Chapter 6: The Forest of Lost Souls
Suyin's heart hammered in her chest as the weight of the elderly man bore down on her, his predatory intentions sending a wave of revulsion coursing through her veins. Despite her frantic struggles, she found herself trapped beneath his imposing figure, her every attempt to break free met with relentless force. "I saw you one day out shopping, you know? I couldn't take my eyes off of you from that day on." The man's words slithered through the air like a venomous serpent, his gaze burning with a twisted obsession that sent a shiver down Suyin's spine.
As he confessed his sinister intentions, her stomach churned with disgust, the realization of his true motives sending a cold wave of dread crashing over her. With a sickening smile etched upon his face, the man continued to recount his predatory pursuit, his words dripping with malice as he revealed the depths of his depravity.
Suyin's blood ran cold as she listened to his twisted tale, the revelation of his manipulative schemes painting a harrowing picture of the danger she now faced. "It was the perfect opportunity to offer up to pay all of their debt in return to have yourself to me."
His words hung in the air like a foul stench, his fingers tracing a path of violation across her skin as he leaned in closer, his breath hot against her neck.
But Suyin's resolve remained unbroken, her spirit undaunted by the threat of his advances. As the man's intentions turned increasingly sinister, Suyin fought back with every ounce of strength she possessed, refusing to surrender to the darkness that threatened to consume her.
With each desperate struggle, she clung to the slim hope of escape, her mind racing with the consequences of failure. She couldn't afford to cause a scene, not with the looming specter of her impending marriage hanging over her like a guillotine.
If her parents were to witness this depraved encounter, she knew that her fate would be sealed, her freedom lost forever in the clutches of the vile man who sought to possess her. With determination burning in her eyes, Suyin summoned every ounce of courage she possessed, her defiance unyielding in the face of adversity.
Suyin's voice trembled with defiance as she vehemently rejected the elderly man's advances, her eyes glistening with tears of both fear and determination.
"I'm.....not.....going to marry you!" Her words rang out with a clarity that belied her fragile appearance, each syllable a testament to her unwavering resolve.
But even as she spoke, a sense of urgency gnawed at her insides, driving her to action as she seized upon the opportunity that presented itself. With a swift and decisive movement, Suyin delivered a powerful blow to the man's vulnerable anatomy, his agonized cry echoing through the room as he doubled over in pain.
Seizing the moment, Suyin sprang to her feet, her heart pounding with adrenaline as she made a desperate bid for freedom. Ignoring the man's cries of anguish, Suyin raced towards the door, her feet pounding against the floorboards as she fled the confines of her prison.
With each step, she could feel the weight of her impending freedom drawing nearer, the promise of escape beckoning her like a guiding light in the darkness. "S-Suyin!!" The man's voice trailed after her, a haunting reminder of the danger that pursued her with every passing moment.
But Suyin refused to look back, her gaze fixed firmly on the path ahead as she propelled herself towards the sanctuary of the forest beyond. As she reached the courtyard, Suyin's heart pounded in her chest, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she scrambled up the sturdy branches of the redbud tree.
With trembling hands, she clung to the branches, shaking off the delicate petal leaves as she sought to put as much distance between herself and her pursuer as possible. But the perverted man was relentless in his pursuit, his footsteps hastening towards her with each passing moment. With no time to spare, Suyin leapt from the safety of the tree, her heart in her throat as she landed with a thud on the ground below.
The impact jarred her bones, sending a jolt of pain shooting through her leg as she stumbled forward, her resolve unbroken despite the obstacles that lay in her path.
As Suyin raced through the night, her senses heightened by the adrenaline coursing through her veins, she could hear the distant shouts of her pursuers echoing through the stillness of the air.
But she refused to let their cries deter her, her determination burning bright amidst the darkness that threatened to engulf her. With every heartbeat, she pushed herself forward, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of the horse that would carry her to safety.
And then, through the veil of shadows, she spotted it—a dark silhouette hidden among the bushes, waiting patiently for her to make her escape. Summoning every ounce of strength she possessed, Suyin rushed towards the horse, her hands trembling with a mixture of fear and anticipation as she untied the ropes that bound it.
With frantic movements, she clambered onto the saddle, her heart pounding in her chest as she urged the horse forward with a sense of urgency. As the horse bolted down the dirt road, its powerful strides carrying them further and further away from the dangers that pursued them, Suyin struggled to keep her composure.
Tears streamed down her face, mingling with the wind as it whipped through her hair, a silent testament to the tumult of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. But despite the chaos that surrounded her, Suyin pressed on, her gaze fixed firmly on the moonlit pathway that stretched out before them.
With each passing moment, the forest drew nearer, its sheltering embrace beckoning her with the promise of sanctuary and safety. And as the horse galloped onward, its hooves pounding against the earth in a rhythm of liberation, Suyin allowed herself to believe—for the briefest of moments—that perhaps, just perhaps, she had finally found the freedom she had so desperately sought.
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As the darkness of night enveloped the forest, casting long shadows across the forest floor, Areum's anxiety reached a fever pitch. She paced back and forth beside the log where the bag of items and clothes lay, her brow furrowed with worry as she grappled with the uncertainty of Suyin's whereabouts. With each passing moment, her concern grew, a gnawing sense of dread twisting in the pit of her stomach. Suyin was supposed to have arrived by now, yet there was no sign of her, no sound of hoofbeats echoing through the stillness of the night. Fears and doubts clamored for attention in Areum's mind, each scenario more troubling than the last.
Did Suyin fall prey to the clutches of her parents, their plans for her escape thwarted before they could even begin? Or perhaps she had encountered some other danger along the way, lost and alone in the darkness of the forest? The uncertainty gnawed at Areum's resolve, her thoughts spiraling into a chaotic whirlwind of worry and fear.
She imagined Suyin's face, her voice echoing in her mind as she tried to quell the rising tide of panic threatening to overwhelm her. But amidst the turmoil of her disorganized thoughts, one thing remained clear—she couldn't give up hope.
With each passing moment, she forced herself to take deep breaths, to calm the frantic beating of her heart as she waited for any sign of Suyin's arrival. And as the minutes stretched into hours, Areum remained steadfast in her vigil, her determination unshakeable in the face of adversity.
The forest seemed to hold its breath as the commotion of the horse's movements reverberated through the dense canopy. Areum's heart quickened as she recognized the familiar rhythm, knowing it could only be Suyin astride the steed. She moved cautiously, her steps like whispers against the forest floor, straining to pierce the veil of darkness cloaking the scene.
"Suyin!" Her voice, a fragile thread in the vast expanse of the forest, quivered with concern.
As Suyin's figure emerged from the shadows, attempting to rein in the unruly horse, a misstep sent her tumbling to the ground, the horse bolting away into the depths of the woods. "My lady! The horse!" Areum's urgency matched the pounding of her heart as she rushed to Suyin's side, offering a steadying hand.
Suyin, brushing away tears and straightening her disheveled attire, sought to reassure her loyal companion.
"It's alright. Let the horse go. Its purpose is served; let it find its freedom." The fading echoes of the horse's departure mingled with the rustle of leaves, a melancholic melody drifting into the night.
Suyin clung to Areum, who hurried to gather their scattered belongings, her concern palpable. "What happened, my lady? You were gone so long, I feared the worst!" Areum's voice trembled with a mixture of relief and worry, her eyes searching Suyin's face for answers. Suyin hesitated, her gaze flickering with unspoken truths she dared not share, not yet.
She couldn't burden Areum with the weight of her own troubles, not when they were already on the run. Perhaps in time, when the shadows of danger had receded, she would confide in her devoted companion.
Suyin offered a faint smile, though the weariness in her eyes betrayed her attempt at reassurance. "Apologies for the delay. It seems some of the household staff were unusually vigilant tonight, so I had to bide my time." She brushed dirt from her sleeves and knees, a silent testament to her unexpected encounter with the forest floor. "As long as you're unharmed," Areum replied, her relief evident as she surveyed Suyin for any signs of injury.
Satisfied with her assessment, she gestured towards the southeast, guiding Suyin along the dimly lit path. "There's an abandoned house not too far from here, roughly three kilometers away. I noticed it earlier and took the liberty of marking a trail with grains of rice to ensure we wouldn't lose our way." Suyin's gratitude swelled within her chest as she followed Areum's lead, the weight of the night's events lifting ever so slightly.
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The crackling fire cast dancing shadows against the worn walls of the dilapidated house, its flickering glow the sole beacon in the murky, damp interior.
Cobwebs draped the corners like ghostly veils, and the scant remnants of furniture spoke of an abandoned existence.
It was as though the previous occupants had hastily fled, leaving behind only traces of their presence, yet the pervasive layer of dust suggested that time had long since claimed this place as its own. Amidst the desolation, a semblance of comfort had been fashioned in one corner, where Areum and Suyin sought refuge. Areum, diligent in her caretaking, had prepared two small beds of hay, stacked with a tender touch before Suyin's arrival. Now, as they settled in the dimly lit room, she offered a steamed bun to Suyin, a gesture of solace in their shared solitude. "I'm not hungry," Suyin murmured, declining the offering with a gentle brush of her hand.
Undeterred, Areum settled beside her, nibbling on her own bun as she spoke. "I've tidied up a space for us to rest. Though humble, this place will suffice for the time being," she reassured, her voice a soft murmur against the backdrop of crackling flames. Silence enveloped them like a heavy quilt, the weight of unspoken words pressing upon their weary shoulders.
Suyin's mind, however, was anything but silent. Images of the old man's leering visage haunted her thoughts, a chilling reminder of the darkness that lurked beyond the sanctuary of their makeshift home. Though she remained silent, her turmoil was palpable, a storm brewing beneath the surface. With a heavy sigh, she turned to Areum, her gaze seeking solace in the familiar warmth of her companion's presence.
Suyin's voice pierced the night, shattering the oppressive silence that hung heavy in the air, ushering the two to go to bed. Their destination loomed in the distance like a beacon of hope amidst the dense foliage—a city known as Qin, a bastion of prosperity and militaristic might.
It stood in stark juxtaposition to the warmth and affection of their beloved home of Long.
But between them lay the formidable obstacle of the forest, a natural barrier that separated the warring clans. The Long clan harbored ambitions of conquest, their covetous gaze fixed upon the riches of Qin.
Yet, their aspirations were thwarted by the formidable military force that safeguarded the city, a formidable bulwark against their encroachment. Yuewei, a distant city whispered of in hushed tones, beckoned to them with promises of abundance and joy.
Its fame was built upon tales of sumptuous food and soul-stirring music, tantalizing rumors that had reached even the ears of those nestled within the embrace of Long.
But entry into its hallowed gates was reserved for those possessing a special jade—a safeguard against the prying eyes of spies from the Long clan, a testament to the city's vigilance. For Suyin and Areum, however, the allure of Yuewei lay not just in its riches, but in the promise of freedom from the shackles of their lineage.
Suyin, burdened by the weight of familial expectations and the suffocating grasp of her parents' control, yearned for a life unfettered by their demands. As they settled beneath the makeshift shelter of their humble abode, nourished by the meager sustenance of steam buns, sleep enveloped them like a comforting embrace.
In the quiet stillness of the night, uncertainty hung heavy in the air, their dreams shrouded in the cloak of tomorrow's unknowns.
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As the first rays of dawn filtered through the dense foliage, casting ethereal shadows upon the forest floor, Suyin's slumber was disturbed by haunting visions that danced at the edges of her consciousness.
In the depths of her dreams, a specter materialized—the elderly man, his form shrouded in darkness, his embrace suffocating in its intensity. The tang of blood hung heavy in the air, assaulting her senses with its acrid aroma, as if the very essence of violence permeated the fabric of her being. Trapped within the confines of her subconscious, Suyin's attempts to break free from the grasp of her nocturnal tormentor were met with resistance, his hold unyielding in its ferocity.
Desperate to escape the clutches of her nightmare, she struggled against the suffocating embrace, the specter's visage obscured by the shadows that enveloped him like a shroud. With a gasp, Suyin jolted awake, her body drenched in a sheen of cold sweat that clung to her skin like a second skin.
For a fleeting moment, the remnants of her dream lingered like a specter in the recesses of her mind, casting a pall of unease upon her waking consciousness. Furtively, she cast her gaze about the dimly lit confines of their shelter, seeking solace in the reassuring presence of her companion.
Areum lay nearby, lost in the embrace of slumber, oblivious to the turmoil that had roused Suyin from her rest. Relief flooded through Suyin as she realized that the horrors of her dreams were but figments of her imagination, the remnants of a troubled mind seeking refuge in the sanctuary of sleep.
With trembling hands, she wiped away the remnants of her ordeal, the fabric of her sleeves absorbing the remnants of her fear. The chill of the morning air seeped through the tattered remnants of their shelter, its icy tendrils piercing through the thin barrier of paper that separated them from the elements.
Suyin shivered involuntarily, her arms wrapped tightly around her slender frame in a futile attempt to ward off the biting cold. Determined to banish the lingering chill that threatened to invade their sanctuary, Suyin resolved to venture forth into the wilderness in search of firewood.
As the mist wove its tendrils through the dense undergrowth, shrouding the forest in an eerie veil of opacity, Suyin pressed forward, her senses heightened by the disconcerting embrace of the fog. Though the encroaching mist threatened to obscure her path, she refused to be deterred, her determination unwavering as she forged ahead into the murky unknown. Following the faint trail that Areum had meticulously marked with grains of rice adorning the bark of the trees, Suyin embarked on her ascent, her heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.
With each step, she drew closer to her vantage point atop the hill, her grip tightening around the sturdy shaft of her makeshift walking stick as she navigated the treacherous terrain with practiced ease.
"NEIGHHH!" The horse's cry pierced the air, reverberating through the dense forest, a wild symphony echoing off the cliffs and towering trees. Suyin's heart danced with exhilaration as she caught sight of the horse atop the cliff.
A radiant smile lit up her features, excitement igniting within her as she whispered to herself, "Great! The horse is up here!" With nimble steps, she darted toward the cliff's edge, her journey halted only by the dense foliage at the forest's edge.
Halting abruptly, she concealed herself behind a bush, her heart pounding with anticipation. Peering out from her hiding place, she surveyed the scene unfolding before her. A group of shadowy figures, cloaked in black, encircled a lone man standing amidst them, his demeanor calm amidst the encroaching threat.
"I-It's him!" Suyin squinted, her eyes locking onto the familiar figure. It was the same enigmatic man who had come to her aid when she had first stumbled into this unfamiliar time. Questions swirled in her mind as she sought to comprehend his presence amidst this perilous confrontation. "You're surrounded! What are you going to do now?!" A voice, tinged with menace, cut through the tension, a sword pointed menacingly at the man's throat.
Another figure, his face obscured by darkness, advanced menacingly, demanding compliance from the lone figure in their midst. Yi Tienzheng, however, remained unperturbed, his demeanor a portrait of serenity amidst the storm of aggression.
"You think that the man's little minions will affect me?" His voice, cool and collected, betrayed no hint of fear as the men lunged at him, their swords slicing through the air with deadly intent. With a grace that bordered on the ethereal, Yi Tienzheng danced amidst the onslaught, his movements a mesmerizing blend of fluidity and precision. As the men's blades descended upon him, he effortlessly sidestepped their attacks, a ghostly apparition in the moonlit clearing. Then, with a swift motion, he revealed the hidden arsenal concealed within his sleeves, daggers gleaming in the pale moonlight as they arced through the air. Each strike found its mark with unerring accuracy, the assailants falling one by one, their cries of pain echoing through the forest. But amidst the chaos, Suyin's keen eyes caught sight of another danger lurking in the shadows. A figure, concealed behind the veil of darkness, drew back a bow, an arrow poised to strike at Yi Tienzheng's unsuspecting form. With a surge of adrenaline, Suyin could no longer remain a passive observer. Leaping from her hiding place, she propelled herself forward, her voice ringing out in a desperate cry of warning.
"Watch out!!" Suyin's voice, a frantic plea, shattered the tense silence like a thunderclap, reverberating through the air.
The arrow streaked through the darkness, a lethal projectile hurtling toward its unsuspecting target, even as the man near Suyin lunged with his dagger, his movements a blur of motion and intent. The arrow found its mark with chilling accuracy, burying itself deep into the man's shoulder, a cruel testament to the danger that lurked in the shadows as the person ran off.
With a stifled cry, he stumbled, his strength waning as pain seared through his body. Suyin rushed to his side, her heart pounding with fear and urgency as she confronted the grim reality of his injuries. "You're injured!" Suyin's voice trembled with concern as she assessed the damage wrought by the deadly projectile.
But her attempts to aid him were met with resistance, his movements guarded and evasive as he recoiled from her touch. "What are you doing here?" His voice, frigid and detached, cut through the chaos, his gaze a piercing glare that bore into Suyin's soul.
Ignoring his question, Suyin's focus remained fixed on the task at hand, her thoughts consumed by the urgent need to staunch the flow of blood and alleviate his suffering. "We need to get this treated before it gets infected." Suyin's words, tinged with desperation, echoed in the stillness, a plea for cooperation amidst the chaos of conflict and danger.
Yet, her entreaties fell upon deaf ears as the man's stoic demeanor remained unchanged, his gaze distant and unyielding. Undeterred, Suyin pressed on, her petite hands gently probing the wound, her touch feather-light against the backdrop of his towering figure.
Immediately, the man's hand lashed out, swatting Suyin's hand away with a force born of desperation, his attempt to distance himself from her thwarted by the searing pain radiating from his wounded shoulder.
Despite his efforts, his strength faltered, his body betraying him as weakness coursed through his veins, leaving him powerless to resist. "Stop! If you keep moving, you will lose more blood." Suyin's voice, tinged with urgency, pleaded for reason, her words falling on deaf ears as the man struggled to rise, his determination a testament to his unyielding spirit.
Yet, his defiance was short-lived as his legs buckled beneath him, his form collapsing to the ground in a heap of exhaustion and agony. Suyin hastened to his side, her heart heavy with concern as she beheld his unconscious form, a solitary figure amidst the carnage that surrounded them.
With a silent prayer of gratitude, she noted his fortuitous position, the arrow embedded in his right chest leaving him vulnerable yet still breathing. Despite his earlier hostility, she felt compelled to repay the debt owed to him for his act of heroism. "So much for listening to someone like me," Suyin muttered under her breath, her frustration palpable as she gingerly adjusted his position, her movements careful and deliberate amidst the eerie stillness of the forest. The rustle of leaves and the whisper of the wind lent an eerie ambiance to the desolate scene, a stark reminder of the perilous circumstances that engulfed them. Determined to find safety amidst the chaos, Suyin resolved to move the injured man from this area, her mind racing with the urgency of their situation.
With the black horse standing sentinel nearby, she knew that their salvation lay in escape.
With grim determination, she seized hold of the horse's halter, her grip firm and unyielding as she began the arduous task of dragging the unconscious man to safety. Step by painstaking step, they descended the treacherous terrain, the weight of their burden a constant reminder of the peril that shadowed their every move. Yet, fueled by determination and a flicker of hope, Suyin pressed onward, her resolve unshaken by the daunting task that lay ahead.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Aeriesu
Aeriesu Hello, my dear readers! <3 Thanks for the comments and collections! I totally appreciate it that you guys chose to read this and it makes me want to work harder than ever! (as much as I can in my power, of course ^^) Hope you guys enjoy the chapter!
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