Sizhui

Chapter 2 - Butterflies

Author's POV

The wind was carrying the scent of wild lilies was blowing freely among the snow blanketed meadows. The green grass that got coated with snow stood as if someone wearing a white fur coat. The snow droplets on the trees were sparkling like diamonds on the morning sunlight. The sound of birds chirping, howling sound of the wind and the wrestling of the leaves were the only sound that disturbed the peace of the sanctuary. Among the white blanketed mountain and green vegetation that surrounded them, stood an ancient building without any walls. The building is engineered with ancient style and one can see so many teenagers wearing white robes with cloud pattern on them sitting in a lotus position facing a man who was also wearing similar clothes and having a salt and pepper hair. They all wore similar forehead band with cloud symbol on it and the man who seems to be their master looked at the kids in a serious expression while threading his fingers through his goatee. He cleared his throat and then said.

"That is all for today.. All of you go and have breakfast and go back to your other classes accordingly." As soon as he said that he can hear the soft relieved sigh of the students and one who was sitting beside Sizhui celebrated rather loudly, which earned a glare from the master.

"Jingyi... Celebrating much.? Go and copy the Gusu Lan rules for three times and then meet me.." He said and the said teenagers mouth was open in shock and he groaned in in bad luck. The old man again turned towards the boy sitting beside him and said.

"sizhui, look after him and make sure he completes his punishment.." The man then stood up from his seat and with graceful steps, he left the hall. Sizhui looked at Jingyi with pitiful smile. Jingyi slumped and laid his firehead down on the small table infront of him and then said.

"why me..? Why am I always getting punished..?" The boy looked at Sizhui with a small irritated pout.

"Jingyi... Its gonna be fine.. You just be careful next time to not annoy grandpa Qiren." Sizhui spoke in his soft voice. Sizhui stood up and then gave a hand to Jingyi to stand up.

"Come.. lets have breakfast and then get on with it.. This time, you only have to copy it three times and not ten times like last time.. SO I guess that is an improvement.." Sizhui smiled. Jingyi snorted and then said.

"How can you tell that is an improvement Sizhui..?" He whined and finally decided to drop the subject to follow Sizhui. They walked as gracefully along the path which leads them towards their house. Both of them suddenly stopped and then walked towards the back of the gusu, were they have a rabbit pit. They used to play there in their childhood with the rabbits. They smiled a little and picked up the white fluffy creates and started petting them.

"They are as cute as ever.. Hanguang-Jun really looks after them better.." Jingyi said while petting the white rabbit while the little fellow tried his best to wiggle through his hands. Sizhui just hummed and nuzzled his nose against the rabbit he was holding.

"I guess Lets go back,, you have a lot of work to do.." Sizhui said and they walked out of the rabbit den and then walked straight.

"I will see you at the library in an hour Sizhui..." Jingyi bid goodbye to Sizhui and walked towards his home. Sizhui smiled and then walked towards his home. He reached the outskirts of Gusu and then passes a small straw gate and stood infront of his house. He looked at the wooden board on the top which said 'Jingshi'.

"I hope Hanguajan is still here.." He thought and then entered the house. He was hit with the pleasing smell of sandalwood and he couldn't help but feel at ease. The smell always comforted him to the core and then he looked at the hall to see that the whole building is silent. Sizhui walked towards the back of Jingshi with small strides. When he looked at the back, there sat Hanguang-Jun in a meditating pose. Sizhui can see the back of him not his face. He was stunned seeing the ethereal beauty of the chief cultivator, the Hanguang-Jun of then Gusu Lan clan. Hanguang-Jun was sitting on a stone near the lotus pond. Lotus flowers and seeds were filled in the pond and there were two cranes inside the pond. The wind around his carries the scent of sandalwood and the lotus. His long and thick black hair was flowing along with the soft breeze and still Hanguang-Jun sat there in his elegant form never waking up. Sizhui tried to be as silent as possible so that he wont disturb his meditation. When he took a step back towards the room, his stepped on the incense burner and which caused the noise. Hanguang-Jun woke up from his meditation and looked back at the source of the sound and see Sizhui standing there with a sheepish smile on his face.