"Sect Leader Bai, I am so glad you have come."
Ming Yue and Kuanglan bowed to the Sect Leader as they entered the reception hall. The sight of Kuanglan beside Ming Yue was unexpected, and when Sect Leader Gao realized this, he greeted him as well.
"Sect Leader Gao, please tell me what has been happening."
Sect Leader Gao sat down and sighed. His clan has always been small, and he never wanted to fight for a spot among the five major clans. All he wished for was to live a peaceful life. Yet, he now realized that being weak was also a sin.
"Sect Leader Bai, when the outbreak first happened, your medicine worked wonders. Within a few days, everyone was back to their original health. However, for some unknown reason, the cured beasts started to act up again. We tried to feed them the medicine again, but it had no effect this time. Originally, I thought the dosage was too low and tried to feed them more, but it still didn't work. And as you can see, this is now the result."
"The beasts and injured people from the outbreak. Did any of them survive?"
"Besides the beasts lurking in the forest. The rest of them and the injured people are dead."
Kuanglan, who had been listening, couldn't help but notice something off, so he asked, "Sect Leader Gao if the humans have become walking corpses, how can they die again?"
The old Sect Leader only shook his head. During his time, the world had been at peace, and there were many things he had not seen. Now that something like this was happening, he was as lost and helpless as anyone else.
"When the second outbreak happened, did anyone suspicious come?" Ming Yue asked.
After taking a second to think, he remembered hearing something from one of his disciples. On one of the nights, a disciple was on patrol when he saw a figure lurking around in the dark. At first, he wanted to call the person out, but then he noticed someone else besides them. So, instead, he crept closer to see what they were doing. It was then that he heard the two talking about some stone and that it had to be somewhere in this town.
"A stone?" Ming Yue asked.
"Yes, a stone."
Glancing over to Kuanglan, the two immediately knew what stone the two unknown figures were talking about.
"Sect Leader Gao, do you know what stone they were talking about?" Kuanglan asked.
"No, I don..."
A realization struck Sect Leader Gao, and he stood up and gestured for Ming Yue and Kuanglan to follow. Following Sect Leader Gao, he led the two into his study. Carefully, he looked around before closing the door. Without a word, Ming Yue set up a barrier around the room to prevent anyone from entering or listening in.
"Thank you, Sect Leader Bai. Now, please come with me."
Sect Leader Gao casts a spell on a bookshelf, and it slides open, revealing a secret passage. At the end of the hall, the path opened into a room. In the center, a fragment of the Lightning's Star was suspended in midair.
"Sect Leader Bai, this stone has been under my family's protection for 200 years. If there is any stone in this town that is worthy of attention, then it is this."
Ming Yue took a step closer to observe the fragment. Glowing a striking dark purple, the piece was exactly the same as the one sealed away in her family's forbidden library. Confused, she turned and asked how the piece came into his family's possession.
"I am unsure of all the details, but from what I was told, back then, the Sect Leader was out for some business. On his way back, he found a man injured and brought him back to be treated. When the man woke up, our Sect Leader asked him how he was injured. After he explained, he gave the piece to our Sect Leader and asked him to hide it and never let anyone know of its existence. After that, he left and was never heard from again."
"The man simply gave your ancestor the stone without asking any questions?" Kuanglan asked. Although, he didn't sense that the Sect Leader was lying to them. He still felt like the man had handed the stone over too easily.
"Actually, the man originally wanted to leave after waking up. But another group of men dressed in the same clothing as him came into town. When he heard of this, he explained his situation to our Sect Leader. He begged our Sect Leader for help, and he agreed. After setting up the seal to protect the stone, he waited for those men to leave before taking off."
Even after finishing his explanation, Sect Leader Gao, saw that Ming Yue did not have any reaction, so he asked her if everything was alright.
"Yes, everything is alright," Ming Yue responded. The only thing that was bothering her was how long it would take for the Lei clan to find out the location of this piece and what they would do when they did. As she pondered her options, Sect Leader Gao dropped onto his knees and begged her to help his clan and the townspeople.
"Sect Leader Gao, what are you doing? Please stand up."
While holding on to her arms as she helped him up, he said, "Sect Leader Bai, since the beginning of my clan, we have never dreamed of fighting for a spot among the major clans. All we want is a peaceful life. I can not let my clan end with me. Please, please help us."
"I will do my best."
Ming Yue turned back to the stone. If the Lei clan came here looking for the stone, they must have a way to track them down. The seal that was created was meant to hide its presence, and if she carelessly took the piece with her, then its presence may be exposed to the Lei clan.
"If only there was a way to contain its presence." Ming Yue mumbled.
As she mumbled, Sect Leader Gao handed her a scroll and a qiankun pouch.
"This was given to our Sect Leader back then. I believe it may be of help."
Ming Yue opened the scroll and began to read. Inside were detailed instructions on transferring the fragment into the pouch without disrupting the seal in case of an emergency. Carefully, she followed the instructions and moved the piece into the pouch.
When the process was complete, the glowing purple light in the room faded. Only the flickering of the candle remained.
"Thank you. Thank you, Sect Leader Bai."
"Sect Leader Gao, I cannot guarantee that this will stop the attacks on this town or that those people will not return. But this show buy you enough time to take your people and leave. Go to another clan and ask for their protection, at least until it is safe to return."
Sect Leader Gao agreed and continued to thank her.
Although he wanted to treat her to a meal, Ming Yue declined. Now that she was carrying a piece of the Lightning's Star, staying in one place for too long wasn't safe.
Mounting their horse, Ming Yue and Kuanglan left the town. Riding through the night, the two did not stop until they reached the next city. Upon passing the city gates, they went to find an inn to rest. However, since the end of the year was approaching, all the inns were filled with guests and merchants. After searching for a while, the two finally found an open inn. The only problem was there was only one room left, but since it was a double room, there wasn't much to worry about.
"We'll take it."
Ming Yue gave the boss the money and followed the waiter to the room without waiting for Kuanglan. After opening the door to the room, the waiter wished them a good stay and returned to his work. Inside, the room was large and spacious. There was a table in the center of the room and a floor desk near the window at the back. On either side was a small bed.
Ming Yue gently set down Bingfei, poured two cups of tea, and placed one in front of Kuanglan.
"What do you plan to do now?" Kuanglan asked.
"I still need to visit a few more places and see what the situation is like."
"Then, when do you plan to leave?"
"Probably later tonight. But, Feng gongzi, what were you doing in that forest?" Ming Yue asked.
"My father had received a report about the towns outside our territory being plagued by the beasts, so I decided to come and see if I could provide any assistance."
Ming Yue nodded. Although silence was a friend to the two, Kuanglan could not stand the silence while being around Ming Yue. So, he stood up and asked, "Bai gongzi, are you hungry? I'll go get us something to eat?"
Shaking her head, she responded, "No, thank you. You go ahead."
"Okay then."
Kuanglan quickly left the room, and Ming Yue gracefully settled at the floor desk to seek solace in meditation. With legs crossed and hands resting gently on her knees, she closed her eyes and surrendered her mind to tranquility. Gradually, the bustling sounds of the street and the tantalizing aromas from the inn dissipated until all that remained was a serene expanse enveloped in wisps of ethereal clouds.
Having been occupied with many things the past few weeks, being able to meditate relieved the stress of her shoulders. However, a new scent entered.
Sandalwood? There is no incense burner in this room, so where is the scent coming from?
Opening her eyes, she did not see anyone, but a pair of footsteps approached the room. Slowly, the door opened, and Kuanglan stepped in. In one hand was a small box, and in the other was something wrapped in brown paper. When he saw how Ming Yue was sitting, he asked, "I didn't disturb you, did I?"
Ming Yue shook her head and closed her eyes again. Yet, when she heard Kuanglan come over, she opened her eyes to see him placing the small box in front of her.
"Feng gongzi, this is?"
"I know you said you didn't want anything, but if you don't eat, you won't have enough strength to help others."
Ming Yue's gaze fluttered down to the exquisitely adorned box, then back up to Kuanglan, and she expressed her gratitude with a gentle nod. As she delicately lifted the lid, a fragrant cloud of tea wafted up to greet her nose. Nestled inside were an array of pastries, each crafted into exquisite flower shapes. Ming Yue found herself transported back to her childhood, reminiscing about her mother and the beautiful, delicious snacks she used to create from simple ingredients, a cherished part of her childhood that she held close to her heart.
"Is something the matter?"
Ming Yue gazed upwards and spotted Kuanglan still lingering, observing her. As she delicately set the lid down, she gently shook her head, delicately selected a piece, and took a bite. The mellow flavor of jasmine tea burst on her tongue. It wasn't too sweet or too overpowering, but the taste could not compare to the ones her mother used to make.
"How is it?"
"It's good. Thank you."
Kuanglan breathed a sigh of relief. The last few times he had seen Bai Ruyi, he had noticed that he often ate the pastries the most. So, he decided to buy some for him this time. Glad he had chosen the right dish, he went to the table and ate his pancakes.
While the two were enjoying their food, a small gold dragon messenger flew into the room before Ming Yue. Holding her hand out, the dragon landed and relayed a message before dispersing.
Seeing the darkened expression on Bai Ruyi's face, Kuanglan asked if something had happened in Donghai.
"No. It's just... Long Hua, she sent me a letter about her wedding."
"Wedding?"
It took a second, but Kuanglan then remembered that Bai Ruyi's older brother was engaged to the daughter of a clan elder. When all the clans had gathered the last few times, he often saw Bai Ruyi and the Long guniang together. From the looks of it, the two were very close.
"Hmm. My brother and she plan to hold the wedding soon."
In a time like this, when nothing was certain, it was natural that the two would want to hold their wedding sooner rather than later. But it had been less than a year since their parents died. Ming Yue could not help but feel like her brother had forgotten about them and was moving on as if nothing had changed. She couldn't help but wonder if she was the only one clinging to the memories of a time that once was.
Looking at Bai Ruyi's expression, Kuanglan knew it was best to give them space. So, he picked up his food and headed for the door. However, before his hand even reached to open it, Bai Ruyi had told him it was okay to stay. So, for the rest of the day, Kuanglan watched Bai Ruyi quietly do some work.
----------
When the hour of the dog arrived, Ming Yue and Kuanglan set off once again. The journey at night was much faster than during the day when everyone was awake and going to work. However, the weather at night was much colder. Kuanglan, who had grown up in Houhai, was used to the warm weather, even during the winter. Ming Yue, however, remained unperturbed, unfazed by the icy wind, serene in the midst of frost.
Along the way, the road was covered in snow, and icicles hung from the trees. The critters hid in their nests, waiting for winter to pass and spring to come. Yet, the beasts were lurking about, and when they least expected it, they would come out and attack. Unexpectedly, the beasts were stronger than before, making Ming Yue and Kuanglan struggle more and more with each fight. The beast's relentless attacks delayed their journey, and without a town or village nearby, the two had to hunt for wild animals for food. Although the two were from distinguished families, they were never afraid to get their hands dirty. Each day they were out in the wild, they took turns being on night watch, but if they were lucky to find a cave, the two could get some shut-eye for the night. However, as the days passed, the amount of medicine Ming Yue carried dwindled. Covered in cuts and scabs, old wounds and new wounds were constantly being ripped open.
"It seems like the snow is coming down harder tonight."
Kuanglan had just returned from finding branches for their fire while Ming Yue was tending to it. Turning her head to the cave entrance, Ming Yue could see big chunks of snow fluttering down.
"Indeed, it seems so."
In their weeks of traveling side by side, Ming Yue barely spoke more than she had to. Kuanglan, in contrast, grew attuned to her subtle language and talked freely, filling the space with his own words. Even in Ming Yue's quietness, he sensed her attentive presence, discerning her responses in the graceful subtleties of her movements.
After placing the branches and twigs in the pile, he sat next to Ming Yue. Holding his hands out to the fire, he felt the warmth spread from his fingers to his arms.
"You should return home when we arrive at the next city."
Kuanglan turned to face Ming Yue, but her eyes were still fixed on the fire. Growing up in the mountains and training in the ice pond, Ming Yue was used to the cold weather, but each night, she could see the color draining from his body, turning a pale blue. Although he never complained, she could tell he was struggling to get by. If he could return to Houhai, where it was safe, then she could travel with ease.
"Is something the matter?" Kuanglan asked.
"No, but the weather will only get colder. If you continue to come with me, it will do you no good."
Kuanglan immediately disagreed. During the past few weeks, they saw how powerful the beasts had become. The two of them had already struggled to make it through. If he left now, what would become of Bai Ruyi? Besides, they were less than a day away from the next city. He could simply purchase a cloak for the long, cold nights when they arrived.
Although Ming Yue opposed his ideas, Kuanglan would not take no for an answer and insisted on finishing the task with her.
A day later, the two arrived in the next city. Despite the heavy tension in the air, the bustling energy of everyone preparing for the end of the year and the New Year's celebration coming up in a few days was a breath of fresh air. Everywhere they turned, vibrant red lanterns adorned the streets while children of all ages played and frolicked. People weaved in and out of shops, filled with the excitement of selecting gifts for the upcoming festivities.
Before meeting the Sect Leader in the area, Ming Yue and Kuanglan agreed to find an inn and get some rest. Luckily, there were enough rooms this time, so each had their own room. The moment Kuanglan got to his room, he immediately laid down and closed his eyes. After sleeping on guard for so many weeks, he was glad to finally get a decent rest. As for Ming Yue, she simply spent time meditating. However, with so much on her mind, she found it hard to focus. Hoping to take her mind off everything, Ming Yue went for a walk around the city.
The sun hung high in the sky, casting its warm embrace upon the bustling streets. A gentle wind danced through the air, creating an inviting atmosphere for completing last-minute errands. Laughter and smiles filled the scene as merchants vied for attention and customers haggled for the best price. Meanwhile, children eagerly observed an old man on the street corner crafting delicate sugar art. When given the chance, they eagerly purchased his creations, skipping off to proudly display their newfound treasures to their parents.
In the bustling street, Ming Yue found an unexpected sense of peace, perhaps due to the festive atmosphere and the heartwarming sight of families coming together. Along the way, Ming Yue stopped at a tea house. Settled upstairs by the window, she was granted a mesmerizing view of the lively street below. To her surprise, amidst the commotion, she caught sight of a familiar figure darting through the crowd, pausing every so often to ask the passersby a few questions. From where she was sitting, the person seemed like a little child, but when standing next to them, Ming Yue was more than a head shorter. Although their skin was pale and slightly turning blue, an inviting warmth emanated from them. Their ebony robe fluttered in the air, making them seem carefree, unrestricted by the rules and duties.
Opening her palm, a small crane appeared. Holding her hand out the window, the crane flapped its little wings and flew down to where the person was. Landing in the person's hands, they lifted their head and looked at the window where Ming Yue was sitting. The once worried and panicked look turned into relief, and a smile grew on their face. Quickly, they ran into the tea house and upstairs. By the time they arrived, Ming Yue had a cup of tea ready for them.
"Bai... Bai gongzi."
Gracefully placing her cup down, Ming Yue turned to Kuanglan. Having just woken up from his sleep, his hair was slightly disoriented, and all the running made his breath uneven.
"Feng gongzi, have some tea."
"Bai... Bai gongzi, are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
After taking a seat, Kuanglan took a sip of his tea. When he woke up, he went over to check on Bai Ruyi. However, even after several knocks, there was no response. Upon opening the door, he realized the room was empty. Fearing something had happened, he went downstairs to ask the waiter if they had seen Bai Ruyi leave. With so many customers, they did not know if Bai Ruyi had left. Panic continued to grow inside him, so Kuanglan began to search the streets.
"Bai gongzi, have you been here the whole time?" Kuanglan asked.
"No, I went for a walk and decided to rest here. I didn't expect you to come looking for me."
Awkwardly scratching his head, he said, "I stopped by to check on you, but you weren't there. I was worried that something had happened, so..."
Ming Yue didn't respond but appreciated the thought. The two enjoyed the tea and view for a few hours before returning to the inn.
With a full night of rest, the next morning, the two went to see the Sect Leader. Just like the last city they visited, the Sect Leader here also told them that the beasts and humans became immune to the medicine she had sent and that they were even stronger than before. However, the walking corpse didn't last more than a week before they lost all consciousness and died for the second time.
"And they didn't come back this time?" Ming Yue asked.
The Sect Leader shook his head. To be honest, he was glad that they didn't come back. After suffering so much, the corpse and their family could now find some closure.
With no beasts or walking corpses left, Ming Yue could not check on them. But seeing that the city had better control over their situation, she felt that it was okay for her to continue to the next place.
"Do you think that because the Lightning's Star is not complete, the poison is not fully effective?"
"Maybe," -Ming Yue replied- "but we don't know for sure what their goal is. If it were merely to poison people, then the Lei clan would be more than capable without the help of the Lightning's Star. To be honest, it's the walking corpse that is concerning me."
"You mean how they act like the beast and attack people?"
"Hmm. I have a feeling that the Lei clan is planning something more than wiping out the major clans so that they can rule the world."
Unsure of the situation himself, Kuanglan did not say anything else. Quietly, the two walked around the city to survey it one last time. Suddenly, they heard someone call out to Kuanglan. Turning around, Ming Yue could see a young boy dressed in a grey cloak and dark green robe running up to them while waving his hand.
"KUANGLAN GEGE!"
"Yichen?"
Seeing him run towards them, Kuanglan approached Yichen while Ming Yue waited.
"Kuanglan gege, what are you doing here?"
Kuanglan smiled, "I came here to check on the city. What about you? Aren't you supposed to be at home training with your brother?"
"Hehe. This time, I'm actually out with my brother."
"Zhenwei is also here?"
Yichen nodded. During the last round of chaos with the beasts, many of the small clans sent letters to multiple clans. Uncertain of who would send assistance, Yu Zhenwei decided to go and see for himself.
As Yichen continued to chatter, he noticed a familiar white robe fluttering in the back. Tilting his head, he realized the person in the white robe was Bai Ruyi. Quickly, he bowed and greeted Bai Ruyi. At the same time, Ming Yue politely returned the greeting. Looking at Bai Ruyi's stoic, cold face, Yichen could not help but feel like the temperature around him had dropped even more. Unconsciously, he wrapped himself tightly in his cloak.
"Yichen!"
All turned to the source of the voice. Less than two meters away stood Yu Zhenwei, a tall, buff, and tan young man. Making his way to where they were, his face was stern, as if he was ready to give his younger brother a lecture. However, when he saw Kuanglan next to Yichen, his expression softened, and he smiled.
"Feng xiong? What are you doing here?"
Kuanglan inclined his head to greet Yu Zhenwei.
"Yu xiong, I'm here to investigate the recent beast outbreak."
"Oh, is that so? So am I. Have you gone to see the Sect Leader yet?" Yu Zhenwei inquired.
"We have. Actually, we just came from the residence."
"We?" Yu Zhenwei questioned.
However, before Kuanglan could answer, Ming Yue came up from behind him and greeted Yu Zhenwei. Despite their prior meetings, Yu Zhenwei was still surprised to see Ming Yue here, especially alongside Kuanglan.
"Sect Leader Bai, I didn't expect to see you here."
"I received a letter asking for help, so I came to see what I could offer."
Cold and tired from their journey, Yichen begged everyone to find an inn and continue their conversation. So, the four of them, including some disciples from the Yu clan, returned to the inn where Ming Yue and Kuanglan were staying.
While Yichen went to warm and eat some food, Ming Yue, Kuanglan, and Zhenwei discussed what they saw in the different cities. During their talk, Ming Yue discovered that most of the beasts had been killed off, and the walking corpses had also perished. Even though she was disappointed that she could not examine the walking corpses and find a way to modify the antidote, she was still glad to have been able to collect the beast's corpse.
"By the way, do you two plan on going somewhere else after here?" Zhenwei asked.
Setting down his teacup, Kuanglan curiously asked, "Is something the matter, Yu xiong?"
"The Lei clan. They have made an appearance."
"What do you mean, Sect Leader Yu?" Ming Yue asked.
Since Ming Yue and Kuanglan left home, they had not received any letters from their family. So, the sudden news had thrown them off. It turns out that a few days ago, the Lei clan sent out a letter inviting all the clans to the Celestial Realm.
"An invitation to the Celestial Realm?"
"That's right." -Zhenwei replied- "In the invitation, they stated that all the clans are invited to a symposium."
Ming Yue's expression darkened. If they invited all the clans to attend the symposium, then the territory would be left unattended. Even if the clan elders were to guard the place, it was still risky. Besides, if the Lei clan knew the relative location of the Lightning's Star, then there is no reason that they wouldn't know that Yuecheng also has a piece. However, with their position as chief, it would be hard to decline the invitation. So, if she had to attend, she needed to be prepared.
"Sect Leader Yu, when is the symposium?"
"In a month."
After their meal, everyone set off to do their own thing. Once Ming Yue sent a letter to her grand-uncle, giving him an update on everything, she packed up all her stuff to return to Yuecheng. Upon leaving her room, she ran into Yichen, who had just come back from exploring the city.
"Clan... Sect Leader Bai." he greeted.
Ming Yue inclined her head and walked past him. Yichen, who had always been intimidated by Ming Yue, gathered the courage to ask a question before she descended the stairs.
"Are you leaving now?"
"I am."
"Will you not tell Kuanglan gege?"
Ming Yue turned to face Yichen and said, "No need to."
She then bowed her head once more and left.