Rebirth Of A Villainess

"Did you hear that Fan Qingshan is getting married!"

Less than three days since the Spirit Master announced that he was going to wed, the news had spread to the cultivation world, like the wind it was uncontrollable, moving of its own accord.

Big names and nameless cultivators from various sects gathered to talk about the impending marriage, as though they were discussing a matter of great importance, not that a union of two strangers wasn't that important, but putting aside their duties to gossip was something else all together.

"Fan Qingshan is getting married?! Didn't he say that he wanted to fully devote his life to ascending godhood! What could have made him change his mind?!"

"Who knows, I heard his young disciple went into seclusion after the news broke out. Wouldn't one think that he should be out there giving out congratulatory greeting, instead of locking himself away in the name of cultivating?"

"So you also think it strange too, that he chose such a time to go into seclusion?"

"You can never count on master-disciple relationship going smoothly anymore. See! What do you call that if not jealousy?"

"I heard those two were inseparable, whenever you find one, you will surely find the other. So sad to see such a relationship breakdown so easily."

"Fan Qingshan solely asked for him and no other to be his disciple, when many fought to be taught by him. What a shame!"

"What else can we say, when one has a bad heart, it is bound to show, sooner or later!"

"Let's hope that he comes out more sensible and uphold the path of righteousness."

"Hmm..we have to wait till that time. What a pity! I bet Fan Qingshan will be so disappointed not to see him there."

"Well, what else can he do? Drag Han Hulin from seclusion?! That will only make him a laughing stock. Tongues would wag at such a disgraceful display!"

By this time the discussion was beginning to die down, but the incident still remained in the minds of many. As some speculated that what led to it was merely a fall out between master and disciple, others thought it was probably because Han Hulin was unaware of Fan Qingshan's wedding and chose that time to cultivate in seclusion. It was a question that could not be answered, they all thought that the relationship between the two was rock solid and nothing was ever going to shake the bond between them. It was unheard of, for a disciple of that nature not to show up at such an important ceremony of his master.

Cultivating in secret was not the problem, but being inflexible was what the ignorant ones among the cultivation clans spoke of, even after the ceremony was done and over.

Many years passed after this, there was barely any mention of the unseemly way of Han Hulin, the incident was almost totally forgotten, except for the occasion mention here and there and the record of it in the sect's library.

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Seven Years later...

Han Hulin could hear a voice in the background, it sounded like those of a little child and, as he struggled to get up from where he laid on the bed of moist grass.

"Father! Who is that man over there?"

After he came out from his self-imposed seclusion, Han Hulin hadn't seen anyone since he got out. He still maintained residence in Fan Qingshan's courtyard which was far off from the rest of the other sects courtyard. His head was spinning from the oncoming voice that belonged to those of a child, as ears raised in attention.

"Rou'er! Don't disturb the man, he is fast asleep. Come with me."

The little girl dressing in a pink robe, looked at her father with an innocent look in her eyes, as she did what was asked of her, raising her hand to hold onto her father's firm hand.

"Yes Father!"

The two walked hand in hand, leaving Han Hulin where he was on the soft green grass, looking for the world as one that was in a peaceful sleep. His dark lashes cast a gentle shadow over his jade fair skin.

The cloud was exceptionally bight with sound of chirping birds, that perched from one tree to the other, their bright colored feathers of yellow and pink short peaks from a tiny rounded body that held glittering dark orbs in their socket. Tiny dark pink talons gripped onto the branches of the trees where they perched on.

The wind blew gently around, creating a peaceful ambience. From where he laid with his eyes closed, Han Hulin could tell who the voice belonged to, it was none other than his master Fan Qingshan!

Stretched out with eyes closed, as his hand lay on both side of his body in the "usual" sleeping position that had been molded into him, right from the time he had been under the wings of his master. As though he was still asleep, Han Hulin strove to control his breathing so as not to give himself away that he was awake.

"I can't believe it is Fan Qingshan himself!"

"Who was that little girl?"

"Is she his child?"

"Come to think of it, we haven't crossed path in seven years!"

"To think we would meet like this, is really the work of fate."

"Did he come to see me after such a long time?"

All of this kept going through the mind of Han Hulin, when he saw he no longer heard the sound of their feet anymore, he rolled to his side, still pondering on the reason for his master's visit. His mind took a quick shift, as he thought on if he had kept the place tidy enough for Fan Qingshan, when it came to cleaning and keeping everywhere tidy, he left it to his junior disciple to take of it. No matter how much Han Hulin begged to have a servant or two do the clean up like what other masters provided their junior disciples, Fan Qingshan adamantly refused to allowed such practice, believing that it will make the body lazy and the mind dull. Therefore, Han Hulin had no other choice but to be the only junior disciple that cleaned the Hall of Solitude.

He couldn't bear to look at himself in the mirror, as his appearance would be considered unsightly to his master, who prided himself on the teachings of austerity, clarity and all forms of virtue. Han Hulin could not remember the last time he had taken a dip to cleanse his body, or washed his hair. Inwardly cringing at what Fan Qingshan would say on knowing the state he was living in, he wanted to continue pretending to be asleep, until a familiar voice came through, loud and clear.

"Han Hulin! Get up right now! I know you weren't sleep! I'm ashamed to let Ruo'er know that you were once my disciple!"

If the ground could open, Han Hulin wanted to jump right into it and never come out, he didn't hear the oncoming footsteps of his master. Things couldn't get any worse than this, as Han Hulin squared his shoulders in anticipation of the harsh rebuke he knew was coming his way.

Han Hulin wanted to run and hide from Fan Qingshan, even though he could not see what his face looked like, he guessed splashes of bright pink would be competing with his usual jade skin.