When thirst intensifies, they say it feels like the prick of a single needle in your throat.What Xue Yan felt was a thousand needles at once.
Each breath scraped like fire, and he could barely swallow his own spit. A sharp, gnawing pain twisted through his stomach as he slumped against the rough bark of a tree, the cold earth beneath him leeching what little strength remained.
His eyelids fluttered open to a blur of shifting shapes and dim light. Consciousness came and went like waves pulling at a drowning man. He searched for Xiaoman through the haze, but his vision swam.
With all his will, he tried to call her name. No sound came-only a strangled gasp as pain locked his throat.
Then, from somewhere beyond the trees, laughter drifted through the woods. Harsh. Mocking. Followed by the sharp, unmistakable ring of steel meeting steel.
Xue Yan's heart tightened. Even through the fog of exhaustion, he knew.Something bad was happening. Xue Yan closed his eyes as tears escaped from them.
Darkness wrapped around him, yet a soft blue light always found its way through, guiding him in his sleep.
"Lan Hui,"
he called, as a hand emerged from the blue light. It wasn't human. It was a hand of fog.
Xue Yan held it as it led him somewhere, his footsteps growing faint as he walked into the blinding blue light.
The rays of the sun touched his face as he opened his eyes. He heard the soft sound of footsteps coming closer-two people.
"A'Yan."
A familiar voice reached him as his sight slowly returned. It was Xiaoman, worry written all over her face.
Behind her was another person. Xue Yan tried to get up, but pain shot through him and he fell back before he could rise.
Xiaoman caught him.
He winced as pain spread through every inch of his body.
The stranger walked toward him and knelt, eyes clear as snow, a quiet smile fixed on his face even without a curve of his lips.
From his sleeve, he took out a small bottle and gestured for Xue Yan to open his mouth.
Xue Yan hesitated, but Xiaoman pressed his hand, urging him to take it. Trusting his sister, he parted his lips. The stranger poured the bitter drops onto his tongue.
Xue Yan scrunched his face at the taste.
Seeing how dry he was, the man offered a flask of water. Xue Yan drank too quickly, and the man let out a soft chuckle as he began to cough.
"Boy, slow down,"
the man said with a faint laugh.
"I'm not about to steal it from you."
Xue Yan frowned at him, still coughing lightly.
Using the tree for support, he pushed himself to his feet. Once steady, he bowed to the man, thanking him for his help.
"Thank you, mister, for helping us. Now we shall be going."
Before the man could reply, Xue Yan took Xiaoman's hand and started to walk. But before he could take a step, his body gave out. He collapsed to the ground, blood spilling from his mouth.
" A'Yan!"
Xiaoman cried, dropping to her knees beside him. Her eyes, wide with tears and fear, flicked toward the man—full of both desperation and a flicker of betrayal.
The man spoke quietly.
"The medicine works through the whole body. If he moves now, the pain will tear through him. He's too weak to survive that. He must stay still."
"Mister… then what should we do? We have nowhere to go,"
Xiaoman said, her voice trembling.
Without hesitation, she knelt before him and bowed low, her forehead touching the ground."I, Xiaoman, will do anything if you can save my brother. Please… please save him. I will even give you my life."
The man suddenly knelt as well and gently lifted her up by the arms. A faint smile tugged at his lips."Eh, young lady, do I look that scary to you, for you to offer me your life? Aish…" he clicked his tongue softly.
"I didn't think my handsome face would scare you"
Xiaoman knelt silently as the man spoke, unsure how to answer his teasing words.
The man walked toward Xue Yan and knelt beside him, examining him with a calm, practiced glance.
"I can help you," he said at last,
"but everything has a price, young lady."
He rose to his feet with a small, almost careless hop, a playful glint in his eyes.
"Be my disciples."
Xiaoman blinked, startled. The only things she knew about him were that he played the flute and carried himself like a flirt. His name, he had said, was Xie Yun. She looked at him with quiet doubt, wondering what someone like him could possibly teach a warrior of the Meiyi clan.
Nonetheless, she lowered her head and agreed.
Xie Yun bent and carefully lifted Xue Yan, who winced in pain but didn't resist. With effortless ease, he carried the boy toward a waiting horse. "Light as a feather," Xie Yun murmured with a crooked smile. "You'll be flying before you know it, boy."
Xiaoman followed close behind, her mind a swirl of questions she dared not ask.
Xue Yan and Xie Yun rode the horse, while Xiaoman followed close behind on foot. The pine forest they had once walked through was gone, replaced now by a dense grove of bamboo.
They had no sense of how far they had traveled, crossing snowy mountains and endless forests, until they reached the place where they were now.
"Yuzhou," Xie Yun said as they reached the city gates.
They saw guards checking people's passes, letting them through one by one. Xie Yun led them to a small shop selling veiled hats. He bought one for Xiaoman and handed it to her.
"You'll stand out if you don't wear this. Put it on. I'll cover the boy with my cloak," he said lightly.
Xiaoman nodded, taking the hat. As they approached the gate, a guard stepped forward to stop them.
The man's face changed when he saw Xie Yun, and a bright smile appeared."Xie Yun? Master Xie Yun! No need for a pass today. And… these must be your family?"
He glanced at Xiaoman and bowed politely. Xiaoman returned the bow, still wary.
Xie Yun's voice carried a soft note of sadness as he spoke."My nephew fell ill on the way back, and my niece is exhausted… Haa, it's been such a long journey."
The guard stepped aside, concern in his eyes."Master, please go ahead. The child must be quite sick."
Xie Yun smiled faintly as he guided them forward."Thank you. Let's not trouble you further today."
They walked into the city market.
Xiaoman peeked through her veil, taking in the unfamiliar, bustling streets. People were selling candies, roasted meats, toys, hairpins - everything drew her attention, and she drank it in curiously.
Xie Yun noticed and chuckled."Young lady, stay close, or you'll end up like the goldfish they're selling," he said, pointing toward a shop where a group of children knelt over a pool of fish, trying to catch them with paper nets.
She hurried to follow him, listening to his sly warning.
The city was alive with color - reds, yellows, blues - like a rainbow had spilled across the streets. Every corner was filled with unfamiliar sounds, from merchants calling out their wares to the clatter of wooden carts and the music of street performers.
Xue Yan stirred from his slumber, leaning against Xie Yun. His eyes widened as he took in the sights, his curiosity quietly growing.
Xie Yun stopped and dismounted, helping Xue Yan off the horse. They were in front of a small eatery. An old man saw them and approached with a warm smile.
Xie Yun grinned and spoke with his usual playful confidence:"Boss… long time no see! We're famished. Can we get some steamed buns?"
The old man chuckled, nodding as he waved them inside.Xie Yun lowered his voice, glancing at Xiaoman and Xue Yan.
"See? Simple things taste the best after a long trip. Come on, little ones, eat before I steal them all myself."
Xue Yan's stomach rumbled. As they entered, the warmth of the eatery and the smell of steaming buns wrapped around them, a comforting break from the cold, harsh journey outside.