Kohana and I walked around the village and asked about who knows what, what was happening, and if there was anything about who was involved. Turns out three men came through and stirred up trouble. Aiding a young girl from awful men. Based on the descriptions, one of the three could be Xie Lian. The other two sound like two people Xie Lian and I grew up with. This happened yesterday. Kohana managed to track the scent of these three men. It led to a temple. This area should be protected by Minguan, and he alone, since it's his domain. But surprisingly, it's a Ju Yuan temple.
Abruptly, Yoko stopped, held her arm out and stopped me. I looked up to her, confused. She has always had trust issues. Even with me. She would only say it has something to do with what happened with her family and a former friend centuries ago, before she transformed into a Kitsuné spirit. I don't push on it for that exact reason. I could hear two men inside talking. I had a feeling those voices were familiar as hell. Before Kohana could do anything, my fox mask began to glow. My eyes widened. When I ascended with my brother, I had taken some talisman tokens and used them to enchant my mask to glow when my brother is near, when he and I are apart for a long time. I was overwhelmed with hope and the need to confirm that he was here. I pushed down Kohana's arm and ran inside. She ran after me, but I didn't stop.
"Xie Lian?" I asked as I stepped through the doors. Two men came out, and for a split second, I saw two old friends of my brother and me. But I shook my head and couldn't help but see many similarities. Behind the two was a person in a bride's dress, and the hair and makeup were so messy. I knew that she was a he, based on the face alone. I let out a short snort laugh that he has heard many times."Xie Lian, I thought we agreed to only let me do your makeup and dress you up."
He looked so confused, and then, he looked at my mask. On top of that, having white hair and blue eyes is a big indicator of who I am. That and I look identical to my brother, just different hair and eye colour.
"Xie Mei Mei?" he asked, stepping forward and his arms out to me to hug him for the first time in years. I ran to him and hugged him tightly. "When did you get here?"
"I'll tell you while I fix up your makeup," I said, breaking off the hug. I looked at my messy makeup-covered brother and couldn't help but almost laugh. Getting to work, a young girl came by. From what it sounded like, the girl was the same one that my brother and he and his companions helped protect. Once we were ready, the other two put together a setup to fool the ghost. Kohana and I stood on either side of the sedan. The mountain of Yujun was silent, too quiet. The rumours said not even wolves lived on the mountain. As we walked ahead, the hired help trained in fighting felt it, the change around us. Then, the slave goblins' roars came from the trees. I took out my sword, and Kohana took out her blade-edged fan. Wolves came bolting over towards the sedan, slave goblins followed, slower, but just as dangerous. The deputy gods, Nan Feng and Fu Yao, lead away the others at Xie Lian's order. Kohana and I faked following the two.
I took out a silver butterfly charm from my sleeve. Thirty years ago, I was gifted this item by a friend I have had since he was just a child. I used the charm to contact him just before sunset. I know he will be coming to Xie Lian first. This friend has been very set on helping Xie Lian should the time come. And I am so glad he is dedicated to helping my brother.