CHAPTER XVIII: CONFESSION TOLD IN SILENCE

The quiet, irritating dripping unpleasantly and monotonously echoed in the brain. The cold howling wind was not felt, but it brought its share of dreary gloom to the bleak picture. Inconspicuous silhouettes and impetuous movements were reflected on the cracked ceiling and in the hanging stalactites.

A loud crash echoed throughout the cave, causing quiet gasps. A falling of broken stones shook the silence. An icy gaze, as a residual manifestation of previously flared emotions, was directed at a crack that had appeared in the cave wall.

– That was Yu Bing Han.

Filled with cold rage, the man's voice trembled due to attempts to pacify the emotions brewing within. His fists were clenched, nails digging deep into the skin.

– Jin Yu Ming, do you understand that it was Yu Bing Han? – Wei Huan's gaze darted towards his friend. – Why did you try to stop me? I had to fight him. I had to kill him!

The general's sharp exhalation coincided with a gentle touch on his shoulder. Wei Huan did not turn around, knowing full well who wordlessly tried to support and calm him.

– Your anger was out of control, – replied Jin Yu Ming. – You could have turned into a demon. Or vanish unable to withstand the power of your own internal energy.

– Jin Yu Ming, – muttered Wei Huan. He narrowed his eyes, not attaching importance to the comrade's words. – Should I say it more clearly? That was Yu Bing Han! Have you forgotten who he is?!

– I remember. That is why I know that in such a state you could not even get close to him, – Yu Ming's voice sounded somewhat louder than usual. – Or have you forgotten his nature?

The noticeable irritation from the always calm and cool Jin Yu Ming clearly demonstrated how deep and painful the topic was for both men.

Neither Hao Ning nor Wu Zhe Kai dared to disturb them, but they were ready to intervene at any moment.

A day has passed since the wwanderers entered the rift. Fortunately for the friends, they were not carried to unprecedented distances or scattered in different places. Hao Ning and Wei Huan ended up in one of the mountain caves near the Gates. Wu Zhe Kai and Jin Yu Ming drifted to the foot of the cliff, so the group was able to reunite rather quickly.

Wei Huan, as he found himself in the rift far from the object of his anger, instantly fainted as soon. There was no wonder in it – the man had spent too much of his energy. Zhe Kai wanted to treat Yu Ming and Hao Ning's wounds first, but both insisted on helping the general. No reasons were accepted.

When Wei Huan woke up and realized the current situation, he felt anger mixed with disappointment. Seeing his soul mate in such a state, Hao Ning experienced incomparable pain and a wild desire to help, comfort, and protect. But the scholar still did not know what exactly he could do. A complete stranger to him, who was once present in Wei Huan's life, left a tangible mark on it.

Jin Yu Ming knew about that stranger, it was obvious. Well, he and the general shared a long-lasting friendship. But Hao Ning himself could only watch and wait.

The cave got silent again, but this time the silence did not last long. Wei Huan's deep breath came at the same time as Jin Yu Ming's pat on the shoulder.

– Sorry. I've lost control.

– No wonder.

Yu Ming shook his head, returning to his usual state. He was not at all offended by his friend's behavior. The man perfectly understood his current state. Having received a weak smile and a thoughtful look in response, the warrior moved towards Wu Zhe Kai to help him up. The healer had spent a lot of energy and was now recovering it in meditation. But he could not miss one planned quest.

– We'll be back soon. Let's look around. We also have to pay our final respects to the Elder.

Noticing in time that Hao Ning wanted to say something, Zhe Kai added:

– It's better for both of you to stay here for now. Wei Huan is not yet strong enough, and your burns have not yet healed. Let's not take any unnecessary risks.

– First, let us do some reconnaissance, – Jin Yu Ming bowed politely. – We will see the Elder to his final journey on behalf of both of you.

Hao Ning had no choice but to accept the point and let his friends go with the hope that no dangers or troubles would stand in their way. At the moment, the situation was truly so precarious that any rustle was perceived as a hidden threat. The sudden encounter with a powerful enemy and the loss of a good man who sacrificed himself to save them took its toll on everyone. To ignore such a gesture would be tantamount to betraying Wu Qing Yan. That Hao Ning could not allow under any circumstances.

When the friends left the cave, Hao Ning returned to the man who remained in it. Wei Huan was sitting with his back against the cave wall which had recently faced his unleashed anger.

The eyes of the general were closed, but Hao Ning understood perfectly well that he heard and felt everything. He was just trying to make up for the lack of energy with rest. Hao Ning didn't want to disturb, so he approached silently, and carefully sat down next to the man, so as not to alarm him with sounds.

However, the question asked by Wei Huan destroyed all his attempts to maintain silence, which involuntarily caused a smile.

– Your burns are not gone yet?

– Not completely, – Hao Ning looked at the residual manifestations of the strange energy. – But it's okay. I am fine. Zhe Kai said they would disappear as soon as I fully recovered my powers.

A barely noticeable movement made the youth look sharply to the side, putting his hand out in front of him and confidently meeting the opponent's gaze. The scarlet shades disappeared from Wei Huan's eyes, being replaced by the usual deep darkness.

– Do not even think of it! That is you, who needs to recover energy first.

Hao Ning squeezed Wei Huan's fingers, carefully lowering the hand extended to him. Although the general did not say this, he undoubtedly felt remorse for the pain he caused while being unconscious. Hao Ning did not blame him, though. Moreover, he himself made the radical decision to save the man, but it was not easy to convince such a stubborn person as Wei Huan of this.

– I didn't want you to get hurt, – he said quietly, having lost the opportunity to transfer drops of accumulated energy. – It's just like taking it out on Yu Ming. I shouldn't have behaved like that at all. It's just... that meeting this… person made me unsettled. And I couldn't think that I would ever look into those shameless eyes again.

Wei Huan smiled wryly. He seemed to have difficulty finding acceptable words to describe the person who evoked only negative emotions in him. Hao Ning caressed the man's palms, glancing over the concentrated profile. He could no longer remain behind the boundary established as a sign of respect for the man's privacy. Now was the right moment to step over it. Most of all, Hao Ning wanted to become Wei Huan that important part of his life, with whom he could share any sorrows. Even though the fear of being rejected was bubbling in the youth's chest, the decision pushed him to take the necessary step.

– A-Wei... – Hao Ning's quiet voice rang out in the man's ear. – Can you tell me about this person? What happened in your past and how is he connected to it? Please.

The words were spoken so quietly and carefully that even gusts of wind passing through the cracks could drown them out, but Wei Huan heard everything. His thoughtful gaze slid along the arches of the cave, and his quiet exhalation coincided with gusty breath. Hao Ning's tender palms trembled barely noticeably, but the young man diligently waited for an answer. He seemed to be prepared for any outcome. This caused the corners of Wei Huan's lips to lift into an invisible smile.

– Do you really want to know?

Hao Ning answered without hesitation:

– Yes, this is important for me. Sorry to bring up this topic.

– A-Ning, don't apologize. My long concealment of the dark part of my past is caused by the desire to protect you from the truth, nothing more.

– What truth?

Hao Ning felt the man remove his hand from under his palm, only to place it on top, gently stroking the skin with his thumb.

– About the Ten. From your very appearance, you showed pure and bright faith, untainted and innocent. I wanted everything to remain this way, and my personal hostility did not become the reason for a change in my life outlook. Your whole life you have been taught to believe in the Ten, and it is extremely difficult for a person with certain established dogmas to accept any different position. Once upon a time, I myself blindly believed in many things.

Wei Huan shook his head, slowly lowering his gaze to Hao Ning and examining his face.

-Are you sure you are ready to accept my truth?

The general expected long thoughts and doubts, he expected hesitation and uncertain phrases, but what he definitely did not expect was a calm smile and a meaningful look expressing unshakable confidence.

Hao Ning's palm slid over the man's cheek, with a gentle touch warming the chiseled cheekbones with emanating energy and barely touching the edge of his pale lips.

– I answered this question a long time ago. Back when I said that I was ready to listen to you and figure everything out. Someone else's point of view for me is an opportunity to draw my own conclusions. A cure from ignorance. Indeed, from an early age, I was taught certain dogmas, but I often did not find the answers for there exist many noticeable gaps. They are obvious and incomprehensible, but in response, I only heard that there were no errors in the holy scriptures. There are no omissions. I just had to believe.

The young man removed his hand changing his position and leaning his back against Wei Huan's side. His gaze rushed into the depths of the dark cave.

– And that's what I've always done. I threw away questions, fell silent, not bothering to argue, resignedly carried out punishments, and with all my soul strove to rise in order to get at least somewhat closer to the heavenly heights. The Ten were everything to me, and as a faithful follower, I did not dare to doubt. My path was predetermined from the moment I got to the Mount Redemption, but now... – he slowly shook his head. – I am unsure of many things. So please, Wei Huan. Please help me to find the way.

Hao Ning felt a touch on the top of his head: gentle and warm, barely perceptibly stroking his tangled hair.

Following the gesture, a mesmerizing voice was heard, signifying the man's consent to immerse the adept in a long narrative.

– Fine. Mind that the story will be long and unpleasant, but I will tell it to you up to the very end. I hope, A-Ning, you will find the answers you need and teach me to see the mistakes I have made.

Taking a deep breath, Wei Huan closed his eyes, plunging into memories.

– This happened many, many centuries ago. Back then, when disparate clans tirelessly fought each other for territories, the Celestial Empire was very young and unstable. The bloodshed would not stop. The Imperial Army recruited new soldiers days and nights on end. Back in those days I stood at the head of the Imperia; military forces, being one of the youngest generals ever to hold this position. It was a time when there were Eight Gods, not the Ten. The Eight walked among mortals, hatching their own plans.

The man's voice echoed from the walls of the dark cave becoming more and more quite with every spoken word.

The confession carried Hao Ning along streams of the other's memories to the times long-gone.

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Author's note: Here begins my favorite part of the story. When I was writing it, my heart bled and my soul was torn. I have put much of my soul into it and for the first time in my journey as a writer, I even cried.