As the battle was won, Wei Huan observed the recently infested lowland, making sure that everything was safe, and turned to Hao Ning. His beautiful dark blue military robes, embroidered with cloud patterns, remained unstained and tidy, proving the wearer's combat prowess and skill.
Jin Yu Ming, standing next to him, had a similar military uniform, though simpler and more monochromatic. But both men were dressed in the same style. Looking at them, Hao Ning was able to catch many similarities in their behavior. For instance, both were calm and ready to withstand any trials.
The two warriors were undoubtedly close and it did not even require confirmation.
– Are you all right? – asked Wei Huan.
Hao Ning nodded.
– I'm fine. A little shocked by the sight, but fine, – the youth looked up into the man's eyes. – You said they were demons. Do they also end up in the Middle World?
– The souls of every leaving being who must wait for their Solemn Hour, ends up here. The reason, your background of a temple servant or a merciless murderer do not matter. No one knows why souls come in the Middle World and what kind of game the Gods are playing. However, it is known for sure that the blackened beings, rejected by other ghosts, turn into Yaoguai…
While Wei Huan was talking, Jin Yu Ming came closer. So Wei Huan interrupted himself to introduce the warrior.
– Hao Ning, meet Jin Yu Ming. My good friend and faithful comrade.
Yu Ming again politely nodded, limiting himself to silent gestures. And, either he behaved this way with every stranger, or his disciplined nurture and tamed nature did not allow him to act frivolously in the presence of a senior in rank. Moreover… Didn’t Jin Yu Ming called Wei Huan a General?
– So, this is your wife.
Hao Ning flared up. Right! So more of a friend than a comrade...
– A husband sounds better, – came a calm reply.
– Wait! – Hao Ning hurried to interfere. – That's the thing I wanted to discuss with you!
– Family matters. Got it, – Yu Ming nodded. – I’ll leave then. Take your time.
With these words, the warrior patted Wei Huan on the shoulder and, as if nothing had happened, went away. Supposedly, continued patrolling the area, watching for the presence of demons nearby.
Hao Ning stared his back with widened eyes. The man’s words made the youth completely forget what he wanted to say before.
– So, what did you want to talk about?
A quiet cough from the side brought Hao Ning's attention back to the General. The man was looking at him in anticipation.
– Wu Zhe Kai and Ba explained to me... I am still trying to get used to all that and I understand that I need time... Therefore... Well, they said the best way for me to accept what has happened is to remember my last breath. That is why... That is why I want to get to the Gates.
Wei Huan raised his eyebrows in surprise and crossed his arms over his chest.
– The way to the Gates is long and dangerous. How are you planning to do it?
– I planned to ask for your help and assistance...
– I can not help you.
Hao Ning bit his lip. He didn’t count on Wei Huan’s instant consent, but such a sharp refusal... It hurt.
– You saw the demons, – Wei Huan decided that he deserved some explanation. – They often appear nearby and attack the village. And I protect those people. I can't just pick up and take my leave.
– What about Jin Yu Ming?
– If I leave, he leaves with me. He always follows. This is his martial duty. Even if I order him to stay, he would not obey.
– So, there is no chance to convince you?
– Why are you on to the Gates so badly? You may as well remember everything here after a while.
– It's not just my desire to remember death the sooner the better. On the contrary, I'd rather stay ignorant, – Hao Ning smiled awkwardly. – The thing is, I have a plea to the Gatekeeper.
– You want to escape the Middle World? – smiled Wei Huan.
– No. I want to know how to break our marriage contract, – simply replied Hao Ning.
Wei Huan was confused. The words uttered were said with such ease… The man looked back blankly. The youth looked very determined. Wei Huan had never met a person like that before.
The thing that Wei Huan understood in the short time they had known each other was that Hao Ning was a paradox. Th youth seemed constantly come up with the ideas none could think of.
– I don't care about this contract if that is what bothers you.
– Still, I think it's wrong.
– Because I'm a man?
– No, – Hao Ning quickly waved his hands. – Your manhood has nothing to do with it. I would make the same decision if you were the woman. My parents wanted the best for me. I understand that and appreciate their intentions. But it seems wrong to me – bringing two people together, even if it is here. I mean, not in the Earthly dwelling place. It's like... I made you marry me. By mistake, though...
– I said, I don't care.
– Maybe, you don’t. But I still want to fix it.
Wei Huan took a deep breath, realizing that he could do nothing about this youth’s stubbornness. So he decided to clarify some details.
– Are you a warrior?
– Yes, I was trained in martial arts. But the truth is, I am not very skilled.
– Don't you have to be perfect every way to serve the Ten?
The irony was well heard in Wei Huan's voice. It happened every time the Gods were mentioned.
– Apparently not! I was the best among Scholars of Harmony.
The general’s attitude toward the Gods interested Hao Ning from the moment the man learned about his belonging to the followers of the Ten. But the youth knew perfectly well that this was an extremely delicate topic, which Wei Huan obviously would not agree to discuss so easily. So the young man decided not to push it.
– When the warriors are taught the martial basics, they are also trained in spiritual practices, – began Wei Huan. – You use your inner strength, drawing energy from it for the battle. Your body is your weapon, which you improve over the years. There is another principle at work here as well. After death, as you become a ghost, you are drained of internal energy. It flows away becoming part of the Middle World. However, this means that every surrounding shall help to you.
Wei Huan extended his hand, and familiar blue lights began dancing around his fingers.
– When you want to materialize something, you dissipate the spirit of something else. For example, to get my sword, I borrowed the energy from this stone. – The General pointed to a large boulder closest to them. – Many specific nuances are also worth remembering. For example, if you think of the speed of creating the desired item. Now I have deliberately done it slowly so that you saw the process.
Huan gripped the hilt of sword. The weapon was finally formed and the rock that man had spoken of disappeared. Nothing was left of it.
– It will come with experience. Now you should keep in mind only one rule – the energy taken must be equivalent to the created object. With a small petal, you cannot create yourself a tiger.
– So this stone is… dispelled? – Hao Ning continued to look at the empty space. – As were the demons?
– No. The borrowed energy will eventually come back, – confirming his words, Wei Huan made the sword disappear and returned the energy to its original form of a rock. – The demons have been dispelled. How exactly does the process of materializing work... none can say. Maybe the objects for which energy is used, are just transported to another place in the Middle World, maybe they go to Diyu, or maybe they cease their existence in all worlds. I don't know.
Hao Ning softly sighed. This information was no less confusing, but given the circumstances, he took it much more seriously than before.
– And what if I borrow energy from a living being? Since all creatures here are the part of the spiritual world... Considering you take the energy from a person, will they then recover?
The sincere curiosity made Wei Huan stutter for a while, staring into the hazel-brown eyes of the youth in front of him.
The heavy look of the General's dark eyes was crushing, but Hao Ning baldly withstood it. He wanted to get used to the unbending energy of that man.
– You are a dangerous strategist. Guess, every Scholar of Harmony is like that, – finally uttered the General. – Let's hope we don't have to check it out.
Hao Ning wanted to explain himself, but he didn't have time.
– General Wei!
A familiar voice sounded very close. And with every word was getting closer. Someone was running fast in their direction.
– General Wei! Blue Mist! A rift has opened near the village!
Jin Yu Ming appeared at the top of the hill. His impassive face was dark and focused. Having reported the news, the man headed in the said direction. Wei Huan, as well as Hao Ning, immediately followed.
Hao Ning was puzzled. He had not yet learned everything about the Middle World, but now it looked as if it did not matter.
The desire to protect the serene existence of other people subdued him.
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Jin Yu Ming - 金昱铭; Yu: bright/glory, justice; Min: to remember, to keep in the heart (when becomes the part of the name might mean “to struggle / to push oneself to the limit / to achieve something (success)”
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