Meeting "Him"

Third Pov:

As the snow of the late winter slowly falls, covering the ground with a blanket of white. The snowfall landed onto one's long black hair as he swung his sword forward. The second son of the Bai sect was practicing his sword skills in the freezing winter alone in the mountains. "Er Shaoye (Second Master), it's time to eat," the maid said as she placed the dishes on a table in his living room.

He put his sword away and turned to face the maid. The maid looked at him blushing, "Er Shaoye please enjoy your meal," she said as she backed away from his living room, walking away, and leaving Er Shaoye alone. He walks to his living room, putting his sword on his sword rack. He then seated himself on the carpet and poured himself a cup of green tea. He held his wooden chopsticks and a bowl of rice and started to eat the meal that was prepared for him.

His white robe's sleeve hung loosely. He has always tied his long hair with a long piece of gray-colored cloth with a silver hairpin. He was always expressionless, no one knew if he enjoyed something or not.

After he finished his meal, he carefully placed the plates back into the box the maid had taken them out of. He took his sword and carried it in his left hand while holding the box of plates with the other. He slowly walked on the snowy pathway to the main part of the sect's building.

When YuHan arrived at the servant's kitchen, he was stopped mid-way by a male servant. "Greeting Er Shaoye, servant will take the box," the male servant said as he bowed and then took the box away from YuHan. "Er Shaoye, Master Bai wants you at the main hall," he said.

YuHan nodded.

"I'll take my leave now," the servant said as he bowed.

On his way to the main hall, servants bowed and greeted him like always. As he walked past them, the maids would gossip about him and the male servants would admire his skills and knowledge of literature. He entered the main hall and saw his uncle sitting on a dark wooden chair sipping a cup of tea. YuHan bowed and greeted his uncle.

"YuHan brings his greetings to you," he said as he faced his uncle.

"YuHan greetings to you too," his uncle said as he placed his teacup on the wooden table.

"Uncle, what did you call YuHan here for?" YuHan asked.

"I'm here to tell you about what your father left in a box for you. Now listen YuHan, your father wanted me to read it to you aloud."

"Uncle, I'll follow any orders from my father. YuHan will follow and complete what I need to do," YuHan said as his uncle nodded in response. His uncle opened the scroll of paper and then looked at YuHan.

"Dear YuHan. Assuming by the time you're hearing this letter from your uncle, you're now 19. I hope you've trained for what comes ahead of you. Your mother and I made an agreement with the Feng sect when you were 2 years old to marry their second daughter Feng ShuHan. From what I heard Feng xiaojie(Miss) is a kind and intelligent child. Her parents adore her very much and I think it was a perfect match for both of you. So your mother and I have agreed on this marriage. She's younger than you by a few months and with the help of birth date and birth time we've found she is the best match for you. When she's with you, you'll have both good luck and fortune. Once you turn 20 you'll meet Feng xiaojie and start planning a date for your wedding. I wish the best for you and my son YuHan, don't be so cold to your future wife. Treat her nicely like how you take care of your sword all the time. Sincerely, your father," his uncle read.

"Uncle, was that all my father had to say?"

"Yes. Now, listening to the order or not is up to you. But I have something important to tell you YuHan."

"Yes, what is it, uncle?"

"You'll be going down from the mountains and living between the land and mountains of the Bai and Yin sect. You'll meet the eldest of the Yin sect there and you'll stay there until you're 21 or until 20 to meet your future wife, Feng ShuHan. Focus on yourself when you're living there. Find the weak points of your opponent and you'll easily win against the duel."

'The duel. I merely forgot about that tradition between the Yin and Bai sect.'

"I'll send someone to accompany you down the mountains."

"Thank you Uncle, but I'll head down the mountains alone," YuHan said.

"If you say so, you'll set off tomorrow. Make sure to pack all of the items you want with you."

"YuHan will take his leave now, Uncle," YuHan said as he got up and picked up his sword leaving the main hall. 'What is this Yin Gongzi (Childe) like?' YuHan thought. When YuHan entered his bedroom, he started packing for his two years at the bottom of the mountain. After he packed everything he needed he tied his gray bag up and went on to clean his sword before he went to sleep.

YuHan woke up early in the morning and sat down at his writing desk and took a sheet of paper and started to make black ink. He grabbed a brush from his brush stand and started to write, 'Dear uncle, Greetings from YuHan, I've prepared and packed everything I needed the night before. I have woken up early to write this letter and leave the mountains earlier than you expected. I'll take your advice on catching onto the weak points of the enemy. I'll make sure to update you about what's happening every week with a letter. I've told one of the servants to give you this letter. Thank you for taking care of me after my family was wiped out. I wish for you to have a healthy body and live a lifelong. Sincerely, Bai YuHan.' He signed his name then he placed his brush down and waited for the ink to dry. When the ink dried he folded it and placed it into an envelope. He was heading down the mountains and handed his letter to one of the maids that served his uncle breakfast.

The journey down the hills took him less than an hour. When he got to the bottom of the mountain, he unfolded his map and followed it to where the house of traditions was held. He knew this day would come and he was prepared for the worst. From his memories of the original Bai and Yin sect's tradition, the firstborn of both sects would spend their childhood with one another till they were twenty-one when they'll finally know they'll kill one another. After a tragic incident of the Bai sect's firstborn, everything changed. Growing up with one another was no longer necessary, but the fighting tradition is still in place.

When he was near the land between the Yin and Bai sect it was already dark and cold. As he continued to walk he could hear the sound of rustling branches. He used his energy to create a mini fire in his hand as a light source. He felt a tap on his shoulder and he quickly turned around to see nothing. He continued to walk until he felt his hair loosen up and fall down. He turned around to see his silver hairpin and a gray strip of cloth on the ground. He quickly picked them up and quickened his pace to the land of the in-between.

As he neared the place, his hairpin was snatched away. He drew his sword out and listened to his surroundings. As soon as he heard a noise, he went straight for the target. Instead, he was met by flying needles that he bent himself down to dodge. "Who is it? Show yourself!" YuHan said.

"Oh no one," a voice said.

"Hand me my hairpin," YuHan said calmly. He could see a shadow come down from the trees. The figure was holding an unlighted lantern and once he got close enough he saw the figure. It was a male with long black hair held up by a silver accessory. He was holding a fan in his hand and smiled at YuHan. "My hairpin. "

"Here," the guy said as he placed his silver hairpin on YuHan's hand. "What's special about it?"

"Nothing," YuHan said as he put his sword back into his scabbard. YuHan grabbed his gray bag and looked at the Gongzi who took his hairpin.

"You should take this back," the young man said as he handed YuHan the white and gray colored cloth. YuHan took it back as soon as he could. He continued to walk towards the land in between while the Gongzi followed him. "Talk to me!!!" the Gongzi said. "Do you not like talking? Or are you mute?"

"Stop and be quiet. If you were at the Bai sect's mountain you'd suffer great consequences," YuHan said.

"Heard of that place, but I'll never go there."

'We don't need people like him anyways' YuHan thought. The guy kept on trying to make him talk till they reached the destination.

"You're also staying here?" the Gongzi asked.

"You should get going. This isn't a place for villagers to be at."

"Wait...You're telling me to leave? Are you kidding me kid? You don't even know who I am."

"Your name isn't important, what's important is your safety Gongzi," YuHan said.

"Well, let me introduce myself. My surname is Yin and my name is ZiNuo. My full name is Yin ZiNuo. I'm also assuming you're Bai Gongzi from the Bai sect?" ZiNuo said with a questionable face.

YuHan observed the Gongzi in front of him. "Not even equal to a playboy."

"Bai Gongzi, do I really look like one of those pretty boys who happen to fool around?" ZiNuo said. ZiNuo was left with no response. YuHan continued to walk to where the sign read Bai Family's Residence hung at the top of the building. After he finished unpacking, he decided to take a bath and change into a new set of clothes. He also took his sword with him just in case ZiNuo decided to do something. He took his clothes and headed to the pool of water. He placed his sword down first and took off his robe and his inner layer of clothes. Then he used a white towel to cover everything below his waist. He walked into the water and sat down. YuHan looked up towards the clear dark sky with the moon and stars shining brightly. He held onto his sword as he remembered his brother.

"YuHan! Play with me! Don't just sit down every day!" a child older than YuHan said. He grabbed YuHan's hand and dragged him out of YuHan's study room.

"Brother, what do you want to do," YuHan asked.

"Today I learned how to use a sword!" Little YuHan looked at his brother with a surprised expression.

"Brother can you show me?" little YuHan asked.

"Of course, I'll show my little brother."

"Yay!" little YuHan said as he jumped around.

" back away so I don't hurt you, YuHan." Little YuHan listened to his brother and backed away. His brother drew out his sword and started to move his sword in the snow. Little YuHan was fascinated by his brother's skills. After his brother was done he put his sword back into his scabbard. Little YuHan quickly ran to his brother with a smile on his face.

"Brother one day you'll teach me how to wield a sword right?"

"When you're old enough of course I'll teach you." "When?" "When you turn 10!"

"Promise?" little YuHan stuck his pinky out and looked at his brother.

"Of course," his brother said as he smiled back at him.

"Hey?" a voice interrupted YuHan's thoughts. YuHan turned around to see ZiNuo looking at him. "What are you doing out here late at night?"

"Nothing," YuHan said as he got out of the water and changed into his clothes.

"Is nothing the only word I'll only get out of you?" YuHan just stared at ZiNuo and then walked past him. "You always have a stone-cold face. Don't always have an expressionless face!! You'll end up feeling nothing-" those were the last words YuHan heard before entering his room. Once YuHan got to bed he just laid down staring at the ceiling. He couldn't sleep because of the thoughts of what might happen the next day. Instead, he decided to stay up and read the old novels he found on the shelves. After a few pages into the book, YuHan could hear the sounds of things breaking. He quickly grabbed his sword and ran out to see what was going on. He came to the kitchen to find ZiNuo on the ground next to a puddle of liquid that smelled like wine.

"What are you doing?" YuHan asked.

"Grabbing a middle-night drink. What else?" ZiNuo said as he awkwardly smiled putting his hand on his neck.

'I might need to hide the jars of wine from him' YuHan thought.

"Anyways, sorry for accidentally breaking a few and waking you up. You seem so alert." ZiNuo blurted.

"What do you mean?" YuHan questioned.

"You have your sword with you right now. Isn't that the sword called cold something?"

"Bingxue zhi han(Ice Snow's Cold)," YuHan replied and walked away.

"You could have said good night to me at least!" ZiNuo shouted.

'What does he even think he is.' YuHan thought. When YuHan went back to the Bai sect part of the place, ZiNuo was cleaning up the mess he made. He slowly picked up the pieces and put them into a basket.

"This place isn't going to be as fun as the Yin sect's palace," he mumbled. After he finished picking up the pieces he went and grabbed a jar of wine. He walked to the bathing area and took off his shoes. He sat by the water putting his feet in it. The pool of freshwater was coming from the mountain. It was like a stream that comes and goes. The pool wasn't near where they lived in, but rather a bit further on the Yin side of the land.

He opened the bottle of wine and started to take sips of it while watching the bright moon. He smiled at the moon and continued to drink out of the bottle, he smiled at the moon bitterly. He went from sips to gulps of the bottle of wine. The moon reminded him of the nights he spent by himself while his little brother was in his parents' warm and happy atmosphere.

"Look at him! He's ten and he still doesn't have a sword!" one of the kids shouted.

"They all said you're a child the leader had secretly!"

"No I'm not-" ZiNuo mumbled.

"You're unworthy of a sword!" another blurted.

"No-" he mumbled again.

"You're the most useless son of the Yin sect! You can't even wield a sword properly. In fact, you don't even have a sword," a boy laughed.

"No, I'm not useless!" ZiNuo screamed at the group of kids. Then ZiNuo ran away and hid under a shed. "My parents don't even visit me. I don't even have a sword," he mumbled while crying. He heard the sound of raindrops, it must be raining and no one would care if he was lost or gone.

"Don't worry," he heard a voice call out. He looked up and saw a girl in white robes smiling at him. "I'll be here for you," she said as she held out her hand while her other hand was holding a white umbrella. ZiNuo carefully looked at the female, she had gentle eyes that were a little bit round.

"Sister, who are you?"

"I'm here to help you, child." Little ZiNuo looked at the young xiaojie with a happy face. "I'll teach you how to fight without a sword if you want," she smiled at him. Little ZiNuo grabbed the xiaojie's hand and he was quickly shielded by the umbrella.

"So Jiejie what are you going to teach me?"

The young xiaojie looked at ZiNuo."I'll teach you how to use needles."

"What can I do with needles?" little ZiNuo asked with a curious face.

"You can use your magic and change many objects into sharp needles that can pierce through people. Your magic can make your needles strong enough to." she coughed as she showed ZiNuo what she meant with her hand gliding across her neck. "I meant that the needles will be strong enough to protect who you want to protect and kill the ones that threaten you."

"Have you learned how to use needles?"

"Yes. How else can I teach you?"

"Why are you choosing to teach me Jiejie?"

"Cause you're a cute kid. Plus I need a disciple or was it called an apprentice?"

"You want me as your disciple?"

"Why not ZiNuo?"

"They all say I'm weak and don't deserve a sword of my own."

"In this world little ZiNuo, you have to make what's available. You don't always have to use a sword. In fact, you could even use an umbrella kid. I'll show you how I managed to live throughout my life with people saying people who can't wield a sword are useless." Little ZiNuo smiled at the young xiaojie.

"What's your name Jiejie?"

"Just call me Ling Jiejie."

A few minutes later ZiNuo finished drinking a bottle of wine. "Ling Jiejie, where did you go?" he mumbled. He got his feet out of the water and dried it off quickly to put his shoes on. He grabbed the empty bottle with him and walked back to the Yin part of the place he's now living in. Before he could get into his room he collapsed right in front of the door. The sound of the wine bottle shattering was heard again.

The sound of something shattering interrupted YuHan's reading. He grabbed his sword from the table and went out to check what was going on. Even though he wasn't allowed in he walked right past the boundary and looked for ZiNuo. He quickly ran to ZiNuo's bedroom to find him in front of the door with the shattered wine bottle. He quickly picked ZiNuo up from the concrete ground and opened the door with his leg. He placed ZiNuo on the bed and quickly took off his shoes, placing them by the bed.

'This is why I don't drink,' YuHan thought. He placed the blanket on top of ZiNuo and quickly left closing the door on his way out.