Some villagers approached a group gathered around a man distributing free medicine to cure the ailments caused by spirits.
"Give me some!"
"I want some too."
"Please give me some!" some of the people said.
"Don't worry, there's enough for everyone," said the man with a kind face and an angelic appearance. He was Ye Dushen, often called Ye Xian, the brother of Ye Duhua (Ms. Ye) , the personal doctor of Master Feng Lei.
"You're so kind," an elderly person praised Ye Dushen.
"You're under our protection, and you're the people who lived during my father's rule, so it's our obligation to help and not abandon you, because your loyalty still belongs to us," Ye Dushen said with a smile.
"It's a big thing that you don't abandon us," another elderly person said.
While they were busy, a group was quietly observing them. It was Ye Yubao with some of his warriors. He sneered in annoyance. "Get them out on my way!" he ordered his men who immediately obeyed and pulled the people gathered around to make way for Ye Yubao.
Ye Dushen saw this and immediately taking out his sword. "Don't hurt them or touch them!" he said in an authoritative voice.
Ye Yubao sneered, "You're scary." He teased, "How's my rebellious cousin? Do you still hope to restore what your father worked hard for?" He added, laughing.
"Shut up, Yubao. Aren't you ashamed? Look at me, I'm not arrogant, but I'm still respected and obeyed by our loyal people. You? Your father? You're only obeyed because you intimidate them! You take them by force!" Ye Dushen said bravely.
Ye Yubao clenched his fists and was about to attack Ye Dushen, but the people's blades were pointed at him! He retreated because he knew they were poisoned. "I'll let this day pass! We'll need time to crush you and all the leaders!" Ye Yubao threatened before leaving.
"Are you okay, Master Ye Xian?" the people asked.
"I'm fine! " Ye Dushen said.
"The fake Ye family is really ruthless!" some people muttered.
~~~~
The four leaders gathered at Fengming Hall to discuss the enemy's sneak attack.
"All the men I sent were killed by the spirits!" Master Mo Xiang said angrily.
"According to our spies, the spirits are cunning and hard to defeat, and they're getting stronger," Master Jian added.
"That shameless Ye Xuan! He's even invading my territory! He wants to cause trouble! Does he think I'll back down?" Master Yue fumed.
Master Lei sighed before speaking. "Ye Xuan's spirits and soldiers won't harm the people of Fengming or Yunhai because of the Ye siblings, Ye Duhua and Ye Dushen. They've created a temporary antidote to the spirit's poison."
Master Yue sneered, "The Ye siblings? Hm! Don't be complacent, Master Lei. We don't know what secrets they might be hiding—"
Madam Yan, Master Lei's wife, cut him off. "Watch what you say! Master Yue!"
"It's just a warning," Master Yue said.
Madam Su, Master Yue's wife, chimed in, "Why are you getting angry, Madam Yan? Doesn't Master Yue has a point?"
Madam Yan retorted, "The siblings providing free help, and this is how you repay them?!"
Master Lei calmed Madam Yan down. "The Ye siblings have never submitted to Ye Xuan's rule, don't think bad about them" he said.
Master Jian intervened, "Enough! Let's find a solution to fight them, not waste time on pointless discussions."
Master Mo Xiang suggested, "What if we give temporary antidotes to other villagers under our leadership while waiting for the Young leaders to return?"
Master Lei agreed, "That's a good point, Master Mo. I'll tell Ms. Ye about it later."
Master Yue proposed, "Let's ask the head of Baoli Zhong to stop teaching and prioritize this problem."
Master Jian supported the idea, "That's possible, Master Yue, to slow down the harm caused by Ye Xuan's followers."
Master Lei said, "We can announce it during the upcoming celebration at Baoli Zhong."
Master Jian offered, "I'll take care of it."
~~~~
As Yuxi and Yuming strolled back to Baoli Zhong after their training session, Yuming let out a tired yawn and stretched her arms. "Ugh, I'm so exhausted. I want to say something, but I'm too lazy. I've got too much on my plate with these spirit problems. I just want to relax and have some fun!"
Yuxi shaking his head, knowing that Yuming would chat endlessly despite her fatigue.
"Hey, Yuxi! Wait up!" Yuming called out, her voice laced with a mix of playfulness and exhaustion.
Yuxi silently took in the serene beauty of the forest, feeling the cool breeze on his skin.
"Are you going to play your instrument?" Yuming asked, her curiosity piqued. Yuxi nodded, and Yuming teased, "You're finally getting around to it. Did you and Bai Linyan practice together?"
"I don't need to practice with her," Yuxi replied calmly.
Yuming's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Oh, come on, Yuxi! I'm not jealous. You know I'd never get tired of watching you play."
Yuxi rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Shut up."
Yuming tapped Yuxi's shoulder before dashing ahead. "I'm going to rest! See you later!" she called out, leaving Yuxi to watch her go with a fond smile.
As he was feeling the surroundings, he suddenly heard a noise.
~~~
Mei'yin stood tall, her bow and arrow at the ready, scanning her surroundings for any signs of life. Spotting a bird, she crept forward, determined to catch it. Just as she was about to pounce, the bird took flight, leaving Mei'yin frustrated. "Aww! Why do they always sense me?" she muttered, stomping her foot in annoyance.
When the bird returned, Mei'yin took aim, but a sudden presence behind her made her spin around, arrow flying towards the unknown someone. She swiftly drew her sword, and defend herself. It takes few attacks before she recognized that she was facing Yuxi. Mei'yin's face turned bright red as she apologized profusely. "Yuxi? I'm so sorry! You startled me!"
Yuxi's calm gaze met hers. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in the library?"
Mei'yin sheepishly grinned. "Uh, it was too hot there, so I came out for some fresh air."
Yuxi's eyes narrowed. "Why do you need a bow and arrow? A sword is enough for self-defense."
Mei'yin looked down, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's not the same for me. I don't have your abilities, so I need more tools to protect myself."
Yuxi's gaze softened slightly as he noticed the birds in Mei'yin's cage. "Release them. What you're doing is not allowed."
Mei'yin pouted, her eyes pleading. "Please, Yuxi, don't tell my siblings. I just want to nurse these birds back to health."
Yuxi's expression remained stern. "Which one do you think I'll report? Your truancy or the bird-catching?"
Mei'yin's face paled. "N-neither! Please don't tell them anything!"
As Yuxi turned to leave, Mei'yin called out, her voice laced with playfulness. "Yuxi, it's an honor to fight you again! I'm getting better, aren't I?"
Yuxi ignored her, walking away. Mei'yin chased after him, her excitement getting the better of her, until she tripped and found herself caught by Yuxi.
Their eyes locked in a brief, charged moment, Mei'yin's heart racing as she felt Yuxi's strong arms wrap around her waist, holding her steady. Mei'yin's cheeks flushed, and she couldn't help but notice the warmth of Yuxi's body against hers. As she looked up, she met Yuxi's gaze, his eyes piercing and unreadable.
Mei'yin's voice barely above a whisper, "Sorry?" Yuxi's grip on her waist tightened slightly before he released her, his expression neutral once more. "It's fine," he said, his voice low and even. Mei'yin watched as Yuxi turned and walked away, her heart still racing from the unexpected closeness.
She touched her chest and breath deeply.
~~~~~
In the dark, mysterious realm located in Yunhai, the ruler Ye Xuan stood at the forefront, surrounded by a black aura while facing his subordinates and evil spirits as he recited a ritual.
Ye Yubao arrived with his right-hand man, Su Yeng. "Father," he said before they both paid their respects.
"What news?" Ye Xuan asked.
Ye Yubao's expression suddenly changed before he spoke, "Still the same, their men have captured and killed our followers. The spirits can't move due to the countermeasures invented by my brilliant cousin!" He said with irritation.
Ye Xuan stood up and faced his son, "Don't worry, my power will return soon, and we'll take them down."
"Father, there's an event at Baoli Zhong today, if you permit me, I'll attend." Ye Xuan said,
"Do as you wish." The father left them.
Ye Yubao turned to Su Yeng, "Su Yeng, prepare our men." Su Yeng paid his respects before agreeing.