168 Under Attack (2/2)
\”Girl, wait!\” Master Qiu called off to the running Rin, but she was no longer in sight.
When he turned to look down at the village, his eyes widened.
\”Oh, dear…\”
…
In a misty village, a crow lands on a frosted tree.
Aiguo stood by the windows, watching the snow swirl past. Some of the flakes gathered on the windowsill outside, piling at the corners. He sighed.
\”When is Rin coming back?\” He glanced back at his sister who was cooking dinner.
Looking up from the pot of steaming food, Jia sighs helplessly.
\”Mister Qiu will probably make her stay the night at his place. It's too dark for her to come back.\”
After saying so, Aiguo's face formed into a scowl.
\”Hmph, that old man better not do anything to her or I'll…\”
Bonk—!
\”Ow!\” Aiguo clutched the back of his head. \”What was that for?!\”
\”Idiot, if that old monk is going to be a pervert to something, it's to a piece of meat.\” Jia scolded with her hands on her hips. \”Speaking of food, go down to the market and fetch me some seasonings for dinner.\”
\”Didn't you go to the market earlier?\” He frowned.
Jia shrugged her shoulders. \”I forgot. Now go quickly so we can eat dinner. Be safe.\”
\”Tsk, whatever,\” Aiguo grumbled while snatching the pouch of money from his sister.
…
\”Thank you for your purchase!\” The old lady waved goodbye to the young boy.
Aiguo bobbed his head and walked away with the bag of seasonings in his hand. When he remembered Rin would not be accompanying them for dinner, his mood dampened.
With a lowered head, Aiguo walked back home. Suddenly, the rumbling sound of thunder sounded in the distance.
It began to rain.
\”Aaahhhhhhhh!\”
In alarm, Aiguo, along with everyone around, swung their heads to look in the direction of the sudden scream. When Aiguo turned around, he was unable to comprehend the scene before him.
He watched as groups of large, burly men assailed into the village, slashing their long blades toward all the men in sight. Blood flowed out of the limp bodies and splattered onto the ground.
Other men held lit torches in their hands and began to set the buildings on fire.
They were under attack by bandits!
The sound of anguishing screams cleared Aiguo from his daze and he quickly ran, his eyes wide with fear.
While running, he could hear the sounds of screams from the villagers, and the bandits amused laughter sounding behind him. Numerous people fled passed him in hope of escaping into the woods.
He needed to get home and warn Jia!
At that moment, a villager running past him shoved him out of the way, causing Aiguo to trip and fall to the ground. He hastily tried to force himself up, when he suddenly froze.
He was laying in something wet.
Trembling, Aiguo glanced down and clenched his teeth to keep from crying out. The blood that had flowed so freely from the severed neck of the body beneath him now lay in pools around the corpse.
It soaked into his light cotton clothing, dying it red.
Horrified, Aiguo stared at the blood with fear. He felt his own hands drench with the oozing red liquid.
He couldn't breathe, it felt as if someone was choking him. His heart was racing, and all he wanted to do was curl up into a ball and wait for someone to save him.
But no one would, everyone was fighting for themselves.
Gritting his teeth, Aiguo stood up and ran as quickly as he could to warn his sister.