Chapter 18: Situation Handled
Hissing under his breath, Hai Yin quickly sheathed Endian. Holding up his index and pointer fingers, Hai Yin sent out a burst of light, it flipping the monster backward into a tail spin. Letting out an ear aching screech, the monster recovered, darting over toward Hai Yin. Quickly, sheathing his own blade, Kang Lei sped over toward Hai Yin. Spinning around, Kang Lei flung a talisman on the back of the head of the monster, it screeching as it was stuck in one spot again.
Quickly signing multiple hand movements, Hai Yin placed a spiritual cage, containing the monster. Becoming even more ferocious by the sudden loss of movement, the monster screeched as the talisman wore off as she could move again.
"That will not hold for much longer, what do you suggest?", Hai Yin yelled to Kang Lei while he watched the creature gain its movement back as it began to aggressively rip at the spiritual cage Hai Yin had placed.
"If we cannot kill it, we must bind it!", Kang Lei yelled back, as he lost the strength in his legs, dropping to his knees.
"Kang Lei!" Hai Yin yelled as the monster broke free, racing toward Hai Yin.
"Do not worry about me, by me some time!" Kang Lei yelled, as he bit his finger, reopening the wound on his thumb. Drawing binding symbols on both hands with his own blood, Kang Lei intertwined his fingers, pressing his thumbs together and closed his eyes.
As the creature reached Hai Yin, he raised his Endian, it pointing downward, blocking the claws the monster had thrown at him.
"Young master Hai!", the disciples called out, circling around the two, ready to assist.
As young master Hai pressed back against the monster, it suddenly stopped, it turning its head to the side as if it was confused, while it focused on its reflection looking back at it through Hai Yin's sword. As Hai Yin saw that the monster was distracted, he jumped back kicking the monster backward, it stumbling but not falling.
As the monster regained it's balance, it slowly looked up into the sky and let out a blood curdling scream, causing the group of young cultivators to cover their ears, all but Kang Lei who was not able to at the moment. Squeezing his eyes tighter, the young master tried his best to ignore the screeching while he hurried to complete the binding spell.
The group of young cultivators watched with horror and confusion as the monster screamed, and suddenly it changed into the form of a young man, then back into the woman it had first appeared as. The monster let out another scream, almost as if it were in pain, before it suddenly shifted once more into a dark gray abomination with scaly skin, jagged sharp teeth protruding out of it's long mouth and eyes that glowed yellow.
"The monster does not know its identity; it takes the shape of whomever it eats!" the disciple that had brought the notebook along yelled.
"No identity, it is the reason it became confused when it saw its reflection.", said the young master. The team of young cultivators ran behind Hai Yin as they all at once, got the same idea to take a chance and see if the durability of this monster's skin had changed as well.
As they raised their swords, the creature let out another blood curdling scream along with a sonic wave sending all the young cultivators flying. As they flew away, before they could fall, with God like speed, the monster darted over grabbing the disciple who had brought along his notebook and speeding the other way.
Doubling back, the group of young cultivators caught themselves from falling and followed behind the monster carrying the young cultivator. Opening his eyes to see the chaos, Kang Lei struggled to his feet, still holding the binding pose in his hands. Coming to a stop the monster roared, stretching its mouth wide as it was about to swallow the young disciple whole! Kang Lei's eyes grew wide as he saw that Hai Yin and the others weren't going to make it in time. In a last desperate attempt, Kang Lei released the bind, quickly unsheathing his sword and tossing it at the creature.
Just as the creature was about to put the young disciple into his mouth, Juntuan came flying, slicing the creature's hand, causing it to drop the disciple. As Juntuan came back, Kang Lei caught the sword, spinning it around, and before he sheathed it, the young master noticed a little line of blood present on the blade. With wide eyes, Kang Lei mustered whatever strength he had left. Darting over to the creature, he held his blade overhead.
Letting out another scream the creature yelled, as it had not seen Kang Lei appear and with one swift swing, Kang Lei sliced the head off of the beast, it rolling onto the ground and it's body dropping as well.
Landing with one knee and one foot on the ground, Kang Lei stood.
"Young master Kang, you saved me!", the disciple that had almost been swallowed whole yelled as everyone rushed to Kang Lei's side.
"How did you do that young master!?" one of the other disciples said, astonishment on his face.
Turning around, Kang Lei held up his black lacquer looking blade, covered in the blood of the deceased beast. "Whatever this blade is made from, has saved our lives.", said Kang Lei with a smile before it slowly began to fade.
Seeing Kang Lei's eyes roll to the top of his head, Hai Yin sprinted over, catching him as he fell, the two of them now sitting on the ground. Grabbing Kang Lei's wrist, Hai Yin began to pass his spirit energy.
"Hai Yin…", Kang Lei spoke, but Hai Yin cut him off.
"Shh, you are unwell.", he responded.
"But you have already given me so much, do not exhaust yourself.", Kang Lei spoke, his voice lethargic and suddenly the disciple that had brought the notebook dropped to his knees, holding up his two index and pointer fingers. "Young master Hai, young master Kang has saved my life, allow me!", said the disciple.
With a smile, Kang Lei let out a giggle, "There is no need, just take me back to the inn and give me wine, I'm sure I'll be just fine."
Hai Yin stared at Kang Lei with intensity in his eyes, yet a soft expression on his handsome face and it made Kang Lei a bit nervous, but he didn't show it on the outside.
"Hai Yin, lets go.", the blue-eyed young master said as his smile widened and with a nod, Hai Yin helped Kang Lei stand.
As the young masters prepared to leave, they heard faint snoring sounding in the bushes. Bending down and picking up a small rock, Hai Yin tossed the rock into the large bush and the snoring stopped. With a loud yawn, a person emerged from the bushes, young master Chen finally appearing after all this time.
"Is it over with, has the creature died?", Ba Chen asked, rubbing his eyes. Walking over and placing his arm around Ba Chen, Kang Lei lead him toward the dead body of the creature.
"There is your trophy.", said Kang Lei, and Ba Chen put his hand over his mouth as he gagged, looking upon the severed head of the beast.
"Kang-ge…perhaps I don't need a trophy after all.", said Ba Chen trying to sliver away, but Kang Lei pulled him back, bringing his arm tighter.
"Come now Ba Chen, you asked Hai Yin and I along, the least you could do is take it home for everyone to see.", said Kang Lei with a smirk.
"But…but Kang-ge, I didn't have any part in killing it, is that really fair?" said Ba Chen and the group of young cultivators giggled as they could clearly see that young master Chen was no longer interested.
"Oh, it's fair, just take the head home and do Hai Yin and I one small favor.", said Kang Lei with a smile. Staring at the blue-eyed young master, Ba Chen shook his head 'yes' over and over.
"What is this small favor?", Ba Chen asked anxiously.
Finally letting go of Ba Chen and walking back over to stand beside Hai Yin, moving his finger back and forth Kang Lei spoke, "simple, we were never here."
"Huh?", said Ba Chen and the disciples all confused.
You mean you don't want credit for this kill young master Kang?", one of the disciples said.
Shaking his headfirst, Kang Lei answered, "precisely, it was all the Ba Clan. My, have young master Chen and his disciples stepped up their night hunting game!", said Kang Lei, making his voice deeper as he clapped his hands.
"And are you okay with us taking all the credit as well Hai-ge?", Ba Chen asked.
With a smirk Hai Yin nodded, "We were never here.", said Hai Yin, he and Kang Lei turning to leave.
"There is a lot to be added about the monster of strain to your sad book of beast, do not forget!", Kang Lei yelled as the two got further and further away.
Looking at each other as the young masters were almost out of sight, the young cultivators shrugged, unsure why they would give up the glory for such a beast?
Walking slowly, the two young master's took their time going to the other side of the town to return to their room.
"Kang Lei.", Hai Yin said.
"Yeah?"
"When did you figure out that your sword could kill the beast?", said young master Hai.
"Emm.", Kang Lei hummed before answering. "I didn't, I took a chance after Juntuan returned to me with a bit of blood on it."
Hai Yin stopped as his lips parted, "reckless!", he said firmly and Kang Lei stopped, turning around to see the young master with his brows furrowed.
"Hai Y…", Kang Lei whined before letting his words trail off, Hai Yin had walked off not bothering to listen to what he had to say.
After the two young master's got back to the inn, Kang Lei bathed while Hai Yin ordered wine and drinks, having it brought up to their room.
When Hai Yin had returned to the room, Kang Lei was sitting at the table, dressed in the inn's white robe, fixing his long dark hair into a loose low ponytail.
"Dinner will be served in a bit.", said Hai Yin.
Kang Lei let out a yawn, "I don't know if I will make it.", said Kang Lei.
"You need to regain your strength in mind, body and spirit Kang Lei. You must not use soul projection so often anymore.", said Hai Yin.
"Hai Yin, has anyone ever told you that you have Mother hen tendencies?", Kang Lei teased with a smirk.
"I am serious.", Hai Yin squinted his eyes at Kang Lei.
Holding up his hands as though he were surrendering, Kang Lei's smirk turned into a nervous smile, "understood, Mother Hai.", Kang Lei couldn't help, but to say and Hai Yin rolled his eyes.
Smirking at Hai Yin, Kang Lei's eyes happen to trail off to the young master's chest, something was sticking out from his robe. "Hai Yin, what is that sticking out of your robe?", Kang Lei asked and suddenly Hai Yin's face turned a shade of pink as he placed his hand over his chest where the night flower was indeed peeking out from his robe.
Turning his head to the side with confusion, Kang Lei stared at the young master awaiting his answer until a knock on the door sounded. Jumping up from the table, Hai Yin stood quickly, "the food has arrived.", the nervous young master said as he turned around to answer the door while he hid the night flower deeper into his robes, honestly he wasn't sure why he was hiding it in the first place.
As the two young masters sat and ate, the light sparkle fluttered around the room. The two young master's stopped eating and looked up to see that it was the messenger hummingbird of the Hai clan. Putting down his chop sticks, Hai Yin held out his hand for the hummingbird. As the bird landed, the young master closed his eyes, receiving the message.
After a minute Hai Yin opened his eyes to see Kang Lei already staring back at him. "What is it?", he asked.
"My Father said that the situation has been contained and there is no longer a need to worry. Enchantments and protection circles have been drawn in all towns within each Sects perimeter. He will return home shortly after tying up a few more ends." Closing his eyes, Kang Lei let out a heavy exhale, it was a relief to know that no war would be happening anytime soon, it was now just a matter of who was behind this.
Taking the sealed cloth off of the porcelain wine bottle, Kang Lei began to pour two cups of wine. Picking up one cup, Kang Lei passed it too Hai Yin, "Shall we drink to a win?", said Kang Lei with a smile and Hai Yin couldn't help, but to smirk as he accepted the glass, the two young master's toasting and not long after finishing the whole bottle.
Later that evening, Hai Yin laid peacefully resting in bed as he had drank more than he usually did and although Kang Lei's body and mind was indeed exhausted, for some reason he could not fall asleep as he laid there staring at the ceiling. Turning over on his side, Kang Lei faced Hai Yin, his breathing rhythmically soothing in the silence of the night. Kang Lei wanted to close his eyes, but he found that he could not take his eyes off of the sleeping young master. Kang Lei's eyes traced, every inch of Hai Yin's handsome, but youthful face as his nose was perfectly rounded to a point, and his brows thick, but neatly shaped. Letting out a deep breath, Kang Lei felt his heart racing. Perhaps it was the large amount of spiritual energy that Hai Yin had given him or maybe he had, had too much to drink tonight, but either way, the young master was kind of beautiful.
Growing nervous about his own thoughts, Kang Lei began to flip over on his other side when he noticed that same odd thing he had noticed earlier poking out from Hai Yin's robes. Leaning up on his side, Kang Lei held his breath, quietly reaching his hand out to the sleeping young master in front of him and carefully pulling it further out of his robes. When he had brought the thing out far enough to see what it was, Kang Lei's eyes grew wide, had Hai Yin been carrying around this night flower that Kang Lei had given him all this time?
"Why of course he would, it is a lucky flower after all.", Kang Lei nervously whispered to himself while he flipped to his other side so that his back was to Hai Yin.
***
At the other end of the town, clan leader Kang was sitting at the table in his room when a knock sounded. "Come in.", his deep voice rumbled.
"Clan leader Kang.", entered Kang Yixing, cupping his fist, bowing respectfully and closing the door.
"What news have you brought me?", clan leader Kang asked.
"Lady Yuke and the child are doing well.", Kang Yixing responded.
"And what of the gender?"
"A daughter clan leader."
"Very well, is there anything that she requires?", said clan leader Kang taking a drink of wine.
"Only your presence, clan leader."
"Futile. What of my son?"
"Young master Kang, young master Hai and young master Ba, along his disciples have successfully defeated the monster of strain. Young master Kang slayed the beast himself, my assistance was not needed….however..", said Kang Yixing.
Clan leader eyed Kang Yixing with intensity, "speak!", he raised his voice.
"The young master struggled quite a bit." Kang Yixing answered.
Turning his head to the side, clan leader Kang roughly put down his wine, "how do you mean?"
"The young master was quite weary after battle, he collapsed.", said Kang Yixing.
"…", clan leader Kang let out a heavy sigh, picking up his wine and taking another gulp, swallowing it all at once. "Now that things are settled, you will return to the Unholy Sect and wait for him there. Take him to the mountain of Tan to resolve these issues.", clan leader responded.
"Clan leader!", said Kang Yixing, cupping his fist and exiting the room.
**
The next day the young masters left the inn early, in the hopes of making it home before their Fathers did.
"You have been rather quiet this morning, what is on your mind?", said Hai Yin. As Kang Lei turned his attention to Hai Yin, the two made contact, but he quickly looked away.
"It is nothing, I just did not sleep very well last night.", the young master responded.
"I see, with things settled, peace will remain between the four main clans. I will keep an eye out should anything of question arise."
"As will I.", Kang Lei added, staring at the ground as he walked.
Looking at the young master fixated on the ground, Hai Yin let out a barely audible sigh. For some reason Kang Lei had been acting strange all morning although he himself was no better, as he could not help but to feel anxious for some reason.
Taking his attention from Kang Lei, the young master looked forward as the two neared the fork in the road, letting out another sigh, he suddenly stopped.
"Hai Yin..", Kang Lei said with both brows raised, also stopping in his tracks as he noticed Hai Yin had come to a halt.
As the two made eye contact once more, Hai Yin stared Kang Lei deep in the eye, those light blue eyes that made everyone else uncomfortable, yet whenever he gazed upon them, they simply mollified his mind.
Taking his eye off of the young master in front of him, Hai Yin glanced behind him, "I have to go this way."
As Hai Yin finished speaking, Kang Lei's brows lowered to their normal positioning, "Ahh right and I am this way.", Kang Lei pointed behind him, forcing a smile.
"Take care.", said Hai Yin, his sword clenched in his hand as he took one last look at Kang Lei.
"Mn, you too.", Kang Lei responded and Hai Yin nodded, turning away and starting down his path.
Although they had parted ways, Kang Lei simply stood still as he watched the young master walking away. Turning around to his own path, Kang Lei started his way home, but he suddenly stopped, turning back around. "Hai Yin!", he yelled.
Turning back around quickly, the young master stopped, "…"
"Let's not wait until there's trouble to cross paths next time!", said Kang Lei with a smile.
"…" Allowing a small smile to grace his face, Hai Yin nodded, turning around and continued walking, as did Kang Lei.
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