Chapter 2 The forgotten dream (2)

Bai Ling's screams echoed throughout the compound of the Qing Hun Sect Manor. His voice filled with so much confusion and pain. The sudden shrieks ring around the residence and startled the other disciples who were deep in their slumber.

Upon hearing the screams, Xi Yang jolted out of his bed and reached for Xiao Min that was still fast asleep next to him.

"Xiao Min, wake up." Xi Yang whispered while nudging Xiao Min with both of his hands. Xi Yang kept his voice low so to not wake the other juniors that are still sleeping, seemingly undisturbed by the screams he had heard earlier. "Xiao Min, wake up! I heard zhongzu's voice, we need to look for Jing Hun shijie."

Upon hearing the word shijie, Xiao Min sat up straight, his eyes wide open, one could not even tell that he was sleeping before this. "Alright, I'm awake. Did you hear zhongzu screaming again? We should hurry before shijie starts looking for us."

The both of them got off from the bed and got themselves dressed in top speed. They pulled on their light green robes and slipped on their shoes, Xiao Min almost tumbling forward from his clumsiness. Quietly, they closed the door of their shared quarter and headed out to the West residence. They made sure to move in silence to not wake the others. They are very sure that shijie would not appreciate a big commotion taking place out of the night's event.

Xi Yang went up to a set of closed wooden door and gave a few knocks to announce his and Xiao Min's arrival.

"Shijie, Jing Hun shijie. It's me, Xi Yang and Xiao Min. We heard zhongzu's voice, he might be having his night terrors again." Both of them paused for an answer from the other side of the door.

Jing Hun who has already woken up from her meditation moments ago, hastily climbed out of her bed and put on her long robe before walking towards the door. Her expression weary with bad anticipation. She opened her wooden door and was greeted by the two juniors, Xi Yang and Xiao Ming.

"The two of you, please go get An Heng laozu. He has left to meditate in Yan Chui Lin. Please inform him about zhongzu and asked for his quick return to the manor. I will head to An Ling Dian to check on zhongzu."

The summer air is still and heavy, suffocating the last drop of comfort when one stepped into the night. The only solace, is the faint scent of lush green bamboos surrounding the Qing Hun manor, keeping the minds and spirits calm and collected.

Jing Hun hurried down the East wing corridor across the courtyard and came to a halt.

*An Ling Dian*

The sound of metals clanking and crashing on to the floor rang across the East wing. Jing Hun pushed open the doors to find the room in a complete chaos. Her eyes swept through the room and saw a figure whimpering in the corner, hiding under the shadow.

"Zhongzu...zhongzu. It's me, Jing Hun. Can you hear me?" She reached out to Bai Ling who has yet responded to her. Gently, she has him wrapped up in her arms. She can feel his whole body shaking and trembling.

Looking down at Bai Ling, Jing Hun could not recall since when has this man started to wither into this sorrowful state. The tall and slender frame seem so delicate and fragile almost breakable with the lightest touch. His pale white skin with not even a hint of color, looks almost translucent under the dimmed moonlight. His forehead beaded with cold sweats and his long strands of hair clung limply around his face.

Jing Hun carefully pats dry the sweats off Bai Ling's face. Her fingers stroking off the wet strands to the sides of his temples. She continues to hold Bai Ling in her embrace, giving him a reliant to fight away his demons.

For a moment, Jing Hun recalls how she used to be the one in Bai Ling's arms, always seeking for warmth and comfort. She used to bury herself into Bai Ling's long and heavy sleeves to sleep through many cold winter nights that she loathed so much when she was younger. She finds it heartbreaking that the strong spirited soul she used to know is now cracking underneath this frail disguise.

Jing Hun could not remember much of her childhood before meeting Bai Ling. But there was not much to live for before she was picked up by Bai Ling and Hui Ci, that much she knows of. As fragments of her childhood memories flood in, the vision of Bai Ling and Hui Ci has started to etch into her mind.

"Hui Ci shizun..." Jing Hun whispered while mindlessly wiping off the beads of tears rolling down her flushed cheek. Her heart shatters with a deep sense of grief.