You Must Pity Me (Chapter 2)

Two 

The year Mo Yun turned 15, she descended the mountain for the first time. This was a rule of the shadow guards. The day before the life or death battle commenced, all the newbies would be given free time to do whatever they wanted. 

Because a large majority of them would no longer have the chance to experience the unfamiliar life in society before they died. 

Mo Yun’s Master asked her if she had any wishes she wanted to fulfil before the life or death battle started. After pondering, Mo Yun said, I want to go home. 

To return to the home that sent her away 15 years ago. 

Her Master sighed: The Lieutenant General’s Manor in Jinyuan City. Go visit your family and then return. Do not form any connections with your family. Don’t forget, you are a shadow guard of the imperial family. Your life does not belong to anyone other than His Highness Shen Yue. 

Mo Yun nodded her head. 

Mo Yun only realized this once she infiltrated the General’s Manor. That day was her twin sister’s 15th birthday. 

In other words, it was also her 15th birthday. After living amongst the shadow guard for so many years, Mo Yun had almost forgotten her own birthday. 

In the General’s Manor, the theatrical troupe was playing the gong and the drums on stage. Distinguished guests graced the manor with their presence, bearing presents. This was Mo Yun’s first time seeing the affluent society. She cautiously hid among the crowd. If the others discovered that she had an identical face to the Oldest Miss of the General’s Manor, it would not be a good thing.  

At this time, she heard the discussion of a group of people a stone’s throw away. They mentioned that something had happened to the Oldest Miss - She had suddenly fallen ill in the morning. The General and the Madame were worried to death. They had summoned someone to have a look, only to hear that something was plaguing the Oldest Miss. 

Mo Yun was alarmed. She suddenly recalled that wretched curse. 

She had a conflicting horoscope with her younger sister. Hence, she was chosen as the one to be sent away. And the curse of their clashing vitality still stood today. Perhaps she shouldn’t have returned. To be honest, she merely wanted to have a look at her family before she stepped onto that field of life and death. But when she truly stood here, Mo Yun realized that her family did not welcome her. Fate had determined that she was a lonely and feral soul that could only be abandoned. Who would care about a feral soul’s desire to return home? 

When she heard the voices of discussion draw closer, Mo Yun randomly chose a path in a fluster. In her carelessness, she collided into someone. 

This was the Crown Prince Shen Yue’s first time visiting the General’s Manor. The residence was heavily guarded; and thus, he did not bring his own guards along with him. When Mo Yun crashed into him, he nearly assumed that this girl was an assassin hired by someone. 

However, when Mo Yun raised her head, he realized that he was mistaken. Although Mo Yun had a sword hanging around her waist, this girl’s eyes were reddened. She seemed feeble and upset. 

When Mo Yun first bumped into Shen Yue, she was shocked. It was impossible for her not to recognize that golden four-clawed dragon robe, so she attempted to hide away. However, when Shen Yue saw Mo Yun, his eyes brightened up: Are you a member of the theatrical troupe? What is your name? 

Mo Yun did not reply and her mind drew a black. 

Shen Yue said with a smile: Looking at your attire, are you a dancer invited by the General’s Manor? Can you perform a sword dance for me? As compensation… He hesitated. As the Crown Prince, he was not in habit of carrying money around. 

Can you bring me on a tour around the General’s Manor? Mo Yun suddenly thought of an idea to escape from this guarded courtyard. I’m not familiar with this place and without someone as a guide, I will get lost. 

Shen Yue smiled: Agreed. 

Mo Yun thought, this was probably her one and only chance to have a good look at her home, while avoiding her parents, while avoiding her younger sister. Just like the shadow of a solitary spirit turning its head back to look at its home before crossing the Naihe Bridge [1] Carefully and cautiously, in fear of alerting anyone. 

The sword tip drew an oblique arc as Mo Yun casually started her dance. The movement of her hands were like the gushing waters of a river as her sword light drew a perfect arc. Just like an explosion of fireworks, her sword morphed into ten silhouettes. Her dance was as light as the wind, as heavy as drops of rain, and as rich as apricot flowers. One move at a time - Broken Clouds, Autumn Ponds, Moonlight. She danced in her ebony clothes and long hair, dying the blue sky black. 

Clear coldness sprinkled from her long sword, flowing in every single one of her sword moves. They were so clean that it seemed to tread over ten thousand trials and tribulations. She was clearly a young girl, yet she seemed to have overcome the planet-shaking vicissitudes of life. 

Shen Yue thought that he would never forgot that day. It was a rare occurrence for him to step out of the palace. Yet, he had crossed paths with such soul-shaking glory and splendour. 

[1] In Chinese mythology, in order for a soul to reach the afterlife, it would have to drink the soup of forgetfulness, tread along the yellow springs, cross the river of forgetfulness as well as the Naihe Bridge. 

T/N: I'll try to update 2-3 chapters/week! There are only 8 chapters in total, so it'll (hopefully) be done in a jiffy

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