The Voyage In The Blizzard - Chapter 44
“Look who has come to us! Great warrior Lei himself.”
The short soldier, holding a burning torch in his hand, looked at Lei and then at Longwei with a smile on his face.
“Why are you hiding? Or do you think that we are not so hospitable that we would not allow you to come in and have tea?! Master Lei, you are insulting our Master.” Pointing to Longwei, he continued, “And you, Longwei, a legendary new talent. I never thought you’d behave so uncivilized.”
Turning to the rest of the soldier, who were holding their swords and were looking at the three of them with aggression, he waved his hand and they immediately went up to Lei. Grabbing his hands, two soldiers whose expression was frozen and showed nothing but emptiness, rudely led him out of the small room.
Abruptly pushing them away, Lei without saying anything went somewhere on his own.
“Get your hands off me!” shouted Baofeng-Xue taking out his sword. “Just try to touch me!”.
The soldiers looked at each other and then broke into loud laughter.
“The soldiers of the First Clan are so arrogant. They themselves secretly broke into our clan and now they pretend like it is our fault.”
Bao Fengxue approached Longwei holding his sword in front of him and was ready to strike.
A soldier with a serious wound on the side of his face, taking out his sword, said, “So you want to fight?!”
Swinging swords, a loud sounds of iron hitting each other filled everything around.
Baofeng-Xue almost fell, but after standing he responded with a retaliatory blow.
Longwei, already surrounded by two people, exclaimed, “Brother Xue, stop it!”
Not listening to him, Baofeng-Xue continued to clumsily but bravely attack the enemy even if he was one step ahead.
“Enough talking.” said the soldier standing next to Longwei. Grabbing him, he led him away from the warehouse, which was now filled with chaos.
As Longwei expected, they led him and Lei directly to the head of the Second clan.
Sun smiled involuntarily at the sight of two of the most famous personalities, but immediately changed his face and became more serious. Looking at them with his sly eyes, he continued to sit in his high chair.
In the spacious hall, where everything had dark green hues, they all remained silent until Baofeng-Xue’s screams were heard outside.
Sun, rubbing the edge of his sword, finally breaking the silence asked, “Isn’t that your best friend screaming there? What is his name please remind me.”
Longwei, casting a quick glance at Lei with his head held high, replied, “I think you have nothing to know. With your busyness, I could say that you don’t even have time to strengthen security. Otherwise, your soldiers are completely weak. And stupid too. ”
Smiling, Sun, as if he had just realized what his soldiers were, lifted his head up and said, “That’s why I always wanted Lei to become the teacher of my clan. He would definitely change everything here.”
Pointing at him with his sword, Sun, raising his eyes with a certain curiosity, scanned Lei with his sly gaze. Feeling dislike in that gaze, Longwei said loudly, “Sometimes dreams remain dreams.”
“Yes, but only when a person does not respect himself and do not know the limit of his capabilities.” Rising from the chair, Sun straightened his warm green cape and continued, “I never knew what it was to give up. And so if I intend to get something, then I will achieve my goal.”
Daring to approach Lei, despite the fact that Longwei was holding back with all his might, Sun gesturing smoothly to the two armchairs that stood in front of the fireplace said, “Please sit down. I think you are tired after everything you have done.”
“It’s comfortable for us to stand.” Longwei answered sharply.
“I’ll make you tea. In my clan, it’s a violation of the rule not to drink my signature tea. We have nowhere to rush, and it’s not every day that such important guests come to me.”
Lei shook his head in a sign that he should not show aggression and with brisk steps went towards the armchair.
The two large armchairs covered with fur exuded a kind of comfort regardless of which clan they were in. The soft pillow that supported the back felt good after fatigue throughout the body.
Throwing their backpacks on the floor, they sat down and the warm air from the fireplace enveloped their frozen feet.
Without taking his eyes off Lei, Longwei tried to see at least something in his eyes, but all he saw were just two eyes in which the reflection of fire played.
Returning with two cups with patterns which were painted with delicacy, Sun looked at the fire and said, “It’s so nice to approach the fire when it’s so cold around.” Looking at them, he handed them both mugs with a sly smile and added, “And it’s even more pleasant when, after a hard day, you have the honor of being in the company of two heroes.”
Noticing a certain sarcasm in his voice, Lei took a few sips and said, “I think you are interested to know what we did here. You should not torture yourself with all sorts of words. If you want to ask about something, then ask.”
Throwing some firewood into the fireplace, Sun, hiding his hands in the muff, sat on the arm of the chair on which Lei was sitting. Watching the flames of fire, he said, “To be honest, I was always interested in your every step Lei. I was always interested in your sword skills, as well as in your fighting technique. And the fact that you returned from the battlefield without a single scratch. Honestly, I admire you. And I envy you too. But most of all I know that you do nothing in vain. I know that you do not waste time. Every step you take makes sense and you never waste yourself on unnecessary things. Therefore, I know that since you are here, then there is a reason for that. Although, I’m not very happy that you came to my clan without informing me. Or do you think that I am so ill-mannered that I will not let you on the threshold of my house?! ” Putting a hand on his shoulder and looking at Longwei’s reaction, he bent down and whispered, “If you came alone, I would be happy about it. But I don’t like that you brought this impudent one with you.”
“What are you whispering there?!” Longwei exclaimed, trying his best to contain his anger.
Standing up, Sun went to the fireplace and for a while he was silent. Then, without looking at them, he continued his monotonous conversation.
“I’m afraid to say, but you came at the wrong time.” Shaking his head, he glanced at Longwei, who never touched the mug of tea. “And if you came at the wrong time, what am I to do now. Lei, what do you think?”
Without losing his cold-bloodedness to everything that was happening, Lei answered bluntly, “By the word “Not in time” you mean that we came at the very moment when the head of the Second Clan was hiding one of those creatures in his house?!”
Pretending that he was surprised by what he heard, Sun showed all his poisonous shell and said, “That’s why I like you Lei. Always straightforward.”
With a serious look, Lei continued, “As the protagonist of the First Clan, I must ask you why are you hiding this creature? In secret from everyone, what do you intend to do? After all, it seemed to me that you do not just want to have a pet, you are pursuing some other goal. And what was in my clan when one of the soldiers of the Third Clan was killed, everyone then heard the screams of the beast. And it was also your doing. And the fact that for some reason you sent your soldiers to the First Clan. Why did you do it?! No, that’s not a question. ” When Lei finished talking, he sat down more comfortably, crossing his legs. His face, covered with a slight blush, and now he looked impossibly beautiful in the light of the fire. Even his shadow that fell on the carpet looked majestic.
“And why do I feel like I got into your clan and did all sorts of things. Lei, your look can make anyone feel guilty.”
In these two sentences, Longwei could hear notes of sarcasm, arrogance and endless cunningness.
Unable to restrain himself, he jumped up and loudly said, “What are you driving at? Speak already.”
“And he is a very brave young man. Lei, you must be proud of yourself.”
“What you’re suggesting?” Longwei approached him, looking down at him, clutching his sword, he continued, “You are hiding our main enemy here, you feed it, you keep it secret from everyone. Head of the Second clan, don’t you think you are endangering everyone.”
Sun was about to touch him but Longwei pushed his hand away with force. “Don’t you dare to touch me. Answer me! We’ve heard everything. And now, knowing what you are doing here, we will tell everyone. And what will happen to your clan then?!”
Avoiding glances, Sun began to walk to and fro and with confidence in his voice, replied, “What I am doing here is my business. This is my clan, and you are now in my clan. So you should not be so impudent. Especially in your position.”
Longwei cried out, “What kind of position is this?!”
“All this time while you were in my clan, do you think I did not know that you were here? Or what, you thought that I was stupid enough not to notice such tall figures? And also, when you are on a mission, I think you should keep yourself in hand. But you did not restrain yourself, and your mutual sympathy, so to speak. And now, I can say that I know your little but slightly loud secret.”
Looking at each other, Longwei wanted to say something, but Lei stopped him with a hand gesture.
Sun continued without looking at them, “When I first saw you Longwei, I knew Lei would like you. I was sure of that. And I waited for the moment when I became even more confident than I was. And finally it happened.” Turning around, Sun shouted, “Guard!” And at the same moment two soldiers in heavy fur coats burst into the room. Sun ordered casually, “Get him out of here.”
Longwei, noticing that two soldiers were heading in his direction, abruptly grabbed the sword and was about to strike, but when he felt Lei’s hand he stopped. After reading in his eyes that there was no need to show aggression, Longwei nevertheless kicked one of the soldiers with an agile movement of his foot, but the other grabbed him by the hand and wanted to take him away, but Longwei grabbed him by the collar and flipped him over his shoulder.
“Don’t get close!” he cried out, pointing his sword at the soldiers.
“So I always knew that you would become a hindrance in everything.” Sun said displeased as he stood by the fireplace.
Swinging his sword again in front of the soldier Longwei with ferocity in his eyes, said through anger, “What do you think you can do? Keep us here and threaten us that you will tell everything about us?! Well, go ahead! But only your dirty secret will be much louder. Xing Fu has long guessed that you are not who you are. Therefore, he sent us to you. To find out everything about you. And do not think that I will leave it all just like that. ”
Laughing, Sun clapping his hands like everyone else does when they are nervous but still want to show their confidence, said, “To keep you here?! I won’t keep you here against your will. I only need Lei.” Ignoring what Longwei said next, Sun, addressing his soldiers, waved his hand and stepped aside.
This time, having managed to grab Longwei by both hands, the soldiers wanted to lead him out, but Longwei resisted and did not take his eyes off Lei. Although Lei remained unperturbed, and at times it even seemed that he didn’t care about him and even himself.
“Lei! Do something! Lei! Let me go!”
Throwing his sword aside, one of the soldiers wanted to strike him to calm him down, but Longwei still freeing his hand was able to reflect a strong blow.
Running up to Lei, grabbing him by the shoulders, he was silent. But his gaze screamed a lot.
Realizing all the uneasiness in his heart, Lei nodded his head with calmness in his eyes and whispered, “We’ll just talk.”
“Stop this hysteria.” said Sun sitting on his high throne.
Pushing him aside, Lei turned away.
“You are not going to leave. Aren’t you? Do I need to call more soldiers?” Sun asked casually.
Longwei stood still without saying anything until he heard Bao Fengxue’s voice.
“Go, your friend is waiting for you.”
Feeling that Sun was up to something not good, Longwei once again looked at Lei who was still standing still.
Grabbing his hands, both soldiers with all their strength pulled him out of the room, looking back, Longwei knew perfectly well what Sun needed from him.
Throwing him on the floor with all his might, one of the soldiers said in his hoarse voice, “Don’t you dare put on a show here.”
Longwei was about to pounce on him, but then he felt someone’s hand on his shoulder.
Bao Fengxue grabbed him and held him tightly until they were left alone.
“Brother Xue, what have they done to you?” Touching his face asked Longwei. “Did they do that?” Pointing to the bruise on his face, Longwei jumped up and ran to the door and kicked it.
“Longwei calm down!”
“Calm down? Do you even know what this Second Clan is up to?! They are up to something disgusting. They have one of those beast in their hands. And why do you think? They clearly want to use the power of these creatures to go against everyone. This Sun is only needed strength and might before all. ”
Longwei kicked the strong door with a loud cry, and his scream echoed everywhere. Rushing from side to side, he did not even notice where he was. And only when Bao Fengxue stopped him by grabbing his shoulders, he looked around and noticed a small room where there was nothing but one table and a small door in a dark corner.
“It’s all because of teacher Lei. It’s all because of him. You have completely lost yourself and your self-respect. None of this would have happened if you hadn’t started to have these stupid feelings for him. Longwei, stop living in your fictional world. Enough. already. How much can you go against everything. ” said Bao Fengxue shaking him from side to side. Looking at his eyes, he lightly slapped his face. “Stop being like that. Stop acting like you can change something. You cannot change this cold world. It is what it is.”
Wearing a mask of indifference and smiling with the corner of his mouth, Longwei removed his hands from himself and replied, “Stop it? If I need to stop being myself and follow my heart and my dreams, then you should stop caring for me. Brother Longwei? I am not your brother. After all, there are tender feelings between brothers, so why do you then continue to behave as if you have no other life but to watch me and think about my well-being. You know what kind of feelings it is, and you can be punished too. So why don’t you stop it too. ”
Unable to restrain himself, Bao Fengxue hit him in the face and when he fell to the floor, he grabbed him by the collar and hit him again. His refined features suddenly became rough and harsh, his once-white skin suddenly turned red with anger.
“Do you even know who you have become?! You’d better continue to live in your cave. I’d rather think that you died long ago.”
Laughing, Longwei lay down on the floor. A thin line of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. Big eyes sparkled with incomprehensible fire looking at Bao Fengxue.
Bao Fengxue, not letting go of his collar, continued, “What a selfish man you are. Although no, you are not even selfish. You do not think of yourself. You do not think of anyone. I am afraid for you Longwei. Your behavior will not lead to anything good. Remember this. And what you feel towards the teacher Lei is absurd. And his absurdity that can lead you to death. You and Lei. If not for him, we would not be here now. Who do you think you are? Longwei, it’s time for you to face the truth. We are ordinary soldiers. And we are at the mercy of the blizzard. This is the whole reality that surrounds you and me. And there is no place for dreams, much less love. ”
Without saying anything, Longwei lay silently on the cold floor. Peering at the ceiling, all his thoughts left him, leaving behind an unpleasant trail of the past.
“We are warriors, and we should never be exposed to feelings. And I hope you will understand this soon.” Xue added and stepped aside.
Through the silence, Longwei replied, “As a person who knows nothing but the blizzard and cold, you dare to talk about feelings and love? How can a person who ignores his dreams and himself say to me about how to live? Brother Xue, you reproach me because my life has a meaning now.”