White Snow over Luoyang City

A short story originally written for a magazine, published in Mystery Lover in August 2014 (Issue 428). Excerpt: Ping Xiu stood on the hillside with his newly accepted apprentice, watching the city gradually disappear beneath the snow. Red lanterns lined every street, their glaring color like blood, making his eyes sting. Hoofbeats sounded behind him. Ping Xiu turned and saw Bai Yunfei's silent face. "You still owe me something," Ping Xiu said. "I owe you everything in this life," Bai Yunfei replied gravely. "What my father couldn't repay, I'll repay in his place. If you ever need me, I'll come find you." Ping Xiu's lips curled into a smile. "It's a promise, then. Until that day, stay alive." [Please note:] 1. Mystery and deduction. 2. BL with suggestive content. Theme: