Ch113 - Choking on Fear

Su Hansheng, blissfully unaware, slept soundly until the sun was high.

Fortunately, today was reserved for new students to familiarize themselves with the Academy; there were no morning bells or lessons. Feeling utterly relaxed, Su Hansheng washed up lazily, intending to run over to the Buddha Hall and stick close to Chongjue again.

But luck was never on his side. The moment he stepped inside the hall and looked up—he froze, then immediately turned and fled without hesitation!

At the tea table, Ying Jianhua quietly set down his cup. “Come here,” he said coolly.

Su Hansheng froze mid-step, caught in the act of fleeing. He turned back stiffly and forced a grin. “Senior Brother… good morning.”

“It’s nearly sunset,” Ying Jianhua replied coolly. “Come here.”

Thrice was warning enough—Su Hansheng knew that if his senior had to repeat that command a third time, he might not live to see tomorrow. He hurried over in small, quick steps, dropping to his knees at Ying Jianhua’s side with a soft thud.

Grinning ingratiatingly, he said, “I was just so tired yesterday, slept a little too long… If I’d known you were here, Senior Brother, I’d have been waiting at dawn!”

Ying Jianhua cast him a sidelong glance. He didn’t scold him in front of Chongjue—simply hummed in acknowledgment.

Across the table sat Chongjue, his gaze resting on Su Hansheng.

Perhaps reminded of the vision he’d seen in his sea of consciousness the night before, he let his eyes drift away after just a brief glance, feigning interest in the bubbling tea.

Neither Ying Jianhua nor Chongjue was one for lively conversation. When the two sat together, the air seemed to still—icy calm, polite and distant.

Then Su Hansheng burst into the hall like a little sunbeam, transforming the chill quiet of that vast Buddha Hall into something warm, like spring had stepped inside.

Chongjue nudged the tray of pastries toward him, his voice quiet. “I’ve reviewed Xiaoxiao’s mistake. It’s nothing grave. Lord Dao Ying, you needn’t be too harsh.”

When even the World-Honored One spoke up on his behalf, Ying Jianhua naturally couldn’t bring himself to punish anyone. He inclined his head slightly. “As the World-Honored One says.”

Su Hansheng nibbled at his pastry in tiny bites, watching Chongjue effortlessly dissolve the trouble that had plagued him all morning. His bright eyes brimmed with admiration.

If Ying Jianhua hadn’t been there, he would’ve thrown himself bodily into Chongjue’s arms.

Chongjue’s lips curved faintly. “Yuanqiu has already come of age. Lord Dao Ying, you’d best refrain from striking or berating him so often.”

Encouraged by the backup, Su Hansheng nodded vigorously in agreement.

Though Ying Jianhua had only truly spanked him when he was a child, Su Hansheng’s instincts still made him flinch at the man’s authority.

Yet, warped by his difficult upbringing, part of him found a strange comfort in that strictness—it gave him the illusion of being cared for, of being seen.

He never noticed that much himself.

Ying Jianhua shot him a glance.

Su Hansheng immediately ducked his head, hands on his knees, not daring to move.

Ying Jianhua hesitated, a faint ache rising in his chest at that familiar, fearful reaction.

After a pause, he said at last, “The World-Honored One is right.”

Then, turning to the wide-eyed Su Hansheng, he did something unprecedented—he took out a silken handkerchief and carefully wiped the crumbs from the boy’s face.

He still destroyed the cloth afterward, of course, but Su Hansheng was too stunned to mind.

Had his cleanliness-obsessed senior brother… finally softened?

Was this the start of a new era—one where he’d actually stop hitting him?

Ying Jianhua’s tone settled back into stoic composure. “Before our master passed, he told me to look after Xiaoxiao. Though he’s of age now, he’s only twenty.”

Chongjue’s hand faltered mid-movement with the teacup.

“Twenty years,” Ying Jianhua continued, voice uncharacteristically reflective, “is the blink of an eye to someone like me. Though I’m younger than the World-Honored One, I’ve already lived close to a thousand years. It’s only natural I’d want to steer him away from folly—not out of cruelty.”

Chongjue: “…”

Ying Jianhua added earnestly, “You once held Xiaoxiao in your arms when he was a child, World-Honored One. Surely, you too wouldn’t wish him to stray down a dark path. I hope you can understand.”

Chongjue: “…………”

He sat in long silence, veiling the discomfort on his face by taking another sip of tea.

Kneeling on the floor, Su Hansheng lowered his head as far as it would go, shoulders trembling from suppressed laughter.

Ha… this was priceless.

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And off he went, scampering like a rabbit.

As Chongjue poured himself another cup of tea, his spirit sense caught the sound of laughter outside—the sound of Su Hansheng all but howling with glee as he bounded down the steps.

“Ha ha ha ha ha—” echoed without end.

Chongjue: “……”

Ying Jianhua didn’t seem to notice anything amiss. After finishing his tea, he asked cautiously, “World-Honored One, how do you intend to handle the matter of the Heaven-Reaching Tower?”

Over ten years ago, when Xu Xuanlin sacrificed himself, Ying Jianhua had known Chongjue was also involved at the Tower. The matter should have fallen solely under the Lord Dao’s responsibility, but he asked nonetheless.

Chongjue lowered his eyes. “Seal the matter as best you can. Don’t let even Gong Handan or Zhuang Lingge know. When the Tower finally collapses, Zou Chi and I will enter it.”

Ying Jianhua frowned. “And Xiaoxiao?”

“Especially not him.” Chongjue’s eyes turned cold. “He only needs to study and cultivate at the Academy.”

In his previous life, Su Hansheng had suffered enough—hunted and driven to his death by righteous cultivators because of the Heaven-Reaching Tower. Now, having been given another chance, Chongjue would never let him face such danger again.

As long as he could chatter and laugh through his days, that would be enough.

Ying Jianhua hesitated. “But this is no trivial matter. I’m worried Xiaoxiao may—”

“I’ve already spoken to the Head of the Academy,” Chongjue interrupted softly, rolling his prayer beads. “This final year, make sure his studies are thorough. No mistakes.”

He had even calculated it out—if Su Hansheng earned full marks in every subject this year, he’d clear his remaining debts and still have enough to graduate.

Starting tomorrow, Su Hansheng would spend all daylight hours in lessons, and all evenings buried in assignments. He’d hardly have time to breathe, much less wander. Only during short breaks would he be free to visit the Buddha Hall.

Chongjue would have plenty of time to ensure he never discovered the truth.

***

Su Hansheng had no idea what the two were discussing. He hummed a little tune as he returned to Falling Parasol Lodge, only to be met head-on by Chu Fenghan, the chief enforcer of the Disciplinary Hall, who expressionlessly pasted two crossed white strips onto the door of his quarters.

On the strips was the large character “Sealed.”

Su Hansheng was dumbfounded. He hurried forward, asking, “Chief Enforcer, what are you doing?”

Chu Fenghan, upright and by-the-book, smirked coldly on his handsome face. “What else? Young Master owes the Disciplinary Hall a ton of penalty points. Until he clears them, the academy naturally seals off the quarters it provides.”

Su Hansheng was stunned. “What?! Since when does the academy deny housing over owed points?!”

“Academy rule ninety-seven states it plainly,” Chu Fenghan said coldly. “Besides, Young Master doesn’t owe just a few points—it’s over ten or twenty. That’s unheard of in all of Wendao Academy.”

Even the worst troublemaker in recent years, Zhuang Lingxiu, had never owed this many points.

Su Hansheng: “…”

The Disciplinary Hall wasted no time sealing his quarters and handed him a brand new bundle, saying it contained items cleared from the room.

Su Hansheng accepted it dryly and cautiously said, “Chief Enforcer, I—I think my senior brother might have returned to the academy.”

He meant this as a plea for leniency, hoping Chu Fenghan would consider his senior brother a comrade and be lenient.

Chu Fenghan’s smile grew colder, almost sinister. “Then tell your senior brother to prepare for death.”

With that, he swept his sleeve and left.

Su Hansheng: “…”

Had his senior brother gotten him into trouble too?

Was this punishment misdirected anger, or was the academy rule really that strict?

The commotion drew Yuan Qian and Wu Baili, playing in their own quarters, who came running to see what was going on. Seeing the sealed quarters, they hurried forward.

“What happened? Why did the Disciplinary Hall seal your quarters?”

Su Hansheng mourned, “They say I owe too many points.”

Yuan Qian and Wu Baili exchanged a glance.

Su Hansheng frowned, buckling the bundle around his waist, and grumbled, “You tell me—isn’t the Disciplinary Hall going a bit far? I came to study properly, and now they sealed my room, leaving me homeless. If word gets out, won’t people laugh at our First Academy?”

He had hoped Yuan Qian and Wu Baili would help him vent his anger with some curses.

But surprisingly, Wu Baili nodded. “The academy rules really do have that clause. And Young Master owes a lot. I thought you’d have had your room sealed back in your second year.”

Su Hansheng: “???”

Yuan Qian added, “Yeah, you cause so much trouble that the Disciplinary Hall is doing us all a favor.”

Su Hansheng: “…”

Unwilling to be homeless, Su Hansheng resorted to whining, “I don’t care. You two have to take me in.”

Wu Baili, despite his sharp tongue, wasn’t cruel enough to let Su Hansheng sleep in a tree and was about to agree.

Yuan Qian hesitated. “Our quarters are too small. Two people are already cramped; we probably can’t take you in.”

Wu Baili immediately swallowed the words he was about to say.

Su Hansheng got anxious. “What… how are the quarters too small?”

“I’ll just sleep on the floor!”

Yuan Qian suddenly grinned. “But the World-Honored One’s Buddha Hall is big enough.”

Su Hansheng paused.

He was no fool but had been indifferent to everything. Even in danger, he never imagined anyone would miraculously save him.

Maybe he hadn’t yet accepted that Chongjue possessed him. Since his quarters were sealed, he hadn’t even thought to move to Chongjue’s place, fearing he’d be a burden.

But Yuan Qian’s words suddenly enlightened him.

Living at his future Dao Companion’s place—it was just early preparation for cohabitation.

Su Hansheng’s anger vanished, and he beamed, wrapping his arms around Yuan Qian and Wu Baili.

“Let’s go, let’s go! We’re not meeting every year for drinks; tonight, I’m treating.”

***

Night fell.

Chongjue noticed Su Hansheng climbing the mountain and remembered to light a candle.

The flickering flame cast a warm, jade-like glow on the World-Honored One’s face.

Chongjue prepared pastries and tea, intending to have a serious talk with Su Hansheng—telling him to start working hard to repay his owed points from tomorrow and study diligently in Falling Parasol Lodge.

By the time Su Hansheng graduates next year, the Heaven-Reaching Tower incident should be mostly resolved.

Then they could discuss living arrangements and bring him to Mount Sumeru.

Chongjue had already planned how to handle it and, worried Su Hansheng might get upset, thought up several soothing phrases to try out.

Soon, Su Hansheng hummed a tune and pushed the door open to the Buddha Hall.

Having learned from previous embarrassing mistakes, he first looked around carefully to make sure no one else was there, then cautiously asked Chongjue,

“Is the Buddha Hall empty today?”

Chongjue smiled gently, “No one is here.”

Su Hansheng immediately relaxed and cheerfully ran forward, kneeling before Chongjue, spreading both hands on the floor, and planting a kiss on the World-Honored One’s face.

“It’s only been half a day since we last met, and I already missed you.”

Su Hansheng’s emotions were always fiery and obvious in affection.

Chongjue, reserved by nature, almost couldn’t resist pulling away but stifled the impulse. “Hmm.”

“Hmm? What’s that supposed to mean?” Su Hansheng teased. “Don’t you miss me?”

Chongjue hesitated.

He wasn’t used to such direct displays of affection, much less hearing it openly declared.

Su Hansheng knew his temper and didn’t press further. Instead, he gleefully drew out a bundle from his waist, acting secretive.

“Guess what gift I have for you?”

Chongjue looked at the bundle bearing the Disciplinary Hall’s emblem and furrowed his brow slightly.

“Ha!” Su Hansheng laughed happily all day, not even waiting for Chongjue to guess. He blurted out, “My Falling Parasol Lodge has been sealed. From today on, I’m living with you!”

Chongjue: “…………”

Falling Parasol Lodge… sealed?

That simple sentence burned away all the words Chongjue had prepared, leaving him unable to say a single thing.

He had just wanted Su Hansheng to focus on his studies today, while he dealt with the Heaven-Reaching Tower matter himself. But why had Su Hansheng suddenly moved into the Buddha Hall?

With Su Hansheng right in front of him, would the Heaven-Reaching Tower affair really stay hidden?

Chongjue’s brows lightly furrowed.

He realized he had fallen into a mistake—always instinctively treating Su Hansheng like a child who needed protection, reacting to every hint of danger as if it were a disaster.

Thinking carefully, even if the Heaven-Reaching Tower secret couldn’t be hidden, it probably wouldn’t be a big problem.

He couldn’t let fear stop him from living.

Su Hansheng had been waiting for Chongjue to be happy, but was surprised by his reaction, and that Chongjue had even spaced out right in front of him.

“Chongjue?”

Chongjue snapped back to reality and gave a gentle smile. “Yes, it’s a good thing.”

Su Hansheng fiddled with the bundle at his waist.

The words sounded nice, but his expression was clearly reluctant.

Chongjue spent all day meditating in the Buddha Hall and never even stayed in the rear quarters. What difference did it make if Su Hansheng moved in?

But Su Hansheng knew Chongjue wasn’t the evil one. His emotions had always been restrained, so expecting him to suddenly burst with passion or joy was impossible.

Luckily, Su Hansheng didn’t mind the pain.

Comforting himself, he stepped closer, lifting his hand to casually hook around Chongjue’s neck. His long legs wrapped around Chongjue’s waist, and he sat confidently on his lap.

Chongjue: “……”

Because of the position, Su Hansheng was slightly taller than Chongjue, looking down at the World-Honored One’s cold eyes for once.

Su Hansheng, perhaps a little drunk, had half-closed eyes and lips tinged with a rosy flush, like a seductive ghost, radiating an irresistible allure.

Chongjue suddenly remembered the vision from his spirit sea the previous night.

His pupils flickered, as if afraid even a glance could be lewd, and he instinctively wanted to look away.

But Su Hansheng cupped his chin, raising it slightly, and said, “Don’t move.”

Chongjue swallowed hard, clearly uncomfortable being controlled by a junior, and muttered, “Impertinent.”

Su Hansheng was no longer afraid of Chongjue’s “impertinence.” He leaned forward, his warm lips lightly brushing Chongjue’s cool, thin ones before pulling away, whispering, “Open your mouth, or I’ll bite you so hard you won’t be able to show your face tomorrow.”

Chongjue: “……”

***

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