Scattering the Ashes

The next morning Yun took his family to the graveyard. He was guiding them to their family grave where all of their ancestors rested as they stood before the stone which Rin seemed to remember.

"This is it. I remember it," says Rin standing before it seeing how stained it was from not being cleaned over the years.

"Yes, this is where our family is resting," says Yun filling his hand with Water Qi before touching the stone making water flow the stone making it wet before beginning to scrub it clean.

"Today we will spread the ashes of the people we have lost," says Yun as he looks at Lin and Fang who are carrying the urns of their father and grandmother.

"Then we will pray for their souls and continue our journey to Zhan to visit another grave before continuing our journey further north," says Yun informing the group as he finished cleaning the grave.

"Which grave are we visiting at Zhan?" asks Yang not knowing that his sister was from Zhan.

"Rin's father is buried there. I and your mother adopted Rin back when we passed through Zhan to come her to lay your grandfather to rest. Back then she experienced something incredible when we laid his ashes to rest here. I hope that Lin and Fang experience the same," says Yun wanting Lin and Fang to see their father at least once in their life.

"Lin and Fang, come forward," says Yun as he calls both of them forward with the urns.

They stood before Yun who turned now back to the grave and takes a deep breath while closing his eyes trying to concentrate on what he was going to do and say next.

"We have gathered here today to lay our family members to rest so they can join our ancestors and rest in peace as we hope to achieve when it is our time," says Yun with conviction as if trying to summon his ancestors to come to their midst and join them.

Yun could see some spirits which didn't manifest into real humans with his Third-Eye but he didn't lose his calm when he came face to face with his father which wasn't visible for the others just for him or so he thought when he saw Lin tremble in a bit of fear when Yun places his hand on her shoulder reassuring her.

'It seems her touch with Death has made it possible for her too see the spirit of the deceased,' says Ysmrgra noticing Lin's reaction as the spirits slowly took shape and more men stood behind the grave looking and waiting for someone.

Lin was still fearful until she sees the men smile at her. They were all wearing armor and holding a spear showing that they were from the Zhao Household.

"Lin, give me the urn," says Yun as Lin handed the urn over and Yun opened the lit.

He spread the ashes of his mother first over the grave stone making his mother appear for him as Xian spreads his hand out which Madam Su took joining her husband again.

Then it was Fang's turn as Yun took a deep breath hoping that his son would reveal himself for them or at least to Lin and Fang so they could see him.

"Fang," says Yun as Fang walks over and hands over the urn containing his father and Yun spreads the ashes of his son over the grave.

His son manifested standing before him looking him in the eyes when he feels his son placing his hand on his shoulder as if trying to say that it wasn't his fault that he died but Yun knew that it was his fault for holding back trying to gain Guan Yu in the future.

Fang looked at the children standing beside Yun before looking behind Yun seeing Rin and Yang who he almost didn't recognize him.

Fang then looked at the children and points at them before pointing at himself when Yun only nods confirming his suspicion. Fang wanted to touch his children but he just fazed through them.

He felt helpless for a moment when he heard something and everyone could see him as he says, "Mother."

"Mother?" asks Yun confused as Fang shakes his head and looks at his children.

"I only have some seconds thanks to mother," says Fang as he kneels down while the adults standing a bit back were surprised by what they were seeing.

He looks at the twins and says, "I am sorry that I won't be there for both of you and your mother. I wish, I could see both of you grow up and see my own grandchildren as you tried to make me proud."

"Are you really?" asks Fang not believing it completely while Lin was believing it since she saw him talking to Yun without a need for words before.

"I am Zhao Fang, son of the great Zhao Yun, and the grandson of the even greater Zhao Xian who died on the battlefield while defending the main camp from the enemy who outnumbered his army back then. If I had been half as experienced as him I would have been by your side right now," says Fang as he pets their heads feeling sad that he would miss their whole life.

"I will be watching over you both and will await you with your ancestors when it is finally your time to join us," says Fang as he stands back up and turns around while saying, "The others are awaiting me."

Yun looked at Fang's back before seeing his Ancestors waiting for him with Xian opening his arms wide welcoming Fang as they all fade away returning to the land of the dead.

"Is that what you were hoping for?" asks Cao Tai as Yun shakes his head.

"No, it was even greater than expected," says Yun happy that Fang and Lin could see at least once their father.

"But why did he say 'Mother'?" asks Yang now confused as Yun looked at him.

"Your mother never died the day you were born Yang. She returned to her place or better said a God dragged her away threatening her to kill our whole family while I wasn't around. She agreed to go back with him but left some days after saying her goodbyes to all of her children. I still don't know who your real mother is but for me she will only be Diao Chan, my wife," says Yun informing the group of his first wife.

"Do you mean to say that she is a God?" asks Yang as Yun only lifts his shoulders.

"I don't know for sure but if she could help your brother talk to us it could be possible," says Yun as he looks at the children and petted their heads.

He sighs as he wanted to know Diao Chan's real origin and her real name. He even wanted to know why she chose him over every other person on this earth when he turns to his children.

"We should leave for Zhan. We attracted too much attention with what just happened a moment ago and Cao Cao could be alarmed by this," says Yun seriously as he picks Lin and Fang up.

They leave the graveyard and reunited with Dian Wei and Zhang He at the inn who were already set to leave as they bought enough supplies to reach Zhan without much trouble.

The left right away through the west gate when Yun says, "I hope this time I won't have to go to war."

"What happened the last time?" asks Yang curiously since nobody told him what happened back then.

"The Xiongnu attacked Zhan or at least a small army that split from the main army that attacked Jinyang back then. The Xiongnu have been quite active back then after Gongsun Zan died and Lu Bu left the border of the Bing Province. Rin's father was a volunteer defending his home while Rin was helping as well carrying rocks up the wall for the militia. I don't know if you remember," says Yun as he looked at Rin.

She nods as she says, "I remember it. You seemed enraged after treating the soldiers and helping me with my hands and left the city for a moment in your armor not carrying only an ax, I think."

"I killed many Xiongnu that day and made them retreat from Zhan all by myself but I paid a price which was unknown to everyone," says Yun as he suffered from internal bleeding back then.

"I was gravely injured on the inside and it took me some days to recover that's why I hired mercenaries in Lunu to make sure that nothing would happen to your mother and you while I recovered," says Yun seriously as everyone was confused about who could injure Yun.

"I might look like a God of War to everyone but I am just a simple man with a lot of experience and strength. But even I can be killed," says Yun telling everyone the truth.

"But it won't be today nor tomorrow," says Yun knowing full-well that one day he would die.

"I don't want you to die," says Lin being cute in Yun's eyes as she expressed her sadness of losing her grandfather.

"Don't worry, I won't die until you two are old enough to lead the household," says Yun reassuring Lin and Fang as well who still was flustered after meeting his father.

"Once we arrive at Zhan, Rin and Cao Tai will go to see her father. Afterward we will rest in the inn. The next day we will continue our travel," says Yun giving orders since it was important that the get back before winter is over.

"We understand," says everyone except for Lin and Fang as Yun nods while hoping that they travel would be as peaceful as before.