At dusk, the merchants stopped by a hotel. The lively street provided insight to local life, with people walking to and fro, hurrying to their next task.
In his room, Jiang Yinghe rifled through his personal dimension again, in search of something that might help Jun-er. He was still unable to find anything.
The rooms had been arranged by Huanhan. He did not hide his blood-red eyes, attracted the interest of the receptionist and the bellhop. But his cold demeanor kept them at a distance.
Trying to relax, Jiang Yinghe flipped half-heartedly through a book heâd bought in the mortal realm. Heâd opened it on a whim, but his interest was piqued after discovering that it had illustrations.
The gentle moonlight slipped through the window as the candlelight softly flickered.
There was a knock at the door.
Jiang Yinghe didnât look up as he flipped a page. âHuanhan?â
Walking in, the other made a sound of acknowledgement. He stoked the fire, then closed half the window.
The night wind was slightly chilly, but it did not pose a problem to cultivators. Jiang Yinghe reluctantly looked up from his storybook to see Li Huanhan pouring him a cup of tea.
The clear sound of pouring water sounded, a layer of foam forming in the cup. Li Huanhanâs brows knitted and his movement slowed. âUsing ordinary water to brew the Blessed Jade Dew is a waste of tea leaves.â
Jiang Yinghe didnât mind and took the cup from his hands with practised motions. He took a sip. âWe have no shortage of it.â
Li Huanhan didnât refute his words and just gazed quietly at him. He hesitated but asked, âWhat did Shizun and Qin-shidi talk about on the way here?â
His question reminded Jiang Yinghe of the load of bull heâd heard about his first disciple not being able to âobtain the one he desiredâ. In Jiang Yingheâs eyes, no one could possibly reject a person as gentle and considerate as his Huanhan. That phrase was more likely to apply to the other party.
The cup was placed on the table. Jiang Yinghe looked at him and replied, âI asked him if there were any women he was interested in.â
Li Huanhan startled slightly as Jiang Yinghe continued.
âI donât have to tell you what your Shidi is like. What about you?â Jiang Yinghe couldnât help but sigh. âA few days ago at Lan Ruo temple, while telling your fortunes, Abbot Chan Qing mentioned that all three of you would face romantic struggles.â
He stiffened his expression after saying so much. âHuaihan, are you also secretly in love? Even rabbits know better than to eat the grass beside their burrows, but all of you insist on looking for someone in the sect.â
Jiang Yinghe was just thinking that his words had been too harsh when Huanhan spoke up in a voice filled with warmth.
âI do have someone I admire.â
âŚHe actually admitted it. Am I too nice? Theyâre not even struggling anymoreâŚ.
Jiang Yinghe took a deep breath and drank some tea to moisten his throat. He hadnât finished when the other continued.
âItâs not a woman.â
!
That mouthful of tea went down the wrong hole. Jiang Yinghe was sent into a coughing fit by that shocking revelation. His mind was in complete chaos.
The progress bar on the top right actually moved forward a bit and dinged like a notification! It even turned pink! WTF System do you want me to micromanage the love life of my disciples?!
After he managed to recover, he looked at Li Huanhan with complicated eyes. The other person remained stoic while wiping the spilled tea from his hands.
No wonder he couldnât get the one he desired. You canât change if someone is straight or bent. Jiang Yinghe sighed deeply while looking at him. âIf you canât pursue them then it might be better to give up.â
A loving and caring father like him actually encountered the storm that was his second disciple having an underground romance and his first disciple being bent. Life truly is a series of highs and low low low lows.
Li Huanhan did not reply at first, content to carefully dry his fingers.
His hand was as white as frost and proportionate as well. The wrist was delicate and the fingertips shapely. Illuminated in the intersection between moonlight and candlelight, it gave off a feeling not unlike jade.
Li Huanhan used the white handkerchief in his hand to slowly wipe the residual tea from the back of Jiang Yingheâs hands.
It was quite a while before Jiang Yinghe heard his first disciple speak.
âI canât give up,â He said, âbecause heâs the only one for me.â
Li Huanhan raised his head to glance at him with those blood-red eyes. His hand was still held in his.
The emotion in his eyes was hard to describe. Even if Jiang Yinghe didnât have any experience, he could guess that his eldest disciple was truly in love. He had never seen the other like this before.
Although Huanhan has always been kind and considerate, he was rarely as fragile as he was nowâ as if even a gentle wind could carry away his words.
Jiang Yinghe had lost count of how many times he sighed. He withdrew his hand and looked out the half closed window at the crowds below. The scent of worldly affairs seemed to drift about.
But the place he was seated was silent, touched only by the moonlight and the otherâs close breath.
âThis road will not be an easy one to walk.â Jiang Yinghe said. âThink it through. Relationships can be very difficult.â
Li Huanhan stared at his profile, watching as the wind teased his ink black hair, blowing it past his ear.
âThis disciple has already given it sufficient thought.â His voice was barely a whisper. âI am not afraid of being in a relationship. My only fear is that he will be unable to accept my feelings and distances himself from me.â
Jiang Yingheâs heart hurt just listening to him. He glanced at the brothel not far across the street from their hotel. He considered taking his disciples there to broaden their worldview. Theyâd been raised in the secluded environment of Qing Jing peak, so they were all too eager to give their heart away.
As Jiang Yingheâs thoughts veered further off track, the bright moon in the sky was obscured by dark clouds. The once bustling and peaceful âZhanyu Buildingâ was suddenly surrounded by a dark red energy. The faint scent of blood permeated the air.
It was demonic energy.
Jiang Yinghe stood abruptly and said as he strode away, âIâll go take a look, you guys stay here.â
âShizun.â Li Huanhan said, âWe should all go instead of relying on our elders. AlsoâŚ..â
He paused and glanced over Jiang Yingheâs body. ââŚ..Would cultivators go to a brothel?â
Jiang Yinghe looked down to see his light green robes that would be too eye-catching. Huanhan was right.
He hesitated before taking out a more common outfit from his personal dimension. âThe demonic energy is very dense, and itâs likely that weâll encounter an enemy of a high level. I may not be able to protect you during the conflict.â
His wrist was then captured. He heard his disciple speak in a natural tone.
âThe clothing of commoners is difficult to fasten, allow me to help.â
Jiang Yinghe momentarily felt as though he was a princess who just woke up on a luxurious bed. The kind of princess that didnât even know how to dress themselves. He was just about to refuse when Li Huanhan circled his waist and tightened his belt until the outline of his waist was visible.
He could hear the strong and violent heartbeat coming out of the otherâs chest.
And a note of some feeling being ruthlessly repressed.
âDonât move, Shizun.â
His hands buttoned up the multitude of buttons on the outer vest, brushing out the wrinkles as he worked.
The two were too close right now. Jiang Yinghe didnât realise how tall his disciple had become.
The disciple he raised already knew how to love and when to retreat. There was an endless kindness in his heart.
Authorâs Corner
That endless kindness is only for you.
Once he gives his heart out, only death will be able to stop him.
âŚAuthor please donât scare me. Whose death are you talking about. Also Li Huanhan is so mature! Look at how well he takes care of his Shizun! The perfect husband~