Fright is written all over the faces of the villagers, upon the sight of hills that turns into open mouth volcano in just one second. Witnessing the flame light from atop and slowly going down towards them.

The people have panic, the village chief is someone not good either, he who panic first, run away first, hides on his house, kneel in front of his god statue of unknown man, claps his hands together, rubbing as he chant a mantra of begging for his salvation. He did this, while the villagers have no idea of what they should do, asking where's their great "Divine Beast" that supposedly protecting them. But no one could answer them, this is a big question to each of them, and some even think that the "Divine Beast" is mad for offering a maiden who isn't from their village, that because they are so afraid to be sacrificial lamb, that they sacrificed their virginity to be save instead.

Hua Xie who is the calmness of all, shouted atop of his lungs, ordering everyone to go at the entrance of their village; most of them heard him but no one listen.

"Just what standing at the entrance could do Xiao-Hua?" One of the villagers ask fiercely at Hua Xie. Yes, Hua Xie is a cultivator, but this people doesn't know whether he is reliable, after all he let Shi Ying to become "Priestess", and they never witness him using his cultivation method, so no one trust him.

"The lava will be here soon! No one could be saved!"

"The "Divine Beast" is mad that the Priestess is an outsider!"

"It's Xiao-Hua's fault! If he didn't let Shi Ying—"

"It was you people who chose her!"

"Aiya! Blaming us? When you failed to protect Shi Ying?!"

"Our village will be doom!"

"We need to do something!"

"And what would that be?"

All eyes are on Hua Xie now, they are prying something, but no one let another word anymore, instead they started to march towards Hua Xie. Every single person in this village is insane. Deep inside, Hua Xie knew this, knew that all of them are ugly to the core. But just what anyone could expect from people who been throwing humans in the cauldron of their "god".

Does he really have to protect them?

In reality, Hua Xie could be safe inside his house, he could place a barrier, no sweat, he could just stay there, drink some hot beverage, relaxing and just wait for the two Young Masters to come back, while this people could just swim at the lava later.

He grips his fist, all in all, this people are not worthy to be save.

Not worthy to waste his spiritual energy.

Not worthy is slightest.

"Even so, we are cultivators, and our duty is to save the people."

Hua Xie recognized the familiar voice coming from behind him. The people, stop at their plot, and Hua Xie turns to confirm what he is thinking.

"Young Master Yu!" Standing behind him is the adopted son of Xingxiu Caipi and Madam Houki. The Moon Hammer Lord, Xingxiu Xuanyu.

Xingxiu Xuanyu stands to Hua Xie's side, and smile at him, "You hold out well, Hua Xie." Hua Xie nodded in recognition. Xingxiu Xuanyu then turns to the villagers. "Everyone we know how scared you all are. But we are here to ensure your safety, please do as we said and leave the rest to us." With the appearance of someone who like more reliable to their eyes, even they are hesitating they only look at each other with concern and fear but still obeys what have Hua Xie ask do earlier.

"But why is Young Master Yu here? Shouldn't you be with Lady Reinshun at Wangxian Valley?"

"Eh? Ah... umm yea, but we heard that We—Brother Ying was sent here so we rush here."

"We? Then Lady Reinshun is here too? But where?"

"Probably—already at the mountain with Brother Ying."

Hua Xie blinks. He knew all the head disciples of each house in Zhuque Sect Sect. They are all confident at their words especially if its concerns their siblings, especially this Young Master with him. Xingxiu Xuanyu would never think twice by answering things about Tiao Reinshun.

So, it's like this: Xingxiu Xuanyu's words should be: "Yes, but we heard that Bro Ying was sent here so we rush." and "She's already at the mountain."

But this Xingxiu Xuanyu holds hesitance to his words, it's like he actually have no idea how to answer his question. Hua Xie narrows his eyes, just keeping pace forward, walking next to Xingxiu Xuanyu who is following the villagers to the entrance. Choosing to keep his mouth shut for now, he continues observing this person standing as Xingxiu Xuanyu.

One more step to their stop, when suddenly something hit his mind, because of the panic in the village, Hua Xie forgets that there is someone that might be still somewhere unsafe. Without thinking Hua Xie, runs, listening to no one, not even to the concern shout from the Head Disciple of House of Xing.

Hua Xie uses qigong to be faster and provide no delay.

The old man, the isolated old man living within the woods were weak to the point he could only take slow, one by one stride. He wouldn't be able to escape in time before the lava could reach the village.

He has great concern to this old man since meeting him on that fated day. Hua Xie doesn't know if it is because he pities him, but he just couldn't help but worry.

Soon than expected Hua Xie who in rush to save the isolated old man arrived and immediately entered the hut, his eyes widen, turns his head to every direction, but the only thing he found is that small altar for the Flower Crowned Prince and the mats that neatly stacked on the corner. There's no presence of that isolated old man.

Hua Xie gotten anxious, 'Where is he?' He asked internally, knowing no could be able to provide him an answer. He grips the door before turning around determined to search for the old man, but then he jumps in shock. Probably because his focus is entirely on the old man that Hua Xie didn't notice that someone has able to stand behind him. But it's only a shock that soon turns into relief, as he realizes who is the person.

The person wears Zhuque Sect's disciple uniform with red sash and triple colored tassel dangling on the waist. Her hazelnut-colored eyes stare at him with confusion, Hua Xie clearly sees her attentions seeking beauty mark under her left eye, her purple hair is tied into bun atop and has braid tail that going down pass her waist.

"Hua Xie just what are you doing here?"

"Sect sister Reinshun! What about you? Aren't you supposedly at the mountain and helping Ying shixiong?"

"I'm on my way there when I see a corpse sitting on a tree."

"Corpse? Is the corpse—" is an old man, is what Hua Xie wanted to ask but couldn't continue. He knew that the old man has little time left but—he still hope that the old man could see a new tomorrow after the battle at the mountain.

"The corpse is belonged to an old man, and he died peacefully, watching the snow mountain's blizzard."

"I see..." Is the only words Hua Xie could give as a response.

He felt grief but also at the same time relief, that the old man finally finds peace at his last moment.

"What are you still standing here for? Hurry up and go back to the village."

Hua Xie has his head down that he misses the frown on Tiao Reinshun's face. He nodded and walked away the hut after giving a one last glance, but not even sooner nor getting far away when he turns to meet Tiao Reinshun again.

"Sect Sister Reinshun," Tiao Reinshun just slightly moves her head to the side to make him know that she's listening. "Where's the old man's—"

"I already buried him. Don't ask where I've buried him anymore. Go back now."

Hua Xie makes obeisance to her, thanking her silently for such a gesture. He straightened soon after and uses qigong once again to back.

"Quite a handful youth." She silently commented, but Tiao Reinshun's voice aren't sounded she used to, instead it could be perceived as male's mature voice with hint of masculinity on it.

Tiao Reinshun narrows her eyes, looking at the empty hut, that the only thing that could give clue of someone used to live there is the three incense that is still burning.

Sleeping under a tree, uses the tree roots and trunk is the isolated old man. His old, wrinkled face doesn't show signs of peace, he is frowning as if nightmares have invaded his dreams. He's so in deep sleep and so weak to even noticed or hear the heavy footsteps created by boots that approaches him.

The person has no qualms of respecting his sleep, as it crouched down, meeting the old man's sleeping face.

A smirk emerged, "When there's no god that answer your plead, you've finally clings onto opposite of them." The person's eye narrows, "Be thankful that "Gege" is kind, or else I won't ever answer your call."

As if that low masculine voice has reached the already deaf old man, the old man opens his eyes slowly, using all the strength he could gather. The isolated old man cries soundlessly, unmoving as his blurry vision found red robes, silver accessories dangling on the chest, and a small round red thing.

"Thank you..." The person glance at him, has no interest not felt pity on his being.

"Go and rest." with one last close of his eyes, the isolated old man finally gains his eternal peace.

Tiao Reinshun once again opens her eyes, turns her heels, and finally close the door at the same time closing the story of The Isolated Old Man.

MDZS Fanfic

Red Strings of Connections

Chapter 38 Zhuque Sect and Lan Versus Evil Zhuque

The person landed between the humans and beast, holding a metallic violet fan, very familiar tassel and black robes billowing through the left-over winds the fan has released earlier.

She's a short female cultivator that everyone is very familiar with.

"Sis Rein!" Myo Ning excitedly calls, lowering his weapon, relaxing upon the sight of their sect sibling.

She turns towards them, walks in calm manner, fold her fan and claps her hand behind, have no care either her clothes or hair are being blow by breeze that soon dissipated into calm wind.

"Sis Qing tied it again." the way Tiao Reinshun spoke doesn't the same way she used to, even so Myo Qing nor any of their siblings question this, instead the elder sister nodded and commanded her whip to coiled again on the neck of the giant beast, the fear of getting pull again has no more bothering Myo Qing since her younger sister is here, their strength is secured now. No one will be pull again. "Raise your weapons again, it is not finish yet." they nodded, "Bro Ying, ready yourself that thing is the one 'we' were looking for. It must be killed first before your purification could work."

"Alright..." curiosity raises on the Wei Wuxian, there are strange things about his sister, but he didn't dwell on it way too much, knowing what their priority is, he could just pry all of them after this.

Once again, the cold wind blows, billowing their robes and hairs, readying their weapons as they watch the beast getting up, and then roar again. With the snowstorm that acting like barrier have gone, the people in the village were frightened by the sight of giant bird, feared how angry the roar have sound.

Since joining forces, the battle has become fiercer, and their attacks have started to take effect, the earlier hindrances were all now ignored. The Evil Phoenix flaps its wings much stronger that it gathered and release not cold wind but Yin Energy, sending those to Wei Wuxian and the others. Tiao Reinshun who standing in front of her siblings and Lan Wangji, one hand on the back and the other is holding her fan out wide open and made a contact against the powerful Yin Energy, blocks all the black mass, protecting them from it. Lan Wangji, Myo Ning and Myo Qing all jumps to different directions and showered the beast with attacks, aiming to distract it away from Tiao Reinshun, knowing that if Tiao Reinshun leave her post and let the Yin mass passes them then it will go where the villagers are.

"Wei Wuxian attack its lower spinal cord."

"Alright!" Wei Wuxian rides his sword and just as his sister suggest he attack that certain part using his sword that he fed with strong spiritual energy.

The Evil Phoenix roar in agony, it roars while struggles, throwing its gigantic body which caused to start an earthquake, and this tremor has not just felt in the mountain but in the village as well.

Tiao Reinshun who still blocking the Yin energy, narrows her eyes before she flicks her wrist and the Yin Energy have gone in a blink of an eye. This was not witness by anyone since they are busy at fighting the beast. But Tiao Reinshun did not make any move after that and just watch them all fighting.

The struggle continues, Wei Wuxian is still doing everything he could to keep stabbing the end of spinal cord of the beast, at the same time the others are attacking the other parts, such are wings, guts, and head.

Tiao Reinshun finally made a move; she uses qigong to jump passing the head of towering bird that screeching in anger and pain. With narrows eyes Tiao Reinshun fans her fan creating a strong gust of wind: no one notice, no one realize that the energy that was release is completely different from her spiritual energy, no one see how black the mass that hits the bird. She landed on top of head, her eyes glint and for unknown force from her, the head of the bird weighted and dropped at the ground of snow.

Myo Ning aims his bow and spiritual arrows to the sky and let go the string, letting go the arrows made of light; the five arrows multiply to hundreds, and fierce the back of evil Phoenix.

At the same, slashes made of whip mix with crackling lightning adds wounds, Myo Qing then locks her whip again on the neck, and using her spiritual energy the evil Phoenix felt electricity within its body.

Lan Wangji switches into his guqin, strumming on the strings creating a melody that although sounds good to the ears could make the receiver a great pain through the roots of their spiritual flow.

And finally, Wei Wuxian feds Suibian with spiritual energy, bursting with spiritual fire, Suibian has become sword of fire and with a command from its master, the sword stabbed the neck of the beast, going through the flesh and then struck the snow ground.

The cold wind continues blowing their hair and robes, the mountain has become silence, sharp eyes, sharp attention has focus on the still standing evil beast, and other than the whisper of wind, nothing could be heard at all. The silence lasted not even a half hour passes when finally, things show progress.

The last roar from the Evil Phoenix before Wei Wuxian delivered his attack, has become it last noise, as the formerly recognized as "Divine Beast" has fallen to its grace, falling on the snow filled ground of mountain creating a slight tremor, but this tremor is nothing but a little shake.

On it's fall, the silence continues, watching, observing, alert for any sudden come back, but nothing has occurred after that.

Tiao Reinshun, with one hand behind holding her fan, extended her other hand to the head of evil Phoenix that it just in front of her, and brush its fur. Everyone waited for her, hoping for the best result. Soon she retracted her hand and look at her siblings and Lan Wangji, gave a nod. This nod made Wei Wuxian and the other a sigh in relief that they finally able to let go the breath that they have been holding in.

"Bro Ying, shouldn't you start now?"

In all honesty, only Wei Wuxian understands what she is talking, Myo Qing frown in curiosity as it is clear to her that Wei Wuxian and Tiao Reinshun are both hiding something from them, Lan Wangji just glancing at Wei Wuxian in concern, while Myo Ning is poking on the fallen beast, checking, hoping that it won't resurrect itself.

Wei Wuxian nodded, although confused and still feeling strange upon the sight of his sister, he still sheathed Suibian at its scabbard and took his charcoal black flute, dangling in every slight movement is the eye-catching blood red tassel tied at the end of it.

He placed the flute near his face, he made a pause first clearing his mind from any negativity of the world before he places his mouth to the flute, blowing gently creating a beautiful tune, that reaches everyone's ears; the others have relaxed on his music that bringing a feeling of spring, freedom, and pure cleanliness.

Lan Wangji thought that it is completely different effect than to their well-known piece of cleaning one soul.

What Wei Wuxian plays is something that is not just cleaning the soul but the ugliness of the world as well.

Tiao Reinshun closes her eyes, hands clap behind her, watching wwx playing his flute that he named Chenqing, playing on the tune of softness, gentleness and the feeling of a man embraced by his beloved.

She hides her fan, and take out a pair of small white dice, threw it in the air without much forced and catch it without problem, each dice shows six red dots, and a door appears, despite this weird occurrence, none of the teens notice, and with one last glance and smirk, Tiao Reinshun turns her heels and opens the door then close it behind her.

The door disappear before anyone could see.