Be Gentle, Immortal Master

Xie Lun pulled away before I could say anything in response. "Your progress is impressive, Yun Qing-er." He picked up my swords and handed them back to me. "I look forward to seeing new surprises from you at the tournament—" he bowed to Bai Ye, "—and I'm sure Master Bai Ye will give you great tips on how to best counter my technique."

So that was why Bai Ye wanted the sparring to be under his watch? I glanced at him and sighed inwardly, realizing that I was still too slow at figuring out his thoughts.

Bai Ye remained seated at the tea table. He filled his empty teacup. "Xie Lun, your master should've taught you … that it's not always best to see things too clearly."

Xie Lun laughed and bowed deeper. "I will remember your words of wisdom, Master Bai Ye." Then he nodded to me and made his leave.

I turned to Bai Ye after Xie Lun was out of earshot, confused and curious. "You like speaking in puzzles these days," I said. "What did he see too clearly? And what was that strange talk earlier about the poison?"

Bai Ye's expression turned thoughtful. "I think he might've visited as soon as he recovered, which was the day when we were away."

Dread caught me. "But … you said no one would suspect anything unusual even if they came."

"I did say that. Though, for Xie Lun … Last time at East Village, he might've noticed something as well."

I suddenly remembered Xie Lun's observations of the cabin and the glance he darted at me on our way back from the village. My hands grew cold. "Do you think … he knows about us?"

I wasn't sure what I would do if that was the case. As much as I wished otherwise, I wasn't ready to let out what was between Bai Ye and me. But Bai Ye only raised an eyebrow. "What part about us? He might think it unusual that I'm too overprotective and lenient on you, but to suspect any further, he'll need some imagination. And he made it clear that he had no interest in telling anyone else about it, so there's no need to worry."

I turned the events and Bai Ye's words over in my head. What he said made sense, but why the pensive look if he didn't think Xie Lun could infer the truth?

Bai Ye didn't elaborate further. He stood up and picked up his sword lying by his side. "Xie Lun was right about another thing though—let's revisit your moves."

"Master …" I stood still. I was already reluctant to use Twin Stars, and the thought of Xie Lun discovering our secret was too distracting. I felt languid, and I only wanted the day to be over.

Bai Ye walked towards me. "Qing-er," his voice was calm but cold, "did you forget what you told me, that you wanted to be able to stand by my side and show everyone who we are to each other?" He lifted my chin with the hilt of his sword. The cold metal edge pressed into my skin, cooling my thoughts and forcing me to lock eyes with him. "If you keep letting distractions like this interfere with your progress, then that day will never come, and you'll be buried in such worries and fears forever."

A sharp pang of remorse hit me. I closed my eyes, not daring to look at the disappointment in his gaze. What he said was nothing but the truth—I shouldn't have let myself stray from my path. "I'm sorry, Master," I took a deep breath and stepped back, hands on my swords. "My move first."

My eyes snapped open, and I slashed forward with the same move I used against Xie Lun. Bai Ye blocked. "Hold," he said, and I stilled with our blades locked against each other.

The way he held his sword was the same as Xie Lun's, but the grace and beauty in his posture was something that I could never imagine seeing on anyone else. I reminded myself not to let my mind drift. "What should your next move be," he asked, "now that you know the strength behind Xie Lun's style?"

I considered my options. "A follow-up blow with my other sword?" I offered. "He's fast. I don't have time to recover my poses and land a second strike, unless it's a continuous movement of this one."

Bai Ye didn't imply right or wrong. "Try it," was all he said.

I swung my other sword over from his side and aimed for the opening in his defense. His blade moved, swift and smooth as if weightless, closing the gap and met mine with a clang. An impenetrable block.

"Xie Lun isn't fast," he explained. "He's efficient, meaning that he doesn't move his sword or body a hair more than he needs to. It makes him appear fast, but there is a fundamental difference."

It dawned on me. "Then I should follow with a strike from the other side. A wide move, so that the distance to cover will slow him down." It was the opposite of what I did before. No wonder I lost so fast.

Bai Ye nodded. "Now try again."

I turned and swooshed my blades around, cutting from behind him. He swirled to parry, and I attacked again from below. Our blades danced, an intricate weaving of white and purple light, and the flutter of his sleeves whispered softly under the ringing of the metal. We had never sparred like this before, and even though he was using the same techniques as Xie Lun, this felt completely different. It was beautiful, surreal.

I told myself to focus, to not be distracted by such a blissful feeling. But focused as I was, I couldn't dream of winning against Bai Ye. One last strike, and he ended it with the same move Xie Lun used before, his sword pressed over my shoulder. I found myself staring right into his beautiful, dark pupils.

Was Xie Lun this close to me earlier?

"You lasted twice as long this time," Bai Ye smiled. "Wonderful job."

His breath was warm on my cheeks, and it took every bit of my will to hold back from kissing him.