Pale white and soft green cloth screens drifted idly in the fresh spring breeze, their subtle movement mirrored by the long green and white silk banners framing the entrance to the pavilion. The effect mimicked the gently waving leaves of the silver weeping willows beyond the dark wood frame which had given the area it’s name.

A lone figure stood gazing out across the long low valley far below. Posture upright, the line of the back straight and clean. Loose flowing robes - that flawlessly matched the rest of the pavilion’s decor - partially hid the cultivator from a casual glance. Hands folded neatly behind, the white ribbons of the silver hair clasp drifting in the same breeze that gave the landscape life all around. The figure seemed that of an immortal, immovable and serene.

A low cough came from the entrance steps, prompting the cultivator to turn. The illusion of tranquil immortality instantly broken. They possessed a beautiful face, with dark sweeping brows and soft pink lips. Pale skin contrasted with the pure ebony darkness of the long hair that drifted against one lean shoulder, caught by the playful breeze. The man, for he was indeed such, was more beautiful than most Fairies - those female cultivators who were renown for their unsurpassed appearances. A smile bloomed soft and welcoming on those lips, dark phoenix eyes warm as he swept out his sleeves, hands clasping before him in a bow of greeting.

“Li-Tai.” He murmured, fondness within the smooth voice as he greeted his guest. The newly arrived cultivator, dressed in the same white and pale green colours, hopped up the three steps onto the pavilion and sketched a brief bow in return before stepping in close and taking the clasped hands between his own, lifting the other out of his bow. “Jinhai. Didn’t I tell you to put on a cloak this morning?” Liu Li-Tai asked, voice falsely serious and gaze reproving, before the sweet smile the other wore made him huff with exasperated amusement. “I did, but you never listen.” He answered himself, shaking his head as he released Zhou Jinhai’s hands.

Zhou Jinhai chuckled, hands neatly swapping places with his friend’s to return the grasp before he stepped back, body half-turned back to the view over the mountain he had been enjoying before Liu Li-Tai’s arrival. But his attention remained on his closest companion. “It is not so cold, and the view called to me.” He turned back to the railing overlooking the deep valley laid out below framed by the soaring peeks of the Shoushan Mountains as Liu Li-Tai stepped up beside him. They stood thus for several heartbeats, shoulders pressed lightly together, gazes focused on the misty depth of the landscape spread out far below. At length Zhou Jinhai released a held breath and turned his head, looking up at the man beside him from under long lashes, gaze steady and considering. “Out with it.” He finally said firmly, one brow arching in expectation.

The knowing look made Liu Li-Tai chuckle ruefully, as he turned to lean back against the rail, arms crossing over his chest as he regarded the cultivator at his side. The slender form, long sleeves fluttering in the cold mountain breeze. Dark eyes that saw far too much and the lips that spoke far too little. Finally he tore his gaze from the vision that was his partner and instead let his eyes drift across the view of the Liu complex, the white-painted pavilions and their connecting walkways. The stands of graceful willow trees and the gently flowing streams feeding multiple small ponds.

“A-Lao has received news of a disturbance at Hanghua village.” He finally admitted, gaze still on the expansive vista, even as his focus was trained on the man beside him. “It’s a suspected mid-level ghost incident possibly connected to his current mission. He has requested that we investigate the situation.” Liu Li-Tai finally looked at his partner, expression patiently curious. He knew Zhou Jinhai would agree to the request. The man had never said no to a Hunt as far as Liu Li-Tai could recall, not since they had known each other as children. Zhou Jinhai remained where he was, gaze settled upon the landscape, apparently considering the news his friend had brought. Liu Li-Tai had known exactly where Zhou Jinhai would be when he had received the message from Feng Jianyu requesting the two of them attend this mission. The landscape from this particular pavilion was awe-inspiring, and had planted the bud of many a poem in the hearts of those who had come before. It was well worth the lengthy walk from the main clan complex.

Finally, Zhou Jinhai turned, dark eyes liquid and fond as he regarded his companion. “And I assume we are to have departed yesterday?” He asked with a playful tone, one elegant brow lifting in amused expectation. After all, they both knew their old friend Feng Jianyu had no patience when it came to possibly serious issues of security.

With a nod, Liu Li-Tai chuckled, turning his back on the spectacular landscape all around and instead offered his hand to his friend, receiving a light push in retaliation that would have sent any normal man flying off into the void of space beyond the railing. But they were of the same cultivation level and thus he simply laughed, dropping his hand as he hopped forwards, qinggong skills sending him several strides in a single small motion. Alighting once more at the bottom of the short stairs, he turned and waited for his more sedate companion to join him, Zhou Jinhai walking casually rather than following his more excitable partner’s lead.

Together the pair strolled easily but with steady swiftness along the sprawling complex of pathways and pagodas, winding through willow groves and past tranquil ponds. They soon arrived at their living quarters, a small cottage set back in a private garden, away from the main clan complex of rooms interconnected by covered walkways. A privilege given to Seniors and inner-clan members. Together they entered, quietly packing a few necessities for a trip that may take several days. Pills and powders went into rings, talismans and formation flags went into pouches, swords settled on hips and cloaks were thrown over shoulders. Soon enough the pair of Cultivators were ready, leaving their small home in swirls of pale white and green robes. Not the loose fitted light-weight versions of earlier but robust combat robes with narrow sleeves bound into bracers and slim skirts over thick trousers.

Without an emergency to necessitate speed, they walked through the estate, reaching the inner gate and crossing the invisible barrier, the jade jinbu hanging from their waists lighting up briefly as they passed. The Thousand Steps stairway dropped steeply down, clinging to the side of the Shoushan Mountain that was the home of the Liu Clan. Without thought, the two figures set off, walking easily down the steep and winding path, arriving in short order at the Outer Gate. Once again they stepped through, their sect seals againlighting up as the barrier recognized the imprint embedded into each.

Once past the outer boundary of the clan, the two stopped and in unison, left hands formed elegant shapes, their swords springing from scabbards to fly forwards and down, hovering before each man. Together they stepped up onto the glistening blades, one long and slender with a shimmering white hilt, the other broader, heavier, though no less perfect. The handle of polished green Jade glowing softly. Then they were off, soaring high into the air, quickly gathering speed and altitude as their swords bore them away, soaring high over the surrounding peaks and onward, leveling out to skim across the sky as rice fields, wide valleys and clusters of tiny homes swept past below.