Under the moonlight

1

The hall was filled with decorations, everyone seemed busy, even those that were standing still.

"I had almost forgotten her birthday, good thing you reminded me..." Master Xiao said before massaging his back.

Xiao Yun shook his head, "I had thought, that after the beating last time you would remember".

The last time Master Xiao forgot his wife's birthday, in rage she carried a stick, and chased him across the sect even to the streets.

Xiao Yun was left shocked with his mouth almost dropping to the floor.

The sick mistress of the Xiao sect, who looked so fragile and as if, a pin were to drop on her she would collapse, was chasing her husband with stick!

Master Xiao rubbed his back as if remembering a bad memory, "Ah.. let's not talk about that...".

Xiao Yun smiled and looked in the other direction, "Mrs Xiao!"

Master Xiao jumped on his feet, "I didn't forget!".

Xiao Yun burst into a loud laugh, "Are you that afriad of her?" His laugh became even louder and more annoying.

It was only after sometime that Master Xiao could finally wipe the sweat off his face, "you...?!".

"Okay...okay. I'll not joke around anymore...you... continue with the preparations..." He excused himself.

Before completely leaving he could still hear his master curse, "that child..!".

Xiao Yun continued strolling around the halls, "Xiao Ming!".

The girl turned her head around, and smiled at him. Yun could see that she was busy giving instructions, so he just stood at the side waiting patiently.

"Finally you're done!" He said with a yawn "I could die, and reincarnate three life times in the time you used to talk to her..." He let out another yawn.

"Ah.." Xiao Ming sighed, "Uncle, hasn't told you yet?".

Xiao Yun lowered his head, "told me what? Are the peach wine under his bed missing again?! I really didn't do it this time!".

Xiao Ming shook her head, and paused before speaking, "i wish it was just a case of theft... I am afriad this one is more serious".

Ming looked around before speaking, "my father was drinking tea with some few masters, then someone came in and whispered something into his ear and his expression changed". 

"He dismissed the masters, and locked himself inside the room with that strange person" She took a deep breath as a servant passed by.

"There was another, who could neither walk nor stand, they were together for a very long time, locked inside that room" She sighed "whoever tried to go in was forced back out, even I...".

Xiao Yun moved his face closer, "and so you're trying to complain to me? I only came here to force-  I mean convince you to go play with me, I never signed up to be involved in your family affairs!".

"By the way..." He had not yet finished when she pulled him inside her room.

"Sorry, for stalling but I really couldn't say it out in the open....

"The injured man was from the Wind Sect, the last survivor. Earlier today, in X market, the clouds became dark, and the earth opened.....

"Everyone in X market were swallowed  in...the wind sect was not so far off, so they were the first to go investigate the issue".

"None of them came back"

Xiao Yun straighten his sleeve, and in disbelief coughed out, "continue..".

"Their master sent out more people, to go search for the disciples but those people didn't come back either.

"The master had to go himself to deal with the problem, the land opened in right before his eyes and swallowed him up, the disciples were scared.

"They started to flee but heard a strange sound, and turned back, it was a sound of a flute, the ground opened up again and swallowed the rest of the disciples....

Xiao Ming stuttered as if she could not go on, and sat down to take a few sips of tea, Yun waited in anticipation.

"The only one that was let to go, by the person playing the instrument could only utter a few words before dying, turns out they let him go just to deliver the message!"

"'It's better to surrender now to your new leader, The Ghost King, or die' then he slit his throat open and died"

Xiao Yun tried to process it bit by bit, "Master, is using his wife's birthday to bring the martial leaders together to discuss how to solve the problem!"

Xiao Ming nodded, "it was only after some time that father opened up to me, no one else but the leaders know, in order to avoid useless panic among the common folks".

"So..keep it between us okay?" He nodded before biting his lips.

"Suddenly...I don't feel like playing anymore" He sounded sober as if he had come to a realization.

"You're still talking about playing? Only you would still talk about such trivial things in this state..." She rolled her eyes.

"So..do you want to catch fish...or play catch?" It was now his turn to roll his eyes.

"Miss Ming, it is only you that would talk this way during such a time!" Using her own words against her?!

She raised up her hand and hit his forehead, "using my own words against me? I have really taught you well!".

Thus the game of cat and mouse started, "if I don't catch you today, then I am not Xiao Ming!".

"It's been a while since you chased me this far... aren't you tired?!"

In real reality, he was the one that was tired, while the other was running full speed towards him, "help! Help me!".

Author's note:

The leads would be meeting in the next chapter, so prepare yourselves!

Thanks for reading this chapter, every read and comment mean something to me....

It feels nice to be appreciated for your work...so I applaud every reader for their support!