Martial Arts building
It is late in the evening. Xuan Luo went to the Martial Arts’ building on his own. He had promised Master Li that before he left, he would come here. Master Li has something to say to him.
“Li ye ye, are you here?” Inside the main hall, he doesn’t see anyone. Although the building wasn’t considered big, a dozen or so can practice at the same time.
Seeing the empty place, Xuan Luo thought to himself, did I go to the wrong location? But then again, that’s not possible.
Since no one was around, he decided to practice his shallow fist techniques in the main hall.
Although these shallow movements were basic; sometimes, the most simple techniques were the most useful.
Xuan Luo practiced while waiting for Master Li to appear. But after practicing for his 7th or 8th time, Master Li was still nowhere to be seen.
He decided to go home.
By now, the moon was already way high up; surrounded by stars. Everything looked very still.
Xuan Luo looks up at the sky and sighs, “Stepfather, I am leaving tomorrow…”
“Xuan Luo, you’re here!” Master Li calls out, as he sees Xuan Luo leaving. He had just arrived back to the building.
“I had to do something. That’s why I’m late. Hope you weren’t waiting for too long!”
“Don’t worry about it, Li ye ye. I’m planning to secretly leave tomorrow. I’m just wondering why you wanted to see me before I go?” rushed Xuan Luo. Originally, he wanted to leave tonight with Bai Tian. But it’s already too late, thus he is feeling anxious.
“Come inside with me!” Master Li waves Xuan Luo in and goes inside the building.
When they were inside, Master Li throws Xuan Luo a book that came from nowhere. “This is a book on hanging fist techniques. I wrote this down last night. I used to practice this as well, but this technique doesn’t have much power unless you’re able to use nei li. That’s why after I got hurt, I wasn’t able to practice it again. The shallow techniques I have taught you is a shorten and simpler version of this. This is the original.”
Xuan Luo catches the book; his mouth opened wide. How can Master Li give him such a valuable book so easily?!
Seeing Xuan Luo‘s expression, Master Li smiled. “These moves from the book will be useful to you. Once you get out there, this is another item that might save your life!”
Master Li’s caring tone caused a warm sensation in Xuan Luo‘s heart.
“As you know, some people in our jiang hu are very dangerous. You have to be careful. By the way, when you arrive at Wu Dang, if you see someone named Xiao Yun, please tell him this…” Master Li whispers in Xuan Luo‘s ears.
“Okay. If I see him, I will pass your message to him!”
——-
It’s a very quiet and peaceful night in Qian Deng Zhen. Aside from the chirping insects, there are no other sounds.
Although all the lanterns were lit, it isn’t as glamorous as one would imagine. When the Sun is up, people work. When the Sun sets, people rest. That’s how things work here.
By the time Xuan Luo got home, it was already midnight. Guan Shan Jue had gone to bed long ago. Xuan Luo silently looked at Guan Shan Jue‘s wrinkled face. His heart is filled with longing and he doesn’t want to leave. But, there’s no other choice. Seeing his Stepfather injured was like getting stabbed in the heart. It was that moment when he decided he must get stronger…
He actually did not have to pack. He just wanted to see Guan Shan Jue one more time.
Very gently, he shuts the door.
“Are you leaving now?” Hearing the voice, Xuan Luo‘s body froze.
Guan Shan Jue slowly walked out; his eyes filled with longing. But at the same time, the longing is filled with love -even though Xuan Luo is not his actual son.
“Stepfather…you’re awake..” Xuan Luo quietly said.
The two of them looks at each other. The moonlight becomes the background, and at that moment, those two are the main characters of the Heaven and Earth.
“Haha. Wow, you’re planning to leave without a word? You want me to look for you outside on the streets tomorrow?” Guan Shan Jue looks slightly angry, but there is no hint of anger in his voice. He smiles at Xuan Luo.
“Stepfather…” Xuan Luo is tongue tied. He doesn’t know what to say, and continues looking at Stepfather.
“Stay and talk to me..” Guan Shan Jue grabs Xuan Luo‘s hand and walks back into the room.
——-
They spoke for a long time. But since his Stepfather is old, soon he felt asleep on him.
Xuan Luo didn’t move. Seeing his Stepfather fall asleep on his leg, it reminded him of the time when he used to fall asleep on Guan Shan Jue‘s leg too. His tears fell on Guan Shan Jue‘s stomach…
That night felt very long. Underneath the candlelight, their shadows were also stretched very long…
Soon, Xuan Luo also closed his eyes, and fell asleep…
“Hot…it’s so hot, where…where am I? FIRE. Everything is on fire! What happened to everyone else…?”
Xuan Luo has seen this image many times. Everything is ablaze. He’s alone, looking at what’s happening in front of him. Too afraid to move. But a dark shadow flashes by and takes him away…
The image has changed. Xuan Luo is now alone in a strange and unfamiliar place. Darkness surrounds him. There is no one else except his shadow…
Where..where am I?
Who…who am I?
What …what happened?
…..
Xuan Luo‘s eyes looked dull and lifeless. He keeps repeating these questions…
At that moment, he was suddenly aware. His eyes were able to focus again. Standing from his spot, his lips moved. His voice raised.
“I am…Xuan Yuan …Xuan….Luo..”
——-
The sky has turned white. When Xuan Luo opened his eyes, Guan Shan Jue was nowhere to be seen.
As he walked on the limestone path, he looked back at the two wooden buildings.Xuan Luo experiences a feeling he cannot describe. He doesn’t know what it is, except that his heart feels sour.
When he arrived at the Village’s entrance, he waited for a bit. He was disappointed. This is where he is supposed to meet Bai Tian, but he hasn’t appeared.
Perhaps it was because of the fire from his dreams. He had always locked up his inner thoughts. It takes a lot to get close to him. So once he allows a person in, that person will always have a special place inside his heart…
Since Bai Tian didn’t show up, Xuan Luo decided to leave on his own.
Within a few steps, he hears a voice, “You’re leaving without me!? Hey!”
Xuan Luo stops and turns around, looking at the figure that is approaching him. He smiles.
“Are you sure about this? Did you tell your family?”
“No. If I told them, I wouldn’t be able to join you! You didn’t say anything either, right?” Bai Tian curiously looks at him.
He shook his head, “No, but Stepfather already knows…”
There was no need to say anything else. The two of them looked at each other and smiled, and started to head East.
The sound of water flows by. On the bridge, we can see the shadow of the two similar heights, slowly stretching.
Following the direction of the Sun, Xuan Luo thought to himself, “I must pursue my own goals. And the things from my dreams…”
Somewhere, Guan Shan Jue watches as Xuan Luo leaves. Tears would not stop rolling down. But all of a sudden, he realized something. “Damn it! I didn’t give Xuan Luo that thing!!”
But by now, Xuan Luo and Bai Tian were long gone…
Martial Arts building
It is late in the evening. Xuan Luo went to the Martial Arts’ building on his own. He had promised Master Li that before he left, he would come here. Master Li has something to say to him.
“Li ye ye, are you here?” Inside the main hall, he doesn’t see anyone. Although the building wasn’t considered big, a dozen or so can practice at the same time.
Seeing the empty place, Xuan Luo thought to himself, did I go to the wrong location? But then again, that’s not possible.
Since no one was around, he decided to practice his shallow fist techniques in the main hall.
Although these shallow movements were basic; sometimes, the most simple techniques were the most useful.
Xuan Luo practiced while waiting for Master Li to appear. But after practicing for his 7th or 8th time, Master Li was still nowhere to be seen.
He decided to go home.
By now, the moon was already way high up; surrounded by stars. Everything looked very still.
Xuan Luo looks up at the sky and sighs, “Stepfather, I am leaving tomorrow…”
“Xuan Luo, you’re here!” Master Li calls out, as he sees Xuan Luo leaving. He had just arrived back to the building.
“I had to do something. That’s why I’m late. Hope you weren’t waiting for too long!”
“Don’t worry about it, Li ye ye. I’m planning to secretly leave tomorrow. I’m just wondering why you wanted to see me before I go?” rushed Xuan Luo. Originally, he wanted to leave tonight with Bai Tian. But it’s already too late, thus he is feeling anxious.
“Come inside with me!” Master Li waves Xuan Luo in and goes inside the building.
When they were inside, Master Li throws Xuan Luo a book that came from nowhere. “This is a book on hanging fist techniques. I wrote this down last night. I used to practice this as well, but this technique doesn’t have much power unless you’re able to use nei li. That’s why after I got hurt, I wasn’t able to practice it again. The shallow techniques I have taught you is a shorten and simpler version of this. This is the original.”
Xuan Luo catches the book; his mouth opened wide. How can Master Li give him such a valuable book so easily?!
Seeing Xuan Luo‘s expression, Master Li smiled. “These moves from the book will be useful to you. Once you get out there, this is another item that might save your life!”
Master Li’s caring tone caused a warm sensation in Xuan Luo‘s heart.
“As you know, some people in our jiang hu are very dangerous. You have to be careful. By the way, when you arrive at Wu Dang, if you see someone named Xiao Yun, please tell him this…” Master Li whispers in Xuan Luo‘s ears.
“Okay. If I see him, I will pass your message to him!”
——-
It’s a very quiet and peaceful night in Qian Deng Zhen. Aside from the chirping insects, there are no other sounds.
Although all the lanterns were lit, it isn’t as glamorous as one would imagine. When the Sun is up, people work. When the Sun sets, people rest. That’s how things work here.
By the time Xuan Luo got home, it was already midnight. Guan Shan Jue had gone to bed long ago. Xuan Luo silently looked at Guan Shan Jue‘s wrinkled face. His heart is filled with longing and he doesn’t want to leave. But, there’s no other choice. Seeing his Stepfather injured was like getting stabbed in the heart. It was that moment when he decided he must get stronger…
He actually did not have to pack. He just wanted to see Guan Shan Jue one more time.
Very gently, he shuts the door.
“Are you leaving now?” Hearing the voice, Xuan Luo‘s body froze.
Guan Shan Jue slowly walked out; his eyes filled with longing. But at the same time, the longing is filled with love -even though Xuan Luo is not his actual son.
“Stepfather…you’re awake..” Xuan Luo quietly said.
The two of them looks at each other. The moonlight becomes the background, and at that moment, those two are the main characters of the Heaven and Earth.
“Haha. Wow, you’re planning to leave without a word? You want me to look for you outside on the streets tomorrow?” Guan Shan Jue looks slightly angry, but there is no hint of anger in his voice. He smiles at Xuan Luo.
“Stepfather…” Xuan Luo is tongue tied. He doesn’t know what to say, and continues looking at Stepfather.
“Stay and talk to me..” Guan Shan Jue grabs Xuan Luo‘s hand and walks back into the room.
——-
They spoke for a long time. But since his Stepfather is old, soon he felt asleep on him.
Xuan Luo didn’t move. Seeing his Stepfather fall asleep on his leg, it reminded him of the time when he used to fall asleep on Guan Shan Jue‘s leg too. His tears fell on Guan Shan Jue‘s stomach…
That night felt very long. Underneath the candlelight, their shadows were also stretched very long…
Soon, Xuan Luo also closed his eyes, and fell asleep…
“Hot…it’s so hot, where…where am I? FIRE. Everything is on fire! What happened to everyone else…?”
Xuan Luo has seen this image many times. Everything is ablaze. He’s alone, looking at what’s happening in front of him. Too afraid to move. But a dark shadow flashes by and takes him away…
The image has changed. Xuan Luo is now alone in a strange and unfamiliar place. Darkness surrounds him. There is no one else except his shadow…
Where..where am I?
Who…who am I?
What …what happened?
…..
Xuan Luo‘s eyes looked dull and lifeless. He keeps repeating these questions…
At that moment, he was suddenly aware. His eyes were able to focus again. Standing from his spot, his lips moved. His voice raised.
“I am…Xuan Yuan …Xuan….Luo..”
——-
The sky has turned white. When Xuan Luo opened his eyes, Guan Shan Jue was nowhere to be seen.
As he walked on the limestone path, he looked back at the two wooden buildings.Xuan Luo experiences a feeling he cannot describe. He doesn’t know what it is, except that his heart feels sour.
When he arrived at the Village’s entrance, he waited for a bit. He was disappointed. This is where he is supposed to meet Bai Tian, but he hasn’t appeared.
Perhaps it was because of the fire from his dreams. He had always locked up his inner thoughts. It takes a lot to get close to him. So once he allows a person in, that person will always have a special place inside his heart…
Since Bai Tian didn’t show up, Xuan Luo decided to leave on his own.
Within a few steps, he hears a voice, “You’re leaving without me!? Hey!”
Xuan Luo stops and turns around, looking at the figure that is approaching him. He smiles.
“Are you sure about this? Did you tell your family?”
“No. If I told them, I wouldn’t be able to join you! You didn’t say anything either, right?” Bai Tian curiously looks at him.
He shook his head, “No, but Stepfather already knows…”
There was no need to say anything else. The two of them looked at each other and smiled, and started to head East.
The sound of water flows by. On the bridge, we can see the shadow of the two similar heights, slowly stretching.
Following the direction of the Sun, Xuan Luo thought to himself, “I must pursue my own goals. And the things from my dreams…”
Somewhere, Guan Shan Jue watches as Xuan Luo leaves. Tears would not stop rolling down. But all of a sudden, he realized something. “Damn it! I didn’t give Xuan Luo that thing!!”
But by now, Xuan Luo and Bai Tian were long gone…
