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The man arrives two nights before Gu Xiang and Cao Weining’s wedding, just when they are about to depart for Mount Qingya to start preparing and decorating for the ceremony. They are visited by a man who is heavily clothed to hide his identity, panting from exhaustion and anxiety.
Zhou Zishu takes pity on him and immediately pulls him inside the inn Wen Kexing rented for their company. He pays the man by the counter extra just to ensure that the whole area is barricaded and no one would hear and see.
Once secured, their whistle blower removes his hood and pulls down his mask. Cao Weining’s response is immediate, exclaiming, “Xiaoxiao?”
All eyes turn towards him and back to their visitor, so Cao Weining hurriedly explains in a hushed tone, “He is one of my fellow disciples from Gentle Wind Sword Sect. One of my closest friends.” He returns to addressing their visitor, “I…I thought you’re dead. I had thought they had gotten you, too and that I wouldn’t ever see you again.”
Xiaoxiao shakes his head profusely, shakily taking out folded papers from within his sleeves and shoving them towards Wen Kexing’s direction. “B-B-Before the attack, I was doing my rounds one night and heard Master Mo Huaiyang and the fact that he has been conspiring with Zhao Jing and Scorpion Sect. He was muttering by himself in his room, cursing about something but I have gotten the gist.” He takes a shaky breath and Chengling gives him a bowl of water to quench his thirst and calm his nerves. “The next morning, I sneaked into his study area and found his correspondences with Zhao Jing. There were hints of the invasion and attack and I didn’t have enough time to warn everyone so I decided to run away early on and do this instead. I know it’s cowardly, but it’s the best stratagem I could come up with at that time.”
Nodding, Zhou Zishu places a hand on the disciple’s shoulder and squeezes it. “You have done well. Far better than others would have strategized with such short preparation time.”
Pleased with the compliment, Xiaoxiao smiles slightly before wrapping his arms around himself. “I…I was actually supposed to return to them, but Master Mo and some of elder disciples are riding out, so I chose to spy on them along the way. Hidden behind the trees, while they rested for a night, I heard their plan to invade Ms. Gu and Weining’s wedding with the allure of wedding gifts and the prospect of accepting the marriage. I heard them talk about they would enter, befriending those in the Ghost Valley and making a peaceful atmosphere, about how Master Mo would snap Weining’s neck the moment he’s near enough.”
Gu Xiang’s voice explodes as she demands, “What?”
As she starts to storm towards their guest, Wen Kexing lifts a hand to halt her. It takes much effort, but she complies, her hands clenching to fists on her sides.
“Apparently, they have conspired with other Sects. They would ambush the wedding and destroy Ghost Valley once your defences are down and your lot is caught off guard. I heard the Scorpion Sect being mentioned, as well, but I stayed near way too long and knew that it would be risky since it was full moon then and I was right under its brightness. I immediately ran down here, hoping you still remained. Imagine my relief when I saw that you have not left. Those are the couple of correspondences that I stole from Master Mo’s study before I left.”
Once he is done, Xiaoxiao’s knees buckle and he ends up on the floor, almost hysterical with nerves.
Weining knees in front of his friend. “I can’t believe they would do something as evil as this. Thank you, Xiaoxiao. I couldn’t grieve your disappearance because of everything that happened, but know that I felt a part of me torn away when I found out that you were not in the list of our survivors. I can’t thank fate enough that you are still here and that you chose my side.”
Gu Xiang kneels beside her husband-to-be and squeezes Xiaoxiao’s arm. “I…I…uh…we haven’t really talked when I was staying with you guys, but I am grateful for what you have done.”
“You adore each other. You have suffered enough. You deserve to have that happy ending you have fought for. He befriended an orphan who had nothing to be proud of and taught me what friendship is. I am just returning the favour.”
Wen Kexing smiles down at their visitor. “You have done well, young man. I ensure you your safety. A room in this inn will be rented for you until the chaos ends. Stay there until we pick you up and it’s safe to go out. Everything you would need, tell the man in front, he will bill everything under my name and I shall pay them once we return.” He looks over his shoulder. “Isn’t that right?”
Their server must have sensed the warning in Wen Kexing’s gaze and immediately nods, wiping his forehead’s sweat with his sleeves. “Of course, of course! I am at your service!”
Wu Xi reaches for Xiaoxiao’s wrist and feels his pulse and qi. “You must have mostly flown. You’re extremely exhausted. I have some remedies for you. Come.”
Xiaoxiao goes to his feet and follows after Wu Xi. Beiyuan, Gu Xiang and Cao Weining tailing after them towards an available room upstairs.
Wen Kexing’s travels his gaze from where the five have disappeared to towards Zishu beside him and finds the other almost burning a whole with his glare towards the far wall. He is about to crack a joke to ease the sudden tension, but he sees Zishu’s hand twitch on his side then said hand rises to touch his navel. Something akin to a resolution settles into his features, and Wen Kexing is honestly confused on where Zishu’s mind has travelled to. Chengling has also closed and open his mouth several times now, uncertain whatever to do.
Unable to keep up with the silence anymore, Wen Kexing snaps his fingers in front of Zishu’s face. “Ah-Xu.”
Blinking twice, Zishu turns towards him then glances at Chengling. He gives them a forced smile.
“We only have two days,” Wen Kexing murmurs, wracking his brain for ideas on how to go through the ceremony and defend Ghost Valley. “We must come up with a plan. I will not let them eradicate Ghost Valley. I promised Master Ye to close it, not destroy it. There are those who genuinely want to stay and make it their home.”
“How about we fake my death this time?” Zishu mumbles lightly.
Wen Kexing knows that it is a jab with his recent plan and he does not blame the other for holding a grudge. Zishu is not one to truly hold grudges, but Wen Kexing does feel guilty for throwing his soul mate out of the loop. They have not had that conversation yet, but they really should. Zishu tends to keep everything in and is often forgiving, but Wen Kexing doesn’t want to cause him internal distress. As his soul mate once said, there is nothing they can’t discuss.
Chengling pouts and frowns at his master. “Master!” He chides, “That is not funny. I don’t want to use your own self-defense weapon against you.”
Zishu chuckles and reaches over to ruffle their disciple’s head. “Little idiot, of course not. I was kidding.” Then his hand drops to his side. “Indeed, we only have two days. Wu Xi and Beiyuan could accompany us in the fight if I asked them to. We only have Ah-Xiang, Cao Weining, Chengling, Madam Luo, Qianqiao and some more from Ghost Valley itself. But we will be greatly outnumbered and overpowered, especially if the Scorpion Sect decides to join the fight and uses those puppets of theirs.”
The three of them end up in silence for a whole minute, Wen Kexing’s brain almost imploding with all the scenarios playing in his head. It almost ends up with Gu Xiang’s death and he can’t bear the pain just from imagining it.
Zishu reaches for his hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze. “I swear that I will never let anyone die two days from now. We are giving them that happy ending they deserve.”
If there is one thing Wen Kexing is certain of, it is that Zishu is a man of his word. This man holds half of his soul and he will not have it any other way. He watches his soul mate take a deep breath, close his eyes then slowly open his eyelids again, coldness settling in his usually warm gaze. “I guess it is my turn.”
Zishu does not offer an explanation after he says those six words. He merely gives them a flat smile when they asked for clarification and pushes them towards their room to get some rest.
The next day, Wen Kexing finds himself accompanying the other to the same place they have gotten their hanfu for the wedding from. Zishu gives the tailor one word he didn’t catch and the owner of the store immediately knows what Zishu needs. He gives Zishu a deep bow. The man disappears for several minutes before returning with a new set of clothing that is already folded and inside a new bag. He shuffles around at a jewelry box near the counter and places several more items in a different bag before giving them to Zishu.
Zishu hands more money than is necessary before giving the owner a smile. “Thank you.”
The man almost trips as he gives them a deep salute. “Travel safe.”
Chengling, the curious child that he is, finally queries, “What was that about, Master?”
Zishu gives them an amused smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “We are fighting to death after the ceremony. I actually liked the one Lao Wen bought for us, the one I will wear during the ceremony, so I would change real quick afterwards to keep it safe.”
The funny thing about that explanation is that it makes sense especially since Zishu detests blood. Before they could ask anymore, Zishu grabs their wrists and pulls them towards the direction of where the first batch of their party has taken. “Come on. We can catch up to them in no time.”
What can they do but indulge him?
Ghost Valley is much more different to how Zhou Zishu has envisioned it. It still has features that are near to his imagination, but it actually looks calmer than he thought. There isn’t fire all over the place. It does not reek of death and blood, except for the literal pool of blood beside the entrance, but that’s a different talk for a different day.
It actually feels like a home, and he sees why. Ghosts with their faces hidden by familiar masks are running around, helping decorate the empty hall for the celebration. They move in tandem and in synchronization, it is fascinating to watch.
Cao Weining and Gu Xiang are swept away by Qianqiao and Luo Fumeng to start getting dressed. While they are preoccupied, another batch of ghosts start piling up and arranging gifts near the front seats and altar, and from the way Wen Kexing smiles as he watches them – they must be from him.
Zishu is about to reach for his the blue outer robes that Wen Kexing has purchased for him when another hand picks it up and aids him in putting it on. He looks over his shoulder and sees Wen Kexing gazing at him with a soft smile and he hurriedly looks away, because he doesn’t know if he is strong enough for that right now. “I am not invalid, Lao Wen.”
Wen Kexing sweeps his hair out in between the layers. “I never said you are, Ah-Xu. Can’t I just assist you put on the robes I bought you?”
“I should not have mentioned it. Look at how big your head has become,” He huffs, lifting his arms for easy sliding of the sleeves. Wen Kexing goes the extra mile and brush away wrinkles.
Then he lightly shoves Zishu onto his seat and starts combing his hair. Since this is actually something Zishu enjoys, he lets his soul mate do his thing. His heart is racing as he watches the way Wen Kexing delicately places his gift hair pin in Zishu’s bun through the mirror in front of them.
Wen Kexing meets his eyes on the mirror and smiles at him like he gave him the world by merely existing. Zishu couldn’t help smiling back.
Once they are done dressing up, they head back towards the hall. Along the way, servants and guards keep bowing towards them. At one point, three of them actually stop in front of them to bow, greeting them with, “Greetings, Chief. Greetings, Master Zhou.”
Wen Kexing sends them back to their duties, but Zishu’s mind is reeling with their words and once they are gone, he turns towards his soul mate with a frown. “’Master Zhou’? Did they mean me?”
It is almost comical how the Ghost Valley Master looks like he has been caught red-handed in his own territory. He doesn’t answer and they continue on their way.
Gu Xiang and Cao Weining appear, running towards their direction hand in hand. They are glowing with happiness. “Master! Master Zhou!”
Zishu realizes this is no coincidence. “I think the nickname ‘Master Zhou’ must be given by that quick-witted little girl.” He then side-eyes said little girl.
The bride is quick to defend herself. “It wasn’t me. It was Weining. Master ordered me not to call you Sick Man or Zhou Xu.” Wen Kexing is gazing at his ‘little sister’ with such a fond expression, Zishu can only smile as well. “What else can I do? You are the chief’s senior. So calling you ‘master’ is fine.”
He gives a mini eye roll. “Why not ‘Zishu’? Master Zhou? That name – it sounds like I’m someone with a face full of beard,” He complains gesturing towards his chin and an imaginary beard.
“I told him that but he didn’t listen to me!” Gu Xiang protests, pointing at Wen Kexing.
“When did I do that?”
“All right,” Gu Xiang agrees with a grin then addresses Zishu, “I will call you that then. Zishu-ge.”
Zishu returns the new nickname with a smile and a satisfied nod.
Wen Kexing looks half-offended. “You little stinky girl. You’re still so naughty on your wedding day.” Gu Xiang looks at her groom and they share a smile. “Madam Luo has been so busy with your dowry. Why not give her a hand?”
Gu Xiang frowns and sways side to side. “No bride is supposed to prepare her own dowry. What a shame!”
“What a surprise! I could never imagine that you would feel ashamed one day,” The Ghost Valley Master retorts playfully. Zishu looks from him to her with a fond smile. From the way things are, no one would think an ambush will happen in hours.”
“What a coincidence. Me too,” Their little bride responds. “I have never seen someone become as obedient and timid as he is now,” She says while glancing from Wen Kexing to Zishu. That earns her a tiny tap of a fan on her head.
That is when Chengling decides to appear. “Master! Master Wen!” Then he looks at the wife-to-be. “Huh. Ms. Bride, why are you still wandering around? Aren’t couples not allowed to meet before the end of the wedding ceremony?”
“That’s none of your business!”
The two have their usual bickering and they can only watch in amusement as it unfolds in front of them until Chengling goes and offer Cao Weining wedding advice and tells him that Four Seasons Manor will welcome him after the wedding.
Zishu lightly smacks his disciple’s arm. “You brat! You’re getting bold recently, aren’t you? Ah?” At Chengling’s half-chided and half-amused smile back at him, he addresses the others again, “Well, excuse me, then. It’s my first time being in the Ghost Valley. I’d like to walk around here.”
He hurriedly walks away, but stops just near enough to hear them converse about Ghost Valley’s closure and fate.
Afterwards, Gu Xiang and Cao Weining go through the last part of their ceremony’s preparation.
Gifts are given, promises are made and families are formed again. And Zishu watches everything transpire before him with a smile, wondering how long he will be able to accompany these little dynasty they have created along the way.
He sought for death and found reasons to stay alive instead.
Ironic that when he finally found them, death has decided to seek for him.
Just as the ceremony is about to begin, one the guards approach Cao Weining about ‘guests’ from his previous Sect, bearing gifts.
The ceremonious atmosphere suddenly disintegrates as they get reminded of the threat waiting for them outside. They exchange glances and everyone’s demeanor changed, immediately on guard and ready to fight.
Zishu and Wen Kexing take over the authority naturally. Wen Kexing addresses his people, pointing those who must be on guard and must hide to ensure their safety, those who would be on the front, those who would guard the place and those who would be around him. He approaches Gu Xiang, Luo Fumeng and Qianqiao. “None of you can and must die today. As your Chief, I command you to survive today. As long as I exist, I ensure that I will do my best to retain my people and this place. We will go through this ceremony successfully and happily after this fight. Cao Weining, do not trust a word that comes out of your Master. You have sworn to me. You must live.”
Zishu turns towards his own company, placing his hands on Chengling’s shoulders. “Be careful out there, Chengling. If possible, always, always be near one of us: Lao Wen, Wu Xi, Beiyuan, Ah-Xiang – you have to be on my sight at all times.” He sighs and pats his disciple’s cheek. “I can’t lose you, too. All right?”
Chengling nods and pulls him for a hug. “You won’t, Master. I’ll make you proud.”
After they release each other, he regards his old friends. “I am going to need your help today.”
He gets identical smiles. “Don’t treat us as strangers, Zishu. Do not forget where we met and came from. This is not a foreign territory to us.”
Zishu does not reminding, actually. “I need to do something quickly. Can you handle things for me for a while?”
The two look confused but nod, nonetheless. With that, their side heads towards the gates, poised for both defense and offense.
Hastily, he picks up his things from where he was supposed to be seated and heads behind the curtains. He discards the blue outer robes Wen Kexing has picked up for him and hurriedly unties his hair. He stares at the hair pin he has received from his soul mate and wonders what he should do to keep it safe. Quickly, he looks for a spare string and ties the thing around his neck and keeps the hair as a necklace, securing it tightly between the layers of his clothing.
He looks at himself through the mirror in front of him and gives himself a nod.
It has not taken long for their enemies to realize that their plan has been anticipated, blundering as the Ghost Valley and its visitors slain the traitors from Gentle Wind Sword Sect easily and mercilessly.
Thus, they decide to come out of their hiding place and attack in one wave. Many of their enemies do not have the same martial arts skills as most of them but there are indeed more than they have first thought. One man has to fend off five opponents at once, needing a pair of eyes behind him.
Chengling is faring well on his own but then his traitorous foot slips on one of the dead opponent’s sword and topples over just as one of their enemies are aiming at his chest. His promise towards his Master echoes in his mind and he almost sees his flash before his eyes until a flair of black surrounds his vision and suddenly the man is on his knees, mouth bubbling with his own blood.
Everything seems to stop as someone unfamiliar descends in the middle of the battlefield. There is a man standing in front of Chengling, his hair tied into a neat bun on his head. He has dark undercoats, dark, royal purple on top and blood red at the bottom. He is wearing a dark, almost black hanfu as outer layer. His sword is poised by his side, dripping with blood.
Chengling’s gaze travelled from the man’s arm up to his face and then he realizes that it is not a stranger. This man is no stranger at all.
Zhou Zishu stands before them, a whole new man, his cold, blank gaze unsettling and entire aura menacing. He looks like he can freeze the entire vicinity with a single word alone.
He is the exact same man as his Master, but he doesn’t seem like it, as well, and Chengling is terrified to find out.
Wen Kexing freezes on his where he is, just few feet away from Cao Weining and Gu Xiang. He has wondered where Ah-Xu has disappeared to when the fight started, terrified that the man sacrificed himself to end this prematurely, but just as the ambush seemed to turn worse, a man in black turns up.
He has not expected that his Ah-Xu will emerge as his whole other identity.
Zishu meets his eyes and it momentarily sends a shiver down Wen Kexing's spine because it’s almost like his Ah-Xu does not recognize him. Those eyes that hold so much warmth and compassion are now ice-cold, showing no emotion whatsoever. He is also still as a statue, barely moving as he regards the whole situation and area with his mere gaze alone.
Watching him is like watching a predator assess his preys before he pounces and devours them alive and whole.
Mo Huaiyang freezes on his spot the same moment Zishu’s eyes settle on him, the former evidently on his way towards Cao Weining and Gu Xiang to extract his plan. “Z-Z-Zho—“
Beiyuan and Wu Xi flies over and situate themselves on Zishu’s side. It suddenly reminds Wen Kexing that these three became friends while under Prince Jin’s leadership. They would not have survived if they were not made of unbreakable wills.
“I never thought I would see Chief Zhou ever again,” Beiyuan mutters, breaking the tense silence.
Wu Xi hums. “Can you even do this with your current state?”
Zishu glances at Wen Kexing briefly, and for some reason, the resolve in those eyes terrify him. Zishu looks forward as if nothing happened, muttering a single word. “Later.”
The voice is the same, but it doesn’t sound like his Ah-Xu at all.
One brave, brave but stupid enemy of their thought that short conversation is enough distraction to try attacking them. With one, swift move, Zishu disappears then appears behind the man before slashing his neck open. He regards the rest of their opponents, “Either scram or die.”
And that is how the fight resumed, everyone aiming at their new found target. The rest of them start to approach him, ready to assist and aid but Wu Xi and Beiyuan raise their arms to stop them. “You’ll only distract him.”
Zishu is faring well on his own, going through one enemy to another with ease, light on his feet and moving like the wind. Baiyi almost seems like an extension of his arm, barely visible as it slashes through necks and abdomens like their animal meat.
One enemy from a Sect Wen Kexing doesn’t recognize aims for his chest and Zishu takes a step backward, flips, lands on his toes before basically being one with the wind as he extinguishes the distance between them with one, long stride.
This is the man who has mastered combining the teachings of Four Seasons Manor and assassination techniques. This is the man who has grasped how to kill efficiently and quickly with as minimal damage as possible.
Bodies begin to pile up around them and they, the spectators, have not moved a single finger since Zishu appeared.
“This is not Ah-Xu,” Wen Kexing couldn’t help murmuring as Chengling goes to his side and the rest of them clamp together, watching the lord of Four Seasons Manor go through their enemies like they are mannequins to practice on instead of real people. “This is Chief Zhou of Window of Heaven.”
The only time Zishu rests is when he is left with a single opponent: Mo Huaiyang. He tilts his head, as if contemplating what to do next. “Mo Huaiyang,” He states, like someone announcing one’s name before an execution. It isn’t winter but the whole room becomes icy cold as Zishu starts to approach the man one step at a time. “You must live a miserable life to feel the necessity to ruin your disciple’s own wedding. No wonder you were never invited to be part of Prince Jin’s court or be part of the Five Lakes Alliance.”
Mo Huaiyang bares his teeth, called out.
Zishu is unperturbed, returning it with a light eyebrow raise. “Go on, mock me. We will see each other in hell and I assure you I will make your stay down there unpleasant.”
“You’re a killing monster,” Mo Huaiyang snarls, “Utterly disgusting.”
Wen Kexing feels his blood boil with the hypocrisy, and he is about to step forward but Zishu gives him a look. His blank expression has not changed at all but Wen Kexing gets the message, so he quiets down.
“Indeed. I am not proud of it but I can give you my kill count.”
“You’re worse than an animal!”
So the stupid man has decided to go with words now. Coward.
Zishu stops right in front of Mo Huaiyang, stares him head on, and snarls, “Kneel.”
They do not know how, but the man, indeed, ends up on his knees. Zishu towers over the man, voice monotonous as he states, “Indeed, I am worse than an animal. I was Chief Zhou of Window of Heaven. I founded it. I created it. I am its first generation’s only survivor. I am the current lord of Four Seasons Manor. I stand before you to give you the judgment you deserve.”
Wen Kexing watches in stunned silence as Zishu takes a step backward and lifts up his sword so that its end is a breath away from Mo Huaiyang’s pulse point. “You are Mo Huaiyang of Gentle Wind Sword Sect. You don’t deserve to be called a martial artist. You don’t deserve to called a hero. You don’t deserve to be acknowledged. You deserve to die.”
Then his eyes meet Wen Kexing’s, and Zishu suddenly withdraws his sword.
“Ah-Xu—“
“Ghost Valley Master,” Zishu calls, and it feels like a bucket of cold water because his soul mate has never called him that. “His fate is up to you. I have given him his judgment but this is your serv—little sister’s wedding. His death should not be executed by a mere outsider like me.”
It is a gift of retribution.
Zhou Zishu is separating Chief Zhou from Ah-Xu the same way Wen Kexing separated Ghost Valley Master from Lao Wen. This is not him being cold, this is him putting on his Chief Zhou persona like a mask to do his tasks the way the Chief of Window of Heaven would have done them: mercilessly, coldly and efficiently. No room for emotions or second guesses.
He gives his soul mate a tiny nod and approaches Mo Huaiyang. He has given several people so many chances, and this man doesn’t deserve one at all. His fate has been sealed the moment they found out his plan.
As he mulls over what to do with him, Zishu turns around and walks towards the exit. “Ah—no, Chief Zhou, where are you heading?”
“They are not the only enemies, Ghost Valley King,” Zishu retorts, looking somewhere faraway. “I should have settled this long time ago, but I have always assumed Window of Heaven is enough. But it is time to claim the throne.”
With a single lift of his arm, from a distance, they hear two gasps of pain and screams of anguish and frustration. “You should have stayed on the cliff. I could have pushed you to your death instead,” Zishu utters. “Those needles contain the same poison Zhao Jing has used for Rong Xuan’s eventual demise. I believe it is even worse.”
“Pain so unbearable they would rather die,” Wu Xi blurts out.
In a blink of an eye, Scorpion King is barely few feet away, accompanied by Zhao Jing on his wheel chair and his two remaining subjects piled on top of his godfather, shrieking in pain and turning purple. “Zhou Zishu, you—“
“I am a man who has found reasons to live, but I am not a fool, Wang Xie. Your godfather do not love you the same way you love him. You needed to mute and paralyze him just to contain him. If I remove the spell on him, which one would he choose: live like this or die?”
Scorpion King looks like he is a second away from pouncing Zishu.
“You have pieces of the Glazed Armor and you want to do all of this just to please him, but he is already down on the gutter. Even if you open that Armory, he has lost his reputation, his fame, his Sect and his will to live. He is the laughingstock of the martial arts world and soon enough the entire truth will come to light and he will be hunted like a rabbit in the wild. You’re a child. What can you even do?”
As if the prove a point, Zhao Jing is scrambling to look for any Piercing Needle on either of the girls, looking for any that he can reach and use.
“Godfather, what are you—“
“We have given you chances and chances, Scorpion King. This ends today,” Zishu states, fluidly moving from one place to another until he is right in front of Wang Xie and Zhao Jing. “It ends today,” He repeats and slams his palm against Zhao Jing’s chest, sealing his end. Scorpion screams and goes after him, but he swiftly dodges every attack, and it isn’t long before Baiyi’s blade is against Scorpion King’s neck. “You don’t have to worry. You and your godfather will see each other soon enough.”
And suddenly, everything, indeed, ends.
Wen Kexing kills Mo Huaiyang the same moment his soul mate slashes through Scorpion King’s neck.
As everything suddenly sinks in and settles, Luo Fumeng and Qianqiao end up in each other’s arms in relief, Gu Xiang and Cao Weining burst to tears as the tension departs their bodies, Chengling looks sick with so much death surrounding them, Wu Xi and Jing Beiyuan are standing side by side, solemn. Wen Kexing, however, only has eyes on Zhou Zishu.
Zhou Zishu whose gaze remains impassive, lips pursed in a thin line and whole body stiffened with tension. He glances from him to his pair of friends. “We should clean up, bury them and make them tombs. I am certain some of them have families who would like a proper burial for them.”
“Ah-Xu—“ Wen Kexing starts.
“Please proceed with the wedding ceremony as soon as possible, Ghost Valley Master. Master Ye Baiyi would not be pleased if he finds out you broke your promise,” With that, Zhou Zishu turns around, the ends of his hanfu billowing with the wind behind him, an incredibly lonely figure as he treks through bodies methodically and naturally. Wu Xi and Beiyuan gives him a nod before they head over and help their friend.
Wen Kexing’s life in the Ghost Valley was lonely and cold, but it suddenly sinks in how dark and icy Zhou Zishu’s life must also have been in Window of Heaven. Lifeless. Emotionless. Motionless.
Zishu watches as Wen Kexing lets a tear drop down his cheek as Gu Xiang and Cao Weining finish their bows, sealing their fate and promised to each other forever officially.
Watching them, Zishu feels like everything up to this point has been worth it. This is his life’s purpose, to secure the happiness of the people who treasures him and whom he treasures.
Dying does not sound so terrifying as long as he knows they will be all right. As if hearing his thoughts, Wen Kexing turns towards him, a huge smile on his face which quickly disappears. Zishu only has a single heart beat to wonder why because the world rapidly tilts and his life literally flashes before his eyes.
Four Seasons Manor
Qin Huaizhang
A puppy
Zhen Yan
A death
A huge responsibility
An empire created
An assassin
Blood-stained hands
Loneliness
Nails
Mortal world
Glazed Armor
Gu Xiang, Cao Weining, Ye Baiyi, Xiaolian, Gao Chong, Han Ying
A cliff
A corpse
Chengling
Wen Kexing
He might have only truly lived half of his entire lifetime, but he can be nothing but thankful to even be considered to be given the second chance.
Wen Kexing thought he has felt real fear before and would never ever go through it again. But here he is, running like his life depends on it, knowing full well that he can’t catch Zishu from falling on the ground, but he has to try.
Wu Xi is faster than he is, already kneeling on the filthy ground, cradling his friend’s head in his arms, fingers feeling for a pulse. The Great Shaman swallows before turning towards his companion, his husband, Beiyuan, his eyes full of anguish. “I can’t feel a pulse nor qi at all.”
Wen Kexing feels his knees give in and he collapses on the floor, suddenly drained of energy. Nine words. Nine words have shattered all of his hopes and dreams. Nine words have cut the red thread that connects him to half of his soul.
“What?” Chengling demands, barely catching up.
All he can do is stare at Zishu’s lifeless body, silent despite the loud screams in his head. What did I do all this for? What is the whole point then?
The Great Shaman does not repeat himself and focuses on searching for something. Anything. Then his eyes widen. “He’s still in there,” He gasps. “Zishu is still fighting to stay afloat. Lend me your qi, he needs as much as we can possibly transfer him. Afterwards, we have to place him in a more comfortable place.”
In no time, hands hover above Zishu’s body, the man glowing from the energy transfer.
Wen Kexing has exchanged places with Wu Xi and has Zishu’s head on his lap, watching any movement, hoping for an inhale, an exhale, a twitch of his fingers. Lifeless. Emotionless. Motionless. Like a corpse.
Chengling, unable to keep it in any longer, starts to sob. “Master…Master, I fulfilled my promise. You didn’t lose me. I should have made you promise too. You can’t leave. I can’t do this without you.” With Zishu’s hands between his, Chengling transfers as much qi as he can, shoulders shaking as he cries.
Gu Xiang has tears running down her cheeks as well, hitting Zishu’s chest lightly. “I told you to stay healthy! I told you who will be sad if you disappeared! I have only called you Zishu-ge twice. I still have an entire lifetime to make you sick of me calling you with it. So wake up!” She continues hitting him. “Wake up, wake up, wake up!”
Luo Fumeng places a comforting hand on Gu Xiang’s back before turning towards the Great Shaman. “How did this even happen?”
Wu Xi sighs. “He took off the nails prematurely.” All eyes turn towards him. Wen Kexing looks at his soul mate’s pectoral area as if he could see beneath all the layers. “That meant he was overflowing with qi and his meridians were not able to handle it since they were still weak and abused by the nails – like a bomb waiting to explode. The moment he turned up as Zishu of Window of Heaven, I had an inkling on what he has donee. I was not expecting that he would go and drain his entire internal force to finish today’s fight in his favour.”
Beiyuan looks up at Wu Xi, “Will he survive?”
Wu Xi stares back at his other half. “We will not leave this place until I ensure he does.”
Wen Kexing notices an indent near Zishu’s chest and investigates, letting one of his hands do the energy transfer. His hand trembles as it retrieves the hair pin he has gifted his soul mate, tucked securely between the layers of his clothing, safe and treasured. And that is how he breaks down, sobbing as he cradles Zishu’s face near his. “Please breathe. Please, Ah-Xu, please breathe. We promised to live and die together, remember? You can’t do this to me. If this is my punishment for faking my death, then I am willing to bow to the Heavens a hundred times if necessary just so that you will return to me. Please breathe.”
Then he feels a puff of warm air near his cheek. He pulls away fractionally, watching as Zishu’s chest inflates and deflates rhythmically. Albeit, shallower than normal, but he’s breathing.
He can almost hear his Master and his parents’ voices near him, whispering, “You can only have so many chances, Yan’er.”
So he places a kiss on his soul mate’s forehead and swears, I am not messing it up this time.
The situation is a lot more complicated than they initially have anticipated, but Ye Baiyi, who must have placed tracking spells on them, because he keeps on turning up when he is necessary, appears with his usual disgruntled aura.
Side by side with Wu Xi, the two wrack everything they know to figure out a remedy.
He is outside Ah-Xu’s bedroom door, staring at the clump of stars on the night skies when another presence appears beside him. He and Beiyuan have not truly interacted before due to everything that has transpired, but he trusts the man since Ah-Xu trusts him. “Was that the first time you have seen him in action as Chief Zhou?” Beiyuan queries, not looking at him.
Wen Kexing sighs. “It was. I have heard of his prowess when he was still in command, but to see it with my own eyes, it was mind blowing.”
“Wu Xi and I have had countless conversations of how much we regret leaving him there. We knew how much his assignment had taken a toll on him. That uniform of his had basically become his armor; the moment he wore them, he could never be defeated and would never falter. So many hated him. More feared him. The king’s machine. The king’s puppet. Yet no one ever tried to understand, reach out, check on him.”
“He seemed so lifeless,” Wen Kexing murmurs.
“Because he was,” Beiyuan agrees. “He had nothing to live for. That’s why he has inserted those nails in him. I never thought that I would see him again donning that attire. It brought so many memories. I can’t even fathom what thoughts plagued him when he looked at himself through the mirror.”
Wen Kexing’s hand tightens around his fan.
Beiyuan glances at it. “This was who he was, Wen Kexing. I know you had your own fair share of kill count, but he was an assassin. He can freeze rivers with his existence alone. As his fried, I ask you to look past his past.”
Wen Kexing turns and gives the other a smile. “You do not have to fear that. He accepts who I am. The world is not black and white. I know what our fate entails.”
He receives a nod. “That is good to know. I do hope you tell him, though. Zishu needs reassurances once in a while.”
With that, Beiyuan leaves him to wallow by himself.
Wu Xi and Ye Baiyi are slumped in towers of books so Wen Kexing volunteers to keep guard of Zishu for the day, giving the cooking duties to Gu Xiang, who has insisted with her husband to stay until the situation becomes better.
He almost drops the bucket of water in his arms when the moment he enters Zishu’s room, he finds said man seated on his bed with a grimace. But seated, nonetheless.
If water splashes on the floor in his haste to put the bucket down, that can be remedied later. Wen Kexing sprints to his soul mate, slouching on the floor in front of Zishu. “Ah-Xu!” He murmurs in relief.
Zishu gives him a warm smile, still weak and pale. “Lao Wen,” He mumbles, voice hoarse. So he hurries towards the table to fill him a cup of water. In between sips, Zishu asks, “How long have I been out?”
Wen Kexing’s lips wobble as he reaches for Zishu’s now emptied hands. “A whole month.” He cups Zishu’s hands between his and places them over his chest. “You scared me.”
“I heard you, you know. I don’t know where I was and how I did it, but I heard you and the rest as you talked to my barely alive body. I knew then that I need to come back.”
“Your fight is not over. You have to survive through the remaining process, Ah-Xu.”
He receives a weak nod. “I’ll do my best.”
“Also, please don’t ever do that again without telling me.”
“What?”
“Transform to Chief Zhou.”
Zishu hands his head low. “I must have terrified the others.”
“What terrified us is the fact that you were a whole another person, Ah-Xu. It’s like your soul left you and only returned after you won the fight. That wasn’t Ah-Xu.” He reaches over to squeeze his soul mate’s arm. “Is that how you always felt when you still lived in Window of Heaven?”
The silence is an answer on its own.
“Ah-Xu, listen to me. I am not terrified of you. I am not afraid of who you were. I don’t judge you for the path you had taken. I just want to ensure you of your happiness hereon forward. That’s what matters. We are given second chances, and I want to try again. To try living again. With you.”
He can only blink when he’s suddenly being pulled for a hug. He melts into Zishu’s warm arms, his heart bursting with happiness of being back in this embrace.
Zishu is laid back on his bed, already exhausted, few minutes later, and Wen Kexing stands up to call forth Wu Xi to look into Zishu’s health condition.
“Oh, but Ah-Xu.”
The other looks up at him with his eyebrows raised.
“You looked ravishing as Chief Zhou. You always do, don’t get me wrong. I am absolutely all right if you decided to wear that outfit for a role play.” He wiggles his eyebrows for good measure. “If you know what I mean.”
Zishu’s face morphs to indignation. “Wen Kexing!” He hisses, grabbing a handful of the melon seeds nearby and throwing said seeds at the Ghost Valley Master’s direction. “Come back here, you—!” He growls, face red.
And that is how the whole household finds out that Zhou Zishu is awake. Wen Kexing might have gotten an earful for not immediately alerting the rest and for exhausting Zishu the moment he wakes up, but upon Zishu’s exasperated smile directed towards him, everything’s alright.
They’re home and the sun will rise again.