Chapter 3

Rain poured down on the cobblestone road that traced the entirety of the inner city. A rainy day at Liu Bai He Clan was another day, as the disciples in a warm blue and gold didn’t seem to mind the puddles that piled at the sunken sections of the pavement.

The white shoes or the edges of the disciples' clothing didn’t seem to be affected by the cloudy day.

Liu Bai He Clan was settled at the edge of two water-related pieces of nature. On the left of Raining Moon Hill, the place where Liu Bai He Clan was located, sat Su Mu, a colorful rainforest that was persevered thanks to its beauty.

On the other side was one of the main rivers of the country. Ya Hui. The rushing river was more than a danger to those who dare to venture close. Cultivators or not. Its white water currents can make any and everything disappear from the rest of the world. Be it documents, or a body.

Because of obstacles located on both sides of Raining Moon Hill, it was naturally segregated from the rest of the cultivation sites. Though Liu Bai He Clan was never forgotten or not included in any affairs the cultivation groups had. After all, they were known for many things.

Ba Yihan watched from under one of the paper thin, yet sturdy, canopies overhead.

The disciples of the Liu Bai He Clan all walked throughout the base. Their minds all set on where they wanted to be. Whether it was training or one of the many culture based classes that Liu Bai He Clan offered to their already-educated and powerful disciples.

Ba Yihan was staying inside.

It was raining, and unlike the other disciples in blue and white, Ba Yihan wasn't going to ruin his clothing for bad attendance.

As the disciple from the opposite side of Ya Hui, Ba Yihan was used to much warmer climates. Nice summers when the sun would hit the ground perfectly. Whilst the winters weren't too much of a problem. Unlike the Liu Bai He Clan, Tiancha Dynasty’s province liked not being segregated from the rest of the world.

"Ba Yihan!" A voice called from out in the pouring rain. Despite the other disciples, this young man had a blue bamboo umbrella that spread out over his head like that canopy was over Ba Yihan's head. The water from the thin material rolled off the umbrella, and poured in front of the young man, barely avoiding his shoes, which were also a light blue.

Liu Bai He Clan had a blue theme going on. A long blue cloth that wrapped around their body loosely, tightening with a wide, white belt. Blue jewels decorated the middle, which was also used to fasten the cotton material. All the disciples wore similar clothing, unless they were of higher status. But, Ba Yihan has yet to meet one of them.

Wo Jinfang waved, raising his right hand to wave him over. Like I'm walking in this horrendous tsunami. Ba Yihan stood in his place, but he did wave back to the disciple. You made a fool out of me in our lecture. And you didn't even give a good answer!

The blue and white colored disciple smiled brightly as Ba Yihan gave notice to him. He quickly made his way over, jogging whilst avoiding puddles. Not that the disciple was visually attempting to avoid puddles. That must be one of the side effects of Liu Bai He Clan's training.

Wo Jinfang, when he actually stood close enough to have a decent conversation, sighed a breath of relief. He lowered the satin blue interior umbrella from over his head and sat the device beside him. He seemed relieved to see Ba Yihan, which was odd.

Ba Yihan was not a friendly person. He didn’t go out and try to make friends with people. Not that he was shy or didn’t like the thought of hanging around people that could betray him at any time. Even though that was true, it definitely wasn’t the reason why.

The real reason is much simpler. Friends were tiring. Ba Yihan would consider himself a very lazy person, as well as a very low maintenance person. Not that his family would agree with him. But, his catchphrase was simple. “Slothful is enough.” Ba Yihan believed that quote more than anything.

“Where did you get that umbrella from?” Ba Yihan questioned, looking down at the umbrella that rested beside the other disciple, who seemed out of breath. He laughed once he followed Ba Yihan’s eyesight.

“Ah, this? I bought it from Tian Shui. Do you know where that is? It’s near the coast.” Wo Jinfang answered, reaching both his hands up. At first, Ba Yihan suspected the disciple was ready to unsheathe his sword, which sat on his back, differing from Ba Yihan’s, which rested at his hip.

Instead of reaching for the specialized sword, Wo Jinfang went for his hair, slipping his hand unconsciously to the blue ribbon, and grasping it with his index finger and thumb. It slid down slowly before lowering his hand entirely. Ba Yihan’s eyes stayed on the blue string.

“What does that mean?” Ba Yihan asked, pointing to the ribbon that tightened at his hair. Wo Jinfang placed his hand down his silky brown hair and pushed it over his shoulder.