[WenZhou] [Word of honor] Back to Mirrored Lake

The Mirrored Lake

"I'm back, Dad." Zhang Chengling said while he clenching his fists slightly.

It was a long and tiring journey until the three wanderers saw again the almost destroyed entrance from Mirror Lake Mountain Village. After the death of the Zhang family, the destruction of the five lakes alliance, and the defeat of the cruel Zhao Jing, no one returned to rebuild the Zhang mansion.

After all the confusion in the martial arts world, Wen Kexing still retained some possessions from his years as Master of Ghost Valley. The last part of the journey could be accomplished, with some comfort, on Lao Wen's stunning boat. As they boarded, he said:

"I will finally be able to provide Lord Zhou a boat ride. Several times I have been completely slighted and my invitations cruelly rejected. Too much painful" he said shaking his head, exaggerating sadness and fanning himself with his inseparable white fan.

Zhou Zishu, answer back, accepting the provocation, "At that time I had no idea how richly the Ghost Valley Master was, otherwise I would have given in more easily..." and winked at Wen Kexing, amusing himself by remembering all the tricks that demon had dared to try to seduce him. However, at that time, Zhou Zishu suspected that Wen Kexing's persecution had deeper and more nefarious reasons. But now he understands all the reasons.

Finally, after some time sailing around the Mirrored Lake, mostly in silence, the two who were always teasing each other, respected the filial disciple's moment of pain.

They did not have any good memories about that place. Each of them had a strong hopelessness that they faced in that past period of their lives. Zhou Zishu went to the Mirrored Lake to live his last moments, Zhang Chengling had his family and sect consumed by fire and torture in one night, and Wen Kexing was poisoned by his revenge ready to destroy the known world to accomplish his goal. Painful memories invaded the atmosphere making the air feel colder than it really was.

At that time of the attack on the Mirror Lake sect, the bodies of Zhang Chengling's family were taken to be buried, in the Five Lakes sect, which was also destroyed shortly afterwards, at the Heroes Convention held by Master Gao. For this reason, Chengling would like to make a grave for his father and family members in his own sect. Thus, they would rest in peace. He was sure that it would be the right thing to do. His father had been quarreling for many years with his sworn brothers, it would not be fair for his dwelling to remain erected in that destroyed place no longer familiar to him.

When they leaved the boat, the dense peach tree forest had partially recovered. Nature had recovered itself of the fire cruelty and slowly took back its rightful place. It was a breathtaking and exciting sight for Chengling. A lesson from the land he had lived on for most of his life. Just as those trees had resisted and flourished, he was fertile soil and was being cultivated again by his immortal masters.

They went through the trees, walking to the entrance of the Zhang mansion that was destroyed by fire. Exploring the place carefully, they found a part of the complex still preserved. They could spend a few nights in this dwelling, so that Chengling would have time to find his family member's belongings and build a grave for them with the help of his two masters. Wen Kexing was very skilled with his hands and took materials to carve in wood the headstones of his disciple's relatives. Surely this work would take a few days, but they were in no hurry.

Zhang Chengling hurried to clean the place together with Wen Kexing. Zhou Zishu were in search of wood for the fire. They took some provisions that Lao Wen had prepared in advance. A little before late afternoon, everyone was already settled, and Master Wen prepared the first meal among the ruins of the Mirrored Lake Sect.
It has been a delicate and emotional situation. However, Zhou Zishu would not spare his disciple. As he always said, "Talented disciples are taught by strict masters." That being the case, he ordered Zhang Chengling to go practice his martial arts before dinner.