Sorrow In Autumn

Chapter 41. Reunion

This is it! The reunion!

While the temptation is strong to just 'reunite' them, we have to solve some problems first! :) This was inspired by the actual reunion in the Guardian novel. I love that scene.

So if you want to skip the angst, the non-angst parts are past the green Zhao Yunlan pic and then the smut scene is after the last pic. I write terrible smut scenes, and this was was challenges to go a lot further than I usually do....so feel free to skip that if you prefer. Its at the end!

There are a lot of Chinese terms in this section. Translation will be at the end too.

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I just wanted to thank everyone who has read this story. So many wonderful people have stuck with me along this journey and I love every one of you! 💙

For my beautiful friend Evy 💙, who captivates, enthralls and inspires me endlessly. Her stories are enchanting worlds and no matter how bad a day, they never fail to bring me joy.

And for my friend user10999131, for her immense kindness and support.

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Fire arched up to touch the ceiling of the dome and swirled around the two figures in the middle. The array on the ground shone with unnatural light, splintering like porcelain in all directions, turning the stone tiles to dust. The dark energy shield shuddered and Shen Wei watched in horror as one of the figures, began to buckle, strain marring his beautiful face as exhaustion and pain took hold.

As he watched, Kunlun split. Two figures stood now, both bowing under the weight of all they were trying to carry. One in bamboo robes, injuries dripping blood exactly as they had on the daybed only hours ago and the other one wore armor, his eyes cold as he swung his guandao at the backlash.

They both fell. Jie Ming was gripping Kunlun's hand, but he was leaning forward bracing himself with the other. Kunlun was coughing, blood trailing down his full lower lip.

A blink they were one. Another blink and they were two, one burning, the other coughing. Dying. Shen Wei's mind supplied, his chest seizing sharply.

"They can't take much more!" The Meng physician shouted and Shen Wei knew it in his heart.

He stepped forward, closer to the shield, yearning to be there sharing this burden. A yawning chasm of frustration and fear, overwhelming and eclipsing everything else. There must be something he could do!

"Come on Chief. Come on." Lin Jing coaxed quietly, fear in his eyes, beside the shivering Zhu Hong. Her eyes were also fixed on the pair surrounding by flames.

"They're strong!" Lord Sha said sharply. "Come on Kunlun."

"How do we help them?!" Zhao Xin Ci shouted angrily.

A hand gripped the pole of the guandao and Kunlun forced himself to his feet, dragging Jie Ming upright with him. "He won't let Jie Ming die." Zhu Hong said helplessly, tears on her cheeks.

The ground shuddered and before Shen Wei could react, it dropped away. Leaving Kunlun and Jie Ming hovering above the massive shifting hole in the earth, pouring qinggong into their own survival, even while battling the wild energy and detonation threat.

Shen Wei quickly added more lines to the interwoven shield, trying to stop the power that swelled like whirling water against his barrier. "Kunlun!" He shouted, trying to attract his attention.