1 Camellias in Moonlight

In a land blessed with flourishing nature and prosperity, there are four majestic kingdoms ruled by four kings.

One in the West, one in the East, one in the South and one in the North. Each kings were bestowed with own powers, bringing their kingdom straight to glory and peace. Their vast lands were blessed by the Oracle; the one that held the ancient power within his palm, one who said to possess the great knowledge all over the map.

Thus, all kingdoms would have their priorities to serve for the Oracle despite different perspectives in order to gain its blessing and favours.

Indeed, there was nothing free in this world and so with each power they received, they must be giving an offering in return. The core of 'Lost Souls'; known as the evil spirit's heart by the common folks. And so, the system of exchange was embedded in the daily life and all four lands live in prosperity.

And there will always be shadows where the sun shines the brightest.

*

Far in the woods of East Kingdom, there was a secluded rural village resides. Outside one of the brick houses there, a boy was chopping down on a piece of woods with all his might. Sometimes a few strands of hair would flew on his jade-like face and the young boy would tucked it back in once in a while. A girl who sat near him watched him closely with half lidded eyes.

Her eyes glistened with awe as she watched the boy's spirit in his work.

Yet the sound of her voice contained a hint of melancholic behind it. "Are you sure you don't want to follow us, Hongxin?" the young girl pouted in dissatisfaction. Her name was Yuri, a normal village girl adorned by the others for her sweet voice.

"Yes, I'm going to stay. I need to look for my mother." The boy keeps on chopping the woods, not sparing her a glance. But his tone of speaking harbours not a single hint of annoyance or hate, that diligent boy was just too engrossed in doing his job.

Small sigh could be heard from the young girl's lips.

"But then, it won't be fun if you don't come together…"

Hongxin stopped chopping and wiped the small beads of sweat forming on his forehead using the back of his hand. The size difference between his arms and his axe was way too big, contrasting his slender arms to the bulky and hazardous axe yet he showed only small sign of fatigue.

He looked at the girl and smiled, "Don't be like that, I might just drag all you down if I follow too."

The girl was about to protest but someone called out her name, stopping her midway of her sentence.

"Yuri! Hurry up!"

From the entrance of the village, there were a large group of teenagers getting ready to depart. One of them who called the girl quickly get off his horse and threw a dirty look at Hongxin behind the girl's back.

Remembering the fact that they all would soon depart away, he doesn't feel the need to give any reaction and stared back. He calmly put the axe on his side and sat on a rock for a rest. It's for the best that his last impression before they leave is considered neutral and not 'mutually bickering'.

Or at least, that's what he thinks.

Finally standing near them, Fei, the boy who called the girl just now quickly asked the girl, "Yuri, let's go. Don't tell me you're planning to stay behind with this guy?"

"..."

Having no response from her, the boy soften his voice and continued, "Listen, it's for our family own good that we migrate to the central town. If we keep on chopping woods mindlessly everyday with no ambitions, we will never get the taste of success!"

Hongxin just blinked at him while Yuri frowned as she knew that Fei was purposely trying to annoy Hongxin. "You're so childish!"

"What? He don't even join to say goodbyes to us at the gate! All he ever do was.. was.." He looked at Hongxin and suddenly his voice was raised a pitch higher.

"This!!" His finger pointed out to the pile of woods that were waiting to be chop. Hongxin just raised his eyebrows.

"I'm sorry for not staying there until you guys departed. I really need to chop this up quickly before the night comes."

Fei usually taunts Hongxin before in attempt to make him fight, but the latter knew best not to care about him. It was usually harmless attempts and Hongxin felt grateful that he's not that easy to lose his own temper. If he can ignore it, he will ignore it. If it's bearable, he would bear it until he couldn't.

Suddenly, Yuri grabbed the Hongxin's free hand and said, "Hongxin, we're going first. Take care!"

Hongxin looked at Yuri's face for a while. Clearly, she wanted him to join but that boy could never leave his mother behind. So, with a smile he replied, "Have a safe journey, you two!" Fei just scoffed at the words and walked away with Yuri.

After done waving them goodbyes, Hongxin started to swing back his axe and continued chopping woods. The words Fei said earlier repeated in his mind. Chopping woods everyday is equal to having no ambitions just doesn't make sense. With these woods, they would have warmth when the winter came, they would build new houses or repair anything broken. Wouldn't that be something to be grateful for?

Hongxin is content just by living idly like this.

Anyway, he need to quickly chop these woods and hand it out to the other elders later. He just couldn't bear the sight of elderly people working themselves too hard. Yet he still feel uneasy about having no ambitions, as Fei had said.

"No ambitions..." the boy sighed and stopped his work midway. He took the water bottle on the ground and chug the liquid inside until it's empty.

What ambitions is for? Can't someone just not have such big ambition? He was extremely grateful just to live a normal life in a village with his mother and quietly help anyone here. After all, the only thing he was good at is cooking and farming. Basically, everything related to life needs, Hongxin excels the best at it.

But ask him to do martial arts or any kind of magic and cultivation, he would not spare a chance.

He looked at the group of people crowding the village's gate and saw a lot of parents hugging their sons and daughters. Everyone was there, even the chief joined despite not having any children. He saw his mother on the side, accompanying her friend, Nan Yu, to bid her farewell to his son he presumed. He only knew the other kids by names, but almost none of them are that close to him expect for Yuri and the other girls.

After the migration of the younger ones to the central town, the small village was filled with the elders, and life there was extremely slow-paced and mundane. It was all because of how most of their children quickly moved out from the town to live in another lively city, leaving behind the fragile and senile old ones with a promise to come back bringing wealth that could change their life.

Despite that, the elders were hesitating to let them go but no one could bring themselves to stop their own children from achieving their dreams.

After all, this deserted village is too shabby and small to contain their desire to explore, and who would want to spend their youth in such a place?

One by one, each houses became emptier and soon the streets of the village were no longer bustling with people. Now, most of the elders rarely spend their time outside and dilly dally, they had to work fast before the night came and rest to replenish their energy. Sometimes Hongxin would come and helped them, but nothing could beat the presence of their own children no matter how childish and spoilt they are.

Considering Hongxin's diligence, the others considered the boy's mother extremely lucky. Not only his son is well mannered and good looking, he even stayed behind with his mother to take care of her! Of course, this situation surely resulted in having a portion of them feeling jealous for those two for having each other.

It's been a month and a half since the youngsters had departed and Hongxin is still doing his usual daily works. He continued chopping woods and looked at the big pile of woods near him, smiling to himself in satisfaction.

"This might be enough,"

Carefully, he compiled some of them in a bag and passed it to the houses that might need firewoods. A group of old women stared at his actions and sighed in unison.

"I feel jealous just by looking at his son walking..." said one of the old woman who was hanging her laundry.

The others around her nodded in agreement and one of them added, "If only my daughter is still here, I'd bring her to Zhueze's house for proposal,"

"Would your daughter even want this young lad when her heart is already swooned for the mighty city boys she always imagined in her head?" one of the women who finished settling her laundry joined the conversation.

It was Gu Jiang, the one who married to the chief of the village's younger brother. Having a connection with the chief made her feel somewhat special and so do her mouth rarely close, earning her a few nicknames. Even Hongxin called her 'the firework auntie' because once she opens her mouth to criticize anyone, it will go non stop, like how fireworks usually sounds like.

The firework auntie added, "to be honest, I think it's better our daughters and sons go out and get married with wealthy people from the central town rather than young'uns from here... that boy, Hongxin, what so good of him other than being obedient to his mother? I'm sure if a house is burning, he would save his mother than his wife! Ah, I can't let my poor daughter suffer like that,"

She had a victory written all over her face when everyone turned quiet after hearing her, taking it as a mutual understanding when it's actually not. In fact, the others just kept quiet, probably because they also don't know if Hongxin's obedience would come to that extent. Satisfied, Gu Jiang puffed her chest with confidence.

Suddenly, a voice called her from behind.

"Um, auntie, this is some of our harvest today. I hope you like it." It was Hongxin. It has been the their tradition to exchange or just give a portion of their harvest to others.

after all, by giving more, we could receive more.

Gu Jiang eyes widen in shock. "Y-y-You!!"

"Me?"

"Don't sneak up behind old people like that!"

"Oh. I'm sorry, auntie. I called but none of you notice..."

The old woman was loss at words. How long have he been standing there?! Didn't he go around handing over the firewoods he chopped?!!

"Anyways, here is it. I hope these vegetables and fruits are to your liking!"

The boy passed the bag of harvest to her and left them after a goodbye. Gu Jiang and the others stood still, waiting for the said boy to dissapear from their line of sight.

Just like the firework, when it loses its gunpowder, the blasting would fade away.

There were a long silence before one of the women who had been quiet all the time spoke,

"Gu Jiang... I think all of us should apologize to that young boy after this. After that, we should pray for our children to be safe and sound! it's almost 2 months and there's not a single news from them!" It was Koh, Yuri's mother who initiated that plan.

"Enough!" Gu Jiang quickly cut her words and furiously stomped away. Before she left, she tossed the bag to one of the women beside her.

The atmosphere turned gloomy after Gu Jiang left and the old ladies sighed in unison. All of their daughters and sons has gone for such a long time. They all felt more exhausted doing the daily works now when there's no more anyone who's capable to help them. Soon, they hurried up and finish their work before night falls. Hongxin glanced at them hurrying up and continued heading towards his own destination, the chief of the village's house; Ri Minsu.

Ri Minsu's house was the only house at the top of the hill and he stayed there alone. He used to stayed with his brother but after his brother married, he had stayed alone and rarely comes down unless he needed to. Hongxin's mind replayed the moment when he heard some of the villagers commenting about how that was the reason Ri Minsu is still single, and the loud stomp of his feet returning to his secluded house with a furious expression.

Hongxin was still a young kid at that time but the redness of the chief's face still lingered in his mind. It was kind of funny for him, but it was inappropriate for him to laugh so he always tried to keep a straight face everytime he saw the chief's face.

"Oh," a voice greeted him from behind. "Why you're here, Hongxin?"

The boy turned and saw the chief in his inner clothes, sweating and panting.

The chief probably noticed that Hongxin might be taken aback to see the righteous chief in such a state so he quickly exclaimed.

"Ah, don't mind me. I jogged around a little just now. Why are you here?"

"Nothing, I just want to pass this to you, chief."

Hongxin held out a bag of harvest towards the man. Ri Minsu's eyes widen before he sighed.

"Kid, you should stop overworking yourself. I know you want to help the elders around but at this rate..."

"It's alright! after all, I'm still young," Hongxin smiled. "I'd be lying if I said it wasn't tiring but knowing I can help others a little with my skills is relieving."

The chief let out a soft sigh before taking the bag from his hands and walked passed the boy. "Follow me, I also have something for you."

Hongxin obediently followed him from behind. Once they reached his house, the man went inside his house for a while before coming out with a sharp axe. It looked sturdier than Hongxin's worn out axe that he used everyday. The blade shines bright that it reflects his face back at him.

"This axe," He held it towards Hongxin, "for you. I knew you have been chopping extra firewood for everyone. Thought this will help you."

"Oh, um," Hongxin quickly took it and inspected it. He felt something from the axe, and continued examining it. "Thank you so much, chief!"

Ri Minsu smiled and replied, "It was infused with magic by the way, it'll make it feel lighter."

The boy blinked in disbelief. "Magic? Chief knows how to use the inner..."

The man nodded and added, "People rarely called it inner energy nowadays. Just call it magic."

Hongxin let out a long 'ahhh' before continue feeling the magic encirculating his hands. It sure made him feel the axe became lighter now.

Satisfied, Ri Minsu turned and said, "See you later, Hongxin! Thanks for the vegetables!"

That evening, Hongxin returned with a jumping heart. This axe will surely help him a lot!

-

It was already night and a women were seen chatting with Hongxin's mother, Zhueze. They both were standing in front of the house, seemingly to part ways after this.

"I let him go willingly but now that I missed my son dearly..." the woman who's standing beside the front door sighed, the curve on her lips didn't fade. "So, its wrong for me to call him back, am I not?"

Zhueze looked into the others eyes, her eyes heavy; she didn't have the heart to see her own friend being in such situation. She parted her lips, yet nothing came out of her mouth.

Her mind went blank, as she's afraid if any of her words would deepen the wound. Unlike her friend, his son Hongxin stayed behind. It's completely not for her to say, 'stay strong' or 'i understand how you feel'.

Nan Yu looked into her eyes a bit, she's always looking at her with that look, and she smiled until her eyes closed and laughed a bit, "Its alright, Zhue."

She added, "That reminds me, you and your son are going out tomorrow to pick some herbs, right?"

"Yes, we're planning to go early in the morning,"

"Then, please go as early as you can. Its best to go to the south area. I heard the medicinal herbs there are the freshest."

"Oh? I didn't know about that!" Zhueze looked puzzled with the sudden information she heard.

"Only a few villagers know this secret place!" Nan Yu smiled, then she quickly continued.

"Ah, it's already night! My, I'm sorry for bothering you until this late!"

"It's nothing to be worried about, feel free to come by anytime!" Zhueze's face lightens up a bit before she went inside and took something out.

"Here!" she held a bag of harvest, "Me and my son was lucky to get such good harvest today and I thought it would be great to share it to you! I hope you like it,"

Nan Yu's face softens and she took the bag with a thank you. Before they part, Zhueze quickly called her again.

"Hey! It's dangerous to walk alone, please let my son walk you there!"

"…"

There was a significant pause before Nan Yu quickly replied.

"It's alright, Zhue! It's not that far, I can take care of myself," Nan smiled and turned around, putting a thumbs up to convince her friend.

Zhueze looked at Nan Yu's fading figure with a worried face. Just then a voice called her out softly from behind.

"Ma, did auntie Nan Yu left already?"

A tall man in his youth was shifting his way beside her on the windowsill, his hair pulled up into a high ponytail were blew away by the night's breeze. The moonlight made his face glowing even more.

"Hongxin," the old woman softly caressed his son's hair, "Can I trouble you a bit? Nan Yu, that auntie is insisting on walking alone at this night, ma is worried for her,"

Understanding what his mother possibly meant, Hongxin quickly nodded his head and said, "Ma, I'll go accompany auntie Nan Yu so Ma don't have to worry,"

Zhueze's face relaxed and she patted her son's back.

Quickly, the young man went out of the house and took his old fox jacket his mother made for him. It was a bit tight now that he's growing. He made a mental note to alter the jacket sooner. Before he went out, Hongxin took the magic infused axe with him as protection, in case he stumbled upon any evil spirit.

After a few steps away, he turned around and looked at his mother, waving her hand through the window. Her mouth were opening and closing and thankfully, Hongxin's eyes is sharper than a hawk that he could see the words his mother was saying; 'take care'.

He nodded and quickly continue his path towards auntie Nan's house.

That night, he felt like the moon was brighter than any days so that's why he didn't bring any torch, also because he didn't want to waste any more fuels for the house.

Soon winter will come and he really needs to save a lot for their winter preparations. He looked at the Camellias around him, pondering how beautiful it will look like when they bloom when snow comes. After a few minutes passed, he felt something was off.

Auntie Nan Yu is nowhere to be seen!

Small wrinkles formed at his forehead as he squinted his eyes harder, examining his surrounding that were filled with flowers. Auntie Nan is getting older, there's no way she could walk this fast, let alone running!

Hongxin was just about to call out for her but he quickly stopped. He remembered one of his mothers advice,

'Never shout for anyone, anything if you're alone and unarmed in the forest. Who knows just what will you attract?'

Sudden wave of uneasiness washed over him. It wasn't long before he resorted to one way.

Walking forward, he decided to just check on Auntie Na's house to see if she's truly back home or not. After a few minutes, he arrived at his destination.

"The lights..!"

His eyes would never deceive him. He saw the house was already lighten up inside, clearly there was someone using the fireplace. He could even see the grey fogs fleeting away from the chimney of the house.

That means Auntie Nan Yu already arrived at her house safe and sound. He pondered for a second to knock on the door or not, but remembering that his mother purposely send him secretly to check up on her, Hongxin swiftly turned on his feet and walked back, shaking off the eerie feeling in his gut earlier.

Thankfully, the beautiful Camellias around him somehow gave him comfort in the night.

Somewhere amidst the dark, a pair of eyes stared at him amongst the flowers until he fades into the dark.