Not once did Lu Li ever meet his parents after he was born. He had seen the portrait of his father once but he never knew what his mother looked like.
He was raised by Lu Ling who taught him to behave, to read and to know how to be a man. For 15 years, they shared their lives together. For Lu Li, Lu Ling was the world, the dearest family member. Not even Lu Renhuang could compare to her.
Since a kid, Lu Ling had suffered a lot. She once almost fell victim to rape. In order to protect herself from being damaged, she jumped off a cliff and broke her leg. She even had to cut a slice of flesh from her thigh to eat it raw in order to scare away Di Hu and the others. She tried to heal her wound in the mountains alone for several days before she could crawl back to the tribe.
Later in the Wu Ling City, in order to save Lu Li, Lu Ling perished together with the Family Patriarch of the Zhao Family and was burnt to death. Because she was of fire phoenix birth, she managed to be reborn. But she was taken away by Ghost Snake Granny. After that, it had been two years. Lu Li had grown from a 15-year-old teenage to an adult of 18 years old.
It had not been long, only over two years. Yet, Lu Li felt it had been several lifetimes.
Hearing her voice, he could no longer suppress the feelings he had. He trembled. Tears welled up. He lowered his head or else people could tell something was off with him.
Even so, the old maid and the warrior behind Lu Li felt something was wrong. The warrior put his guard up. He held up his saber up high and was ready to smash it down at any minute.
"Phew, phew~"
Lu Li took a deep breath to calm down. He tried hard not to tremble in his voice as he said, "Saintess, this is a grave matter. I hope to speak to you alone."
"How dare you!"
The old maid"s eyes flickered as she was enraged. How honorable was the Saintess? Lu Li, a mere scout, wanted to spend time alone with the Saintess? What was he up to?
Lu Ling said nothing. After a while, she waved her hand. The old maid waved the warrior away. On his way out, he gave Lu Li a warning glance. Then he left and closed the doors behind him.
Lu Ling"s calm and yet chilly voice came out again, "Aunti Li is on my side. Feel free to talk. Who is the mole?"
Lu Li frowned. Lu Ling was too calm and indifferent. Did she…not recognize his voice? How else would she be so emotionless?
"Something is wrong…"
Lu Li had a theory. Lu Ling was the Saintess of the Drifting Cloud Hall. She enjoyed a high position and were trusted by the old guys at the Drifting Cloud Hall according to Lady Seven. If so, how come she never sent anyone to the Northern Desert to look for him?
Lu Li asked after a moment, "Saintess, do you remember…the Di Long Tribe?"
Lu Ling said nothing. The old maid looked at Lu Li with confusion, having no clue what he was getting at.
Lu Ling said after a while, "No. Is it a tribe at the Clouds Plains? I am asking you about the mole. Why do you speak of the Di Long tribe?"
"Eh!"
Lu Li was taken by surprise. He didn"t think Lu Ling was faking it. Had she lost the past memories? Was her soul being reconstructed or sealed?
Lu Li had become surer of the theory thinking how she never came to him during the past two years. Her memory must be sealed or her soul reconstructed.
Lu Li"s lips trembled as he spoke, "Saintess, do you remember…Lu Li?"
The old maid was still confused. Clearly, she had never heard of this name. But Saintess suddenly stood up. She lifted the curtain, looked at Lu Li with confusion and said, "I feel…the name is familiar but I cannot think of him. Who is he?"
Lu Ling walked out. Her face was covered in black veil, showing only her eyes. When Lu Li saw the eyes, he could not look away. Tears dropped, making a clear sound as they hit the white jade floor.
"You…"
Lu Ling stared into his eyes. She looked surprised as she murmured, "Who are you? How come…I find you familiar but I cannot remember where I have seen you?"
Lu Li burst into a rage of tears, crying like a child. He looked at Lu Ling, unable to turn his looks away. He could hardly control his feelings. His lips trembled and he almost called her sister.
Noticing the old maid was still standing here from the corner of his eyes, Lu Li held back the urge to call Lu Ling sister. He only forced a smile and said, "Actually, I have known Saintess for some time. But you may have forgotten something and cannot remember me now."
Lu Li then looked at the old maid and Lu Ling in turn. The latter picked up the signal and said, "Auntie Li, you can go now."
The old maid was still glaring at Lu Li with suspicion. Instead of going right away, she said with doubt, "Saintess, this man…"
"Go!"
Lu Ling looked at her coldly. The old man walked away in respect right away. After she was gone, Lu Ling turned to Lu Li and said, "You mentioned Di Long Tribe and Lu Li. Somehow, I feel they are familiar. But…I cannot remember them. Where have you met me before? Tell me."
Instead of answering her questions, Lu Li asked back, misty in his eyes, "Sister, I am Lu Li. Do you not remember me?"
Lu Li was a strong guy that rarely shed tears. But he could not stops his tears from running down. He tore apart the disguise on his face and washed off all the potion he used. Then he looked up at Lu Ling again and said, "Sis, I am Lu Li, your brother! What has happened to you? Why do you not recognize me? Sister!"
Lu Ling trembled. She seemed to be in pain and struggling when she looked at Lu Li. She put one hand over her forehead. Raising another hand, she tried to stroke Lu Li"s face and remembering him.
Lu Li noticed her intention. He moved over on his knees to Lu Ling, looked at her and said, "Sis, look carefully. I am Lu Li, your younger brother. How can you not know me?"
"Brother?"
Lu Ling said in doubt. Even though shaking, her hand did fall on Lu Li"s face. She looked at him carefully and stroke his face. But she seemed to be struggling harder. After a while, with a shudder, she almost got dizzy and fainted.
Lu Li supported her with his hands right away. He knew better now. Lu Ling must have her memory sealed off so she had no recollection of the past. Even so, he was dearest to Lu Ling. How could she not recognize him at all?
"Sis, don"t push it. Take your time!"
Lu Li was afraid that something might happen to her soul so he said in a hurry, "Sis, your memory must be sealed off so you cannot remember the past. Don"t worry, though. I will try to resolve it for you. I am here to take you home. I will not let you suffer anymore. Anyone that wishes you harm will have to walk over my dead body."