The gentle colors of the crimson sunset splashed across the sky. The peaks of the mountains seen in the distance were piercing the clouds. The boundless ocean of the green trees could be seen from afar. The fog cleared, allowing the wanderers to enjoy the view of the majestic mountain spine, dotted with wild plants and surrounded by swift waters flowing through the entire valley of rivers.

Fascinated by the scinery, Hao Ning could not help looking at it, completely ignoring Wu Zhe Kai. The healer, however, was mumbling and lamenting about his thoughtless act and desire to jump out into the storm.

– He can't get sick, – tactfully reminded Jin Yu Ming.

– Walking in the wet is disgusting! – the healer continued fuming.

– You are like an excited mother.

– Excited and protective mother!

Wu Zhe Kai eagerly accepted his “role”, wagging his finger at him. This action did not impress anyone except for Jin Yu Ming, who slightly shook his head.

– No need to argue, – Wei Huan appeared nearby and slowly walked towards his friends. – I looked around the area and found one interesting place. A-Ning can dry his clothes there.

– Lord Wei!

As he heard the voice of the general, Hao Ning got instantly turned his head to the man. Wu Zhe Kai crossed his arms indignantly, tapping his forearms with his fingers.

– Well, look at that! As soon as he heard the hubby's voice, he immediately started wagging his tail. Of course… But what about filial politeness?

Jin Yu Ming once again gently remarked:
– You are not his real mother, – once again remarked Jin Yu Ming.

– Shut up. I don't want to hear anything.

Standing next to Wei Huan, the young scholar looked up with a smile, examining the man's calm face. As always, he remained unchanged in his serenity, but now it would be wrong to use the term "cold" as well. Wei Huan was no doubt strict, confident, and inscrutable, but his heart was noble and burning. Hao Ning was finally convinced of this.

– Are you better now? – Wei Huan carefully touched the top of the youth's head with his palm. – Playing the erhu must have drained your energy a lot.

– Everything is fine. It was worth it, – Hao Ning looked around at the deserted village. I hope they will find peace.

– It cannot be otherwise. Come with me.

Wei Huan gestured to the side, then, quite unexpectedly, put his arm around Hao Ning's shoulders and led him to the previously mentioned place. Behind him, Wu Zhe Kai mumbled something about obscene behavior, but a barely perceptible shove to his side instantly knocked him out of his arrogance.

The healer gave Jin Yu Ming a displeased glance, but the man made a blank face and slipped past the offended friend, trying to "get lost" as soon as possible.

***

The gentle whisper of the wind in the foliage pleased the ear with a unique melody of nature, and the aroma of flowers, gentle and fragrant, saturated with drops of the recent rain, filled the air. Warm water washed the feet, reflecting the stars one by one appearing in the sky on its clear surface.

Hao Ning's gaze slid over this divine beauty, not believing that such a place was hidden behind a thick fog and a gray landscape.

Wei Huan led them to a lake hidden behind tall trees and wild bushes. Deserted and lonely place it was, but not lost its wondrous purity and innocent beauty. The Middle World was so different, so unpredictable and unique, that Hao Ning could barely describe the feelings that brewed within him. Everything was intertwined, mixed up, dragged on, and for that, he could not sort out what emotion prevailed.

The burden of new existence that had fallen on him at once did not disappear, no matter how hard he tried to convince himself of this, but the young man tried, tried very hard not to succumb to the feelings reaping him up from within.

Once again Hao Ning felt the chill running down his spine. It was a kind of inner sensation that he simply could not suppress.

– A-Ning, come here, – called Wei Huan. – We made a fire.

The young scholar turned to him.

– Sorry. We have to make a halt. And that is all my fault again.

– Don’t apologize. We have plenty of time, – Wu Zhe Kai threw a bunch of dry branches into the fire. – Besides, this stop turned out to be even useful. I want to see what kind of nocturnal plants grow here. At the same time, Jin Yu Ming will collect more branches.

The warrior who was standing nearby threw a glance at the healer but said nothing.

– Although it is so strange, we ghosts do not need human conveniences, but we can quite experience them. For example, we feel the heat or moisture in clothes, – Zhe Kai looked at his friends. – Why should those who have crossed the line experience such a thing?

– The World of Spirits is beyond our comprehension, – replied Hao Ning. – The books say that even the Ten have no power over its laws. They can decide the fate of a person who has fallen into it, but they cannot affect the surrounding nature.

– It seems that not everything in your books is a complete lie, -smiled Wei Huan. – You are right. The Ten have no influence here. They can only occasionally "look in", but not interfere. Although they barely care about the destitute souls.

Even a complete fool would notice the bitter sarcasm in Wei Huan's words, and Hao Ning cautiously changed the topic.

– So the Guardians do not submit to the Ten?

– No, they don't.

– Enough of that, I say! Too complicated! – Wu Zhe Kai shook his head as if trying to ward off others' words. – I'm leaving.

The young man rose to his feet, shaking the inconspicuous grains of sand from his green hanfu. He confidently approached Jin Yu Ming, grabbed him by the wrist, and pulled along. The warrior grinned at the healer, then looked at the people who remained by the fire, closed his eyes knowingly, and allowed the young man to drag him away without any resistance.

– We will be back! Hear that? We'll be back soon! – the fading voice was heard already from behind the bushes. – But we will warn you!

Only after the rustle of their clothes and the crunch of branches under the feet died out, Hao Ning allowed himself to laugh.

– Wu Zhe Kai is so active, I am amazed. He appeared here after you, didn't he?

– Yes. By the standards of this world, that happened relatively recently. But I believe you have already understood his character. He behaves at ease with everyone, which is why he is so frivolous with Yu Ming. All you need to do it tell him your name and consider you have found a new friend.

Wei Huan put his hand on the bent knee, looking up at the darkening sky in a relaxed manner. Tiny fireflies of stars dotted the twilight canvas. Hao Ning glimpsed the man's profile, and an incomprehensible warmth spread inside him, even though now the general did not transfer energy to the young man.

– Hang your clothes to dry, – all of a sudden said Wei Huan. – If you continue sitting in the wet, it will mean that we have listened to all these lamentations of Zhe Kai for nothing.

– You're right, – Hao Ning smiled, but before untying his belt, he clarified. – And you?

– Me?

– Rain soaked your clothes too. And... – Hao Ning looked towards the lake. – Would you like to go swimming? The water is warm.

Suddenly, Wei Huan's gaze became heavier than usual. He touched his chest with his hand. The oppressive energy that the general had not shown for a long time was again palpable in the air. The prolonged silence was straining, but he was in no hurry to answer, thinking about something.

Hao Ning was about to apologize and tell the man that there was no need to force himself, but then suddenly the answer came.

– Go first. I'll join, – said Wei Huan.

The man closed his eyes, demonstrating that the conversation was over. Hao Ning sighed softly but obediently got to his feet, untied the belt, and let the fabric slide down the skin, exposing it.

Wei Huan did not look in his direction, but the youth was still somewhat embarrassed. He mentally thanked the man for his respectful attitude toward other people's comfort.

The final to leave his body was a ribbon that tightly pulled the hair into a bun. Hao Ning took it away, letting his long hair fall down his back. It softly framed the curves of the gentle body, shining under the light of the emerging moon like wheat reaching for the sun.

Hao Ning slowly entered the waters, running his fingertips along its smooth surface until he was immersed in a warm embrace on the shoulders.