When Dai Lu exited the river she fully expected the man to show up to escort her back, yet to her somewhat confusion and disappointment he did not. She had changed into a new suit under the water after cleaning up and dried herself in a hurry with her talisman before rushing back to the center of the grove. Keeping an eye open for the man or the deity, but neither appeared sowing more concern within. Were they suffering in the cold because of her taking over his den? However, it wasn't like she could go out looking for them in this weather. That is, unless she wanted to catch another cold. It was also only on her way back did she realize she had no trouble trudging back, the snow had been cleared away for her. From the river to the entire plaza.
Seeing the thoughtfulness of the other party Dai Lu felt even more guilty and conflicted for taking so much from them without being able to repay it. Meticulously making her way down into the den, she was once more pleasantly surprised to find that not only had her meal been reheated for her but so had a fresh clay pot of water. She couldn't help wondering why he was helping her to this extent, from his attitude he clearly had no romantic thoughts of her. So why help a stranger so much? Curling up in her blanket as she prepared to get a good rest for the next morning trek while pondering over the strange person's actions.
It was the second time she would have to depart from this place, Dai Lu hugged her blanket over her shoulders tightly. Looking over at the fire, she saw no prey delivered this morning. "..." Meaning, he had already guessed she would leave and no longer needed to deliver her food. Since when had the benefactor guessed it? Numbly rubbing the hand held by his the night before as he led her to the river Dai Lu felt strange seeing as this same person did not show his face at all afterwards. So, he really was just trying to help me and then let me leave once I recovered. She was a bit relieved there would be no fuss. Bowing deeply to the desiccated village, Dai Lu determinedly made her way towards the pass for the second and hopefully last time.
She would definitely find a way to repay both the deity and her benefactor one day. Camouflaging with the white snow, the silver dragon shook his mane to rid himself of the fallen snow and leaves from the previous night he had fallen asleep. Soundlessly watching the woman walk away from the his village, resting his head upon his large claws leisurely seemingly not caring if she left or stayed. His snout was patted by someone then, someone dressed in white fur from head to toe. Her eyes also following Dai Lu. For the first time, it seemed her time had caught up to his.
Her expression one of amusement, leaning on top the large dragon's snout with no fear she giggled to herself. "Say, older brother you broke your chains for her and nursed her back to health with your own hands. Were you treating her well to resolve the regrets in your heart towards your only beloved little sister?" But unlike her who had changed over time, Haolin never changed his expression from start to finish as she teased him. The amusement slowly fades from her eyes, the ghost strokes his snout with a subdued expression "Older brother, when you wake up and go on, leaving this accursed valley behind. When you really wake up again from your slumber, don't worry about me anymore."
Hugging his large face with all her might, the young woman shed invisible tears, expressing regrets, sorrow, reluctance as she rubs her face into his scales. "You must live well, for both of us." As she made her way out of the plaza Dai Lu noticed something that made her openly express a soft exclamation of pleasant surprise. He cleared past the grove too? Filled with various feelings of gratitude Dai Lu peered pass the tree line, not seeing an end to the neatly cleared snow stacked high along the sides. Turning back, the woman not of this land felt her heart aching somewhat with a strange bitterness for the valley which buried old bones beneath new snow each year seemingly without end isolated from the outside.
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The reunion with her brother was unexpectedly easy, from the grove to the pass she saw not a single trace of another creature unlike when they first left. She had more than an inking that her benefactor had done more things for her sake without being asked. She even felt that perhaps the reason the benefactor could come and go as he pleased in this valley and the grove was because he was a secret immortal who wasn't human despite his appearance. When the siblings reunited, it was safe to say that Dai Ling refused to take more than two steps away from Dai Lu from that moment forward. Keeping a more vigilant look out and always checking her status every few seconds.
Hao Feng was more than relieved seeing the young woman was safe and sound. Even if Dai Ling was a gentle person being in his presence was insufferable without his twin's presence. Not speaking nor eating well only stubbornly keeping watch over the pass ridge like a obsessed ghost. He almost burst into tears seeing the head of black hair exiting the snowy valley, thanking the heavens she was unharmed because of the suggestion he made to travel quickly despite knowing the weather was bad. Dai Lu fully relaxes in her brother's presence too, her stern features softening each time he would look over to her as they continued their journey together. They had no time to lose as waiting for Dai Lu had already stretched their time thinner than before so even if she was tired Dai Lu endured longer.
On a particularly less chilly night, the three sat together discussing their plans when Hao Feng curiously asks Dai Lu. "Miss Shao, I recall that the gentleman who helped you wasn't that much older than ourselves. Do you think that maybe he was also a passing candidate who got lost in the storm?" Otherwise, why else would someone of his stature venture out into these dangerous outer lands without supervision or an escort? However hearing this question Dai Lu instantly rejects the notion after recalling the mystical and sagacity the man was encased with. Not to mention those hands of his, he was no doubt a man who had seen and endured much more than an average citizen. "Impossible. If he was then there would be no possible way he could be so familiar with the guardian of the valley."
Hearing the unhidden respect and good will within her tone, Hao Feng couldn't help teasing Dai Lu despite knowing the other was not like other people easily flustered by high status or good looking people. "Really? Does Miss Shao have any reason to believe in this stranger so much despite only knowing him for a couple of days?" Dai Ling shot him a glance while his ignorant sister who didn't really understand his underlaying question answered with logic and observation. "A person who can subdue Sir Deity without a fight deserves respect, not to mention he never laid a single finger on me despite the drastic difference in strength. He also didn't leave a name behind showing he had no further intentions of interactions or asked for mine in turn. Meaning he just saved my life because he coincidentally ran into me, not because he needed or wanted to."
Like picking up a injured stray feral animal then after raising it back to full health and releasing her back into the wild letting go of all responsibility. Not afraid of comparing herself to a real animal, she even repeated as such to Hao Feng and Dai Ling who both in sync gave her somewhat baffled looks. Gossipy heart dead because the target wasn't fun Hao Feng laughs awkwardly switching the topic. "I wonder if there are just as many talented individuals in the capital, with how active the front lines are it wouldn't be surprising if many high profiled individuals are already waiting to access and recruit the first arrivers for their battalions."
Speaking of such things, the twin's eyes reignite with fever. Dai Ling, in particular questioned Hao Feng who was most likely to know more than they, an isolated pair of twins "Is there news of if the Kang family will make an appearance or not this year?" Though Dai Lu didn't add her input this time, it was clear she was just as interested in this family as her brother. Noticing their eagerness for information Hao Feng wasn't stingy and tried to recall all he heard from his mother. "I heard that the Kang family's eldest daughter was given a few days of respite due to General Kang's birthday celebration coming up soon. So maybe? It all depends on if the eldest lady has time on her hands or not busy arranging the banquet for her grandfather."
Their eyes dim somewhat, however Hao Feng feigns ignorance and started naming other family who would be present. "The Wei family is also having a minor victory battle gathering in a few weeks. They managed to secure a town outside the Imperial border, though I heard that many soldiers were injured in the process. Colonel Wei is said to have been seen running back and forth between the military building in the capital and the funeral home day in and day out. The colonel is truly a man of the people. *sigh" Though he paid the man a compliment he sighed as if it were all a big shame making the twins curious as to his why he gave such a melodramatic sigh for an stranger. Dai Lu would never fall for a bait, Dai Ling on the other hand smiled almost sweetly and asked him directly.
"Is there something wrong with this colonel? Isn't it a good thing he cares about the lives of his people?" Hao Feng getting the reaction he wanted from the other sibling was in a better mood and generously enlightened the amused twins. "He does care, and naturally its a good thing to have such a morally upright individual protecting our lands. However, not long ago his younger brother went crazy after they had a clash with the imperial army from a few weeks back. It's said that a female brigade leader stole his heart during an chance encounter and it turns out she was a daughter from a noble family he meet on the battlefield stealing his soul entirely leading to much deaths because of his muddle headiness." The Shao siblings simultaneously frowned with displeasure and slight disbelief. "What?"
He too felt angered by the matter and nodded solemnly Dai Lu sneers "So he threw away the lives of men who trusted him for the glance of a woman? A enemy soldier at that?" Bubbling with more astonishment and injustice, the three reveal helplessly frustrated expressions. In spite of not knowing each other long, they were unguarded after experiencing close calls together leading to Dai Ling to express disapproval and voice his opinion openly "If the Wei family shelters him even now, there's no hope for that family any longer. Colonel Wei's reputation is bound to continue falling as long as he protects a traitor." "Hm." The other two naturally shared his mindset humming in agreement.
"Ah!" Recalling another piece of gossip Hao Feng's eyes brighten with more life as he mischievously gather's their attention once more. "Speaking reputation, the two of you have never stepped foot inside the capital since you moved away as children correct? Did you have contact with these famous people in your younger days? I heard that in his youth Major General Shao and Madam shao were quite a force to be reckoned with on the battle field so if not friends then at least you must have been acquaintances?" Dai Lu glanced over at her brother who smiles politely being asked this yet still shifted his gaze away without responding confusing and worrying Hao Feng who thought he asked something insensitive.
Did he touch a sore spot? But didn't he praise the Shao couple? Dai Lu interrupts his quickly flooding dog blood thoughts rather calmly. Not sharing the sentiments her sibling did. "I wouldn't say that we were close with those people, but we did indeed meet as children before. I never really liked to mess with the delicate little boys and girls of those high faced people. But Dai Ling did interact with them on a more daily level, mostly because people tend to like gentle boys." Recalling the incident with the split Zhou siblings, Hao Feng sent the beautiful Dai Ling a glance before sharing a long and understanding look with the man's twin. "I see."
Dai Lu looks over to the fire continuing blandly "The day we left the family, it's only because of General Kang's mercy and admiration of our deceased parents that we were able to leave the capital at all with our inheritance intact. No one else lifted a hand, and if they wanted to they were still too young to make a difference and held no influence." Ah. Hao Feng understood at once what she meant, empathetic towards Shao siblings indifference and coldness towards outsiders. yet, he couldn't help exclaiming loudly "General Kang is truly as noble as the net claims." If he could do such a thing in private without boasting even after all these years, how many other benevolent and kind things are hidden behind a stern face?
Dai Lu nods deeply, her respect for the old general naturally imprinted profoundly within her heart and mind. Dai Ling was the more social of the two, but he also became too attached easily because of seeing the good in the unworthy. Those who associated or tolerated individuals who belittled or abused her brother's feelings, whether they deserved it or not Dai Lu will never let a speckle of dust enter Dai Ling's eyes. He could be sentimental, but she would never be and will cut off contact scolding them in his place. Dai Ling always followed her choices knowing it was also in support of his best interest. Zhou XieLang and Zhou Fei Ming would never have another chance at redemption in her eyes, for Dai Ling this also rang true.
Speaking poorly of himself was ok, there were plenty who did so. Calling him a fake gentleman, a bewitching fox, talentless vase, fallen dragon. But for those who bad mouth Dai Lu? Dai Ling coldly turned his back and would treat them as nothing more than insects who didn't deserve a single word from his lips. Violence is easy, but indifference and ridicule messed with the mind more. Especially if it came from an amiable gentleman whose warm smile was easier to coax out than a frown. There was a reason Dai Ling was more adaptable at the arts than his sister, as simple as he looked there was no hiding the real wisdom buried behind his soft nature. "Then, did you two ever meet Senior Yuqin? The only daughter of the Duan family?"
This time, it was Dai Lu's turn to turn her nose but she was more expressive directly crinkling it with disdain. Dai Ling chuckles "Know, how could we not? Miss Duan was the only one willing to be beaten black and blue by Dai Lu while returning the treatment just as fiercely." Leaning in full of genuine interest Hao Feng expresses surprise "That icebox senior Duan did that?" Trying to match the woman in his head to the troublesome child Dai Ling claimed she had been was, hard. His face even cracking mildly as Dai Ling humored him with stories of Dai Lu and Duan Yuqin's rivalry as children.