Battles had never given Wei Huang a sense of excitement or any kind of satisfaction, although it was as familiar to him as his breathing. His past haunted him, forcing to remember countless battles and the squelching sound of blood spreading under the feet.

He never wanted to continue this endless cycle, but his unwavering determination to protect other people's lives made him hold the sword tightly. The ghosts of the Middle World deserved to spend their waiting in serenity and peace. Not fearing the possibility of being devoured in the stomachs of demons maddened by dark energy.

Together with Jin Yu Ming, the General had fought against many wild beasts and insane ghosts. And every new fight turned out to be more severe, intense, and dangerous. This was especially felt when the beasts appeared too close to inhabited areas.

And during them excitement would involuntarily get over Wei Huan. It would confuse his thoughts and forced him to make unforgivable mistakes. Unforgivable for a warrior, of course. The human factor had always been the main weakness of any general.

Wei Huan parried another charge and griped the hilt of his sword with both hands, trying to keep track of the entire battlefield. Yu Ming fought on the other side and was slowly but surely driving the demon herd into the closing rift.

Suddenly, a crunch of the dry wood came from behind, giving away the enemy intention. Then a muffled growl was heard. Wei Huan turned around. At the same moment, one of the demos darted at him, its maw gaping. And even though everything happened in a second, the General was ready to repel another blow. His reflexes were high and his moves were sharp.

Wei Huan leaned over. The point of his sword was ready to meet the beast.

The sound of slicing air resounded at arm's length. A flickering light, comparable to the radiance of the cold moon, reflected in the dark eyes of the General.

Before touching the ground, the beheaded demon corpse blew up with blue lights.

Wei Huan didn't change his posture when he slowly turned his head to see the weapon returning to its owner. A marvelous black metal fan with a wild plum ornate engraved on it was caught by elegant thin fingers.

Hao Ning caught the fan, slowly lowered it and covered his eyes. The youth looked surprisingly noble and refined. A snow-white robe –  a bright spot – stood out of the dark landscape. Two long strands of fair hair so unusually framing his thin face finished the image of a young noble. The golden shimmer of its wheaten color was so mesmerizing, that Wei Huan badly wanted to dissolve a thick hair knot to see how the lighter strands mix with the darker ones.

Wei Huan forced himself to take his eyes off the youth's face and then noticed the gentle blue glow enveloping the fan. Well, now it was clear that the young scholar had learned how to master the spiritual energy of the Middle World. The man felt the corners of his lips curl up involuntarily. Amazing. Truly amazing.

Hao Ning felt the gaze and looked back. His brown eyes were gleaming with joy. He managed to accomplish the task and thus gained more confidence. Finally, he was a burden no more.

– A fan, yeah? – hummed Wei Huan. – It suits you. Well done.

Praise overflowed with a pleasant warmth in the youth's chest, but he was not allowed to enjoy this moment. The bloodthirsty demons rushed forward.

Wei Huan focused on the battle while Hao Ning covered his back. Though he could use his weapon at a short distance, attacking the enemy directly, Hao Ning understood and soberly assessed his capabilities. Rushing right into the storm, only having mastered an unfamiliar technique, was more than stupid. So he supported the warriors from the rear.

And he was not alone.

At some point, a quick and imperceptible arrow flashed near the combatants and pierced the forehead of the charging demon.

Wu Zhe Kai, who took a defensive position on the rooftop, chuckled contentedly.

– You might have let at least one demon through. Well, for the sake of decency, I say! But, no. You keep all the fun to yourselves!

The healer's voice sounded feignedly offended, but his help turned out to be invaluable and necessary. With him there the fight became much easier, and the herd of demons that seemed endless finally began to thin out.

Finally Wei Huan again called for the long glaring spiritual chain and bound the remains of the demons, dispelling them. Just at that moment the rift closed.

Everything was over.

No trace of beasts was left.

The first ray of the sun, marking the dawn, kissed the ground. The battle took a long time, which no one of them felt in the heat of the fight.

Hao Ning looked at the sharp blades of his fan. They were slowly fading out into the blue lights. The black metal to the last distortedly reflected the tired young man on its surface. Hao Ning felt exhausted. Though his comrades seemed to be fine.

Jin Yu Ming was standing next to Wu Zhe Kai, who had come down to him, and was checking the man for injuries. Although the healer did it somewhat strangely. He probed the meridians with one hand, and with the other one – was pulling Yu Ming’s ear. Yu Ming Endured with a blank face.

– The first time is always difficult, – Wei Huan’s voice came from beside him. – But you were indeed able to summon the weapon. Impressive.

– I just remembered your words and focused on my desire to help. I don't think I even realized how it happened or understood the process.

Wei Huan smiled knowingly and pointed towards the village.

– Let's go and check if everything is in order.

– What about your injuries?

– I have none.

Wei Huan thought for a moment and then added.

– I can't get hurt. I can lose some energy of which I am formed but it can be replenished. The principle is similar to the creation of one thing from the energy of another. But in this case... the borrowed power will not return.

– So, it's more like dispelling.

– I cannot dispute it. But it is better not to allow injuries happen.

– And what does Wu Zhe Kai do?

Hao Ning glanced at both men again.

– Right now? He’s just checking on Jin Yu Ming. But sometimes he gives his own energy to those who have been hurt for some reason.

– Giving away his energy? – Hao Ning asked worriedly. – But isn’t it dangerous?

– You’d better ask Zhe Kai yourself. Although your excitement is unlikely to stop him from fulfilling the healer's duties anyway.

The conversation could last for a long time, but the General did not continue it. He turned around and started walking slowly towards the village.

Hao Ning looked at his new acquaintances for a while then followed Wei Huan.