Chapter 15: Master?

The first thing Wei Xin felt was fragrance. Very enjoyable, a strong black tea but with a distinct floral aroma. He changed the back he was lying on and felt a lack of numbness; something almost forgotten after a month of a wooden bed with a mattress full of grass.

Now his bed was warm and tender, but Xin didn't want to acknowledge that. He wished for everything that has happened to be a bad dream, but his thirst was against him falling asleep again. Reluctantly, the child got up.

He was in a tiny room where there was only that bad, a drawer, and a window, from which he could see the lake. The boy walked through the half-opened door and entered the main hall. The place's been tidily cleaned, no trace of blood remained. The fragrance got stronger, it was coming from outside. For a second Xin felt timed to go out and met someone, but he quickly shook that feeling off and stepped toward the sunlight. It was too bright; he got blinded for a second.

"Good day, Xin."

He heard a gentle elderly voice. He opened his eyes and saw a table of whitewood, four chairs and Shi Lang on one of them. Now the doctor was completely different, or rather normal. He had a smile on his face. His eyes were barely visible under the wrinkles.

"Master Shi…"

"Come, take a sit little child. It's lonely for an old man to drink his tea alone."

Xin sat down on one of the chairs, there were four cups on the table and one of them was empty. There was no steam, but the fragrance was very strong.

"Try it, it is a special tea. You should drink it cold."

Xin drank a gulp, then second, then third, and then the cup was empty. It was really cold, almost icy, and very refreshing.

"Now, I think we should have a talk."

Shi Lang also emptied his cup; his voice was less hoarse now. Xin looked at him.

"I know you are worried about the state of your friend, Tong Hao. Yes, I see from your eyes. You can be at ease. He is not in any danger. His mental health on the other hand… Well, that isn't something that is easy to overcome."

"Is brother Ji okay?" Xin remembered he was also injured.

"Yes, only a few scratches. He's resting now."

"…"

Xin looked down.

"I have to apologize for you, young Xin. I've made you assist me in the operation. Maybe I'm finally getting senile, I'm sorry. However, I didn't expect that you would do so well. So, I have a proposal for you."

"Proposal?"

"What do you think… about becoming my disciple?"

Xin was surprised by that question, disciple like…

"You will be my master?"

"Yes, essentially yes. I can teach you medicine, and maybe some martial arts. I'm not too shabby in both."

That was true, Xin still could remember how fast were Shi Lang's moves yesterday; he wasn't sure about his cultivation level, but it was probably above Qi Gathering.

What's more, he has already been planning to study medicine as a way to fight his disease, so accepting now will be a good choice.

"Then I will be like Li Hua?"

"Hm, that's a bit difficult. You see, that girl is a bit special. But I won't say anything until we'll leave that place."

"Leave?"

"Yes, soon I will be departing to the mainland. Tomorrow I guess, and I will take you with me if you accept me as your master."

"I need to think."

Shi Lang gave him a surprised look.

"Good, consider that well. As I've said, you must make your decision before tomorrow.

After saying that the old man was about to get up from the table when…

"Master Shi, Master Shi!"

Suddenly a deep voice full of worry came from the side. A big muscular man of almost two meters of height ran from the house.

"What is it, young Ji?" Shi Lang looked at him with amusement.

"Brother Hao he… he's gone…"

"Ah, that I know." Shi Lang made a slight smile.

"You… you do?" Ji was surprised.

"How do you know it?" He looked at Shi Lang with suspicion.

"Ha-ha, easily, Young Ji. Tong HAo woke up before you and left to have a walk. He hasn't recovered completely, but a short walk won't do anything bad. I let him go."

"A… that how it is…" Ji scratched his head.

"Do you know where brother Hao went?"

"No, but the village isn't large. I think you just have to look around. Still, I think right now that man would be better left alone." Shi Lang signed.

"For now, return to your home. You too, young Xin. Think about everything and remember, by tomorrow you shall have made your decision. Well then, I wonder when will that girl come back… Oh, and take your tea."

…

After drinking the tea Ji walked to the road; Xin followed him. They looked at each other.

"Xin… I… Thank you."

"Okay."

"..."

Wei Xin could feel the wind... and silence. After some time he was about to just walk forward when Ji finally opened his mouth.

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"I think… we have to see brother Hao."

"You think?"

"Y-yeah."

"…"

"Why? The doctor said to leave him alone."

"I… I know brother Hao. When he wishes to be alone, he actually just wants to talk and not to listen… something like that. When he troubled he always walks somewhere but takes me with him. And talks…"

The sky reflected in Xin's clean brown pupils; the sun was far past its prime. It will be evening soon. But who cares. The boy shook his head.

"Should I go with you?"

"Y-yes. Thanks. That what I wished to say, right."

"But… where is brother Hao?"

"I think… I might know."

…

The border of the forest was a mystical place. Just a few steps and you are out of this world. Officially, the Unknown Regions started a bit later, at least several kilometers in, but in reality, once huge threes start to hover over you, the world of man is behind.

Xin was often looking at that place, imagining and wondering. Now he couldn't spare it a glance. Just before the forest, there was a man sitting, his always tidy black hair was now messy. His leather armor was torn all over, and he knew, the man had no foot. Right or left? Can't remember.

That was Tong Hao, and he has obviously noticed them. Ji was looking like a broken doll, stepping forward and them back. He couldn't muster the courage to say anything, same was for Xin. But he wasn't even trying, simply standing, feeling the silence of his mind. It was awfully material.

"Big brother…" Finally, Ji managed to say something.

"Ji… and Xin. Sorry, I've been thinking. Seems like that accident clouded my feelings." Tong Hao turned to them. He was smiling. It was hard to tell that he was already almost forty, he skin was still rather smooth, and mustaches black. He looked friendly but that's it. Xin felt that there was something lost while looking at him, but couldn't point what exactly.

"I was just reminiscing. What an eventful day. Since my youth, I had been dreaming about cultivation and strength. But sadly, my talent was only average."

His voice sounded melancholically, maybe sad but not depressing. His eyes were looking nowhere, or maybe at his past.

"I had only three meridians, and still I was dreaming of accomplishing something. I even took you with me, Ji. Sorry for that, our parents were right cursing me."

"They were… parents… making me work too hard."

"Ha-ha, yes, not very pleasant people, there I agree. After we ran away we traveled the land, saw masters and peasants, everything so interesting. We made three expeditions to the Unknown Lands, and were about to go on the fourth! But now that I think about it, I'm almost forty. I mean, even for real martial artists this is the age to make a family and settle down. And for peasants like us, it is very late."

"Either way, I was telling myself that I will stop risking my life after my thirties and start making a family. Maybe find a wife for you too. But I knew I couldn't. I won't stop until my death."

His voice rose:

"But not anymore. Maybe that's the way Heavens telling me to calm down. Maybe I haven't become a great warrior, but…"

He stood up, supporting himself with one leg, not shaking at all.

"I had a good life. Guess it will be the end of everything. Good, it is also evening."

"Brother Hao… I…"

"Take it." Tong Hao threw him a small wooden plunk. Ji barely caught it.

"We'll keep it for memories. Let's make our final journey to the mainland. Then we'll buy a farm. Sometimes I feel nostalgia about working in a field. Let's go, or rather jump. Ha!" After that, he headed to the road. Ji looked up at him with teary eyes, nodded, lowered his head and followed.

"Oh, yes." Tong Hao remembered something and looked at Xin. The boy was trying to keep his eyes wide and dry. It was hard.

"Thank you, Xin. The doctor told me how much you've you helped him in the operation. If you need something, you can visit us anytime. Well, at least until we leave. And sorry I couldn't bring any meat, Ha-ha."

"…I will come."

"Good. Good night, and don't stay here for too long. The forest will be dangerous soon."

"Well, can you give me a leg there, Ji?"

...

Xin was left alone, he stood still for a bit and then looked at the forest. The shadows of the trees were long, the sun was close to the horizon. Everything had a yellow tinge.

"Forest is dangerous…"

He has to make a decision, right. Thinking about it the boy started to walk aimlessly. His mind was confused and messy, clouds were fast, the wind strong. At some point, he saw the noticeboard. He sat close to it and stopped thinking, feeling everything around.

It was warm.

Then, slowly, he began analyzing everything. He had a choice: to either follow Ying Zheng to the Unknown Regions or to go with doctor Shi Lang to the mainland. "The forest will be dangerous soon." Rung in his mind. It is already, he thought and an amputated leg appeared in his mind.

The decision suddenly became easier.

But he should think about the benefits too. What was the strength that the yellow-eyed girl was talking about? What are demons? Too mysterious.

He was thinking hard when suddenly a hand patted his hair.

His eyes opened.