Gusts of wind were light and gentle. Almost weightless. They were kissing the heat of the midday sun away, leaving only a slight sensation of warm touches on the skin. Somewhere in the distance, the singing of birds was heard. It's so quiet and indistinct that seemed almost illusory.

Blades of grass – tickling. Together with a playful wind, they examined a person lying on the ground. His skin was as smooth as porcelain and matched the light-colored robes that hid most of his body.

Dark eyelashes trembled as the young man awakened from his restful sleep. The blue sky was rich in his brown eyes. A cloudy veil of dreamy bliss in those eyes was still visible. But it instantly disappeared, as the young man sat up abruptly and looked around.

– Where am I? – a quiet voice uttered. However, the question vanishes unanswered in the transparent air.

The young man was still for a while, trying to comprehend what had happened, but soon after he slowly got to his feet, and shook off the dried blades of grass together with the flower pollen that had covered his clothes.

Two long strands of fair hair, framing the thin face, gently swayed with his every move. All the rest of the hair was tied in a tight knot on top of his head. A ribbon kept it from being scattered all over thin shoulders.

The gaze of the youth slowly glided over the surrounding landscape. It was deserted, though breathtaking. The sprawling fields of green stretched far beyond the horizon. The image could leave one both admired with this stunning spectacle and restless from the devouring feeling of loneliness.

Not far on the cliff grew an oak tree. He had a powerful, immense trunk and a lush crown. Covered with his long shadow the youth looked tiny. The leaves rustled with every gust of wind. The sound was friendly, calm, and even somewhat idle. As if the ancient guardian of these fields did not mind the sudden unfamiliar presence.

Wildflowers leaned closer to the feet of a young man, but he was too confused to feel their tender buds tickling his ankles in a burst of interest.

– I… was in the Temple, wasn’t I? – he muttered. – I was training and then...

A sharp shoot of headache made the young man wince and unknowingly touch his temples with the tips of his fingers. The only thing he wanted – was to figure out what had happened. He needed to understand how he managed to end up in a place completely unfamiliar, but his own body opposed this.

Another gust of wind, stronger than before, ruffled the thin fabric of his robes. Long golden rays of silk ribbons twining the youth's waist fluttered and glittered in the sun. The young man took a deep breath of warm air, trying to calm his tense nerves and turbulent thoughts, which were hastily streaming through his mind.

– Hao Ning. Twenty-five years of age. Spent his whole life in the Temple of Ten. Was one of the best taoist apprentices on the Path of Harmony.

A voice heard from behind instantly made the relaxed the young man bristle, like a wolf cub, and turn to the speaker. The presence of another living being in this place could not but stun.

Hao Ning had heard neither the steps that should herald the approaching of any pilgrim nor the troubled breathing. Even the sounds of nature – the rustling of tall grass, the wind playing with the fabric of robes, the dry cracking branches below – had let his sensitive ear down.

Due to this Hao Ning felt even more defenseless and confused than before. It was unlikely that the serenity of this place could disarm anyone so easily the reflexes trained over the years would betray. He may not have been the strongest warrior in the Temple, but he had always been a diligent student.

Then that was all in the appeared one. This meant that a mysterious stranger was too powerful. Yes, it was the only possible explanation.

– Who are you? – whispered Hao Ning. His lips were dry, but he did not dare to moisten them with his tongue or change the defensive stance. – How do you know me?

The man standing in front of him was dressed in snow-white robes. However, the long cloak hid almost every feature of his from prying eyes. Including the face. The only thing that Hao Ning managed to notice – was a pair of the bare feet.

Well, that was… not a rare sight. Many peasants do not even wear rag shoes. But the stranger's feet are surprisingly clean and milky-white, like all his clothes. They are… as if he has never let even one single step on the ground.

A mysterious person does not hesitate to answer Hao Ning's question. And his pleasing though the subsequent words bewildered.

– You're in the Middle World, Hao Ning. You passed away.

The tone made the utterance sound like a stupid joke. Why would anyone quoth such things in such a casual manner? As a matter of a fact?

The stranger spoke as if sang a calm lullaby. His voice echoed in the world with the rattle of a cold spring: gentle but sobering, making goosebumps dance all over the whole body.

Hao Ning did his best to fight the weakness in his knees. Then he shook his head. He hoped that would help to drive away the growing noise in his ears.

– Thou want me to believe that? – he swallowed. – That I passed away and somehow ended up in the Middle World? In the said World of Ghosts?

The absurdity of the situation made the youth exhale sharply, and then grin. Probably, he had hit his head during one of the training sessions. Yes, he had, and that was it! And his fellows – the other apprentices – wanted to make a laugh at him. So that they arranged such a childish performance.

– Exactly so, – persisted the cloaked man. – But don't you worry. You will understand. And the help shall arrive in the nick of time. Your parents arranged a ghost marriage for you so that you would not be alone in the path and fate that lie ahead.

– So, that's what has happened, – Hao Ning crosses his arms over his chest, cocked his head to one side, his stance relaxed. The answer made him almost sure that the other apprentices had decided to mock him. – And who is my spouse?

Such an elaborate joke! Worth playing along for a little while. For, once he was offered fun, he would not refuse it. But in the end, the truth should be revealed.

Hao Ning carefully watched the stranger pull a twisted bamboo scroll from inside his robes. The scroll was tied with a thin rope.

Long elegant fingers unfurled the mysterious missive. It all looked so enigmatically interesting, but at the same time somewhat naive and simple, that Hao Ning wanted to smile. He felt no fear anymore. The childish curiosity came over him.

The young man slightly leaned his whole body to the side, thereby making a careful attempt to look under the hood of the cloak. Maybe, just maybe he would be able to recognize one of his fellow apprentices...

Unfortunately, the cunning plan failed.

– No peeking, – quothed the hooded stranger, the delicate irony is heard in his voice.

Hao Ning straightened up in embarrassment and lowered his gaze. No more tricks. He could not. And he would not, even if he wanted to.

Meanwhile his enigmatic interlocutor spoke again – his voice calm and soothing.

– Your spiritual spouse is named Wei Huan. This person was chosen by your parents.

– Who's that girl? Why would they choose her? – curiously asked Hao Ning.

The silence stayed unbroken. No response was given.

Hao Ning could bet that a flash of a smile lit the stranger's face. But the presence of it was so fleeting that it seemed an mere illusion.

– Here. Take that and wait here, – a thin hand held out a newly folded bamboo tablet, and after a moment of hesitation Hao Ning grabbed it. – Your destined one is on the way. Farewell. And may The Ten be merciful to you.

The stranger slightly bowed.

Peering at the bamboo tablet in his hands Hao Ning stood wondering how long this prank might last. Wasn't it just the right time for it to end? Moreover, commemorating Ten Gods in such a situation... That was far too much. They had to return to the Temple. The Master would not be merciful if they didn’t.

But... He still had no idea how far from the Mount he was.

A strong blow of wind hit his chest. Hao Ning closes his eyes, protecting his face with a palm. A strange gust it was. Rare but so very surprising in its suddenness.

– Ok, now. That was fun, – uttered Hao Ning. – But it's time for us to...

However, when he looked up the rest of the phrase got stuck in the throat, leaving the youth gaping helplessly.

There was no one in front of him. Not a sign of human presence. Only the endless field of green continued basking in the rays of the warm sun.

This landscape, like a saving straw, allowed Hao Ning to keep his mind sober.

– Hush now, don’t panic... – whispered the young man to himself, trying to make deep soothing breaths. – Maybe this is just a test… designed by the Master...

This Hao Ning whispered and tightened his grip on the bamboo plank. It crackled but fortunately did not break.

Having calmed down, the young man decided to inspect the surrounding area once again. He could not just stand still and do nothing. Yes, he had been told to wait on this exact spot, but how long should he? And why would he?

The only thing he wanted – was to get the answers. Besides, his Master always taught: “The one who wants to achieve something, has to make their own efforts”.

Without much hope, Hao Ning looked around at the already familiar landscape and got stunned. But this time, not because someone suddenly appeared in front of him.

On the contrary. He saw a silhouette in the distance. And the stranger seemed to be heading exactly toward him! These natural, unhurried moves made Hao Ning experience a flow of an overwhelming joy. Indeed, it was too early for him to cry crack!

Without much thought or doubt, Hao Ning rushed to the approaching person. He should find out what was going on as soon as possible.