Larger Than Life, Bigger Than Us

"This Lord meant to take you as a disciple. So young, yet so perverted. Tsk..."

Hearing the words, Lily's cheek flamed with shame.

"Your words were misleading! Anyone normal would have thought the same."

"This Lord would have never categorized you as normal. And people of this valley know better than distorting truth"

Lily had not witty reply so only a long silence followed.

"Too embarassed to say a word?" The Lord chuckled. "You should return, it won't do to play hide and seek with the guards. This is for your own protection. The valley is not fit for strangers, especially humans."

"How long did I stay here? When will I be able to return?"

"So feeble and weak… if you are to return, who's to say you will survive? This Lord will not let you go back unless you can protect this little life of yours on your own. Ran Sheng unless I permit you, you can't leave this valley. What will you do?"

The Lord was still teasing her; he wanted to see the length of her fighting spirit.

"I'll become your disciple." Her voice was resolute. She needed to go back. She had parents waiting for her and a revenge to take. Just thinking about it, she was fuming. She had no idea who was out for her or even why... The Lord was right, she wouldn't survive if she was to go back now.

"But This Lord has changed his mind..."

"I'll do whatever it takes, please, oh please let me return" Lily couldn't stand the begging voice, but she consoled herself by knowing that this wasn't really her but Ran's voice and she was only temporarily being hosted in that body.

"This will not be an easy task. Once started, you will not be able stop until you succeed This Lord will not give you any special treatment. A Lord's disciple has to be worthy."

The Lord was no longer teasing, he was staring at Lily's with great attention, not missing any details of the myriad of emotions passing on her face.

A light flashed in her mind. Lily kneeled one knee on the floor. The Lord had used the "Imprint" to impose his will.

"Ran Sheng, you are this Lord's first disciple, if you ever shame or disappoint this Lord, do not think you can ever escape safely from me. Your world is within my palm."

The Lord touched her forehead lightly. "You can now call me Teacher and rise."

Lily could feel that Ran was scared at that moment but at the same time, there were no retreat path anymore.

Lily rose up and called him "Teacher" sweetly. The Lord gave a slight smile and she forgot everything at that moment, enraptured by his charm.

"Let us return, tomorrow won't be too late to start. Teacher still need to make preparations for you."

The Lord made a quick sign with one of his hand and immediately a shadow guard showed up in front of him on his knee.

"Master has called. Please give your orders."

"Bring Ran Sheng back to her room quickly and discreetly."

The shadow guard took her and threw her on his shoulder and both disappeared quickly through a concealed door. Through a labyrinth of corridors that felt like an eternity, the guard brought her back to her room. The room also had a concealed door but now that the guard had left, Lily couldn't figure out at all from which way she came, giving a new meaning to the word "Concealing" in her dictionnary.