Chapter 45: Rings and Strangers

Chapter 45: Rings and Strangers

45

Rings and Strangers

I

Night had fallen, and Hao Zhen found himself sitting underneath a tree, his back against the trunk. Tian Jin sat to his right and Lan Yue to his left. They hadnt bothered setting up camp in a clearing this time. Instead, after the sun had set, they just agreed to call it a day, and plopped to the groundin his and Tian Jins case, at least; Lan Yue was a bit more graceful about itwhere they were, in the middle of the forest.

Silence hung in the air. They had sat down a few minutes ago, and nobody had said a word since. Tian Jin appeared deep in thought, and the same went for Lan Yue. Considering the conversations they were about to have, he didnt blame them for hesitating.

Nevertheless, he reckoned that the silence had already outstayed its welcome.

Tian Jin, Hao Zhen said, and the other boy snapped out of his daze. Hao Zhen then gestured toward Lan Yue, who had been similarly pulled into the present by his words.

Getting the message, Tian Jin took a deep breath, then started telling Lan Yue about his pastabout his clan, about its destruction, about his master. Although nothing about it was new to Hao Zhen, he still paid attention to the story in case he had missed anything before or Tian Jin added anything he had forgotten to include the previous time. Lan Yue listened attentively, refraining from asking questions. Hao Zhen had already thought so before, but she was a surprisingly good listener.

Tian Jin soon finished his tale. It wasnt a long one, to begin with, and since it was his second time telling it, Tian Jin appeared to have a much easier time going over what had happened in his past. His recounting done, Tian Jin looked expectantly at Lan Yue, who stared back at him, an indescribable look on her face.

I see, Lan Yue finally said. Your clan She frowned. No, your master Again she trailed off. She shook her head. Then her gaze fell on Tian Jins hand, which was resting on top of the boys lap. That ring, she suddenly said, with much more conviction than her previous two attempts at speaking. Is that the one your master gave you?

Tian Jin glanced down at his hand, then took it out of his lap, raising it up in the air to give Lan Yue a better look. The ring was just as Hao Zhen remembereda slightly plain dark gray band. Judging by its appearance, Hao Zhen would guess it was made out of iron, though he doubted that was actually the case. Thats the one, yes.

It looks mundane, Lan Yue said, a bit hesitantly. There doesnt seem to be anything spiritual about it, she added, having most likely used Spiritual Sight. Hao Zhen agreed with both of her observations. He was absolutely certain that the ring was special in some way, but it looked about as mundane as it got.

Im aware, Tian Jin said, moving his hand back to his lap. I dont really know what Suddenly, Tian Jin frowned, and he glanced back at his ring, his eye slightly wide. Wait.

Tian Jin? Hao Zhen asked, confused. He glanced at the ring. Nothing about it seemed to have changed, so why exactly

Before, Tian Jin said, his gaze still on the ring, when the inner elder arrived in the clearing after we killed Du Qing and his lackeys Tian Jin looked up. I forgot to mention this before, what with everything going on, but Im pretty sure the ring did something. Or that it was about to do something.

Right, Hao Zhen said. Considering the circumstances the last time it activatedor rather, almost activatedthen itll probably only act up again when youre in danger.

Thats likely the case, yes, Tian Jin said. He sighed. Well, I believe I have covered everything. He then turned to look at Lan Yue. Hao Zhen did the same.

What? Lan Yue said before realization dawned on her. Oh. Right. Its my turn now. She furrowed her brow, falling silent. After a while, she nodded to herself. All right. My mother She was an elder of the sect. A prime elder. Her name was Sang Yu. Growing up, I Lan Yue paused, then said, No. I should probably start before that.

Again she fell silent. Hao Zhen didnt say anything, letting her take her time. Tian Jin also refrained from speaking.

All right, Lan Yue said. My mother joined the sect as a prime disciple. After taking the entrance examinations, one of the prime elders of the sect at the time offered to take her as his apprentice, and she accepted. My mother was Well, beautiful. Really beautiful. The most beautiful woman in the sect.

The way Lan Yue spoke about her mothers beauty gave Hao Zhen the impression she didnt think that was a good thing, and Hao Zhen was inclined to agree. He could definitely see how beauty could be considered a curse rather than a blessing in a world where might made right.

Because of that, my mother didnt really have any close friends. The other women envied her, and the men Lan Yues nose wrinkled in disgust. There was an exception, however. Na Shuithe daughter of the sect leader at the time, Na Duo. My grandfather.

Up to this point, Hao Zhen had had no trouble following this story. Now, however, he was very confused. And that most likely showed, because Lan Yue said, Bear with me. Itll make sense soon.

She then continued her story, My mother and Na Shui were close friends. Like sisters, really. And they ended up falling for the same manLan Xing, my father. If Lan Yues expression was dark when speaking of her mothers beauty, now it was outright hateful. He courted the two of them, at the same time. I dont know what they saw in him, but they fell for him. And when he asked them to marry him, they accepted. Na Shui became the first wife, my mother the second.

Lan Yue took a moment to recompose himself, letting the anger fade out of her face. She really didnt seem to like her father, and Hao Zhen was fairly certain they were about to find out why. Na Shui had a son a few years later after the marriage. My brother, Lan Yuan. Then, eight years after that, my mother had me. The next seven years were fine. My father didnt care much for me, but I had my mother and my brother, as well as Na Duo and Grandfather.

Lan Yue suddenly tensed, and Hao Zhen noticed her hands balling into fists in her lap. That day, I had been with my mother in my room when my father sent her a sound transmission, telling her that we had a guest. My mother brought me with her, and we met the guest. Lan Yue was trembling now. I dont know who he is, or where he came from, but my father was treating him as if he were the Heavens themselves. Grandfather, Brother, and Na Shui were also there. Father Father said that the man was someone important, and that he wanted to see my mother.

Hao Zhen inhaled sharply, realizing where this was going. Oh no. Tian Jin, on the other hand, was simply looking at Lan Yue attentively. His expression hadnt changed, so Hao Zhen guessed the other boy hadnt realized it yetnot that he had been expecting him to, in any case.

That man then approached my mother, and he he simply stared at her for a few moments. And then he turned back to my father and said that he wanted my mother. That he had been taken by her beauty, and that he wanted to bring her back with him to his sect. And my father

Lan Yue let out a chucklea terrible, broken sound.

My father accepted. With a smile on his face.