Beneath the Ghostly Sky
Yu Xuan and Zi Qian knelt on the ground in the mysterious and illusory forest created by the Headless Demon. Their hair was unkempt and their clothes were torn and dirty with mud. Zi Qian leaned his head on Yu Xuan's shoulder and let out a deep breath. "Thank God we're still alive," Zi Qian whispered to himself. He then raised his head from Yu Xuan's shoulder and got up. "Thank you, Xiao Yang, for saving us," he said, looking at Xiao Yang, who stood nearby, his sword resting in his crossed arms as he looked at them.
"No need to talk about it. We are friends and it is my turn to help you when you are in a difficulty," said Xiao Yang in a very serious manner. "Why are you here too?" Zi Qian questioned, the bewilderment reflected in his eyes when he looked at Xiao Yang.
"Kid, he was with me when we were looking for you," Yu Xuan whispered, wrapping his arms around Zi Qian and speaking into his right ear. "I impulsively went into the Bronze Gate, believing that you were in serious danger. He likely came in after me."
Xiao Yang looked at them and kept his face as expressionless as possible.
With a sudden shove, Zi Qian moved Yu Xuan's hand away from his ear, and his angry voice rose. "Cease acting in that way. His tone was sharp and irritated as he shouted, "I absolutely hate it when people whisper in my ear." When Yu Xuan acknowledged the seriousness of Zi Qian's error, his eyes grew wide with horror and a sigh fell from his mouth. He was secretly hating Zi Qian in his heart. "This prick! What an idiot he is!" Yu Xuan pondered while giving Zi Qian a deadly gaze, but the latter gazed at him as if he didn't understand. In an attempt to maintain the act, he tried to use his eyes to alert Zi Qian to Xiao Yang's presence.They could not afford to destroy the facade they were supposed to be putting on in front of Xiao Yang—a teacher-student relationship.
Sweat was pouring down Yu Xuan's face as his anxious glance flitted between Xiao Yang and Zi Qian. Xiao Yang's eyebrows knitted together as he watched the casual conversation, his look changing from one of surprise to suspicion. Why Zi Qian was speaking to Teacher Yu with such familiarity, as if they had known each other for far longer than their roles implied, was beyond his comprehension.
Zi Qian suddenly realized. In his annoyance, he had forgotten their subtle farce. His error was further reinforced when he looked at Xiao Yang and watched the face of perplexity turn into a questioning one. He had to keep up the idea that Yu Xuan was his adored teacher in front of Xiao Yang. Zi Qian cleared his throat and immediately changed his expression. He bowed deeply, trying to project the highest respect possible. "I apologize for my harsh behavior, Teacher Yu," he replied, his voice steadiing. "I cannot tolerate whispers, they unsettle me." Even though he was secretly fuming with annoyance, his movements were calculated, each bow and gesture calculated to represent the deference expected of a pupil to his master.
Yu Xuan responded in a soothing, perceptive voice, "It's okay." "I can sympathize with your frustration in this unsettling location. Let us concentrate on locating the Crown Prince, though. He walked to stand next Xiao Yang after clearing his throat. "The Crown Prince? Is he also present here?" With obvious astonishment, Xiao Yang enquired. "Yes, he wa—" Zi Qian got to work explaining.
"Forget it, let's find him first. I don't want to know more." The emperor will undoubtedly hang us alive if he dies here. Xiao Yang broke off, reaching for his blade that had been leaning against a massive boulder. Without further remark, he took the lead, walking steadily and with purpose.
Zi Qian stood there, surprised by Xiao Yang's unexpected reply. Yu Xuan gripped his hand tightly and murmured, "Let's go, brat." They descended deeper into the dark region, the air becoming colder and misty with each step that they take. They soon arrived at a little, frightening village. The villahe exuded a sinister atmosphere, with skulls ominously marking its entrance. The metallic odor of blood hung heavy in the air, making Zi Qian's stomach churn and making him rather nauseous that he hid behind Yu Xuan for reassurance. A shimmering, translucent barrier surrounded the village, adding to the sense of dread.
Zi Qian immediately stepped closer mote to Yu Xuan, seeking comfort as he clutched his sleeves, whilst Xiao Yang approached the barrier with focused intent. He reached out his hand, allowing it to penetrate the shimmering, omnicious barrier, and waited for any reaction, however none occured. He turned to face his companions, satisfied. "It is safe. Let's go inside," he said, moving past the barrier without waiting for them. "He claims that it is safe. "Let's go now," Zi Qian said, his voice filled with haste as he prepared to follow Xiao Yang.
"Wait, brat," Yu Xuan shouted forcefully, clutching Zi Qian's shoulder. His eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Don't you find him suspicious?" I mean, while I was with him, he would not agreed to anything I wanted to do. As the teacher, it's my responsibility to set the example. Why is a student taking the initiative? Does he truly think he can handle a demon if one appears? And he appears to know far more than an average or even a bright student should." Zi Qian grumbled and rolled his eyes at Yu Xuan's persistent questions. He struck Yu Xuan's back without warning, causing him to cough. "Let's just go. It's not like you are really a teacher.....it's just your fake identity..
..i love my life and i don't want to be martyr here," he said, pushing ahead with fury and proceeded behind Xiao Yang.
" Martyr? What a joke," Yu Xuan scoffed and ran behind him.
They strolled into the supposedly desolate village, only to discover it was surprisingly bustling. Inside the barrier, the sky was clear and the air was free of the dense mist that enveloped the outer world. People milled about, all wearing odd, scary masks. The masks obscured their faces, contributing to the creepy mood.
As they traveled through the village, they came to a butcher shop. The butcher, a large and portly guy, wore a mask with an unsettlingly joyful smile. He sliced meat with sharp, purposeful strokes, each one reverberating in the silent air. Strips of beef and meat strung on hooks, swinging slightly with each gust of wind.
As they passed through the village, the disguised villagers cast uneasy glances at them. Zi Qian held Yu Xuan's arm hard. "Why do you keep clinging to me?" Yu Xuan asked gently. "Aren't you supposed to be strong enough to be a martyr?" He added teasingly. "Brother, I need you to defend me. My abilities aren't working here. I can't even summon my magic fan. "How do I defend myself?" Zi Qian responded, his voice full of concern.
"Well, do you think my powers are working here?" Yu Xuan inquired, groaning at Zi Qian's naivety. "What? They aren't working?" Zi Qian cried, shoving Yu Xuan's arm away in disbelief. He dashed over to Xiao Yang, despair in his gaze. "Xiao Yang, why are they staring at us like that?" he said, his tone filled with both innocence and terror. Xiao Yang, keeping his sword and arms crossed, said stoically, "Because they've never seen us before. They do not recognize us. They are ghosts. "Mute ghosts and this is the ghost city."
"Oh Ghosts! .....WHAT! GHOSTS!" Zi Qian exclaimed, feigning dizziness. He stumbled severely, and Yu Xuan was fast to catch him.
The startling outburst attracted quick notice. The people, who had been secretly studying them, acted quickly. They pulled their weapons one by one, including knives, machetes, and other cutting instruments. The joyful masks now appeared ominous as they surrounded the group, making a tight, intimidating circle. The butcher from earlier displayed his cleaver, its blade shining menacing in the light. An elderly woman with the bamboo stick stood stiff, her mask now roughly a frown.
"Do not yell. "You'll get their attention even more," Yu Xuan growled, his voice tight but controlled. "They may be silent and have terrible vision, but they can clearly hear us. We must retreat; we cannot resist them. They've encircled us due of your stupidity." Yu Xuan smacked Zi Qian's shoulder, the sharp sound reverberating through the thick quiet. The intensity in his tone and actions highlighted the seriousness of the situation they were in. The masked peasants closed their circle, their weapons gleaming menacingly against the cloudless sky.
"Take these," Xiao Yang murmured gently, giving them two awful masks with eerie grins. "I picked them up in front of the village; they were on the ground." He put on one of the masks and continued on, confidently breaking through the villagers' circle. Yu Xuan and Zi Qian exchanged looks before looking at the masks in their hands. They put on their masks without hesitation. The stress dissipated immediately. The disguised residents turned aside and resumed their usual routines as if nothing had happened.