Light and Shadow

Chapter 2 - Preparing for a Journey

Before Cao Cao could answer Xun Yu's question, the loud sound of running echoed down the hall and Xiahou Dun rushed into the room. He bowed to both Xun Yu and Cao Cao before reporting on the strange incident that was the cause of his visit.

"My Lord, a strange creature has been spotted in Puyang. At this moment in time, we have found a total of seven victims. It drained the blood from all of them, and it skinned three of the victims. We await your orders, my Lord." Xiahou Dun stated with a tone of urgency in his voice.

Xiahou Dun was one of Cao Cao's longest serving generals. He had a well-established reputation as someone kind and capable, and he was also a cousin of Cao Cao. The two were very close. Many years ago, he lost his right eye to an arrow during the war against Lu Bu, a man of great strength who perpetuated chaos wherever he went. Although he was financially well off, Xiahou Dun's armor was simple. It consisted of an iron helmet, an iron torso, as well as iron arm guards, leg guards, shoulder guards, and shin guards. He also wore a layer of black and blue cloth clothing beneath his armor. To cover the eye that he lost, he wore a plain black eyepatch. His black hip-length hair was often tied in a bun underneath his helmet.

Since Cao Cao often confided in Xiahou Dun with his thoughts and feelings, he was well aware of how he viewed Xun Yu. In fact, the ruler frequently spoke highly and fondly of the man with a peaceful and happy expression on his face. Xiahou Dun was not daft when it came to understanding his cousin's feelings, and he advised the man to talk to Xun Yu again after growing tired of listening to him cry and mope around for three weeks when he could easily fix the situation.

"Dun, I want you to organize a group of at least nine men to investigate this matter and contain the situation. I will arrive there in a few days time to help as well after I assign someone to look after the city while I am gone." Cao Cao stated firmly.

Xiahou Dun bowed to both of the men and turned to exit the room. The two were now alone again, for the most part. The two guards that Xun Yu encountered earlier still stood outside of the room's entrance. Xun Yu looked at the man without feeling the least bit surprised that he planned on joining Xiahou Dun. Cao Cao had a habit of frequently putting himself in harm's way; when it came to acting as a decoy, ensuring the success of a strategy, or something else entirely, Cao Cao made a habit of giving his bodyguards a difficult time protecting him.

"My Lord, may I please accompany you to Puyang? I promise to aid you in any way that I can." Xun Yu inquired.

"Of course. You have more expertise in things of this nature than I do. Plus, it would be nice to have you there with me." Cao Cao replied.

Xun Yu felt his face heat up at the man's comment, but he refused to allow himself to blush. He did not wish to humiliate himself in front of him. He was looking forward to traveling with Cao Cao and helping him bring peace to the people that were suffering at the hands of the strange creature that Xiahou Dun mentioned moments ago.

Xun Yu was accustomed to dealing with things of a supernatural nature. When he was young, he had his first encounter with a ghost, and, after that occurrence, he was taught how to banish and care for them by an old hermit who lived in a hut a few kilometers from his family's home. In addition to learning about supernatural things, he would spend most of his time studying classics and Han government when he was young, but when he took breaks from his studying he would spend his time helping out his family and walking.

Cao Cao looked at Xun Yu and allowed himself to admire the man's beauty. It had been three weeks since he last saw Xun Yu, and, although he was overjoyed to bask in the man's presence again, he was concerned. The man looked thinner than he once was, so much so that his black minister paofu were too large for him and dragged the ground. His black hip-length hair also appeared to be fading into a dark mahogany brown. Did I do this to him? Cao Cao asked himself. He felt overwhelmed by guilt and sorrow, and he grabbed one of Xun Yu's small hands and held it in both of his.