The Unexpected Reunion

The night had quickly descended, the darkness of night adding a sombre chill to the autumn evening. The silhouette of the distant hills loomed on the horizon and the sky seemed to blur the distinction between inky night and pitch black.

Jiang Xudong opened the door to his room with his arms loaded with calligraphy supplies. He immediately heard the raised voice of his mother, Wang Yuling.

''Where have you been? I was worried sick about you! Do you know how late it is?''

Jiang Xudong clumsily stumbled into the room with his load, placing the supplies on the floor just inside the doorway. He straightened out his crumpled clothing and sighed, turning to face his mother who had positioned herself in the middle of the living area.

''Sorry, mother. I was…'' he paused and glanced around the living room, his gaze lingering on the display case containing his late father's calligraphy brushes and papers.

He swallowed the lump in his throat and continued, ''Buying more calligraphy supplies. I couldn't help myself''.

''You always can't help yourself,'' his mother replied, her voice coloured with disappointment. ''Jiang Xudong, you are the sect leader's son. You shouldn't be buying and staying up late doing calligraphy every night. You have other duties to do. Look at your elder brother, how competent. And you..!'' Leaving her sentence in between, she huffed in anger and walked away.

Jiang Xudong stared at her back and then turned around to look at the calligraphy supplies on the floor. He took after his father while his elder brother took after his mother. What was wrong with that?

Sect leader Wang Yuling sat at the dinner table, a platter of steamed fish and dumplings sitting to one side. There was a palpable tension between her and the two sons, Jiang Xudong and Jiang Guangyi, whom she had summoned to the table. After a long period of silence, Jiang Xudong broke the quiet with one simple question.

''Mother," he asked, "Where is the dragon chess set?''

Startled, Wang Yuling looked at her son, her surprise evident. Jiang Guangyi kept his eyes averted, but Jiang Xudong held his gaze. He waited expectantly for an answer.

As soon as Jiang Xudong asked about the chess set, his mother's face hardened. He could sense her apprehension and even fear.

''Where is it?" he asked.

His mother replied, "It's locked away, somewhere safe. Somewhere not even I can access it''.

Jiang Xudong was taken aback. "Why? Why keep it away from everyone, even you?"

His mother avoided his gaze. "It's too powerful. It needs to remain hidden from those who would misuse it''.

Jiang Xudong could sense the gravity in her words. She was serious. He nodded slowly, and with a heavy heart, he accepted the answer. He got up, bowed and left the dinner table quietly.

Sect leader Wang Yuling and Jiang Guangyi looked at each other in unison.

"Guangyi," Wang Yuling commanded. "You know what to do. I need you to identify each person Xudong interacted with today along with everywhere he went. Tail your brother; he's youthfully naive and thus vulnerable to manipulation''.

Jiang Guangyi nodded his head.

''Remember the day the dragon chess set resurfaces, there would come chaos, a turbulent storm that would blow away everything. It will unleash an unstoppable tempest that will obliterate all that stands in its way''.

The next day Wang Yuling received the news of Jiang Xicheng's arrival at the main house.

Jiang Xicheng was standing near a painting and staring at it when Wang Yuling walked up to him, her head held high and a smile on her face that had a hint of sorrow behind it.

She couldn't help but feel a wave of sadness wash over her, the ever-present feeling of guilt for the mistake she had made still lingering in the air between them.

"Hello, it's good to see you son''.

She said, her smile widening slightly and her voice barely audible as she spoke. Her heart was pounding, and she waited for Jiang Xicheng's response, the tension between them palpable.

Jiang Xicheng said nothing, but his eyes softened ever so slightly. He nodded at her in acknowledgement and slowly, ever so bowed, a small smile spread across his face.

Wang Yuling exhaled silently in relief. Despite the darkness of the past, and the murky clouds that sometimes shadowed their relationship, in this moment, at least, something seemed to be bridged.

Wang Yuling's gaze dropped to his eyes as she said the words, and he could feel her grip tightening on his shoulder, her voice indomitable.

"How are you?"

Jiang Xicheng swallowed hard and mustered the courage not to choke her. "I'm fine," he replied, his voice firm.

''You look so weak. Look at your face, it's so pale''. She said with a concerned expression. "Five years have passed, and only four of us remain. Where have you been?" Her voice hardened. "Do you even realize the hardship we have endured in your absence?"

Jiang Xicheng whirled around, his face a snarl of contempt. ''Four, did you say?'' he spat. His eyes flashed with disdain as if challenging her to dispute his assertion.

''Huh?'' Sect leader Wang Yuling felt a wave of shock down her spine.

Suddenly, Jiang Xicheng smiled. ''Lady Jiaxin Xu! Aunt, you forgot your daughter-in-law''.

"Oh! Yes, I almost forgot!'' Wang Yuling let out a laugh as she turned to face Jiang Xicheng, her gaze lingering in admiration.

"You have an incredible memory! Such a rare quality in someone so young. I must commend you, my dear,'' she said, a wide smile on her face.

Jiang Xicheng merely flashed her a smug grin, pleased at her approval. His expression turned serious, however, as he spoke. "I will never forget a thing. That's a promise''.

Wang Yuling slightly nodded her head. She felt alarmed. Something big was going to happen.

She was snapped back by Jiang Xicheng's voice. ''Aunt! I will take my leave now''.

"Son!" She said sternly, her voice full of disappointment. "You've been away for five years and you can't even stay for five minutes?" She crossed her arms over her chest and fixed him with a stern look. "What kind of welcome home is this?"

Jiang Xicheng kept quiet.

''Do you think we blame you for whatever happened that night five years ago? I feel sorry, five years of your life were ruined. I don't know where you have been but these five years must have been very difficult for you''. Wang Yuling patted his shoulder.

''It's not like that..'' He was cut off by Wang Yuling.

A sharpness edged in Wang Yuling's voice as she declared, ''You are staying here for Jiang Xudong's birthday. It would mean the world to him to have you present''.

She ordered the maids to get a room ready for Jiang Xicheng. He had no other choice but to listen to Wang Yuling.

He made a slight bow, his expression a neutral mask. ''As you wish, aunt''. He replied in a low voice.