Strings of Erhu: Book 1

1 ; Welcome to Yingzhen Peak

Wen He walked on the bridge up towards a path, his teal robes swishing in the air as he paced on the stone. All was peaceful, leaves flew aside his hair... the breeze was quite strong today. Once he stopped by a nearby tree he noticed an energetic figure with dark hair in the distance, approaching him.

"Wen He! " The youth called out as a curve on his face remained, though he was still getting closer and closer.. until, a pair of arms quickly enveloped the standby.

This made him go still, but still managed to ask, " Tian Xing? "

" I'm so glad you're here! " His friend gushed as he squeezed him tighter, it was until Wen He embraced back had he let go.

" Of course, this is my home after all. " He answered as he placed his arms to the side, " Anyway, I was just on my way to check on the program, did you sign up? " Wen He asked as his head turned to Tian Xing... awaiting an answer.

His friend's amber eyes shone in the sunlight, gleaming with excitement, " That's exactly why I'm came! "

" May I show you around? Perhaps you haven't been here before..." He offered with a calm smile, holding out his hand.

Tian Xing took Wen He's hand readily and nodded. They walked through the path that Wen He came from to his sect's main building... many flowers blossomed there despite it in a mountain location, a natural beauty bestowed upon the Yingzhen Sect who live here. He sat in the grass, while Wen He sat on a large rock next to it.

" This place is beautiful..." Tian Xing mumbled as he looked at the morning sky, holding a flower that was in the grass moments before. His gaze went to the flower, then to Wen He... as if a thought just occurred to him.
"Uh... Wen He?"

He quickly turned his head towards him. "Yes"
Tian Xing remained silent for a moment, staring at the ground before answering,
"I think we're late for the orientation-..."

Wen He's eyes widened and he quickly stood up, "Why didn't you say that earlier?! Come with me!"

Soon, they were running towards the entrance of the building and quickly took a seat on an empty bench just in time... turns out they sat beside another youth with a mole under his lip.

"Greetings, Third String... and friend. " The lecturer in the middle said as she turned his head to look at them. "I thought that you both would be more punctual.." She said as she closed the scroll in her hands." But just in time I guess.."

Then she talked about all the principles of how to use instruments to fight off demons, although I had known this knowledge from when I was younger... Tian Xing being unaware was intrigued by the idea and listened intently. Of course it was for him to become better at his flute skills... though I dont know how being at a cultivation facility would help with a mundane thing, but I'm open minded.

Once it was all done, Tian Xing left the building with Wen He, talking to him about the lecture. "It's a unique concept," He continued. "but how she described it was pretty boring." Tian Xing crossed his arms behind his head and continued walking beside him.

" Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get used to how she speaks, that's how my older sister is like." Wen He reassured.

They then walked to a bridge between the mountain they had just left, and one they are yet to go to.. Tian Xing laid his arms on the rope railings, staring into the blue sky.

"Y'know, I had a weird dream... about a guy in purple robes, apparently his surname is Zhou." Tian Xing explained out of the blue.

"Huh?" Wen He mumbled. "I know no one of that name.."

"Yeah, thats why I want to try finding him!" His friend blurted loudly, holding onto the railings even tighter.

Wen He looked at him with uncertainty.. "I don't know, what if it's a demon or something."

" Yeah but like, hypothetically... I want to speak with him. Maybe we're old friends that time had passed off and-"

That was until the guy with the mole came in. "So you made the Third String late?" He crossed his arms.

Tian Xing then turned his head towards him and blinked twice. "Not really." He leaned his back on the bridge's railings, loosening his grip.

"....Didn't know my friend had an influence."
The youth peered his eyes at him.

"I almost forgot... Tian Xing, this is Shen Yu. An exchange student sent from the esteemed Haijian Clan." Wen He then pointed to Tian Xing, facing Shen Yu. "And this is Tian Xing, a childhood friend of mine!"

The two glanced at one another, "I never knew you guys were friends for so long." Shen Yu tilted his head as he placed his hands in his long, white sleeves.

"I didn't know the guy who glared at me during the lecture was your friend!" Tian Xing let his hands slip as he made that cocky statement of his... that resulted in him falling. "AAAAAH!"

Wen He quickly ran over to nearby the edge. "TIAN XING!" He yelled out.. not knowing how to save him.

And suddenly, Shen Yu jumped off too... as he fell, a sword reached his shoes and picked him up. With the command of his hand he flew towards Tian Xing... who was for some reason still in the air.

" Hold my hand." Shen Yu reached out his hand as his sword tried to keep up with how fast Tian Xing was falling.
Tian Xing stared for a moment... in thought of what to do. As if time froze for a split second but immediately grabbed his hand.

Shen Yu pulled him in as the sword held the both of them. It began rising up towards the bridge where a crowd has gathered.

"Tian Xing! Are you alright... I'm sorry I wasn't able to help-" Wen He came up to him and held his shoulders.

" It's fine! Your friend's luckily good at saving people.." Tian Xing replied.

That response made Wen He sigh out of relief.
"How about we go and eat somewhere.. maybe the sect's eatery?"

To his request, he held his hand once again and nodded. "Sure!"

Wen He then turned to Shen Yu. "Do you want to come with us?" He offered.

"I'm not hungry, but I suppose I can try. You guys can go, I'll catch up." Shen Yu then placed his sword in his scabbard.

"Alright! See you there, Shen Yu!" He yelled out before turning his head back and walking down with Wen He's hand intertwined with his.