The wind danced gently across the courtyard, causing the hanging talismans to sway like leaves about to fall from a branch. The sweet incense struggled to cover the metallic smell of dried blood on the ground.
Lei Lian slid his fingers over one of the talismans, feeling the rough texture of the paper. His eyes narrowed, displaying a slight uncertainty, almost as if he was deciphering an unknown language.
Whoever wrote them did so with near-perfect accuracy, taking great care to ensure that the spells would not be recognized.
"Young Master Wang!"
A cheerful voice called out to him. The orange-haired youth approached with quick steps. Despite the seriousness on his face, a worried glint was still visible in his eyes.
"Yes?" Lei Lian's reply died in his throat, as if his voice had been stolen.
His gaze fell on the boy, his pupils trembled slightly, his lips parted, but no words came out.
He didn't remember telling the boys about his new name. Nor did he remember hearing anyone mention it.
How does this boy know Wang Yao's name?... Did I tell him at some point?... No... I'm pretty sure I didn't.
The boy's soft voice interrupted his thoughts, "Young Master?.."
Lei Lian blinked, composing himself, forcing an awkward smile. "A-Ah, yes… I'm sorry. I was surprised that you knew my name."
"Madam Feng told us before the young master called us over." The boy replied naturally, a gentle smile curving his lips.
Lei Lian turned his gaze back to the talismans, now calmer. "Ah, I see… So, do you need anything?"
The boy's expression, in a matter of seconds, managed to overcome even the change from one year to the next. From a gentle and comforting smile, it became just drooping lips, with furrowed eyebrows.
"Can young master read these spells?"
Lei Lian shifted his gaze to the talismans, his eyes flashing with a trace of uneasiness.
"It's hard to say, whoever made them did a great job on the copies... but something... is wrong."
"Wrong?..." The boy frowned, his gaze falling to the ground, clearly confused as he tried to understand the situation. But before he could get an answer, another voice was heard.
"With all due respect, but since when are there spells capable of reversing others?" The brown-haired youth crossed his arms, his expression filled with irritation. "What if all of this is nothing more than an illusion of that girl?"
Silence fell for a brief moment. The wind blew through the talismans, carrying with it the distant sound of dry leaves rustling across the ground.
"He's right, Young Master." The orange-haired boy scratched the back of his neck hesitantly. "We've never heard of a spell like that before.."
Lei Lian looked up, finally turning his attention away from the talismans to stare at them. His arms were crossed, his fingers lightly tapping against the fabric of his robes. "If you didn't write them... and neither did he... then when you wrote them, was the girl with you?"
The boy's eyes widened slightly, "Ah… from what I remember, yes. Gao Yixuan had gone out that day, and she stood by my side while I made them."
Gao Yixuan narrowed his eyes, giving Lei Lian a suspicious look. "Why do you want to know? Do you think it was her?"
"Not that I think." Lei Lian tilted his head slightly. "But considering that she was the only one around and had the opportunity to observe the process… our only logical suspect would be her."
The accusation hung in the air, almost like a blade ready to cut.
"It doesn't make sense that it would be her… Young Master Wang, to create a talisman… you need to-", before the boy could finish his thought, Lei Lian's voice interrupted him.
"It needs spiritual energy, yes… I know, in that case, you're right." Lei Lian sighed and crossed his arms, "However… I said it would be her, but I didn't claim it was her."
The young man looked at him in confusion, "What do you mean?.."
"I mean… the girl might have told someone… or…" Lei Lian paused, his gaze deepening. "There was someone else that day, who ended up seeing you create the talismans."
The brown-haired youth raised an eyebrow and let out a short laugh, as if what Lei Lian had said was complete nonsense.
"Anyone else? Pft! Everyone in this house seems to be in a dream world! The only thing they know how to do is follow Madam Feng's orders, do you really think anyone here could create something like this?!"
"People may seem naive." Lei Lian replied calmly, "But not everyone reveals their true faces so easily." Lei Lian gave the boy a serious look, as if he had been through this before.
"True face?" The brown-haired youth snorted, "Have you looked at the people who work here?! They walk around with their heads down! And that girl is afraid of anything!", the boy pointed at Madam Feng's daughter in a sharp movement.
Lei Lian smirked. "And ghosts are 'something'?" He tilted his head slightly, as if amused. "I bet you couldn't handle one alone."
Gao Yixuan narrowed his eyes, his gaze turning defiant. "What about you? You don't even have the courage to show your own face!"
"Gao Yixuan!" his colleague exclaimed.
Lei Lian blinked, surprised by the boy's boldness, seeming to have frozen in place.
Maybe because if I did that, I would be killed?
After a few seconds of silence, he let out a soft, low laugh, "Is this how a disciple of the Jing Ye Meng Sect shows respect for others?..." the boy smiled lightly, his smile showing amusement.
"What do you mean?" Gao Yixuan asked, his eyebrows lowering slightly in an irritated expression.
"You know… I don't think your master would be too interested in hearing about this…" Lei Lian kept the mischievous smile on his face.
"You…!" Gao Yixuan growled, clenching his fists tightly.
Before the tension could escalate any further, the orange-haired youth quickly intervened. He raised his hands in a conciliatory gesture. "Alright, alright, we have more important matters to deal with here!"
The two exchanged piercing glances, as if each gaze was a blade trying to pierce the other.
Lei Lian sighed, before relaxing his posture and placing his hands behind his head. "Your colleague is right. Follow his footsteps."
The boy snorted, looking bored. "Whatever... anyway... what should we do first?"
Lei Lian was silent for a moment, pondering. "Since we don't have enough evidence of who made these talismans, our priority right now should be protecting the girl. . . After, we take care of that part."
The orange-haired youth nodded, "Understood, I'll see what we can do," the boy replied as he was about to leave.
"Wait."
Lei Lian's voice sounded deep and calm, almost like an echo.
The boy quickly looked at Lei Lian, "Is there a problem, young master?"
"Ask Madam Feng to change her daughter to another room, put her in the one next to the two of you."
Gao Yixuan nearly choked, "What?! Do you have any idea that she would want to enter our room?!"
Lei Lian looked at him teasingly and gave a mischievous smile, "Oh, and what's the problem? Like this you can sleep hugging her!~"
Gao Yixuan's face immediately turned red, as if he had eaten the worst kind of chili pepper, his eyes widened and the words didn't come out of his lips. "W-Wait! What?!"
Gao Yixuan's face immediately turned red, as if he had eaten the worst kind of chili pepper, his eyes widened, and the words failed to come out of his lips. "Wait! What?!"
Lei Lian looked at him and then let out a low laugh.
"That's not funny! You idiot!" growled Gao Yixuan, abruptly turning his face the other way.
"I'll stop!... It's just... your reaction... Pfft!", Lei Lian could barely contain his laughter, bringing a hand to his mouth.
The boy looked at him, clenching his fists, "You!!!".
Suddenly, soft, deep footsteps were heard, Madame Feng approached the three of them, while the young woman lightly held her arm, now showing herself to be a little calmer. Her gaze still held a hint of fear, her pupils wavered slightly, while her trembling hands seemed to search for strength in a body overwhelmed by terror.
"Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt your 'important' conversation, but we have to go to the hall now," said Madame Feng with her usual touch of arrogance, and then turned to leave. "We have important guests and we have to close off access to that area.
The orange-haired young man looked at her and smiled slightly, with a sideways grin, "Of course, we'll be leaving soon."
The woman looked at him and left without saying anything, maintaining a posture of authority with every step. While her daughter clung to the fabric of her robes, as if she depended on it to live.
The young man watched them for a moment before turning his attention to the other two.
"Young Master Wang," said the boy with a serious tone, but with a gentle smile on his face, "if I may, what do you intend to do to catch the ghosts?"
Lei Lian looked at him and smiled, putting his hands on his waist: "As long as you listen to me and do as I say, everything will work out."
"But-" interrupted the brown-haired young man.
"No questions! Just listen to me..." said Lei Lian firmly.
◇
In the hall, the sweet scent of incense mingled with the light smell of the delicacies being served. The golden light cast soft shadows, creating an almost melancholy contrast with the young woman's room, a space that seemed almost lifeless and gloomy.
In the center, a slight slope in the floor stood like a sacred stage, where young women danced with an ethereal, almost celestial grace. Their hair was tied up in elegant buns, decorated with pearls and gold threads. They wore soft pink outfits and, with every movement, their bodies seemed to float like white herons over a serene lake. The veils attached to their wrists moved to the rhythm of the dance, gliding gently, like the waves that calmly cover the sand.
Next to a sofa which, although simple, had the richness of a throne, was Madame Feng. The glow of the lanterns was reflected in the precious stones of her dress, accentuating the penetrating gaze she cast at the guests. Unlike other times, she had a calmer and "gentler" demeanor, even seeming to call people to talk to her.
Lei Lian, on entering the place, was immediately struck by the clash between a frightening reality and an almost fanciful, illusory vision... As if everything he saw in front of him was about to collapse at any moment.
"What the..." muttered Lei Lian, stunned by the richness of the hall.
"Looks like there's a party here today," said Gao Yixuan, crossing his arms as he observed every person in the place.
The hall was full of upper-class people, the women sporting luxurious hanfus* decorated with precious stones, while the men, some dressed elegantly, others just had their hair styled with a hanfu decorated with small jewels. Lei Lian always thought that these people wore such clothes out of pure vanity, an insane competition of extravagance, something common among upper-class women. However, as for the men, Lei Lian considered them to be more sensitive, since they were constantly in a dispute over who was the strongest, or the most powerful.
As his eyes scanned the crowd, Lei Lian let out a low laugh, almost like a whisper.
They used to say that the Fengs threw the most lavish parties... Pft! That must be why they're the Wenyu nation's favorites.
Gao Yixuan, who seemed curious about the movement, quickly turned his attention to the two of them.
"What's going on here?
Lei Lian, who was mesmerized by the luxurious decor, practically ignored the boy's question. His eyes passed over all the decorations in the place and, even with some difficulty, he managed to catch a glimpse of the color that dominated the place. Panels of red fell over the columns, while the guests who entered stepped softly on the carpet of exactly the same color.
When he finally decided to break the silence, he was quickly interrupted by the red-haired boy.
"I have no idea... I'll see if I can find out," he said with a slight, calm smile. "I'll be back soon. The young man bowed quickly and left in the direction of the crowd of people.
Lei Lian watched him walk away with a discreet, amused smile. After a deep sigh, he leaned back, crossing his arms behind his head.
With so many people here, it should be easy to get out of this place without anyone from the Fengs noticing... Ahg!.. but there are still those two! Of course they'll notice if I suddenly disappear.
A voice interrupted his thoughts. The boy next to him, with a curious look on his face, lightly touched Lei Lian's shoulder, startling him. "Young Master, what are you thinking about?"
Lei Lian's gaze fell on the boy with a certain nervousness, he just let out a half-hearted smile and scratched the back of his head lightly.
"Ah... I was just thinking about how we're going to protect these people." Despite his calm demeanor, Lei Lian found it difficult to hide his tension.
The boy looked at him, frowning slightly, "If only the girl has seen the ghosts so far, these people wouldn't see them either... so... wouldn't that young girl be their focus?"
"You have a point, though... we don't know if it's really just her they're focusing on," Lei Lian sighed, his frustration visible."Whatever it is... we should act as quickly as possible."
"And what do you expect us to do? Placing talismans around the place will only scare people."
Lei Lian opened his lips to reply, but was interrupted by the orange-haired young man running towards them.
"Y-Young Master Wang! I... I figured it out!" he said with difficulty, trying to catch his breath.
"Take a deep breath... and tell me everything calmly," said Lei Lian, his voice calm and understanding.
The young man smiled, still panting, but began to calm down with Lei Lian's guidance. "From what I've been able to find out... there's an engagement banquet* going on."
Lei Lian looked at him in surprise, one eyebrow rising. "An engagement banquet?" he murmured softly.
"Yes..." replied the boy, regaining his posture.
Lei Lian once again looked at the decoration, and soon felt as if something had ignited in his head, like a puzzle falling into place.
Most of the decorations were reddish in color, a typical color used in weddings or wedding ceremonies. Red was said to bring happiness and good luck to the bride and groom. Noticing the colors well, Lei Lian just let out a sigh and smiled slightly.
An engagement banquet it is... How come I didn't notice it right away?
Gao Yixuan watched him, his gaze becoming more attentive, with a certain touch of interest. "And who are the bride and groom?"
Lei Lian looked at him and smiled, "It's Madame Feng's daughter."
The orange-haired young man nodded, smiling slightly, "He's right, from what I've been told, it was Madame Feng who organized this banquet."
Gao Yixuan crossed his arms, his gaze falling on every person in the place, "Hm... looking at it now it makes sense...", The young man paused slightly, "How do you manage to find out so many things like that Ye Ming?... "
Ye Ming looked at him and smiled slightly, "Ah... I just ask a lot of people, but in this case, it was kind of easy to get a quick answer."
Lei Lian sighed, putting his hand on his waist with a determined look, "We need to find a way to protect these people."
"Do you think we should tell Madame Feng?" asked Gao Yixuan, with a more serious expression.
Lei Lian looked at him, "Yes, it's better to get everyone out of here before the worst happens."
"And you think she'll accept it? You know... she doesn't seem to like following what other people say," replied Gao Yixuan with a slight hint of uncertainty.
"Probably not... but it doesn't hurt to try," Lei Lian looked at the people around him, before turning his attention to the boys, "Find her and ask her to get all the guests out of here, if she asks why, tell her I said so, and don't forget to talk about the ghosts."
The two of them bowed their heads slightly, then looked at him with a serious look.
"Understood."
◇
As they walked away, the previously restrained laughter became loud, drowning out the clinking of glasses and the refined murmurs of the guests.
The sweet scent of the incense faded over time, replaced by the cloying perfumes of the women and the slight 'acidic' touch of the men's perfumes.
"Don't you think he's strange?" asked Gao Yixuan as he approached his colleague, raising his voice a little in the hope that Ye Ming would hear him.
"Hm? Who are you talking about?"
"Young Master Wang."
Ye Ming looked at him with a raised eyebrow, but then returned his attention to the path he was on, quickly avoiding bumping into a group of people.
"No, I don't think so, why?"
"You know, suddenly someone else turns up to solve the same case as us... and that's apart from the fact that he's wearing that mask," said the brown-haired young man with a slight laugh.
"Gao Yixuan..."
"What? I'm just telling the truth, humpf." , the boy turned around with a pout on his face.
"We shouldn't judge someone just by their clothes, and besides, he seems to really understand this situation," said Ye Ming, lightly touching people's backs as a request for permission.
"So just because he found out about the altered spells we should trust him blindly? Be realistic, Ye Ming!" the boy paused and then sighed, "If you ask me, he must have made up this story just to get out of here."
"Why do you think that?"
"You know the Fengs, and what's more, the young master was wearing some of the clothes that the servants around here wear."
The orange-haired boy seemed to think for a moment, then abruptly stopped in his tracks, causing his colleague behind to tap him lightly on the back.
"Hey! Can you warn me before I stop out of the blue?" grumbled the young man, lightly massaging his nose.
"Young Master Wang doesn't seem to be hiding anything... Besides, he also said he was from our sect!" said Ye Ming as he turned to his colleague.
"Pft, and you believed him?!" said Gao Yixuan with a low laugh, casting a skeptical look, "He's clearly lying about something! If he was from our sect, why would he want to leave? Something's not adding up Ye Ming!"
The boy sighed, and looked at him with a softer gaze, "Look, Young Master Wang doesn't seem to be a bad person, sometimes it can just be your impression."
The boy looked at him indignantly, "He doesn't seem like a bad person?! He sent that girl to cling to me!"
Ye Ming finally let out a laugh and started walking again, "He probably just wanted to pick on you."
The boy looked at him and jogged a little to catch up with his colleague, "Humpf, he just wanted to pick on me, huh?... He'll see..."
Ye Ming let out a slight laugh, before finally managing to get out of the crowd, the place seemed almost suffocating, and walking through that many people, was almost like walking through a market on sale day, chaos, loud conversations, and a suffocating lack of space. Finally able to breathe calmly, Ye Ming let out a relieved sigh as he stretched slightly.
"Finally... these people were making me short of breath!"
"Tell me about it... I thought I was going to die at any moment from the smell of those perfumes!" replied Gao Yixuan with a dramatic tone, waving his hands.
Ye Ming let out a small smile, before looking around, his gaze falling on the dancers who continued to dance at a steady pace, the young women were so focused that anyone looking at them would say they were lost in their own world. Suddenly, his attention was quickly diverted to the background, where three figures quickly caught the boy's eye: two male figures were talking quietly to a woman.
He looks at the figures with half-closed eyes, clearly trying to force his vision to recognize the three. It was difficult to recognize who was on that small stage in the background, not only because of the distance, but also because of the movement of the dancers who moved from side to side with their veils.
Ye Ming puts his hand on his chin, his gaze confused, finding himself in a constant challenge of trying to remember who that woman was. His mind seemed to be playing tricks on itself. He felt like he had seen that figure before, but at the same time, every time he looked at her, it felt like it was the first time he had seen her.
After a few seconds of silence, Ye Ming turns to his friend, "Can you recognize that woman? I can't see very well from here."
"Hm?..", the boy looks at him and then directs his gaze to the figures in the background, examining each one of them before breaking the silence, "I think it must be Madame Feng, just look at her posture."
Ye Ming looked at the woman, his colleague was right, the figure had an upright posture, with her shoulders back and spine straight, showing great confidence, while her hands gently fell on her skirt.
Ye Ming quickly started walking, his steps were quick, as if he was running away from something. As soon as Gao Yixuan noticed his friend's retreat, his eyes widened slightly.
"Hey! Where are you going?!" Gao Yixuan shouted, hoping that Ye Ming would stop in his tracks.
However, the boy just ignored it, and continued walking towards the figures, his steps gradually increasing, "Come quickly!" the youth shouted.
"But- Ugh.."
Gao Yixuan reluctantly gathered the remaining strength and willpower he had left, if any remained in his body. After a final sigh of frustration and the various curses that ran through his mind, the boy ran towards his friend.
◇
In a matter of seconds, the two approached a small staircase – which had no more than 6 steps. Women in simple clothing were climbing it holding a small tray in their hands, carrying with them the food that was placed on the low table on the floor.
Ye Ming's eyes took in every little detail, and everything was pure luxury, with the reddish tint.
The seat where Madame Feng now sat and glared at her guests was a fusion of a throne and a sofa. Right in front of her, a small table was decorated with a basket of fruits, and a tea set with delicate pink details.
The boy quickly turns his attention to the figures, considering the rest to be useless or insignificant.
The woman was talking calmly with two male figures, one of whom appeared to be a young man of approximately 19 years old, while the other, despite his elegant clothing and young, handsome face, already seemed to be a little older than the boy beside him.
Gao Yixuan leaned slightly closer to his friend, "Who are they?"..." His voice came out low, like a whisper.
Ye Ming, unable to look away from the figures, simply replied as if he was unable to pay attention to anything else, "I have no idea... but they remind me of someone..."
The boy spent some time analyzing the three, trying to hear any words that escaped in a higher tone. However, the noise around him seemed to get worse and worse, as if when he tried to focus on the speech of the figures in front of him, the sound around him increased on purpose.
He sighed and turned to Gao Yixuan.
"Come, we need to resolve this soon.", the boy replied, turning towards the figures and heading in their direction.
"Ye Ming!"
Gao Yixuan sighed in frustration, bringing his hand to his face as he complained in his own mind.
Does he even know how to listen to me?...Ugh!
Noticing how far away his colleague was, he clenched his fists slightly, while looking at him with an irritated look, "Ye Ming! Do you want to listen to me?!", the young man ran towards his friend, almost falling on a step.
As he approached, Gao Yixuan slowly stood behind Ye Ming, leaning forward slightly.
"What are you listening to?" the boy's voice was weak, almost impossible to hear.
Ye Ming glanced at him, and then turned his attention back to the people in front of him, "I don't know… I hear some words, but they don't seem to make sense."
"Hm.."
Suddenly a deep voice rose, startling the boys.
"Madam Feng, it seems like you have more people to talk to."
The man who was talking to Madam Feng had noticed them, and was staring at them with a fixed gaze, a smile that seemed to be mischievous was on his lips.
The woman quickly turned around, and the boys seemed to have seen the impossible. For the first time, she had a gentle and caring smile on her face, it was as if she had been possessed by something that had completely changed her, however, it was not difficult to see that this was just an act on Madame Feng's part.
"Boys! Do you need anything?" Her voice sounded soft and excited, as if that arrogant and petulant woman had simply disappeared.
Ye Ming was frozen, trying to process all the sudden change, but when he noticed the gazes on him, he quickly put a smile on his lips, "Madam Feng, I apologize for interrupting your conversation, but my colleague and I need to speak privately with you."
Meanwhile, the man stared at the two of them, with an amused smile, and one of his eyebrows raised, "Are you from the Jing Ye Meng Sect?"
The two quickly turned their attention to the gentleman, and bowed slightly, "Yes Sir, we are disciples of the sect."
"Oh?... and what are the disciples of the Jing Ye Meng sect doing here anyway?", he looks at the two of them interested in the current conversation, it being just another diversion in his day.
As soon as the woman hears the man's question, she quickly turns to him, with a nervous smile and a visible tension in her shoulders.
"T-They are close friends of my daughter, so I called them at her request.", the lady replied trying to convey some veracity in her lie, just like the stories of monsters told to children.
Ye Ming quickly noticed the tension in the woman's figure, and joined in her small talk, "Yes! We've known you for a long time and were invited to participate in this event."
Contrary to the woman, Ye Ming spoke more calmly, and his words seemed to speak some truth in something more false than the kindness of the people there.
Ye Ming smiled gently at the man, his posture unperturbed, while the man's eyes seemed like blades, trying to cut and penetrate deeper.
After a few seconds that felt like hours, the tense air that made Ye Ming uncomfortable and nervous disappeared, being replaced by the old man's deep voice.
"If that's the case... I'll be going, I hope your daughter can attend the banquet soon." The man smiled gently and bowed in respect, before leaving with the young man, who had remained silent the whole time, just watching the maids who went up and down the stairs.
The woman maintained her smile until she was sure the man was far enough away, before abruptly turning to the two young men.
"What do you two want?!"
"I apologize once again, Madam Feng, but we have something serious to discuss with you," Ye Ming said, bowing again.
Madam Feng looks at him with a raised eyebrow and narrowed eyes, "Speak quickly... I have important matters to attend to."
"From what Young Master Wang told us... it would be better if you held the banquet somewhere else or on another day."
The woman looks at him with wide eyes, her eyebrows quickly lowering, and she quickly clenches her fists. Ye Ming notices the anger the woman possesses, but he just looks her in the eyes, completely ignoring the slight fear that arose within him.
"What?! What do you mean?!"
"It is not safe for your guests to stay here," Ye Ming said calmly.
"Ah…" The woman lets out a light laugh, and crosses her arms, "Let me guess… because of the 'ghosts'?...", the woman sighed in frustration, "That must just be her imagination, leave that aside."
The brown-haired boy looks at her, one eyebrow raised, "Leave it aside? Have you seen the situation your daughter is in? She's afraid of even the sound of the wind."
"She's always been like this, since she was a child, whenever she heard those legends, it would be days or even months with her hiding and clinging to others." The woman let out a laugh, "Don't worry, she must have heard about a recent rumor that's been going around."
The boys look at her surprised and curious.
"Recent rumors? What are you talking about?" Ye Ming asked.
"Look, I don't really know what's going on, because I'm not interested in false things, but from what I've heard...", the woman paused in her speech, and leaned slightly closer to the boys, "They say that the ghost of a woman is going from house to house, haunting those who would be "unfaithful", they said that there were deaths... but I don't think so."
Gao Yixuan looks at her and lets out a light laugh, "A ghost that haunts the infidels?"
"Exactly, but it must just be a made-up story to scare people."
"How can you be sure?" Ye Ming asked curiously.
The woman looks at him and smiles, "If this supposed ghost only seeks out the unfaithful, why would my daughter be seeing him? She isn't even married yet."
Ye Ming pondered for a moment, his gaze falling to the ground as his mind struggled to find an answer.
Hmm… if that's the case it doesn't make sense… but..
"Madam, what if she isn't seeing that specific ghost? It could be another ghost… besides, she's seeing three." Ye Ming said, lowering his hand and looking at her with a serious gaze.
"Don't ask me about that, okay?... I'm just a little interested in this because of my daughter's safety.", the woman said and turned to look at the guests.
The atmosphere was still lively, with soft laughter and others loud laughter. The woman observed the place with a subtle smile, expressing a certain pride in seeing everyone happy. She sighed, relieved, and once again her attention fell on the boys.
"Ah… And tell Young Master Wang that this is a very important occasion, and not only that, but I am the one who decides things around here." The woman's tone was authoritative, and even mocking.
Gao Yixuan quickly felt as if his jaws had dropped, even though such an attitude was expected from the woman, while Ye Ming just looked at her with an awkward smile.
"Wasn't she kind just a moment ago?.."
"Yes…", Ye Ming muttered.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go see my daughter.", without even giving the boys a second to say goodbye, she quickly walked away, gently holding the fabric of her skirt, disappearing into the crowd.
Finally feeling free from the woman's authority, Gao Yixuan chuckles softly, hiding his lips with his arm in front of his face.
"Ha!Ha! She really has a strong ego."
"She's married to Feng Jing, no wonder she has such a huge ego...", Ye Ming said, lowering the hand that had once protected him from embarrassment, "Anyway... we have to look for the Young Master, and quickly."
"Do you… think what she said about that ghost is true?" Gao Yixuan asked.
"About the ghost of the infidels?… I don't know… let's see with the young master first."
"And you think we have time? She simply refused to protect these people!"
"...you're right but-" , a bored and amused voice interrupts him abruptly, causing his words to get stuck in his throat.
"I already imagined... I don't even know why I sent you two...", Lei Lian approached the boys, a relaxed posture with his arms behind his neck, and a mischievous but not very visible smile on his lips.
"Young Master Wang!" Ye Liwei replied, quickly bowing.
Noticing the boy's speed and formality, Lei Lian lets out a small chuckle, and then looks at him with a smile, "So, what did she say?"
Before any sentence could come out of Ye Ming's mouth, Gao Yixuan puts his hand over the boy's mouth, preventing him from speaking.
"She said she was the one who decided things! And all with that arrogant look and sickening smile of hers… Ew.."
"It was to be expected, and then don't doubt that she will run away like a frightened dog.", Lei Lian said with a light laugh.
Ye Ming looks at his colleague with an indignant look, and in one swift movement, he pushes his friend's hand away.
"Apart from that part… she said she wouldn't take the guests away because it was an important occasion." The worry in Ye Ming's eyes slowly became visible. "Young Master… we have to find a way to get these people out of here!"
Lei Lian, noticing that feeling that was growing more and more in the young man's chest, sighed and looked him in the eyes, "I understand... but don't worry, we will find a way to protect these people.", said Lei Lian, with a comforting smile on his lips.
Ye Ming still maintained a worried look, his pupils lowered, and eyebrows slightly lowered, as if he was feeling some sort of distress, fearing that the worst could happen at any moment.
"What's the matter?" his question caused the young man to look at him quickly.
"Ah… Madam Feng mentioned something else as well… but I don't know if we should be concerned about it."
"What else did she say?" Ye Ming asked, crossing his arms.
"Something about a ghost that seeks out unfaithful people." Gao Yixuan says abruptly.
Lei Lian looked at him in surprise, his eyebrows raised, and his eyes widened subtly. "A ghost that seeks out unfaithful people?..."
Lei Lian put his hand to his chin, his gaze falling on the ancient wood of the floor.
Ghost looking for unfaithful people?... Was this supposed to be some kind of joke?..
"From what she said, it seems like this ghost has visited a few houses before, and has taken the lives of a few people," Ye Ming said, crossing his arms as he paused for a moment, "But she said that because she wasn't very interested in it, she didn't know exactly if it was true."
"Hmm…", Lei Lian pauses for a moment, before turning his attention back to the boys, "Ye Ming, I need you to stay here and protect the guests, Gao Yixuan and I will go look for information about this ghost.", Lei Lian said as he placed his hand on his waist.
Ye Ming looks at him and nods slightly before bowing, "Understood!"
Gao Yixuan looked at him and raised an eyebrow, "Why should I go with you? We don't even know if this ghost is real and if it's after her!"
"And that's what we're going to find out… and if you want me to be honest, you're the least trustworthy person here." Lei Lian turned around and quickly walked into the groups of people.
"Me?! Ahg! Can you at least wait for me!", grumbled the boy running after Lei Lian, while his colleague stayed behind laughing at the scene.
Characters ◇ Name Guide
LEI LIAN ( 雷连 )
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雷 - Lei: "thunder", symbolizing power and energy.
连 Lian : "lotus", a flower associated with purity, enlightenment and renewal in Chinese culture.
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Title: Young Master Lei; Prince Lei; Your Highness
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A young man known for his courage and resilience, and of course, being one of the main reasons for ridicule among the Gods. Since his youth, he has shown himself to be someone with strong opinions, and difficult to change. He has always defended the people, regardless of their social class, which led the Gods to consider him weak and incompetent for his position.
Lei Lian was a handsome young man, but with completely "abnormal" thoughts for his time. He is considered a great warrior, who can handle his sword even in complicated moments. A student of the Jing Ye Meng Clan, he learned about cultivation from an early age. Born in the LiangLe nation, the young man was loved and respected by everyone. Being the son of the Emperor, he always had an easy and privileged life. However, the little boy always insisted on playing and running through the simplest streets of his nation.
He was told that his future would be bright, however, if Lei Lian said that he was not afraid of his past, he was telling one of his most obvious lies.
SHU MIN ( 舒敏 )
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舒 - Shu: "comfort", "softness", "relaxation" or "tranquility".
敏 Min: "quick", "intelligent", "insightful" or "sensitive".
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Title: Nurse Shu
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A young woman who has worked for the Feng family since birth, had been left at the door of the family's home, and was soon found by one of the employees who took her to the Fengs. When they saw her, they said that they would take care of her, as long as in the future all the care of the family would be rewarded with work without pay, nowadays, Shu Min works without receiving any kind of pay, just care and a home for herself. She is a young woman known for her kindness and shyness, when she speaks, her voice barely comes out, and the minimum that can be heard seems to be just a whisper, in addition to her calmness in the most difficult moments, she still manages to smile, even if it is a weak smile.
WANG YAO ( 王耀 )
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Wang (王) : This is a very common surname in China, meaning "king" or "monarch". The character can also be associated with leadership, authority, or nobility.
Yao (耀) : This character means "to shine", "to blaze", or "brightness". It is often associated with something or someone that emits light or has a positive, bright impact.
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Contrary to his name, Wang Yao was a young man born into a poor family, who throughout his childhood and adolescence, lived a troubled and unlucky life. When he was still young, his father abandoned the family to run away with a noble woman, who was already married. When he was 8 years old, his mother was allegedly murdered by guards from the nation where he was born. Forced from a young age to learn to fend for himself in the world.
Wang Yao became a strong and brave boy, however, he knew that he would not be able to go against those who one day took away the most important person in his life. Thirsty for revenge, the young man risks his soul, and offers his body to Lei Lian through an array, on the condition that Lei Lian would have to fulfill his life "missions", searching for and avenging Wang Yao's soul.
GAO YIXUAN ( 高一轩 )
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Gao (高): It is a common surname in China, which means "high" or "elevated", symbolizing a person with high status or a good social position. It can also convey the idea of something noble or grand.
Yixuan (一轩): This name is composed of two characters:
Yi (一): It means "one" or "unique". It can symbolize uniqueness, unity or perfection.
Xuan (轩): It means "elevated", "pavilion" or "refined". It can also refer to a beautiful and elevated space, or be associated with something high-level or sophisticated.
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Gao Yixuan is a young disciple of the Jing Ye Meng sect, known for his strong personality and striking presence. Always outgoing and full of energy, a person who loves to be the center of attention and makes a point of cheering up those around him, whether with jokes, challenges or grand gestures. Since he was little, he was taught to never show weakness or vulnerability, which led him to hide his insecurities behind a confident smile and bold attitudes.
Although his determination is unshakable, this mentality has always prevented him from asking for help when he needs it, which eventually resulted in those close to him distancing himself from him, since whenever help was offered to him, Gao Yixuan would refuse with a sarcastic smile.
YE MING ( 叶明 )
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叶 (Yè) : "Leaf" or "Branch".
明 (Míng) : "Bright" or "Clear".
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Ye Ming, a young disciple of the Jing Ye Meng sect, was raised in the middle of nature since he was a child, known as a little boy who loved to run between fields and jump in streams. Since then, he has carried with him this admiration and love for the green of the forests. Nicknamed "Sunshine" by his friends, Ye Ming is a playful and lively young man, a free spirit who is always smiling and brightening the day of those around him. Among other disciples, Ye Ming stands out for his good grades, however, he is often caught distracted talking to Gao Yixuan, and exchanging smiles with one of his friends.
When facing strangers, he becomes calm and respectful, maintaining a polite and attentive demeanor. It is said that even those who meet him for the first time feel as if Ye Ming is a long-time friend.
FAMILIES | SECTS
FENG
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Feng - 丰 : "abundance" or "prosperity", representing wealth and fullness.
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A family with almost 4 generations, its first generation was composed of simple people, they didn't have much, but from the beginning they had strived to achieve the wealth they have.
From the 3rd generation onwards, the members stopped caring about effort and work, and began to have total arrogance and ego, which gradually ruined the family's image.
JING YE MENG SECT
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净夜盟 - Peaceful Night Alliance
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Sect of the LeLiang Nation, they use musical instruments and art as a form of cultivation.
They have one of the most renowned masters in the area of cultivation, and are known mainly for the freedom that their students have.
PLACES
CELESTIAL KINGDOM
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A place located in the heavens, almost like a better replica than the original, the kingdom of heaven is exactly like earth, with all the nations located in their proper places.
However, the only difference is that, besides being among the clouds, everyone lives in peace and joy.
On a higher plane, there is the Main Street of the heavens, where the most renowned masters and gods live. In the center, there is the Celestial Palace, an elegant building that has a huge red carpet throughout its interior and columns on the sides that divide the stands where the noblest of the heavens sit during meetings. And obviously, the center of attention, the enormous staircase that leads to the Throne of the Emperor of the Heavens.
WENYU NATION
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Located in the Southeast, the Wenyu Nation is renowned for its great wealth and power.
The Nation has a separation, which separates the common people and lower class from the nobility, with extreme rules, among which was that the common people could not enter the noble division unless it was for work or commerce.
The nation's main Main Street had a variety of goods, from arts bought from other nations, to fruits grown in the region, streets that further proved that Wenyu was a noble and luxurious place, buildings all wrapped in gold, even the simple lampposts that illuminated the streets.
LIANGLE NATION
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Located in the South, the LiangLe nation is known for its diverse art and culture. Along its streets, you can see several walls with paintings in the most different styles.
A lively nation, in which every small place, such as cafes or simple shops, there will be music and a contagious energy.
LiangLe is known for its diverse market, which is located on Main Street Wenxin Jie, groups of people presenting their dances or talents to the public, musicians trying to promote their art alongside talented artists, and of course, the merchants with their strong voices echoing through the market presenting their goods.
FENG MANSION
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A huge house surrounded by a lake, it has an elegant structure, from columns with gold leaf details, to decorations from rare collections.
It has almost 8 rooms in total, all decorated with the greatest luxury, the central hall being described as an elegant and cozy place.
The lake is surrounded by various plants known in the regions, such as lotuses, and grand trees that had their foliage falling over the water.
GLOSSARY
CULTIVATORS/CULTIVATION: Cultivators are practitioners of spirituality and martial arts who seek to gain insight into the will of the universe while achieving personal strength and extending their lifespan. Cultivation is a long process marked by "stages." Traditionally, there are nine stages, but this is often simplified in fiction. Some common stages are noted below, though the exact definitions of each stage may depend on the setting.
◇ Qi Condensation/Qi Refinement
◇ Foundation Establishment
◇ Core Formation/Golden Core
◇ Nascent Soul (Yuan Yao)
◇ Deity Transformation
◇ Great Ascension
◇ Heavenly Tribulation
CULTIVATION MANUAL: Cultivation manuals and sutras are common plot devices in xianxia/wuxia novels. They provide detailed instructions on secret or advanced training techniques and are sought after by those who wish to advance their cultivation levels.
Flowers:
LOTUS: Associated with Buddhism. It emerges unsullied from the muddy waters in which it grows and thus symbolizes the utmost purity of heart and mind.
PINE (TREE): Symbol of everlasting feeling/eternal affection.
PLUM (FLOWERING TREE): A symbol of endurance, as it blooms in the depths of winter. The plum blossom is also one of the four flowers of the ideal Confucian gentleman.
WILLOW (TREE): A symbol of lasting affection and friendship. It is also a symbol of farewell and can mean "to ask someone to stay." "Meeting under the willows" can connote a reunion.
GHOSTS: Ghosts are the restless spirits of deceased sentient creatures. Ghosts produce yin energy and crave yang energy. They come in a variety of previous personalities or are entirely irrational, and may actively attempt to interact with the living world to achieve a goal or be little more than a remnant shadow of their former lives.
CURRENCY: The monetary system during most dynasties was based on the exchange of silver and gold coins. Weight was also used to measure denominations of money. An example is something being marked with a price of "one liang of silver".
DAOISM: Taoism is the philosophy of dao (道), known as "the way". Following the dao involves coming into harmony with the natural order of the universe, which makes one a "true human, safe from external harm and able to affect the world without intentional action." Cultivation is a concept based on Taoist beliefs.
DEMONS: A race of immensely powerful and innately supernatural beings. They are almost always aligned with evil.
DISCIPLES: Members of the cultivation sect are known as disciples. Disciples live on sect grounds and have a strict hierarchy based on skill and seniority. They are divided into Core, Inner, and Outer ranks, with Core being the highest. Higher-ranking disciples receive better housing and other resources.
Upon formally joining a sect as a disciple or student, the sect becomes like the disciple's new family: teachers are parents and peers are siblings. Because of this, betrayal or abandonment of the sect is considered a profound transgression of the Confucian values of filial piety. This is also the origin of many of the honorifics and titles used for martial arts.
SECT: A cultivation sect is an organization of individuals united by their dedication to the practice of a particular cultivation method or martial arts. A sect may have a signature style. Sects are led by a single leader, who is supported by senior members of the sect. They are not necessarily related by blood.
Colors:
WHITE: Death, mourning, purity. Used at funerals for both the deceased and the mourners.
BLACK: Represents the Heavens and the Tao.
RED: Happiness, good fortune. Used for weddings.
YELLOW/GOLD: Wealth and prosperity, often reserved for the emperor.
BLUE/GREEN (CYAN): Health, prosperity and harmony.
PURPLE: Divinity and immortality, often associated with nobility.
HANFU: Hanfus (traditional Chinese: 漢服, simplified Chinese: 汉服) are traditional Chinese garments with a long history and distinctive design.
They consist of several layers of fabric and are known for their elegance and intricacy, and are worn by both men and women. Hanfu has deep roots in Chinese culture and reflects the aesthetics and beliefs of the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD), and has evolved over time. Hanfu has other styles such as ruqun, beizi and shenyi, and shanku. The main elements of hanfu include loose robes, belts and wide sleeves, as well as a style that prioritizes comfort and freedom of movement.
TERMINOLOGY
ARRAY:
Area containing magic circles; anyone who stands within an array falls under the effect of the magic(s) associated with the array.
TALISMANS:
These can be written on paper with ink, or even drawn in the air, and can usually be used in a variety of ways, such as protection, attack, sealing, and communication.
These require spiritual or divine energy to activate, and become stronger depending on the power of the wearer.
BOWING: Bowing is a social custom in many Asian nations. There are several varieties of bowing in Chinese culture, distinguished by how low the bow goes, as well as any associated hand gestures. A deeper bow indicates more respect among those of lower status. The kowtow is the most respectful level of bowing. "Standing in a bow" means maintaining a bowed position while leaving someone's presence.
*ENGAGEMENT BANQUET (定亲宴 - Dìngqīn Yàn):
Before the wedding, families may hold a banquet especially to announce the engagement. It is an event where the bride and groom are officially introduced to society and important guests. Typically, it takes place in settings such as:
• A large hall decorated with lanterns and red silks.
• A heavenly palace, for engagements between important people from the heavenly kingdom.
• An elegant pavilion, if the bride and groom are from a powerful sect.