Where had they all gone? I had lost sight of them. I don't know why, but I had the feeling that they were up to something! I was surprised by SiZhui, a little less by Jingyi, but not at all by Jin Ling and the young Zizhen. These 4 had met the day before. Although Jin Ling and Jingyi were constantly bickering with each other, they were still together!

SiZhui and Jingyi were 15 years old and a little older than the other two. Jin Ling would soon be 13 and Zizhen was 14. It was likely that SiZhui was trying to keep the little group calm and trying to keep them from doing anything stupid!

But they were teenagers and you never knew what they could do! Even SiZhui who was always very wise and thoughtful. Sometimes I could see a glint of mischief in his eyes like yours, my love! But unlike you, our son knew how to control himself!

I had been through all the classrooms, the orchid room, the library, the training ground and even the kitchens and dormitories. All that was left was the "Beyond Room".

When I got there, the door was ajar. I approached without making a sound. I could hear whispers inside. I was about to go in and ask them what they were doing there when I remembered something Baochen said.

"Youth is for experimenting. It's okay to make mistakes because you learn from them. It is also an excuse for everyone to do what is forbidden to do later for reasons of "etiquette. Han GuangJun, you who did not have a real childhood, take advantage of your year of freedom to live new experiences "

Baochen,...I had learned a lot during that year spent with him. He was often absent to see patients. I took the opportunity to go on night hunts where we had been together, my love, or return to train SiZhui in secret. In the last three months of my voluntary exile, Brother had discovered that I returned after every full moon to see my son. We would spend a few hours together before I left...

The sacred exorcism and spirit control room was silent again. I heard rustling of cloths coming towards me. I hid behind the corner of the building. When they came out, they had the expression of conspirators.

"SiZhui, Jingyi go and guide us! "Jin Ling said.

"If Han Guang-Jun catches us, we will all be punished! "said my son.

"So we have to be discreet, so that he doesn't find us out. The more we talk in the open, the more likely we are to be discovered. Come on, I don't want to be locked up here for three days !!!!. Uncle Jin and I are leaving tomorrow afternoon, and so is Zizhen. It's now or never! "

SiZhui hesitated. You could tell that Jingyi wanted to go, but he always agreed with his inseparable friend SiZhui.

"What are you afraid of? Of getting caught by your parents? "

"SiZhui is Han GuangJun's son! "Jingyi retorted.

"Now I understand why you are so hesitant! "Zizhen said.

"I'm complaining with my Uncle Jiang Cheng, but for you it must be no better! "

"Han GuangJun is a fair and loving father, I couldn't ask for anything better! "

"Well, let's go, we need two hours to get down to Caiyi and two to get back. If we want to be back for the meal, we have to leave now. So what's your decision SiZhui, do you get us out of YunShen Buzhi or not? "Jin Ling said.

SiZhui looked at Jingyi, he was hesitating. I knew that he had always wanted to go down to Caiyi to walk around. The few times he had accompanied me outside, we had just passed by... His gaze became more confident.

He said, "Follow me," and then left in the direction of the second exit of YunShen Buzhi.

This was what they had planned, an excursion to Caiyi! I was going to have to follow them to ensure their safety. If anything happened to that hothead Jin Ling and young Zizhen, we would be in trouble.

SiZhui led them safely through the exit gate and the four of them headed for the city. It took them a little less than two hours to arrive at the entrance to Caiyi. They headed to the main street, where most of the merchants had their stalls. They started to walk around, stopping here and there. SiZhui and Jingyi, who had always lived in the heart of the mountains surrounded by clan members, were discovering the outside world. The disciples would only go out into the world after they passed their exams in the year they turned 18. Both of them would have to wait another three years before they could go on a night hunt.

I noticed that SiZhui was keeping an eye on his two companions from the Jin and Ouyang clans. I knew I would have to punish him for leaving YunShen Buzhi without permission, but I was curious to see where this "adventure" would lead them. The two of them were just beckoning them to join them. I approached them without being seen.

"Jin Ling, this is not reasonable and you and Zizhen are too young," said SiZhui.

"And you two are older than us! "

"Except that it is forbidden by the rules of our clan! "SiZhui intervened.

"Cheer up! Come on Zizhen, we'll go buy some.

"They won't sell you any. You are too young! "my son insisted.

"We'll just say that our father sent us! "said Jingyi.

"Jingyi, whose side are you on? Do you remember our rules? "

"Alcohol is forbidden in YunShen Buzhi, but this is Caiyi and I've always wondered what 'the Emperor's smile' tastes like! "

"You two, you are too flashy with your white dresses! Come Zizhen we go together.

I saw them go away. SiZhui and Jingyi waited for them near the bridge just beside the place where they had separated. After about fifteen minutes, they appeared again. Jin Ling was hiding something under a cloth. He signaled to the two Lan's to join them, and then they went together in the direction of a quieter street near the lake.

After finding a quiet and secluded place, Jin Ling sat on a stone and Jingyi in the grass next to him. SiZhui and Zizhen stood watching them uncork the jar of alcohol and bring it to their mouths. From the first sip, the effect was immediate! Both of them spit out the little alcohol they had left in their mouths and started to cough with tears in their eyes.

Their two acolytes who had remained standing laughed at their discomfited faces. I must admit that I didn't miss the envy either! They had deserved what had just happened to them!

As Baochen said, a lesson can be learned from every mistake made! I think this one was going to stick with them!

"It's time to go home, if we don't want to be late for dinner," said SiZhui.

Jin Ling and Jingyi stood up, they had only drunk a sip but looking at them, they didn't seem to be walking very straight!

It is true that I was not in a good position to make fun of them, a single sip was enough to make me lose all memory of my actions!

SiZhui sent Zizhen to buy some food. Then, taking their two friends by the arm, they took the way back. The four of them hoped that no one would see them and realized that two of them had swallowed alcohol.

Just before reaching the entrance gate, I passed them without them seeing me and got in the way. When they saw me, they stopped dead in their tracks, looking guilty!

From the look on their faces, no words were necessary. They had been caught red-handed. Fortunately for Jin Ling and Jingyi, the food and the walk had made their minds clear!

"Follow me."

They all lined up behind me with their heads down. I headed for Brother's workroom where I knew I could find their father and uncle. I knocked. Brother told me to come in.

The appearance of four teenagers with their heads down after me was a clear indication that they had done something stupid and had been caught.

"Wangji?" Brother asked, holding back a smile.

"I caught them outside YunShen Buzhi."

Brother looked at SiZhui and Jingyi.

"Go wait outside, you will receive your punishment by Han GuangJun."

Then turning to his guests.

"Ouyang Clan Chief, Third Brother, I leave it to you to decide on the punishment of these young people for their carelessness.

Jin GuangYao spoke up.

"Since they were reckless together, I think it's only fair that they be punished together. Han GuangJun, Jin Ling will submit to your decision of punishment.

"Zizhen too, Han GuangJun".

"Well, tomorrow at 6 o'clock in the library, let them not be late! "

I turned around and walked out of the workroom.

I knew four of them who were going to copy! 

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)