Hu Qin Shi (Lan Ying)

 The classes ended, and the young man, going outside, raised his head up and looked at the gray clouds, showering everything around him with a snow-white shroud, which was already white. Everything was clean, and there was nothing but snow. Even the disciples, they all seemed to be molded from ice, both inside and out.

Having tried to communicate, Qin Shi realized that even those who did not belong to the Feng clan eventually became like snow statues. The silent ones, you can’t make noise here. The calm ones, you can’t run. The orderly ones, they are too vigilant about their rules. It felt like everyone was afraid that if someone suddenly started to break them, the snow would melt on this damned mountain.

Resentment. He blew it away with the snowflakes. The brother could not wish him any harm. He just wasn’t telling the whole story. Perhaps there were circumstances that were unknown to him and he would hardly ever find out about them.

Life in ignorance, in a cocoon of well-being, he knows it, the time has passed to make guesses. The kidnappings that had been happening recently clearly indicated that all was not well in the clan and the order, but not for Qin Shi. Everything was always great with him.

He chuckled, a voice from behind him interrupting his thoughts. He couldn't even stand, did he disturb someone by trying to see beauty in a dead world? Glancing at the adept, he almost spat after him. After all, there was enough space on the paths, three people could walk in a row, and he was standing to the side.

A stain, a blue stain on a snow-white blanket. He is very different and all the mentors have already opened their mouths. He ran away, was late, didn't clean up, got dirty with paint... Such familiar things drive others crazy here.

The edge of his lips twitched in a half-smile. Obviously, he is a stranger here and it is unlikely that they will become friends with him . Teacher Xu had already informed everyone that because of Hu Qin Shi, his already white head had turned grey in just a couple of days. Is that even possible?

The young man drew two crossed swords in the snow with his foot and sat down next to them, smiling, admiring them. Let them stay here. At least something familiar.

Once again he was scolded for dirtying his clothes. Snow! You can't sit down, the snow sticks, then melts on the hanfu, and it becomes unacceptable for these white statues. So be it! But Lan Ying is used to it.

He slowly went for a walk, or rather, to his room, which, according to them, was supposed to be warm. Of course, so warm that tea in the morning can only be gnawed with teeth. The young man rubbed his hand against the other. Cold. Very cold.

Trying to warm up, the spellcaster walked on the white blanket and unexpectedly opened his eyes in surprise. A steaming spring was located ahead. Having looked around, he made sure that there was no one nearby, went closer and sat down on the shore.

It seemed warmer here than in other places. By the way, apparently he got lost again. How is it possible to learn where to go when everything around is so similar? Deciding to admire the lake, he molded and threw snowballs into the water, watching how quickly the source devoured them.

Feng Tian Kuang (Qiang Chen)

After returning from the celebration of Chief Hu's birthday, De Shang was constantly busy with some kind of affairs. Therefore, the opportunity to communicate informally has not yet arisen. This is understandable, after so many strange and inexplicable events in the Citadel of the Dark Tide. The weapons alone are worth something.

Tian Kuang saw them only briefly. It is difficult to imagine what those who spent many years in captivity felt and thought.

With these thoughts, the young man walked around the neighborhood. Today he was relieved of all duties, in connection with the day of the naming of his sister, and now he had absolutely nothing to do.

On the bank of one of the many springs sat a lonely figure in blue clothes. Stopping for a moment, the spellcaster remembered who it was and decided to approach.

— Greetings, — stopping next to him, he spoke, — what are you doing here alone?

Hu Qin Shi (Lan Ying)

Gods take the souls of these wretches! Qin Shi almost spoke out loud when a voice suddenly sounded behind him, breaking the grave silence. Perhaps if he had not been scared, he would have continued to sit, but already standing on his feet, he looked at the disturber of the peace.

A white statue made of snow. Hanfu without folds. And, of course, nothing worldly in appearance. Most likely, someone from the Feng clan. Forgetting the question out of fear, he thought about what this mound of snow needed, and, deciding that they were picking on him again, he spoke:

— I am Hu Qin Shi, classes have already ended, and I am resting here, — remembering that in fact he was simply lost again, he quietly added — probably.

Feng Tian Kuang (Qiang Chen)

The young man looked confused, as if he had been caught doing something indecent, and he answered uncertainly. He was probably having trouble getting used to the surroundings. In other orders, the disciples had fun after classes, at least that was what was believed, but not here.

As far as he had heard, junior Hu had never left the territory of his order and was extremely spoiled. In just a few days of training, he had already managed to earn more punishments than students usually received in a year.

— My name is Feng Tian Kuang, — he smiled after introducing himself, — do you like to walk alone?

Hu Qin Shi (Lan Ying)

That's right, Feng. Under the wide sleeves were hidden clan bracers with the same emblem that should be on the back of this giant. All the Shanlu's spellcasters belonging to the Order are required to wear its emblem, and without it, they are forbidden to appear before the eyes of the living.

Adepts who are not part of the ruling clan could wear bracers of a different color, without an emblem or with the emblem of their clan.

Mountains. These snow-white Fengs, apparently, are crazy about their mountains. The word "catastrophe" sounded in his head. And why did this statue cling to him? A disgusting place, there is absolutely no peace anywhere.

Not only are there many more classes here than at home, but you can't even move, what if the others don't hear the teacher because of the rustling of the hanfu? He looked more closely, trying to read the emotions, but quickly gave up.

They don't know how to smile here, they simply can't. As if they all have to live through a memorial ceremony every day. An empty-headed statue, who would like to walk alone? It's boring. He belatedly bowed.

— Greetings. I... — and what else to say, Qin Shi didn't know, so he said the first thing that came to mind — tired, a lot of classes, and in these lands there is nothing but snow, so here.

The young man waved his hand at the spring and, noticing the snow on his hem, tried to brush it off.

— It's not so lonely here.

Feng Tian Kuang (Qiang Chen)

Well, young Hu was clearly sad and lonely away from his usual surroundings, as he had expected. And the conditions for natives of other orders were not easy. Newcomers often complained, but there was no shortage of adepts. Getting into the Feng clan and completing the training was not available to everyone.

— The nature here is beautiful, but I think you are a little cold from being unaccustomed to it. Dinner is coming soon, you need to go back. Those who are late will have to make do with tea until the morning, — he looked at the sky and turned his gaze to Qin Shi, — let’s go, I’ll show you a shortcut. You will not be lonely when you get used to the way of life and make friends. Are you homesick?

Hu Qin Shi (Lan Ying)

The young man listened, he could do that even when he was busy. Whatever the case, Qin Shi has definitely learned to listen. He was indignant at the words inside. He won't be lonely when he gets home, but that's impossible here. His brother had also talked about friends, but how could he be friends if no one even smiled at him.

He nodded and approached. Of course, he would like to be shown the nearest road, and even better, to somehow help him learn how to navigate in this white haze. He noticed that they didn’t scold him for having his hem in the snow. This white giant probably hadn’t completely frozen here yet.

— Is it forbidden to smile here? Why does everyone seem to be in deep mourning? Why aren’t you smiling? If you say that nature is beautiful, why is there no joy on your face? — hoping to get an answer, he looked into the eyes.

Feng Tian Kuang (Qiang Chen)

The spellcaster walked along the well-known path, looking at the young man. The question that sounded surprised him a little, and he looked more closely at the sad face, on which bright blue eyes stood out, the color of the hanfu, looking like a bright, out-of-place spot against the general background.

— You think so, perhaps, because there is sadness in your heart. Of course, you can smile, but you need a reason for it. And I smile quite often, you just don’t notice.

Hu Qin Shi (Lan Ying)

The answer sounded like a challenge, the young man tried to keep up with his companion and take a closer look. During all the days I spent here, I never noticed a smile on a single face, but it’s not that sad. It's just very cold and... empty.

Once again, trying to take a closer look, he tripped over the frozen fabric of his hem and plopped down in a soft but prickly snowdrift. Snowflakes rose and fell on his cheeks. Trying to brush them off, he only made it worse. As he fell, he tried to brace himself on his hands, and his sleeves, like his hem, ended up in the snow. And then he couldn’t hold back.

— Damned place! How can you live here? It’s nicer and quieter in the cemetery, — realizing what he had said, he fell silent, getting up and shaking himself off.

Feng Tian Kuang (Qiang Chen)

Watching with interest how the young man struggled with the terrain, he almost laughed at the words that escaped him. As he thought, the complaints are the same as everyone else who does not understand where they came to study, and why the founder of the order decided to set up residence here.

It seemed that Qin Shi was not going to get up. Taking him under the arms, he lifted him up and just shook his head. In this form, he will definitely not be allowed into the dining hall, and simply meeting with the mentor does not promise anything good for him.

Shaking the snow off the top of his hanfu, he began to fix his disheveled hair.

— Over time, you will love this place. Or not. But be that as it may, you will have to come to terms with it. You will need to go to your room and tidy yourself up. Change your clothes and comb your hair. Let's go.

Taking his hand, he walked faster. It is clear that the young man is not used to walking in the snow, but this skill is only beneficial to any spellcaster.

Hu Qin Shi (Lan Ying)

Barely keeping up with the presenter, he quickly reached his room, although his legs ached from such walking. Walking in the snow is incredibly difficult, especially when it lies in such a huge carpet. Already knowing that no one was waiting for anyone here, he hurried to change his clothes and tidy himself up. Whatever it was, but even if the food was meager, it was food. Of course, he is not happy with the gloomy people and this place, and will never love it. He will never accept this teaching style and rules. To resign himself... Perhaps it is easier this way, but to calm the inner rebellion was a real challenge.