Chapter 15

Xiao Bai was about to ask XuWei the questions he was thinking since earlier when XuWei covered Xiao bai's mouth making him mumble incoherently.

He glared at XuWei but XuWei just placed his index finger on his lips and pointed at the two figures on the pavilion.

Realizing that Xiao Bai won't make any more sounds he slowly retreated his hand. Xiao Bai sneered at him and placed his attention into Ming xue and Ruo Lan.

Nothings wrong with it from the start but Xiao Bai was soon startled then surprise then eventually confused.

"Ming-Xiong. It's been so long."

Ming xue was surprised to see him but not to that extent that he didn't expected it so he's reaction is not that big ," Ruo-xiong. Long time no see."[1]

Xiao bai gasped when he heard Ruo Lan called Ming xue brother. And Ming xue actually acknowledged the other as his brother as well.

Xiao Bai glanced at the man beside him, his face full of question. XuWei guessed that he might be asking if it's true that they are not stangers to each other, so nodded at Xiao Bai.

Xiao bai was not that shock. He could already guess Ruo Lan's connection to Ming xue and could prettily grasped the situation on his head. Maybe it was already human's nature but Xiao Bai couldn't help but focus more to gossip.

The two person at the pavilion continued their conversation. However it was obvious that Ruo Lan was being sarcastic while Ming xue was being passive. Even for Xiao Bai who was some distance away could feel the tension in the air surrounding them.

"Why pretend like nothing happened? It's time to tell me the truth Ming-Xiong." This Ruo lan's approached is not that of sarcasm but of silent pleading.

Ming xue took a deep breathe and replied, "I would rather you beat me up than know the truth."

'Just what was this truth they are talking about!' Xiao bai screamed frustratedly in his mind.

Ruo Lan could only disappointingly unclench his fist and reach out for his sword, "Then there's no other way. Fight!"

Hearing Ruo Lan's remark Xiao Bai eyes widen. He immediately shot a glanced at XuWei then said in a low voice, "Is he serious?! Why would they fight?!"

XuWei calmly looked at him and replied in the same manner, "There are some things that cannot be solved just by talking alone. Look. The other wants to know the truth but the other wants to hide for some unknown reason. So in order to fix the discord between them they need to show dominance so the winner could do his way of fixing that discord."

Xiao bai, "Then is this truth you are talking about?"

XuWei, "It's a little bit conplicated but I think you should hear it from your guardian personally. He may have a different point of view. "

Xiao bai, "You're saying that Ruo Lan already spoke to you?"

XuWei, "Yes, earlier at lunch break. That's why I helped him corner Ming xue in here, so he could finally have a chance to confront ming xue after 5 years."

Xiao bai, "So we should just leave them fight? We're not going to stop them?"

XuWei, "Why are you so worried? They're grown men, if things get out of hand then we'll go."

Xiao bai, "I'm not worried. I'm just thinking that of every place why would you choose the school ground!"

"Well you have a point." Xuwei said innocently.

Xiao bai clicked his tongue and proceded to watch the duel.

Ruo lan and Ming xue are in a fighting stance. Holding their swords firmly while also seizing up the opponent. It has been five years since they fought so they didn't know what to expect.

When you look in there eyes, you could see the determination and conflict. Ruo Lan was determined to know the truth and helped his sworn brother in carrying his burdens.

While Ming xue was having a dilemma, he don't want Ruo Lan to know the truth but he also don't want to hurt him.

As if a whistle sounded, they both dashed forward. With a clang, both swords met each other. The sunset rays reflecting in the cold blades, it gives off a death glare. Xiao Bai was watching every move they make.

Xiao bai can't deny it. Ruo Lan truly has some skills. To be on par with Ming xue and often make Ming xue step back a few steps. It was like he was on advantage.

But as Xiao Bai has always been the sparring partner of Ming xue, he knew he didn't show his real skill yet. But Xiao Bai also believe that Ruo Lan still has some trump card in his as well.

The clash went on for about 20 minutes already. Both opposing teams are starting to sweat, the spectators are also in full anticipation.

"Ming-xiong, it seems like you're holding back. Are you not afraid that I would defeat you?" Ruo Lan provoked.

Most of all he didn't want it if someone is going easy on him, it was like looking down at him. Ruo Lan attacked with more power after that. His movements also became faster and faster.

Ming xue was pushed around so he didn't have a choice but to level up.

"Why are you always insisting in finding the truth? Even if you knew, would it change the past? Would it change the fact that I killed so many people including your sister?" Ming xue said with a heavy voice.

Ruo Lan was hurt by his words. Yes, it won't change the past. Yes, it won't change the fact that he killed so many people. But he can't see that Ruo Lan doesn't give a damn about those.

All he wanted was for Ming xue to treat him like he would back in those days. All he wanted was for them to let go of the past pains and face the future like when they were still kids.

However Ruo Lan don't know how to say this things. He knew that mere words won't let Ming xue's resolve topple like that. He was that kind of person. The only way to relay his message is to tell them through his sword.

And just like he was injected in chicken blood [2] he started to attack more. And in every swing of his sword were his words.

Ming xue was surprised by his reaction.

He thought that Ruo Lan would finally stop but he didn't expect that he would fight more beautifully than earlier. It was beautiful because even for Xiao Bai who just an audience he could feel the emotions flowing through the cold blades of Ruo Lan's sword.

Pain, regret, hope, joy, and comfort.

Ming xue as the receiver of such heavy emotions felt that he was suddenly overpowered. It was too heavy, he felt his heart tighten and it was hard to breath. However he kept defending himself, determined to win.

He don't want to let Ruo Lan see him so weak and powerless. He wants Ruo Lan to remember him as his cool brother forever.

But as time passes, Ming xue's body was full of cuts and wounds. Because his head was constantly getting preoccupied, Ruo Lan was lucky to find some spot to attack. The wounds may be far from all the vital parts.

But exhaustion from fighting nonstop plus the wounds and mental unstability. Ming xue eventually lost his will to fight.

Ming xue dropped his sword and welcomingly accept Ruo Lan's hit. Ruo lan was still in his muddled state of emotional ups and downs so he just went straight up to Ming xue. But before the sword could plunged into Ming xue's flesh.

The sound of swords rang once again.

"That's enough." Xiao Bai said in a commanding tone while holding his sword in a stance.

Hearing his voice, Ruo Lan returned to his senses and saw Xiao Bai in front of him, his sword was a few feet away from him and XuWei walking towards him.

"Xiao Bai." Ming xue weakly called out.

Xiao Bai looked back at him and nodded, "You'll tell me all of this later. For now, you can rest."

Ming xue helplessly nodded. Feeling that it has now come to this he don't have any reason to run away anymore.

So he just fainted and Xiao Back supported him, dropping his sword in the process.

"Ming-xiong!" Ruo lan worriedly shouted when Ming xue fainted.

Xiao bai, "Don't worry he's just tired both physically and emotionally. It might take Ming xue a day or two to recover so tell free to visit so we could all have anice and long chat."

Ruo Lan hung his head down. Feeling guilty of hurting Ming xue to this extent. He knew to himself that if Ming xue was clearheaded he would have lost immediately.

XuWei, "Let me help you carry him."

How dare this aide surnamed Ming let his young master carry him? Such insolence!

XuWei was about to go and help when Ruo Lan cut him off, "Young master please let me! It's my fault for injuring him to this extent in the first place."

XuWei nodded.

Ruo Lan immediately scrouch down and let Xiao Bai put ming xue on his back. Making sure that ming is in place Xiao Bai turned to look at XuWei.

XuWei, "Do you have a ride waiting for you outside?"

Xiao Bai, "Yes. I think uncle Nan is already at the front gate."

XuWei hummed and they started walking.

Ruo lan was infront while Xuwei and Xiao bai was side by side on the back.

"Are you not mad that I've set up something that could harm them both?" XuWei asked.

Xiao bai thought for a bit, "Not really. I would rather thank you. I get the feeling that if they don't have a proper confrontation then Ming xue might have chosen to run away for as long as he could. And I might be still in the dark, with Ming xue's indefferent personality he won't talk about it even a bit."

XuWei smiled, "That's good to hear. I'm worried that you might be actually mad."

Xiao bai didn't respond and silence came to them once again. It was not an awkward silence but a harmonious one.

It's a good thing that this is an ancient era. Where the masters have the right to their subordinate's life. If this happened in the modern world then Xiao Bai wouldn't dare to butt into Ming xue's business.

That's why he was not afraid of knowing Ming xue's hidden past.

............

Xiōng —兄— this mean brother. The Xiōng here means sworn brother or '把兄弟' bǎ xiōng dì.

打鸡血 —dǎjīxuè— Meaning:

Literally this term means to "inject chicken blood." Chinese netizens use the term to mean that someone is crazy or obssessed about something or an idol. Or it means someone is very excited.

The saying dates back to the practice of actually injecting chicken blood into the human body that arose in 1959 in Shanghai. A doctor named Yu Changshi first performed this "treatment" on himself, which soon became popular during the Cultural Revolution.

Yu said he "felt especially energetic" after giving himself a shot of chicken blood.

☘Mini theater☘

XuWei, in his mind: Damn! Being in a close range with Xiao Bai makes me crazy! I could literally smell him and it's blending with the blossoms. Its really addicting.

Xiao Bai suddenly wanted to talk to him, it's not like Ming xue and Ruo lan could hear them if they talk in whispers but because it was too sudden XuWei was surprised to see Xiao Bai's plump lips once again and had to impulse to violate those temptations.

Good thing he regained his sanity and covered those petal-like torture. Then stopped himself before his self-control collapse.

XuWei: I wished it's not my hand that's covering those treasures! Next time it will be my lips....Ahhhh!! Xiao Bai will be the reason of my insanity!

The reason of insanity Xiao Bai, "...."