章 7: The Village of Xitang Pt. 1

Kang Lei suddenly woke as he felt warm breath, rhythmically hitting his face over and over. His eyes lazily opened, squinting at first before popping wide as he realized whose breath it was. Young Master Hai had somehow scooted his way on to Kang Lei's side of the bed and was quite close as their noses were almost touching. Tilting his head back a bit, Kang Lei inched his body backward, careful his movement on the bed would not wake Hai Yin. As he scooted backward, Hai Yin snorted in his sleep and Kang Lei quickly covered his mouth with his hand to help hold in his laughter. When the urge to laugh had passed, Kang Lei removed his hand from his mouth, a wide grin forming on his face. "Hai Yin, I thought my sleeping habits were bad, but you snort in your sleep." Kang Lei said softly, but as he spoke Hai Yin's eyes fluttered a few times before opening, his dark brown eyes meeting with those light blue eyes as the two were still quite close.

Kang Lei suddenly sat up, "Hai Yin, you slept on my side last night.". he complained, letting out a fake yawn.

Hai Yin got up off the bed, turning his back to Kang Lei and pulled his shoulders back to stretch, "I am sorry, shall we go?", said Hai Yin, awkwardness in his deeper morning voice.

"Yes!" said Kang Lei as he jumped up off the bed, grabbed his sword and quickly exited the room.

The two young cultivators walked through the town, vendors old and young selling items, medicines and food.

"Young Master, young Master, buy some ancient medicinal powder, it will heal all sickness and pain." said an old man. Hearing this Hai Yin suddenly stopped, thinking that medicinal powder may come in handy later, "What is this powder made of sir?" he asked.

The old vendor let out a chuckle, "ahh young Master, it is a family secret that has worked for hundreds of years, I mustn't tell!" said the old man, pointing his finger as he spoke and Hai Yin frowned, surely passing up medicine was a bad idea, but would it even help if he needed it to?

"What do you think of this medicinal powder, should I bu…", said Hai Yin, suddenly growing quiet as he turned around to see that his traveling companion had disappeared. Letting out a sigh, Hai Yin turned back to the vendor, handing him a silver rock. "Thank you, young Master! I promise you; you will not be disappointed!" said the old vendor, taking the rock and nodding to Hai Yin as he turned to leave.

Sticking the bag of medicinal powder in between his robes, Hai Yin trailed off to find Kang Lei.

As Hai Yin walked, he suddenly overheard a conversation, "Young master, what pretty eyes you have, where are you from?" said a girl, followed by a giggling group of young women.

"I am from a place far, far away, from a place where only people with eyes like mine exist. Sadly, I am one of the only ones who are left, and I am so alone. Won't you brighten up a young Masters day? I am sure gifts from lovely ladies such as yourselves would certainly cheer me up and keep me in high spirits for days to come.", said Kang Lei, a flirty smirk making its way onto his face. Hai Yin shook his head in disapproval as he watched Kang Lei put on quite the act for these beautiful young women as they stared with wonder, ogling and cooing at this handsome light blue-eyed rarity they had never seen before.

"Why certainly young Master, take this, have another!" said the women filling his bag with goodies and handing it to him.

"I must be on my way, thank you for your kindness, until next time fair maidens." said Kang Lei bowing to the women at the stan. When he turned around to leave a big grin was present as he noticed Hai Yin standing there watching, just how long had he been there? Power walking away from the stan, Kang Lei grabbed Hai Yin's arm and the two of them quickly hurried away.

"How could you trick those women into giving you free food when you have money?", said Hai Yin.

Kang Lei let go of Hai Yin's arm and turned around with a huge grin on his face, "Oh Hai Yin, I'm not that bad. Half of these vendors con people everyday into buying totally useless items.", said Kang Lei and Hai Yin, furrowed his brows, thinking of the medicinal powder of question he had just brought. "I'm sure they won't miss the currency of three sweet potatoes that much, besides, how can we catch the troublemaker on an empty stomach?", said Kang Lei with a smile, reaching into the bag, pulling out a warm sweet potato and handing it to Hai Yin. A smirk made its way onto the young Masters face as he accepted the sweet potato, breakfast was the most important meal of the day after all.

While walking the two young Masters ate their sweet potatoes, Kang Lei helping himself to the last one as they had exited the vendors walkway and made their way to the large river that connected the town of Tian and the village of Xitang. As they neared the river, Kang Lei pulled one corner of his mouth to the side.

"There are no more boats, we will have to swim.", said Hai Yin as he was about to walk into the river but stopped when he noticed that Kang Lei hadn't followed him. Hai Yin turned around to see Kang Lei making a sour face, "Why are you standing there?" said Hai Yin.

Kang Lei let out a deep exhale, squeezing his eyes shut momentarily, "Because I cannot swim." Hai Yin raised an eyebrow "Why don't you know how to swim?"

"Because The Unholy sect doesn't have ethereal bodies of water like Mount Grace. No one spends a lot of time in our dark murky waters.", said Kang Lei staring at the ground, quite embarrassed.

Hai Yin let out a heavy exhale, "then we shall find a boat." Quickly looking up at his travel companion, Kang Lei let a small smile grace his face, how thoughtful was young master Hai?

After almost an hour the two young master's had finally found someone's boat to use, although he had to be bribed, it was well worth the currency spent. Pushing the boat out into the river, the two were finally on their way to Xitang village.

Hai Yin had been paddling for quite some time and his arms had grown tired, "Kang Lei, take over, my arms need to rest." said Hai Yin, but Kang Lei didn't answer. In fact, he had been extremely quiet leaning over the side of the boat with his back to Hai Yin for quite a while.

"Kang Lei?" said Hai Yin and Kang Lei let out a soft groan as he sat up and turned to Hai Yin, his face pale as snow with watery eyes.

"I will pa…paddle.", said Kang Lei with a stutter as he swallowed numerous times and suddenly a few chuckles escaped from Hai Yin's lips.

With dark under eyes and a stomach that felt like it was constantly cycling, Kang Lei glared at Hai Yin.

"The heir to the Kang clan cannot swim and gets seasick, how interesting.", said Hai Yin as he continued to paddle holding a grin onto his handsome face. Everything in Kang Lei wanted to shout out smart remarks to Hai Yin for making fun of him, but with a twist in his gut he immediately leaned over the side of the boat, letting out all the breakfast he had eaten. Sea sickness couldn't be helped when you grew up without spending time in or on the water in the Unholy Sect.

After a while the two young master's had finally made it to the village of Xitang, Hai Yin stepped out of the boat, pushing it further onto land. "Kang Lei, we are here, lets go." Said Hai Yin as he turned around to see Kang Lei, still pathetically leaning over the side of the boat.

"Leave me young master Hai, spare me some face and allow me to die in peace!" Kang Lei whined, his stomach still in knots.

Hai Yin held in his laughter as a smirk graced his face, "We said we would do this together so on your feet.", said Hai Yin reaching down and lifting up Kang Lei, and dragging him out of the boat.

"Land!" Kang Lei yelled as his feet touched the ground, he reached over hugging Hai Yin. Surprised Hai Yin's arms remained at his sides with his sword tightly clutched in his hand. As Kang Lei felt Hai Yin's body stiffen, he suddenly let go, stepping back and chuckling awkwardly he nodded, "ha, ha. Sorry, sorry." Kang Lei apologized before turning around and walking away.

The two young Master's walked side by side, as they made their way to the village. When they got there, Hai Yin and Kang Lei observed for a minute. The people of Xitang were like any other village with little money not belonging to any sect. They farmed, built things and carried on working hard, doing everything themselves with little to no help from others outside the village.

"Strange.", said Hai Yin with his brows furrowed.

"What is strange?" said Kang Lei, turning to Hai Yin.

"It's almost as if everything is normal, there is no sign of indignant energy." said Hai Yin.

Turning his view back to the village people, Kang Lei began to walk forward, "indeed there isn't, let us find out what they know." he said, and Hai Yin followed.

Walking side by side again, the two entered the village, different villagers whispering and staring at the two young masters they had never seen before. Coming up on an older man, farming his land, Hai Yin stopped walking over to the man, "Sir, I wonder if we could borrow a few minutes of your time?" said Hai Yin politely with a nod. The older man looked up, squinting his eyes at first and then furrowing his brows, "Can't you see an old man is busy? Go away you high borne brats!" yelled the old man as he continued what he was doing. Hai Yin furrowed his brows and turned around to see Kang Lei sucking his lips inward, holding back a giggle. Kang Lei motioned his head, silently telling Hai Yin to follow him. People of such small villages that had no connection to any sect or cultivational world were usually unkind to outsiders and cultivators, so they would have to pick carefully if they were going to get any information out of them. Kang Lei scanned the village for a second before walking over to an old lady sitting on her porch, sewing embroidery with a young child playing with a paper bird close by. The young girl danced around singing, twirling the paper bird with her eyes closed and she suddenly stumbled, falling into Kang Lei, dropping her bird.

"A-Qi! How many times has Grandmother told you not to play with your eyes closed!?", scolded the old woman, trying her best to hurry and get up from her chair.

With a smile, Kang Lei squatted down, picking up the paper bird, handing it to the child. The little girl smiled, somewhat snatching the bird and ran to hide behind her grandmother as she walked up.

"Forgive my granddaughter young Master, she is a wild child.", said the old woman as she slightly bowed.

"There is no need madam.", said Kang Lei with a smile. The old woman smiled looking up at the two tall young Masters, with fancy robes, swords and handsome faces, the old woman knew they were high borne cultivators, definitely not from the village of Xitang or even the town of Tian.

"You handsome young masters are a long way from home, what brings you here?" said the old Madam.

"I could say the same about yourself Madam, you are still a sight for sore eyes." said Kang Lei, purposely flattering the old woman and Hai Yin shook his head.

The old woman let out a cute giggle, "Young Master, you are too kind to this old woman!"

Kang Lei smirked, "Why no madam, I am honest.", he said bowing to the old woman and she suddenly put up her hands, "Young Master this is too much!", said the old woman growing flustered, a young Master bowing to a mere villager was certainly something no one ever saw.

"Old madam, I wonder if we could trouble you with a few questions." said Kang Lei with a charming smile.

"Yes, please come in for some tea and steamed buns, it is my granddaughters lunch time.", said the old woman, grabbing her granddaughters' hand and walking toward her house. Kang Lei turned his head to his traveling companion and smirked, Hai Yin nodded and the two followed the old woman into her house.

Kang Lei and Hai Yin walked into a dimly lit little house, all the furniture was homemade, and it had a fireplace for cold nights, quite cozy, but depressing to say the least. The old woman walked into the kitchen to get lunch while Hai Yin, Kang Lei and little A-Qi sat at a low table.

Hai Yin picked up A-Qi's bird and began making awkward bird noises, as he made it flutter around in a circle. A-Qi's eyes widened as her face lit up with a big smile before she let out a loud giggle, "again, again ge-ge!" she clapped her hands excitedly. Again, Hai Yin made bird noises and A-Qi giggled, clapping her hands. Kang Lei watched with a smile as the two played and giggled with the paper bird, for some reason it warmed his heart.

"Ginger buns are A-Qi's favorite, I hope they are to your liking.", said the old woman as she came into the room placing down the plate of ginger buns and tea on the table, then sitting at the empty fourth side of the table. The four began to eat and A-Qi offered hers to Kang Lei, extending out her short, little arm, holding the bun in front of him. "Ge-ge, bite!" she said.

"I have one of my own A-Qi, what kind of ge-ge would I be if I ate my cute little sisters too?" said Kang Lei patting A-Qi on the head and she smiled, taking a big bite of her own ginger bun.

"There were some things you wanted to ask?" said the old woman as she smiled at Kang Lei and A-Qi.

"Yes." said Hai Yin. "We've heard that the dead have been exhumed, is that true?"

The old woman sighed, placing her bun on the table, "Yes, the bodies have been disappearing for quite some time. We go to pay tribute to the dead, but they are all gone when we get there. A-Qi's Mother was one of the ones to go missing. A-Qi's Mother got sick after giving birth to her and soon passed away. My son has not been able to rest since his wife's body went missing, he goes off every day after work to see what has become of the missing bodies.

Kang Lei furrowed his brows, "How is it that no one has seen anything?", he asked.

"I am not sure, people have spent days and nights watching the grave, but nothing ever happens and somehow the bodies are still missing in the morning." On cue, Kang Lei and Hai Yin eyed each other, if people were grave watching to stop the thief, why is it that he or she has yet to be caught?

"Madam, where might we find the graveyard?" asked Hai Yin, but before she spoke, in walked a young man, not much older than the two young cultivators.

"Mom, you didn't tell me we would have company." Said the young man, as he nodded to the two young Masters.

The old woman placed A-Qi onto her lap so her son could sit down, "These young masters have traveled far, they've come to ask about the missing bodies.", said the old woman.

The young man sat down, "I am Shen Yu.", he said extending out both hands to Hai Yin and Kang Lei.

The two young masters accepted, firmly gripping his hand back, "I am Hai Yin." "and I am Zhao Lei.", said Kang Lei. Hai Yin cut his eye at his traveling companion, why had Kang Lei suddenly been dishonest about his surname?

"It started weeks ago, every day after work I'd go to visit my wife and talk to her about how well our daughter is growing.", said Shen Yu as he patted his daughter's head with a smile and she giggled grabbing his hand. "And just like that one day, she was just gone."

Kang Lei stared at his lap, it didn't make any sense, "could you take us to this graveyard?" he suddenly asked.

"Absolutely!", said Shen Yu, as he stood.

"Thank you, Madam, we are off.", said Hai Yin and Kang Lei nodding as they stood.

The old woman nodded and the three of them left, making their way to Xitang graveyard.

The trio had been walking for about ten minutes, when Shen Yu suddenly spoke, "It is just over this hill. Friends of mine and I usually go looking or we'll wait around to see if we can catch the bastard. We take shifts and everything to avoid someone falling asleep, but we never see anything.", he explained.

"And you haven't found anything of interest?" said Hai Yin.

"Nope, not a thing.", said Shen Yu. Hai Yin and Kang Lei eyed each other momentarily, there was definitely foul play involved.

When the three arrived at the graveyard, there were indeed many empty graves. Kang Lei squatted down, looking closely at the empty grave, there weren't any markings or incantations written anywhere, nothing out of the ordinary except an empty grave that once held a body. It wasn't possible for someone to dig up this many bodies and take them elsewhere without being seen, he thought. Kang Lei stood up, walking around the empty graves and Hai Yin followed, "do you feel that?" he asked.

Kang Lei turned toward Hai Yin, closing his eyes momentarily to see if he felt anything out of the ordinary, but he did not. "Feel what, I feel nothing."

"Nothing indeed, there is no indignant energy like I assumed there would be, could this be a non-cultivator after all?" said Hai Yin.

Kang Lei turned his head back to the empty graves, furrowing his brows, he softened his expression and turned to the one that had led them there, "Shen Yu, might we intrude for a bit longer? We will need to come back after it is dark."

"Sure, it is no problem.", said Shen Yu and Kang Lei nodded, the three of them making their way back to the house.