Shenye Xiu Ying (Dong Yang)

Closer to lunch, he saw a city on the horizon, which at first seemed small, but as he approached, it became larger and larger. Already on the approach, almost at the very gates, Xiu Ying opened his eyes wide.

The majestic walls resembled rocks, and the gates were the darkest forests. Enormous and dark, devouring everything that entered them. Shifting in the saddle, he looked at his companion and, not hiding his admiration, shared his impressions.

— Chen Shang Liang, look at this art! How much work is needed to create such magnificence. The high wall is smooth-smooth, and these gates ... — he rose, raising his hands up, — they are higher than the tallest trees. Have you ever seen anything like this?

Chen Shang Liang (Hao Yu)

Seeing his companion's delight, he watched with pleasure as he looked around, rejoicing like a child. Still, youth has its charm. Many things seem incomprehensible, and all the emotions are so bright that even those who are just nearby can feel them.

— Dong Yang, this is not the largest city, believe me. But you are right that many people were involved in the construction, — a thought that suddenly came to him made him smile, — have you never been to a city before?

Shenye Xiu Ying (Dong Yang)

Trying to imagine how much work it took to create such a creation, the young man nodded his head confidently.

— Mentor, Snow Leopard Mountain has only one village. Novices are only allowed to go beyond its borders on assignments. I have never been to the cities. I was found at the foot of the mountain, and I grew up on its top.

Chen Shang Liang (Hao Yu)

It seems that Wang Cai Hong is quite strict with his disciples, but it is justified. Shang Liang smiled to himself.

— Then, I think you will see many interesting things here. It is surprising that in the several years that you have been wandering, you have not visited a single city.

The caster directed the horse to the center. There, where, according to custom, the best taverns were. Having found what he was looking for, he threw the reins to the servant who ran up and, having made sure that his companion did the same, entered the tavern.

Having paid for two of the best rooms, he took the young man by the hand.

— Let's go. We need to buy something. We will have lunch when we return.

Shenye Xiu Ying (Dong Yang)

Still amazed, he followed his mentor. Why hadn't he gone to any of the cities, even though he'd heard of them? Wang Cai Hong nearly tore his beard out, forbidding the young man to even go near them.

Of course, he had given his word not to go, but enough time had passed, and he was following another teacher. Could the old monk's ban be in effect now?

Everything was amazing, both the service and the tavern itself. How could the buildings be so luxurious? How much money did all this cost? How rich was his mentor? He looked more closely into his green eyes, but the other just took his hand and led him just as carelessly.

Wide streets and numerous tents, ornate patterns and intricate decorations with various stones. Even ordinary people looked different here.

They all looked like they were from stories told by other novices. The fabrics on them flutter in the wind, and beautiful patterns adorn their collars and belts. If ordinary people can afford this, then what do the adepts of the orders wear? What do the heads and their families wear? Each of the tents literally captivates the young man's gaze. You can look at them for days, but the mentor takes him further and further, and he only tries to catch them with his eyes and remember them.

Chen Shang Liang (Hao Yu)

Understanding the interest, he still did not let Xiu Ying look at him enough. There would be time for everything, now they had a very important matter that could no longer be postponed for later. Confidently moving forward, he finally led him into one of the shops.

The merchant ran up and began to offer his goods with bows, but Shang Liang stopped him. Having looked and felt several of the outfits lying on the counter, he frowned with displeasure. Everything was too simple and rough, he wanted to emphasize Xiu Ying's natural beauty.

Leaning towards his ear, he quietly said what exactly needed to be brought, pointing with his gaze at his companion.

Shenye Xiu Ying (Dong Yang)

Xiu Ying had never bought anything in the way that his mentor was doing now. What doesn't he like? Everything that was offered was much more beautiful than what Shang Liang was wearing. The merchant disappeared and the spellcaster took his hand, attracting attention.

— Chen Shang Liang, do you want something even more special than what is lying here? — He looked at the mentor's outfit again and smiled, — I like how black looks on you. Why do you want to change it? Are you tired of it?

Chen Shang Liang (Hao Yu)

The questions made him smile. It didn't even occur to the young man that this was for him.

— I like black too, on me, but white would suit you better. What's lying here doesn't suit us.

He picked up a piece of fabric and lifted it up.

— Look, the fabric is too rough, and here, — a thin finger casually pointed to the embroidery on the sleeve, — a thread has come loose. And this product has a lot of such flaws.

He looked up at the merchant, who, together with his assistant, had dragged in a whole pile of clothes, and with a trained eye he singled out the outfit. Having pulled it out, he straightened it out and showed it.

— You like?

Shenye Xiu Ying (Dong Yang)

He looked at the shortcomings mentioned with surprise. Was it that important? Then other words slowly reached his consciousness. Me? Taking a look at his own clothes, which seemed to be sewn from patches, he realized that the spellcaster probably just felt uncomfortable carrying such a ragamuffin around with him. Even people in cities wear more decent clothes.

The teacher unfolded the outfit, and Xiu Ying looked at it with even greater surprise. This could never have been imagined even in dreams. Touching the fabric, he came closer and whispered:

— Mentor, I will never pay for something like this in my life. Let's buy something simpler.

Chen Shang Liang (Hao Yu)

Having watched the reaction, he nodded with satisfaction and turned to the merchant

— We'll take this. Bring him the underwear.

Having waited for the men to leave, he turned to the student:

— This is a gift. You should get used to wearing this, — he nodded at the one hurrying with new piles of clothes, — I want you to change right away. Having selected the missing elements, he sent him to the small room.

While waiting, he approached the counter where various small items were displayed. His gaze fell on the earrings, an amazing bright blue color, poking his finger at them and a hairpin lying nearby in the same colors, he paid for all the selected goods and tucked the jewelry into his sleeve.

Shenye Xiu Ying (Dong Yang)

They didn't even give him a chance to express his indignation and sent him to change clothes. Well, it’s a gift, he knows what it is, but for what merits? Standing in front of the mirror, he shook his head. There is no time to think about it now, his teacher is waiting for him.

Having changed, he looked at his reflection and was surprised. The outfit lay perfectly, emphasizing his figure and straight back. It looked so amazing. Passing the edge of the sleeve between his fingers, he looked at the finest embroidery. Get used to this?

He had never been rich, what can I say... He never had more than a couple of coins in his pocket. The peasants he helped were poor, and in most cases they paid him with food and a place to sleep.

Remembering that they were waiting for him, he quickly picked up his clothes and walked out, smiling broadly. The floors fly apart with every step, like waves from a stone thrown into a river. Looking at the man, he folded his hands in a regards.

— Chen Shang Liang, this outfit is the best my eyes have ever seen. Look, — he took a demonstrative step and spun on one leg.

Chen Shang Liang (Hao Yu)

The view is pleasing to the eye. Having admired it enough, he selected the tattered rags and, having thrust them to the merchant, took him by the hand.

— Let's go, we will stay in this city for a couple of days. So you will have time to look your fill.

Returning to the tavern, he ordered various dishes that are not prepared in village roadside taverns, and wine to the room.

The innkeeper turned out to be efficient. They had barely managed to get settled when the door opened and pleasant smells spread throughout the room. The servants quickly set the table and left.

— Let's have dinner, — the spellcaster poured wine into cups and pulled one of the trays towards himself.

Shenye Xiu Ying (Dong Yang)

Everything he sees and feels is amazing. Pulling his food towards himself, he let his nose and eyes enjoy it first. He had never even seen any of the dishes before.

Having tried the closest one, he almost beamed from the excess of flavors.

In the monastery, novices eat mostly naked rice, sometimes it is seasoned with mushrooms, sometimes berries and fruits. He considered the days when such food was served as a holiday of the language.

Traveling, Xiu Ying learned that there are many more flavors, but today everything is completely new in front of him. Having enjoyed and admired it, he remembered the words of the mentor and decided to ask.

— Mentor, why did you say that I need to get used to wearing such an outfit? Isn't mine more comfortable? In this clothing, my legs get tangled in the hem and the sleeves catch on everything.

Chen Shang Liang (Hao Yu)

After taking a sip of wine, he calmly indulged in his meal, but the question surprised him again. What an old gink, he didn’t even explain such simple things before letting him go down the mountain.

— Xiu Ying, all spellcasters wear clothes like this. You say that it’s uncomfortable for you, but you’ll get used to it with time. This inconvenience is precisely what distinguishes spellcasters from people. If you even found it uncomfortable to just walk in them, then what can we say about doing menial tasks. Now, wherever you go, everyone will immediately recognize you as a spellcaster and will be able to ask for help if they need it. Also, the color, embroidery, and bracelets can indicate belonging to a certain clan.

Shenye Xiu Ying (Dong Yang)

The mentor told amazing things, and Xiu Ying finally understood everything. Quickly swallowing a piece of excellent food, he shared his conclusion:

— Mentor Chen Shang Liang, I understood why, no matter how much I went, no one asked me for help. I had to offer it to people myself.

After chatting a little more and tasting the sweets, the spellcaster felt sleep approaching. Wine has a very beneficial effect on this matter.

Chen Shang Liang (Hao Yu)

When they were both full, he remembered another acquisition and approached. He pushed a lock of hair aside and frowned. Of course, if Wang Cai Hong didn't bother with his ward's clothes, then it would be foolish to expect that there would be room for jewelry.

Standing behind him, he took a small box of needles out of his sleeve and, stroking his head, said:

— Don't twitch.

Quickly making the punctures, he put on the long earrings. And he returned to the table.

— It suits you.

Shenye Xiu Ying (Dong Yang)

Everything happened too quickly and Xiu Ying didn't even have time to feel the pain from the punctures, but he couldn't help but notice the beauty in the mirror. Scattered in gratitude, he expected that the mentor would stop them and send them to bed, but he didn't think that this beauty would give off a little pain with every movement of the head.

Grabbing his ears, he healed and, like a contented cat, turned to the man. In a couple of steps he was next to him, he hugged him around the waist, resting his head on his broad chest.

— Mentor, you make me happy and give me what I could not even dream of.

Chen Shang Liang (Hao Yu)

Pressing him to himself, he stroked his white hair. This boy doesn’t even suspect that by birthright he should have had all this since childhood. The Feng clan protects this feature of theirs, not allowing their blood to get into other orders.

How did it happen that the young man was raised in a monastery, not knowing his own lineage? The answer to this question, obviously, should be sought in the Abode of Snowy Peaks.

— Go to bed, — freeing himself from the embrace, he took him by the chin and quickly kissed his beautifully outlined lips. Having already taken a step towards the door, he turned around and handed over a hairpin, — Don’t forget to put it on tomorrow.

Shenye Xiu Ying (Dong Yang)

By inertia, grabbing what they give, he looked at his hand and again began to shower him with gratitude. Of course, he will not forget, how can one forget such beauty? The mentor left, leaving him alone, and he admired himself in the mirror for a long time.

Trying to understand the teacher's thoughts is impossible, so he decided to just wait. When the time comes, he himself will tell everything, if he has not said anything now.

Taking off his clothes, he carefully folded them and, having washed himself, lay down on a luxurious bed. Soft and unusually cozy, so that the head had barely managed to touch the pillow, as sleep decided to take consciousness into the world of dreams.