28. Mysterious Rumblings

The chirping of birds roused him from his slumber. Outside his window, red and yellow leaves swayed with the wind, colored in the brilliant shades of autumn. A cool breeze, not yet cold, shifted through the gaps in the door and the paper window.

A hand nudged his shoulder. Hui shifted slowly, eyes half-shut. “Ten… ten more minutes.”

“Are you awake?” a male voice asked.

Hui startled upright, swinging his legs out of bed. Oh shit, dad’s home! “Up, I’m up.”

Black crashed into his vision. His head bobbled, light as air. He staggered.

A hand caught him. “Careful.”

That’s… not dad’s voice. He shook his head, waiting for his vision to return. Blinking, he made out white robes, dark hair, a white jade crown sitting at the back of the man’s head. What the hell? Who is… Master, that’s Master. Weiheng Wu.

Hui rubbed his face and sat back down, hanging his head. Everything hurts. He drew at his robes, peeking under them.

Pale scars stared back at him, crisscrossing his flesh. He rubbed a finger over the closest one, feeling its raised edges. Right. The fight.

Chang Bolin… He shook his head. He couldn’t be allowed to live. I had to put him down.

Memories filtered back, slipping around the pain. He scrubbed his face. That girl… who was she? Not Xixing, for sure. Not elder sister Mei either, she’s softer.

At last, something came through: the flash of pink in the pavilion, high above the arena. Lan Taijian’s inheriting disciple. Why does she feel so familiar, then? Why save me?

Sitting beside him, Weiheng Wu held out a shallow dish. A thick, black fluid clung to its sides. “Drink it.”

The acidic smell tingled in his nose. Hui drew back. “I—I’m fine.”

“Your organs and meridians were damaged in the fight. Drink it, or be crippled.”

Pulling a face, Hui took the dish and knocked it back. He swallowed it in one go. Even then, the bitterness bit his tongue and burned in his throat.

Heat settled in his stomach. Without any assistance, the fluid rushed through him. He felt it rage through his body, aggressively mending whatever hurts he had.

Wiping his mouth, he grimaced. “What happened to a spoonful of sugar?”

His master tipped his head. “Do you not like the medicine?”

“No, no, of course I like the medicine! It, it just, the taste is a little… much.”

Weiheng Wu looked at the dish. “I’ll consider it next time.”

Next time? Glancing at him from the corner of his eyes, Hui asked, “Did… did Master brew this medicine?”

Weiheng Wu nodded.

A strange feeling twisted in Hui’s guts. He leaned forward, pressing a hand to his stomach. “Er… did Master… follow a recipe?”

“A recipe? What would I need that for?” Weiheng Wu asked.

“Ah… that’s what I thought,” Hui said, smiling. His guts wrenched again. He dug his nails in, clutching on for dear life.

Weiheng Wu stood, folding his hands into his sleeves. “I understand you’ve been causing trouble recently. As your master, I must take responsibility for you, so this puts me in a difficult place.”

Another gurgle. He hunched over, hugging his gut. Hold on. Hold on, Hui. As fast as he could manage, he ducked his head a short bow and said, “This disciple hears and obeys, Master. Thank you for your valuable insight, Master.”

Weiheng Wu snorted. “I wouldn’t mind so much, but Sect Master Lan sat outside my cave and sang until I finally left seclusion, and I can’t bear anything interrupting my cultivation. Therefore, until I break through into the sixth realm, you need to lay low.”

Sang? Huh? His guts twisted, and Hui paled. No, I don’t care. It’s not that important.

“As Master wishes. Whatever you say.” Hui stood and bowed, backing through the door to the hut. Something gurgled in his guts, desperate to emerge.

Weiheng Wu followed him out. “Thus, I have decided. The safest place to put you… is a secret realm.”

“Disciple is delighted, Master. Could you, er, I, I need a moment,” Hui mumbled, backing away. A bubble of gas escaped his control and slipped out with a distinctive brrt. A foul scent clouded the air.

Weiheng Wu’s brows furrowed. He looked around, confused. After a moment, he shook his head. “A secret realm is opening nearby. If we make haste, we should arrive before it closes.”

“But, uh, could we take a powder break first?” Hui tried.

“A powder break? When we arrive.” Weiheng Wu wandered over and reached for Hui, sword unsheathing at the same moment.

Hui flinched away. “Master, I, I don’t think—”

Weiheng Wu grabbed him around the waist and pulled him onto the sword.

“Master—” Hui’s face twisted in pain. Momentary relief flashed past, only to sink into despair.

Weiheng Wu frowned. “What is that smell?”

“My pride as a human being fleeing my body,” Hui muttered.

Looking down at him, Weiheng Wu startled, then dropped Hui. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

Hui gave him a despairing look. “Master…”

--

Dressed in a clean set of robes, stomach no longer gurgling, Hui fixed his hems and rejoined his master.

“Are you… finished?” Weiheng Wu asked.

“It’s your medicine, Master, you tell me,” Hui replied, smiling.

Weiheng Wu blinked at him.

Ah! I didn’t mean to say that out loud. He coughed. “Haha, I mean, I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.” He dipped his head in a bow.

“Then, let’s hurry.” Weiheng Wu stepped on his sword again and held his hand out to Hui.

A secret realm. How exciting! I can’t believe I get to enter one already! I wonder what I’ll find? Money? A secret technique, long lost and buried? A treasured sword? Grinning, Hui took Weiheng Wu’s hand and jumped up onto the sword.

With a flick of his sleeve, Weiheng Wu flew into the sky. A flap of robe caught Hui in the face, and he fought it down, shaking his hair out against the wind. Weiheng Wu pushed the sword faster yet. Hui hid behind his master, forced to huddle down on the sword, out of the force of the wind. He squinted ahead, desperate to look cool despite knowing it was hopeless.

I really need to learn how to fly on a sword!