Chapter 3 - {Ju Liang's suspicions rise, and old man Minghao assists.}

When Ju Liang woke up and dressed himself, he took all the ten children to an old woman to care for them for the day, so he could do cleaning.

Once Ju Liang made it back to the bamboo hut, he began cleaning, sweeping the leafs into a big pile he was sure would be jumped in once they returned–– why does he even do it if he knows the children will jump in the pile anyway? Oh, well.

After sweeping, Ju Liang hung out the blankets and robes to dry after washing them in the river nearby, hanging them on a thin rope tied on two wooden poles, once again, he feels that cold, shivering feeling on the back of his neck, but this time...it's closer, as cold as the first day of winter. As cold as snow.

Ju Liang pauses just as he was about to hang a blanket over the rope, he slowly turns his head to peer over his shoulder, standing in between two trees of the forest nearby is a large Gray wolf, with red eyes and white pupils in slits. The wolf doesn't move, but it's eyes seem...more human than animal.

The wolf doesn't attack nor move closer, Ju Liang is left confused, he considered staying silent or trying to call for the wolf, but before he could make his decision the wolf had already walked away, it left him even more confused than he'd ever been. Ju Liang decided that later after laundry, he'll go visit the old man, an old man in his early sixties named Fan Minghao with a large knowledge of mythology and other things.

Ju Liang knocked on the door of a small, ruined shack with a wooden door probably on its last life. The door opened and there stood the hunched Fan Minghao, his graying hair in a high topknot with a white ribbon made from linen. Fan Minghao grinned happily, exclaiming "ah! Ju Liang, what a pleasure!, come in Minghao greeted, ushering the young man gently in.

The old man's one room shack was small yet cozy, a clay kitchen in the corner, a few shelves were stocked with scrolls neatly, in the middle of the room was a low wooden table and two cushions, along with a tea set. Two ceramic tea cups and a teapot.

Ju Liang sat down on his knees on one of the cushions, while Fan Minghao sat cross legged on the one across from him, Fan Minghao poured tea into the two teacups, sliding one towards Ju Liang. Ju Liang nodded in thanks and took a sip.

Fan Minghao set his cup down, looking at the young man curiously, "So, why have you come to me, please do explain." He said, interested in why the caretaker had come to him.

Ju Liang thought for a moment. Before responding to the old man's question, "I've been seeing...things. Recently when outside." the old man took a sip of his tea, and leaned forward, letting out a questioning him, "hm? And what do these things look like? Don't leave a single detail out."

Ju Liang began recounting what he had seen, "well first, I get a feeling of coldness at the back of my neck, then the hairs on the back of my neck rise, first I saw it when I was letting the children play on the creek, I turned around but nothing was there, but I felt eyes. Then when we were walking back to our hut, I felt the same feeling once more. When I turned to look. I saw a flash of gray and red eyes. And the most recent example is what happened an hour ago."

The old man perked up at the details, eyes glinting now, "oh do continue, Ju Liang." he said. Very eager now. Ju Liang nodded and continued his story "I was hanging laundry when I felt it again, when I turned, a wolf was standing there, staring at me, it never moved until it walked away and it's eyes seemed more human than animal."

Ju Liang waited for a response, but it never came, instead the old man grinned and set his tea cup down, standing from the cushion and walking to the shelf, rummaging through the scrolls, muttering and pulling a few out before shoving them back in. finally he pulled the right one out.

Fan Minghao walked back over, sitting cross-legged next to Ju Liang this time. Handing him the scroll. " What's this?" Ju Liang asked, the old man spoke with a big grin "the answer to your… ' Problem'" the old man said, chuckling.

Ju Liang unrolled the scroll and took a few minutes to read. "The demon king? who's that?" Ju Liang questions. Fan Minghao answers immediately with a very descriptive answer of the demon king, "Mo Tianhun, The demon king, if I remember he's tall with long black hair and red eyes with white slit pupils, normally people say they've seen him wearing black robes, which is drawn here in the scroll, he also usually takes the form of an animal, for example a wolf, the one you keep seeing staring at yiu" The old man instructs, pointing to a spot on the scroll. Ju Liang looks where Fan Minghao is pointing at the scroll.

Drawn on the paper is a tall man with an emotionless handsome face, his black hair tied into a high ponytail with an expensive looking silver hair crown, the man wears black flowing robes with long draping sleeves that flow around him. Peeking from underneath the skirt of his robes is a pair of black leather flat boots, seemingly reaching his shins as well, draped over his shoulders was a long thick black hooded cloak with thick black fluffy animal fur around the hems.

Ah", Ju Liang nodded, " he's very... handsome? err..am I allowed to say that about him?" Fan Minghao giggled like a school girl," yes yes, almost anyone who's seen him thinks he is indeed very handsome..heheh.." Ju Liang raises an eyebrow at the man's repeated giggling but doesn't question it further. " so, why would he be following me?", Fan Minghao chuckled once more.

"Ooh, I think he might have a slight infatuation with you," Fan Minghao said, Ju Liang immediately jolted in surprise. " What but-"" oh don't be so coy!! You're a sweet man, good with children, and you're an amazing cook!" Ju Liang gritted his teeth, "don't use that against me!"

If you're wondering, Ju Liang often cooks for the old man, delivering a snack or some lunch, apparently Fan Minghao loves his food. So yes, he'll admit, he's a good cook.

"But I'm not wrong, besides you're quite a handsome man yourself." Fan Minghao complimented. "Whatever." Ju Liang said, finishing his tea before standing up. "I'll see you later", Ju Liang said as Fan Minghao nodded.

Once he had left the old man's shack, Ju Liang began walking through the forest, back to his bamboo hut where the children were likely waiting for him after the old women had dropped them off back to the bamboo hut.

As usual, they had dinner then got ready for bed, Ju Liang did too. closing his eyes and drifting into dream land.

But when Ju Liang woke up...this time it was different, you see, he always slept without a blanket, he didn't mind not having one, but this time, Ju Liang found something on top of him, laying on top of him was a long thick black hooded cloak with thick fluffy black animal fur around the edges.

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