Chapter 33 Chapter 34 The Dark Secret
“Die!”
The blazing white sword pierced through her chest. Ji Ma’s eyes widened as she saw the observation hole of the helmet. Those strange yet familiar azure eyes belonged to George. He looked at her with hatred and anger.
Ji Ma’s pupils dilated in surprise. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced around and saw the maids in charming maid outfits, some surprised, some joyful, and others indifferent, looking over at her.
A kick to her stomach made her gasp. The sword was pulled from the deep wound, and Ji Ma’s heart ached as she lay on the ground, staring at the familiar ceiling.
Only then did she realize.
It had been a long time since she had such a real and painful nightmare.
A steel boot kicked the sword from her hand, and Ji Ma saw the strong arm she longed for.
She really missed this strong body.
The armored hero George pointed the sword at her neck. Ji Ma struggled to raise her hand and gave him the middle finger.
A flash of sword light, and everything went dark.
After a moment, a terrifying sense of weightlessness enveloped her. Ji Ma opened her eyes and saw the solid white concrete floor rushing towards her.
It was obvious that this was a dream of jumping to her death.
Ji Ma trembled in fear, still clutching a cracked phone in her hand. She swiped the screen, redialing that familiar number, placing it to her ear as the phone made a buzzing sound.
The concrete floor was closing in quickly.
It seemed to connect, yet it also seemed not to.
Ji Ma didn’t care about that, cursing into the phone, “May your whole family die!”
Bang!
Her chest hit the ground first, and Ji Ma could clearly feel her ribs bending and breaking under the impact, the sharp edges piercing her lungs, her spine twisting, dislocating. Her forehead collided heavily with the ground, causing a wave of pain in her head, and her legs finally slammed to the ground…
Even more painful was that she didn’t die immediately; her broken body trembled on the ground, struggling to move.
…
…
In the real world.
Ji Ma’s pale little face was trembling violently in the water, the surface rippling.
Saint Jeanne hurriedly interrupted her divine magic with great difficulty, forcefully pressing down on Ji Ma’s struggling hands.
George stood at the edge of the ritual, watching Ji Ma with concern, waiting for the Saint’s command. He knew that calmness was crucial at this moment; if he rushed in to save her impulsively, it might lead to disaster for Ji Ma.
At this point, Ji Ma’s legs began to flail wildly, as if a shark had bitten down on her waist.
Saint Jeanne finished her prayer, and the runes beneath Ji Ma glowed brighter. She raised her head suddenly, her hair disheveled, shouting, “I need help! Hold her legs down and keep her in a cross position!”
George stepped into the water, squatting down and easily grabbing Ji Ma’s flailing legs, quickly pressing down on her feet with one hand.
Saint Jeanne finally breathed a sigh of relief. Her oval-shaped face flushed red, soaked by the water Ji Ma splashed while struggling. Even George, following an irresistible instinct, glanced first at her drenched chest.
Saint Jeanne firmly held Ji Ma’s hands, knee pressing one down, hand pressing the other, saying:
“Ji Ma’s condition is more complicated than I imagined. She’s too strong.”
“What happened?”
“Her chest pain isn’t caused solely by physical wounds.” Saint Jeanne said in a very professional tone, “She also has wounds in her soul. I suspect this stems from some deeply painful experience.”
“This might be a secret she doesn’t want to speak about.”
“Everyone has secrets, but Ji Ma’s secret related to her wounds is particularly tragic. It’s the first time I’ve heard of it.”
Saint Jeanne looked at Ji Ma with pity. Fortunately, Ji Ma’s eyes were still closed; she hated being known for her past and then being pitied.
At that moment, Ji Ma’s petite body erupted with unnatural strength, her chest thrusting upwards.
George reacted quickly, reaching out to firmly press Ji Ma’s slender and soft chest down against the bottom of the pool.
“Good thing you were quick,” Jeanne said. “Otherwise, she would have to lie in bed for ten days.”
“What do you know about her soul’s wounds?”
“I once illuminated her dark wounds and saw blood, more blood, and a broken body; just a glance made me feel pain.” Saint Jeanne continued, “There was originally three wounds. The first was the newest and shallowest, which I easily healed. The second was deep and carried her obsession, but if it were just the second, I could heal it too.”
George listened intently.
Saint Jeanne continued, “The trouble is, her second wound is inside the third one.”
That seemed contrary to logic.
George said, “I don’t quite understand.”
“Wounds are just a metaphor.” Saint Jeanne explained, “To put it loosely, it’s like a person having a wound deep enough to cross through their body. This is the first wound on Ji Ma’s soul, and the second wound is on the flesh wall carved out by the first wound. This goes beyond my capabilities.”
“Is there hope for healing?”
“Even if the best healing priests in the cathedral gathered together, they wouldn’t be able to help.”
As a healing expert, Saint Jeanne’s words felt like a death sentence for Ji Ma. “Unless some extraordinary power that goes against her will is used to distort her memory and force her to forget the past.”
George said, “It sounds like there’s still a method.”
“Yes.” Saint Jeanne said, “That is to let her come to terms with it, to completely let go. It’s not enough just to think about it; she needs to take action. For instance, a person who harbors grudges cannot forget deep-seated hatred. Even if he temporarily lets go and forgets the grudge, it’s merely self-deception.”
“He must take revenge on his enemy to find relief.”
“Pretty much.” Saint Jeanne said, “To be precise, it’s not necessarily about killing the enemy. It varies from person to person.”
Finally, Ji Ma’s violent struggles came to a halt.
Saint Jeanne said, “Remember not to let go. We only finish when she regains consciousness and opens her eyes.”
George said:
“I guess her soul’s wounds shape her current personality. If we are to redeem her, we must heal her wounds.”
“You could say that.”
“Hopefully, one day, she’ll tell me her dark and bloody secrets.” George said, “I will help her understand.”
Saint Jeanne watched Ji Ma’s face gradually regain its color and softly said, “You’re really lucky.”
Ji Ma was falling into endless darkness, feeling herself descend into her own body.
Her senses of touch and hearing were rapidly returning.
She suddenly opened her eyes, just in time to see the water-dampened peaks hovering above her forehead, smiling as she said, “Thank you for your hospitality, Saint Sister.”
“Ah?” Saint Jeanne let go of her and held up four fingers, asking, “How many is this?”
“Three.”
Saint Jeanne immediately became serious, forcefully pressing down on the Ji Ma who wanted to rise, saying, “George, help me, otherwise there may be even more serious problems.”
Ji Ma quickly said, “No way! It’s four, it’s four.”
“This isn’t a time for jokes. How do you feel?”
“Still alive.” Ji Ma said, “Sister Jeanne, can you let go of my hand? I want to get up.”
Her hand was released.
Ji Ma sat up, took a few deep breaths, and saw George standing at the edge of the pool, raising her hand and extending her middle finger.
George spoke up, “How do you feel now?”
Ji Ma made a face and retracted her hand. She stood up and did a few dance moves, saying, “I’m okay, though I haven’t exercised vigorously. I don’t know if my chest hurts, but I feel much better than before. However…”
George hurriedly asked, “However what?”
Ji Ma covered her chest and said, “My ribs hurt a lot, as if a silverback gorilla had punched my chest several times.”
The two fell silent for a moment.
George said, “I’m sorry, I pressed down too hard on your chest.”
“It sounds like something small happened during the treatment process? Hey? Why are you looking at me with such pitying gazes?”
“Ji Ma.” George’s azure eyes reflected mercy as he stepped forward and said to Ji Ma, “I didn’t know your past was so bloody and painful. I hope one day you can tell me your dark secret. I swear I will help you understand it.”
You’re not going to chop me up if I say it, right?
Ji Ma asked, “What exactly happened? Why is it blood, darkness, and secrets?”
Jeanne walked over and briefly explained the situation.
Ji Ma listened, appearing cheerful on the surface, but inside she was churning, feeling as if her underwear had been exposed.
Damn it, no wonder she’s the Saint of the God of Dawn. In mysticism, sunlight symbolizes illuminating darkness, uncovering secrets, and revelation.
Ji Ma even regretted coming to Saint Jeanne for treatment.
Upon learning that these two knew about her two secrets, the pity in George’s eyes struck Ji Ma like a dagger.
She didn’t want anyone’s pity, especially not that of a certain chest-obsessed virgin.
“Alright, alright.” Ji Ma said with a cheerful smile, “Stop looking at me with those pitiful eyes or I will get very angry.”
George nodded and turned away, looking elsewhere.
Hey, what I meant was for you to stop pitying me.
Jeanne cast a divine spell, enveloping Ji Ma in a glow that dried her wet clothes.
Ji Ma asked what she owed, and Jeanne said it was all free.
“I remember only the material costs are waived, but what about the treatment fee?” Ji Ma said, “Tell me the other costs; my newly healed little heart can handle it.”
“All free.” Jeanne smiled and whispered in Ji Ma’s ear, “You owe me a personal favor, so keep working hard to teach me.”
“Then okay.” Ji Ma looked at George, who was still staring elsewhere. “I’m leaving now; I still have to practice dancing today.”
With that, Ji Ma jogged away, having had enough of this pity-filled temple.
Just as she ran out, George called out to her, “Ji Ma?”
“Mm?” Ji Ma turned back and met George’s azure eyes.
George said, “Remember my vow.”
Ji Ma curled the corner of her mouth and replied, “I don’t need your help; I can handle it myself.”
With that said, she turned her head, her feet filled with strength.
By then, you just don’t regret it when it comes back to haunt you.
Ji Ma became more determined in her revenge plan.
That day, Ji Ma wrote a full fifteen thousand words of “The Misfortunes of the Elf Queen,” bringing the total word count to fifty-five thousand.
——————
Tsk tsk, still one more update to go. How could I possibly fail?
