Swift streams of crystal waterfalls, crashing against the rocks in myriads of splashes, watered the fragrant greenery and gave coolness. Clear and cold ponds formed in the rocks reflected the cloudless sky, the smooth scenery of the mountains, and the bent branches of trees growing nearby.

This view was much like the one that Hao Ning had once known, but it was also very different from the one hidden in the depths of his consciousness. A thoughtful face was reflected on the surface of the faintly rippled pond, causing its owner to bow his head slightly so that the reflected person would repeat this small action. Hao Ning couldn't help but smile. At such moments it was really difficult to believe everything that happened to him, though there was no point in denying the obvious. Hao Ning came to terms with this reality, no longer trying to run away from it. He knew where he was, he understood who he was, and such thoughts did not bring the unbearable pain that had accompanied him since he entered the Middle World any longer.

On the contrary, now brand-new feelings and emotions, which he had deliberately suppressed with fears and denials, embraced him. The youth turned to look at Wei Huan standing nearby. Thanks to that man Hao Ning could hold on, fight on, and gradually accept his new existence. Next to him, the scholar felt the peace and joy of a bygone life. Previously, Hao Ning believed that it was impossible to fall for another person in such a short time, but when he met Wei Huan, he trusted this man, followed him, he realized that it was... natural. Especially if the person you met became dear to you.
When the person you met became yours...

– A-Ning! – the man’s voice disturbed the thoughts, causing the young man to take off.

Wei Huan remained where he stood, the tip of his sword pointing towards the tall trees. The man's expression was serious. He was frowning. Until this moment, the places they had scouted did not pose any danger, so they quickly decided to stop and wait for their friends. Because of this, the sudden call took Hao Ning by surprise.

– What is it? – wondered the young scholar, as he stood next to his friend squeezing a folded fan in his palm.

– Someone is coming.

Wei Huan listened carefully to the surrounding sounds. It was very difficult to hide the steps in such terrain, so the general could easily trace their source.

– An animal?

– No. A human, – the man took a step forward, shielding Hao Ning. – Stay alert.

Hao Ning nodded obediently and opened his fan with a deft movement pulling it forward in warning.

Now he heard unhurried, shuffling steps coming from behind the bushes. The one approaching them felt no danger and stubbornly moved forward. This made Hao Ning take a bewildered look at the rustling bushes. However, he didn’t have to track down the incomprehensible daredevil for a long time. The person showed himself with grunting, grumbling, and scolding typical of many elderly people.

– What timid children are thee! Go shaking your weapons in the direction of any rustle, don’t thee? I say, your nerves shall be dead before you grow old.

The first thing Hao Ning saw after hearing the voice was a staff. A long, sturdy staff that somehow still had small twigs with green leaves on it. Its sharp end rested on the ground, leaving small indentations with each step of the speaker. Then came a long gray beard with beads woven into it, and only then the youth could see the speaker himself.

The short but stocky old man moved in small steps. His narrowed, sparkling eyes looked at the standing men with undisguised irony. Because of his shabby clothes, the old man seemed either homeless or a hermit, but his upright posture gave him away.

– Put your weapons down, children. I bring no harm. Though I could. For the fact that you’re poking such scary toys at me.

Wei Huan suspiciously tightened the grip on the hilt of his sword. He didn’t want to trust a man who had come from out of nowhere in these mountains. Looking at his tense shoulders, Hao Ning understood that in this situation he should make a decision himself.

– Greetings, master, – said the young scholar politely, and moved the fan back. His words were followed by a kowtow. – Pardon if we scared you. We didn't expect to meet anyone here.

The elder man waved his hand as if wanted to shoo away Hao Ning's words.

– What way this can scare anyone, I wonder? Besides you don’t look capable of taking someone’s life for no reason. Although, wait a minute... – he thought for a moment, and then burst out laughing. – This old bean has nothing to take away from him! Even his life! And so have you! We're all dead here, you see?

The old man was so pleased with his joke that he clapped his hands. The beads in his beard hit each other and shook with his heaving chest.

Looking at the amused man, Wei Huan lowered his sword, shaking his head slightly.

– Who you are? – he asked.

– Me? I am just a simple old man, wandering in the mountains, –the gray-haired sage smiled contentedly as he took a deep breath. – There is such grace all around here! I cannot help but admire it.

Wei Huan grinned, knowing full well that his interlocutor had simply changed the topic of conversation. But he didn't point that. Instead, he gently touched Hao Ning's shoulder.

– My name is Wei Huan. This is Hao Ning. We are spouses.

The general’s decisive words forced the confused young scholar to look up in wonder, examining the man's profile. A satisfied smile appeared on Wei Huan’s lips, and his eyes shone with pride at his open words. Hao Ning wanted to simultaneously punish the man as if he were a misbehaving boy, and at the same time, the youth wanted to laugh heartily. He chose the third option – looking back at the elder.

– Forgive the incontinence of my companion. We are bound by the Ghost Marriage.

– He's my wife, – confirmed Wei Huan insistently. – Or rather a husband? What do you want me to call you?

The general was definitely enjoying himself. He seemed to become relaxed after earning the favor of his A-Ning. Now he did not feel any barriers or boundaries at all.

For that, he was punished with a small pinch on the ear.

– I don’t mind being called your wife, but please don’t dump it on the first person you meet, – Hao Ning's whisper was stern, but the tone was filled more with playfulness, rather than with real displeasure. He let go of the man's ear, and after gently rubbing the pinched place, he again politely bowed to the old man, who was carefully listening.

– I apologize.

To Hao Ning's surprise, the mountain hermit only laughed and hit the ground with his staff.

– Bah! The world is full of wonders indeed! Many years passed since I saw two men bound by a Ghost Marriage! Well, my congratulations then! – the old sage wiped away the tears that appeared in the corners of his eyes and waved his hand. – Follow me, I’ll take you somewhere. And no, I am not an evil spirit pulling travelers into my web, – He shook his stick. – Don't you swing your weapons at me again. You will scatter and your conscience will torment you. Off we go!

With these words, the old man turned and headed back into the forest from where he had come out from. Hao Ning and Wei Huan exchanged glances, and finally still decided to follow the stranger. The hermit was mysterious and unpredictable, but for the first time in a long, they came across a harmless spirit whom they wanted to get to know better. Everyone met in this world left behind an indelible mark and there was no doubt that this old man would do the same.