WoH: 17 Years Ago

The Ghost Chief

This was going way smoother than Kexing had expected.

Sure they'd run into a Soldier here or there, but it was nothing they couldn't handle. None of the 10 Ghosts had showed up, and the Ghost Chief hadn't been seen either- and they were already at the forest. Once they were through this patch of woods, they'd be at the Valley's entrance.

They'd be free.

On the way, whispered words had been exchanged. Kexing now knew the younger of the pair was Qin Jiuxiao, the son of his shifu. He remembered the younger boy, even though he was sure Jiuxiao's memories of him were faint, if he had any at all. He'd only been 2 when Kexing had been taken after all- he wouldn't remember Kexing pinching the baby's face playfully or playing childish games with him to keep him busy until Huaizhang or his wife or Zishu was free to take care of him.

The older though, Kexing hadn't heard much from. He couldn't really afford to talk to him yet because he was the one leading the way with Kexing's direction, scouting out the path and warning them of approaching Ghosts- he couldn't be distracted by questions. The one time he'd tried to ask Jiuxiao who he was, Jiuxiao had jokingly asked who Kexing was hoping he'd be, and they'd been attacked before he could take the question back.

There was 1 person Kexing was really hoping he'd be, but he'd die before he admitted who that was outloud.

It was okay to not know yet, Kexing decided. He could ask when they got out. He had proven he was from the Siji Manor and Jiuxiao trusted him, so Kexing would trust him as well.

That ray of hope he dreaned of really did feel within reach now.

...but there was more they had to deal with before they could reach it.

"Where do you think you're going?"

A man in black and red robes landed in front of the 4. His face was covered in red and white paint, and he wore a fancy headdress- like the Devil.

Kexing gulped and unwittingly shuffled so he was hiding.

The Ghost Chief had found them.

The taller boy stepped forward, shielding everyone else with his own body. He demanded, "You're not a Soldier. Who the hell are you?"

"Who do you think I am?"

"..."

"...looks like Little Kexing didn't bother wirh introductions. How rude," the man remarked. He drew himself up more impressively and announced in the terrifyingly familiar boom, "I'm the Ghost Chief, the leader of the 3000 ghosts in the Valley!"

The taller boy unsheathed the sword tucked into his waist and pointed it at the Ghost Chief, the blade trembling from the suddeness of the action.

Kexing's eyes widened.

That sword...

~○●○~

"Dad! Shifu! We're back!!"

"Oh, are Yan-er and Zishu back now?" Ruyu remarked, turning to look at them. He and Miaomiao had been watching Huaizhang train like old times, waiting for the kids to come back from picking herbs.

And now they were, putting down the basket of herbs on their backs and running over. Ruyu noted with amusement the curiosity on his son's face as he looked at the sword Huaizhang had lowered upon seeing the pair come back.

"That's a funny sword!" Zhen Yan remarked, flicking the blade. "It bends!"

Huaizhang, Miaomiao and Ruyu laughed, exchanging a look. Even Zishu chuckled and patted Zhen Yan's head.