Source of Eternity

Chapter 9

I walked for miles until I came to a small village in the countryside. Suddenly, my feet gave out from under me, and I collapsed.

The next moment, I was awake, lying on a bed with a cloth pressed to my forehead. I groaned as I tried to sit up. "Just lay down. You're still too weak," said a man's voice. I looked up and saw a young man about my age. He smiled at me. "You're lucky to be alive, considering how weak you were when I found you."

"W-Where am I?" I asked weakly.

"Deigou farmtown. Just outside of Luoyang," he replied simply. "My name is Lin Huo Rong. You are?"

"Geng Da Xia," I said. I decided to use the name that I used when I was a palace servant not to arouse suspicion and risk getting found out.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Geng," he said with a smile.

"Nice to meet you, as well," I said, returning it. "How long will it take?" I asked, referring to my recovery.

"I'm no doctor, but I suspect, in at least a day, you'll be able to get back on your feet."

I don't have that kind of time! I have to get out of here today! I wanted to scream. Instead, I decided on "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he said, looking me over. My heart was a beating drum in my ears. He shook his head. I silently sighed. "I'm going to go make you some soup. What would you like?"

"Can I eat beef noodles?" I asked, my heart suddenly aching for a taste of home.

"Of course," he replied. "I'll be right back."

I smiled. Then, I heard him call, "Mother! Can you please make some beef noodle soup for our guest?"

"Of course, of course! Coming right up," she said with a smile as she popped her head in. "Glad to see you're awake, Miss Geng."

I gave her a grateful nod as she went into the kitchen. As she did so, I heard a xun flute being played in one of the next rooms. I furrowed my eyebrows and listened to the song that was played. I instantly recognized it. It was simply called, "Night".

I cracked open the door to that room. I discovered Huo Rong playing a xun. I admired him from afar with a smile before I got my dizi flute and joined him. He raised his eyebrows when he saw that I was playing. The ends of his lips slightly curled up in a smile. When we finished, I stood there. "Wow..." said Huo Rong. "Who knew...?" he asked as he trailed off.

"I certainly didn't," I said with a blush.

A little later, Mrs. Lin came and gave me my soup. After I was done, I went back into my room, and laid down on my bed.

"Tell me about yourself," said Huo Rong. I sat up and gave him a look. "Please? I can't help but find you intriguing. I want to know more."

My cheeks reddened. "Well...I ran away..." I said as I bit my lip. He leaned in. "Can you keep a secret?" He nodded and I continued. "I escaped from home because I was in danger there. I don't know if the rest of my family is still alive. Two of my brothers went off to war, and I fear they won't come back. So, I fled in hopes of becoming strong enough to take down my enemy."

Huo Rong's eyes widened. "Y-You're not...!" he stuttered. I nodded. He immediately got up.

"Don't bother, don't bother. I'm trying to keep a low profile," I whispered quickly as I made him sit back down. He nodded.

"Then, why did you tell me all that?"

"Because...since you know the province, I need your help to find someone who can teach me."

"Whatever you need," Huo Rong said with a smile.

"Good," I said, returning his smile.

"I know this school," he said quickly. "It's on the peak of the Hanleng Mountain Range. The locals call it 'Mysterious City'. True to its name, only the disciples of the 'Mysterious Haze' sect may enter the city itself. If we could get in, you and I--"

"No, Huo Rong!" I said suddenly, which made him slightly jump. "There is no 'we'! I have to do this myself. You already have a duty to your parents and your farm. What would they do if they found out you went on some suicide mission with an ex-princess who's now technically a prisoner of war?!" I hissed. "They'll be scared to death."

He nodded. "I guess you're right. What about you?"

"I'll be fine," I said as I started to pack up the things that I had.

"You're already leaving?" Huo Rong asked as he stood over me.

"I've been nothing but trouble for both you and your mother!" I hissed. "It's better that I leave."

"At least let me give you a map," he said. Then, he went to a chest that was at the foot of his bed. "This is a map that'll show you how to get there safely. Follow it. Don't get off the path. Okay?" he asked as he looked intensely into my eyes.

I laughed. "Alright. Don't worry, Huo Rong. I'll be fine."

"If you say so..." he said with a sigh. "Here. I want you to have this. Just in case."

"Your xun flute? I couldn't," I said, looking at the magnificently crafted jade instrument. "That wouldn't be fair to you."

"I know it's special to me, but there's nobody else that I'd rather give it to," he said with a sad smile. I quickly decided that arguing over it probably wouldn't be smart, so I took it and nodded my thanks. He smiled, then looked out the window. I followed his gaze and realized that the sun was rising. "You'd better get going," said Huo Rong as he put his map in my hands and made sure that I had everything before I left.

"Although our meeting was brief, thank you," I said to him. "I won't forget this."

He smiled. "Good luck, Miss Geng."

I returned the smile. Then, I started to walk. 

As I walked, I saw a squad of about ten soldiers walking my way. "The emperor said to search every house," I heard one say, which I assumed was the commander. "We can't let her get away."

I gasped. They were headed for the Lin household! Please, get out of there before they find you, Huo Rong, I prayed. "Looking for somebody?" asked someone behind me. I spun on my heels. "Woah there, ya crazy assassin..." said Huo Rong with a chuckle as he held up his hands in surrender. "It's just me."

"How dare you creep up on me like that?! I could've killed you where you stood!" I hissed, then embraced him.

"Happy to see me?" he asked with a smile.

"Not in the least," I said with a playful shove.

He chuckled. Then, I saw bright lights. We looked at the house. It was on fire. "Huo Rong, I'm s-"

"Don't apologize. I knew the price that I'd have to pay for helping you," he said as he ran a hand through his hair. "I just..." he said as he bit his lip, "I can't believe it's gone."

"It's okay, my friend," I said as I put a hand on his shoulder, then smiled. "I guess I'm stuck with you now."

"If you wish it so," he said as he put his hands behind his back. I nodded, signaling for him to follow me on the path leading from the remnants of his house.

He smiled. "I'll follow you to the ends of the earth, my lady."

I nodded. "Well, you obviously know the risks," I said, indicating the house. "Welcome aboard," I said as I bowed to him.

"Miss Geng," he said with a smile as he returned my bow. "Now, how to get to the 'Mysterious City'..."

I stopped, got the map from out of my sack, and read it.

"Alright. To the Hanleng mountains, then," I said as we kept walking North.