The last stars were still twinkling in the sky, but the darkness of the night was inevitably fading into pastel blue of the morning. The idle rays of the sun caressed the roofs of wooden houses and laid down under the feet like a warm carpet. The gentle gold of the new day lit the faces of smiling people, not allowing the hope for the best to vanish in their souls. The village that survived the disaster was returning to its usual peaceful routine.

Wei Huan returned with Hao Ning to the healing site. Ba had already been waiting for them there. The general refused the hospitably offered tea, but Hao Ning could not. Ba didn't allow him to be modest. So both of the men had to sit in the backyard and rest.

Hao Ning was drinking his herbal tea, and Wei Huan was admiring the plum blossom. The rays of the sun were playing with the delicate petals, brightly highlighting the buds against the background of thin black twigs.

A light breeze filled the small garden, and an artificial pond was lulling people with its murmur. It seemed that his little hospital could heal just by its atmosphere.

– The drawing on your fan is a wild plum, – remarked Wei Huan still gazing at the tree. – On the one hand, it is a symbol of discreet beauty, pure thoughts, modesty, and changes for the better. On the other, it signifies strength, struggle, human pride, and stamina. Loneliness also...  Such an amazing balance. Combines the harmony of many features of human character.

– I borrowed the energy from a wild plum. Maybe that is the reason for such an ornate.

– You may be right, – smiled Wei Huan. – Or wrong.

He leaned back in his chair, clasping his fingers together and closing his eyes. Hao Ning took a small sip of tea, involuntarily glancing at the man's profile. Now when he was relaxed, he did not make an impression of a chilling severity.

Serenity suited Wei Huan more, and Hao Ning thought that he should get rid of his unwavering general mask more often.

– My-my! What an idyll sight we have here! I feel so sorry to break it.

Wu Zhe Kai who appeared from the central room, did not even try to hide the mischief in his voice. He cheerfully walked down the porch and headed towards Wei Huan. Jin Yu followed the healer.

– While I was examining the one-always-wounded, the second heavy minded managed to flee brazenly. Did you think you could escape my proper care?

– I am fine, – the General did not even bother to open his eyes.

Wu Zhe Kai chuckled and griped the man’s wrist in a firm squeeze. The healer considered his duty with full responsibility, not being afraid to contradict even Wei Huan himself.

– Your energy flows fine, – Wu Zhe Kai arched his eyebrows in surprise, probing the man's spirit veins. – Is it because of Hao Ning’s help?

– My help was meager. Master Huan did everything himself.

A quiet cough from behind his back made Hao Ning smile.

– Well, of course, Master Jin Yu Ming’s aid was significant too.

Wu Zhe Kai rolled his eyes as he stepped back from Wei Huan.

– Fishing for compliments. So shameless! – the healer took a seat next to Hao Ning and started examining him as well. Just in case. The youth obediently allowed this. – But for you, these heroes would hardly have got off with only a slight lack of energy.

– Has this happened before?

– More often than you can imagine, – Wu Zhe Kai moved away, satisfied with Hao Ning's condition. – However, let bygones be bygones. We have a more important topic for conversation. Since you successfully found Wei Huan, have you already informed him of your intentions?

– Yes. I have.

– And when are you both leaving?

Wu Zhe Kai tilted his head to the side in interest, but Hao Ning lowered his gaze. His further words were barely audible.

– Not both. I am leaving alone.

– What did you say?

– I am leaving. Alone.

The healer arched his eyebrows in surprise, then looked at Yu Ming to make sure that his ear didn’t keep him out. The warrior nodded.

– Alone! – Wu Zhe Kai nearly fumed with irritation. – How so?! Why? And where will you go when the only person who knows the paths of the Middle World does not care?

The healer turned to Wei Huan. The man was sitting speechless. But though he was not taking part in a dialogue, when a porcelain cup flew directly at him, he dodged and easily caught it.

–  The Lady of this House will punish you for such behavior, – the man put the cup back on the table. – I can't leave the village, – he continued, interrupting the further angry tirade. – You saw today's attack. Demons become more aggressive, and rifts continue appearing near the village more often. I must…

– Let the villagers protect their homes.

Ba appeared on the doorway, slowly descending the stairs and holding a teapot with freshly brewed tea in her hands. Jin Yu Ming, who was the closest, politely helped the old woman to reach the table.

Wu Zhe Kai began pouring tea.

Wei Huan, along with Hao Ning, stood up at the same time and lowered their heads in a polite bow.

– Madam.

– Now you both, sit down and listen to me, – the old woman took a seat and gestured the others to do the same. – Xiao Huan, you have been fighting for the souls that have fallen into this world for many centuries. You fought the defiled creatures to protect the village and its inhabitants, not allowing anyone take a risk. However, you can't save everyone. Ghosts who live here are well aware of the danger that comes with the rifts. Neither we are afraid of it nor of the demons. Waiting is our only fear. We don't know what will happen to us. It doesn't matter if the blackened creatures scatter us, or if we just disappear as the time comes. Dying is scary. And everyone wants to live longer. Especially when one cannot even suppose what awaits beyond. But we are already dead. And everyone is ready and willing to fight for the selfish desire to exist a little bit longer.

Wei Huan silently listened to the woman's calm words with his head down. She thanked him, but at the same time he felt scolded.

– You have paid back the imaginary debt long ago. Now you have another, more important thing to care about. Don't you dare try and run away from fate if it shows you the way so freely!

Having realized that she was talking about him, Hao Ning shot a glance at Wei Huan. Their meeting was unexpected. In fact, it was a mere accident, due to a ridiculous mistake in the spelling of the name characters. But somehow everything turned the way that they would stay together.

– Jin Yu Ming, – called Wei Huan after Ba finished speaking. – Are you going with me?

– Undoubted.

The General chuckled and shook his head.

– You made me ashamed, Madame. I have nothing to oppose to your wisdom.

– Grandma said everything right, – Wu Zhe Kai smugly crossed his arms over his chest. – There’s no need for you to stay here. We can manage without you. Moreover, I am here to help with everything!

– No. You are not. You are leaving too.

– That's right... Er... what?

Wu Zhe Kai turned to an old lady, blinking in confusion. The woman continued calmly sipping her tea as if there was no need to explain such obvious things.

– Grandma, how can I go? I have to stay and help you here.

– Before you came along, I was doing just fine on my own.

– But, Ba! If...

– No ifs or buts. The village does not need the second healer, but the lads may well need you on their journey. You should understand how dangerous it can be.

 Zhe Kai's face was haggard, but the old woman did not feel sorry for her assistant and finally finished him off with the next phrase.

– Or... is it your way to tell me, I should go with them? Well, I am on it! I am still much of a warrior!

– Okay, okay, I got it! – the healer held out his arms in a defensive manner. – I am leaving with them.

– Finally, – satisfied, Ba returned to her cup, inhaling the soothing aroma of hot tea.

The young people, discouraged by such a development of events, did not even know what to say.

Surprisingly, Jin Yu Ming broke the silence. He walked closer to Wei Huan and asked.

– When are we leaving?

– Might go right now, – the general rose from his chair.  – If we leave in the morning, we will have a decent distance covered by the end of the day. At night we will stop for a halt. Rifts make it dangerous to travel in the dark.

– Wait, – Hao Ning also stood up. – Aren't you going to rest after the battle?

Wei Huan glanced at the youth.

– The ghosts do not need rest, – the man's voice again took on a teaching note. – Nor do we require food, water, or any other things humans do.

– How so? But we… – the youth looked down at his tea.

– It's just an illusion of life, Hao Ning, – understanding the confusion of the young man, explained Wu Zhe Kai. – Our support for those who come here. This makes it a little easier to accept your new state. I think you noticed that there are a lot of children in the village. This allows them to feel the life that was cut off for them as soon as it began. But Wei Huan is telling the truth. We feel no hunger and no exhaustion.

Hao Ning didn't know what to say. His body behaved contrary to the said words. For instance, now every muscle felt tired.

– Rest a little more. You'd better not do things in a rush, – Ba gently patted Hao Ning's back. – Get ready and then go. Xiao Huan, I am aware, you are used to traveling light, but let the boy needs time to adapt to his new existence. Do not throw him into the water so that he learns to swim, but help from the shore.

– So be it, – Wei Huan respectfully bowed his head. – We are leaving at noon. Jin Yu Ming, let's go.

The man and his companion left the garden together. Wu Zhe Kai also decided to use the allotted time to pack the herbs he needed. Though Hao Ning did not understand why would the healer even use them, since in this world the principle of treatment was different from the earthly one. But he did not ask unnecessary questions. Instead, the youth turned to Ba and uttered a small but important request.

– I don't have any belongings here, so can I borrow some stuff from you?

– Of course, dear. You may take whatever you need.

Hao Ning kowtowed politely, stretching his hands in front of him, as he would usually express gratitude to his Master in a Temple, and hurriedly left.

Ba smiled involuntarily as she watched the young man disappear into the house. The Ten sent this boy here for a reason. All souls enter the Middle World for a purpose, and Hao Ning no doubt had a mission of his own.