"You killed it?"

Song Mengyao softly nodded his head, watching as the old man tipped an odd concoction down Master Yin's throat. "We did, but we lost a lot of good men."

Old Man Yaozu hummed as though he were pondering the weight of their losses. "Good men will always be lost when fighting a war."

"A war? This was one beast." The prince furrowed his brows, wondering what the old man had meant.

Old Man Yaozu turned from the young master, who was still yet to wake, and locked his eyes with the prince for a moment. "Perhaps, but do not be fooled. A war is coming; the Xiangliu's awakening is only the beginning."

Before another question could be asked, a pained groan interrupted their conversation.

"Master Yin!"

Song Mengyao was back on his feet in less than a second as he moved to Master Yin's side while the latter slowly sat up. The poison had been dealt with, but the rest of his wounds had been somewhat severe. If it weren't for his Qi, his body would have already given out. Thankfully, with the new strength in his inner force and that oddly tasting medicine, he would recover in a few days.

"Careful there, your leg still needs time to properly heal."

With consideration for the old man's words, Master Yin was careful as he pushed himself up onto his feet.

"You should rest," the prince protested. Although, he knew his friend would not listen.

He simply placed a firm hand on Song Mengyao's shoulder and squeezed it reassuringly. "I am fine."

When the door to the shack opened, and in came a limping man, their conversation once again came to an end.

Song Guang smiled at his brother and used his walking stick to support his weight as he bowed his head. "Master Yin, it is good to see you awake. I must thank you for completing the job I could not."

In the few days since they fought the Xiangliu, Song Guang had regained consciousness. His wounds were healing well thanks to Old Man Yaozu, who was adamant about keeping his secrets. He knew far too much about everything from the Xiangliu to the way he treated wounds but the least they could do was leave him to his mysteries after all he had done for them.

"Thank your brother. If he were not there I would have died along with what was left of my men."

Hearing the words of praise from Master Yin should have been nothing new nor anything special and yet, it sent a blush up to the very tips of Song Mengyao's ears.

Hoping to avoid the feeling of, well, something the prince was anything but accustomed to, he stepped toward his brother. "We killed it, that is what matters. We should simply be glad that it can cause no more harm."

"About that," Song Guang raised his finger to the frame of his spectacles, pushing them up the length of his nose, "It seems the body of the Xiangliu is still poisoning the water. I am afraid that even in death it will be a problem."

"Let me deal with that. Give me a few days and the water will be as good as new," Old Man Yaozu chimed, drawing all attention to him once again.

"How is it that you know so much about, well, everything?" Master Yin questioned the old man, forgoing courtesy entirely with his blunt confrontation.

Rather than panicking, as he had done before, the old man simply smiled. "When you are as old as I am, you learn some things."

"And just how old is that?" Song Mengyao was the next to question him, pushing for answers, although it seemed that they would not obtain the answer they desired any time soon.

A master of secrets and mystery was surely the most befitting title for the strange man. None of the men could suspect him of anything sinister. He had aided them in their defeat of the Xiangliu, after all. However, there was no denying that he knew far too much about far too many things to be just an ordinary old man living in the forest.

"Some things are best left a mystery; would you not agree?"

Despite making it sound as though he were nothing but an old man who was touchy about his age, they all knew there was more to it, but they also knew that asking was not going to get them anywhere. Perhaps some secrets really were best left as such.

Once the unusual air in the room passed, Song Mengyao turned back to Master Yin. "We are leaving for Shiyanyi today. I need to go back with my brother, to my family."

"Allow me to accompany you. The rest of my men can escort us, it will be safer than allowing the two of you to travel alone. I also wanted to have a meeting with your father in person. I wish to discuss the matters between our Sects with him."

There was another reason why the young master wanted to accompany them to their home, and that was simply because he was not quite yet ready to part with the prince. Over the months they had known each other, Song Mengyao had become one of his most trusted friends.

"What about your wounds? They will not heal for at least a few days."

Old Man Yaozu walked across the room and poured what was left of the medicinal concoction he had made into a small flask. "Take this. Drink a small portion once every morning until you arrive in Shiyanyi. It will restore your Qi and help aid with the healing of your other injuries."

Master Yin took the flask in his hand and bowed his head out of gratitude as the old man had already done more than enough. "Thank you."

It would have been a lie to say that Song Mengyao did not want Master Yin to accompany them, for he too was not prepared to part with the young master. There were still things on his mind, things he needed to make sense of. He was not sure how he would make sense of those things, nor the unusual feelings that had begun to develop within him. However, he was sure that parting with Yin Jianguo so abruptly after a large fight would not aid him with that matter.

"Very well, we shall part within the hour."

***

The journey to Shiyanyi was a few days long, just long enough for both Master Yin and the elder prince to recover from most of their wounds. Song Guang still needed the aid of his walking stick but only to ensure that he refrained from putting too much pressure on his leg while the bones set back in place.

What remained of the Yin guards came on their journey with them, wishing to follow and protect their leader until he returned home. He would not stay in Shiyanyi for long, after all, but the short amount of time he would spend there would simply have to be enough. Time to rest. Time to discuss things with Emperor Song. Time to spend with Song Mengyao.

Song Guang had quite enjoyed seeing his brother, who was usually so slow to grow comfortable with anyone, converse with Master Yin as if they were old friends. It was unusual, but a nice unusuality. One he could certainly get used to seeing.

On their journey, Master Yin managed to learn a little more about the Song Clan. Although he spent most of his time playing Go with Song Mengyao on the old board they managed to pick up from a stall in Huangshou.

Song Guang, the eldest son and last of the siblings Yin Jianguo was to encounter, was eager to return home. His betrothed was waiting for him back in Shiyanyi, desperate for his return. They wished to wed by the end of the year, and he could clearly imagine how worried she would be, awaiting news of his whereabouts.

They were a respected Clan. Descendants of the royal family of the Ancient Dynasty. Their ancestors used to rule over all the clans, although Master Yin already knew that. Over the course of time, their family never lost their respect, but their power lessened. The Sects rose up and demanded rule over their own land, their own kingdoms. That was how the world had come to be how it was, however, the Song Clan still retained their royal titles.

"It is beautiful." Master Yin glanced out of the carriage at the scenery that passed them by.

Summer was drawing to its end, but the flowers in Shiyanyi were as bright and lively as ever. Blossom trees dotted about; stunning foliage speckled with the most fluorescent of flowers. It was everything he had imagined and more. Although, it still did not compare with the beauty sitting beside him.

"The flowers here have always lasted longer. When they begin to wither and die everywhere else, our leaves only just begin to fall. By winter they will be gone though, covered in layers of snow," Song Mengyao explained with a smile, happy to finally be back home.

When the carriage came to a halt, they were outside of the largest palace Master Yin had ever seen. Of course, he was not sure what he should have expected as Shiyanyi had been the heart of the Ancient Dynasty and, although it had been hundreds of years since then, the palace was still in near-perfect condition. Everything in Shiyanyi was so well looked after, even the smaller houses they passed on their way through. It was clear just how much the Song Clan valued the people that lived within their kingdom.

When the young master climbed down first and held out a hand for the prince, although doing so a great number of times before, it was as if he were doing it for the first time. The prince's complexion was so much fairer than before, and his pink lips curled up ever so slightly at each edge.

It was obvious how happy he was to be home but there was something more than that which ignited a fire within the young master. It was the first time he had ever felt such a feeling for another before. Such a strong desire to stay by someone else's side. To protect them and see nothing but their smile, that smile, every single day.

He questioned if there was something wrong with him for a moment. It was such a strange sensation. Although certainly not a bad one. It was the same feeling he had felt several times before, except it wasn't at the same time. This was more intense and much more overwhelming. All he knew was that he had only ever felt such a feeling when he was around the prince.

"Yun!"

In a heartbeat, the prince was being ripped away from him as his younger sister pounced on him. It was obvious that the two youngest were closer than the others. Otherwise, Jiaying would have run to her eldest brother first.

"Do not be so impolite Jiaying, Song Yun is older than you."

The first thing Song Guang did was reprimand his sister. Although from the giggle he received in return, it seemed as though he was only insisting on formalities because they had a guest.

Yin Jianguo placed his chin in his hand and tilted his head ever so slightly as he hummed, "Song Yun? Your birth name is Yun?"

"It is." The prince smiled, although Song Guang seemed to be most displeased that the young master would speak his brother's name so casually.

Once Jiaying had stopped coddling her brother, she stepped back from him and all formality she had before returned.

"Master Yin." She bowed her head politely as she greeted the young master. She was still not particularly fond of him herself, but she knew that her brother was, although she did not understand why. As such, she knew better than to show him any disrespect.

Yin Jianguo smiled sincerely as he hoped to show the Song Clan that he truly was an ally. "It is a pleasure to see you again, Princess."

Hearing her formal title pleased the girl. It demonstrated that he wished to show her as much respect as she did him.

After all of their greetings were exchanged, they headed inside the palace. It was just as gorgeous inside as it was out. There were pretty patterns all around, elegant pictures delicately painted onto many of the walls. So much decoration. So much to look at. It was almost too much for the young master to take in all at once, a true treasure indeed.

"Mother and Father are waiting for us; I sent a letter ahead to warn them of our arrival. They are looking forward to meeting the man who has kept you from our home for so long," Song Guang announced, glancing back over his shoulder at the young master.

Rather than stating his intentions there and then, Master Yin decided it would be best to explain himself in front of the whole family. Well, all beside Song Chonglin as he was still yet to return from Quzhou.

"Yun!"

There it was, that name again. This time falling from his mother's lips. The empress was pretty, although visibly older than the young master's own mother. Her dark, slightly greyed hair was decorated more subtly than his mother's as well, sitting up in a much more elegant headdress. The prominent green and olive colours of her dress beautifully brought out her complexion along with the fan that sat loosely in her hand.

"Mother."

It was clear as day that Song Mengyao was the favoured son. He was young, beautiful, and had a charm like no other. They all loved him dearly, however, it also seemed as though they were the type of family to be a little more than protective of their kin.

"This is Master Yin? You look nothing like your father."

When the emperor spoke, Yin Jianguo struggled to hold back his chuckle. "Well, I suppose that is a good thing. I actually take my looks from my mother's side."

Emperor Song hummed through pursed lips, eyeing the young man up and down. He was only two years younger than their eldest son, at the prime age of twenty-one, and he was already the head of his Sect. Well, in name and title only. His mother still dealt with all the political goings-on in Qingyi; she was still their unofficial leader. If his father hadn't died so young, the young master would likely still have been spending his days lounging around in his bedchambers.

"Come now dear, do not be so hostile. Our son sent word that he remained in Qingyi of his own free will, he is not a prisoner to them."

"Perhaps not anymore but do not forget the origins of his stay in Qingyi."

The glare Master Yin received would have been enough to raise the hairs on any man's neck, but he had to retain his posture in order to explain matters properly.

"I would like to apologise about that. It seemed to be the only way to prevent any immediate aggression between our Sects. You have my word that we never intended your son any harm."

Song Mengyao took a step toward Yin Jianguo, standing beside him as he came to his defence. "It is true. I was considered a guest from the moment I arrived, and I quite enjoyed my time there. On our travels too, I would likely have died at the hand of the Huodou if it had not been for Master Yin."

"The two of you fought the Huodou?" The emperor raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, not too long after I arrived in Qingyi," the prince confirmed, "In fact, Master Yin put himself in danger time and time again to prevent me from coming to any harm."

Of course, Master Yin was not going to allow himself to take all of the credit for their many battles. "And if it were not for your son, we would have never been able to defeat the Xiangliu."

"Very well, you seem to have grown close in your time together. If Song Mengyao considers you a friend, then so do I. Now, allow my sons to get some rest. We shall talk privately regarding our Sects."

A wave of relief washed over Master Yin. The emperor no longer seemed to have such a close, judgemental eye on him. Rather, he wished to resolve the issues between them as much as the Yin Clan did.

After leaving the young master and his father to talk, hours passed but Master Yin was yet to return. The prince wondered what they could have been discussing for so long, although he knew his father would wish to know everything that had occurred from the moment Song Mengyao arrived in Qingyi to the second he returned home.

Perhaps Master Yin was explaining the danger they had found themselves in. The monsters they had fought and the bandits that had tried to abduct them. There was so much to discuss and yet, the prince was not there to discuss it with them. His father would ask for his input later, that was certain. So, for now, he would simply have to wait for Yin Jianguo to return.

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