28- News from Tian Shan

"There you are, Huan'er," Master had a small smile watching their greetings. When Wu Huan got a closer look, it seemed like he had gotten himself a bit tanned with a trail of stubble. Despite that, his eyes still held the same calmness. "Master has heard you advanced to the Nascent Soul stage."

"Yes, master. All thanks to shixiong."

"Good job the both of you," he also smiled again. Master Ciu had arrived before dawn and the Sect leaders and all the elders were immediately alerted. After much insistence, master has gotten his way: he wanted to meet his two disciples before even taking any rest.

"How has master been? We have heard that you have traveled north to investigate."

"Yes. The north was also facing the same problem, but your uncle hadn't been able to track down the cases because of Mountain Tian Shan."

Shi Lihua stepped forward, looking concerned.

"Moutain Tian Shan? Are there any leads to the demon king?"

Master Ciu sighed, his eyes were downcast but they held sorrow. "Two months ago after a group of farmers was attacked by spirit demons, the Lan Yan Sect has assigned a group of disciples to patrol and protect the villagers at the foot of the mountain. One week later, after not receiving the usual daily reports for two days, the Sect found out that they have gone missing."

"What? Did they get to attack as well?" Wu Huan felt a pit in his stomach. After all, he has once lived with these disciples and trained together even though he wasn't really close to anyone.

"Sect leader Duan Jing lost fifteen disciples in one week, the elders opposed to organizing any more team, and the villagers were forced to abandon their farmlands until the bodies were found."

"They couldn't find the bodies, didn't they? That's why you have volunteered?"

Master Ciu didn't respond but he nodded at the two sadden disciples. Yes, he had volunteered, but he had also failed. He still remembered the faces of the villagers after they rushed to inquire about him after coming down the mountain. "Unfortunately, I wasn't able to trace the bodies much to my disappointment. Hua'er and Huan'er, I want you two to stay away from the mountain for now."

"What happened, master?" Shi Lihua was adamant. He knew his master. If he was to say something would worry the people around him, he would always dismiss it.

"..."

Both disciples waited.

"There were demonic cultivators."

Both disciples also became speechless.

"As far as master knows, I think they have taken control of most of the spirit demons."

"Demonic cultivators with spirit demons? Isn't this just like the previous war?"

Shi Lihua gazed around his master and his eyes were heavy. "What about master? Did you sustain any injuries?"

"No, Hua'er. I was able to escape. But, I encountered their leader." He sighed looking at Shi Lihua, "He wore a black mask so I wasn't able to identify him."

"Master mustn't put yourself in danger. Please let me continue the investigation."

"Hua'er, you can't do the same for master?"

"..."

"Master is right, Shixiong. Right now, we are too in the dark about our enemies. We underestimated them and who knew how long these things were going on. The psycho that stabbed you...he was stronger than any of us-"

"Hua'er was stabbed? That's right. Master hasn't inquired about your trip."

"Well,..."

After describing what happened and beating his Shixiong to it because he knew he would downplay his self-sacrifice and stubbornness, Wu Huan was reminded of his anger for the psychopath all over again. They watched their master wordlessly staring at his teacup. If you were to only glance once, you would think he was in deep thoughts. But, you were sitting in front of him like Wu Huan and Shi Lihua, you knew he was mourning.

You knew he was also at a loss of what the future would bring.

-

"Shixiong, do you think the mask man master saw was the psychopath?"

"No. That one in the mountain must be the first young master."

Wu Huan turned his head, questionable.

"When I was captive, I overheard. It seems like there are two people in charge. Moreover, Master didn't mention him being crippled."

It was early in the morning after they persuaded Master to take his rest. The sun seemed brighter than usual. After all, spring was coming.

[He's beautiful.] Wu Huan was very well aware than he was dumbstruck by the side of his shixiong's face out of a sudden. A small smile also bloomed on his face. Maybe he was just glad...that Shi Lihua was well.

"What are you looking at?" Shi Lihua's voice sounded docile. His dark eyes flickering anywhere but him. Yes, he was now more aware of the attention.

"At the sun," Wu Huan pretended to shield his eyes.

"You idiot. The sun is on your left."

"Right," he chuckled, turning left. He heard Shi Lihua rushing to leave then. Something pulled him to follow. Maybe he had the intuition that he would see another side of his shixiong he has never seen. As expected, he was heading to his pavilion. He contemplated letting Wu Huan in but he took one look at the face and he just sighed.

"What is this? It's not warm enough. Won't Shixiong get cold?"

"I want to get used to the cold. It is handy in the long run."

"So you just shiver in your bed?"

"No, I don't SHIVER."

Wu Huan stared with a look of surrender. His voice was stuffy, "I wonder what else you prepare for. I might just find you sneaking out to deal with those bandits tomorrow." The Shidi grabbed for the closest book on the table. Guides to Immortal Cultivation. And he smirked, "Aren't you already like an immortal?"

"What?" A grumpy voice came from behind.

"Nothing."

The book was later snatched away. Shi Lihua resumed his daily routine: lighting peach blossom incense, preparing tea, and flipping through his latest book. He completely also disregarded Wu Huan in the process. He was in a sense, an invisible visitor. He couldn't say he disliked this side of him. His past self would disagree though. It wasn't like he would know this person had a different way of expressing himself.