Spring Winds

A two months has passed since Zhu Na Ran and Ye Lian Hua, entered into the Yun Sect.

The air of summer was different from that of spring. While spring was fresh and crisp, like the smell of renewed life; summer had the distinct smell of early morning dew and long days of the sun that would follow. Also, summer just had a distinctive tang to it that would linger on one's tongue until the harvest season.

"Come on, Senior sister! Let's go over there," Zhu Na Ran cried. Dressed in her gray robes and a veil over her face, she urged her senior sister along the crowded streets filled with bustling crowds goers and vendors hawking their wares. From jewelry to zongzi[1], the air around the town was energetic and full of spirit.

Today was the annual Dragon Boat Festival.

After being holed up in Yu Lan Peak for a two whole months doing nothing but practicing martial arts and cultivating, Zhu Na Ran was itching to go outside.

"Slow down, don't want you to get lost within the crowd." Ye Lian Hua dragged from stall to stall to sight to sight. Each little item that caught Zhu Na Ran's attention, she would bring her along to show it off to her. And of course, ask her to buy the item.

And Ye Lian Hua would be lying if she said that she didn't loosen her purse strings a few times to buy her junior sister a snack or trinket. Even after two months together, Ye Lian Hua was still vulnerable to the full force of her junior sister's begging.

"Senior sister, if you ever lost me, just use the bell," Zhu Na Ran reminded.

"Eh, I'd rather you stay within my sights than have me track you down to pay for the damage you may have caused," she remarked.

"Ohh, how cold of you Senior Sister," Zhu Na Ran pouted. "Do you think of me that way?"

"Yes."

"Ouch," Zhu Na Ran clicked her tongue.

"If you know, then don't cause trouble. Focus."

The stroll around town wasn't merely for sight-seeing.

Instead, they were on the hunt for a malignant ghoul that was said to be around the area. Though they hadn't been able to detect any presence of malicious energy, they have heard whispers around the city.

The city that they were hunting in was called Xi Tong City. It was well known for its red products. From makeup, reddish-purple silk, to the red spider lilies that sprawled around the city and the surrounding land. It was a city almost in constant celebration.

The two light gray figures stood out in the colorful city as they navigated there way around in gathering information.

"Senior Sister, maybe we may see something if we had a bird's eye view."

"Eh," and the two darted up the buildings at landed gently onto the tiled rooves. From here, the two could see the prominent glow of red that emanated from the city. Almost as if blanketed by flames.

"Hmm, the Spirit Bell is not picking up any detection of malicious energy." Zhu Na Ran observed while holding the bronze-colored bell. It was a tool given to them to aide them in tonight's search. If the bell detected an amount of malicious energy within a hundred-mile radius, the bell would start ringing and direct them to the source. However, the bell hasn't even rung once, even from the movement of the wind. It just swayed silently in the wind.

"Senior sister, are you sure that Master isn't just messing with us? Could it be that this bell is broken?"

"No, Master wouldn't do that," Ye Lian Hua glanced to the side before looking down at the street once more. She narrowed down on something odd. "I'm going down there to check something out. Call me if the bell starts ringing," she said before jumping down and disappearing into the crowd.

"Ahh, she tells me not to go anywhere, yet she leaves first. Talk about double standards," Zhu Na Ran muttered. Ye Lian Hua's martial arts has improved. She went from a mere Martial Core to Superior Martial Core.

Sitting off the edge of the roof; Zhu Na Ran obediently waited.

Suddenly the bell gave off a light blue color and started to ring gently.

Grabbing a communication talisman from her robes, she activated it. "Senior Sister, the bells started ringing."

"Em. Follow it. I'll come to join you soon."

"Ok!" Following the bell, Zhu Na Ran darted along the rooftops to where the bell directed her. It rung more frequently, and the color turned to a reddish hue. Like a game of hot and cold, the bell grew warmer, the closer she got to the location. And she arrived at what seemed to be the suburban areas of the city. The area was dark and desolate, compared to the bustling downtown area.

Landing back onto the ground, Zhu Na Ran, held the bell in front of her and followed it to where it wanted to go.

Ferociously, the bell rang until Zhu Na Ran stopped in front of a resident with massive gate guardians plastered in its red doors.

"Qiu, huh." Zhu Na Ran mumbled as she scrutinized the sign.

Hanging on a large wooden plaque with gold lettering and frame read 'Qiu Residences.' Knocking on the door, Zhu Na Ran waited for someone to open the door.

Who arrived was an old housekeeper; he was frail-looking with dark circles under his eyes. "Yes, may I help you?"

"Hello, I'm a Daoist priest. Has there been any spiritual activity lately?" She questioned. After all, to make the bell ring furiously, there must be something here that would produce such malicious energy. Either the residence itself or the family living within it.

"Ehmm, let me speak to the Master first. Esteemed guest, please come in."

He opened the door wider and let her pass through. The residence was relatively dark except for the faint glow of lanterns in some of the courtyards. Guiding her to the main hall, he let the servants take care of the rest of the arrangements.

"Esteemed guest, would you like some tea?" a young maidservant offered. "Eh, thank you." And the young maiden poured her a cup before standing to the side.

"Are, you the Daoist priest?" A large man in his mid-fifties asked as he came through the entrance. Like the housekeeper, he also had relatively dark circles around his eyes.

"Yes, my name is Zhu Na Ran from the Yun Sect." Zhu Na Ran stood up and gave a bow of greeting to the man before showing her disciple badge," I'm sorry for the intrusion, but I had detected some malicious energy coming from your residence."

"No, need to for such formality, my name is Qiu QingYue." He smiled tiredly before sitting down across from her. "And you are correct," he gestured for the maid to pour him a cup of tea. "My family has been plagued with misfortune and nightmares for the past five months."

"Oh? Did you not call a priest or exorcist to handle the situation?"

"We've already called many priests and exorcists before, but the being persists in tormenting us. Not to mention, just four months ago, I lost my eldest son."

"I'm sorry for your loss."

"Ah, I only want this vengeful spirit to leave my family alone once and for all. We've already been through so much within the last five months. I'm at my wit's end. Please, Esteemed Priest, help my family!" Old Master Qiu cried got down on his knees and repeatedly begged for help.

"I'll do my best," helping the old man back to his feet once more, he thanked her again.

"You are welcome to check around the residence. I'll notify my family of your presence." Old Master Qiu said gratefully before leaving the main hall.

Zhu Na Ran held up the Spirit Bell once more, it's still glowed a red color but did not ring for a bit.

Old Master Qiu came back with a pregnant woman and two children "Esteemed Priest, this is my wife and my two remaining children. My youngest son and my daughter."

Zhu Na Ran gave them a nod of greeting. "Based on what you told me, Old Master Qiu, it would be best that all of you stay within the main hall, while I search the residence. I don't want to risk your family getting into the potential danger."

"Ehm, thank you," Old Master Qiu said once more. "I'll have one of the senior mama's help guide around the residence."

"Many thanks, Old Master Qiu. I hope to bring your family peace of mind." Zhu Na Ran stated before exiting the main hall and into the haunted inner courtyard.

[1] zongzi - a sticky rice dumpling typically eaten during DuanWu Festival (Dragon Boat Festival), which usually falls on the fifth day of the fifth month on the lunar calendar.