บท 14: Chapter 13: Home Sweet Home?

The Tang family lived in the capital, Qi region. They were saints, they had the power to purify water and . The power itself, used to be much more potent.

They were originally normal humans, but it is said that one day, the eldest brother came across a injured angel and he nursed the angel back to health using everything they had since they were poor. So this angel said, "I must repay your kindness, seeing how I've exhausted your resources, I will give you the ability to nurture your plants in a way where they may blossom wonderfully, even in the winter."

But the second eldest, who was against healing this angel in the first place felt that this angel was just some lunatic who was sprouting nonsense, so he tried to poison his elder brother in order to retaliate. His brother died from drinking that poison mixed into his water. When the angel heard of this news he was infuriated. He went down to earth. He punished the second brother by crippling him and said to him, "You have committed such a crime against your own blood, let all those born in your bloodline be crippled if they ever touch their own blood with sinful intentions." After cursing him and his bloodline, the angel went to the eldest brother's family and blessed them with the ability to purify water.

But as the bloodline went on, the powers began to become weaker. And variations of it came on, such as the power to make plants into living beings, or the power to turn water into poison. The Tang's, at some point almost completely lost this power in their bloodline, it became rare to ever find a child born with such abilities. But they had already made a place in society for themselves so they didn't really need it. Thus, they became a family influenced by priests and such. Known for their modesty, indifference, and purity. (Author: something our FL doesn't have)

Hua Ming has walked an hour or so aimlessly, feeling that she thought she knew where to go, but every turn made her more and more confused. At some point, she stopped and took a break. Mean while LiLi could rest in a pot. Almost all beastly being could shapeshift into a smaller form, only that those who didn't specialize in this field had limitations to how small and for how long. Lili could do so for about a day, and he could shrink to a smaller form, almost as small as a newborn bear cub. Our main character carried him in a leather knapsack given by one of the farmers in the countryside. And she also had a little pouch for the small handful of money they had.

They had stopped for a break, and after five or so minutes Hua Ming decided to go ask for directions. "Excuse me sir, may I get directions to the Tang family's estate?" the man turned, he was a stout man who seemed worn out and in need of rest. He responded with a dry voice and expression, "Go to the temple north of the capital and you will see their estate near it, but whatever business you may have with them, they aren't the welcoming type." Hua Ming felt confused but took his words as advice to keep in mind, "Thank you sir, I will be on my way." She continued her walk to "her home".

It took a couple turns but they finally arrived in the northern most part of the bustling capital. Where the temple was located. All the busy carts were gone, it seemed like a ghost town, with an impenetrable silence. No crowds, barely any street vendors, but a few monks and priests have passed by in the streets wearing hoods, women wore veils. "Oh WAIT! THE VEIL" thought Hua Ming. She quickly tossed on the one the servant chasing from before gave her. It was white, and a bit see through. She could still see ahead. But weirdly after putting on the veil, she felt stares fall upon her back. Giving her nerves an unsettling feeling. Wind swept through this part of the capital. And it is said that it does snow every so often. The northern community believed mostly in solitude, especially since the temple has influenced the values and atmosphere of it's surroundings.

Ms. Tang has finally found the Temple! She felt confident, that this was a sign she was near her supposed childhood home. But she kept walking in hopes, that slowly drained. They had walked for what seemed like an eternity, and the streets started to dim and fill with fog. The fog was thick and smelled of incense. It must've been the temple doing their daily prayers and praying to those passed. Apparently a cemetery was also located in the northern part of the capital. They moved the temple with the cemetery so that the spirits could be put to rest by priests and such.

Finally taking one last turn into a ghostly alley, there, at the end of the street, led to a courtyard house, the kind shown in models in modern museums. The roofs made of ceramics, the gate out front red as crimson blood. It was truly a scene from a Chinese drama.

But before Hua Ming could open the door, the door in question opened with a big gust of wind mixed with leaves. "MISS!!!!!!"