They left the village sharp at noon as planned. There were no farewells or tears. That was unnecessary. Men calmly went through the serene streets, as if their departure meant nothing. They decided not to give up hope of returning, so there was no reason for goodbyes.

The familiar silhouette of the village faded with each step and soon got entirely lost behind the hills. Wei Huan confidently led his small group forward. No one asked him how he knew where to go, and never lost the sense of direction in this vast space. Hao Ning assumed that the man had already been near the Gates once. But why? What for? Well, one could only guess.

For the first few hours, the group barely talked, concentrating on the road, but then Wu Zhe Kai got tired of the silence and decided to ask Hao Ning about some mundane affairs.

– Xiao Hao, you came here quite recently. So you know better than us what is going on in the Earthly dwelling. Tell us please, who rules now?

Hao Ning smiled slightly at Wu Zhe Kai's address but didn't protest.

– I am not the best person to be asked about such matters. I used to spend most of my time behind the temple walls. Hardly I was interested in the outer world, – replied he, and thought for a moment. – But… well, the sorrow for the Emperor, who passed away was so great that even we could not stay indifferent. And I know for sure that the throne was taken by his son-heir, Xi Zhao Guo.

–  Son? – Wu Zhe Kai's eyes widened. – Wait…how old is he? Three? Four years?

– Is it even possible to inherit the throne at that age? – wondered Jin Yu Ming, who was walking the last.

The healer shushed him, ordering to be quiet.

– The young Emperor is twenty.

Wu Zhe Kai's Adam's apple twitched noticeably, but the man quickly pulled himself together and smiled.

– It turns out that much time passed there. But here we don’t notice it here at all. Wow… A young Emperor. Let's hope that he will not disgrace the honor of his father and make history with his noble reign.

Wu Zhe Kai's changed mood was too striking, but Hao Ning felt that it was not the right time for questioning. He knew that each of his new acquaintances had both secrets and deep sorrows in their hearts. Barely that could be talked out in a casual conversation.

Wu Zhe Kai himself sincerely tried to drive away his bad mood. Thus, he changed the subject to an extremely unexpected one.

– Hao Ning, what do you usually do in the Temple? Have always been curious to know the disciples’ routine!

– Nothing that would distinguish us from other Taoist scholars. We pray. We call upon the mercy of the Nine Gods, begging them to forgive the sins of Their Tenth Heavenly brother – The Devourer. These traditions have been unchanged for many centuries.

– What did you just say? – Wei Huan's voice was filled with undisguised mockery. The man kept silent all the time, but this dialogue he could not ignore. – The Devourer? What kind of title is this?

– In the scriptures, the Tenth Heavenly Lord is called as such. And it is forbidden to speak of him as of a God, – Hao Ning noticed that Wei Huan was looking at him over his shoulder. – But you already know that, don't you?

– I have been wandering around the Middle World for too long. And I have not the slightest idea what fables are being told to worship the Gods, – Wei Huan narrowed his eyes. – So please enlighten us. And start from the very beginning.

Hao Ning felt the chill run down his back. Gusts of the wind like sharp needles pierced his sensitive skin. Wei Huan's oppressive energy was affecting the environment, and the man did not even try to subdue it in any way.

The young scholar noticed that Jin Yu Ming also tensed up. Perhaps he knew the reason for his friend's reaction to any mention of the Ten.

– Of course, I'll tell you. It's no trouble at all, – Hao Ning tried to soften the atmosphere. – But let’s make a halt first, shall we? We've been walking for a very long time, and I'm tired.

– Xiao Hao, you can't get tired, – gently reminded Wu Zhe Kai. – You are…

– A ghost. Yes, I remember. But I do feel fatigued.

– Perhaps this is a residual feeling of your material body. Since you died recently, your connection to the mortal world is still strong.

Wei Huan stepped closer. He had already returned to his calm state and no longer exuded an intimidating aura. The man reached out his hand and touched the top of Hao Ning's head. This gesture was surprising, but the warmth that followed it and the faint glow from the man’s palm made it clear that the general was sharing his energy.

– No need! – Hao Ning squeezed the man's wrist in fear. – Master Wei, not that I am injured! Please don’t waste your spiritual powers on me.

– But you're tired, – the man smiled slightly. – Don't worry, it's just a tiny grain. I can easily replenish it

Hao Ning looked into Wei Huan's eyes and slowly let go of his wrist. The general's gaze was captivating with its bottomless darkness, and Hao Ning saw in this depth something very personal, very unhappy, but infinitely noble.

This man was a true enigma. Hao Ning could not even imagine what burden Wei Huan was carrying, but for some reason, at that very moment, he sincerely wanted to lend his shoulder and ease the man's hardships.

– General, I found a suitable place nearby. Follow me, I will show the way, – Jin Yu Ming approached, causing Hao Ning to break away from his thoughts.

Wei Huan took his hand away.

– Good job, thank you.

– Wait, – Wu Zhe Kai looked at the warrior in disbelief. – When did you manage to go anywhere and find anything?

–  While you have been peeping at Master Hao Ning and General Wei.

The healer sighed indignantly but had nothing to object and pouted.

Hao Ning laughed softly at the behavior of his friends as he followed them. He knew absolutely nothing about the past of these people, about their sorrows and burdens, but with every moment spent together, he inevitably felt attached. His teacher always said that true friendship is born from carefully built trust, which is uneasy to earn, but easy to lose.

Hao Ning did not want to be imposed and rush things, so he was ready to wait – patiently and gradually proving the sincerity of his intentions.