It seemed that they were going back. Back to the eastern region but that would at least take two weeks by foot. So where were they going?
The Ning disciples had taken Chisheng Wei and Jinghua's swords away. It was strange though. Xue Quan carried Bingwen's sword. Is that how the clan found them? Jinghua guarded Bingwen even when his disciples got close he shoved them away. Jinghua kept demanding his father to tell him where they were going. They had to walk in the rain. The water seeped through their robes, their hair was damp and tangled, mud got on their shoes. At some points, one or two disciples slipped and fell, getting coated with mud.
They had reached the end of the forest and at this point they were back to Deadnight city. Everything was gone. No more screams, no more fires and burning homes, nothing was left besides ashes and smoke, rotted bodies and roaming spirits and undead. Ning Lin could care less what his disciples did. It was awful. They were messing with Chisheng Wei. teasing her and touching her, she screamed at them at one point. Then Jinghua was fed up. "ENOUGH. Get your hands off of her." Xue Quan turned to Jinghua and walked towards him. His white robes were covered with mud at the ends. "You think you have the right to everything, don't you?" he said, suddenly pulling Bingwen towards him. "Ning Cheng!" said Bingwen, as he tried to reach for Jinghua. But Jinghua just stood there, saying nothing. He realized he could do anything anyway. He held a burden, or was it because of Bingwen? Maybe everything has happened to him because of..him.. Because of Bingwen.
Xue Quan Walked away, his hands around Bingwen's waist. "You're better off with me anyway." said Xue Quan. Bingwen wanted nothing more than to slap him across the face. And of course Jinghua wasn't happy with Xue Quan.
The river that had split the eastern and northern regions had crossed through the forest. A boat with flags of Ning symbols was floating near a broken dock someone must have built long ago. They all began to board the ship. They must be headed back down the river, back to the northern region, back to the Ning palace…back to the beginning.
And as soon as they boarded the ship they left. Chisheng Wei, Jinghua, and Bingwen were thrown at the bottom of the ship. They were helpless. There seemed to be no hope at this point.
Chisheng Wei laid down in the opposite corner of Bingwen and Jinghua. She almost regretted joining them. Her family had no idea what was going on. Bingwen was exhausted, Jinghua was furious. Bingwen hid his face in his knees. He wanted to go back to his home. If only his parents knew what had happened. But what could they do?
Hung Meifeng And Yuming had stayed at the Yue temple for a long while now. Yuming was studying scrolls when she received a letter from a Yue disciple. But when Yuming read the letter, she almost screamed. Instead, she started to sob. She couldn't believe what she read. She dropped the letter and fell to her knees. Hung Meifeng entered her room and found Yuming on the floor. Hung Meifeng saw the letter and read it, in shock as well. She then comforted Yuming. The letter read,
"The youngest daughter of the Yusheng clan has died due to an assassination of the Ning clan. Yusheng Li was said to be killed when she was kidnapped and stabbed to death then decapitated. Her body could not be found. If she is found, Her body will be cremated at the Yusheng palace."
Bingwen was the only one who didn't know.
Their robes were soaked and the cold floors of the ship and rocking back and forth didn't help. Chisheng Wei was asleep across from the other two. Chattering came from the top deck. They were on their way back to the Ning palace in the northern region.The rain was also a mix of snow which made matters worse. Chisheng Wei was the only one who wasn't cold. She could heat herself up for being a fire hybrid. There were many types, of course. Bingwen sat against the wall, huddled up by himself. Jinghua watched as he shivered then had an idea. "Yusheng Jin," he whispered, trying not to wake Chisheng Wei, "Come here." and Bingwen did so. He scooted over to Jinghua but was surprised when Jinghua suddenly grabbed him and held him close. "Ning Cheng, what are you doing?"
"Trying to warm you up." Jinghua replied.
"But you're cold too." Bingwen bickered back. But he was pulled to the ground by Jinghua. He laid on top of Jinghua, red in the face, but it couldn't be seen in the dark. "Ning Cheng! This isn't right!"
"Our bodies give off body heat. So if we're close we'll get warmer!" Jinghua said, smiling. Bingwen knew what Jinghua meant but felt wrong. Their position didn't make him uncomfortable, it just made him nervous. But Jinghua was right, it was a little warmer than being alone. And before he could think about it anymore, he fell asleep, Jinghua did as well.