Chapter 3 Lone kitten

Tucked safely at the base of Xian Ning Shan, Bi Lu Cheng is surrounded by a sea of emerald forest, as if it was to be remain concealed and hidden by the tall towering bamboos growing all around. Hence, the name Bi Lu Cheng came to be, a city hidden among the green. Despite being a small city, Bi Lu Cheng has always been loud and lively. On most of the usual days, the city can be seen hustling and bustling with busy merchants, tradesmen and people from all sorts of background.

Being a town frequented by both humans and yao, Bi Lu Cheng is lined with plenty of inns, lodges, shops and restaurants. The strangest and weirdest of things, dead and alive, from a collections of herbs, potions and magical items, all can be found in the markets and shops in Bi Lu Cheng. This town is well know for its trading business among the humans and yao. Both of these races coexist in such peace in this humble city, so much so that their lives has naturally entwined with each others. Such is the harmony of the two races striving in Bi Lu Cheng. With such splendor, no one could imagine of the dark past that has almost destroyed the livelihood of this city.

That winter night was bitterly cold and freezing. One could feel the biting wind seeping through their skin, sending chills deep into their bones. The crescent moon bathing in the starless sky casted a dim white glow on to the city buildings, giving Bi Lu Cheng a ghastly sight.

At the end of a street, two shadows can be seen weaving in and out of the alleys, between the closed shops and the quiet inns of the city. Their footwork was fast and hurried as they tried to chase down a group of suspicious men, all dressed in black capes, with faces hidden behind their black masks.

Before the two men in the shadow could approached the masked assailants, a thick white smoke engulfed the dark street. Their visions blurred by the smoke grenade thrown by one of the men. As the two stopped dead on their tracks, those men in black have since disappeared from their sights.

As the two shadows walked out on to the open street, the pale moon casted a soft outline on their tall figures.

"Let them go. We need to head back to report on this matter to Shizun." Hui Ci said while picking up a jade tag from the floor. His voice was calm and his instruction was clear. Bai Ling understood and stopped his intentions of going after the men. Hui Ci turned the tag around, examining the carved motif on the black jade tag.

"This is the official tag of the Mo Yan's clan. One of them must have dropped this when we were running after them." Bai Ling took the tag handed over by Hui Ci. His fingers ran across the surface of the jade to make out the carved marks, a character of Mo on one side and a fire motif on the other. Bai Ling's eyes turned into a dark fury as he clenched hard on to the jade tag. A flash of anger and disgust washed up his face. "How dare for them to come back to Xian Ning Shan."

"Let's head back for now. We will discuss about the matter further with shizun." Hui Ci placed his hand on Bai Ling's shoulder and gave it a soft nudge. They both exchanged a nod and agreed to head back to Qing Hun Manor.

The city and its surroundings were hushed and quiet as everyone has already went home to take shelter from the freezing weather. As Bai Ling and Hui Ci turned around to a new street, they suddenly heard a whimpering sound. That little noise although faint and weak was persistent to be heard. Even the howling wind seem to have given way to that little cry, carrying it across the chilly air, befalling on any ears that were willing to listen.

"Hui Ci.." Bai Ling reached out to Hui Ci that was walking in front of him and tugged at his sleeve, "Did you hear that sound?" Bai Ling whispered in a low careful voice. His tone, now warm and gentle compared to moments earlier, seemingly melt the coldness of the night.

Hui Ci stopped in his step and looked over his shoulder. Bai Ling has already started to inch towards the back alley where the sound seemed to be coming from. Before Hui Ci can fully turned around, Bai Ling has already disappeared into the shadows.

"Aiiii..." Hui Ci sighed and a small frown creased over his forehead. Swiftly, he too disappeared from the street.

"Bai Ling...stop running off every time you hear something...you don't know what evil may be lurking..." Hui Ci's sentence trailed off when he saw Bai Ling turning to him with his finger across his lips, hushing Hui Ci to lower his voice.