Chapter 2

The disciples' shouts pulled me back to the present.

"So disgusting. Pretending to be weak so Adrian will feel sorry for her."

"She's always been like this. No matter what trouble she caused, one look from her and Adrian would clean up her mess."

"Every time I think about how he died saving her, and she just ran off with some other cultivator, I want to claw her eyes out."

Adrian had started to walk away. But he stopped when he heard that.

He glanced at me from the corner of his eye.

"Tell that person who's been protecting you," he said. "I want a duel. Tomorrow at nine."

My heart dropped.

Where was I supposed to find a person I'd completely made up?

But then I figured it out.

I smirked. "Sure. But he won't be back for seven days. Let's do it in seven days."

The doctor said I had seven days left at most.

By the time the duel came around, I'd be gone.

He could challenge whoever he wanted then.

One of the disciples muttered, "Adrian, why bother fighting her partner? It's beneath you."

Vivian wrapped her arms around Adrian's waist and gazed at him with sparkling eyes.

She pouted, "No one in the world can beat you, Adrian. You're the best at everything.

"And we promised to leave for the snow mountain tomorrow. So, can we skip the duel?"

Adrian ruffled her hair gently. "We'll go after I win."

Suddenly, a massive windstorm hit.

I couldn't keep my eyes open.

Something pelted my face. It was sharp and cold.

"Hailstorm. Run!" someone shouted.

Adrian immediately opened an umbrella for Vivian and shielded her as they left.

The hailstones were huge. Egg-sized at least.

I raised my arms to protect my head and my wounded shoulder.

But I still got hit right on the nose and the injury.

The pain made my vision swim.

Soon, my face was covered in blood.

I still couldn't stand up.

The freezing wind screamed into my collar, my mouth and nose, my skin, my wound, and my bones.

I shook all over. My hands and feet felt numb.

I tucked my hands into my sleeves, dropped my head, and let the hail beat down on me.

I needed to catch my breath for a second.

But no one wanted to let me breathe.

From the crowd, someone yelled, "The heavens are punishing this evil woman. Finally, justice!"

"Everyone, get her. This is the heavens' will!"

A bucket of rancid garbage water splashed over my face.

Then someone kicked me several times. I couldn't see who.

Even neighbors I knew joined in.

"I always thought that seamstress was so nice. Can't believe she's this evil."

"People like her don't belong in the Northern Realm market. Let's go smash her shop!"

Kids ran over to join the fun.

"Kill her. Whoever kills her gets to be the Sword Master's disciple!"

Rotten eggs exploded on my head.

Pebbles flew at me like snowflakes, mixed with the hailstorm.

It turned into a full-on festival of hate.

I was in so much pain, so scared, and so cold.

I looked out of instinct at the person who used to protect me from everything.

Adrian must have heard the noise.

But he didn't look back.

He pulled Vivian closer and tilted the umbrella more toward her side.

Vivian glanced back and smiled, looking triumphant.

The hail got thicker. But even the people attacking me got tired of the cold and scattered.

I clenched my teeth and tried to push myself up with my good arm.

No use.

I couldn't even crawl anymore.

The temperature kept dropping.

My soaked robes started freezing solid.

I thought I was going to turn into an ice sculpture soon.

Slowly, I turned my head toward home, the place where I'd been safe for seven years.

I was never going to make it back.

The sky got darker.

The hail stopped. Snow started falling.

I couldn't feel my hands or feet anymore.

Then, in a daze, I saw a scene from years ago.

Eight-year-old Adrian, freezing solid in a snowstorm, just to get me a meal.

Suddenly, the cold didn't feel so bad. Neither did the fear.