Chapter 1.11

"You dare!"

Seeing red, JunQing grabbed a rusty scabbard by the table and unsheathed it, a dark aura engulfed his body as he charged towards the man.

"Good potential."

The man just used his two fingers to stop the sword, not even a single scratch had grazed him from the impact.

"But it's not enough."

The rusty blade made an ugly cracking sound before shattering before their eyes. Surprisingly, JunQing kept his calm and stepped back, pulling out the dagger at his hip.

"Host...host...FeiNan!"

The system tried to pry its Host away from his moment of realisation, but it does not know that despite its best efforts the static noise resounding in FeiNan's head just got louder and louder.

Treating the battling two like they were air, FeiNan shakily took steps towards the pale woman lying motionless on the ground, not far from her was her severed hand, clutching onto the remanents of the bead.

A lump of air was stuck in his throat,

"No...no.."

I grabbed her hands, they were so cold. I felt no pulse, no blood, there was nothing. I check again, and again, I touched her neck, caressed her face.

Wake up please. Wake up. Female Lead is coming tomorrow. You will be well. Be well.

Don't leave me. Don't leave me here alone. Mother...Mother...wake up..

Warm blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, the sickly sweet metallic taste penetrated his senses.

He looked down to a long blade piercing through his abdomen, his robes stained a deep crimson shade, much like the puddle of blood pooling around the separated wrist.

Well this isn't so bad,

His eyes slowly slid close, a smile crept up on his lips as he let himself be swept up by the waves of death.

"Don't you dare die on me NanFei! You hear me?! I know he came for you! Aren't you suppose to take care of me!!"

"Take care of JunQing for me..."

I need to take care...of JunQing...she said I need...

A new surge of strength came over him as he forced his mouth open, coughing up some blood he whispered,

"System, help me.."

"H-Host wuwuwu please don't die....Spending 200 000pts, Skill [Second Chance] used."

The sword that was lodged inside his body was slowly forced out by a strange entity, the wound melded together like threads overlapping, stopping the blood and fusing his flesh back.

A wave of nausea hit him, his vessels felt like blood was flowing backwards, his heartrate sped up. Pushing away JunQing, he curled up on the floor, tears streaking down his cheeks, blacken blood flowing out his mouth.

It hurts

Slowly but surely, FeiNan fell unconscious, his clothes were a mess, tear tracks littered his face.

JunQing looked darkly at the scene infront of him, inner turmoil tore at him. But one thing is for sure, he felt growing hatred, anger and restlessness.

He brought his Mother's body out of the house and into a small hill located not so far from the vicinity, under a pear tree he buried her remains. Not a single tear dropped.

"Thank you. Goodbye."

Giving a bow, he returned back home to the same figure laying down on the ground.

He checked for a pulse and sighed in relief.

___________________________________

By the time FeiNan woke up the room has been filled with a strange medicinal smell, his eyes struggled to focus on the blurry image of someone before him.

He tried to lift his head but a figure stopped him gently saying,

"Please be careful."

The system sounded not a trace of excitment could be found,

"It's the Female Lead."

FeiNan quickly tried to gather his bearings to get a good look at the acclaimed female lead.

Her skin was pale and her hair was a dark as the night sky, it gave her the exact look of a traditional beauty. The only difference was the bright blue eyes which twinkled even in the dark room.

FeiNan once again tried to get up, now with more strength, and the system beeped,

"Host are you alright?"

FeiNan shook his head, drowning iut the system's voice,

"How long have I been asleep?"

She smiled and quickly answered,

"Once I was brought here the day after New Years you were already in a coma, if it's from then, than you have been asleep for 3 days."

"D-did you meet a young man?"

"Yes, a young man brought me to you, demanding that I heal you. But I've found no injuries only prolonged sleep due to fatigue."

FeiNan's eyes darken at her response,

"I see..may I ask for my savior's name?"

"I'm TingXuan, from the Southern side of the continent, I'm here to gain experience by helping others."

"...how kind.."

FeiNan fell into silence, trying to piece together what happened once he was comatose.

Since he did not return to the estate for 3 days, it is safe to say that his Sister thought he was dead.

Should I just live freely?

He looked down at the mat he was resting on, thinking back to the blurry image of that woman. Tears pooled in his eyes, threatening to fall, but infront of TingXuan whom he does not know, he refrained from letting it fall.

Light clicks sounded as she packed her medical supplies inside a box, right beside it was a bundle of herbs,

"Please don't worry about the cost, it's herbs to aid sleep, not much."

FeiNan nodded and replied,

"Thank you for the gesture."

TingXuan's cheeks tinted slightly pink, it was not everyday that she would see such a mesmerising man. Honestly, when she saw how pale he was, he almost seemed like a doll.

JunQing entered the room, the door had long been fixed during the three day period and he had diligently helped to take care of FeiNan.

TingXuan and JunQing exchanged some words behind the door, the young man resting on the mat could only hear bits and pieces of the conversation,

"Thank you....en...understood.."

She left, not forgetting to wave to FeiNan, her personality was akin to a bright sunshine, lighting up the path wherever she goes.

"NanFei...who are you..?"

The first thing that came out from his mouth was the start of an interrogation.

Should I tell him?

The earrings buzzed,

"Host..your main mission now is to play matchmaker for the Leads. Since the plot derailed, the storyline would also change. Please be careful."

He rubbed his earrings, trying to get some anxiety out. If he revealed who he was, would JunQing feel cheated? But now the plot changed, revealing or not revealing is the same, no?

"Urm...I..I..."

He paused.

A moment of silence permeated the air.

JunQing sighed and reached out to embrace the other. His hands reassuringly patted his back, not a word came out.

FeiNan's nose soured, he grabbed his robe and buried his head in JunQing's neck, wetting the area around it,

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.."

It was his fault, he provoked the prepetrator and could not even protect his loved one. And now she is gone, if he could feel such overwhelming loss, how would JunQing feel?

The small sniffles turn into sobs and sobs to wailing, he clutched JunQing and cried, pouring out his heartache.

But somewhere deep inside him knew, even if JunQing forgived him, he would not forgive himself.

JunQing kept silent the whole time, only patting FeiNan's back, what should he feel?

FeiNan caused this to happen, he caused his mother's death. It was his fault.

His heart swelled with pain, a mixture of emotion flurried across.

Hearing no answer from the other, FeiNan continued,

"I'll pay you back, money, luxury, anything. I'll give it to you."

JunQing snapped back to reality,

"Anything?"

FeiNan nodded, if JunQing wanted to kill him right now he wouldn't mind.

As he was contemplating offering up his life.

Suddenly, something was inserted to his mouth, the same metallic taste emerged, FeiNan reeled and wanted to gag,

"Swallow it."

Straightening, he swallowed, his adam's apple bobbing. Looking down it seems that JunQing had stuck his finger in his mouth.

A string of chanting sounded as JunQing watched him swallow, slowly a set of scribbles emerged from his palm, it glowed red and pulsated like a heartbeat.

Encircling around FeiNan's neck, it locked into his skin, searing it into his very bones,

"This is a [Master-Servant] contract, you will stay by me and never betray me."

The words [Master-Servant] echoed in FeiNan's mind, it seemed like the roles have changed somehow.

He looked at the other that did not even blink as he wiped the saliva off his index,

"Why?"

JunQing did not reply

He caressed the other's cheek, his dark eyes not emiting killing intent, but worry and doting love.

I know you want death.

10 minutes ago

"He didn't wake up not because he couldn't, it's because he wouldn't. The fire to live is gone, and if this goes on..I'm afraid...."

TingXuan fell into a state of silence, slightly fearful of the thunderous expression on JunQing's face.

"En...I understand...Thank you.."

She waved her hands whilst shaking her head,

"No no it's fine, if more help is needed please find me at tue marketplace."

Waving goodbye to FeiNan she left.

JunQing lowered his eyes and pondered to himself silently.