Lost Mysticism

— Don't even think about coming to this part of the kingdom again! —shouted Léi Xuěwēi. His hand firmly held the empty soup bowl that was still dripping onto the ground— How many times have I told you already, huh? —He struck the air. The bowl flew to a corner, breaking without restraint and making their argument even more public—. Every day, I have to put up with you. Tolerate you! I don't want to see you more than I have to. Now get out of here! —he spat, taking another path.

Shěn Xuěpíng stood frozen and didn't move until Léi Xuěwēi's figure disappeared among the buildings. He ran frantically. Redness flooded his cheeks, and tears covered them, sliding down his face like rain. It wasn't the scalding soup that had upset him so much, but rather the words Léi Xuěwēi had used and how suddenly they had clashed; he always teased him, but Shěn Xuěpíng thought Léi Xuěwēi harbored a minimal amount of regard for him. Now it was confirmed: Léi Xuěwēi truly despised him.

Shěn Xuěpíng rushed back to his quarters. Upon entering, he slammed the doors shut and hid in the darkness. He let himself collapse at the entrance, resting his back against the wood.

— Léi Xuěwēi again? —asked a voice. Shěn Xuěpíng froze. He quickly wiped away his tears and stood up, nervous. Taking advantage of the fact that the voice came from the other side of the room, he turned around and pressed his chest against the door—. Shěn Jīn? —Shěn Xuěpíng didn't respond—. Huh? Why does it smell like broth…? Open the door! And don't even think about running, or I'll chase you down until I catch you! I don't care if you run to the ends of the earth!

— Yán Míng! Yán Míng! It's not what you think. I just fell, I tripped. You know I'm clumsy. I got a craving, went to the kitchen, served myself some soup, but it spilled everywhere. The ladies already scolded me, don't scold me too. I'm going to clean up, but don't chase me. I'm embarrassed. I'll open the door, alright?

— Do you take me for a fool? Who do you plan to deceive? —reprimanded Yán Míng, whose courtesy name was Yán Yǒngzhōng, as he approached. Even though the room was dark, he knew how to navigate it; he was familiar with many of the rooms in the Old Léi Kingdom. He threw the door open, angry. He cleverly grabbed Shěn Xuěpíng's collar to keep him from running away. In the daylight, he saw his outfit. His face turned pale, but he furrowed his brow—. Now I have to change you. Again! —he growled. He flung his long sleeves in the air and touched his forehead, exhausted—. It was just twenty minutes ago when you had breakfast and said, 'I'm so full I could roll out of here.' You're a terrible liar!

Shěn Xuěpíng's clothes were covered in vegetables, there were some noodles in his hair, and bits of meat had collected in the creases of his robe. Yán Yǒngzhōng's expression became severe and bitter. His frown wrinkled like an ancient hill. A grimace distorted his handsome face. He looked like he was about to explode with rage as he muttered furiously:

— That… guy… Barely at sunrise, and he's already pestering you.

He stomped the ground harshly.

— Don't speak like that, Yán Míng! —Shěn Xuěpíng said hurriedly—. He's Léi Dàrén's son. We have to be respectful; we're only guests here.

— You're the only one calling yourself a guest! You should tell his father what he's doing to you. That's the only way we'll see him punished! It's his jealousy! It's his jealousy that drives him to act this way! He envies how his father treats you like a son!

— Yán Míng! Yán Míng! Don't say that, don't say such things! —he exclaimed nervously. He waved his hands, trying to dismiss the negative thoughts—. Please, don't…

— I'll tell Léi Dàrén!

— Don't tell him anything, please, don't say anything. Léi Kāng is just… Léi Kāng…

The birth name of the eldest son of the Lord of the Léi Household was Léi Kāng.

Yán Yǒngzhōng prepared to undress Shěn Xuěpíng. When he reached for his clothes, his fingers recoiled instinctively.

— What's wrong with you?! —he shouted, worried—. These fabrics are still burning! Take off your clothes! —he demanded. However, his reaction was faster than Shěn Xuěpíng's, and he swiftly stripped him—. That bastard Léi Xuěwēi! What's wrong with him?! When I get the chance to hit him, I will! I'll give it all back to him in a single blow! Was that scoundrel Sīkòu Fēng there too?

— No… no, he wasn't. Don't be angry. This time, it was my fault.

— "Your fault? What! Are you always the only one responsible? How could it be your fault? If it was his fault, tell me, did he end up with something on his head? Did you throw a cucumber at him? Did you hit him, huh?! How is it that after all these years, it's always your fault? Your fault. Don't make me laugh, please! Oh, wait, maybe it is your fault! Your fault for not telling Léi Dàrén anything and staying silent! Oh, but wait, I'm your servant! —he shouted sarcastically—. So that means it's my fault too! I never should have listened to you when you didn't let me report him; I should have gone straight to our lord! Don't worry, the blame ends today. I'll speak to him!

— Yán Míng, we don't have to fight. Don't say anything, I beg you. Yán Míng, please. Yán Míng? Look at me, I'm talking to you. Yán Yǒngzhōng, don't ignore me!

Yán Yǒngzhōng took a deep breath. His cheeks were burning with anger. Shěn Xuěpíng was his master, so he had no choice but to obey. He held back his emotions, albeit with resentment.

— Did you manage to see your uncle? —he asked, hysterical but vaguely restrained.

Shěn Xuěpíng hesitated and averted his gaze. Yán Yǒngzhōng brought over the bucket of water he had filled earlier to clean the floor; it had just been built yesterday, and he hadn't yet used it for chores. He grabbed one of the white cloths from the walnut cabinet, a gift from Léi Dàrén for Shěn Xuěpíng's seventh birthday.

In this part of the country, located in the North, the climate was freezing.

When he submerged the towel and wrung it out, Shěn Xuěpíng couldn't help but shiver at the sight of the friction and the streams dripping down.

— No… —he murmured. He didn't dare lie to him. Yán Míng would kill him if he found out. And he always did—. Léi Kāng appeared, and… what happened, happened.

— You still haven't spoken to Léi Kē?! What are you doing here wasting time?! You need to go to him quickly! He said it was important! —Yán Yǒngzhōng acted diligently. He moved faster than a horse, cleaned him, dressed him, washed his hair swiftly, and began combing it—. You're not a child anymore, Shěn Jīn. You must behave. You can't be late if our lord calls you.

— But he said I could take my time.

— That doesn't matter —reprimanded Yán Yǒngzhōng—. Our lord may say that to you a thousand times because he values you, but the rest are watching what you do.

— Don't worry…

— Don't worry! —he interrupted angrily, in a sarcastic tone—. Those who are watching us! Ghosts, ghosts! What am I going to do with you? Tell me! What am I going to do?

Yán Yǒngzhōng held some jewels, but the aroma of boiled pork had not yet dissipated. He hesitated whether to place them on and spray them with perfume, or clean them later and make a simple hairstyle. He knew that Léi Xuěwēi would be in the hall where Léi Dàrén awaited. He didn't want Shěn Xuěpíng to look insignificant next to him. However, an idea came to him. He stored the jewels in a worn-out box; he needed to wash them before integrating them with the rest of the jewelry.

— You're ready. Go like this.

— Are you sure? —asked Shěn Xuěpíng, fearful.

Since they were children, Yán Yǒngzhōng had forced him to dress ostentatiously. Shěn Xuěpíng was easily embarrassed and felt uncomfortable being so adorned, but over time, he became accustomed without distress to Yán Yǒngzhōng's styles.

— I'm sure. Léi Dàrén will see that you're more humble than his son.

Shěn Xuěpíng immediately understood his intentions.

— ... Better put the jewels on me! —he ordered— Léi Kāng will be upset if he thinks the same as you!

— They're dirty! If I put them on you, what kind of servant would I be?

— Give them to me!

— Get off me!

— Give them to me!

— They smell like pork grease!

— I don't care!

— Stop being a child; behave!

— I don't want to go like this!

— Let me go! You have to leave now! I bet they're waiting for you! Aren't you ashamed?

— I'll leave, I'll leave, but give me the jewels, or just one, give me something!

— I won't! Just give up already!

— I won't give up!

— Out!

— I want one!

— Over my dead body!

— Just give me one!

They both became absorbed in their quarrel. Yán Yǒngzhōng was a man firm in his word; if he had already said no, he would stick to it until the end, very different from Shěn Xuěpíng, who tended to waver over everything, even to clarify his favorite color to others.

Despite their differences, the years and their closeness—above all, the dependency and loyalty they held for one another—had brought them close. Status meant little, and their treatment and esteem for each other prevailed.

— What's going on here? —asked a deep voice gently.

Yán Yǒngzhōng immediately knelt, while Shěn Xuěpíng tried to pounce on him to snatch the jewels. The latter had neither seen nor heard the lord enter the room.

His action almost made him fall to the ground; to avoid it, his feet stumbled over each other. His nerves settled, and he felt incredible relief. He had almost landed on the buckets of water Yán Yǒngzhōng had brought, now filled with waste.

— A-Jīn, be careful! —said Léi Dàrén, concerned. His eyebrows drew a soft expression. He walked energetically toward Shěn Xuěpíng—. I came because I thought you were sick; I was worried. It rained a lot yesterday, more than usual, almost all night, not to say it lasted until dawn, as I believe it did. Tell me, why were you delayed?

— Uncle… —he whispered. He put on a cheerful expression and replied—: Uncle, I owe you an apology. I didn't mean to distress you. I'm not sick at all, quite the opposite. Today… today I woke up late. I got the days mixed up. Since our talk was at midnight, I thought you wanted to see me tomorrow, not today. But how silly I am! Totally my fault!

— Oh, A-Jīn, hahaha, always so absent-minded. Don't worry; you haven't troubled this old man much. Have you had breakfast yet? What kind of question is that? But you've just gotten up. Old age dulls my senses. Léi Kāng hasn't had breakfast either. He told me Sīkòu Fēng was punished by his master, so he had to go get some soup himself, but a dog ran by, pushed him, and spilled it all on the ground.

Yán Yǒngzhōng laughed silently upon hearing the first part of the sentence, but upon hearing the second, his face turned red with fury. The scoundrel Léi Xuěwēi dared to call Shěn Xuěpíng a dog!

Shěn Xuěpíng stood in front of him, trying to hide his expression, which was incredibly obvious.

— If you're ready, we can have breakfast together —explained Léi Dàrén.

— Yes, I'm ready; I'll join you!

— By the way, why were you arguing? —he asked, looking at Yán Yǒngzhōng.

With that question finally posed, Shěn Jīn's servant prepared to tell him all the wickedness Léi Xuěwēi exercised over his master. He put on a serious and almost pained expression, full of discomfort, but Shěn Jīn could see through him and clearly saw the satisfied smile of Yán Yǒngzhōng beneath all that acting.

— Nothing! —he quickly replied—. It's just that Yán Míng bought a candy in the village, but when he was about to give it to me, he remembered that Shīzūn established a strict diet for me! He didn't want to give it to me, so… I… I tried…

— Yán Míng, as attentive as ever. —He observed the buckets in the room—. And so hardworking! For today, you can rest, son. In your plans, it would be good to go to the village and buy summer clothes.

— Summer clothes…? —repeated Yán Yǒngzhōng, in a murmur.

— Take your time. Others will take care of your tasks for the day, tomorrow's, and the rest of the year and the following ones. You've earned it, boy.

Yán Yǒngzhōng was dumbfounded. His eyes were as wide as a tarsier's. He was almost gaping.

Léi Dàrén laughed, but not seeing any reaction from him, he fell silent, curious. It wasn't usual to see him surprised. Among many teenagers, Yán Yǒngzhōng was one of the most serious and responsible. But now, his expression was like that of a child seeing his father return from war.

— I'm sorry —said Yán Yǒngzhōng when he noticed his boldness. He bowed his head and said—: Thank you very much, Léi Dàrén. It will be as you command.

However, he felt peculiarly disturbed. Léi Kē's words had sounded suspicious, making him wary and alert. He observed his master carefully and then the lord; the latter's gaze contained intrigue.

His mind didn't take long to conclude that it wasn't a simple chat. At first, he thought Léi Kē would talk to Shěn Xuěpíng about his poor progress with the sword and would give him a light scolding; though that wasn't really his fault, it all stemmed from Léi Xuěwēi again. That young man had given the order, behind his father and Shīzūn's backs, to obstruct Shěn Xuěpíng's training. So, when he wanted to use the training grounds or perform during his free time, something unexpected would arise.

In Yán Yǒngzhōng's eyes, Shěn Xuěpíng was so innocent that he hadn't noticed. He was being bullied, and he only showed a smile.

He didn't understand it. But he believed that was the reason Léi Kē valued him. Shěn Xuěpíng wasn't someone easily broken. He was strong, much stronger than he thought and limited himself. He had great willpower. Léi Xuěwēi really envied him.

— Tell me, Shěn Jīn, did you pay your respects to JìngGuāng-Jūn this morning?

— No, uncle. Shīzūn has been angry these days... Yesterday, he didn't show up for the session, so we went to the Cebe to honor him. We knelt with offerings and food for hours. When he came out of his residence, he slammed the door in our faces and hid again. From inside, he shouted: "Don't even think about coming tomorrow!"

— JìngGuāng-Jūn, always so stern —he said with grace and satisfaction, recalling the past—. Do you know why your Shīzūn is angry?

— Yesterday, I didn't understand, but I think I figured it out at dawn.

— Did you stay up for that?

Shěn Xuěpíng didn't nod. That wasn't the reason he had "overslept," as he had previously assured. He didn't want the lie to extend. But yes, he had stayed up late evaluating everything.

— Once, you told me that wisdom is essential, especially in the life of a martial artist. I've been striving to polish it since then. I think reviewing events is part of that, understanding "why" something turned out the way it did.

— In some way, it is; however, that won't lead you to wisdom —he affirmed with a kind smile. His long beard swayed in the wind. Shěn Xuěpíng watched him captivated, feeling he would learn something new—. And I'd recommend you not review every event you live through.

— Why not? —he questioned incredulously.

— A sensible person doesn't cling to every moment of existence. Not everything has an answer or an encrypted meaning; only the books of phrases and stories of the Path to Spiritual Eternity are full of that. Moreover, you should already know that wisdom doesn't focus on one aspect. Hahaha, but isn't that exactly what JìngGuāng-Jūn wants you to learn?

— That's right. That was my conclusion. I think he became even more furious that we visited him with offerings instead of clear lessons. I sense he won't teach us anything until we've perfected the "Beacon of Judgment."

— Perfected?

— I mean… internalized?

— You need to keep studying.

— But… it is that, isn't it?

— Are you sure?

— You know Shīzūn. If I run into him and have no answer, he'll strip me bare when winter comes, and it's just around the corner.

— You don't convince me, A-Jīn, I won't give you the answers. You're a man now; from now on, you'll run on your own. I can't hold your hand like before. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. My bones won't allow it.

— Don't say that, uncle. You have strength to spare. The weather has made you like this. You're in good health. I know the gods are dead, but… I pray for you every day. We don't know what happened in the heavens. Everything is uncertain, isn't it? I feel that Laks hears our prayers.

Léi Dàrén preferred not to contradict Shěn Xuěpíng. He was still young, and every newly conceived spirit nurtures hope in its potential. He didn't want to spark disappointment in him. Besides, how could he explain that all men born in the North didn't suffer the ailments of those from the South? The DNA of the former had mutated in their descendants; they barely felt the cold. Still, he couldn't tell him that.

He set aside such matters and offered a smile. Shěn Xuěpíng had grown significantly in recent months. Everyone, including the town merchants and the elders at the dock, who once treated him like a child, had changed their ways. He had grown about twelve centimeters suddenly, and his features had changed. The only thing that remained was his innocence; that indeed was still intact, and it seemed to have made him more absent-minded, which worried him.

— If you saw JìngGuāng-Jūn today, what would you say to him?

— I have no words —he answered fearfully—. Shīzūn wouldn't let me speak. He'd silence me immediately.

Shěn Xuěpíng was very aware of how accurate his prediction was.

When they arrived at the Léi Family's Private Hall, two sentinels opened the doors. The wood was so heavy that its movement was sluggish. The sliding sound echoed through every corridor—left, right, and down the long central path. As they parted, they formed a narrow opening. As if warning him of the condemnation his appearance would bring if he stepped inside, he watched in shock as Léi Xuěwēi subtly signaled with the corner of his eye for him to leave.

That glance could mean only one thing.

Léi Xuěwēi was stubborn and daring; despite everything, he wasn't cowardly, much less treacherous. Like every bearer of the surname "Léi," he embodied brotherhood and camaraderie. Unfortunately—and one of his few misfortunes—he shared the same master as Shěn Xuěpíng. This was due to a misunderstanding, which he suspected had been instigated by his father.

Regardless, he, Shěn Xuěpíng, and Sīkòu Fēng shared JìngGuāng-Jūn as a master—one of the strictest, most eccentric, and insensitive men among those serving Léi Dàrén. To be precise, and precision obsessed Léi Xuěwēi, JìngGuāng-Jūn might have been one of the least human men in the entire North. What worsened the situation was that his father, Léi Kē, had allowed JìngGuāng-Jūn to handle them as he saw fit.

Léi Xuěwēi's expression wasn't as frightened, but his eyes held a clear warning: "You'll die if you go in." There was no other explanation. Inside was their uncompromising master. Seeing Sīkòu Fēng kneeling beside Léi Xuěwēi with his head pressed against the carpet confirmed the suspicion.

His body reacted before his mind. His feet moved to flee. Léi Dàrén grabbed his shoulder, straightened him, and led him inside.

— JìngGuāng-Jūn, you have the same energy as ever. They say your beauty is dazzling, but I think your character eclipses it even more. I've brought you one of your sheep —he announced, presenting Shěn Xuěpíng to him.

The young man was intimidated. He quickly dropped to the ground, kneeling beside Léi Xuěwēi. He pressed his forehead to the floor as much as he could.

— Have you made progress? —he asked.

— No, my lord.

— So, you still don't remember what you promised…

— They don't, my lord —JìngGuāng-Jūn affirmed calmly.

His expression was as cold as snow, his eyes distant and crystalline. His hair reached his knees, silky and fine, and he was dressed entirely in white. His appearance was angelic; at first glance, no one would doubt it. However, after experiencing his bitter personality, most were both frightened and impressed by his manners.

— You're so stupid you notice nothing! —Léi Xuěwēi scolded Shěn Xuěpíng, ensuring others couldn't hear.

— Your father caught me; what did you expect me to do? Push him and run away?

— Perhaps! Maybe that would've saved all three of us.

— Is he that upset?

— You have no idea.

After Léi Xuěwēi humiliated Shěn Xuěpíng, karma didn't delay its retaliation. Turning the corner where he left him, he ran into his Shīzūn. An unfortunate encounter in every sense of the word. No one passed through that place. His steps, aggressive and arrogant due to his irritation, collided with his master's chest, even pushing him slightly. As expected, he was the one who fell to the ground. When he looked up, he saw disappointment in his master's eyes and a terrified Sīkòu Fēng, who followed him like a shadow.

— Your father told me Sīkòu Fēng was being punished —Shěn Xuěpíng murmured.

— Yes, and he told me he was sick —Léi Xuěwēi replied.

— Is that why you had the soup at that temperature? —Shěn Xuěpíng questioned, understanding the worried expression he'd seen on his face that morning.

— What soup? —Sīkòu Fēng asked—. I thought you were just walking.

— It doesn't matter —Léi Xuěwēi answered.

— Your father told me you were at the Cebe —Sīkòu Fēng explained—. I thought you dared to face Shīzūn's punishment despite his warning not to go to him, so I came to accompany you.

The young men fell silent, reaching the same conclusion: the old man had tricked them!

— He told Yán Míng to buy summer clothes —added Shěn Xuěpíng.

— Your father asked… —Sīkòu Fēng gestured toward their Shīzūn with his eyes— …if we remembered our promise. Do you know what he's talking about?

— I'm terrified even to answer that —Shěn Xuěpíng replied—. Léi Kāng?

— I don't know… Don't ask me, and try to remember.

JìngGuāng-Jūn had an acute sense of hearing. With coldness, he sternly noted:

— So, you don't remember.

— You had time to enjoy yourselves during New Year, stealing Brother Mo's liquor and sharing it with your friends —Léi Dàrén said. He walked to the back of the hall, heading for his seat—. Even Yán Míng remembers. You caused a whole scandal on Mount XinMei. What did your martial brothers call you in those first weeks? Ah, yes, "Sons of the Dim Light."

— Huh? Weren't we called that because of our Shīzūn? —Shěn Xuěpíng asked.

— What did you say, A-Jīn? —JìngGuāng-Jūn questioned. The affectionate prefix on his lips sounded dangerous and threatening. It always sounded the same whenever he uttered his name.

— Don't open your mouth! —Léi Xuěwēi scolded—. You're going to make… him… angrier…!

He fell silent upon meeting his Shīzūn's gaze.

— You'd do well to follow your own advice or Sīkòu Fēng's new behavior —his master warned.

Sīkòu Fēng swallowed hard. He tried to pretend to be a potted plant. He didn't want his master to look at him or say his name. The latter made him anxious. He almost cried from fear; apparently, a tear escaped, which Léi Dàrén assumed was one of joy at being recognized.

Outside the room, a resonant and hollow sound was heard, caused by incredible and dominant footsteps of considerable weight moving confidently through the residence, as if the owner and master of every inch of the vast property. The faint screech of metal pieces brushing against each other caught the young men's attention. The noise wasn't piercing but rather a tolerable jingling.

Léi Xuěwēi and Sīkòu Fēng exchanged glances. Léi Dàrén touched his forehead in stress, and JìngGuāng-Jūn closed his eyes as if meditating, as if entirely indifferent to the situation. Both adults seemed to anticipate what was about to unfold. Only one bore the weight of addressing the problem, while the other waited for it to pass before continuing with the current matter. No one bothered to look at the curious Shěn Xuěpíng, so his gaze landed on the entrance as he tried to make sense of the situation.

The door opened slowly, long before the visitor approached. When he noticed the forming crack of the door, he stormed into the hall with bold determination. His demeanor was fearless and firm, generating skepticism in Sīkòu Fēng and Shěn Xuěpíng and anger in Léi Xuěwēi, who nearly yelled at him for his attitude.

He abruptly removed the helmet covering his face. His cheeks were red, and his hair was slightly disheveled. His face, characterized by strict severity due to the shape of his eyebrows and lips and the peculiar sharpness of his eyelids, now appeared offended. It was none other than Léi Xuěwēi's elder cousin.

His expression softened upon seeing him arrive like that. Was he dreaming?

— Jiùjiu! —the young man in golden armor called out loudly, in a tone both reproachful and petulant—. I thought you'd welcome me! Why is there no one at the entrance?

The young men quickly stood up, all of them excited and smiling.

— Léi Yǒnghuā! —Sīkòu Fēng exclaimed.

— Táng Gē! —Léi Xuěwēi reacted in surprise.