Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Children laughing. A pleasant sound one might hear filling the village side streets as said boys and girls ran about and played. Added to this, being the sound of winter snow crunching under their feet as they ran, the bustling market, and the world sounded truly alive.

A small group of boys began kicking around a shuttlecock, rushing back and forth down a side street, playing hard. One boy showed off his moves by kicking it from front to back, then over to another boy who kicked it between both his feet before passing it on. Due to not wanting it to drop to the ground, to keep it up in the air, the four of them moved along the road, dodging passing adults or stepping back to give the shuttlecock one good kick upward.

It was one of those kicks, those big strong kicks, while much too close to a place they had not realized they had reached, that the shuttlecock flew up, up, up, and over the wall entirely. It was only once they saw said wall, that all four boys froze in place. They became paralyzed, as they listened a moment, only slightly relieved when no voice came over the wall. Only then did the eldest of the boys reach out and smack the one who had kicked it over upside the head.

“Good going! Now we'll never get it back.”

“i mean, we could always climb over-”

“Into the Mo estate?! That's a terrible idea!” The older one snapped. “If it's the Madam who catches us, she'll skin us alive! It's as good as gone I tell ya. If she doesn't find It and burn it, then maybe we'll have a chance if one of the servants tosses it out.”

These boys had every reason to believe that. It was just common knowledge among the children of Mo Village, that the Mo Estate was somewhere not only were they not allowed, but any toys or such that went over it's wall were just never to be seen again. This was more to do with the first daughter of the Village Leader, a woman only called Madam Mo. She was the first madam, and no one wanted to be on her bad side, as she could be rather cruel and unkind. Any kites or balls, or shuttlecock's if she saw them over the wall, ever came out, as she would have them tossed in a fire before she thought to give them back.

It was just these boys bad luck that they had gotten too close to the wall. After all, no one would throw it back. They would have to cut their loses and-

“Is this yours?” A small voice called out from atop the wall.

All four boys suddenly became stiff as stone.

There was one other thing about the Mo Estate every child had been warned about. One single thing, that if any of their parents had found they had done, was a trouble above all else. The four boys looked up with blank looks as a small face peered down at them, holding out the shuttlecock. It was a smaller boy, around six years old. He had a cute round face with rosy cheeks and a permanent smile on his lips- he looked friendly. But of course, these boys didn't care. They knew exactly who this child was, and none of them wanted to deal with the trouble that followed should they open their mouths.

Instead of answering, they all turned and fled, running as fast as they could... leaving that Shuttlecock behind.

The boy atop the wall slowly lost his smile, watching the other four boys vanish, leaving only snowy footprints in their wake. He blinked a moment, trying not to cry, before slowly dropping the shuttlecock back over the wall, then climb back down within the estate.

The one other rule about the Mo Estate that every child of Mo Village was warned about, was none other, then to stay way from the child of the Second Lady Mo. Mo Xuanyu. The children knew little of the boy, save that he was what their parents called a bastard- a child born of an unmarried woman whose father left him only two years prior. This alone would not truly mark the child as an outcast to the other children, but their parents feared the first madam Mo, who made sure they all knew the facts. It wasn't just that Mo Xuanyu was a bastard- he was the bastard son of a servants daughter. Madam Mo despised her little sister, for not only her beauty but her child. Madam Mo had yet to have a husband of her own- where in she would take over the family name and bring honor to it as well. But for a time, the honor was thought to come from Mo Xuanyu instead. After all, his father was a Clan Leader of a Cultivation Clan, and a prominent one at that. Everyone spoke so highly of the boy when he was barely able to walk on his two feet, and so highly of the mother who had found herself a future for the child that brought tremendous fortune to the family name.

But as once stated, he left, and never came back.

That made Mo Xuanyu a stain, and the first Madam Mo made sure everyone knew it.

Little Mo Xuanyu made his way through the snow covered garden of the Mo Estate, ignored by each passing servant, save a few whispers among themselves, or hidden side glances. The boy, although small and ignorant of many things, wasn't ignorant to the looks, and the whispers... and his little lip trembled as he pushed through a door into a small wing of the Manor. Inside was a main room, with table and cushions and all one might need in such a space. Just past was a threshold leading to the sleeping area of the small place, and just across from that was a divan that sat right up against a window. Sitting at this divan, was a young woman, patching up a heavy cloak for a small boy. The young woman, was the Second Lady Mo. She was indeed young, barely twenty two, with a small form and round face, sweet and kind. While her lips were upturned in a slight smile, her eyes looked tired and weak, only losing it to pain as she turned to cough.

Second Lady Mo was not well. She was a bit sickly, weak in body, and easy to become ill. She could often fight through her sick spells, but the winter this year was rough, even as spring was coming with the changing winds. She smiled up at her son as he walked into the room, but before she could ask why he was sad, another coughing fit come on, leaving her unable to make her concerns yet known.

Mo Xuanyu jumped, his face dropping as he rushed over to her side. He grabbed her arm in his tiny hands and looked up into her face with pleading eyes. Once she had calmed her coughing, she took a breath, and gave the boy a smile, a weak but gentle one that didn't quiet reach her eyes.

“A-Yu, mama is all right. Now why are you crying? Did you get hurt when you went out to play? You weren't gone very long. Is it too cold?”

Mo Xuanyu shook his head, crawling up into his mothers lap and hugging on her tightly. “Mama, I was just giving them their toy back. I promise I was nice.”

Mo Xuanyu could not see the dark look cross his mothers eyes, and she held her boy. “Oh?” She asked with feigned concern, “did some village children drop something over the wall again?”

“Uhuh... I tossed it back over after they ran away... Yu-Yu is a good boy... right?”

Second Lady Mo pulled her son back so she could look at his face, seeing those big wet tears start to pool at the corner of his eyes. Her breath stuttered as she reached up with a forced smile to wipe the tears away. “My A-Yu is kind, and honest, and sweet. Those boys are just cowards. Or jerks. They don't know how to be kind like My A-Yu.”

“...” Mo Xuanyu's lower lip trembled as he nodded to what his mother said.

She looked at him, wiping away more tears, then said, “It's okay my boy, you have mama. Mama is always right here. Mama is your best friend.” Her eyes lit up slightly, and she pinched his cheek. “how about, we play a game. You go hide and I come find you. But don't leave the room. I want to see how clever my A-Yu can be.”

Mo Xuanyu's eyes lit up, nodding enthusiastically as he wiped some of his own tears away and smiled a toothy grin. Second Lady Mo loved her sons smile, and wished she could keep him like this forever... but at the same time, she wished the world for him, and not this life in a room, they shared, with everyone pretending like they weren't there. To everyone out there She was maiden who ruined her family name and her own life by sleeping with a man who never came back. On one hand, she desperately desired a better future for her son... but on the other she felt that if she sought it out, she was showing that she did not know her place... and she might ruin her boys future.

Mo Xuanyu slid of his mothers lap as she covered her eyes, and began to sing a little song. When the song ended, she would come find him, and he always won, hiding from her for the entire time. Of course, what Mo Xuanyu didn't know, was that his mother always knew where he was, and simply let him win.

He looked around their little place, quickly trying to find a good spot, and eventually opting to squeeze under the tea table, a place he could fit simply due to his size. He giggled, and covered his mouth as his mother finished the song, before standing up and setting aside the cloak she had been patching up.

Keeping low to the floor, Mo Xuanyu kept his mouth covered as his mother huffed, pretending to look for her boy, and ignoring the sleeve peeking out from under the table, and the little giggles there as well. Instead Mo Xuanyu peeks out to watch her open and dresser, then close it before peaking around it. Whatever sorrow the boy had of not making friends only moments before, was slowly fading to the back of his mind as he giddily watched his mother peer under over and around their home.

“A-Yu, where are you?” Second Lady Mo called out playfully, stepping back toward the bed, and peering behind it. “My boy has disappeared. Where in the world has he-”

second Lady Mo, stopped as she bent over with a painful cough. Her chest tightened for a moment as she let out a second heavy cough, before attempting to return to her happy tone.

“Ahem... A-Yu, mamma is about to find you! Once I do, we should play a different-”

Once more she coughed.... but this time, it was rougher. Her chest tightened more, and she collapsed to her knee's clutching her chest as she tried to hold back her coughs but they wouldn't end.

Mo Xuanyu looked up, and quickly crawled out of his hiding place in a panic. “mama!”

By the time he ran over to his mothers side, she was having a hard time breathing, her coughing becoming so loud she sounded like she was heaving.

“Mama!”

“She's sick Xuanyu. Not too sick, but just sick enough.”

Mo Xuanyu sat on his knees at the edge of him and his mothers bed, as his grandfather, the leader of Mo village, patted the boy on the shoulder.

“I am going to take her to see a doctor a few days journey east. She will be treated and then we will be back. You have to behave yourself while I and your mother are away, do you understand.”

Mo Xuanyu nodded, but when he saw the look in the mans eyes he bowed his head shamefully and whimpered out a soft, “Yes Waigong.”

The man nodded, and motioned for the servants to help the boys mother up. She looked weakly at her son, giving him the barest of calm smiles, before she was lead away, out of the Mo Estate, and into a carriage off to some doctor that to the little boy, was very far away.

The first day with her gone, went quietly, with him staying within their room, drawing pictures and- much to the shock of a servant who came to bring him some food- got into his mothers make up. He made himself look 'pretty' as he explained to the servant, who quickly and quietly told him to clean it off lest his aunt sees it and throws a fit. Absolutely terrified of that woman when she got angry, Mo Xuanyu did as recommended and cleaned off his face, before going up his day as best he could without his mothers presence. He had been by her side since he was born, and when everyone else turned away after his father left, it was just the two of them, close knit and caring.

Mo Xuanyu did remember his father. He remembered his bright colored robes, and the toys he would sometimes buy him or the pretty robes and rouge he would by his mother. Mo Xuanyu remembered him being a very tall and smiling a lot, especially at his mother. However, he also remembered how his father started to not look at her as much. It was a small thing to Mo Xuanyu, who didn't understand adult things, especially as he was only four back then.

He was six now, of course, but that didn't change the fact that... he wanted to see his father again. Mo Xuanyu's mother would often murmur about how she prayed hard that he would return- not for her, but to take Mo Xuanyu away from this place. He didn't know the kind of man his father was, he didn't know much of anything about him. Mo Xuanyu just wanted to see him again... and right now, he really wanted his mother back home.

The second day started off much the same. He played in his room a bit, got some food from one of the servants, then played some more. However, by the time the time evening came, he was lonely and bored. So, he wandered out of his room. He made his way to the Mo Estates large garden, looking over the frozen flower bushes and snowy paths... and being as he was so little, and no mother to tell him to remember things, he slowly began to get very cold. He had left his cloak and mittens inside their room, not thinking to put them on or grab them.

Feeling rather chilly, he walked up to one of the main house doors, knocking on it before he rubbed his hands and breathed onto them. When the door opened, he made to smile up, maybe ask very nicely if one of the servants could grab him a blanket or something to wear till he got back to his room... but his smile faltered at the angry face that glared down at him. It was not a servant at the door. No, she would beat anyone within an inch of their life if she dared to hear such a sentiment. The first madam Mo glared down at her nephew, her nose crinkling up almost twitching as she sneered down at the boy.

“Why are you out here. Go away.”

Mo Xuanyu shrunk back with a pout, before quickly trying to explain himself... but he was cold, and very scared of his aunt. “i...i... j-just wanted to get- w-warm...”

“You should have thought about that before bouncing around like that in the winter- but what do you expect from a dim-witted brat.”

Mo Xuanyu whimpered as he shrunk even further back, missing the platform. He yelped as he tripped back into the snow. He could already feel his robes soaking up all the wet. Seeing her nephew fall like that, the first Madam Mo laughed- a cruel laugh, before sneering.

“Get out! No one wants you here! Go away!”

“But-” Mo Xuanyu tried to argue, but that was the worst idea he could possibly make.

What he had yet to have known, was Madam Mo was already in a bad mood. Some of the servants had been gossiping, talking on about Second Lady Mo. Normally the eldest Mo sister would ignore the gossip- hell she would often join in if she felt like it. But then one of the servant girls had the audacity to talk about Second Lady Mo's appearance.

'Shame that she is such a beauty, no? I bet if Master Mo had thought it through, he could have married her off to any man! Even a wealthy Lord! But now no lord wants her now that she has a child... pray the boy at least grows up handsome with looks like that of his parents.”

If there was one thing about the first Madam Mo, that she absolutely despised about her sister, it was her beauty. Where the Second Lady Mo was often described as a fare beauty, small and delicate, her older sister was... average. She wasn't ugly- not at all. She kept herself healthy and pleasant looking, but nothing could out weigh her sisters natural pretty face. Madam Mo not only despised this over envy, but that in her mind, no one should compliment the daughter of a servant, more then the masters legitimate child. In her mind, Her sister, was a mistake.

And what did that make Mo Xuanyu? It made him worse then a simple mistake.

Madam Mo was in a bad mood. And she acted on her moods.

Before Mo Xuanyu could even register what was happening, the first Madam grabbed him by the scruff and stormed toward the Estate's main entrance. With one shove, she threw the boy out and snapped for the servants to shut the gate.

Hearing this, Mo Xuanyu scrambled to his feet and turned to try and get back inside, but the gate was shut.

“Yima! Yima let me in!!! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please! Let me back in!”

“Go find your stupid mother. She'll let you back in.” Madam Mo huffed, before turning and walking away.

As she went, one servant, more concerned then the rest, quickly bowed as she walked over to the Madam. “Uh... Madam, you... your going to let him back in right? If the Master returns and he's missing-”

“A little time outside won't kill him.” Madam Mo huffed, shooting a harsh glare at the servant. “You can let him back in after an hour or so. The brat will go running to his room as soon as he learned his lesson. Fuqin needs not worry about his bastard grandson.”

what lesson? The servant wondered, eyeing back toward the gate, but not daring to go against her lady.

Outside the gate, Mo Xuanyu pounded on it for a little longer, but his already cold hands only began to sting, and so he stopped. Instead he sat on the snow covered ground just outside the gate and began to quietly cry as he shoved his hands into his stomach and curled around them, trying to warm them up. Soon he was crying harder cause the cold sting of the wind had blown onto his tear covered face was painful. After a while, he tried going to a few homes near the estate, trying to ask for something to keep warm,... but all the children ran and the adults kept their eyes off him, not wanting to get the wrath of the first Madam Mo.

Soon, the sky began to dim, and the cold only got worse. Mo Xuanyu didn't know what to do. He curled up behind some boxes just out of the wind, and sat there shivering. Then... he remembered what his aunt had said. Go find his mother.

Waigong said they would be back in a few days... maybe if I go down the road, I can meet them half way. Then I can warm up with mama in the carriage. I'll go find mama....

Mo Xuanyu stood up then, shaking as he started toward the road out of Mo Village, as night began to fall, and not quiet hearing as a servant was calling out for him from the estate....

….

The late morning breeze settled in, as the last of winters breath let the snow thin out just enough that patches of green grass had already started to push through it's frosted patches. The day before had been rather icy, and so had the night, so this fresh warmer morning was something pleasant.

Jin Zixuan, heir of Jin, walked through a small spot of forest, hopping to finally catch the creature he had been hunting down for the past three days. It was that three days prior, that he had left the Jin Cultivators designated to go on this night hunt with him behind, not only so he could get a breath of fresh air, but also so he could get away from his cousin Jin Zixun. He held nothing against his cousin, barely just the same age as himself, fourteen as he was... but if Jin Zixuan was honest, his cousin was not only a brute, he could be rather annoying. Having gotten tired of the seventh rant that day about some smaller clan that his cousin was upset with for one reason or another being inferior, and that Jin Clan was the best, or something along those lines, Jin Zixuan had sneaked away, hoping to catch the yao beast they had been trailing all by himself.

Three days was pretty long to not have gone unnoticed. It was more likely that by night fall of the first night, that the men leading the night hunt would have noticed their heir's absence and may have gone back to track down him. So far, it was easy to tell they had failed to catch up to him, given he was still very much alone. In Jin Zixuan's mind, this meant they failed the hunt, as he was right on the creatures tail since he left them, and they had yet to find him.

He kept his senses sharp, making sure each step he took was as quiet as could be, all as he followed after the beast's trail- the beast that had been keeping it's distance well, and its ability to be detected just as hard to trace.

As the heir of Jin, Jin Zixuan had a lot expected of him. To be a gentleman, to be not only trained, but excellent in all his skills and talents, and to become a powerful cultivator. The only thing expected of him that he didn't care much for, was his future marriage once he had come of age. His mother having orchestrated it, and his father expecting it, What words or thoughts could he have against such things that would mean anything? Not that he would argue with either of his parents. They argued with each other enough as it was. Ah, yes. Madam Jin, and Jin Guangshan, a marriage thwarted by a lack of intimacy and 'rumors' of infidelity. While Jin Zixuan himself tried to ignore most of his fathers actions, he was not immune to the knowledge of his... hobbies. Playing around even as a married man. Seeking physical affections in places of ill reputation. But what could anyone do? Jin Guangshan was still a prominent Clan Leader, so any scandal could easily be brushed away, and any bad publicity could be payed off and forgotten. One such rumor that Jin Zixuan had heard countless times, was the idea that Jin Guangshan could have multitudes of illegitimate children. This was one of those rumors that Jin Zixuan himself was a bit reluctant to dwell on. After all, most the ladies his father 'played' with were courtesans and prostitutes, and most relied on their bodies to get paid. In all essence, if any of them had found themselves to be with child, she was more likely to not know who the father was, or just get rid of the baby all together.

But once again, Jin Zixuan didn't care to dwell on these things. He would much prefer to stay obliviously unaware. He already dealt with trying to help keep peace between his parents already, that anything to add fuel to that fire was just another thing he wanted to disappear.... Just like he had pretended not to notice when one of the Jin Clan members brought a pearl to his father on Jin Zixuan's birthday a week ago, and his mother became enraged.... like he pretended not to hear that another boy, around his age, had been thrown down the steps of Golden Carp Tower.

It would just make life easier to just not care, and pretend everything was fine. To just make sure his parents were civil and he did his duty as heir of Jin. Life would be easier if he ignored the problems.

When Jin Zixuan found the first couple scales on the ground, he was immediately aware that the beast in question had to be a measuring snake. The size and pattern of the scales were the best give away, and since they seemed freshly fallen, he knew he was close to tracking it down. Pulling out his bow, and knocking an arrow from his quiver, Jin Zixuan moved in. It didn't take but a few more steps to find where parts of the snow and grass still indented from a massive shape moving through it.

Jin Zixuan was prepared to fight, even at the age of fourteen, he held no fear.

But he did feel completely startled when he suddenly heard a high pitched scream.

He originally had planned to sneak up on the yao, but hearing that cry he acted immediately. Jin Zixuan was light on his feet, launching himself into the clearing as he saw the Measuring snake take a dive towards something- more so someone just out his line of sight. He quickly aimed and shot, the arrow striking the yao beast right at the back of it's head, causing it to swivel to the side, before snapping back and staring at the youth with its slit-ed eyes. Jin Zixuan didn't waste that look, already knocking another arrow and shooting it at the giant snake. This arrow hit its mark, sinking into the delicate flesh of the measuring snakes eyeball, causing it to let out a terrible sound as it flailed.

“Ahhhh!!!!” came that scream again. This time, Jin Zixuan recognized that it sounded like a small child.

Glancing over he did find that, the source of the cry was in fact a small boy, maybe six or so, curled up in a ball in the snow and sobbing in terror. He was only in his robes, no cloak no gloves and no sign of any other person. These disturbed Jin Zixuan... but not enough to distract him from his goal.

He dodged away from the snake as it hurtled towards him, trying to snap it's maw around him, maybe even swallow him whole... but even then it wasn't the biggest measuring snake, maybe only three meters longer then Jin Zixuan was tall. Still getting a leg bitten by a fang as long as your forearm was more then likely an unpleasant feeling. Once he had gotten out of it's way, he quickly unsheathed his sword, and sliced at the beasts throat. It cut into it, but didn't penetrate deep enough to cause any serious harm. Instead it made a pitiful sound as it swayed, before attempting to flee. Jin Zixuan wasn't going to let it, and quickly sent his blade flying. Just as it had gotten it's snout through the brush, the sword penetrated the back of it's head with a sickening thunk.

It moved for maybe a moment after, before collapsing to the ground. Jin Zixuan didn't even have the energy to be excited about the kill. The creature, for what it was, was much too easy a fight. Not that measuring snakes were intimidating by any means, but the fact that it had completely evaded the other members of his Clan in the night hunt, yet was taken down in a matter of moments...

Jin Zixuan let out a disgruntled sigh, and turned.

There, still curled up on the ground was that little boy, who hadn't even looked up once. He was crying profusely, calling out for his mother over and over. Jin Zixuan wasn't blackhearted. Sure, He was a lot of things, even if he refuse to admit some of them, but he wasn't cruel enough to see a small child crying and not feel some sense of sympathy for the kid. The youth quickly called back his sword, cleaning it off and sheathing it, before walking over and bending down to check on the boy almost half his age.

“It's dead. You can get up now.”

The smaller boy whimpered, and slowly uncovered his head. He peeked up at Jin Zixuan with big wet eyes, that slowly flickered through several emotions. He looked the older boy over, seeming fixated by the peony on his robes especially.

“What is your name? Was anyone else attacked by the beast besides you? Where are your parents?” Jin Zixuan asked each question, one after the other without much thought. The sooner he figured out what to do with the small boy the better. Not only for the boys safety, but so he could head back to the others.

The boy whimpered, shaking his head. Then...

Then he threw himself at Jin Zixuan, wrapping his arms around the youths waist rather tightly. Jin Zixuan was startled, and just about ready to kick the kid off of him... when he felt the very quiet sob. For some reason that threw Jin Zixuan off more then anything else. Not just because there was a small child crying into his robes, which made him uncomfortable. No, it was because how quietly he was crying. Most small children Jin Zixuan had ever heard, cried so loud it made his ears ring, but this kid was so quiet he wouldn't even know he was upset if he hadn't seen the stutter of the boys body, or felt the tears as they sank into his robes.

“...” Jin Zixuan frowned. As he reached down and tried to peel the smaller boy off of him, he heard the kid say something. “What?”

“... I... I want mama...” the kid whispered, almost inaudibly. He still had an arm tightly gripping Jin Zixuan's robes as he pulled the other to his mouth and started biting at his thumb. It was then Jin Zixuan noticed how red the boys hands and cheeks were, where the rest of him looked an ill pale...

“Eh? Your too old to be doing that.” Jin Zixuan huffed, reaching down and tugging at the kids arm. “That is what small babies do, not little boys. If you want your mama, then you need to straighten up. where is she? And Why are you out here by yourself anyway?”

The boy whimpered, but pulled his thumb away from his mouth. “... mama.. she.. she and Waigong left... said... said she would be back in a... few... days...” he started crying harder, “I want mama...”

Jin Zixuan huffed, “So, let me guess. You went looking for her and got lost. That's dumb.”

The kid sobbed, even more shaking his head, his words getting fumbled as he began to hiccup. “Yi... Yi.. Yima Locked the door! Hiccup. She- she- she wouldn't let me back in. I- I went to- to find mama! I was- was too cold- I... i'm sorry. Hiccup.”

Why would your aunt make you leave the house alone. Your like, six?! Jin Zixuan thought, letting out a disgruntled sigh. “Where do you live? I can't leave you out here.”

The boy cried some more. “M.. Mo village.. I... I... got lost!!! I'm sorry!!!”

Jin Zixuan sighed again, then looked around the clearing they stood in with a harsh gaze. “Mo Village? Do you remember which direction?”

The only answer he got was more crying. He tried to pry anything else out of the kid, (and tried to pry the kid off again) but got nowhere with that. After a while, he just had to drag the kid towards the last road he had seen, and hope to the heavens that there was a sign that pointed towards this village, or even a passerby that knew who the kid was or at least the village was.

The problem?

It took too long to get towards the road with him dragging the kid- who still refused to let him go, back towards it. By the time he did make it, night had already fallen, and not a soul was traveling that dark dirt path at that hour. Jin Zixuan was thoroughly annoyed. He let out a disgruntled sound as he did his best to pull the kid off of him, before sitting him down beside a tree.

“It's late, and I need to make a fire if we want to stay warm. I can't get fire wood if you keep holding onto me like that.”

“...” The boy frowned, bowing his head shamefully as he fidgeted with his hands. “i'm sorry....”

Jin Zixuan wanted to pity the kid, but had gotten so annoyed by him, any pity he had was tossed to the wind. Instead, he went looking through the cold for sticks that were dry, and after finding a few, he brought them back and pilled them up. Using a bit of spiritual power and a talisman, he started a flame, and turned to check on the kid.

Just as he did, the boy sneezed.

At first, Jin Zixuan flinched back, not wanting to get snot on him, but paused when he got a good look at the kids face. The boys nose was bright red, and his eyes were starting to look bloodshot. Whether it had been from all his crying, or the cold making him sick, either did not make for a good look.

Jin Zixuan out of curiosity, reached out and pressed the back of his hand to the boys head, finding it to be cold... terribly cold.

“Are you sick?...” The young teen scoffed. “You're going to get really sick if you stay out here too long. Did you really get sent away by your aunt?”

The boy nodded with a sniffle. “She... was upset... I... don't know why... I went looking... for mama.. they said... they would be back in a- a few days... sniff.”

“What about your father? Where is he in all this? Shouldn't he have told your aunt off?” Jin Zixuan asked rather harshly.

The boy's eyes flickered down over Jin Zixuan's robes. “... ba... baba left when I was four...”

Jin Zixuan frowned. “Your baba... left? Wait, how old are you right now?”

“I'm six.” The boy admitted.

“....” Jin Zixuan looked the kid over for a second, processing what was just said. Sure it wasn't Jin Zixuan's business as to why a man would shirk his responsibility as a father, and run off... but this father had apparently been around long enough for the kid to remember him some what, so why run away? It actually almost pissed Jin Zixuan off... but was it really his problem?

He then asked, “What's your name?”

The boy looked up, using his sleeve to wipe some snot from his leaking nose away. “Xuanyu. Mo Xuanyu.”

“...” Jin Zixuan nodded, realizing that, if the name meant anything, this boy must be part of some main family for the village... but in that case, why was he dressed so simply? No cloak, no gloves, and his robes, although dirty from being outside for a while, were just very simple. Not pauper poor, but definitely not the clothes of a child of a wealthy family. “okay, Mo Xuanyu, I need you to get some rest. In the morning we follow the road till we cross paths with someone or we find Mo Village and take you home.”

At this Mo Xuanyu nodded, slowly, and started to put his fingers back in his mouth. He was stopped by Jin Zixuan, who grabbed his wrist with annoyance.

“I told you to stop that. Your six. Six year old's aren't supposed to be sucking their fingers like small babies.”

“but they're cold....” Mo Xuanyu whimpered teary eyed.

Jin Zixuan felt a twang of guilt in his chest. Why hadn't he thought about that?! Just snapping at this kid for being childish, and it was basically this kid keeping his fingers from going numb!

After a moment of letting that sink in, Jin Zixuan grumbled and pulled out his own gloves. “Put these on, I don't need them cause I can keep my hands warm another way. I don't want them back though. Your hands are covered in spit, and I don't feel like keeping something with a little kids spit on it.”

Mo Xuanyu's eyes widened at the nice set of mittens, “... I... can have them?”

“I said I won't take them back after your spit gets on them. So... yes... I guess.”

“... I.. don't want them if their yours....” Mo Xuanyu “i- I don't want to get in trouble...”

“Huh?” Jin Zixuan raised a brow. “why would me giving you my gloves get you in trouble? Their yours after I give them to you.”

“... but.. Yima might think I stole them...” Mo Xuanyu whispered, reaching for his mouth again.

Jin Zixuan snapped out of his daze, grabbing the boy and making him sit, while keeping his hands away from his lips. Mo Xuanyu went stiff, as the young teen shoved the gloves, much too big for the six year old, onto his little hands. “There. Now their yours. And if your Yima gives you trouble, i'll tell her I gave them to you when I get you home.” He then pulled off his cloak and threw it on the ground, close to the fire. “Lay on that and get some sleep. It won't be very comfy, but it's what I have.”

Mo Xuanyu looked at it, then up at the boy. He started coughing a little as he asked, “... wh... what about you... this gege needs sleep too....”

“My Name is Jin Zixuan, and unlike you I can live without sleep for a few days.” Jin Zixuan said in a very snarky way. He turned to look away, to put his hands up toward the fire, when....

“... thank you...”

Jin Zixuan paused, and then turned to see the sickly, been crying for the past couple hours, little boy was now smiling. It was one of those smiles that made grandmothers want to pinch cheeks, or melt young maidens hearts in the way that they would baby a kid like Mo Xuanyu. While Jin Zixuan was neither one of these people, he couldn't help but feel a little warm inside. While the kid had been bit annoying, he also seemed rather timid, and scared. All the apologies and worrying about getting in trouble made Jin Zixuan just a tad concerned, but the moment he saw how sweet the kids smile was, he couldn't help but think part of it was simply this kid was just a really good kid. He meant well, he was just small and scared... yet still he felt that there was an underlying problem, a reason for this kid to be so troubled.

“your Yima... does she always treat you like this?”

“.. huh?” Mo Xuanyu asked, curling up on the cloak and scooting close to the fire.

“You know... kick you out and accuse you of taking things.”

“she's never... never kicked me out b-before...” Mo Xuanyu admitted. “B-but she has- has accused me and mama of- of taking things. Waigong u-usually tells her to stop... usually....” suddenly the boy panicked. “B-but don't tell her i- I said that! She- she gets mad when p-people talk about her. I'm sorry...”

he suddenly began coughing again, and Jin Zixuan got worried. These coughs were dry, and rough. “how long have you been out here?”

“...i... I left.. to... to find... mama... yesterday....” Mo Xuanyu admitted, shaking like a leaf.

“WHAT!?” Jin Zixuan jumped to his feet. “And no one came looking for you?! You didn't think to- you got lost...” The more Jin Zixuan looked at the boy, the more he realized things he didn't notice before. This boy was really sick... He finally started to notice the paleness and redness, and how his eyes were only getting puffier and how the kid seemed to be only breathing through his open mouth- This child was actually dangerously sick.

It was as he was coming to this realization that suddenly blood came out of the kids mouth. He was dry heaving from his coughs and suddenly collapsed into the snow. Jin Zixuan went into immediate action, picking up the cloak and making sure it was dry enough to wrap the boy up in.

“Mo Xuanyu! Look at me. Can you look at me?”

The kid didn't, instead he seemed rather out of it, and started to cry again. “mama.... I... want... mamma...”

He was shaking really hard, and jin Zixuan didn't know what to do. He looked through the darkening trees, and toward the road ahead. If he just got them more lost, the kid might actually die- but if he didn't get him out of the cold....

“....” Jin Zixuan made his decision. He took off his outer robe throwing it over the boy, and having his spiritual power rush through him to keep his own body warm. He then took the cloak and wrapped it around the boy some more, before reaching in a pouch he had on him to pull out some medicine. He didn't give the little boy time to protest as he shoved the pill past his lips, and made him swallow it, before turning around and hoisting the bundled child onto his back. Jin Zixuan fumbled a bit, reaching down to kick a stray piece of fire wood out of the stack, before picking up one end so he could use it as a torch. Then he kicked some snow over the rest, before rushing down the road, hopping to the heavens he was going the right way...

Just as the wind began to pick up and snow began to fall again... and fall fast....

….

Second Lady Mo began to cry out a terrible sound as the snow storm picked up outside, covering her mouth in horror at the thought of her baby boy stuck out there.

“I told you, it was an honest mistake.” her older sister pleaded with their father. “I didn't know he got outside the gate, going to play. If I had I wouldn't have locked it right away once night came. We didn't even know he left till it was the next morning.”

Some of the servants hid looks at each other, feeling a bit worried if their ladies lie was revealed and she pointed to them for her troubles.

“And none of you saw him leave?!” Master Mo demanded, pointing to the servants. They all shook their head, and he got angry. “Not a single one of you?! What use are any of you if you can't even see a boy walk out the gate! Will you see a burglar if he waltz's on in? Shameful! Shameful! What's the use of you all!”

second lady mo, she was a mess, as she suddenly shot up. “I need- need to go get him-”

“Sit down.” Her father snapped.

“But my baby...” She started to try and shove past, only for her arm to get yanked back.

“I already took you to the doctor. We'll find him, but you must stay in doors. You haven't fully recovered yourself.”

“But he's a child!”

“and I have already said my peace.” Master Mo snapped, pushing her back down into her seat. “I will find him when we can leave the Estate in the morning... no matter what state he is in...”

It was as he said this, a loud banging came from the front gate. It could barely be heard over the raging snow storm, but still, they all heard it.

“Who could be stupid enough to be out during this weather-” Madam Mo started to grumble, only to stumble back as her sister shot to her feet trying to rush toward the main door. She was stopped by several servants, but she cried out.

“Let them in! It could be A-Yu! Please! Please!”

The Master Mo nodded to a male servant as he went and pulled his youngest daughter back, once again trying to get her to calm herself.

The male servant quickly rushed to the main gate, an arm out to cover his face as the blistering wind blew. Once he was able to get a good firm grip on the latch, he pulled it off. The wind knocked open the gate, revealing a teen boy, in nothing but his inner robes, and his wind whipping about his face. On his back was a small child, wrapped in a cloak- Mo Xuanyu.

The servant did not hesitate, to grab the youth by the arm and drag him inside the main hall, both of whom collapsed to the ground the moment the doors shut behind them.

When the Second Lady Mo saw her son in the bundle the teen dropped to the floor, all pale and sick looking, she wailed, rushing over and scooping him up. “A-Yu! My a-yu!”

“...” The teen looked up, nodded, then spoke, “He was out alone in the woods. He's really sick... I gave him some medicine... but I don't know how long that will help him for...”

“Fuqin he's cold!” Second Lady Mo sobbed, looking back at her father. “he's cold!”

“get some blankets and take him to a fire. Get him warm and quick.” Master Mo demanded, the servants acting fast. “Once they bring back the blankets get him out of that cloak. It's wet and cold.” he then turned to the youth, “you, I am very grateful to you young man. Please stay, it's a storm out there. It's the very least we can do.”

“Thank you.” the youth Nodded, getting back to his feet, and rubbing his hands together. He paused, then looked at Master Mo with a knit brow. “Might I ask if you are the master of this estate.”

“I am he.”

“Then I assume she is the boys mother?” he nodded to Second Lady Mo.

“That is she.”

“Then where is his aunt?” The youth said in a rather rude tone.

Master Mo glanced at the first Madam, his eldest, who looked just a tad hot under her collar. “Why do you ask?”

“When I found him, he said he got lost looking for his mother, saying he had gotten locked out by his aunt cause she was mad about something.”

“That's a lie.” Madam Mo immediately responded, defensive right away. “I didn't even know he left.”

“You locked him outside?” Second Lady Mo whispered, a flicker of rage in her eyes, “You kicked him out?”

“He's lying!” Madam Mo snapped, motioning toward the teenager who looked rather appalled by the lady.

“Why would I have need to lie? I don't know you. I am simply restating what I was told by him.”

“Then he lied.” Madam Mo snapped. “Or he miss remembered something.”

“But you said you never saw him yesterday.” Master Mo stated back giving his eldest a look. “So how would he 'miss' remember.”

The one good thing about Master Mo, was he knew when his eldest daughter lied. Often he overlooked it, sometimes he admonished her for it... but in cases like this....

“Tell me right now.” Master Mo snapped. “Did you lock Xuanyu outside?”

“I didn't-” Madam Mo Started to argue, but Master Mo shouted.

“DON'T LIE.”

“Even if I did, the servants were supposed to keep an eye out on him!” Madam Mo flaked, shrinking back. “There the ones who didn't keep track of him! How was I supposed to know he would run off.”

“You locked my son outside.” Second Lady Mo hissed.

“He was being a pest.” Madam Mo huffed.

“He's also six.” the teen snapped. “Why not just send him to his room?”
“And who are you to talk to me like that?” Madam Mo huffed as some servants came in with some blankets. “Some pompous youth with a sharp tongue. Know who you speak to.”

“It seems I'm speaking to a callous woman with no care for her blood kin.” the teen snapped back. “Anything else about you is irrelevant until otherwise proven. Sure the kid was a bit annoying, but he seems genuinely kind so I see your actions as nothing but unreasonably cruel. ”

“Gongzi.” Master Mo huffed, “While I see your point, please refrain from speaking such ways. This is not your home, and I am willing to keep you as a guest but-”

He was cut off by a sharp gasp. They turned, to see Second Lady Mo, frozen as she had pulled away the wet cloak to help wrap her son in warm blankets. What she was staring at, was the yellow outer robe that had been thrown over Mo Xuanyu, to help keep him warm. The one with a white peony with yellow center on the chest.

Master Mo's expression went blank, before turning to the teen who looked more confused then anything else.

“... your... from Jin Clan?”

Jin Zixuan narrowed his eyes, looking Master Mo over, before cupping his hands. “Jin Zixuan, my father is Jin Guangshan, head of the Jin Cultivation Clan of Lanling. It seems you are familiar with them?”

he couldn't help but notice Madam Mo go white, then red, then abruptly turned away as if hiding a bitterness.

“... we are...” Master Mo nodded, keeping that blank look on his face as he motioned for the servants to continue to help the unconscious Mo Xuanyu into his blankets, and taking Jin Zixuan's outer robe off him.

What Jin Zixuan didn't see was his red cinnabar dot on his head, had been cleaned off by the snow storm. Whether it was holding his arm to his head to block the snow from getting in his eyes, or the pellets of it wetting his face, the vermilion dot was no where to be seen. It's not being there had rendered the Master of the house and his daughters unable to determine the youths status and resulted in the sharp tongue he got from Madam Mo, who would certainly not have spoken so kurtly... but... not just for his status.

“I'll have some of the servants get you a room and some tea. Please make yourself comfortable Jin-gongzi.” Master Mo spoke quickly, hiding his face with a bow, before turning and abruptly trying to rush the Second Lady Mo and her son to a warmer place.

Said Second Lady, kept looking back at Jin Zixuan, at his face... as if searching for something.... it made Jin Zixuan a tad bit uncomfortable.

What was more uncomfortable was the eyes that seemed to follow him as he was lead to some guest quarters deeper in the estate. It was like all the servants seemed to watch him, like they knew something he didn't. Even as he went to step into his temporary room, he swore he saw two servants whispering to each other, but when he looked back, they had already run off. Once inside, he sat down next to the tea table, and pondered for a moment what had just occurred.

Sure they were being polite before they had learned he was a Jin Cultivator- well, all except Mo Xuanyu's aunt. The funny thing was, she refused to look at him after her sister found Jin Zixuan's outer robes on Mo Xuanyu.

But why was being Jin particularly strange to these people? And what was with all the gossip? Even the master of the estate was oddly disturbed in his expression. No, disturbed was not the right word. He looked... he looked like he had a mountain of pain and pity behind his eyes. They couldn't have been for Jin Zixuan, so who did he pity?

After a while, a servant came in with some tea. “Jin Gongzi, your robes, cloak and gloves are being washed. We will have them ready to return to you by morning.”

“Gloves?” Jin Zixuan asked, then shook his head, “No. I gave those to Mo Xuanyu.”

“...” The servant tried to hide his confusion. “Oh... all right then.”

The servant poured him a cup of tea, but before he could leave, Jin Zixuan sat up straighter. “Not to speak ill of my hosts, but is his eldest daughter always been so cruel?”

The servant jolted and quickly bowed several times, “Gongzi, I cannot answer a question like that. The Madam is a cold person yes, but it is not my place!”

“Then can you tell me why she dislikes her nephew so much? Mo Xuanyu seems like a simple child, so why all the fuss?”

The servant's expression went rigid, and he quickly shook his head. “Not my place to answer that Gongzi.”

“Then whose is it?” Jin Zixuan asked. “I'll go ask them instead.”

The servant seemed to look everywhere but at Jin Zixuan, “that... well... uhm...” finally the servant shook his head. “If you must know, speak to Master Mo- but don't talk with the boys mother. Master Mo will be very upset if you get her hopes up- AHH! I said too much!”

Before Jin Zixuan could understand what just happened, the servant turned tail and ran out of the room. He watched the door with complete confusion... before slowly thinking over what was said.

Why would Mo Xuanyu's mother get her hopes up if I ask why her sister hates her son? That's very peculiar...

He drummed his fingers on the table, before taking the tea and drinking a small sip of it.

… does it have to do with why they are acting so strange about the Jin Clan... or...

Jin Zixuan paused. He replayed every reaction he had gotten from them after they realized he was from Jin Clan... then realized how much different it was after he explained himself. It wasn't till after he said who he was, that Madam Mo had gone quiet.... and that Second Lady Mo had been watching him almost without blinking.

Like she was trying to see something in his face.

Jin Zixuan suddenly set the tea cup down, and rather hard. His face twisted. He was certain he was just more confused, with more questions then answers... but at the same time, this odd sinking feeling made its way into his gut, and he didn't like it. Jin Zixuan wanted to ignore it. Ignoring things had gotten him his peace of mind in the past, so why not now?

Except.

Except that stupid smile Mo Xuanyu gave him over being given a pair of gloves kind of hurt. The fact the boy lived in a house like this, all nice and warm and rich, but clearly could get ignored enough that his aunt could just kick him out into the cold to die.... Why?

It really wasn't Jin Zixuan's business. He shouldn't care. He should just ignore ever feeling his gut and mind his own buisness. It worked in the past, and it could work now.

“...than you...”

Jin Zixuan slammed his fist against the tea table and cursed himself. He shoved himself to his feet, and went toward the door to the room, before stopping. Standing there a moment, he turned and paced the space for a minute or two.

I can just ask in the morning. It's late. Maybe if I sleep on it, I can just forget about it. Yes. I'll sleep on it.

He turned to walk toward the bed, then immediately spun back around.

Like i'm going to be able to sleep like this.

Jin Zixuan looked at the door, just stared at it for a good long moment... then he made up his mind. Reluctantly.

He stepped out of his guest room, looked down the hall, then made his way back toward the main hall of the estate. If he was going to run across a servant who could point him in the right direction, they would most likely be that way. On one hand, Jin Zixuan hoped he would run into one of the two people he wanted to talk to. On the other, he couldn't decide who he would ask the servants to take him to one he found someone.

“Where is that nice gege? Jin Zixuan?”

The voice was small and familiar and tired sounding. Jin Zixuan stopped in his tracks.

“You just woke up and your asking things like that?” He heard Second Lady Mo's voice, and it was coming from a slightly ajar door he had just passed a few steps back.

Jin Zixuan slowly backed up and peaked through the crack- feeling guilty doing so, but still.

Second Lady Mo was sitting next to a stove, one made for letting heat through the main building of the estate, and in her lap was a still quite pale Mo Xuanyu, who sniffled as he was wrapped up in his many blankets. His eyes were droopy, like he couldn't quite stay awake.

“But... he was nice... he gave me his gloves and he saved me from the big scary monster.” Mo Xuanyu said with a yawn, before immediately following it up with a set of coughs. He was obviously still very sick. “He didn't leave... did he?”

“No.... but he'll most likely leave in the morning...” Second Lady Mo said, her voice almost.. sad. “Fuqin- your Waigong won't have him stay longer then that.”

There was a long silence in the room, long enough for Jin Zixuan to start to walk away-

“... is it cause he look like baba? Cause he also wears the pretty yellow robes with flower on it like baba did?”

Jin Zixuan froze.

“... A-Yu... forget about that... and if you see the gongzi again don't bring it up... okay?” Second Lady Mo said in an overly coddling voice. “I... we don't want to bother that gongzi with those kind of questions...”

Jin Zixuan backed away from the door, all the way till he hit the wall opposite of it with an inaudible thud. He stared at the floor, processing that rather slowly. Too many thoughts. Too many thoughts. He felt his hand shake a little, and couldn't tell for what reason as to why. Anger? Worry? Maybe he was tired and miss heard Mo Xuanyu. That had to be it... right?

It could be any Jin Cultivator. It doesn't have to be my father. It may be a coincidence...maybe a relative... After a second, he realized he couldn't lie to himself and he grit his teeth, who am I kidding. Of course it would be A-Die. If it was any Jin Cultivator, they wouldn't be so hushed around ME about it now would they? And it's not exactly like my father is innocent of messing around where he shouldn't.

Mo Xuanyu's smile appeared in his head again and he wanted to scream. He remembered thinking a little negatively about whoever the father was, whoever the man was that ditched Mo Xuanyu and his mother, especially after meeting the boys aunt. He wanted to go back to remaining ignorant, but now he felt a bit sick.

I could be wrong. It might not be A-Die. I'm overthinking....

Jin Zixuan was so deep in his thought, he didn't hear the door in front of him open till it was too late. He jolted up right, finding himself staring into Second Lady Mo's eyes. She seemed startled at first, then slowly must have realized he could have heard something as it wasn't Jin Zixuan didn't look mortified at getting caught snooping.

He quickly cupped his hands, and turned to run back towards his guest quarters when-

“J-Jin Zixuan!”

The youth in question came to a halt, turning as Second Lady Mo tried to grab the little boy completely drapped in blankets who came running out to greet him. He looked so sleepy.

“Jin Zixuan! Your here! I can say thank you now!”

“...” Jin Zixuan looked at the boy as he hobbled over and hugged him- which caused the youth to wince but he didn't push him away. Second Lady Mo however looked partly mortified.

“Ah- A-Yu, you should let go. You sick. You don't want to get Jin Gongzi sick...”

Mo Xuanyu immediately pulled away, looking really upset. “I-I'm sorry! I didn't-”

“It's fine.” Jin Zixuan interrupted, in a quiet voice. “I don't get sick very easily.” he looked down at the upset Mo Xuanyu, and for a moment he just wanted to walk away. To forget what he heard... but....

That little thank you....

Jin Zixuan bent down and fixed the boys blankets. “If your sick from the cold you need to go back where it's warm, not out here. Go to bed.”

“Sorry...” Mo Xuanyu pouted, but was shocked when Jin Zixuan took a part of the blanket and pulled it over the boys head.

“Stop apologizing all right? Your the one whose sick not me.”

Mo Xuanyu peaked out from under the make shift hood where Jin Zixuan was giving him a hard look... but... the six year old couldn't stop from giggling. Jin Zixuan tried to hide his little smirk, but Mo Xuanyu saw it anyway, and rushed him, hugging him again.

Second Lady Mo had stopped tensing, but still have the two boys a wary look... like she feared something. Jin Zixuan looked up at her, frowning before pulling Mo Xuanyu away and pushing him back towards the room. “Go lay down. I need to get to back to the guest room anyway. Goodnight.”

“ok.” Mo Xuanyu replied, choking down another cough so he didn't cough on Jin Zixuan. He smiled before walking back into the room that was much warmer then the rest... but instead of laying down, if one peaked in, they could see him sit down and look at the door as if waiting for someone to come back in.

Second Lady Mo stood with her head bowed, not looking at Jin Zixuan as he stood up, and also seemed to keep his eyes anywhere but in the woman's direction. The silence was long, allowing one to hear every hard breath and crackle of fire from the room where Mo Xuanyu sat. Finally a servant came around and the Second Lady turned to them.

“Could I have some warm tea made. Some that might help A-Yu get some sleep?”

The servant gave Second Lady Mo a look- but when she noticed Jin Zixuan was there she dropped the face and nodded, before rushing off. That look... it was... rather rude...

“...” Jin Zixuan kept his mouth shut. Part of him wanted to ask, the other part just really wanted to go to bed and pretend he heard nothing. Ignore the problem like always. It was like two tigers fighting for dominance- except one of those tigers was a coward that wanted to run away, while the other was an enraged beast with no desire to back down till he learned what the hell was going on.

With that image in his head, Jin Zixuan finally looked up at Second Lady Mo, letting the later tiger win.

“... Whose Mo Xuanyu's father?”

Second Lady Mo jolted, and looked at Jin Zixuan with wide eyes. “Sorry?”

“When I found him out in the snow, I asked him where his parents were. He said you were gone with his grandfather, and that his father left when he was four... then I... I overheard him say something about his baba wearing Jin robes-”

“Forget about if gongzi.” Second Lady Mo laughed. It was a nervous laugh that almost sounded close to a cry. She smiled falsely at Jin Zixuan shaking her head. “If my child's father wanted him, he would come back for him. I will not step out of place to pressure him for anything-”

“Is it Jin Guangshan?” Jin Zixuan asked bluntly. When he asked, he felt the words almost catch in his throat, and his stomach twist. “Is that boys father, Clan Leader Jin Guangshan?”

Second Lady Mo swallowed hard and started to shake her head, “It doesn't matter-”

“It does to me.” Jin Zixuan snapped. He pulled back when he noticed the woman flinch, and lowered his gaze. “Just be honest with me. Is his father Jin Guangshan?”

The woman, now that Jin Zixuan gave her a proper look, seemed to only be in her early twenties. The more that he thought about that... he didn't want to think about that... He chose to not think about that.

“Lady Mo, please-”

“Even if he is... I won't bother you about it.” She finally answered. “I want to believe he will come back for my son... but I also won't pressure him into taking a child he doesn't want. I know my place. Please understand that Jin Gongzi.”

It wasn't a direct answer, but it was enough of an answer that Jin Zixuan felt that last bit of his walls crumble. He nodded at Second Lady Mo, and turned away. He didn't talk to her, didn't say goodnight... not that he could. All his words were caught in his throat as he walked briskly back to the guest quarters, and slammed the door behind him.

He didn't get a wink of sleep that night.

All he could think about was Mo Xuanyu... and what he was going to do with everything he had just learned.... or rather what could he do? What did he want to do? It wasn't too late to just ignore it all and leave in the morning... right?

… what do I do?

…

“What do you mean, you lost him?!”

The Jin Cultivator in charge of the Night Hunt immediately stumbled back, before prostrating himself in the thigh high snow, practically shoving his head into it as he pleaded forgiveness. “Jin Zongzhu, please forgive this one. I have made a great mistake! I swear we are still searching! We will find Jin Zixuan!”

Jin Guangshan stood in the snow, draped in a fine made heavy cloak as Jin Cultivators ran each way to hunt down his son. The early morning sun made the deep heavy snow from the previous night glisten and glow, as Jin Guangshan glared down at the man before him. “Four days. You expect me to believe you are still looking- after you lost him FOUR DAY'S AGO! You should have found him THE MOMMENT HE RAN OFF!!!”

“Please forgive this one Jin Zongzhu! It was truly a honest mistake!”

“Get up.” Jin Guangshan kicked the snow at the cultivator before fixing his cloak, “Get up and start looking! Right now!”

“Zhongzhu! I found something!!”

Jin Guangshan turned as some men, lead by none other then his nephew Jin Zixun came rushing up. Several of the men threw the body of a measuring snake down, one with a cut deep inside it's head. The cut was clean, clearly a stab from a fine blade. Jin Guangshan let a hotty breath out of his nose, before glaring down at the one who had been leading the night hunt.

“Seems my son found your lots mark while you were fooling around. What's the point of you leading a night hunt if you can't even keep track of either prey or person.”

“I apologize-”

“Shut up.” Jin Guangshan huffed. He turned to the men with Jin Zixun, “Did you find anything else? Do you have any clue as to where my son is?”

“We found evidence of a fire by the main road.” One cultivator answered. “however it looks like it barely burned. It was under a deep bit of snow as well. Likely, if it was Jin Zixuan, he must of headed for better shelter once the storm came in last night.”

“Where is the closest village?” Jin Guangshan asked.

“We followed the road as far as we could on foot, but the storm last night has caused the main roads to be blocked. The only sign we found of a village was it's road marker and the only way in would be by flying on sword.”

“Which way?” Jin Guangshan asked, already reaching to take his sword.

“West. It's a place called Mo village.”

Jin Guangshan stilled his hand. “Mo Village?”

“Yes...” The cultivator answered noticing his leaders sudden change in demeanor. “Is something wrong Zongzhu?”

Jin Guangshan looked at him, then smiled and shook his head. “Why would there be? Go on ahead and check the inns and homes there to see if someone gave him shelter. If so, return here with him and we can get going.”

“... is Zongzhu not going to go collect Jin Zixuan himself?”

“If he is safe, why worry?” Jin Guangshan asked, before flicking his sleeve and shuffling his way through the snow to a fire some men had set up after clearing a place. “Now hurry up. I wish to return to Lanling today. Understand?”

He watched as the cultivator cupped his hands in acknowledgment to his leader, before taking his own sword and heading out that very instant. Once he was up and off, Jin Guangshan let that false smile drop before stepping off to ponder his thoughts. Mo Village? Was that not that small nowhere place that he had visited a couple years ago? The more he thought through it, the more he was sure it was. He tapped his brain, thinking through vague pretty faces, as he knew it had been because of a woman. And oh the joy that would be if his son ran into some fling of his. Madam Jin would throw a fit, especially after that boy several weeks back who came to Karp Tower with that pearl. It was then Jin Guangshan remembered her. The Second Lady of the Mo estate. A pretty young thing who was timid and polite and very much everything a woman should be in his eyes. It was remembering her, he vaguely remembered a boy, maybe three- no four years of age? What was his name again?

It didn't matter. The woman was probably married off- and even if she wasn't, she wasn't his problem. Jin Guangshan made that clear when he didn't come back. After all, she was just some pretty little thing...

At least she understood her place and didn't come hunting for illusions of grandeur.

…

Jin Zixuan was exhausted.

He only slept maybe an hour, before getting up to find his clothes all folded and at the guest room door. At first he hoped to get changed then leave, but one thing stopped him. The gloves. They sat on top of his cloak folded nicely with everything else. After everything last night, after all he learned and trying to get the little boy out of his head... seeing those gloves there pissed him off. Not cause of Mo Xuanyu- no it was cause even after telling the servants here to just give them to the kid, they still returned them to Jin Zixuan.

Throwing on his outer robe and tucking his cloak under his arm, he marched out of the room, and went looking. Unlike the night before, the halls were busy with servants, who went about their duties, all being polite but also watching Jin Zixuan with glances and whispers. He ignored them and first checked the room he had seen Mo Xuanyu and his mother in the night before. Neither were there and when a servant asked him if he needed something, he just brushed her off and jogged his way toward the main hall. It was seen as bad etiquette to run inside, and since things like thus were drilled into Jin Zixuan's head since a young age, he like most others had learned how to walk briskly, and almost silently-

Enough so that when Madam Mo came waltzing around the corner, laughing at one of her personal servants, she almost ran right into Jin Zixuan.

She yelped stumbling back and almost tripping over herself before quickly swapping from a face of anger, to one of false surprise when she saw those yellow robes. “Oh! Jin Gongzi. I apologize greatly. I didn't seem to hear you. Are you already heading out?”

“...no.” Jin Zixuan answered bluntly, scrunching his face. “Where is Mo Xuanyu?”

Madam Mo's face twitched for a breif moment, before she shrugged. “Probably taken back to his and his mothers quarters. He was coughing so loud last night... I'm not sure anyone got any proper sleep.”

“Has he gotten worse?” Jin Zixuan asked, more rhetorical then expecting an answer.

“I mean. The boy is only six...” one of the servants commented, only to cut herself short when her mistress gave her a harsh look.

Madam Mo then turned to Jin Zixuan with a fake smile. “Jin Gongzi should not bother himself with my nephew much longer. It be best if he went ahead and took of, yes?”

“...” Jin Zixuan made a face, before strutting past the woman without a second glance. He didn't like how fake she postured herself, and for what? He didn't care to know. He came across another servant on his way toward the main hall, and asked him to point towards where he could find Mo Xuanyu. The servant was a bit reluctant, but eventually led him along. The further they walked, the more Jin Zixuan began to grow annoyed, till they had just reached the far side of the estate. He stood in front of a door and the servant knocked lightly. After but a moment, the door slid wide and Second Lady Mo poked her head out. She looked tired and gloomy, with dark circles beginning to form under her eyes. When she noticed Jin Zixuan there, she quickly straightened up.

“Jin Gongzi, I... thought you would have left by now... did the snow bar you from leaving?”

“No I just... the snow?” Jin Zixuan asked.

“...” Second Lady Mo suddenly went quiet, her expression solemn.

The servant then spoke up, to clear the air. “Jin Gongzi, the storm last night. Not only is the snow deep, but some trees were even knocked over on the main road. It's almost impossible to leave town by anything but on foot.”

“oh...” Jin Zixuan mumbled, his brow furrowed. “No, leaving won't be an issue. I just came to return these.” He lifted the gloves and passed them to Second Lady Mo. “I told Mo Xuanyu he could have them and I prefer not to go back on my word.”

Second Lady Mo looked at the gloves, rather surprised, but still took them even if hesitantly. “T-Thank you Gongzi. That is very kind of you...”

She was cut of by really heavy coughing from somewhere in the room behind her... continuous, dry and painful sounding. Jin Zixuan made a face and Second Lady Mo quickly tried to close the door.

“Thank you again, gongzi. I bid you farewell-”

“Is he all right?” Jin Zixuan asked, catching the door. “he doesn't sound good. I mean, he sounds worse.”

“...” Second Lady Mo's face twitched, as she held back tears. “Please don't bother yourself with us Gongzi, everything is fine...”

Jin Zixuan, being the rather stubborn young man he was, politely but forcibly opened the door back with a sharp, “excuse me.”

Second Lady Mo backed up from the fourteen year old, lowering her head as he passed.

Jin Zixuan watched her out of the corner of his eye, seeing her shrink back like that... neither her or Mo Xuanyu showed signs of anything but timid fear and shyness... like one who had been burned by a flame, now scared by the fire of the candle.

The main room of the quarters was small, and when he stepped into the bedroom, feeling a tad guilty of stepping into what could be a woman's bedroom, he had to take a moment to look. The reason was he realized there was only one bed. He looked back at the rest of the quarters, then back at the bed where Mo Xuanyu was sitting up, rubbing his eyes, and looking dreadful.

… one? This is a rather large Estate and they can't even take the time to give a child his own bed? It make sense if he was just wanting to stay with his mother at this age, but he should still have his own room! What is this?!!

It was almost as if, with every realization he had about this boy, Jin Zixuan's wall that he had built- the one to help him ignore things he didn't want to care about, or think about was being torn down brick by brick. It wasn't even like he 'cared' about the kid. All the boy had been was a bit annoying, yet polite... and a bit sweet.... but the rest of it was just seeing how he could be treated nicer, that he could be living so much better, but he wasn't and for what? Cause Jin Zixuan's own father left the kid?! Just up and Left? Something was hypocritical in all this. Jin Zixuan remembered each and every comment his parents ever made to him about, duty, responsibility, how actions speak loudly, how he was supposed to be a prime example of a Future Clan Leader, how his actions spoke not just for him but his clan. How he was supposed to become a man, one who lead his men to victory, a man with no desire for shame. A gentleman. A Cultivator of the most orthodox means.... so why did he feel like... suddenly he was just a fool for trying to pretend he wasn't also being taught to keep secrets, and to always look up and not down... maybe cause looking down fed the guilt at realizing everyone you stepped on by being so high up.

“Jin gege....”

Jin Zixuan shot his eyes to those of Mo Xuanyu, who blinked at him through swollen bloodshot eyes. He was only breathing through his mouth and his voice sounded really rough.

“Jin gege is still here?”

Jin Zixuan wanted to tell him off, tell him not to call him that. It made the guilt hurt more. Instead, he didn't. Instead, he walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed. “You look terrible. Your remembering to sleep right?”

Mo Xuanyu smiled, “I sleep. I just keep waking up to cough.”

“I see.” Jin Zixuan replied crossing his arms. “well stay in bed or you won't get better. How can you play with your friends if you stay sick.”

“I only have one friend. And that's mama.” Mo Xuanyu said with a breathy voice before coughing really hard down into the blanket. Jin Zixuan winced but tried to stay seated.

“well... you can't make new friends if your stuck inside sick all the time, so you have to rest.”

Mo Xuanyu looked tiredly up at Jin Zixuan, still smiling, “Can Jin gege be my friend?”

“...” Jin Zixuan felt his stomach twist once more, his whole body tense. “... sure...”

Mo Xuanyu's puffy eyes went wide as he stood up in bed and made to hug Jin Zixuan around the neck. The teen tried to stop him, but the six year olds arms were already swung around his neck and the cheer in his little bounces was a bit too much for even Jin Zixuan to deny him.

“Jin gege is my friend! Thank you gege!” Mo Xuanyu pulled back, bouncing a little on the bed, “When I get better, can you come back to play with me!? I would love to play-” He was cut off by a round of coughs, ones so terrible he sounded like he was choking.

Jin Zixuan quickly sat the boy down, then pressing him to lay down. “I can but you have to get better first. Your excitement will get the better of you. I won't be able to come back if you don't get better.”

“okay...” Mo Xuanyu whispered with a forced yet genuine smile. Forced most likely, cause he was in a terrible amount of pain.

Jin Zixuan sat next to Mo Xuanyu as the boy slowly tried to fall back to sleep, to rest of his illness... except, Jin Zixuan was certain that wasn't going to work. He felt like he was lieing to make Mo Xuanyu happy.. and that hurt.

Once the small boy was fast asleep, Jin Zixuan turned to look up at Second Lady Mo, who finally followed him in, still holding those gloves.

“He needs a doctor.” Jin Zixuan said bluntly.

“... yes...” Second Lady Mo agreed, only to look like she might cry, “but without any safe means to leave Mo Village... we don't have a local doctor... that's why I wasn't here when...” Her hands were shaking, like she was close to sobbing. She was still forcing a smile.

Jin Zixuan stared at her. “... when will the road get cleared.”

“I don't know...” She replied.

“but if another storm comes through, him seeing a doctor will get pushed off even more.” Jin Zixuan stated.

“I know...” Second Lady Mo muttered.

Sitting there in stunned silence, Jin Zixuan came to the painful realization of it all. Mo Xuanyu, was only getting worse by the hour. He was much too little to deal with his illness, and so, without proper help....

He's going to die....

Just then a knock came upon the door. Second Lady Mo excused herself, and went to open it. Upon doing so, she let out a small sound. Jin Zixuan stood up, just as she finished saying something to whoever was beyond, and stepped aside to let them in. Crossing the bedroom threshold, he was met by Master Mo... and a Jin Clan Cultivator.

“Jin Zixuan,” The Cultivator cupped his hands. “It is good to see you are well. I was sent by your father to escort you back to our encampment so we may being to make our way back to Lanling.”

Second Lady Mo turned, heading back toward where Mo Xuanyu lay fast asleep, his breathing shaky and terrible sounding. The Jin Cultivator in question looked her way with a raised brow, hearing that but not making a move to acknowledge it in any other way.

Jin Zixaun felt like some feral beast was eating his stomach from the inside. He couldn't leave... he wouldn't... He stood there feeling like he was betraying that little boy... but on the same hand, wasn't this also a way out? If he just left, didn't look back, there would be no one here to keep his promise to if Mo Xuanyu did di.....

Jin Zixuan clenched his fist, wanting to scream for even thinking like that. Part of him wanted to just run into that room, grab the boy and take him with him. Maybe he could keep him warm and alive enough to get him back to a doctor in Lanling. Then he could get better and... and..

and then he'd be sent back here? To his terrible aunt and a single room? To his only friend being his mother? But what was Jin Zixuan supposed to do about that? If he tried to take Mo Xuanyu in, wouldn't that just start another fight between his parents? Did he care if they fought about it?

It was about that point... an idea formed in his head... an idea he might later regret...

“... tell my father to come get me himself.” Jin Zixuan said firmly, turning to go back to sit with Mo Xuanyu.

“... what?” The Jin Cultivator raised a brow.

Master Mo went rigid, before quickly walking over to step in front of Jin Zixuan. He spoke hushed, very clearly wanting to remain unheard by anyone but the youth. “Jin Gongzi, I don't want trouble. Do not force Jin Zongzhu to come here for my daughters sake-”

“This isn't for her.” Jin Zixuan said at a normal tone. “I'm doing this for Mo Xuanyu.” then he looked back at the Jin Cultivator with his head high and his tone condescending. “What are you waiting on? We both know my father isn't that patient.”

The Jin Cultivator straightened up, but had an expression somewhere between complete confusion and utter fear. “Uhm.. yes... but... he wasn't too pleased with the others losing track of you... for their sake it may be best if you just come with me-”

“Then why didn't he come himself?” Jin Zixuan asked. “Also how is arguing with me going to solve anything? I'll be here when he gets here. Now go. I'm losing patience at this point.”

Master Mo looked somewhat appalled by the boys behavior, where the Jin Cultivator looked distraught. Jin Zixuan didn't give him another glance, instead heading into the bed chamber, ready to sit and wait beside Mo Xuanyu for however long it takes. He was going to give this kid a better life... or at the very least, try.

….

Jin Guangshan was livid.

First it was the cultivators losing track of Jin Zixuan, then him ending up in Mo Village- and now, it was his son being at the damn Mo Estate, and refusing to come to him!

No. He had to apparently refuse for unknown reasons, and demand that Jin Guangshan himself come to collect him.

What is this boy playing at? Did that woman put him up to this? Maybe her father then? Whatever the case, I might end up having to drag him back to Lanling- I really don't want to deal with Madam Jin if she hears about this! Zixuan what's gotten into you!

He learned very quickly that the cultivator hadn't been lying about the main road being almost completely unable to be traveled, forced to go by sword for most of the way to Mo Village. It was only Jin Guangshan and the cultivator he had initially sent that were now landing at the village itself, not wanting to drag any nosier individuals along for this. (especially such people as his nephew Jin Zixun. The boy was talented sure, but gods did he not know how to shut up.)

After stepping off his sword, Jin Guangshan almost tripped, not because he landed on something- but rather he was surprised by how deep the snow was- almost to his upper thighs. He knit his brow, before glaring at the cultivator with him. The man quickly moved to walk infront of his clan leader, using his own body to clear a path for the man.

When they reached the estates main gates, Master Mo was waiting for them.

“Jin Zongzhu.” Master Mo spoke, bowing deeply. “It has been some time. I apologize that you have been inconvenienced. I want to make it very clear to you, that I have been trying hard to have Jin-gongzi leave to come find you himself. Apologies that I am not a very persuasive man.”

Jin Guangshan didn't answer, just knit his brow as he smiled falsely. “Send a servant to collect him... and if you would so kindly let us take this out of the cold.”

“Of course.” Master Mo nodded before leading the way into the main hall of the Estate.

Jin Guangshan slowly let it come back to him, the memory of this place. It hadn't changed at all. The servants were still gossipy and timid, rushing to hide at a moments glance. The First Madam Mo, who quickly left the main hall upon his entry was still as overly dressed up and average looking- probably still as annoying too- as the last time he was present. He wanted desperately to beat someone over the head for these inconveniences he was forced to tolerate, maybe pinch Jin Zixuan ear and tell him off like he was three again. Jin Guangshan's current running theory, was that, his son had been told by the Second Lady Mo about their previous messing around, and now the boy was starting to lean into his mothers bad habits of demanding answers and getting defensive over trivial things.

He stood within the main hall, tapping his fingers along his arm impatiently, wondering where Jin Zixuan even was.

That's when the servant who had been sent to collect the teen came back... alone.

“j-Jin Gongzi has... asked you to come to him... yourself...” The small servant girl mumbled, looking like she was preparing to get beat over the head with how she trembled.

Jin Guangshan watched her, feeling himself start to tremble slightly. But not out of fear. Out of rage.

“Jin Gongzi.. .please just go...” Second Lady Mo requested for the twelfth time since Jin Zixuan refused to leave Mo Xuanyu's side. “I... I don't want anyone getting in any trouble-”

“I'll be the only one.” Jin Zixuan stated, watching Mo Xuanyu draw as he sat across from him at the tea table. “If he tries to blame you, i'll make it very clear whats really going on.”

“But why?” Second Lady Mo asked. “You won't tell me why your doing this...”

“You'll see.” Jin Zixuan answered her, as Mo Xuanyu put down the brush and lifted up a terrible looking drawing to show him. If the teen had to guess, it was a drawing of himself killing that measuring snake... but it was indeed not that good... then again it was drawn by a sick six year old.

Just then a hard knocking- more so banging came from the door to the room they now sat in. The sound startled little Mo Xuanyu, who quickly hid behind Jin Zixuan, grabbing the older boys, arm as he took heavy open mouth breaths.

Second Lady Mo had gone stiff... and seemed to refuse to go open the door. Jin Zixuan understood... if partially, that if it was who he believed to be on the other side, she didn't want to be the first person he saw.

For a moment, Jin Zixuan wanted her to open the door anyway, maybe add salt to the anger... but he also didn't want the perpetrator hurting the woman if he really got that mad. Making his choice, he got up, and walked towards the door. Mo Xuanyu stayed at the table, watching him with a tired yet worried expression.

Jin Zixuan opened the door- completely, and stood just within the threshold. As he expected, the person waiting on the other side, was to the side, just barely out of view.

“... Zixuan.” Jin Guangshan huffed, “Get out here, and lest go.”

“Why are you hiding?” Jin Zixuan asked, just knowing each word was digging his grave even deeper then it already was at this point. Might as well plant his feet and go deeper.

“I am not hiding.” Jin Guangshan hissed. “Did she put you up to this?”

Second Lady Mo jolted , “Zongzhu I-”

“She didn't tell me to do anything except leave.” Jin Zixuan scoffed. “Everyone hear has advised me to just go. I wonder why.”

“Just get out here then.” Jin Guangshan stated, “Stop messing around.”

Mo Xuanyu was confused, as he couldn't quiet understand what was being said by the one beyond the door... but the voice... it was... familiar....

“Not until you show your face and we talk.” Jin Zixuan stated, stepping away from the door.

“Zixuan.” Jin Guangshan hissed. “Don't think I am not afraid to come and drag you out.”

Then do it.” Jin Zixuan huffed. “Come inside and get me. I am not stopping you. No one is.”

There was a long silence as Jin Zixuan stepped further and further away from the door. After he had passed behind the tea table, where he now stood behind Mo Xuanyu, it was only then that Jin Guangshan let out a groan, before turning and stepping into the room. The moment he did, Second Lady Mo quickly fell to her knees and lowered her head, refusing to look at Jin Guangshan's face. Something about how she kept her eyes on the floor... it made Jin Zixuan wonder if she really did want to look at him.. wanted to see his face...

Mo Xuanyu on the other hand, had a very different reaction.

“Baba?!” Mo Xuanyu gasped, jumping to his feet. He ran over and threw himself at Jin Guangshan's legs, all smiles, “Baba! Baba came back!!!”

“happy then?” Jin Guangshan asked Jin Zixuan before he looked down at the boy, and abruptly scrunched up his face. He made to step away from the child but he was latched on rather tight. “What's wrong with him?”

“He's sick.” Jin Zixuan replied. “And with no way out of Mo Village he can't see a doctor. I want to take him back to Lanling with us.”

“!!! What?” Second Lady Mo looked up at Jin Zixuan in surprise.

Jin Guangshan's mouth twitched. “Zixuan...”

“If we don't take him back to Lanling, he'll just get sicker.” Jin Zixuan stated, crossing his arms and keeping his head high. “And it isn't like anyone but his mother seems to care enough to worry about that.”

“He isn't your responsibility.” Jin Guangshan hissed behind a forced smile.

“And whose responsibility is he then?” Jin Zixuan asked.

“Zixuan-”

“A-Die.” Jin Zixuan snapped back, then dropped to his knees and cupped his hands. “Let me take him back with us to Lanling. It's my only request. I'll be responsible for him. I'll even try and keep A-Niang from going after you about it. I'll do whatever you ask, just don't make me leave him here to die.”

Mo Xuanyu didn't really understand what was being said. He was feeling so many emotions, and his head was so heavy from being sick, that the only real thought he had was how happy he was to see his baba again. He smiled up at Jin Guangshan who looked down at him with a smile. What Mo Xuanyu didn't see was how fake it was, and how disgusted Jin Guangshan really was to be being grabbed by a sickly child.

“A-Die, please.” Jin Zixuan begged, dropping the attitude and truly sounding distressed. “He... he's my brother... isn't he? If you won't be responsible... why not me?”

“...” Jin Guangshan looked at Jin Zixuan with several emotions flashing across his face. None of them were pleasant, none of them remotely kind. He looked like he might be ready to beat the teen within an inch of his life... but he wouldn't. He would never hit Jin Zixuan... For one It would look bad, but he really did care about his son and heir... and also if he even lay a finger like that on the youth, Madam Jin would cut his hands off... then other things...

“Fine.” Jin Guangshan hissed, still play that smile. “but you explain all this to her... And, you are completely responsible for him- make sure she knows that too.”

“Yes. I understand.” Jin Zixuan sighed, relief washing over him.

Mo Xuanyu was startled when Jin Zixuan came up and pulled him away from Jin Guangshan, bending to the boys level. “did you hear that? I'm taking you to Lanling with me.”

“...” Mo Xuanyu looked at Jin Zixuan with a wide, blank look. “I.. I'm going with you and baba?”

“Yes... but he's a very busy person, so when you stay with us you can't bother him too much, okay?” Jin Zixuan replied, picking up the boy.

“Zixuan!” Jin Guangshan huffed, “Put him down. He's ill.”

“I'll be fine A-Die.” Jin Zixuan replied. Then he turned to Second Lady Mo. “If you are fine by this, i'll have someone come back to collect his things... and.. see what I can do about you-”

“No!” Second Lady Mo snapped, getting to her feet and bowing several times. “I'll accept him visiting when he's better- but don't worry about me coming to join him.”

“.. but he still needs you-”

“He'll be better off this way.” She said, refusing to meet Jin Guangshan's gaze as he eyed her. “I know my place... and it is better off here. Once A-Yu is with you in Lanling, I won't have much else to worry about here. I'll be fine. I know my place.”

Jin Zixuan wanted to be angry, especially when his father gave him a look most condescending after the woman spoke. Instead, he held Mo Xuanyu tight, gathering up his cloak so he was rapping the boy tightly in it, before turning and walking past his father, and hopefully taking this boy to a better future. Mo Xuanyu waved at his mama, looking like he might cry as he began to realize what was happening. She shook her head at him, urging him not to. In her mind, and even in Jin Zixuan's to a point... this was for the best.

When they stepped outside, the sun light was bright, but winters chill still hadn't gone just yet. Jin Zixuan carefully pulled out his sword, before looking at the boy. “Hold on tight, okay. I promise i'll hold you just as tightly.”

Mo Xuanyu nodded... but then... “... when I get better, can I come see mama?”

“Yes.”

“If I am going with you, can we still play together?”

“Each chance I get.” Jin Zixuan answered. “But you have to get better first... and you have to- HAVE to behave. All right? You have to listen to me okay? Do you promise?”

“... I promise...” Mo Xuanyu mumbled, holding back a cough as he put his hand in his mouth. This time Jin Zixuan didn't berate him.

Instead he took them both into the air, following his father and the other cultivator as they Left Mo Village. As they flew, Jin Zixuan couldn't help but wonder... glancing at the back of Jin Guangshan's head, was the boy who was kicked out also really my brother? Who else is out there?

For now, Jin Zixuan just left it there. He had already torn down one wall. If he tried too hard to stop completely ignoring everything, he feared he was going to fall into a mental abyss. So instead, he started to build the wall back up... this time however, he was building it around him and Mo Xuanyu.