LABYRINTH OF THE PAST

Chapter-1

"Past is something you can't erase. Something that will come back time and time again and haunt you. Something that will complex the present, that will alter your emotions and that will change your reality."

"During that period when the whole cultivation world faced great disaster. If it wasn't for the healers of the god who shed their blood to obtain 'the blessing', the world would have collapsed."

"Healers of the god were the medicinal experts of Xiao Clan. They said the Xiao clan had no enemies because there was literally no one who wasn't saved by their knowledge at some point in their life. Not only medicinal knowledge, their cultivation methods were also unique from every other sect. They were prestigious in every way, only lacking one thing. Just like their name xiao, the clan was smaller than others. And so they lacked the capacity to overthrow any other forces. Which became the reason for their disappearance from the cultivation world."

"...the powerful became more powerful and greed led to a disaster....." Li Sui stared at the paper with discontentment before closing the book and muttering "too much fantasy I can't understand a thing."

She looked at the name of the author "Xiao yanran?...Is it a history book or what? Huh." She picked another book but as soon as she noticed that fantasy style cover of the book she shouted.

"Does this shop have anything good to read!!"

Hearing that loud and aggressive call..a staff member came running, "Sorry mam, can I help you with something ?"

She looked at the boy carefully with squinted eyes before asking "What kind of bookstore is this? All kids stuff and supernatural things. Don't you have any romantic novels or something huh?"

That worker seemed confused, "Mam, this section is for romantic fantasy novels. If you want something simple, so..."

"What do you mean 'simple' ? Do I look like a fool to you?" She interrupted.

Boy was speechless for a while until they heard a giggle from behind. When they turned, it was a handsome looking guy with long dark hair which was quite unusual. Li Sui noticed how he had a deep old scar on his lips and chin. Apart from that his features were as stunning as an historical Idol.

"What? What's funny ?" She glared.

"Nothing.." Controlling his laughter, he replied.

"You're dead if you're laughing at me. Got it?"

"no, no, not at all." He shook his head as he let out the laughter he was holding in. She gave him a slight glare but he blocked it by asking "ahh! Right, Are you searching for a romantic novel?"

She was still bewildered as she agreed "Uh? Yes, why do you ask?"

"Then how about you try this one?" He handed her a book. The cover said, 'The heavenly seed of lotus'.

"Haha as boring as it could get huh?" She turned a few pages "Again Xiao Yanran?"

"Why? What's wrong with that author?" He asked, confused.

"I've been seeing a lot of books by her in this store but I've never heard her name outside or on the internet. It's kinda weird."

"I've heard that this author is pretty closed off about her actual identity and doesn't really like to show off her work either. There's only a few books you could find by her and this is the only store in the city where these books are available."

"Why did you recommend this to me then?"

"Because... I really like this story." His smile was a bit distant when he responded.

"I'll take you on that then."

"Well then see you later."

Taking that book she reached her apartment. Her eyes landed on a sticky note on the doorframe. She picked it up as she stepped inside. "Landlady?...she really doesn't miss a day." It was a note from her landlady reminding her to pay the rent.

She grew up at an orphanage where she barely made any friends. Even though she's talkative and friendly people there weren't comfortable around her and so she became used to not forcing them to act friendly. Minding her own business and doing things that make her happy without worrying about others. She's been living alone and paying her own rent ever since she graduated. Working at multiple different places part time and full time. Her clumsy personality made it hard for her to stay at one place and then there were various rumors about her here and there, which made it hard for her to keep working at one place. It was given due to her unknown background.

Today was just like any other day. She stopped by the bookstore while coming back from her part time job and happened to meet that stranger. There was nothing strange.

At night she sat down to read that book and realized it was just as complicated as those other books in the store. Closing the book she murmured "Enough with this supernatural stuff." But when she stood up she noticed that there was something strange about the book as it was moving on its own. "An earthquake? No...Hold on. What's this? Am I hallucinating?" Rubbing her eyes she wondered. Her heart was drumming as if giving warning before the war began. Lights in her room flickered. It was getting hard to focus, her head hurts.

In a spur of a moment, she found herself in a pitched dark place, concluding "I must be dreaming." She trailed aimlessly. A ray of light diverted her aimless eyes towards a begonia plant. "Huh?"

Not getting enough time to ponder about everything that was happening, her foot slipped, losing ground. Rest was unpredictable.

"Is this really okay?" Channeling his spiritual energy towards the sky a young boy asked.

"Definitely. It'll definitely work out. Don't worry, Shishu. Your big brother is here with you." Said the other boy with a smug look on his face.

Both were teenagers, around the same age. Their height, their body structure, their hair, even their face seemed exactly the same. As if they were each other's replica. Only thing different was that the second one had a mole under his right eye.

"Who are you fooling here? I was born a minute before you, Zhishu." Shishu frowned.

Zhishu, the younger twin giggled.

"I still don't think this is right.. We should at least inform the elders about this." Focusing on his energy Shishu suggested.

"Are you in your right mind? Lord Yang will kill us." Replied Zhishu.

"That's what I'm afraid of."

"I think it's connected!! Focus!!Focus!!"

"Oh no no no!!"

"Oh yes! Calm down Shishu."

After focusing for a while they managed to open a portal. In the blink of an eye something dropped with a large bump.

"What was it?" Shishu panicked.

Twins boarded on their swords flying towards the source of the sound. Crossing the lake they landed on the ground near an animal waste dump.

"This smells horrible." Zhishu commented, covering his nose.

"Let me check." He goes a bit further and notices a figure laying unconscious in the dirty mess. After checking he murmured "A girl?"

"A girl!?" Zhishu repeated with a hint of surprise in his tone.

Reaching back to the other side, Zhishu scratched his eyebrows as he asked, "Why is it a girl? That too, so fragile. Didn't you say that it'll summon a warrior from another world, Young Master?"

Another boy who was sitting between what seemed like a spiritual array, closed the book he had in his hand and came closer to see what the twins had brought. But not even getting enough time to observe the unconscious figure in front of him, he backed away covering his nose. This boy although looked like he was similar age as the other two but he had this demeanor of a Young Master of a prestigious clan. His traditional cross collar robe was embroidered with silver threads. His eyes glittered as he said with profoundness, "Surprisingly enough this actually worked. But how can it be someone like her?"

"Young Master, are you sure we didn't forget something?" Shishu asked.

"Are you stupid? Who are you doubting here? Silver Dragon of the Yang Xiyong Sect? Young Master Yang Ziyou? If the second lord is watching you from heaven he'll definitely talk to the king of hell and book a chamber for you over there. You're doubting his only precious son? You're doubting our young master's blessing?" Zhishu said.

Blessings could be referred to as supernatural abilities granted by god. In which the Young Master Yang Ziyou is the owner of a quick sight and sharp memory. He is extremely knowledgeable and always ranks first in theoretical examinations. His ability allows him to memorize a book just by glancing through it once.

Ziyou clicked his tongue out of irritation. "Zhishu Ah Zhishu, I'll appreciate your silence more than your praises." Although he did feel great hearing those.

Shishu chuckled slightly but he didn't waste much time before striking another question with a slight blush on his face, almost in a whisper, "Young master? Don't you think she's wearing very little clothing for a woman?"

Noticeably the girl was wearing a pair of comfy shorts with a T-shirt.

Zhishu coughed heavily on the question, turning his head away. The book Ziyou had in his hand was brought to his face to cover his slightly flushed face, he reasoned, "that's the proof that this book didn't fail. I've read several books about fashion in other countries and neither women nor men wear such..such absurd clothing. Which simply means she's from another world."

He himself wasn't sure but for the sake of keeping his nose high he said that. Although it does make sense.

The Twins were nearly five years old when they were brought to the Yang Xiyong Sect. Ziyou having no one around his age in the sect back then pretty much grew up along with them like siblings. Both twins were really fond of him since childhood. Yang Ziyou although is nephew of the sect leader Yang Qiang but he never once treated him less than his own child, regardless of his strict personality.

"Young Master Yang is truly a genius." Clapping, Zhishu said.

His Claps stopped abruptly when Ziyou gave him a side eye glance. Coughing awkwardly he asked "so what're we gonna do now?"

"Await our punishment, I guess. What do you think?" Shishu said fearfully.

Zhishu's face turned pale just hearing that he turned to glance over Ziyou whose nod made it even worse. Ziyou wore a pretentious smile on his face as he informed in a calmest tone possible, "The book only said how to summon her. We also need to find out how we can send her back. In other words, we're fucked."

Both Shishu and Zhishu felt as if there were ants crawling on their skin, Expression blue they glanced at each other holding hands as Zhishu whispered "Gege¹, I have something to confess to you, I was the one who mixed chili in your dessert."

"And I was the one who told Teacher Shu that you cheated on the test."

"Wait... was that really you?"

"Hmm" Shishu nodded, closing his eyes.

"How dare you, Shishu!!"

"What about you didn't you put chili in my dessert??"

"But I had to suffer punishment because of you"

"Oh well you deserved it, you cheater!!"

Twin's quarrel made Ziyou dizzy, as he snapped "ENOUGH YOU TWO!!!"

Ah?

"It was my plan...I wanted to test it out...if i had known that this would actually work I wouldn't have tried it... but... now that I've already messed up... I won't drag you guys with me."

"....Young master.." Both twins almost teared up.

"Now...what do we do about her?" Ziyou asked, putting his hands on his waist and biting his lips.

Before the worry could fully occupy the space, the sound of someone's footsteps filled it. Making three of them shudder. Through the echoes of their hearts Ziyou's unlucky lips uttered in a low voice "Uncle?"

Twins turned into two stone pillars, thinking it was the sect leader Yang. Until they heard a familiar voice "Ziyou?"

Turning back he was relieved to see his favored cousin, elder son of the sect leader Yang and their dearest teacher, Yang Guan Shu.

The man was definitely the most adored person in the whole sect unlike his father who was known for his unyielding stone face and intimidating nature and his younger brother, who was a soft copy of his father. Yang Guan Shu's appearance was one thing to admire but his forever calm expression, gentle demeanor and soft, ear-pleasing voice was something everyone was fond of. After completing their studies under his father's guidance he took the position of grandmaster in the sect freeing his father from one burden. Number of new female disciples has definitely increased ever since. The Younger brother, Yang Lian on the other hand, often spends his time either studying or cultivating, if not on the missions.

Half of their worry disappeared the moment they saw him. Striding towards him, Ziyou whined "Shu gege, Shu gege, I'm sorry.. We did something troublesome."

Not that he was expecting any less from these three, Guan Shu shakes his head "Alright, let me hear about it, what did you guys do this time?"

As they explained everything, Teacher Shu felt head spinning. "Ziyou, my dear, tell me one last thing, Why didn't you tell me about this before trying it out?"

"I thought it's just some playful trick and wouldn't actually work but... it did." Ziyou glanced at Teacher Shu nervously but there was no specific expression on his face. After a while he let out a sigh. "You should at least inform the elders before trying something like this."

"I'm sorry...Shu gege." Head hanging low, he really didn't have anything else as an excuse.

"No excuse we're at fault, Teacher Shu. Please punish us." Shishu and Zhishu kneeled down on a single beat.

"Did you inform Father about all this?" He asked calming himself down a little.

Nervously raising his head, Zhishu spoke up, "Teacher Shu, We're too young to die."

Guan Shu couldn't help but chuckle at that, "Don't worry, I'll try my best to save your heads but it's not a small matter." He turned to Ziyou, "I'll talk it out with Father, make sure to apologize properly." He ruffled his hair as his eyes landed on the girl laying down unconscious. He immediately diverted his gaze and turned to leave, Instructing, "Have someone take care of her, preferably, a female. Also keep an eye on her. Don't let her go out of the pavilion and don't leave her alone."

Boys kept staring at his back, admiring their teacher. Truly a savior.

Thinking about what Guan Shu said, Ziyou asked, "Will any shijie² help us?"

They thought for a while then Shishu grinned cheekily giving side eyes to his little brother "I know who will."

***

___________________________________________

¹gege basically means elder brother

²Shijie is elder female disciple in the same sect/clan

___________________________________________

Oh you reached here? Have some tea ☕

Thank you for reading till here. I know the process is slow but we'll get there soon. And it's gonna get really interesting in the upcoming chapters.

Guess who's gonna be the male lead for our dear Li Sui?

Please leave a comment if you read it. It'll boost my confidence. ❤

Well then, till next time. See yaaa! 🎶