A small wave of gasps erupted from the surrounding crowd. Huai Wang looked up from the throng of people just in time to see a familiar set of green robes descending from the sky.
The figure was falling as if it had him dead in its sights, and by the look of that momentum, it seemed intent on flattening him into the pavement.
He had specifically disguised himself as a mortal for this outing, and with the streets so crowded, Huai Wang had nowhere to retreat. With a sharp “Thump!”, he took the full force of the collision.
A muffled grunt escaped his throat, and he immediately reached out to steady the person by the shoulders and push them away.
Seeing Huai Wang take the blow so squarely, Jian Zhu smirked inwardly with delight. Outwardly, however, his voice was laced with apology. “I am so sorry! I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
Huai Wang pressed a hand to his chest, his brow furrowed as he studied the man for a moment.
As a Great Enlightenment stage cultivator, his disguise from his features to his cultivation level should have been impenetrable. The expression on Jian Zhu’s face was that of a complete stranger; this collision should, by all accounts, be a mere coincidence.
Seeing him remain silent, Jian Zhu’s concern intensified. “Sir? I didn’t break anything, did I?”
Huai Wang replied, “No.”
Jian Zhu offered a small smile. It was true that no one should recognize a Great Enlightenment disguise, but the face Huai Wang had chosen for this “mortal” look was the exact same one he used to wear years ago when they wandered the mortal markets together.
Moreover, even if the face changed and the cultivation was hidden, certain habits and details never altered.
Jian Zhu played along with Huai Wang’s performance, offering a polite bow. “It was wrong of me to ‘drop’ from such a height. If you have any demands for compensation, please, do not hesitate to tell me.”
Huai Wang moved to step past him. “It is unnecessary.”
“I see you are alone, sir. Why don’t I show you around and explain the local customs?” Jian Zhu tucked his hands into his sleeves. Under the drifting crowds and the moonlight, his features looked gentle, as clear and refreshing as a breeze.
Huai Wang opened his mouth to speak, but hesitated as if he had some reservations. Finally, he only said, “Return home early.”
Taking advantage of the fact that Huai Wang couldn’t expose him, Jian Zhu spoke with bold-faced shamelesness. “No need. I live alone; I can go back whenever I please.”
Huai Wang: “…”
As they stood facing each other, a faint scent of wine drifted between them. Huai Wang was silent for a long while, remembering this man’s “prior record” and how easily he could cause a shocking scene if left unattended. He finally spoke: “Let’s go.”
Jian Zhu’s lips curled into a smirk as he turned to lead the way.
The night market in Luqi City was extraordinarily lively, with stalls lining the streets all the way to the riverbanks.
As they strolled past the stalls, Jian Zhu picked out unique items to introduce to Huai Wang. “Over there are paper window-flowers; people stick them on their doors during festivals for good luck. These are ornaments made of obsidian; they say they change your fortune, but they’re actually just a consumer trap.”
Huai Wang: “…”
“And this row consists of wood carvings. They can carve people or objects, perfect for collections.” As Jian Zhu spoke, he picked one up, his thumb tracing the smooth surface of the wood.
He remembered a time he wanted to buy a wood carving, but Huai Wang had pulled him away and wouldn’t let him. It wasn’t until he woke up the next morning that he found the man had secretly carved a floating lotus lampshade and hung it by his bed. Jian Zhu had nearly tangled his hair in it when he climbed out of bed half-asleep.
Later, Huai Wang had stood by the bed for ages helping him untangle it.
Jian Zhu let out a soft, involuntary laugh.
Beside him, Huai Wang looked down. The small orange lanterns hanging by the stall were reflected in Jian Zhu’s eyes, along with a spark of bright, jumping mirth.
It looked as though he had recalled something very happy.
Huai Wang did not interrupt. Once Jian Zhu finished his laugh, he casually bought the carving and slipped it into his pocket. “It’s even more crowded up ahead. Come, sir, let’s go.”
“Mhm.”
The two walked toward the riverbank, leaving a gap of two fists’ width between them.
At the foot of the bridge, street performers were putting on a show, surrounded by a crowd three layers deep.
As Jian Zhu navigated around the edge, someone bumped into him, sending him “thumping” against Huai Wang’s shoulder. Shoulder to shoulder, he could feel the man’s tensed muscles even through their layers of clothing.
He pulled away almost instantly of his own accord. “Apologies, my footing is unsteady.”
Huai Wang gave him a brief glance. “…It is fine.”
The arched bridge was lined with vermilion railings. As they stepped onto it, a painted pleasure boat rowed beneath them, the sounds of silk and bamboo music drifting up through the flickering reflections of the lanterns.
Jian Zhu acted like a dutiful tour guide. “During the Ghost Festival, when the Earth Official pardons sins, every city releases river lanterns to guide souls and pray for blessings.”
Huai Wang followed behind him. “You know a great deal.”
The hair ribbon behind Jian Zhu’s head swayed back and forth. “I have no special talents; my life experience is simply quite rich.”
Huai Wang didn’t respond, his thoughts unknown.
After a few steps, they descended the bridge. That side of the city was near the gate, and the population thinned out. Away from the noise and lights, only a few inns and relay stations sat scattered about.
Jian Zhu stopped. “The city exit is just ahead, we—”
Suddenly, a horse’s shrill neighing erupted from the front. Both men turned at once to see a spooked horse leaping out of a relay stable, charging straight for the tea stall of the inn across the way.
Several local commoners were still sitting at the stall. The groom chased behind, shouting, “Get out of the way!”
The silence of the dim street was shattered. Pedestrians screamed as they scattered. The horse’s hooves reared high, its neighing sharp and piercing. Hieee—!
Huai Wang’s expression shifted, but before he could act, the green-clad figure beside him lunged forward like a streak of light. The horse’s head was wrenched aside as its reins were seized by a slender hand.
In the darkness, green robes fluttered wildly. The horse’s forehooves slammed into the dirt road, kicking up a heavy cloud of dust.
Huai Wang lowered the hand he had partially raised.
Seeing the horse brought under control, the startled bystanders sighed with relief and began thanking Jian Zhu. The groom panted as he jogged over, wiping sweat from his brow. “Thank you, Immortal Master, for saving us!”
Jian Zhu patted the horse’s head. “It’s fine now. Lead it back.”
The groom asked with awe, “Was the Immortal Master casting a spell on it?”
Jian Zhu shook his head. “Just horsing around.”
“…”
The commotion died down, and the people returned to their business. Huai Wang stepped forward from behind. “Are you always this helpful to everyone?”
Jian Zhu turned. In the dark night, he couldn’t see Huai Wang’s expression, but the man’s tone was flat, seemingly devoid of any underlying meaning.
He arched an eyebrow. “Didn’t you want to step in just now as well, sir?”
Huai Wang paused for a split second. “I am but a mere mortal. I have the heart to help, but not the strength.”
Jian Zhu, being “beautiful and kind-hearted,” chose not to expose him. He only said, “Having the heart is enough. Having the heart is the rarest thing of all.”
________________________________________
Huai Wang was used to the solitude of Cang Mountain; after a walk through the city, he found it too noisy, so Jian Zhu led him out of the city gates.
Outside the city was the desolate wilderness. The two left the main road and followed a side path for a distance. After ascending a small slope, the view opened up. The rippling surface of the river shimmered with reflected light.
Brushing against the water and the wind, Jian Zhu flicked his robes and sat on the ground. “Brother, come over and look at this magnificent landscape!”
“…” Huai Wang looked at the dark, looming mountains in the distance and the rather narrow river before them. After a moment’s hesitation, he sat down beside him.
Once seated, Jian Zhu fished a ceramic xun (vessel flute) out of his spatial bag. The instrument was plain and unadorned, without a single carving or pattern. “Want to hear a tune? I just learned it.”
Huai Wang’s brow furrowed. The sound of the xun arises from the source; it is holistic and primal, the closest thing to the “Heavenly Sounds” of Taoism. Consequently, cultivators favor the instrument, as its music often brings clarity to the mind.
But Jian Zhu said he had just learned it. What else could a beginner play besides the trivial pop tunes heard in taverns?
“I’m not listening.”
“Then cover your ears tight, because I’m starting.”
“…”
Jian Zhu placed the xun to his lips, ignoring whether Huai Wang had actually covered his noble ears, and blew into the mouthpiece.
As the music emerged, it was distant and ethereal, seemingly infused with the rhythm of the Five Elements. Within a radius of several miles, the wind died down and the trees went still; the mountains and rivers of the four wilds fell into a deep silence.
It was nothing like a tavern tune.
Huai Wang lowered his eyes. He saw the man before him with drooping lashes, his eyes like deep, still pools. His hair partially veiled his profile, revealing only one fair, clean ear.
A moment later, the song ended. Jian Zhu set down the xun, and a wordless silence hung between them. He turned to Huai Wang with a smile. “How was it?”
Huai Wang looked away. “Not bad to the ear.”
Jian Zhu: “…”
Jian Zhu let out a soft sigh. “You don’t have many friends, do you?”
Huai Wang: “…”
He stood up, brushed off his robes, and began to walk back. “It’s time to return.”
Jian Zhu rose as well and followed behind. “Same way.”
By the time they returned to the city from the outskirts, the night market hadn’t fully closed, but the crowds had thinned out considerably. As Jian Zhu walked, he pondered where to spend the night.
The curfew had already passed, and Huai Wang knew he was still out; he couldn’t go back to Lin Yuan. He might as well find an inn in the city to make do…
“Hey!” His arm was suddenly grabbed. Jian Zhu turned to see the youth’s face magnified in front of him.
He spent a second wondering why the boy was still wandering the streets.
A group of attendants pushed through the crowd to catch up; it seemed the youth had run quite fast. The latter was still slightly out of breath. “What are you doing here? Why did you jump out of the window like that earlier?”
Jian Zhu: “I wanted to feel like I was flying.”
Youth: “…”
Huai Wang’s gaze fell upon the youth. The boy was clearly wealthy, draped in gold and jade from head to toe. Even the folding fan he toyed with in his hand was of immense value; he looked every bit the playboy.
While he was observing, the youth looked over as well.
Huai Wang’s presence and physique were extraordinary; he was hard to ignore even standing still. Although his face was ordinary, his eyes were as clear and chilling as fresh snow.
The youth asked, “Who is this?”
Huai Wang didn’t answer. The youth turned back to Jian Zhu. “Your friend? Or is he the person you’re looking for?”
Jian Zhu’s gaze swept lightly over Huai Wang. “A passerby struck by luck.”
Huai Wang: “…”
The youth found this “deep” but didn’t quite get it, his hand still clutching Jian Zhu’s arm. “Oh. Since he’s a passerby, ignore him. Where are you going? Want to hit up another spot?”
“I’m going back to rest.” Jian Zhu glanced at Huai Wang. “And what about this gentleman?”
Huai Wang’s eyes flicked to Jian Zhu’s arm. “I am returning as well.”
Jian Zhu arched an eyebrow. “Alright then. We’ll meet again if fate allows.”
Huai Wang nodded and turned to leave; the two parted ways there. Jian Zhu watched the plain white figure disappear at the end of the street, then turned to the youth. “Where are you staying? Do you have room to take me in?”
The youth paused, feeling as if this conversation was strangely familiar.
“This Young Master is staying at the East City Inn. Wait, didn’t you just say you were going back?”
Jian Zhu: “People are fickle. I’m going with you.”
The youth was confused. “I suppose that’s fine.”
…
The Lin Yuan Sect’s curfew falls at the end of the Hai hour and doesn’t lift until the start of the Chen hour the next morning.
Huai Wang possessed the highest level of clearance; he passed through the mountain gate without any obstruction. He landed on the Crane-Greeting Platform and, after a moment’s hesitation, reached out to withdraw the Cang Mountain barrier.
Leaving behind a strand of spiritual sense, Huai Wang returned to his room to cultivate.
Early the next morning.
The moment the Lin Yuan curfew lifted, Jian Zhu came flying back. He was still wearing yesterday’s clothes; he had a morning class and needed to rush back to change into his disciple uniform.
The instant he stepped onto the Crane-Greeting Platform, the courtyard door opened from within.
Huai Wang stood at the doorway, watching him from a distance. “Out all night?”
Jian Zhu didn’t have time to stay and act out a scene with him. He waved his hand and hurriedly left behind a single sentence: “The colorful world is just too dazzling for the eyes.”
“…”
Watching the figure vanish into the distance, Huai Wang felt a weight lift slightly from his heart.
He had removed the Cang Mountain barrier, but he had not opened the Lin Yuan gate for Jian Zhu. If the latter had returned during the night, it would have proven he could break through the sect’s barrier silently.
But Jian Zhu stayed out all night…
Huai Wang lowered his eyes. It was for the best if the person from that night wasn’t him.
Thinking of that rogue who had stolen his belt and pressed a hand against his heart with such flirtatious intimacy, a cold, sharp killing intent surfaced in Huai Wang’s eyes.
If they ever met again, he would surely cut that person into ten thousand pieces!