The rustle of grass accompanied Hao Ning's every step as he ran toward the silhouette ahead. A rammed path remained in the green crops behind him, showing where his feet have trampled the ground. If Hao Ning had not been so absorbed in the upcoming meeting, as well as everything that had happened to him, he would have noticed that there was no more sign of trampled grass anywhere nearby.

However, now the only thing the young man saw was the figure in front of him. The closer the person was, the more clearly the youth understood, that this was not a girl but a man.

Tall, stately, broad-shouldered.

Dressed in a military uniform of a design, which Hao had never seen before.

With back long curly hair tied in a high ponytail. Walking through the meadow each step measured and strict as if a person marched over the battlefield.

Dark eyes deep, the gaze sharp.

The man had already noticed the hurrying youth and stopped, carefully watching his every move.

This made the excited young man slow down. The final steps he made with much less confidence. Compared to the man in front of him, Hao Ning looked… tiny. Like a small and awkward bird who dared to approach the proud eagle. And given a tight knot on top of his head, the association with the bird's tuft only became more tangible.

Hao Ning shook his head. Now all this was not of high importance at all. The primary issue was to figure out what was going on.

With these thoughts, the youth reached the man, stopped in front of him, and lifted his head to look into the piercing eyes. It was not easy to understand the emotions of the person but at least he did not exude hostility. This gave hope for a civilized conversation.

– Are you… Wei Huan? – Hao Ning decided to make the situation clear. Well, just in case...

– Yes, – came a short answer. The man’s voice sounded calm. A pleasant hoarseness was heard in it. – Hao Ning?

The youth nodded with a slight smile, confirming Wei Huang's words.

– I was told that you are my spiritual spouse. That my parents have chosen you, – started Hao Ning somewhat awkwardly. – I…

Giving away the thoughts he’s had when saw the approaching man… the youth averted his eyes knowing that the following words would sound childish and laughable.

– I don't quite understand what's going on and I'd like to ask you for the details.

Wei Huan, however, did not laugh. Nor called Hao Ning a fool who easily fell for stupid pranks. Instead, the man pointed to the rolled-up bamboo plank in Hao Ning’s grip.

– Have you read the inscription? – he asked.

– No, I haven't, – Hao Ning shook his head.

With a gesture, Wei Huan offered him to correct its oversight. And, since there was no point in arguing, the next moment the soft clatter of bamboo reached the ears of both men, revealing neat calligraphy written in ink.

– Marriage Contract, – read Hao Ning the first words and looked at Wei Huan in confusion.

The man nodded as if allowing it to continue.

– This contract confirms the accomplished wedding of two Ghosts: Hao Ning and Wei Huan… Becomes valid in case trouble happens to the only son, to avoid his loneliness and eternal painful wanderings in the World that lies beyond... The agreement confirms that he will not be left alone… The marriage is considered complete with the consent of his parents after Hao Ning passes away...

Hao Ning felt a tickle in the throat. He hastily stopped reading and abruptly lowered the tablet. All this did not sound like a joke anymore… but more of a threat? No, even this would be an understatement!

– What is the meaning of this? – the young man tried to keep his voice firm, but his trembling hands gave his state away. – What am I to do with that?

– Everything is as you read. Your parents made a pact in the world of the Living. It entered into force on your getting here.

– Oh, and “here" is exactly where, I wonder? – the look Hao Ning addressed the man was filled with irony. – You mean, the Middle World?

– Right.

The youth shook his head and sighed. Well, he still had some hope in the prudence of the man in front of him.

– Master Huan, you really want me to believe such a cruel joke? Not only you are saying that I am dead. But also insist that I became a Ghost and crossed The Border Between Life and Death. Ah, and moreover my parents have chosen for me an afterlife companion in advance. Don't you think that this is a far too prolonged prank?

Wei Huan, who had been constantly watching the changing emotions on the face of the young man, did not interrupt the flow of Hao Ning’s words. He gave his answer, however, when the youth finished speaking and slumped as if the whole weight of the world had fallen over him at once.

– I understand your confusion. It's too hard to believe in that. I’m also unlikely to convince you in my own words, so I just ask you to follow me, – and before Hao Ning could ask, the man continued. – There is a village over the hill. It’s not far from here. There you can find answers to your questions. Better than nothing, isn’t it?

Hao Ning saw no reason to object. The man sounded sensible. And although the whole situation seemed ridiculous, there was no better option. This Hao just wanted to find any more or less reasonable explanation for his being here. And "death" was definitely not included in this list.

– We shall do so, – he agreed.

Wei Huan was noticeably pleased with the youth’s compliance. He wanted to turn around and show the way… but at the very last moment, he stopped.

His dark eyes carefully examined the golden pattern on Hao Ning's robe. On the side, almost at the very edge, there was embroidered a hieroglyph. Neat stitches declared: [TEN]. Inconspicuous, and unobtrusive, but for some reason, it hooked Wei Huan’s attention and the man’s face immediately turned grim.

– Are you a follower of the Ten?

The question was asked in such a cold tone that his own problems slip from Hao Ning’s mind. The young man quickly noded.

– Yes. I am one of the disciples in the main Temple.

A heavy sigh came as a response, but no further commentaries followed. Wei Huan turned away and headed back along the path he had trodden before.

Hao Ning remained still. Puzzled he looked into the retreating back. He did not understand what had just happened, but he was sure that the mood of his new acquaintance had changed dramatically due to this Hao’s connection to the Ten. It seemed that for Wei Huan, the presence of Hao Ning had acquired some kind of bleak meaning. But anyway… There was always room for assumptions, but these thoughts did not allow to clarify the situation. Moreover, Hao Ning had no desire to fill his head with even more speculations. He needed to get the whole perspective first. Even if it meant collecting the truth grain by grain. Only then would he be able to understand what fate the Ten had in store for him.

Having nodded decisively to this thoughts, Hao Ning hurried forward to catch up with Wei Huan. The man had already gone far enough.

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Hao Ning – 皓宁; Hao: virtuous, bright, bright future; Ning: calm, balanced

Wei Huan – 卫缓; Wei: to protect; Huan: to smooth out (conflict), to soften (is more often used in female names)