Hu Dao Ming (Li Shing)   

A young man sat at a massive table in an empty room, sorting through papers. Heavy black hair casually scattered over broad shoulders, partially covering his handsome face, as if trying to hide from strangers his clear features and the hard look of his black eyes, in which scarlet highlights flashed.                  

In the morning, the elders reminded the Head of the Clan about the upcoming birthday, the caster frowned with displeasure. Right now the reception was completely inappropriate. The year had been cold and poor, and many of the villages under the Order's protection had asked for help.

Lost in thought, Dao Ming tapped his fingers on the table. In addition to the Order's affairs, it was necessary to decide what to do with the younger brother. Recently, he once again left the fortress alone and almost paid for it with his life. No matter how much the Head would like to keep the youngest with him, apparently he will have to negotiate with the Head of the Feng Order.

The Abode of Snowy Peaks had long been famous for the quality of its education. Indeed, such strict discipline was never found in any of the currently existing Orders. Of course, they won't pass on Clan secrets to the adepts of other schools, but there was no need for that.

The main thing is that Qin Shi will be completely safe there, and maybe even become more responsible in his studies. The last thought made him smile slightly. The events of two weeks ago flashed before his mind's eye.                                             

***      

Again, the brother is not on the training field. Dao Ming frowns with displeasure, the heir to one of the most militant Clans does not show not only interest, but even simple respect for weapons.

He skips training and forgets his sword anywhere. But he is constantly engaged in some absolutely unimportant nonsense, as if he is stuck somewhere in adolescence and does not want to notice that he has already grown up. He runs away for walks instead of studying, and if he is present, he draws or chats, or generally goes about his personal affairs.

The other day, he found the younger one again, engrossed in painting on fans instead of polishing his fighting skills. Of course, the younger one was good at drawing, even he had to admit that. But such an occupation was not at all suitable for an heir.

To all attempts to discuss this, Qin Shi only looks away and answers inappropriately, running away at the first opportunity.

Hu Dao Ming ordered one of the adepts to carry out further training on his own and went in search of his brother, intending to finally talk. Even on the approach to the chambers, he realized what he was about to see.

The Head of the Order glanced at the slender figure. "He is too weak and is again drawing intricate patterns on the fans. Fans. And indeed, if he likes to play with them so much, then why not? They can be different."

With this thought, Ming carefully closed the door, trying not to attract attention.

Having given the necessary orders for the time of his absence, Dao Ming went to the southwest, to the residence of the Shanzhou Su Order.

The magical cliff invariably surprised guests with its architecture. The tops of the buildings are lost in the sky, and the buildings themselves are connected to each other by wide bridges, creating the impression that the city is floating on the clouds. But, despite its external elegance, it was still a well-fortified place, which benefited from its location.

It was here, at the residence of the Shanzhou Su Order, whose adherents possessed a secret technique for transforming weapons into jewelry and were able to create blades that cut any material, that the Head Hu was going to carry out his plan. Disguising a weapon as an elegant toy was exactly what was required.

Ming had to stay in the city a little longer than he had originally planned, but it was worth it. Despite the abundance of skilled artisans, it was not easy to find a master who would agree to complete his order in such a short time. But he did not want to leave empty-handed and waste time waiting.

And now, after two weeks had passed, he finally held in his hands an elegant box containing a gift for his younger brother. Two exquisite fans, fragile in appearance — such were sure to please Qin Shi — were spiritual weapons and transformed into combat ones, dangerous in the hands of an experienced master. The caster smiled, imagining the reaction to such an unexpected gift. And Dao Ming had no doubt that his brother would want to learn how to use them. Pleased that the young man would finally learn how to handle at least some kind of weapon, Ming left the city, thinking up on the way home a worthy reason for presenting a valuable gift.

***

The memory was interrupted by a cautious knock on the door. Raising his gaze, Ming looked in surprise at the newcomer, who, as if having overheard his thoughts, hurried to appear. Almost three weeks had passed since Qin Shi was attacked, and he had become much calmer.

Hu Qin Shi (Lan Ying)

— Brother, are you very busy? — the young man asked, sitting down next to him.

Hu Dao Ming (Li Shing)

— I'm almost done. Did something happen, Shi?

Hu Qin Shi (Lan Ying)

— Stay with me today, — the voice sounded sad.

Hu Dao Ming (Li Shing)

Dao Ming stroked his head.

— And what do you want to do?

Hu Qin Shi (Lan Ying)

— I want to be with you, — the younger pressed his cheek to his broad shoulder.

Hu Dao Ming (Li Shing)

Putting the papers aside, the Head Hu rose from the table.

— Well, good. Come on, let's take a walk in the garden.

Only after sunset was Ming able to return to business. First, he made a list of everyone who needed to be invited to the reception and instructed one of the disciples to write invitations in the generally accepted form.

Having finished with this matter, Dao Ming rubbed his temples and looked tiredly at the remaining unsorted pile. All this had to be read and a decision made, which meant a long, sleepless night lay ahead. Rising from the table, the man went to the window and inhaled the cold air deeply.

Somewhere far beyond the walls of the fortress, wolves howled, cold winds blew snow caps from the mountains, raising small snowflakes to drop them into the sea waves crashing on the rocky shore. The decision to hide my brother in Baishan was made, and right now it was the right choice.