The air at the top of Mount Redemption was always cold and invigorating. Everything around – the high roof of the Temple, cozy gazebos, fenced training courts, and gardens for relaxation – were covered with sparkling snow. Resembling a white veil, the snow laid down under the feet and covered the trees. Any careless step was accompanied by a slight crunch and gave away the presence of the living. Icy waterfalls, falling in swift streams to the foot of the mountain, stunned and mesmerized those who looked at them. It seemed as if the Gods themselves protected their servants from any uninvited guest, preventing the ignorant from setting foot on the holy ground.

Hao Ning always liked to temper his spirit by standing on the edge of a cliff and watching snowflakes dancing in the air before falling into the transparent waters. The frost had long ceased to disturb his trained body. That’s why he enjoyed spending all his free time cultivating spiritual power in an attempt to master martial skills. The Master couldn't help repeating that Hao Ning's success as the Scholar of Harmony compensated the lack of fighting talent, but Hao Ning couldn't take that answer. Ever. His weaknesses could not and would not upset the balance necessary to serve the Ten.

So he gave all his strength to martial training and meditation. The Shixiuns were sympathetic to such a zealous desire to become better and did not refuse to spar. The Shidi modestly admired, behind his back calling Hao Ning "The Cliff Warden". And, well… frankly speaking, that really was his favorite cultivation spot.

It was the daily routine which Hao Ning followed for more than twenty years, but he accepted it without any doubts. He liked the way it was going. That is why that day, as always, he was training under the frosty breaths of the mountain winds.

The footprints left in the snow formed an ornate pattern, showing the young man's efforts and his exact, consistent attention to each learned movement. Unfortunately, the good performance of the task did not please Hao Ning. His spirit remained weak and insignificant.

The young man sighed in disappointment. He was a serene river where needed to roar like a raging waterfall.

– I knew that I would find you here, – the steps of the man were not heard, even in the snow. The chuckling voice sounded contented and peaceful. – Are you skipping lunch again?

– Shifu!

Hao Ning turned around sharply but immediately gasped, raising his hand to his eyes. The bright sun reflected on the milky-white snow, blinded him.

– Hao Ning, if you continue that way, you will wear yourself out.

Despite the tears, the youth stubbornly shook his head and rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand.

– But, Sifu! I need to improve as soon as possible! So that I would be able to start training in the Roughwater Cave.

– Do not rush things. You will still have the opportunity to show your strength. Never try to get into the mouth of the tiger, for any thoughtless whim has consequences.

– I know that, Shifu. I understand everything perfectly, – Hao Ning made a respectful kowtow to his Master. – And I will try to follow your advice.

The young man raised his head again to finally look at his Shifu, but this time an unexpected icy wind slashed across his face with a biting gust. Hao Ning staggered back, covering his face with his hands. The wet snowflakes kissed the skin.

– I don't doubt you. You are my best deciple, after all. Let the Ten...

The howls of the brewing blizzard drowned out the Master's voice. No matter how Hao Ning tried to hear his words, he could not. The sudden change in weather was so abrupt that it seemed to be created by someone on purpose. The chill ran down the spine of the youth. Hao Ning took a deep breath to call out his Master's name, but he didn't have time.

He felt a sharp jolt.

And then the sky, the water, and the earth – all was gone, mixed into a single white mass to become a cloudless sky of the world of the dead.

***

Hao Ning sat up.

His head hurt unbearably, creating a disgusting ringing in the ears and causing nausea. In an attempt to understand where he was, Hao Ning took a deep breath. But the breathing did not want to recover, forcing the young man to gasp.

Nearby a rustle of someone's clothes was heard, but Hao Ning felt paralyzed. He was unable to even look that away. Fortunately, nothing terrible happened. On the contrary, he sensed a familiar warmth in the area of his crown. Gradually, the fear that had bound his entire body faded away along with the pain, allowing Hao Ning to hear the voice calling him.

– Hao Ning, say something. Look at me.

The warmth slowly moved to his cheek, and Hao Ning closed his eyes as Wei Huan ran his thumb gently over his skin.

– Zhe Kai, he finally reacts.

– Keep transferring the energy. I'm almost done.

– No need… for the energy… – Hao Ning's voice sounded weak and quiet. He wanted to cough. – I’m fine.

The words were uttered in such a pitiful manner that they could hardly convince anyone. Wu Zhe Kai didn't even bother to reply.

– Hao Ning, we called you many times, but you wouldn't wake up, – Wei Huan changed his position and sat closer to the young man, touching his back with his other hand. – What did you see?

– The Temple. My Master. Mount Redemption, – Hao Ning winced. – And... my death... I guess.

– Do you remember now?

Hao Ning shook his head, closing his eyes. He didn't know how to explain. He was afraid to put his thoughts into words, so instead, he nervously scratched his own hands with his nails.

– There was a jolt. Someone pushed me. And I fell.

His gaze darted to Wei Huan in confusion as if trying to find answers in the man's face. Hao Ning's Adam's apple twitched as he asked:
– I... Does it mean that I was killed?

The transmitted heat stopped flowing from Wei Huan's palm. The man carefully took Hao Ning's hands in his own, not allowing the young man to cripple himself.

– Memory is an unstable matter. Do not rush into conclusions. It could have been a nightmare or a distorted flashback, a mere thread of a particular moment. We are going to The Gates. You will remember everything there.

– But if my assumption is confirmed… then what should I do, Lord Wei?

For the first time, there was so much unveiled fear in Hao Ning's eyes. The unexpected realization of a possible betrayal completely overwhelmed him. He couldn't imagine any reason for that. Who and why would feel such malice towards him that even decided to fall into the sin of murder? Of course, there still was a chance, as Wei Huan said, that memory could simply play a cruel joke on Hao Ning. But he was no longer able to get rid of such thoughts.

Instead of answering, Wei Huan reassuringly squeezed the youth's palms tighter, caressing them to share a frighteningly sad moment with Hao Ning.

– Xiao Hao, drink this, – Wu Zhe Kai's soft voice sounded very close, attracting their attention. – Will help you to calm down.

Hao Ning looked at the healer, and then slowly inhaled the aroma of herbs that was now very avid, because the healer was holding a wooden bowl with some kind of decoction right in front of his nose.

Jin Yu Ming, whose tensed face showed that he was as worried about Hao Ning's condition as the others, stood motionless nearby.

– Thank you. Please, forgive me for the inconvenience caused.

Hao Ning gratefully accepted the medicine and drank it in one gulp. The bitter taste in his throat made him cough.

– Tastes awful, I know. Yet it is very effective, – Wu Zhe Kai smiled as he patted his friend on the shoulder. – You will be better soon.

He got to his feet, shook off the remaining drops from the bowl to the ground and put it back into the knapsack.

As the healer confirmed the efficacy of the medicine and the calmed energy within Hao Ning Wei, Huan also stood up. He glanced around at his companions and informed:

– Hao Ning needs time to recover. Let's find a more comfortable place for the night's rest.

The culprit behind their short delay coughed several times into his fist before shaking his head.

– No need, Lord Wei. I'm fine. What time is it?

– The Hour of The Dragon, – the man turned to Hao Ning. – And as I said, you need to rest. We’re not in a hurry anyway. Do not argue.

– Exactly! Why would ghosts hurry, yeah? – Wu Zhe Kai gleefully waved the medicine bag over his shoulder. Jin Yu Ming smiled imperceptibly at the healer's childish demeanor, but his words spoken first in a long time sounded serious and wary.

– The Fog is about to descend. We need to move.

– The Fog? – Wu Zhe Kai looked around in confusion. – Here?

– The Middle World is unstable. I feel moisture the rising.

– Yu Ming is right, – Wei Huan folded hands behind his back. – The further we move, the more often the world will change itself.

– Sure, but how do you know? – Wu Zhe Kai crossed his arms in displeasure. – I, too, have lived in the Middle World for a long time, but still cannot sense that!

– You lived in the village, little recluse, – Jin Yu Ming stepped closer to the healer. – But I can teach you if you call me Master.

– A “plug in an arse” I’ll call you! – Wu Zhe Kai slapped the warrior's hands. – What's wrong with you?! A "Master"!! Bah! Keep staying silent! It suits you better.

The healer shrugged his shoulders and hurriedly stood up, clutching a knapsack with medicines like a precious child. Jin Yu Ming bowed politely to the general and Hao Ning and followed the cursing man.

– Well, they are complete opposites, but they get along good enough, – Wei Huan smiled in agreement with Hao Ning. – Yu Ming is used to carelessly risking himself no matter the consequences, and Zhe Kai hates it most. One disciplined, the other eccentric. And yet somehow, they are friends.

– No wonder they say that Fate works in mysterious ways.

– That's right. Absolutely mysterious.

Wei Huan slightly turned his head towards Hao Ning, and extended his hand to help the youth up. The scholar hesitated, wanting to refuse the polite offer, but his body, weakened after the nightmare, resisted, and he had to put his hand into Wei Huan's.

***

For the next few hours, they walked. The usual pace slowed down so as not to aggravate Hao Ning's condition. The youth was grateful for such attention and care but also felt remorse due to his weakness. Although he did not consider himself a strong cultivator, he had always been confident in his own emotional stability. As it turned out, he was wrong.

Jin Yu Ming's words about the Fog became evident soon. Almost immediately after the wanderers left their resting spot, the visibility began to deteriorate. The haze started covering everything around. At first, it was rare and imperceptible, but the further they went, the thicker and denser it became.

Wei Huan warned that such weather changes are common in the World of Spirits, but they should not lose their vigilance. Now, in addition to possible rift issue, those enemies who prefer to lurk in the shadows could try and take advantage of such a good prey.

An additional element in the journey was a long ribbon, with which all four tied their hands in the hope that it would prevent them from losing each other. Wei Huan led the way. He was followed by Hao Ning, Wu Zhe Kai, and Jin Yu Ming.

Once again, Hao Ning wanted to know how the general managed to navigate the terrain of the always-changing Middle World. But did not have time to ask. Wei Huan made a warning gesture and stopped carefully peering somewhere into the distance. It was extremely difficult to see something in a dense fog, but the general confidently pointed ahead after a while.

– There is a village over there.

The three men looked in the pointed direction to make sure of what was said, but their attempts were in vain.

– Lord Wei, how do you know? The Fog around us is so thick that even a fox won’t find its tail.

– Hao Ning, do not look with the eyes of a mortal. Remember that you are in a world made of spiritual energy.

Wei Huan's warm tutoring voice jarred Hao Ning. Every time the man spoke like that, the scholar felt like a little boy who had just set his foot on the path of cultivation and service to the Ten. Hao Ning liked to hear such explanations from the Master while studying the unknown aspects of the world or during the spiritual training, but from Wei Huan... it was highly embarrassing.

No doubt, Hao Ning respected such a strong and noble person, but the desire to be equal with him kindled a fire of irritation inside the scholar’s heart. After all, he even learned to convert the energy of one object creating another! But this, apparently, was not enough, right? In Wei Huan's eyes, Hao Ning remained an exhausted fawn, barely able to stand.

The young man sighed quietly, discarding his sudden thoughts and trying to focus on the space around him. As it was said he tried not to see the objects but sense them. The streams of energy impregnated everything in this world. They resembled thin threads or veins, enveloping everything around, bestowing an illusion of life. And somewhere out there, in the distance, a clot of energy accumulated in one place was barely tangible.

That was it! That was what Hao Ning was trying to find!

– The energy is so weak…

The young man frowned as his mind caught the presence of something strange but did not have time to catch on.

Wei Huan looked at Hao Ning in surprise.

– Could you feel it?

– Yes, but poorly, – Hao Ning sighed softly, shaking his head in a shame. – Sorry, Lord Wei, I’m not strong enough.

– I disagree. You are belittling yourself too much, – the man nodded to the side as the youth looked up. – Come on, I'll show you the reason.

Wei Huan jerked his hand with the ribbon wrapped around it, pulling Hao Ning closer. A satisfied smile appeared on his lips as, after an unexpectedly strong push, they turned out practically face to face. A strong hand firmly gripped Hao Ning's wrist.

– Let’s go, – whispered Wei Huan, pulling the discouraged Hao Ning with him.

Standing behind Jin Yu Ming, with a completely impassive face, covered the mouth of gaping Wu Zhe Kai with his hand.

Wiseman knows that sometimes speech is silver, but silence is golden.

--------------------------

Shifu – 師傅; mentor, master. (Literal meaning – a skilled person)

The Hour of The Dragon – 7:00 – 9:00