CHAPTER 2a: ABDUCTED

Carrying a large piece of an aged paper, Lei MengXi stood dazedly in front of an unfamiliar fork road. After being dazed for a moment, she began looking back and forth at the old piece of paper she was holding and this two roads in front of her. Her gaze then lingered at the piece of paper and after a good amount of time, she let out a crisp "F*CK!"

Earlier this morning, she was just boasting her "excellent map reading skills". She was even confidently saying that she had never been lost even once. Well, that was not a lie though. She truly had never been lost in the entire Beijing. But who would've thought that navigating her way with the use of Google maps and a hand drawn map would be two completely different things.

Lei MengXi wanted to curse even louder and tore the useless map to pieces. But thinking how Shen Lian carefully draw that map under the dim candlelight, her irritation subsided for a bit. It was her fault anyway. Before Shen Lian left her in the morning, he asked her many times whether she would be fine alone. He even offered to accompany her to the Peak of No Return but she politely refused upon learning that the guy was originally headed towards Wu City. She just asked the guy for a map, thinking that she would be able to find the place easily and totally forgetting that she was in a place which she was totally ignorant of.

Now, she's facing a fork on the road and this was clearly not on the map she was holding. In short, she was completely lost and the map she was holding was completely useless.

She sighed once again, suppressing the tears that wanted to escape from her eyes.

Since these two are both roads, then they should be leading to somewhere. I'll just pick one first.

She then decided to take the road to the right.

She was just about to walk forward when she hear noises the that seemed to be coming from galloping horses. And when she looked back, she really did see horses, two horses pulling a carriage. And behind the carriage is another one with similar appearance. When the approaching horses saw her on the road, it didn't stop, but they made a neighing sound and faltered for a bit.

The curtain that was draping at the window of the carriage gradually flew open. At first, what Lei MengXi saw was the fair delicate hands that swept away the curtain. After that, a head popped out from the window.

Because the carriage was moving, Lei MengXi couldn't see clearly the appearance of the person inside. To her surprise, the carriage slowed down and finally halted in front of her. Now, she could clearly see the head that popped out. It belongs to a young lady with a charming smile.

Lei MengXi didn't know why the carriage has stopped or why the beautiful lady is smiling at her so she stood there, with her blank face.

The smile on the lady's face widened. "This young lady, are you heading to Wu City too?"

Lei MengXi frowned. Wu City? Does this means the road actually leads to Wu City?

She cleared her throat and in a voice faintly audible she asked, "This road leads to Wu City?"

The lady inside replied with a nod and a soft "mn".

Lei MengXi blinked twice. Then she pointed towards the road at the left side. "Then... how about that one?"

The lady in the carriage blinked many times before answering. "It also leads to Wu City, just a longer route."

F*ck! Lei MengXi wanted to curse again. But don't misunderstand her. She wasn't a fan of profanity but in this situation, she really can't help wanting to spew out one or two. Her initial goal was the Peak of No Return yet here she was, facing both roads towards Wu City.

"Young lady?" The girl noticed her silence and curiously called her attention.

"Uhm... d-do you know the way to the Peak of No Return?"

"Peak of No Return?" The lady was surprised. "Isn't that... on the opposite direction?"

At that moment, Lei MengXi had a strong urge to cry. She had walked for a very long time, almost two hours. And to think that she actually walked away from her original destination? Just what kind of sick joke is this?

The lady noticed her expression and asked, "So this young lady, are you going to Wu City or not?

Of course not! She wanted to scream. All she wanted to do is to go back to that Peak of No Return and find a way to go back home. But after walking the most distance she bad walked in her entire life, she had to longer the spirit to turn back and walked the same distance again. So, like a zombie, she nodded her head and replied, "Mn. I'm going."

The lady's face lightened up. "If that's the case, then would you like to go with us? We're also going there."

"Thank you very much but I'm fine. I don't want to trouble you on your journey."

The girl became more excited. "It's no trouble at all. No need to worry. Come, you can sit beside me. This carriage is spacious."

"Alright. Thank you."

In the end, she could only accept the generous offer. After all, she was already tired and besides, she didn't know how long it will take her to reach the Wu City.

Just like what the lady said, the carriage was quite spacious and there is a wooden box on the side. The lady opened the box and offered her mooncakes which Lei MengXi politely declined.

Upon seeing that Lei MengXi had no intention of eating, she carefully placed back the box on the side.

There was a long moment of silence between them as they travelled. Finally the young lady could not endure the silence anymore.

"I am Feng Liuli from the Feng merchant house. May I know from which esteemed household is the young lady from?"

Lei MengXi replied, "My surname is Lei. I am Lei MengXi."

She really didn't know how to introduce her family. Should she say that her mother is a psychiatrist that is more like a patient and his father is an idle person who also seemed to be mentally impaired?

Feng Liuli smiled. "What does your family do?"

"My father does odd jobs. He takes job requests from various clients." Lei MengXi answered.

"Lady Lei, you are so beautiful. I assume you are still unmarried, right?"

Lei MengXi was surprised by this sudden question but her expression did not falter. "En."

Feng Liuli's smile went wide. "Alright! That's great!"

On the rest of the trip, Feng Liuli did not ask anything but she was clearly delighted that somehow, it made Lei MengXi a bit uncomfortable. Feng Liuli once again offered her the snacks and she declined it again.

After almost an hour of travel, Lei MengXi finally heard variety of noises. Curiously, she swept the curtain and the moment she looked outside, her eyes widen in astonishment. The bustling crowd really stuck her in awe. It is not that she haven't seen a bustling and busy crowd, it is just the scene that greeted her eyes was unreal, as if it is a scene played in the small flattened device at her apartment.

"So this is Wu City." She mumbled to herself.

The street was very lively. There are many stalls selling various goods, from street foods, to vegetables, and other items and trinkets. Although she had seen this scene on her device back home, seeing it unfold before her own eyes hits different.

She let down the curtain and went back to her position. In truth, she really wanted to ask if she could get off the carriage already but she was embarrassed to say so. Even though she itching to take a stroll outside, she remained quiet and impassive.

After a few more minutes, the carriage finally stopped. Lei MengXi climbed down first and Feng Liuli followed suit.

Upon climbing down, Lei MengXi rummaged inside the wide sleeve of her robe and fished something. It was an old gray pouch that contains few copper coins. She then took four from the string of coins she had.

Feng Liuli was watching her actions and was stunned when Lei MengXi suddenly handed her the copper coins she had fished out.

"Thank you so much for letting me hitch a ride. Here is my transportation fee."

"Impudence-"

The driver was going to scold her but Feng Liuli raised her hand to stop him.

She gladly accepted the money and said, "How about you stay at the Feng Manor for a few days? My father will be hosting a banquet for me and he'll be glad if I brought along some friends."

"Thank you lady Feng but I'm afraid I can't. I am going to look for someone ."

Feng Liuli's shoulders drooped down in disappointment. She has no choice but to let Lei MengXi go.

"Alright then. Take care Lady Lei."

Lei MengXi cupped her fists in front of her chest and bowed before leaving. She walked aimlessly on the busy streets not knowing what to do or where to go. As she aimlessly walked around, her gaze swept over a stall of steamed buns.And as if teasing her, her stomach growled heavily.

"..."

"How much is the steamed buns?" Her voice was low and timid.

The vendor answered in a very lively voice, "It cost only three wen. Lady, this is the best steamed bun in the city."

"Please give me two."

The owner gave her the buns. She fished six copper coins on her pouch and paid for the buns. She counted the remaining copper coins in the pouch. 10 copper coins left. Barely enough for 3 more steamed buns.

These copper coins was given to her by the kind Shen Lian before leaving. He was worried that Lei MengXi would starve to death so he gave her a few coins that he had. He was a kind person.

But these small amount wouldn't last until tomorrow. She didn't even have any place to stay for the night.

What the heck is this kind of time-travelling? No plot armor! No food! And no place to sleep! Does fate put me here just to die of starvation?

Lei MengXi was angrily biting her steamed buns while stomping her feet when her eyes suddenly caught something. In the left side of the street, there stood a building with a wooden plaque at the topmost part of the door. In the wooden plaque, there were characters written in jet black ink.

FENG PAWNSHOP

Lei MengXi's heart thumped as she clutched the only thing she had that was worth pawning. With heavy steps, she slowly walked towards the pawnshop.

At first, the attendants were delighted to see a guest. However, when they saw Lei MengXi's old, loose clothing, the attendants that were ready to serve her dispersed. In the end, only a single attendant reluctantly approached her.

"Welcome to Feng Pawnshop lady. Are you here to pawn or retrieve an item?" His voice wasn't hostile but it was bot friendly either. He was simply uninterested.

Lei MengXi did not mind his attitude. She clutched the item in her chest and said, "I... I'm here to pawn."

Upon hearing this, the attendant did not waste any time and led her towards the counter. Soon, she was face to face with a short man, probably in his late forties.

"Lady, what kind of item do you want to pawn?"

Lei MengXi took the necklace from her neck. It was a gold necklace made into chains that were too small. The pendant of the necklace was small too, just a few centimeters long. The pendant was in crescent moon shape with a tiny sapphire gemstone. Although small, the details in the pendant was intricately crafted and the details were vivid.

With a heavy heart she handed the necklace.

"Here."

The manager examined her necklace. He specifically focused on its pendant. After a while, he cleared his throat and asked, "Where did it came from?"

"It's a gift from my parents." Lei MengXi replied.

"Where did your parents got this?" The manager asked again.

Lei MengXi looked away. "I don't know."

The manager once again took a close look at the necklace before saying, "Alright, I'll take it for two liang."(1)

Lei MengXi was undecided whether she would take the money or not. After all, she didn't know how much two liang is.

But, ah, Lei MengXi, isn't that why you came here? You need money! Just take it!

After scolding herself, she reached her hand to accept the money. Suddenly, a cold female voice rang from behind her.

"Is this how the Feng conduct their business? Cheating a small girl in broad daylight?"

Lei MengXi looked at the direction of the voice and saw three people from behind her, two female and a male. They are dressed in exquisite robes that for a moment, she thought of covering her eyes.

"Daozhang! Welcome! Welcome!" The tone of the manager suddenly became very polite and respectful as he greeted the newcomers. "This servant wonders why the esteemed Silver Moon Sect would grace my humble pawnshop?" (2)

The lady in front gave a cold sneer. "Heh! We were just walking around and didn't expect to run into some shady business conducted by this... place of yours. Is this how the Feng Manor thrive?"

Her words were sharp that it was impossible for the manager to be not ticked by it. However, he still maintain his composure as he replied, "Daozhang, please don't say that. Our businesses may be small but the Feng Manor had been operating cleanly for many years. Just now this young lady wanted to pawn an item and I gave a reasonable price based on my appraisal. What is wrong with that?"

"Very wrong!" The tiny voice of the lady beside the woman in front surfaced. "You heard that the necklace was a gift from her parent and you want to gave her just two liang for that?"

"Qi ShuXin." The lady in front warned the girl beside her so she immediately shut up. "Manager Feng, you know very well that the necklace cost much more than two liang. Besides, why did you not give this young lady a pawning ticket so that she could retrieve it back?"

"I... I..." The manager gritted his teeth and glanced at Lei MengXi who was silently watching the scene. "What does the daozhang wanted from this humble servant?"

Without changing her aloof expression, the lady opened jade like palm as if saying 'give it to me'.

With a trembling hand, the manager slowly placed the necklace on the lady's hand. The sapphire gem glistened at the hand of that lady.

"Beautiful." The lady said but without a hint of admiration. Then ignoring the manager who was suppressing his anger, she turned to Lei MengXi.

"Lady, would you mind if I take care of this treasure for you? I'll give you twenty liang for it and you can retrieve it anytime you want."

Lei MengXi pondered for a moment.

What the heck are you thinking for, Lei MengXi! Just a while ago you are willing to pawn it for two and now there's a greater offer and you are hesitating? Just take it already! In any case, there is no guarantee that you will be able to take it back!

"Alright, thank you so much."

"Here." The lady gave her a pouch which contained money and afterwards handed her a piece of wood with delicate carvings and on it, a character was embossed.

"If you want to take it back, just take this token to the Silver Moon Sect and look for me."

Lei MengXi cupped her fists and bowed, copying the greetings she had seen on dramas. "Thank you so much, daozhang."

The lady didn't say anything and simply left. The other two followed the lady.

Lei MengXi, afraid that the anger of the manager would be directed to her, also left the shop.

It was already five in the afternoon and the sun was beginning to set. Lei MengXi stood at the front of two storey in, contemplating whether she should rent a room or not. In the end, because of fear of being cheated again, she decided not to. She walked around, hoping that she could find a shed or something where she could spend the night but she couldn't find anything. In the end, she found a small, shabby temple that looked uninhabited. Beside its wooden gate is a bench made of bamboo, almost a meter and half long.

"Alright. Let's make do with this."

Lei MengXi sat down on the bench and ate the last one bun she had with her. After finishing the bun, she lie down on the bench, eyes wide open, tears streaming down.

She let her tears fall until she got tired from crying and fall asleep.

She didn't know how long she had been sleeping when she was waken up by a suffocating feeling that had enveloped her. She opened her eyes only to see that the suffocation she had been feeling was because someone was forcefully covering her mouth with their hand. She began struggling, swinging her thin arms around, but it was useless.

"Stop moving!"

"..." Do you think I'm stupid? Letting you abduct me like this?

Lei MengXi struggled even more but two pairs of strong hands held down both her arms and legs at the same time.

F*ck!

This is the third time Lei MengXi cursed in her mind for this day.

They even ganged up on me! Shameless people!

Lei MengXi didn't let her abductors have it easy. She twisted her body and squirmed like a worm placed in a plate of salt. But it seems that one of her abductors had limited patience, as after she squirmed like crazy, a strong force hit Lei MengXi's nape, letting her go back to her peaceful slumber.

"I told you, stop moving."

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