The sounds of clashing weapons were accompanied by an angry thunderous roar and the whistling of a violent wind. Silver lightning bolts, like frightened eels, flickered and curled among the gloomy clouds.
The crackling rift voraciously sucked in any energy it came across, slowly opening its mysterious and unpredictable maw ever wider. It became more dangerous to stay close to it, but the high smooth slopes did not allow anyone to leave the trap, forcing them to continue the battle in a confined space.
The fighters rushed by one of the minor breaches. And their energy was so overwhelming that the breach exploded with a deafening "bang". Completely concentrated on the fierce attacks of the spear, Hao Ning didn't even flinch from the sound. There was no way he could afford himself to underestimate Yu Bing Han. The man used to be the Imperial Counselor. He was undoubtedly inferior in skills to Wei Huan and Jin Yu Ming, but his military experience and repeated battles were obvious. Hao Ning was weaker. Far, far weaker.
Having devoted himself mainly to the Path of Harmony, he was more accustomed to holding a brush than a sword. The training and instructions of the Masters of "War" were taken by him seriously, but he never intended to put them into practice. After all, Hao Ning was sure that he would spend his whole life at the monastery, surrounded by serenity and grace, atoning for the sins of his ancestors and serving the Gods. Even in his craziest dreams, he would not have thought about how his life would turn out.
He regretted it now – his blindness. He scolded himself for his childish, naive belief in the regularity of life and the immutability of his destiny. He was now paying for these thoughts with new wounds, clumsy deflected blows, and clumsy steps.
In battle with Yu Bing Han, the lack of fighting experience of the Scholar showed itself in all its ill glory, demonstrating the difference in the level of their skills. The revelation came to Hao Ning just now, for until that moment Wei Huan had protected him.
Hao Ning glanced at his limply dangling hand, oozing energy. Wounded for the sake of release it reminded of itself, not allowing the young man to attack normally.
A bright sparkle that flashed from the side was met by a timely raised fan, but Bing Han's barely noticeable delighted smile made it clear that the youth had just made a mistake. The scattered spear flashed with blue lights and bore thin threads that pierced through Hao Ning's shoulder. A scream shook the gorge as the scholar was pinned to the rocky slope, and tenacious fingers immediately squeezed his throat, forcing him to cough hoarsely.
– What a pity, – Yu Bing Han whispered. – Why did you free yourself if you yield to me in everything? Thought you were inviolable? Did you expect to win? Or maybe... – he squinted, – were you waiting for A-Wei?
His grip became more tight, causing Hao Ning to wince. Hanging like a limp doll, the youth could do little but listen to the man's hissing speech.
– He won't find you. Your connection is nothing more than a mere accident. I am the one A-Wei needs. – The strategist's eyes flashed with delight, being the only bright accent in his current image. – And when he dissipates, we will be together again.
Hao Ning's lips curled into a wry smile. The following words came out of his throat with difficulty, but he pronounced them persistently and confidently:
– He is my husband. My God. You are nothing to him. – The young man barely raised his crippled left hand. – And I won't let anyone take him from me.
The only thing Yu Bing Han noticed was a blinding bright light before Hao Ning splashed the energy flowing from his limb into his eyes. This reeled Bing Han for a moment and gave the steel fan the necessary time to soar upward, and then sharply rush down, cutting the man's back with its sharp blades.
The Counselor 's scream was unpleasant to ears, but did not disorient Hao Ning: pressing his legs to his stomach, the youth pushed the wounded man away from him, throwing him to one of the many rifts. Yu Bing Han rolled over on the ground. This was not enough for victory, but Hao Ning did not even think of neglecting this valuable time. He hastily directed energy into the crippled hand, trying to heal the wound as quickly as possible. Yes, Hao Ning was not yet able to "return" his arm; it required too much energy and concentration, but he was quite capable of relieving the pain.
The spiritual threads continued to pulse in his shoulder, injecting alien, venomous energy into Hao Ning's body, making it burn – painfully yet tolerably. That is why he decided not to pull them out. An attempt would mean wasting precious time, and he did not have such a luxury.
Yu Bing Han, who had come to his senses, began to stir, slowly rising. The aura emanating from him became colder and more dangerous than before. His graceful, slow movements acquired sharpness and angularity. Not a trace remained of his former calm posture. Although the man kept his face, his true identity involuntarily revealed itself in the heat of battle. Hao Ning couldn't exactly explain his feelings, but at that moment he seemed to be able to see Bing Han desperately struggling with himself. The demon was not yet consumed by hatred, but he was standing at the very edge.
– No, that won't happen, – his thin lips whispered. – I won't lose. I will be released. We need to wait for A-Wei, we need... – his palms clasped his head, furiously squeezing his temples. Yu Bing Han closed his eyes tightly. – Must always be first. Be the best. I'll prove it. I'll prove myself to everyone.
The fierce, impulsive gaze directed at Hao Ning could cut. The threads gnawing up the youth's shoulder suddenly dissipated in the air, causing the young man to fall to the ground without having time to do anything. A spear appeared in Yu Bing Han's hand again. He desperately bit his lower lip, looking first at Hao Ning and then at the opening rift. Thoughts swirled in someone else's head, thinking through quick moves, new plans, and unbreakable strategies. Bing Han had no intention of deviating from his original plan, but Hao Ning's thirst for murder constantly outweighed his cold calculation.
At some point, the decision made was reflected on the pale face with a slight squinting of the eyes and the man raised the corners of his lips. The spiritual spear dissolved in the air, allowing the threads to slide along the ground, like nimble snakes approaching Hao Ning who was trying to rise to his feet.
The open wounds throbbed painfully, the unhealed hand burned, and the withered body was completely weakened, having lost most of its energy. Noticing Hao Ning's fatigue, Yu Bing Han completely relaxed, returning to his usual state of complete serenity and calmness. There was no need for him to waste his strength on the useless child before him. Drawn into the depths of the Middle World, alone and helpless, he would not be able to heal himself and would disappear after losing last grains of his energy through open wounds. How simple it was. All Bing Han needed to do was calm down and think. The true strength that brought thunderous victories to Wei Huan had always been his, Bing Han's, merit.
The closer the threads got, the more the thin corners of the lips lifted, clearly highlighting the dark stripes on the sharp cheekbones. Hao Ning continued to struggle: he tried to get up, dodge, summon a fan, and crawl away. It was all in vain, the weakened body stopped listening and finally let the young man down.
Why did he do all this? Why did he so easily miss the only chance to save Wei Huan from his main nightmare of the past? Hao Ning tried to be helpful and brave, Hao Ning sincerely wanted to prevent the sad story from repeating itself. He tried to fulfill the promise made in the cave, but failed due to the urgent desire to protect a dear person from pain and suffering.
A shuddering sigh escaped Hao Ning's chest as he clutched the bag in desperation, feeling the hardness of a wooden plank inside.
Dear Wei Huan.
His Wei Huan.
More than anything in the world, Hao Ning wanted to hear his voice again, look into the dark bottomless eyes, and feel the caress of his warm hands. Apologize to him and ask him not to lock his heart again. After all, Hao Ning liked it so much. So much.
A salty transparent tear slid down the young man's cheek at the very moment when a rapid bolt flashed from the side as a blurry spot, crashing exactly into the ground in front of the writhing threads. A straight, fierce, elusive arrow separated Hao Ning from the threat with one precise shot.
The familiar shaft and sparkling tip were reflected in the eyes of the scholar as a heavenly miracle, and the subsequent roar shook the world.
Yu Bing Han pursed his lips, the color drained from his face, and the fragile body visually became even thinner, as if shrinking down under heavy, overwhelming burst of energy. Without delay the Counselor jumped into the nearest rift that willingly opened its maw to hide him.
A powerful blow from a sword pierced into a stone and split the ground, causing many crackles. Alarmed clouds of dust swirled in the air, hiding behind the rifts and exploding into bright blue splashes. The man who appeared resembled the Heavenly Lord: strong, unbending, irresistible, beautiful in his fierce desire to protect.
Hao Ning cried and his tears slid down his cheeks, lingering at the corners of his upturned lips when he noticed the gaze directed at him. Instantly softened, scared and so very human. Comparison with the Gods was wrong because Wei Huan was better than all of them. He was capable of bringing over the Heaven.
– A-Ning! Hold on, A-Ning! – Wei Huan's voice filled with undisguised horror burst into Hao Ning's consciousness. It floated, only returning to reality with short, bright flashes. An incredible feeling of relief from the other's presence lifted a heavy load from his shoulders but filled his body with fatigue.
– A-Ning, your hand...
The man's voice trembled, and this prompted Hao Ning to open his eyes, trying to focus on the blurry image of the man in front of him. Wei Huan diligently poured energy into the unconscious young man, thereby supporting him.
– A-Wei, – a whisper filled with tenderness caressed the name dear to the heart. – My A-Wei.
The body still did not obey, but Hao Ning stubbornly spoke, trying to take back control of his body. Moving fingers slightly, the youth tried to raise his hand, wanting to touch Wei Huan, and he, silently understanding him, carefully pulled the intact hand to his face. The tips of his fingers felt the pleasant coolness of skin, and he tenderly caressed it.
– You are here.
Hao Ning felt a weightless touch of lips on his palm, but in such a state it could have simply seemed to him.
– How could I have done otherwise? You disappeared, I had to find you.
– And so you did, – the scholar closed his eyes from the warmth spreading throughout his body. – You need to watch out...
– No more words, – Wei Huan interrupted. – Don't waste your energy.
Hao Ning nodded, but due to his foggy consciousness, he could not accurately determine whether he really did it or whether had just imagined it. The body stopped obeying again. It became more and more difficult to navigate every move, but on the periphery, the young man still heard a desperate cry:
– A-Ning! A-Ning! – Wei Huan called for him. – Hao Ning!
Unfortunately, no matter how much Hao Ning wanted to, he didn't have the strength to respond. Wei Huan's voice faded away. He carefully changed the position of the crippled young man, laying him on the ground. The next call was no longer addressed to the adept:
– Wu Zhe Kai! Here!
The presence of another man overwhelmed Hao Ning. The familiar quiet swearing along with the soft flow of energy, felt like a cozy bliss. The youth wanted to greet his dear friend, tell him about the hidden danger, and ask him to be careful, but he could not do this. And it was incredibly annoying. Even though Hao Ning failed to stop Yu Bing Han, there was still a chance to warn everyone.
Hao Ning just needed to remain conscious, which was what he tried to do while fighting the failing body.
– Take care of him, Zhe Kai, – Wei Huan asked, weightlessly stroking his tangled hair. – I have an unfinished deal to do.
The healer did not answer. He simply nodded, fully concentrating on restoring the youth's energy. Hao Ning's condition was awful: with many small open wounds, a missing limb, skin torn in some places, and complete exhaustion.
Wu Zhe Kai had no idea what the young man had to suffer while being alone, but just the thought of it infuriated him so much that it affected the energy circulating in his spiritual veins. This could harm Hao Ning, so the healer tried to calm down and deprive himself of any emotions. It was not his business.
Whoever brought Xiao Ning to such a state would have to face another person.
***
The sparkling rifts, which did not even have time to appear, scattered in the air in gleaming waves. The energy was enveloping the space in a bluish haze. A massive crack cutting through the bottom of the basin reflected the stormy sky: spewing flashes like lightning, deafening with crackling sounds, raising winds, and blinding when trying to peer deeper.
The temples throbbed. A cacophony of sounds tolled in his head. The piercing cry of the cracking earth was intertwined with the furious roar of thunder. Never has the World of Ghosts and Spirits seen such a riot, comparable only to the chilling horrors of the kingdom of the dead.
Wei Huan had witnessed many nightmares, and therefore his sharp, intense gaze unwaveringly clung to every shadow around him. Standing behind his shoulder, Jin Yu Ming was doing the same. It was not the raging weather that was the reason for their watchful waiting.
From the moment Wei Huan reached the gorge, Yu Bing Han hadn't given away his presence, but the general was sure that the vile creature was there. Hiding within the breaches and rifts, moving like a shadow behind their backs. He did everything to keep his head down, knowing full well that fate would strike back. But the traitor could not remain safe forever, and this was precisely the moment the warriors were waiting for.
Wei Huan's gaze involuntarily slid towards the exhausted Hao Ning. He was in a bad state, literally crushed, but that didn't stop him from fighting until the very end. His wounds were the signs of persistence and strong will.
And although it was hard for the general to see the young man in such a state, he could not help but admire him. Deceiving Yu Bing Han, getting out of his trap, and resisting seemed something incredible, but Hao Ning managed to do it. And what was the most important... he remained alive. And Wei Huan had enough time to get to him. Right on time.
– My Lord, – Jin Yu Ming instantly attracted the man's attention. – I can sense the energy fluctuations to the right. It could just be a distortion from the rifts, but nothing like this has ever been seen before...
– Good observation, – the man looked in the indicated direction. – I can only guess, but staying inside the rift for a long time is unlikely to be left without consequences. Besides, – Wei Huan noticed a sparkling cloud from the dissipated energy. – Everything here is too unstable now.
His own words made the man freeze in wonder. Jin Yu Ming, knowing his Lord's habits, did not distract the general with meaningless questions. If Wei Huan came up with an idea that could turn the tide of the battle, he would share it only when considered it right. He always knew how to think through plans during fierce battles and hopeless situations, even before he met Yu Bing Han.
The thought of a vile enemy made Yu Ming purse his lips, changing his weapon from a spear to a bow. Most of all, the captain wanted to shoot the vixen's right between his eyes. He was not as skilled with a bow and arrow as Wu Zhe Kai, but he did not doubt his abilities, fueled by anger for the pain his friends had suffered.
– Yu Ming, – Wei Huan said, tightly gripping the hilt of his sword. – Listen carefully. We won't have another chance.
The spoken words immediately ripped Jin Yu Ming's consciousness from all surrounding sounds, allowing him to fully concentrate on the general's words, without missing even the tiniest most detail.
The plan was simple and understandable. It did not require any discussions. Wei Huan had an excellent grasp of situations that required immediate action, once again making Yu Ming proud to know this incredible man. He couldn't even imagine having a better friend, and therefore he was ready to do anything to restore Huan's peace of mind.
A man who had been piercing the general's heart as a nagging thorn for several centuries was now at arm's reach, and it was unforgivable to miss him. Although Wei Huan never complained about the past and did not reopen the wounds of Jin Yu Ming himself, the captain understood how much his respected general had changed. The shadows hanging over him slipped invisibly in every smile and insignificant phrase, settling in the depths of his eyes, running with a wrinkle under his frowning eyebrows. The depth of the man's melancholy was too strong. Too personal. The only thing Yu Mingr could do – was to stay close. Though, of course, he tried to help. He tried hard, but Wei Huan did not let him, clearly delineating the boundaries even for the man whom he proudly called brother.
That is why, at this very moment, Jin Yu Ming was ready to do anything, even tear the Middle World in half, just to get Yu Bing Han out of the dark den this snake was lurking.
Having given the order, Wei Huan immediately began to carry out his part of the plan, knowing that Yu Ming would not let him down either. He was the only person whose loyalty stayed unquestioned after Bing Han's betrayal. Jin Yu Ming had always been famous for his reputation. For this man following the orders was a matter of honor. Once in the Middle World, the man did not change his habits. He became very impassive, silent, and stern, but Wei Huan carried out commands, as in life, and the man obeyed unquestioningly, proving that Wei Huan could count on him.
High slopes, covered in many crackles, towered above Wei Huan's head, casting long shadows below. Under his palm, he could feel sprouted dry moss and crumbling rock chips. Formed by the incomprehensible nature of the World of Spirits, the gorge, like an unsightly growth, stood out among the mighty rocks, even hiding in the most inconspicuous place. The gaping altar in the center only emphasized its unnaturalness.
Wei Huan's gaze swept over the altar, the inscriptions on it and the pillars were lined up in a circle. The huge spreading rift was the result of Yu Bing Han's sick plans, and the person lying nearby was the means to achieve the goal.
Wei Huan dug his nails into one of the many cracks in the slope, destroying its fragile edges. The soil crunched palpably underfoot.
On the other side of the gorge was felt a sharp surge of energy, contrasting with the tingling waves of the rifts and returning Wei Huan to sobriety of thoughts.
Reproaching himself for his lack of restraint, the general closed his eyes, inhaling deeply and trying to concentrate. The energy circulating through his ghostly body was comparable to blood in the veins of a living creature. It was not concentrated in the Dantian and was not a spiritual power that could be easily controlled, but after hundreds of years in the Middle World, Wei Huan had learned some tricks.
***
A sudden wave of energy that hit Wu Zhe Kai from behind almost knocked him to the ground. But for the instant reaction, the healer didn't fall down straight onto Hao Ning, whose breathing had barely stabilized.
– Hey! How about a little warning?! – shouted the healer furiously, turning around.
Zhe Kai wanted to sound menacing, but instead of an impressive reprimand, only gave a tired, hoarse wheeze. That was instantly swallowed by the currents clashing sound in the air. Due to the large amount of energy given, sweat dripped down the young man's forehead, his hands trembled slightly, but he held on proudly, protecting his patient.
Realizing that his shout did not have the desired effect, Wu Zhe Kai pursed his lips, making no further attempts to reach the fighting men. Those had no time for his indignation, so the healer had no choice but to use a little more of his energy, creating a barrier that protected him from the sharp blows of the attacker's force.
– Zhe Kai...
The whisper uttered at the exit alone could have been confused with a light gust of spring wind, a ray of sunshine on the skin, or the gentle playful sound of a river stream, but Wu Zhe Kai instantly recognized the voice.
He lowered his gaze to Hao Ning. The pale young man was breathing abruptly, his chest was heaving unevenly, and his eyelashes were trembling from unsuccessful attempts to open his eyes.
– Xiao Ning! – Zhe Kai leaned closer, barely containing his joy and relief. – Don't move and don't say anything. Lie still.
The healer furrowed, and the subsequent stubborn attempt to pronounce a complete sentence did not evoke anything other than the desire to roll his eyes.
– Whatever… – Hao Ning took a breath, inhaling the piercing energy of the surrounding world into his body. – Do whatever you want, but I have to stay conscious...
– Okay, – Wu Zhe Kai nodded hastily, clearly forgetting that the scholar's eyes were still closed. – Just keep quiet. I will try to do my best.
– Thank you.
If Hao Ning had more strength, he would have smiled. Zhe Kai could easily imagine that grateful, somewhat apologetic expression just from the corners of his lips. There's no way he'd let it fade. This person was too important for all of them: bright, gentle, and sincere. A true friend. And for some people, he was the only salvation.
Wu Zhe Kai glanced at Wei Huan, who was oozing the energy. He didn't understand what the man was up to, but he was sure of one thing – nothing good. From the healer's point of view, this looked like another risky undertaking, but he did not dare to interfere, because he had repeatedly seen the determination in the eyes of the soldiers. In war, your life was the last thing you cared.
Wu Zhe Kai rolled up his sleeves, resuming the healing process, trying his best to block out the external noise and hoarse roars that periodically mixed with the cries of the alarmed nature.
The dark sky, pierced by the lightning bolt, hung over the Gates with silent condemnation, unable to stop what was happening. Only with more frequent flashes of serpentine sparks demonstrating their indignation. The wind howling in the nearby caves desperately rushed around: it tousled clothes, messed hair, beat on the chest, and tried to move everyone with fierce blows. Everything was useless.
Stubborn people seemed to be rooted to the ground, not noticing anything around them.
Wei Huan was focused completely on the task at hand, not worrying about the wrath of the Middle World. He was ready to take all that rage, and face any consequences, for the sake of protecting an important person and restoring justice lost many centuries ago.
The general took a deep breath, increasing the pressure of his energy. Several rifts exploded nearby, but this was not enough to achieve the needed result.
Huan acted solely on a whim, but for some reason, he had no doubts about the correctness of the chosen strategy. He knew nothing about the rifts and Yu Bing Han's current skills, but he had repeatedly demonstrated his ability to move between them. So why was it still clearly felt within reach? Why didn't he run away like he did before? What prevented him from cowardly tucking his tail between his legs and hiding in another rift?
These questions gave Wei Huan a convoluted but connected chain of possibilities and assumptions.
Something stopped Yu Bing Han. Something that multiplied the cracks near the Gates. Something that spread across the entire bottom of the gorge, insatiably devouring energy.
An artificial rift, created by Bin Han himself in his attempts to outmaneuver the World, did not allow him to move long distances. Energy cracks always appeared chaotically next to the Gates. It was a natural process, but now they were being attracted by a rift in the gorge like a funnel.
That is why Yu Bing Han only moved inside these minor rifts. That's why he couldn't hide. While these were just raw guesses, the former Counselor 's inability to escape into the unknown partially confirmed Wei Huan's assumptions.
His idea to destroy all the rifts that appeared at once was just as unstable and contradictory, but he did not know how else to chase Bing Han out of his shelter. Will the Counselor die inside the rift if he doesn't leave the one that was closed? Will he be able to move to another gaping opening? Did he have enough strength to cope with the phenomena of this world?
Wei Huan didn't know. He had answers to any of these questions. But did he have other options? Or possible chances to get even with his past later? The answer was – No. The general had been waiting for such an opportunity for centuries and was not going to neglect it.
The overwhelming power of the Middle World was fighting against two people opposing it. Wei Huan desperately wanted to fly into a rage, like when he first met Yu Bing Han: to use all the hidden flows, to release that burning power and tear everything to shreds, but he could not. Hao Ning would not want this.
In an uncontrolled state, Wei Huan was capable of harming his friends, and he, even with a bet on victory, would never risk the lives of people dear to him.
Therefore, the man tried, fought, and struggled. He crossed the threshold of his abilities, grasping at the only thought that supported him: he had to protect.
He should help. He got to free his heart. He had to remember that he was not alone and accept the help of close friends. He had to make sure that Hao Ning was happy and would never again become a bargaining chip in someone else's fight.
The crackling energy escaping from the fingers intensified, covering the palms and exposed skin with small wounds.
More.
Some more.
And even more!
Stronger, bigger, higher.
Stunning, striking, capturing.
Splashing out everything accumulated inside.
Acting.
Making a move.
Without thinking.
Without paying attention to pain.
Another deafening stream of energy exploded making the rifts disappear. the severe blow of energy touched the fragile protective barrier and involuntarily covered Jin Yu Ming, knocking the man off his feet.
The bursting clumps of shimmering crumbs dissolved in the air not even reaching the ground. The heavens released a menacing roar that rolled across the tops of the mountain peaks.
Drumming raindrops covered the ground, and thin threads that escaped from the remaining cracks intertwined like a patterned spider web, trying to trap its prey.
Wei Huan jumped to the side in time, cutting with his sword the energy strings that wanted to pierce him through. With a powerful strike, he threw them aside and made them disappear again into one of the cracks like nimble snakes.
The dark eyes followed. The muted brilliance directed at the flickering insides betrayed all the general's impatience.
Finally.
The cornered vixen sharpened its teeth.