"This is not what we agreed on in our deal. I've done what you told me to, and now you're going back on your word?"

(Sh**t!! I shouldn't have trusted this IDIOT and do his dirty work. How foolish am I? To think that I can trust him to keep his word)

"I know you're calling me names in your head but i don't care. Say, any last words Mr.Gu?"

"What if i asked you to spare me? will you do that? No, right? so let's just finish this. Kill me and be done with your show" said Mr. Gu.

Now, this really pissed off the other man and he couldn't get why Gu Kaidè was calm and accepted his fate as if there was no reason to live and try to plead for his life.

"Gu Kaidè, don't you have a son to care for. At least think about them and do you think i will spare him after I'm done with you? Ah! you have an adopted daughter too right?" he said with a playful grin.

"tsk, tsk, why adopt another one if you can't even care for your already existing ones?"

"Have your conscience been eaten by a beast Bo Chen? Leave them out of this shady business and get yourself some good karma by sparing the kids" said Gu, this time with clenched teeth. Who doesn't care for their family?(only a fool) But at least he had to stall some time before rescue came and he had to trust An Hua in this.

"Ok, will do as you say. But the one here will do it instead of me because i can't bear killing my friend" said Bo Chen solemnly while patting one of his men on the shoulder.

(This hypocrite, why don't you just spare me if you can't bear killing me, your 'Friend'. Pah!! Wait for your fateful day).

"Farewell my friend" said Bo Chen when his underling put the gun on Gu's forehead.

**BANG**!!!!

Now this wasn't the sound of the gun but rather they heard a loud bang sound outside and could sense a burning smell and they realised that the warehouse was on fire. How could they not notice anything and who was it that had the audacity to challenge them.

"Shit!! Is this your work Gu Kaidè? Good! give me the gun" Bo Chen got pissed and shouted.

When he aimed at Gu Kaidè to shoot, the gun was kicked off from his hand by Gu and he earned a kick from him. Gu had freed himself from the rope while chitchatting with this idiot. That's why villains should just finish off a person without asking for any last wish from the victims since a situation like this could happen to anyone.

Chaos was everywhere as some tried putting off the fire and some trying to avoid burning themselves. But they couldn't stop the fire and the only thing they could do now was to escape.

"Boss, we have to leave or it's gonna be too late later" shouted one of Chen's underlings.

Chen and Gu were already head on with each other and at this moment Chen had picked a piece of wood and hit him on the head making him dizzy from the hit. At this, Bo Chen picked the gun and shot Gu on his chest twice and together with his men, they hurriedly escaped from the fire.

Gu Kaidè coughed out blood and collapsed in a warm embrace as he fell, sighed and said "why didn't you come before he shot me, are you punishing me An Hua, my dearest daughter?"

"Hmph, this is what you get for not listening to me and being tricked into becoming a scapegoat. But don't worry i won't let you die, not on my watch. 'You got to learn the hard way before you get enlightened ' isn't that what you always tell me?" said An Hua as she tried to feed him a potion that was a mixed colors of Red and Blue and had a glowing hue to it.

(Ok Ok it's my fault but isn't it a bit cruel to do this to me. Sigh!) He drank the potion and the bleeding on his chest stopped. It hurt a little but he could bear with it.

He stood up with the support of An Hua and came out of the warehouse. He looked back and saw that the fire was nothing like before, it was slowly dimming by itself only to leave a blackened warehouse but no destruction. He turned to look at his daughter and saw her grinning at him. So this was her doing, but it was a nice and terrifying illusion. Spectacular! Formidable!

"Sleep for a while and you will be fine when you wake up" said Hua to her dad.

Then Gu Kaidè fell into a deep slumber as he felt a bright light being flashed and the roar of engine sounds coming nearer and it was all silence and darkness but a bit of warmth too.

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Hello Readers🙋, welcome to my first story and first time writing. I have used Chinese names because it fits the story that I'm going for and my characters are named after my research so it's not just random names.

You will be able to understand them better as you continue on with the story and this is a work of fiction so my imagination will know no bounds. So do follow me and my characters filled with mystery, magic and some romances💖 (hmm I don't know🤔☺️).

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Five years went by just like that.....

NO!!!!! Things happened, some kept on trying to stay alive while some tried to deceive others.

Well lots of things happened during the course of these years and let's dive into it.

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City A.

Cars and people on foot were rushing to the Ding Ja Auction Hall in the city as there was an auction going on. They heard that there was also a special item to be auctioned today. So, they didn't want to miss out on it, even just to get a glimpse of it. It was rumoured to be a Flower that grants immortality, even if it was a fantasy and foolish dream to attain immortality, humans want the impossible, so the excitement today.

Rows of luxury cars were lined up in the parking lot. Some were here for the auction and some to just find and make connections with the rich.

There were murmurs and laughter in the hall and as usual there were people dressed extravagantly as though they were at a fashion event. They were all trying to make connections for their business and future development.

Suddenly, the hall went dim; soft music and performers dressed elegantly, descended down onto the stage. It was a mesmerizing performance and everyone applauded them with praise.

"Thank you all for your presence and also the performers for the spectacular show. I welcome you all to tonight's auction, and I'm your host, Tang Ding and we all are aware that 70% of tonight's money will be donated to the Tang Foundation for needy Students Scholarship. So, I thank you all in advance for your generosity and thoughtfulness.

Now, let's start with the first item of tonight, 'The Mermaid's Tear'. Of course we all know it's not a Mermaid's tear. It's a fancy name given as it is a beautiful and shiny pearl in the shape of a teardrop. It starts with £200000k."

And there in a glass casing was the 'Mermaid Tear'. It shone so bright and clear that its name really suited it and the owner had good taste. People began to bet on it and then it was sold for 1.5million£.

Next was an ancient bronze figure which was sold off for 3-4 Million£, then a painting, an old antique vase, and even a large villa was being auctioned off. Several things of a great deal were being successfully auctioned off tonight.

"Say, Yan Qiang, do you think I'll be able to get my hand on that thing? It hasn't appeared on the scene after these long hours, so is it just a rumor." asked a man sitting in one of the sections of the rooms to his friend on his left.

"Don't be anxious Shendong. I know you are worried because it's important for your mother. She is also my aunt, I won't play with her life and I got the news from my Grandpa and you remember that five years ago it was the same thing that saved my parents'life.

He said that he got it from doing a favor for a young and mysterious person he met while he was actually returning back from City H to the Capital."

"A Yan, what about that person? Has Grandpa Liu been able to keep in touch?"

"No, but this thing about that thing is real and he didn't tell me how he got the information and avoided saying at all. And I think you know about the rumoured Flower of Immortality right." He leaned closer to Shen and said in a low voice "It's actually the thing which you seek. It's made with the Flower as the main ingredient".

"wh...at!!" Shendong nearly screamed and quickly lowered his voice and asked, " then about its immortality......" he stopped himself when he saw his friend looking at him like he was an idiot to believe the rumor. Yes, how could you become an immortal unless you're God himself, ha.

"Next, we have this vial and there isn't much information about this but it's some sort of potion that makes your body fit and active. it's starting at only 30,000£".

Some wondered what part of the body was the host talking about and some were admiring the vial on how it had somewhat of a glow to it. Some women were thinking of buying it to keep the vial as a decor.

There it was! Shendong looked at his friend excited and hurriedly tried to lift his number but was stopped by Yan. He looked at him confused and with inquiry on his face.

"Stay calm, wait for sometime and bet for it. Do you think others won't find it unnatural for you to be extremely excited for this vial?"

"Thanks for reminding me, my brother" he said while grinning. Some started betting for it and it went to £120,000k.

When the host was about to call for the third time, Wu Shendong lifted his number plate and said "£4million". There was silence for a moment. Then the host shouted "4million going once, twice and thrice. Sold for 4million£. Thank you for your patronage Young Master Wu."

Wu Shendong just waved his hand and sat down with a slight smile on his face. No one but Yan and him knew how excited he was feeling as he got what he wanted. He looked calm on the outside but the way his heartbeat was beating betrayed his cool and calm look.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this brings an end to the events of tonight and I thank you all for your generosity. Our Tang family extends the invitation to you all for dinner at our Tang Restaurant. Hope everyone has a great evening." After saying this, Tang Ding stepped down from the stage and went back to discuss things with the buyer and the owner of the items.

The Young masters and family heads were somehow disappointed that the Flower which they had anticipated had not made its appearance. But at least they got to get their hands on some antiques and precious jade etc. This rumor about immortality had instilled interest and excitement in their hearts that they almost forgot the reality.

"Yan, do you think I'll be able to meet the owner of that item tonight? Anyway, if it was me, I would also stay hidden if I were in possession of such miraculous thing. I think I should really thank this lifesaver".

Liu YanQiang had nothing to say to him because his friend was more or less talking to himself. He could only nod his head to whatever he was saying.

"There you are, Young Master Yan and Young Master Shen. Let me lead you to the owner of the item that you bought. Come, she's waiting for you there" Tang Ding said smilingly to them and he brought them to a private room in the auction hall.

Knock knock...

"Come in" a really pleasant voice came from the room.

Yan and Shen glanced at each other as they were led into the room by Tang Ding.

When they entered, they saw a lone figure seated on the sofa in the corner with her back towards them. She stood up and turned around to greet them with a smile. She was dressed in a knee-length dress and gave a very vague feeling of herself. They somehow felt that she would vanish out of thin air if she was not being given attention. This felt weird.

"Hello Miss, I'm.."

"Young Master Wu, the one who is my benefactor tonight, and" she turned towards Yan and said "Young Master Liu, also known as Brother Yan", smiled at him.

" I thank you for buying this and wanted to personally hand it over to you. I hope you don't mind." She took out the vial from her hand bag and handed it over to them.

"It's ok I don't mind, actually I wanted to meet the person behind this thing so it's well and good for me" Shen said while reaching out to take the vial from her.

"I just wanted to ask if..."

Bzzzz bzzzz

They heard a sound and it was from the lady's bag. So, she took out her phone and saw that there was an incoming call, "sorry, but I think I'll have to take this call. I have to go, we'll meet again soon. I'm sorry again, excuse me".

She excused herself with a polite smile and went out of the room. Shendong couldn't get the chance to ask her if she was the one who made the potion and he missed his chance.

"Too bad I couldn't get more information from her" he said with a look of regret.

Both of them noticed that Tang Dong was nowhere to be found and he seemed to have disappeared without a word. They thought he could be busy with other works, so they didn't bother with him anymore and decided to go back home.

"Hmm.. why do I feel like I've already forgotten how the lady looked?. The only thing I remember about her is, the dress that she wore. I think it was White...or was it Pink.. I'm confused.(sigh) this is really unsettling, isn't it Yan? Hey! bro I'm talking to you. What are you thinking so deeply about?" said Shendong when they were in their car as they were returning home.

YanQiang just shook his head and said, " I saw a flower like mark on her right wrist when she gave you this vial. Grandpa said the same thing, 'the only thing that stood out to me was a flower-like mark on the wrist. It gave off a mystic feeling from its color and it was glowing'. He said that he couldn't remember the face or if the person was a boy or a girl. So, in short, Yes, it's the same person that grandpa met and that it is a girl".

But, they both had the same thoughts of why they couldn't remember her face and what was this mysterious feeling that she gave off?

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Hope you have fun reading 😘😘

The night was quite lively and felt like it was a festive season as there were more people on the streets than usual. There was light drizzle and cold wind blew, as they pulled their collars up and coats closer to keep themselves warm.

There was a lady in white dress and a hat. She didn't look as cold as others and just casually walked on the street with her umbrella. People just walked past her and didn't seem to notice that she wasn't dressed warmly like them. She seemed to be on the phone with someone.

"Dad, are you keeping a tag on me again? Your call came at the right time!"

"Ha ha... I've learnt my lesson the last time so, no, I'm not keeping my tag on you. A Shi is returning home tomorrow and wanted to know if you will be coming home. An Hua, It's been three years that you haven't visited, we miss you".

Yes, An Hua had stayed away from home. She had gone to the Fei Forest Valley to recuperate as she had exhausted herself by using her power.

She had gone to this forest as it was the place where Gu Kaidè and his wife Li Shuying had met her for the first time.

They had gone to Fei Forest for trekking and had come across her when she had just woken up, after her Master/Mother had sent her away from that horrible place by risking her life. The last thing she saw of her mother before coming to this place was her being pierced by the icicles that was being shot by those so-called righteous ones who felt they were entitled to their lives.

Her family's lives were just a pawn in the hands of those higher ups. It had gotten worse after her father's death, who had sacrificed himself while saving the life of an Elder's Second son from a cursed beast. Her father's sacrifice was a joke as they felt he was entitled to do so as he was a Cleric.

They wanted their lives as her mother had declined the Elders' request of teaching their people on how to rear the Flowers that were used to produce nectar for the Immortality potion. If her mother tried teaching the people, her life energy would drain rapidly which was risky for her. It was forbidden in her ancestral rule to teach this art to others that did not belong from their bloodline. This rule was made when someone had used this method to create a poison and had almost destroyed their honor and their source of livelihood.

The elders didn't believe a word that her mother had said and had called her selfish and haughty. Even her father had not been taught by her mother and could only utilise the nectar from the flowers to further enhance the vitality of his medicine and healing abilities. But other people just wanted to believe in what they wanted to, and not the truth. There were many reasons why they were hunted down but the most driving factor was their greed and selfishness.

When she had first been sucked into this place, she thought it was a different world but soon she found that, her realm and this place were from the same world. It was just that, only those powerful elites had knowledge about such existence.

In the eight years that she had been living here she had not sense any familiar feeling of people from her realm. She had gone to the auction to return a favor on the request of the Old Man who had helped her the last five years.

"An Hua! hello! are you there? Hey, dear what happened? Why aren't you saying anything? What's going on??" came a voice from the other side of the phone.

"Sorry, dad. I was just thinking of something. Of course, I'll come back tomorrow evening. Don't worry this time I'm coming home for real. I need to buy a gift for Ah Shi. So dad, see you tomorrow" said An Hua, as she was shaken up from her past by the call of her father. They said their goodbyes and hung up the phone.

An Hua had just hung up the phone when she noticed that she had turned the wrong corner while distracted and had come to a dark alley on the other side of the road that she had to take. Now she had to turn back and walk the same way she had come from. (sigh! she was annoyed. This had never happened before).

She had just turned around when she heard a groan and something/someone being hit against a wall. It seems to come from a few distances away from her. She could sense a familiar feeling and piqued her interest to go there. So, she walked over to the source of the sound in the dark.

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See you in the next chapter 🥰😇