Yin, Nian Yue felt irritated. She whipped around at once, making a huffing noise as she stomped her way towards, god knows where, but away from the presence of Zi Yin for sure.

  Venturing inside the dark forest, Nian Yue took this time to collect her thoughts. So much had happened between this short visit back to this incompatible place. If Nian Yue had doubts about Zi Yin’s ability before, now it was clear to her—Zi Yin was anything but ordinary.

  A power so intense, Nian Yue felt as if half of her soul would be consumed by Zi Yin. That's right! Her qi was split in that moment, wasn't it? The overwhelming energy that forced her own to split from the middle. Wasn't it? Once Nian Yue grasped a hold of that information she quickly reached to check her qi flow, left hand gripping the right hand's wrist, feeling the pulse of the nerve connecting her to her heart. She was stable, Nian Yue figured. Of course she was, she was standing there—intact. In fact..

  Meaning, his body was being used as an empty shell to deliver this message. His Qi wasn't blocked, it no longer exists.

  She was spared.

  Nian Yue let out a shaky breath as if realizing she had walked past death. Her hand reached to cup her throbbing forehead. Her eyes fluttered close.

  Martial gods missing? Ahahaha Are they children?

  Did Zi Yin break into the transmission communication line between An Xu and her using qi split? Was that all she intended? What was the reason for her to spare Nian Yue? Or was it something much darker. Was it some kind of power play and death still awaited her? If that was the case, the missing martial gods must also have a connection to Zi Yin and in order to find it out Nian Yue will have to stay with Zi Yin and watch her every move.

  With the motive in mind, Nian Yue decided to get back to Zi Yin. When she turned around to return back to the direction she had come, her eyes caught the sight of something unfortunate. Her eyes widened as she took a step back so as not to step on the poor thing.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  An injured eagle crashed in her way, making high pitched pipping calls as it writhed in pain. Its wings were being bitten and ripped apart by a little harmless rabbit. The bloodshot red eyes of the white rabbit were merciless as it chewed on the bird twice its size. Blood pooled around the rabbit’s mouth as it fed on the still alive eagle yet the fierce bird did nothing to protect itself rather showed signs of weakness despite its size and power.

  Predator being torn apart by its prey. Nian Yue felt uneasy seeing a sight that refused the order of nature. Something was truly wrong.

  The eagle came to heartbreaking stillness and just like that the feast for the rabbit was ready. Nian Yue didn't wait, she advanced towards the direction where she left Zi Yin. Her steps were quick and fast paced before they accelerated as Nian Yue ran.

  She ran and ran, but for some reason the distance seemed to become way farther than what Nian Yue thought it would have been. There was no way she had come this far walking for just a few minutes. Then why didn't she reach that tree yet? The tree where she left Zi Yin.

  Nian Yue breathed heavily, refilling her lungs with air as she forced herself to stop despite the growing uneasiness in her chest. Her eyes were staring helplessly at that one place, the unfinished gore of the bird she left behind—it was again in front of her. She hadn't gotten anywhere, in fact she had been running in a circle, getting nowhere.

  Nian Yue squeezed her eyes shut and roared, “Zi Yin!!”

  A moment of silence before the familiar sickening chuckle reached Nian Yue’s ears. “Aww.. You couldn't even find me.” Zi Yin cooed.

  Nian Yue immediately looked up, her neck tilted back. There was Zi Yin, sitting elegantly in a place that had no place for elegance—the highest tree branch. A white rabbit sat on her lap as she caressed its blood-soaked fur as if the little animal had rolled happily into a murder mess.

  “Get down right now!” Nian Yue scolded.

  Zi Yin could only roll her eyes as she jumped from where she was sitting and landed on her feet just as gracefully. “Does the goddess need help finding her way out of the forest?”

  “Where are we..” Nian Yue demanded immediately, ignoring Zi Yin’s earlier words.

  “Hm?” Zi Yin pretended to think for a moment. “What do you mean?”

  “Zi Yin, I said where are we??” Nian Yue was even insistent, desperate.

  “You can see that for yourself. Earth,” Zi Yin replied simply.

  “No we are not! This rabbit was hunting an eagle for food! Rabbits do not eat meat!” Nian Yue finally snapped. Her eyes bore into Zi Yin, demanding an answer.

  Zi Yin chuckled as she lowered the rabbit to the ground and the little thing immediately ran into a nearby bush. “Smart. Smart.” Rather than a praise, it sounded as if this woman was mocking Nian Yue. Zi Yin then approached Nian Yue and stretched her arm towards the goddess as if asking for her hand, “Let me show you.”

  Nian Yue hesitated, not trusting Zi Yin’s intentions. She tried to read Zi Yin, by her face. No matter what Nian Yue’s own expressions were, that irritating smile of this damned ghost didn't ever seem to fade. It was so empty yet feels like a bad omen. In the end Nian Yue gave up and put her palm onto Zi Yin’s. The cold fingers interlocked with hers almost immediately. The grip was tight, inseparable unless the ghost wanted it to be. “Do not let go of my hand, otherwise even your great lord won't be able to find you,” Zi Yin said.

  Nian Yue nodded, what else was there to argue about?

  Zi Yin moved first and Nian Yue followed from behind, still connected by their hands. Zi Yin’s steps were light, calculated and relaxed, her gaze remained in front of her. While Nian Yue shot her eyes around, her gaze trailed here and there, taking note of each passing tree and bush as if that could help her.

  Almost thirty minutes had passed, Zi Yin and Nian Yue were still walking. Zi Yin seemed still as energetic but Nian Yue was starting to lose her patience, annoyed. She tugged at Zi Yin’s arm to attract her attention. “Are you sure you know where you are going?”

  “You don't trust me? You can let go of my hand,” Zi Yin said.

  “I was just asking!” Nian Yue was irritated.

  “Of course I know. Why do you think I don't?” Zi Yin asked.

  Nian Yue was hesitant as she pointed at a nearby bush, “I.. think we passed that same bush.. at least three times already..”

  “Oh,” Zi Yin’s free hand came up to cover her lips, “Oops.”

  “WHAT DO YOU MEAN OOPS!” Nian Yue wanted to cry.

  Zi Yin let out a delighted laugh, a puffy and hearty laugh that Nian Yue had to pause and witness the way Zi Yin bloomed when she laughed. It was mesmerizing, like blooming, glowing hydrangeas. Her voice was melting sweet—like dripping sugar. It was truly mesmerizing. Was this the woman as toxic as venom? If she was, the venom must taste sweet.

  Zi Yin pointed her index finger towards a direction and announced, “There.”

  Nian Yue blinked. She glanced in the direction of Zi Yin’s finger. And that was it. Zi Yin started walking again and Nian Yue had no other option but to follow the other. It would have been a few more steps before the density of the forest cleared and what stood before their eyes was Lichuan village.

  Nian Yue was horrified. Slowly her fingers loosened and slipped away from Zi Yin’s grasp. The ghost found herself standing on her own as Nian Yue took a few steps forward. Nian Yue’s eyes were locked at the sight in front of her, unable to comprehend what they saw.

  The lively village she saw just a day before was now in ruins beyond repair. Houses broken down in places, worn out as if lacking the living. The village that was lit with innumerous lights was now drowned in darkness as if it was abandoned centuries ago.

  It was impossible to mistake this village as another, it was the exact same village Nian Yue had witnessed the day before. Laughing and celebrating. The houses were all in their places. Even the streets and..

  The jade—hand carved statue of Nian Yue on the made up altar. Even the altar was there. Supposed to be new, now the altar looked as if it had been there for centuries. Moss and nature had conquered the jade carving, making it look ancient, sacred, and like the true symbol of misfortune.

  Nian Yue turned to Zi Yin. Her eyes held desperation as if asking, what is all this?

  Zi Yin remained unaffected. Her eyes always return to that of lacking emotions and interest, as if mocking the circumstances. At Nian Yue’s question, Zi Yin’s head merely tilted to her side. Nian Yue took that as a sign that Zi Yin knew nothing about this or simply refused to answer.

  Nian Yue did not expect much anyways. She rushed towards the dark houses. The silence was deafening and horrifying. Where there should have been giggles of children and chatter of old people, now there was barely any sound, only the distant cricket of stray bugs keeping the houses company.

  Empty. The first house Nian Yue walked into was empty. The utensils laid abandoned here and there in a condition that described they hadn't moved from their places for years. Mother earth had conquered this place as hers. Swallowed in nature the houses become one with soil. Zi Yin followed behind Nian Yue as the latter searched each room with desperation. When Nian Yue didn’t find anything, she rushed out of the house to search for another. She did not let the illusion crush her hopes.

  The second house was worse than the first one. It wore signs of struggle, broken tables and chairs, the house was in great disarray. Nian Yue still did not find any sign of living in the empty house.

  Seeing Nian Yue’s distress Zi Yin finally spoke, “Who are you looking for?”

  Nian Yue turned to Zi Yin and with great difficulty, spoke, “The owner of these houses.. where are they?”

  Zi Yin took a moment before she turned around and called for Nian Yue from her shoulder, “Follow me,” Zi Yin said. And Nian Yue did, suddenly hopeful. She followed behind Zi Yin patiently. Relief washed over her as she hoped for the safety of whoever was left in the village.

  Zi Yin walked into a distant house. It was far from the houses Nian Yue was searching in. However the house Zi Yin chose did not have anything to mark it as special. To Nian Yue it was a random house Zi Yin had walked into, not at the end, not in the beginning, just there.

  Nian Yue’s hopes quivered when she saw the house in the same disarray, the exact deafening silence and an overwhelming stench, rotten and nauseating. Zi Yin walked unfazed even when the stench started to thicken and the air grew heavy. She did not pause and so did Nian Yue. They walked towards a room, passing through the dark chambers of the house and the only light there was, was from the moon’s mercy filtering through the broken roof. Soon even that dulled and both the women were swallowed by the room’s darkness as they entered it.

  The earlier stench became even powerful as soon as they entered that room. Nian Yue couldn't handle it anymore. She covered her nose to provide herself some relief even if it was barely doing any work. “Zi Yin..?” Nian Yue called out.

  The ghost did not reply and Nian Yue couldn't help but feel cautious. Of course, who was she trusting after all. Nian Yue was about to take a step back when the room suddenly lit up in a gentle light. Zi Yin was standing beside the table by the bed where she lit a small candle, providing just enough light to have a proper vision.

  When Zi Yin glanced back at Nian Yue, she saw the goddess was frozen in her place. Nian Yue’s eyes were wide, horror filled in those transparent silver irises. She was staring at the bed, the bed that carried a dead body in its longest slumber.

  That's right, a rotting body was laying on the almost broken bed, flies whirling around it, feasting on the disfigured slack. Maggots stuck to its unfathomable skin, the skin that was melting, dripping down. Rotten blood had dried up, coating the floor, making the whole bedroom an unfortunate murder or rather the resting place.

  Nian Yue turned to Zi Yin, demanding answers. “What is this..”

  Zi Yin trailed her gaze from Nian Yue to the rotting dead body and said, “This house belonged to him.”

  Nian Yue did not want to hear anything anymore. Her heart was hammering against her chest, causing her chest to feel tight and uncomfortable with nausea. She quickly left the room, running out in fact.

  Nian Yue stumbled across a table that seemed to belong to the living room of the house. Once she made sure she was away from the room she let out a loud gasp as if she was holding her breath all along, now trying to compose it.

  When Nian Yue opened her eyes her heart dropped. Slumped against the wall hidden behind the table was another dead body—of a woman—rotting and decomposing on its own. Brown vines grew around the lifeless slack causing it to contort in its place without falling apart. Nian Yue couldn't take it anymore as she let out the scream—stuck in her throat.

  ____ ____ ____

  To be continued:-

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