Chapter 11: Designs of the mind
Chapter 11
Whoosh!
The gleaming blade of a sword went through and the girl holding it stood confident even exposing her back to her target. She knows that with that single move of hers, it is easy for her sword to cut through a mortal's flesh without even a single resistance. The overflowing confidence she has with her skills plus the disdain she felt for mortals made her look smug on her success in killing her target.
Since she was sure that the lowly mortal is already dead, she just sheath her sword back.
"Brother, let's just burn his corpse and pretend that we kidnapped him." Mei Wan said as he turns to look at her brother.
But she was confused by the dumbfounded look on her brother's eyes and even En Bo has a disbelieving look on his eyes. Then an ominous feeling of realization came over her, she didn't hear the sound of the body of the lowly mortal hitting the ground. She then recalled the feeling she got when her sword went through his head, it was like she hit nothing but air. Then before she can react she suddenly felt something hitting the back of her head and her vision went black.
"Truly a vicious little bug." Shin Jiao said in a cold tone as he turns his gaze towards the two remaining members of the party.
"You! What did you do to my sister?" Lei Wan shouted in anger.
But hesitation and fear can be seen in his eyes. He is not a fool, he saw what happened back then. What his sister had hit was an afterimage, and this supposed to be a mere mortal man moved really fast as if he is a cultivator. If he is to face this man he would truly perish.
Deep inside his heart, he laughed at himself, what lowly mortal? This is a tiger acting like a lamb to eat its prey. But no matter how he looks at it, this youth with an appearance not older than he is not a cultivator, yet, how could he move so fast?
Even when he scans his body using his spiritual sense, he still could not find a cultivator's aura in him.
"So young master Wan? Do you want to be next? How about you?" Shin Jiao taunted as he swaps his gaze between the two men.
"No, little brother… I mean senior brother. We… I… I wasn't going to attack you. I'm just here to make sure that they didn't do anything excessive." En Bo panicked with a hint of fear in his voice.
"Did you kill my sister?" However, Lei Wan asked with a gloomy look while looking at his sister on the ground.
"Why? Do you want to get revenge? Hehe..." Shin Jiao replied with a grin.
He really wanted to teach these two siblings a lesson. Although they are too excessive and acted like tyrants, they could not hurt him anyway.
Ever since he turned a new leaf in life from being an agent to a researcher, his principles also changed a bit. He would not just take any life that easily as long as it is not a threat on his own. He didn't know how powerful the Wan Clan is, or even the Thunder Sword sect but if they will become a threat to his life he didn't mind killing them.
But of course, provided their leader is not a nascent soul realm cultivator. Because in this continent, those beings are already nearing the peak of power.
Lei Wan's eyes became red in anger the more he looks at his sister the more his judgment is being clouded by his emotion. The fear in his eyes from before is not gone.
En Bo, upon seeing this, immediately made his move by accurately striking Lei Wan's acupoints and making him faint.
"Senior please, excuse my companions for their folly. I assure you that this incident would not be a threat to senior's safety." En Bo quickly cupped his hands in fear.
Shin Jiao just coldly snorted, he already noticed that even though En Bo is acting like a tranny, his looks are far too beautiful to be one. It actually makes him feel a little confused as he continuously observes the delicate feature of the young man in front of him. Then he just shook his head. Because on earth, there are also many transvestites who really look like women because of the advancement of science.
"Go take them away from here. If I find you three loitering in this place, I'll make sure that you won't see the light of day ever again." Shin Jiao said in a cold and emotionless tone.
But deep inside himself, he is laughing.
"Damn, I never get to say these words before. When I was working for the country, I would just kill anyone in the shadows. This truly feels good, Hehehe..."
"Yes, then senior please excuse this lowly one." En Bo once again bowed and move to carry the two siblings.
But when he was about to lift them up on both arms, a sudden tremor from underground disrupted his balance and made him fall.
When he was about to hit the ground, something burst out from under him. It was a beast that looks like a fat maggot, and about two meters in length.
Its sharp mandibles directly hit En Bo and threw him upwards followed by a fountain of blood spewed out from his mouth. The two unconscious siblings were also thrown on both sides.
Shin Jiao was stunned upon seeing this scene, but he swiftly regained his senses as he quickly picks up a stone and with a flick hits the head of the beast and a bloody hole appears. Before it could react, it has already died not knowing what happened or who attacked it.
This might be the creature that the mantis is trying to hunt before meeting Shin Jiao. Upon realizing this, Shin Jiao felt a little guilty. Although he set up this trap, En Bo has no grievances with him and was just collateral damage.
"Sigh… I don't have any bad blood with this guy. I guess helping him is not a problem." Shin Jiao said with a helpless sigh.
He walks toward En Bo who is lying on the ground. En Bo's face is currently contorted. He clearly is feeling pain, but when Shin Jiao's eyes went to the wound he was stupefied.
Because of that attack from the beast, a large gash from En Bo's stomach ripped through and torn apart his clothing. White bones mixed with blood is already visible. Luckily his inner organs weren't hit so he kept his life.
But the next thing that Shin Jiao saw made him stupefied. In front of him, on En Bo's chest, are clearly two big lumps of flesh.
Is science in this world are also advance that transvestite can have boobs? But if that is so, why is he or she wrapping his or her chest with thick bandages? Luckily for her or him, the bandages saved his or her life.
He wanted to ask some questions but he just bottled it up for the meantime and helped En Bo. He did a first aid treatment to the wound. He had no choice as En Bo has already fallen unconscious. He removes the upper garments and uses them to wrap the wounds. Upon seeing En Bo's jade-like skin Shin Jiao made an assumption in his mind that En Bo is really hiding her gender, and being a tranny is an ingenious idea.
He rummages through their bags and found some pills, but since there are around 5 kinds he didn't use any of them as he is not sure which is which. He didn't want to cause this person to die accidentally.
After some time has passed En Bo wakes up.
"Ugh..."
"What… What happened? Oww… my chest hurts." She suddenly cried.
But then her eyes drifted to the person calmly sitting in front of her.
"You need to take some medicine, I don't have one on me so I haven't treated you fully… here…" Shin Jiao casually said as he handed her the five pill bottles.
Upon hearing his words, En Bo immediately reaches for her pouch hidden on one of her sleeves. It was a small pouch and suddenly she fishes out a clear red bottle. She opens the lid and drinks the liquid contents, then she slumps back down.
"Hmmm… that pouch is a spatial tool. This girl is hiding a lot of things even from her companions. They clearly don't have spatial tools as they have to carry these bags." Shin Jiao thought.
He wasn't able to give the bottles to her, as En Bo's acted fast. It took a bit of time but Shin Jiao saw that the blood-soaked bandage on her chest slowly becoming dry, which means that the wound should be closing. Then after sometime En Bo's eyes slowly open.
"Ugh…" En Bo slowly turned her gaze around and saw the man still sitting in front of her. She wanted to say something but she felt the pain and immediately wanted to close her eyes but then she noticed something.
She noticed that her upper robe is already gone and her chest is wrapped by something that seems to resemble her robe. She was a bit enrage and wanted to react but the pain made her grit her teeth. Without a choice, she closed her eyes and circulate her Qi to speed up the healing process of her body. She didn't have time to be distracted right now.
Less than an hour later, En Bo felt that the wounds on her chest are now fine. She used the concoction her grandmaster gave her in case of emergency, the blood coagulating potion. She only has 3 of those and she just uses one to heal her wound. It was the first time she receives such a grievous wound so she had no choice but to use it.
When she opened her eyes, she immediately checked her body's condition. And upon feeling that there is nothing wrong with her body, she heaves a sigh of relief. She was also worried that Shin Jiao took advantage of her while she was unconscious. But she knows that he already discovered her secret. Before getting up, she grabs a set of robe inside her spatial pouch and put them on after removing the bloody pieces of fabric wrapped on her body.
She saw no one in the area and heaves a sigh of relief.
When she was about to get up she heard a rustling sound from the bushes which startled her.
"Hmm... you're awake. If you are fine now, then go..." Shin Jiao coldly said upon seeing En Bo has already recovered and has changed her robe.
"Umm… Thank you. I hope that you can keep my secret." En Bo said in a low voice.
Shin Jiao just nods his head.
Although En Bo is a girl she is already a core-forming realm cultivator, so carrying the siblings along with their stuff is a breeze.
After she left, Shin Jiao just turns around and walks back to the cave in a carefree manner.
Meanwhile, Cherry Lao has already solidified her cultivation and felt happy with her progress. It has been many months since she stayed in this forest. And she has started to miss her sect, the feeling of being smug because she is better than others, the kind 1st elder whom she treats as her father, and the Lotus Clan.
Although she had some grudges on the disciplinary committee and her master who wanted her dead, she still felt that lingering feeling for those other sect members who are good to her.
So right now she felt a bit conflicted, on one hand, there is Shin Jiao. A mortal young man who has helped her in her times of need. She owes her life to him. While on the other hand is her dreams and ambitions in life.
She wanted to talk to Shin Jiao and tell him her thoughts. But she didn't know where to start.
While she was in deep thought, the cave's door moved and slowly opened.
This startled Cherry Lao a bit. She knows how heavy the cave stone door is, no mere mortal could move it. So, when she saw Shin Jiao, she now remembered that Shin Jiao was always able to open this cave door. And this made her more confused, and a question pops out in her mind. Is he really just a mortal?
"Shin, you're back!" Cherry Lao said after recovering from her daze.
The sudden change in her attitude bewildered Shin Jiao. Then, he just looks at her without saying a word. He is trying to think of what to say, as he didn't want to see that cold and aloof side of her.
"Yes, I didn't get anything today. Just some level 3 beast core." Shin Jiao casually replied.
"Umm... Shin, I… I wanted to talk to you about something." Cherry Lao said feeling a bit hesitant.
The two of them sat and talked on the side of the bed. Cherry Lao explained her dreams and thoughts to Shin Jiao. How she wanted to go back and how she wanted to pursue immortality. She also told him about her dilemma and worries.
After hearing her words, Shin Jiao heaves a deep sigh.
"It's okay. I understand your concerns, if you really wanted to return to your sect, I'll accompany you. As a friend, I will do my best to support you." Shin Jiao said after hearing her out.
Then beads of tears slowly formed in the corner of her eyes. She didn't know why but when Shin Jiao said that they are just friends her heart, felt a bit conflicted.
In the days the two stayed together, she realized how blissful it is to have someone taking care of her. If this is what they called love, then she might already be in love with him. But, why is he so dense and seem to feel nothing after all they went through. He still called her, his friend, she didn't want that, she wants more.
At least for once in her life, she wanted to be selfish.
"Shin, I… I think... I like, you. But, then... we… we can't be together... However, I... I still..." Cherry Lao said in a low voice while at the side of her eyes a bead of tear has already escaped and rolled down her jade-like skin surface.
"I know… That's why I didn't say anything. You are pursuing immortality, as for me… I'm not sure what I am yet." Shin Jiao replied as he is truly not sure if his cultivation would also give him immortality or he would just be a very strong and powerful mortal.
He is not that dense, he just could not accept these kinds of feelings yet.
"What do you mean?" She asked lifting her head. Her beautiful eyes seem to sparkles like stars.
"Cherry, I'm not a normal mortal. I am very strong and if I am not wrong, I can even defeat you in a contest of strength. But I don't know why I have this strength, I was just born with it." Shin Jiao told her half of the truth.
This is what he plans to say as a cover for his strength. A mortal with an inborn strength of an immortal, just like the Greek hero Hercules.
Upon hearing this Cherry Lao nods in understanding. Her eyes show as if she suddenly understood everything about him. But what ticks her off a little is the proud declaration of this puny mortal that he is stronger than her, a primary stage gold core realm cultivator. She would choose a time to try and teach him a lesson, but for now, she didn't want to ruin the nice atmosphere between them.
"So... You mean, you also like me, right?" she asked to confirm his feeling.
Shin Jiao felt a little conflicted right now. Though he won't deny that he felt something special for Cherry Lao but his heart is still conflicted as he still has feelings for his ex-girlfriend.
But if he acted like it's nothing then he would not be Shin Jiao. So he would just let nature run its course. This time he decided that if he'll ever love again, then he would give his best in loving that person.
However, if that person ever leaves him then so be it.
Seeing the conflicting look on Shin Jiao's expression made Cherry Lao feel a little disheartened. She already told him her feelings, why is he not responding. Although it would not last, still she wanted it, at least for that short time in her life she at least felt loved with no regrets.
When she was about to say something. Shin Jiao moved closer to her and gently grabs her soft hands.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone