Arriving closer to the location he detected the two heartbeats, Han Xuelian's senses became more attentive. His eyes narrowed with unease, his ear twitched warningly as he could still hear the mocking voices from earlier in the distance.
'Wandering damned souls…' The Grandmaster released a larger stream of Qi in the direction the wandering souls approached from deep in the Xue Ling Ridge, propelling them to screech and hiss when his Qi burned their spectral forms. 'What are they doing out here…'
"Grandmaster." Han Yongrui emerged from the Frost forest, meeting Han Xuelian at the snowy hill that stretched for miles with fields of snow ahead. "I don't understand how they would end up far away from that ledge."
"I'm not certain… " The Grandmaster folded his arms. "We'll need to ask Chi Cheng and Yijun what they remember after they fell. There's something else I'm concerned about but it's a matter that should be left for after we return."
"Understood, I'll get Chi Weiran and Feng Yuxian." Han Yongrui bowed his head. "You can go ahead of us."
"Mhm," Han Xuelian answered, mounting his white Yili horse and snapping the reins to take off.
Pursuing a tether of Qi leading to where Chi Cheng was detected, Han Xuelian rode against the night cold. He couldn't alleviate the feeling of something forbearing on the rise since his return. Despite knowing the reasons for his summons back to the Capital, he didn't understand why the Emperor had picked the perfect timing.
Right when he was at the pinnacle of achieving his goal, he was forced to abandon it at a moment's notice.
'Chi Cheng you're only bringing more troubles for me." Han Xuelian closed his eyes briefly, revelling in the icy air that blew against his face with each of the horse's gallops. 'It's barely been more than two days since you've arrived but I've had my hands full with you already.'
Opening his eyes again, the Grandmaster pulled back the reins of his horse having reached the end of the tether of Qi he followed. Perched at the edge of the pit, he noticed silhouettes at the other end of it retreating upon his arrival.
Their crimson eyes wavered in the shadows, disappearing out of his sight completely. Peering into the darkness of the pit, Han Xuelian couldn't locate Chi Cheng by his eyes alone but he heard his heartbeat start to dull and grow quieter.
"I need to get to him quickly," the Grandmaster said firmly, unmounting the horse quickly.
Standing at the edge, he re-conjured the scattered strands of his Qi; summoning them back into his dantian core. Channeling the energy in his body to his feet, while simultaneously drawing moisture from the air and condensing it, Han Xuelian took a step forward midair into the pit.
The Qi concentrated on his feet and the aid of condensing moisture formed ice steps that allowed him to descend into the pit. With each of his movements, round steps designed like large snowflakes materialised in the air.
Chi Cheng was alerted to the sound of the chiming crystals he would hear whenever the Grandmaster walked. Groaning as he slightly shifted, he opened his eyes to find a bright icy blue light radiating the pit with the arrival of Han Xuelian who approached them briskly.
Han Yijun had already submitted to unconsciousness, unaware of what was happening in their surroundings. Yet his arms around Chi Cheng never loosened their grip.
'What exactly were you thinking when you jumped after him?' Han Xuelian drew his attention to his nephew who was soundly asleep. 'Foolish child, what do you even feel for him?'
"Found you," the Grandmaster whispered softly, kneeling down as his hand reached for Chi Cheng's face.
Brushing a few dishevelled strands of hair from Chi Cheng's cheek, he cupped it gently as his brows furrowed.
"You're cold." The Grandmaster looked at the younger male's lips which quivered slightly. He carefully pried away Han Yijun's arms that were wrapped around Chi Cheng. "And wounded again." His eyes flashed to the temporary measures used on the younger male's injured leg.
'Smart child.' He smiled subtly at Han Yijun. 'You're troublesome but thoughtful.'
Han Xuelian firmly slipped an arm under Chi Cheng's knees and another around his back, considerately avoiding the area of his left shoulder. He slowly lifted the younger male into his arms as he stood up.
Chi Cheng didn't object, nor could he find the strength to argue or feel ashamed. Although the feeling of embarrassment still crossed his cheeks with a faint pink hue or perhaps it was because of the cold air against his pale skin.
However, he was undoubtedly safe within this man's embrace. It was ironic since the Grandmaster was the incarnation of Xue Ling Ridge itself, but his arms were warm and heated his body quickly.
Han Yongrui arrived shortly with the two junior disciples who hurried into the pit.
"Brother!" Chi Weiran shouted, trying to catch his breath as if he'd been running for miles. "Are you badly hurt?"
Chi Weiran's face tensed with guilt, uncertain of how he should face his older brother or what he should say.
"I'm sorry… " He clenched his fists, holding back his tears that were on the verge of flowing; looking away in shame. "I should have taken better care of you."
"Ah… Ran… '' Chi Cheng turned his head slightly to look at his younger brother. His face had lost its colour and was dampened with sweat, breathing unevenly. "You're… not hurt…" He smiled weakly.
Chi Weiran's face paled, realising his brother had still been thinking of his well-being all this time despite the severe injuries he sustained himself.
"Why would I be hurt?" Chi Weiran said nervously, an awkward smile forming on his expression. "You're the one who got shot."
Han Xuelian suspiciously gazed down at Chi Cheng who turned his head away from Chi Weiran.
'Was the shot not meant for you?' Han Xuelian recalled the incident in the Frost Forest earlier.
He witnessed Chi Cheng's excellent display of archery skills before exposing himself. Then, noticed the younger male had focused his attention on the left path next to him, a few seconds before the arrow struck his shoulder.
'Or did you already somehow anticipate the arrow coming your way?' Han Xuelian tucked the thoughts away for later, for now, he needed to tend to the younger male. 'No matter, I'll investigate it thoroughly soon.'
"Let's leave the questions for later." The Grandmaster nodded at Chi Weiran.
"Oh I'll take him," Chi Weiran stated, moving forward to retrieve his older brother from the Grandmaster.
"I don't want to move him too much." Han Xuelian objected. "You're not familiar with this terrain and riding back on horse, I fear it may worsen his wounds. I'll take him back myself."
Retracting his hand, Chi Weiran sighed. He couldn't bring himself to accept the uselessness he felt at that moment. He promised their father he would ensure no harm came to his older brother and that he'd always be a support Chi Cheng could lean on.
"Let's go." Feng Yuxian tapped Chi Weiran on the shoulder. "We should leave first so we can prepare a healer for him by the time they're back."
Han Yongrui lifted his younger brother, securing Han Yijun on his back as he ascended the makeshift stairs swiftly.
Ascending the ice steps with Chi Cheng in his arms, Han Xuelian paced himself slowly to avoid putting strain on the younger male's wounds. However, Chi Cheng listlessly turned his head to admire the designs of the ice steps.
"Do you like them?" Han Xuelian asked curiously, almost smiling at the vague traces of excitement in the younger male's eyes.
"They're…beautiful." Chi Cheng smiled lazily, trying to follow the intricate details that were so precise.
'He is indeed as skilled as the rumours proclaim him.' Chi Cheng noted. 'The designs are detailed and the technique still holds so firmly as if he had put careful thought into each one, but he must have done it effortlessly without even thinking.'
"Do you like pretty things, Chi Cheng?" Han Xuelian asked another curious question.
"I…like anything that… makes me…" Chi Cheng started but his consciousness faded again and the last of his words went unspoken.