C1 Leave Me Alone!

A bolt of lightning slashed through the sky, followed by a deluge that descended like water from a tipped bucket. Raindrops pelted the windows, creating a sharp, rhythmic sound.

Inside his room, Han Binn was engrossed in a thread-bound book. Abruptly, a rapid knocking at the door interrupted his reading. Setting the book aside, he quickly made his way to the door and opened it. There stood a woman, clutching a pink oil-paper umbrella. Han Binn paused, surprised, and greeted her, "Xihan, what brings you here?"

Lau Xihan seemed no older than fourteen or fifteen, her delicate features promising a stunning beauty. She bore another title, too—Han Binn's betrothed. In their village, it was common to marry young, often by fifteen or sixteen. Han Binn had been no exception; his marriage had been arranged two years prior, but due to his modest family means, the wedding had yet to take place.

"Han Binn," Lau Xihan spoke gently, "do you have a moment? I need to speak with you."

"Of course! Come in and we can talk," Han Binn replied.

But Lau Xihan lingered outside, asking, "Are your aunt and uncle home?"

Shaking his head, Han Binn answered, "They're out in the fields but should be back any minute." He then added, "With the rain coming down so hard, you should come inside."

Lau Xihan hesitated before responding, "Actually, I'd prefer to talk outside."

Confused, Han Binn was about to object when Lau Xihan sighed, "If you're too busy, then never mind."

Quick to reassure her, Han Binn said, "Just wait; I'll grab an umbrella."

Together, they left the house and walked northward until they reached a grove at the village's edge. Lau Xihan halted and, with a grave voice, announced, "Han Binn, there's something I need to discuss with you."

Confronted with her solemn demeanor, Han Binn felt a sense of foreboding. "What is it?" he asked.

Lau Xihan opened her mouth but seemed at a loss for words. After a brief pause, she inhaled deeply, summoning her courage, and whispered, "Han Binn, I think it's time for us to part ways."

The words struck Han Binn like a bolt from the blue.

Struggling to accept the reality, he asked, "Why?"

Lau Xihan, having uttered those words, seemed to release a burden. She couldn't bear to meet Han Binn's gaze, turned her back to him, and added, "We're just not right for each other. I'm aware of your family's situation. We can't just drag this out for years, can we?"

"But what about us..." Han Binn cherished her deeply. Though he might not fully grasp the concept of love at his age, he understood that losing her would leave an unbearable ache in his heart.

With a wry smile, Lau Xihan said, "There's no love, no future between us. Stop being so naive. We're truly not meant to be." Her voice chilled as she continued, "I'm leaving for the capital city tomorrow to start a happy life. I wish the same happiness for you." She turned to face him, holding a wooden accessory in her hand.

It was a simple pendant, engraved with their names. Han Binn had carved it with his own hands after they got engaged. A novice at carving, it took him nearly a month to finish, each stroke filled with his deepest feelings.

Han Binn didn't reach for the pendant. Instead, he stepped forward, his hands gripping Lau Xihan's shoulders as he gazed intently at the woman he loved and implored, "Is this truly the end for us?"

Lau Xihan's resolve wavered under Han Binn's loving stare, but a sudden memory spurred her to wrench free from his grasp and flee. The pendant dropped to the ground with a clatter, a sound that seemed to echo in the silence, marking the collapse of Han Binn's world.

Han Binn had no recollection of how he made it home, only that he arrived to be stricken with a high fever. His parents summoned the village doctor in the dead of night to stabilize his condition. By dawn, still feverish, Han Binn forced himself up. The house was empty, his parents out working the fields. In haste, he grabbed the pendant from the table and dashed outside.

As he approached the door, Han Binn saw his father hurrying back. He quickly halted and asked, "Father, what brings you back so soon?"

Clutching a hoe, Han Tianhe let out a sigh and revealed, "Binn, I've learned about you and her."

Han Binn was taken aback, at a loss for words.

Observing his son's forlorn demeanor and the tightly gripped pendant, Han Tianhe felt a pang of sorrow. He spoke gently, "The Lau family came to see me. They want to annul the engagement, explaining that a noble from the capital city has chosen Xihan to be his concubine. She was taken away at first light."

At his father's revelation, Han Binn shuddered, barely managing to utter, "She's gone?"

With a solemn nod, Han Tianhe imparted, "Son, it's all destiny. Come home with me and dedicate yourself to your studies. Next year, aim to be the top scholar. Then, no one in our village will dare to scorn us."

But Han Binn wasn't listening. Seizing a moment when his father was distracted, he dashed out the door, calling back, "Father, I'm alright. Don't worry. I just need to return something she left behind, and I'll be back."

Watching his son disappear into the distance, Han Tianhe sighed in resignation, whispering to himself, "My boy, I hope you can truly let go." He understood all too well the deep wounds love could inflict. Without resolving this heartache, the pain would only intensify.

The mountain path was treacherous, making the carriage's progress difficult. If Han Binn caught up, he might catch one last glimpse of Lau Xihan.

Exhausted, Han Binn sprinted through ten miles of muddy terrain before finally spotting the carriages. Drained of strength yet determined, he pressed on. Though just over a mile remained, it felt insurmountable to the fifteen-year-old who had given his all, each step leaving a deep imprint in the earth.

Drawing nearer, the sight of the slow-moving carriage twisted his heart with agony. His eyes conveyed a profound sense of helplessness and yearning. He knew that after today, the girl he had cherished for two years would vanish from his life. They were to become people of two separate worlds, never to cross paths again.

Han Binn fixed his gaze on the carriage and broke into a sprint. As he closed in, still over thirty feet away, a guard by the carriage whirled around to block his path, demanding sharply, "Who goes there?"

Out of breath, Han Binn was forced to halt and replied, "Officer, I need to know if the person inside the carriage is Lau Xihan from our Heavenly Dragon Town."

The soldier scoffed and snapped, "What's it to you? Clear off, now! If you hold up the general's procession, your life is forfeit." With a metallic ring, he drew his long sword, the blade catching the sunlight and glinting ominously.

Han Binn hesitated, then yelled toward the carriage, "Xihan, I know you're in there. Come out, I'll give you back your things and then I'll be gone."

His voice carried along the mountain road, yet the carriage remained still. Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves approached from ahead, and an armored general rode up swiftly. In his thirties, with a powerful build, he wielded a nine-foot silver spear, exuding an air of formidable strength. He confronted Han Binn and asked icily, "Identify yourself."

Unintimidated, Han Binn stood his ground. "General, there's a friend of mine in the carriage. I've come to return something to her."

The general's expression turned grim. He called into the carriage, "Madam, do you recognize this man?"

A pause, then Lau Xihan's voice emerged, "General, I don't know her. Please, let him leave."

The general, grasping the implication, leveled his silver spear at Han Binn and warned, "Scram, or I'll show no mercy."

Yet Han Binn remained, calling out desperately to the carriage, "Xihan, won't you see me one last time?"

No response came from within; it seemed Lau Xihan had no desire to speak with Han Binn any longer.

The general, his patience spent, swung his silver spear and thrust it viciously at Han Binn. The spear moved with lightning speed, reaching Han Binn almost instantly. He sidestepped in a panic, narrowly avoiding a lethal blow, but the spear still struck his shoulder. Blood sprayed, and the sickening crack of broken bone followed.

Seeing that Han Binn had not perished, the general's brow creased ever so slightly. Clenching his fists, he bellowed, "Die!" His immense inner strength surged down the length of his silver spear, striking Han Binn and sending him flying like a cannonball to land heavily ten meters away. The moment he hit the ground, a mouthful of blood sprayed from his lips, and his consciousness began to waver. Yet, with dogged determination, he staggered to his feet. Fixing his gaze on the carriage, he suddenly lifted his right hand and hurled the blood-soaked pendant with all his might.

The pendant clattered against the carriage, ringing out sharply, followed by Han Binn's voice, "Xihan, I never imagined you would do this to me. Ha ha!"

The general's face twitched with a hint of emotion. He was about to dispatch Han Binn from horseback when a woman descended from the carriage. "General, hold on."

"Madam!" he addressed her, his tone firm. "He has just insulted you. His life is no longer his own."

Lau Xihan looked upon Han Binn, drenched in his own blood, and felt a twinge of pity. Yet the path she had chosen was irreversible. The two years spent with Han Binn had brought her no material gain, but happiness had been plentiful. To deny the bond they shared would be a falsehood. But what was that affection compared to a life of opulence and honor?

With a dismissive gesture, Lau Xihan implored the general, "He's already so gravely injured. Please, let him be."

The general snorted, his disdain for her plea evident. "To simply release him would be far too lenient. If he can endure one blow from my palm and live, then I shall spare him." With a swift lift of his left hand, he roared, "Mighty Handprint!" A semi-transparent palm shot forth, speeding directly at Han Binn's chest. It struck with a resounding slap, sending Han Binn tumbling through the air to crash down hard upon the earth. Already grievously wounded, he succumbed to unconsciousness under the force of the blow.

As darkness enveloped him, Han Binn faintly heard Lau Xihan's voice drift to him, "Let's go!"

Above, another clap of thunder sliced through the sky, and a gentle rain began to fall. Droplets pattered against Han Binn's form, his awareness flickering in and out, clarity giving way to haze. He faintly sensed someone cradling his body, weeping inconsolably. The sound drifted farther and farther from him, growing fainter until, at last, it faded into silence.