Swift streams of crystal waterfalls, crashing against the rocks in myriads of splashes, watered the fragrant greenery and gave coolness. Clear and cold ponds formed in the rocks reflected the cloudless sky, the smooth scenery of the mountains, and the bent branches of trees growing nearby.
This view was much like the one that Hao Ning had once known, but it was also very different from the one hidden in the depths of his consciousness. A thoughtful face was reflected on the surface of the faintly rippled pond, causing its owner to bow his head slightly so that the reflected person would repeat this small action. Hao Ning couldn't help but smile. At such moments it was really difficult to believe everything that happened to him, though there was no point in denying the obvious. Hao Ning came to terms with this reality, no longer trying to run away from it. He knew where he was, he understood who he was, and such thoughts did not bring the unbearable pain that had accompanied him since he entered the Middle World any longer.
On the contrary, now brand-new feelings and emotions, which he had deliberately suppressed with fears and denials, embraced him. The youth turned to look at Wei Huan standing nearby. Thanks to that man Hao Ning could hold on, fight on, and gradually accept his new existence. Next to him, the scholar felt the peace and joy of a bygone life. Previously, Hao Ning believed that it was impossible to fall for another person in such a short time, but when he met Wei Huan, he trusted this man, followed him, he realized that it was... natural. Especially if the person you met became dear to you.
When the person you met became yours...
– A-Ning! – the man's voice disturbed the thoughts, causing the young man to take off.
Wei Huan remained where he stood, the tip of his sword pointing towards the tall trees. The man's expression was serious. He was frowning. Until this moment, the places they had scouted did not pose any danger, so they quickly decided to stop and wait for their friends. Because of this, the sudden call took Hao Ning by surprise.
– What is it? – wondered the young scholar, as he stood next to his friend squeezing a folded fan in his palm.
– Someone is coming.
Wei Huan listened carefully to the surrounding sounds. It was very difficult to hide the steps in such terrain, so the general could easily trace their source.
– An animal?
– No. A human, – the man took a step forward, shielding Hao Ning. – Stay alert.
Hao Ning nodded obediently and opened his fan with a deft movement pulling it forward in warning.
Now he heard unhurried, shuffling steps coming from behind the bushes. The one approaching them felt no danger and stubbornly moved forward. This made Hao Ning take a bewildered look at the rustling bushes. However, he didn't have to track down the incomprehensible daredevil for a long time. The person showed himself with grunting, grumbling, and scolding typical of many elderly people.
– What timid children are thee! Go shaking your weapons in the direction of any rustle, don't thee? I say, your nerves shall be dead before you grow old.
The first thing Hao Ning saw after hearing the voice was a staff. A long, sturdy staff that somehow still had small twigs with green leaves on it. Its sharp end rested on the ground, leaving small indentations with each step of the speaker. Then came a long gray beard with beads woven into it, and only then the youth could see the speaker himself.
The short but stocky old man moved in small steps. His narrowed, sparkling eyes looked at the standing men with undisguised irony. Because of his shabby clothes, the old man seemed either homeless or a hermit, but his upright posture gave him away.
– Put your weapons down, children. I bring no harm. Though I could. For the fact that you're poking such scary toys at me.
Wei Huan suspiciously tightened the grip on the hilt of his sword. He didn't want to trust a man who had come from out of nowhere in these mountains. Looking at his tense shoulders, Hao Ning understood that in this situation he should make a decision himself.
– Greetings, master, – said the young scholar politely, and moved the fan back. His words were followed by a kowtow. – Pardon if we scared you. We didn't expect to meet anyone here.
The elder man waved his hand as if wanted to shoo away Hao Ning's words.
– What way this can scare anyone, I wonder? Besides you don't look capable of taking someone's life for no reason. Although, wait a minute... – he thought for a moment, and then burst out laughing. – This old bean has nothing to take away from him! Even his life! And so have you! We're all dead here, you see?
The old man was so pleased with his joke that he clapped his hands. The beads in his beard hit each other and shook with his heaving chest.
Looking at the amused man, Wei Huan lowered his sword, shaking his head slightly.
– Who you are? – he asked.
– Me? I am just a simple old man, wandering in the mountains, –the gray-haired sage smiled contentedly as he took a deep breath. – There is such grace all around here! I cannot help but admire it.
Wei Huan grinned, knowing full well that his interlocutor had simply changed the topic of conversation. But he didn't point that. Instead, he gently touched Hao Ning's shoulder.
– My name is Wei Huan. This is Hao Ning. We are spouses.
The general's decisive words forced the confused young scholar to look up in wonder, examining the man's profile. A satisfied smile appeared on Wei Huan's lips, and his eyes shone with pride at his open words. Hao Ning wanted to simultaneously punish the man as if he were a misbehaving boy, and at the same time, the youth wanted to laugh heartily. He chose the third option – looking back at the elder.
– Forgive the incontinence of my companion. We are bound by the Ghost Marriage.
– He's my wife, – confirmed Wei Huan insistently. – Or rather a husband? What do you want me to call you?
The general was definitely enjoying himself. He seemed to become relaxed after earning the favor of his A-Ning. Now he did not feel any barriers or boundaries at all.
For that, he was punished with a small pinch on the ear.
– I don't mind being called your wife, but please don't dump it on the first person you meet, – Hao Ning's whisper was stern, but the tone was filled more with playfulness, rather than with real displeasure. He let go of the man's ear, and after gently rubbing the pinched place, he again politely bowed to the old man, who was carefully listening.
– I apologize.
To Hao Ning's surprise, the mountain hermit only laughed and hit the ground with his staff.
– Bah! The world is full of wonders indeed! Many years passed since I saw two men bound by a Ghost Marriage! Well, my congratulations then! – the old sage wiped away the tears that appeared in the corners of his eyes and waved his hand. – Follow me, I'll take you somewhere. And no, I am not an evil spirit pulling travelers into my web, – He shook his stick. – Don't you swing your weapons at me again. You will scatter and your conscience will torment you. Off we go!
With these words, the old man turned and headed back into the forest from where he had come out from. Hao Ning and Wei Huan exchanged glances, and finally still decided to follow the stranger. The hermit was mysterious and unpredictable, but for the first time in a long, they came across a harmless spirit whom they wanted to get to know better. Everyone met in this world left behind an indelible mark and there was no doubt that this old man would do the same.
***
The gentle rustling of leaves accompanied the silent wanderers on their short journey. The rays of the awakening sun caressed the skin, warming the body and causing a slight smile.
The sound of water flowing through the forest grew louder and now was heard by the babbling of mountain streams. Then a wide waterfall revealed itself to the surprised gases of the wanderers. The huge masses of water were inexorably falling down a steep slope, flowing in a chilling cascade into a wide river. The river was twisting its rapid stream through gorges and forests.
The old man accompanying the young people stopped at the very edge of the cliff, turned to face them, and smiled contentedly.
– From where we stand the view is the best, – he pointed with a staff towards the mountain towering above the rest. – The Gates lie right in the frontier.
After these words, Hao Ning could not hide his surprise and asked a completely natural question:
– How do you know?
– It wasn't difficult to guess. These places are unfriendly to simple souls. That means that only the desperate who have set a specific goal, strive to come here. And they always go there. To that mountain.
The old man calmly shrugged his shoulders and then moved away from the cliff, settling down on the grass under a spreading Ormosia. Hao Ning watched him and then touched the hand of Wei Huan, who was staring at the said mountain.
– We still need to wait for Lao Jin and Zhe Kai.
– I know, – the general agreed. – Besides I have some questions to ask our new friend.
Wei Huan walked towards the old man sitting in the lotus pose. Hao Ning, no less interested in the identity of their guide, followed him. The relaxed hermit did not even open his eyes when he heard the steps. He simply asked:
-Are you not leaving yet?
– We need to wait for our friends, – replied Wei Huan, taking a seat opposite. – And find out more about you.
– I'm a simple old man wandering in the mountains and enjoying the beautiful views. Why would you need to know anything about me?
– Such words are characteristic of those who hide their true identity.
– What is the point of hiding your true identity in the World of Spirits?
– To find long-awaited peace.
Wei Huan smiled with the corners of his lips when the old man opened one eye to look at the impudent sly man. After a while, he chuckled, scratching under his nose.
– You, kid, speak as if you have lived through several of my lives. Are you too arrogant or just reckless?
– It's both.
Wei Huan continued looking into the old man's sly eyes. The sage burst out laughing again. He placed the stick on the ground, waving at the general.
– Okay, okay, I'll tell you. I like you, so I'll tell you, – the gray-haired man rested his hands on his knees, leaning a little closer. – Wu Qing Yang is the name of this one!
As soon as the name was uttered, Hao Ning gave out a sharp sigh. Now that was unbelievable! The young scholar was stunned. He stared at the old man whose name he had seen so often in the books.
– Master Wu Qing Yang? – the young scholar echoed. – A wandering artist, praised by the Emperor for his outstanding fighting abilities and incredible talent for painting? Are you the said Master Wu?
– Are they still talking about me? – the old man laughed. – I thought the memories of my name had already turned to dust, like forgotten paintings.
– Master Wu, your paintings are not forgotten. On the contrary, they are described in many books and thoroughly studied. They are an example of talent for many gifted people who recognize the nobility and purity expressed in the ink and brush, – Hao Ning respectfully bowed to the ground. – It's a great honor to see you and talk to you.
– Stop it, child. Just stop it, – Wu Qing Yan waved his hand, motioning for the young man to get up. – I simply expressed the wishes and tears of my heart on paper. If I had not been praised by the Emperor, would I have been so revered? I doubt that.
– Of course, you would have! – Hao Ning straightened up sharply. – I have admired your paintings many times. They have helped me to find peace even in the hard times! They brought me harmony.
Wu Qing Yan's smile became warmer. He nodded his head in understanding. Even though his subsequent words were simple and short, the tangible relief and sincere joy from realizing the preserved history through the painted pictures did not go unnoticed.
– Fine. This is good.
– Master Wu, let me dance for you, – Hao Ning squeezed the rolled fan. – In this world, I am only a spirit, and it's unlikely that you would accept anything from me, so this is the only way I can express my gratitude.
-You were taught to dance properly, child?
– I was trained at the Temple of the Ten at the Mount Redemption, so I know the basics. – Hao Ning bowed his head. – Please, Master. I beg thee.
– Wait, A-Ning! – Wei Huan, who was silently listening to the dialogue, intervened in the conversation. He simply could not help but speak out. – You've never even offered to dance for me, and now you're going to dance for him?!
Wei Huan standing with his arms crossed over his chest, made Hao Ning smile. But Wu Qing Yan became indignant. The old man deftly picked up his staff, intending to hit the man on the top of his head, however, Wei Huan deftly dodged. More out of habit than on purpose.
– Don't you dare dodge, kid! You must be punished for such shamelessness!
– I have every right for that! He is my husband.
Hao Ning sighed softly, shaking his head. He was in the company of two grown up men, but for some reason… he felt like he was keeping an eye on the arguing boys. Fortunately, when the scholar slowly rose from the ground, the quarrel died down. Hao Ning bowed politely, then stepped a dance gravely and gracefully.
In one move, the youth opened the fan, bringing it closer to his face and closing his eyes. Hao Ning didn't need music to dance, but when he heard the melody, the corners of his lips involuntarily lifted into a smile. Wei Huan also said nothing when Wu Qing Yang's stick transformed into a qin.
The artist's fingers were touching the strings skillfully and deftly, merging the melody with the surrounding sounds. Beautiful, clean, light, but sending intermittent vibrations. With each chord the tempo accelerated, enveloping the listeners with a unique voice of the melody, only to suddenly fade away in the next moment, making them want to continue. This beautiful cycle repeated itself, like the four seasons: reviving, showing the way, leading to sleep, and fading away.
Hao Ning felt a melody filling his entire body with meaning and forcing him to move to the beat. The fan in his palm followed the smooth movement of his hand. The young man seemed to merge with the gentle whisper of the wind, the spiking blades of grass, and the sounds of the waterfall. He followed the melody. He stepped, he bent, he reached out his hands to the distant sky. The tempo got faster and at the right moment, he spun. The hem of his hanfu floated in the air together with the milky-white fan.
The bright rays of the sun were kissing delicate skin, wheat hair, golden patterns on clothes: enveloping Hao Ning, warming, protecting. Making him glisten
Wei Huan felt a slight push in his side. He hardly broke away from contemplating his husband to look at Wu Qing Yang, who did not interrupt his playing. The old man didn't say a word, just nodded his head slightly, but Wei Huan understood. No words were needed.
The man stood up and walked towards Hao Ning. His original simple step merged with the sounds of the qing, matching the dance. Out of the corner of his eye, the young scholar caught sight of someone approaching him, but instead of accepting the unexpected partner, he smiled and deftly jumped over the stormy river stream to the other bank. Wei Huan looked at Hao Ning's graceful back and thin arms, raising the fan to the sky and quickly slashing the air with a sharp move from up above to the knee.
Hao Ning's sparkling eyes ignited the fire in the man's heart and forced him to follow his little game.
This naive, pure young man could easily turn into a playful, but desirable creature. The True Harmony of Heaven burst out from Hao Ning, showing him off in all his glory. But the image still lacked the fury of the Earth.
And Wei Huan accepted this challenge, accurately mirroring the youth's movements within his own.
Now their dance resembled a fight. Each struggled to move the same way as the opponent. Though they exuded completely different energies.
The splashes sparkling under the rays of the sun cooled the heated skin; the wind tousled the tangled strands, and floating clouds tried to hide the sun, but none of this was able to stop the merging of two souls.
Hao Ning folded his fan, extending it towards Wei Huan to put it away at the right time. Gentle laughter echoed throughout the area, complementing the melody of the serene qing.
Then suddenly he felt a hand on his waist and got turned to face the man who was accepting all his mischief. Having left his shore, this man was finally able to touch the person he desired. A sparkling smile and soft gaze were his reward.
Hao Ning placed his palms on Wei Huan's chest and leaned his forehead against it, exhaling deeply.
Nothing else existed for him now. The melody slowed down and then faded away completely.
Hao Ning had never been selfish, but it was at this moment that even the thought that he could die... vanish into nowhere, no longer seemed unbearably horrifying. Hao Ning knew… even if he disappeared now, then no matter where he went, no matter what happened to him, Wei Huan would find him.