Chapter 31 - Downhill

The sky was the limit. The stars said it all. Nothing was more lovely in Bingwen's mind. He felt like he could stare into the sky forever. "There are so many things my mother told me..so many precious memories my father has been trying to take away." Jinghua continued. Bingwen looked at the sadness and despair in his eyes. "At least you still remember her well." Bingwen said, giving a kind and affectionate smile, one that could touch your heart. Just like Yuming. Jinghua stared at Bingwen, Bingwen stared at the sky. Jinghua wondered, what was this feeling of excitement, this warmness. He was confused. Bingwen then heard a familiar voice. He turned to the stairwell that led up to the top of the temple. It was the voice that belonged to Yue Chengying. She had returned from her journeying. "Young master Yusheng!" She said, almost tripping up the stairs to see him. Bingwen bowed but clenched his wound. Jinghua attempted to help but Bingwen pushed away. "You..were injured?" She asked, but quickly turned her gaze to Jinghua and blushed. It was very true that the great young master Ning could cast a beautiful aura that would catch the eyes of every young woman around. Yue Chengying had never seen him this close up so she was obviously mesmerized. Bingwen answered her question she had asked, "There was a fight, yes. And I..we just so happened to be caught in it. But I'm alright, I'll be back to good health soon."

She looked back at Bingwen. "Oh, well, I'm glad you're alright! And it seems you have been traveling with young master Ning, yes?" She said, Jinghua bowed to her. "Yes, I am." But he was quickly interrupted by Yue Chengying's brother, Yue Chengming. "My mother and father are asking for you two." He said to Jinghua and Bingwen. "What could father possibly want with them?" Yue Chengying said, turning to her brother as Jinghua and Bingwen followed them back down the staircase. "They are a danger to us." Yue Chengming whispered to her, but Jinghua overheard him and panicked. This could only mean one thing.

They all made their way into the grandhall of the temple where the madam and leader of the clan were. Bingwen and Jinghua as well as the twins bowed to the leader and madam. The leader of the clan was Yue Bolin and his wife Yue Deming. "Mother, father, why must they leave? I don't understand." Yue Chengying said. Her mother, Yue Deming, cleared her throat. "You have to leave. You are a danger to us if you don't." She said, Bingwen was distraught. "Ma'am, I..I don't understand.." The clan leader, Yue Bolin spoke up. "I have been informed by Your clan, master Ning, that your father is sending small troops of his disciples to find you and master Yusheng. We do not have enough of an army to defend you therefore you have to leave Yue. we can not handle the attack of another clan." He said. Jinghua bowed and kneeled to the two of them. "Clan Leader Yue, I deeply apologize-" But Yue Chengying's whines interrupted him. "Father, this is unfair. Can't we wait at least until Yusheng Jin is healed?" She pleaded. "I won't repeat myself. They are forced to leave Yue entirely. I refuse to take on the actions of another clan. You have to leave now." Hung Meifeng and Yuming entered the hall. "W-What's going on? Ning Cheng..why are you kneeling?" Yuming stuttered.

"We have to leave. My father has sent more disciples to find us." Jinghua said, standing up and clenching his fists. Yuming ran to Bingwen who stood up as well. "This is the only time I'll see you? Why does it have to be you? Why do you always have to leave or get hurt or die on me?" Yuming complained.

"I have to leave, Yuming. This won't be the last time, I promise. Just wait two years." Bingwen said, grabbing her hand. She pulled away. "So you and Ning Cheng are just going to keep running for two years? What if they catch you? Then you're dead!"

"That won't happen." Jinghua said, sternly. "Now, Yusheng Jin and I will take our leave now."

"There are horses prepared for you to take. We wish you luck." Yue Bolin finished. It seemed everything would escalate from there.