Town of Tian, we meet again

Hai Yin sat in his chambers, his gaze fixed on the night flower, its dark center and many long red pedals still intact even after a month and there was still no sign of it withering. Twirling the flower in his hand, a smirk made its way onto his face, he wondered how Kang Lei had been this past month. Aside from the business with resources and currency, Clan Leader Kang and Clan Leader Hai hadn't had much contact, and whenever the Kang clan had an errand with the Hai clan, young Master Kang was never present. Hai Yin twirled the flower around again, as a memory crossed his mind of young Master Kang and young Master Ba, the three of them sitting together in the main hall during the four-day bonding banquet.

"I suppose being the clan leaders heir has something to do with always trying to be the best." Said Kang Lei. As the memory passed, Hai Yin let out a heavy exhale, wherever Kang Lei was, hopefully he wasn't being too hard on himself.

"How pretty Yin-ge! I've never seen a red sunflower before!" a voice suddenly sounded behind Hai Yin, snatching the flower from his hand.

"A-Su! Return it now!" said Hai Yin as he jumped up, following behind his sister as she turned this way and that way to avoid the flower being taken from her hand.

Hai Su put her arm behind her back, extending out her arm as far as it could go as Hai Yin reached for it, "Tell me where you found it and I will return it to you!", said Hai Su, cutting a deal with her older brother.

Hai Yin pulled his reaching arm away and placed it behind his back, "It was a gift.", he finally spoke.

"A gift? Who would give you such a gift? Did some timid young maiden confess her love for you again Yin-ge?" Hai Su poked fun at her brother as his face flushed red. As expected, his little sister had dropped her guard as she always found joy in teasing her big brother and without warning, Hai Yin swiftly spun around his sister, retrieving the flower from her hand.

"Yin-ge, no fair! You caught me off guard, where is your honor!?" Hai Su complained as she tried to grab the flower back, but Hai Yin held it up into the air, out of her reach as he was much taller than his sister.

"Was it not you who crept into my chambers and snuck up on me first?" said Hai Yin with a straight face. Hai Su pouted as the siblings glared at each other a moment, before smirks inched onto each of their faces.

"Will my children never behave themselves?" said a familiar voice coming into the room. The two put their arms down and stood properly, looking down at the floor with smirks on each of their faces as their Father walked over standing in front of them.

A smile made its way onto Clan Leader Hai's face, as it warmed his heart to see his young children in such a good mood. "A-Su, you are late for your music lesson, hurry now." Hai Su nodded to her Father, elbowing her brother before skipping off out of the room.

Clan Leader Hai let out a chuckle, "A-Yin, walk with me, I have some things to discuss.", said Clan Leader Hai and Hai Yin nodded, gently slipping the flower into a drawer as he exited the room. The Father and son left out of Hai Yin's chambers, making their way outside. Whenever Clan Leader Hai wanted to go for fresh air, it would most likely be a heavy subject.

Clan Leader Hai closed his eyes for a moment taking in the afternoon mountain air, "A-Yin, I have some troubling news."

"…." Hai Yin furrowed his brows, he knew this was coming.

"An unknown person has sent word on the happenings in the water village of Xitang, the dead are being exhumed and the bodies have gone missing.", said Clan Leader Hai.

Hai Yin's lips parted, as he was rather shocked, only one clan leader was known to have done such an awful thing. "and no one has seen anything?", he asked.

Clan Leader Hai looked toward the sky, "Not a thing, that is what makes this so alarming."

Hai Yin closed his eyes for a moment, letting out a deep exhale, "Could it be the Kang clan?��� he asked his Father although it was grudgingly.

Clan Leader Hai turned to his son, "A-Yin, I'd like to believe there's good in everyone unless I am proven otherwise. I have sent a messenger to clan Leader Kang about these happenings, but I have not heard back from him. The other clans have not mentioned anything about this just yet, so I assume they are unaware, let's keep this quiet for now.", said clan Leader Hai furrowing his brows. "A-Yin, will you go and see what you can find?"

"I will set out immediately.", said Hai Yin, cupping his fist and bowing his head.

"Take care A-Yin." said Clan leader Hai to his first born. Hai Yin nodded, leaving his Father.

Hastily grabbing a few necessary things for his trip, Hai Yin made his way out of his chamber, but he suddenly came to a halt. Turning back around, Hai Yin reached into his drawer where he had gently placed the night flower Kang Lei had gifted him. Hai Yin picked it up, staring at it for a second before slipping it in between his under and outer robe that he was wearing, perhaps he would need some form of luck on this strange trip he was about to take. Exiting his chamber and closing the door behind him, Hai Yin began his journey to the village of Xitang, leaving the sacred sect of Mount Grace.

After two days of traveling, Hai Yin had made it to the town of Tian. Tian was the main town people lived in and place they conducted their businesses with Xitang being a small village on the outskirts. Swimming or boating was necessary to get to the village of Xitang as it was surrounded by water. Tired from his travels, Hai Yin decided to take a rest at a nearby tavern, it being quite empty with only a few patrons for this time of day.

"Young Master, young Master this way." said an older woman rushing over to Hai Yin as he entered. Placing her hand on Hai Yin's back, she guided him to an empty table and he sat placing his sword down on the floor beside him.

"What can I get for you young Master?" said the pushy old staff woman, business must have been quite slow today.

"Dumplings and oolong tea please." said Hai Yin and the old woman smiled, nodding and walking off.

Hai Yin had sat for a moment, eating his meal and sipping his tea, taking advantage of a well-deserved break when in walked a new patron. With an obsidian sheath at their waist with bizarre markings on it, light blue eyes and dark hair loosely hanging down his back, in all black, it was a familiar face, it was young Master Kang!

"Ah, young Master! Please come sit!" the old staff woman rushed over to him, placing her hand on his back and Kang Lei simply grinned, that big, friendly, familiar smile. Hai Yin watched with a blank stare and his lips parted, for some reason he couldn't bring himself to say anything.

The old staff woman began to guide Kang Lei to an empty table in Hai Yin's direction and Kang Lei suddenly paused as he noticed quite the fancy person in an off-white robe.

"Young Master?" said the old woman, quite puzzled as to why Kang Lei had stopped making his way to the table, she was guiding him to. The two locked eyes for a moment before another grin made its way onto Kang Lei's face, as he suddenly ran over.

"Hai Yin!" said Kang Lei, nonplused to see young Master Hai in such a place. "Thank you, Madam, I will sit with him. Just bring me something sweet and a bottle of your strongest wine.", said Kang Lei as he sat down, turning to the confused old woman, she then smiled, nodded and walked away.

Turning his attention back to Hai Yin, Kang Lei placed his elbows on the table, resting his chin on his hands, "It must be fate."

"Fate?" said Hai Yin.

"Peculiar even, why is it that I run into you here out of all the places I've been in the last week?" said Kang Lei with a smile.

"Perhaps it is fate.", said Hai Yin, a smirk making its way onto his face before he sipped his oolong tea.

"Here you are young Master.", said the old woman, placing a sweet bun, a sealed porcelain bottle on the table, nodding and walking away.

"What brings you to Tian?" asked Hai Yin.

"The sweet buns and wine of course.", said Kang Lei with a smirk as he picked up his sweet bun, taking a big bite.

Hai Yin sipped his tea again, before speaking "Does the heir to the Kang clan really have nothing better to do?" said Hai Yin, knowing full well that Kang Lei hadn't answered honestly, the town of Tian wasn't exactly a place people came to site see after all.

Kang Lei raised his brows momentarily, as he finished swallowing, "Something like that, what is young Master Hai's reason for being here?

"I am on assignment." said Hai Yin.

"What a fortunate stroke of serendipity." Said Kang Lei, pulling the sealed cloth off of his wine and drinking it straight from the bottle.

Hai Yin furrowed his brows, "Surely there is some reason for your presence other than sweets and wine, what is your genuine business here?" said Hai Yin growing impatient, this being the second time Kang Lei avoided answering honestly.

Kang Lei placed the bottle down on the table after taking another mouthful and swallowing it all at once, "What is my business here? Why, it is the same as you Hai Yin." said Kang Lei, the two glaring at each other before Kang Lei suddenly stood, placing a gold rock on the table.

"Why not go together then?" said Hai Yin, stopping him in his tracks. Kang Lei turned back to Hai Yin with an eyebrow raised, "If it gives you piece of mind to keep an eye on me, why not?", said Kang Lei sitting back down.

"This is not what I meant.", said Hai Yin.

"And this is not the bonding banquet, do I need a traveling companion?" said Kang Lei, his tone impolite.

Hai Yin furrowed his brows, "we are on the same side Kang Lei.", he said firmly.

"Are we?" said Kang Lei, leaning forward so that Hai Yin would hear him better. Keeping his voice low to avoid any ease droppers, he spoke, "Listen, my Father is aware of what's happening in Xitang village, that is why I am here. Unlike you I am here to clear our name, we have not broken the truce, we have nothing to do with it!", said Kang Lei.

"The Hai clan does not rely on hearsay; facts are needed to prove one is guilty. Let us find who is behind this, give me your trust." said Hai Yin, putting emphasis on "us", his face quite stern.

Kang Lei thought for a minute, before nodding, silently saying that he agreed with Hai Yin. Sure, two heads would be better than one, besides he didn't mind having company after traveling alone for so long.

"We will make our way tomorrow." said Hai Yin and Kang Lei nodded.

After the two finished their food and drink, they paid and made their way to an inn for the night.

"Two rooms sir." said Kang Lei, pulling out another gold rock.

"Forgive me young Masters, there is only one room left, all the others are currently occupied.", the man nodded apologizing.

"It is fine, we will take the one room.", said Hai Yin, taking the gold rock from Kang Lei's hand and giving it to the man. Kang Lei took a glance at Hai Yin, before staring at the floor, perhaps it was fine.

The man took the gold rock and nodded with a smile, leading the two young cultivators to the last vacant room in the inn. "The bed is quite comfortable and large enough for the two of you, please enjoy your stay", said the man, opening the door, nodding and walking backdown stairs.

Kang Lei awkwardly cleared his throat and walked into the room. Hai Yin followed, looking in both directions down the hall before backing into the room and closing the door. When Hai Yin turned around, Kang Lei was staring at the rather large bed with his brows raised, wearing quite the anxious expression. Slightly shrugging his shoulders, Kang Lei made his way to the table in the room, roughly plopping himself down on a cushion. Hai Yin made his way over, sitting on the other side of the table, pouring himself some water, he took a sip.

"Hai Yin, you won't be able to sleep tonight if we share a bed." Kang Lei suddenly said.

Raising both eyebrows, Hai Yin's face turned bright red, as he unexpectedly choked on his water, "What are you saying!?" said Hai Yin as he coughed, his pitch higher than normal and his voice cracking.

Kang Lei suddenly threw his head back, laughing hysterically, he clutched his stomach ending his laugh with a heavy exhale, "Hai Yin, I simply meant my sleeping habits are unpleasant, where is your mind?" said Kang Lei, chuckling again.

Hai Yin furrowed his brows and closed his eyes as his face was still red, "..."

Kang Lei let out a giggle, "Ahh Hai Yin, don't worry. I won't tell anyone about your dirty thoughts."

"There are other things to be discussed.", said Hai Yin, his brow twitching as he opened his eyes. "An unknown person sent word to the Hai Clan about graves being exhumed, did the Kang clan receive an anonymous tip as well?"

"We did, that is why I am here. Do the other clans know about this as well?" asked Kang Lei.

"They have been quiet; I assume they do not know." Hai Yin responded.

Well you are right about that, clan leader Vu would have definitely caused an uproar by now if he did. Why only tip off our two clans, but not the others?"

"My thoughts exactly. Either way, foul play is at bay. We will see what we find tomorrow." said Hai Yin and Kang Lei nodded. With their backs to each other on the large bed and their swords close by, the two laid down to rest, only God knew what they would find in the village of Xitang tomorrow.

"No...no…stay away!" a distressed voice spoke and a punch suddenly made contact with Hai Yin's back.

Hai Yin's eyes snapped open as he felt the punch, and he soon relaxed, realizing it was Kang Lei. He flipped over on his other side to see that in his sleep, Kang Lei had done the same. With his face covered in a cold sweat, Kang Lei's brows were furrowed as he muttered occasionally.

"Stay...away!" Kang Lei said softly, struggling in his sleep.

"A nightmare? Is this what you meant by being an unpleasant sleeper?", said Hai Yin, barely above a whisper, careful not to wake Kang Lei. Extending out his hand, Hai Yin closed his eyes, placing his index and pointer finger, gently touching Kang Lei's forehead. A small glowing light swirled around Hai Yin's fingers and in an instant, Kang Lei's furrowed brows had relaxed, and he was no longer whispering in a panic, his night terror had gone away. Hai Yin opened his eyes to see that Kang Lei was now peacefully sleeping. As the ball of light dissipated, he removed his hand from Kang Lei's forehead and closed his eyes, soon falling back to sleep.