Splashes of icy water washed over the face and slid down to disappear behind a collar of white, long-soaked robes. The stormy stream of the waterfall mercilessly hit the surface of the pond, as well as the trained shoulders of a young man standing under it. His stance was confident and unwavering, his expression concentrated and focused. Wet hair stuck to his skin, and the fabric of training robes did not bother him, as did not the frosty wind trying to knock down the arrogance of the excited youngster. It was impossible to say exactly how much he was already worth, and Hao Ning himself did not know the answer to this. As soon as the scholar had stepped into the sacred waters, time stopped for him. He also could not follow the course of the day and night: the training required full dedication and the rejection of everything mundane, which included such an important time for people.
The young man's eyelashes fluttered as a distant call reached his ears. He could not make it out, for it seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. It resembled the whistle of the wind rushing through the rocks.
No. He couldn't be distracted. In no way was it possible. After all, he was trying so hard to fall into the meditation. Why was he still hearing someone call? The voice seemed so familiar but, at the same time, remained unknown. It was filled with sadness and despair.
What if something happened at the peak? Maybe it was the Master calling him? But hadn't he always said that the service of the Ten was above all?
– A-Ning!
No.
It was not his Master's voice. But Hao Ning knew that person without a doubt. The voice resonated in the youth's heart with a deep warmth that seemed even stronger than his belief in the Ten. A devoted servant should not behave like this, but Hao Ning understood that he could not keep on. Being distracted by worldly things, he had already violated the Testament.
Hao Nng's long eyelashes fluttered as he opened his eyes to take a look at what was happening around him. White snow dazzlingly shined in the rays of the morning sun, and the water pouring over the ledge rushed down like a raging beast to break on the protruding teeth at the foot of the mountain. Behind his back the scholar could hear the howl of the wind escaping the bowels of a deep cave.
Hao Ning frowned incomprehensibly, not admitting the thought that he simply heard a strange voice. He took a few steps forward and leaned towards the edge. Not so long ago, he began to see this terrifying sight, and therefore he still felt the fear more suitable to ordinary people. Perhaps Master was right when he had said that it was too early for this disciple to train at Roughwater Cave.
He should have listened.
– A-Ning!
A voice burst into the young man's mind with a deafening roar, forcing him to turn around. Out of the corner of his eye, Hao Ning managed to cling to someone else's silhouette, and a hand extended towards him. The young man desperately tried to hold on, but the merciless flow of water knocked him off his feet, taking him down like a withered petal.
***
Once again, Hao Ning woke up with heavy breathing and sweat on his forehead. A cough escaped his chest, but this time it was wet, tearing his throat, causing him to spit out the last of the water.
Someone's hand lifted his limp body, lightly clapped on the back, and helped to clear the throat. The gaze focused, and the blurred figure finally took on a familiar shape. Wei Huan looked tense.
– Hush. Calm down, – the man caressingly ran his hand over Hao Ning's pale cheek. – Your wound has not yet been fully healed.
– My wound? – Hao Ning managed to ask a question before breaking out into a fit of coughing again.
– The water demon got you, but now everything is fine. You are safe now.
Hao Ning slowly wiped his lips with his palm, looking down. He still did not seem, and the warmth of other's touch was real. The general... The general again saved his life and helped, transferring energy flowing into his body. Hao Ning saw no blood or a cut, but he knew perfectly well that in this world of internal energy, it was not the body that mostly suffered. However, the remnants of pain were clearly felt.
– How long did I stay unconscious? – asked the young man, covering the man's hand with his palm. – Enough, Lord Wei. I am quite fine.
– Not for long. The hour of the Rabbit has just started, – his energy flow became stronger. – And I won't let go until your spiritual energy is fully recovered.
– And how long have you been recovering it? – Hao Ning gradually came to his senses, feeling the power emerging in his body. – Lord Wei...
– Tch! – the man clicked his tongue. – Now, there is no way you can get rid of me. Either you stop calling me Lord Wei. Or you may resist, and I give you my energy to the last drop.
– Are you... threatening me with your death? – Hao Ning gave back a blank look. The dark eyes in front were stubborn. – Lord...
– Oh, that hurts! – Wei Huan coughed defiantly. – My powers are leaving me...
The youth shook his head, wondering whether he could have thought this big child cold and detached before. Each time, the man opened up to Hao Ning with a surprisingly warm and gentle side. He resembled a puppy that could suddenly become an angry wolf.
– Lao Wei.
– Better, but still not convincing enough.
– Wei Huan?
The general pursed his lips, weakening the stream of transmitted energy for a moment, but then again let it into Hao Ning's body in a full flow. A sly smile showed the man's ploy.
– You can call me that, but I want to hear something else.
Hao Ning was confused. This man played with him and provoked him, but for some reason, instead of negative emotions, the scholar wanted to succumb. Wei Huan was the only person who made Hao Ning feel alive.
The youth looked up, only now realizing the predicament they were in.
– Is it ... a mulberry tree?
– It suits us, don't you think?
Hao Ning looked at the calm face of the man and took a deep breath, trying not to succumb to the childish embarrassment. He touched the purse, in which he kept everything he needed... including the marriage contract handed over to him.
– A-Wei?
The bluish light slowly faded away as Wei Huan removed his hand, nodding in satisfaction. The man helped Hao Ning get up and stood by for a while, making sure that he was able to stay on his feet.
Now Hao Ning could fully see where they had drifted.
Fortunately, the monster was not seen anywhere around, which meant that the same rift had thrown them to different places.
It was not easy to find out where they landed, but it was not difficult to understand that they were at the top of the mountain. Wild bushes and various trees collided the area, and the forest spread out below went far beyond the horizon. The visible slopes of the mountains formed a mesmerizing scenery.
An ambiguous thought flashed through Hao Ning's head, and he decided to share it:
– We are at the Gates, aren't we?
– Not yet, – Wei Huan put his hands behind his back. – But the leap was undoubtedly successful. The Gates are quite close from here.
– Oh… but what about Lao Jin and Zhe Kai? Did they stay on that lake?
– Don't worry, Yu Ming is a great scout, and he knows our aim. If we wait a bit, we'll reunite soon. In the meantime, I think we should look around.
Hao Ning nodded in agreement. It was not worth it to go far, but it was reasonable to understand what dangers lurked in these mountains. In addition, he needed to share the vision he had with Wei Huan. Let the picture of the action that took place change. The meaning remained the same: he was pushed down off a cliff.
Perhaps he would see it more clearly at the heart of the Gates.
***
The gentle rays of the rising sun made their way through the crowns of coniferous trees, illuminating the dew that had gathered during the night and captivating with a shimmering play of light. If only the travelers, who were making their way through the protruding roots of densely growing trees, paid attention to this beauty, perhaps the excitement in their hearts would subside a little.
Jin Yu Ming walked unwaveringly forward, calculating his every step. Nothing would slow him down. Now it depended only on him how quickly and safely he and Wu Zhe Kai could reunite with their friends. All his life, he relentlessly followed General Wei, but now he had to rely only on his skills.
They left the lake as soon as the healer got better. And although he did not return to his cheerful behavior, at least he no longer fell into hysterics and obediently followed his friend.
Yu Ming did not raise the topic of his breakdown since Wu Zhe Kai himself did not even mention this after the incident. And once again, the man was not going to torment his friend's wound. He knew perfectly well how painful it could be to remember the past, and he understood Zhe Kai's desire to hide this painful part from the others.
However, although the primary reason for such a reaction was not known to Yu Ming, he perfectly understood what provoked it. Hao Ning's injury was a hit for the healer. That is why they needed to meet their comrades as soon as possible.
Jin Yu Ming looked at Wu Zhe Kai walking behind him without a mere sound. Despite the depressed mood, the healer's gaze wandered through the green plants, noticing every little thing. This could not but please. The gradual return of the interest proved that the man was coming to his senses.
Feeling the gaze on him, Wu Zhe Kai looked at Jin Yu Ming, and one moment the warrior even thought that he would hear some funny phrase again, confirming his assumption about a recovering friend, but instead, he saw fear appear in the healer's eyes.
The words that he uttered after so many hours of silence were sharp.
– Stop! Yu Ming, don't move! – came an alerted warning cry.
With a sharp dash as if trying to grab the edge of the man's hanfu to pull him back, Wu Zhe Kai threw his hand forward but did not succeed. An incomparable crunch sounded under someone Yu Ming's feet, and a sweetish-sour aroma instantly hit the nose.
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The Hour of The Rabbit – 5:00 – 7:00
Mulberry (mulberry tree) – a symbol of a secret love date