Be Gentle, Immortal Master

Bai Ye kept his word. For the rest of the week, I barely stepped into the kitchen at all, and he surprised me every single day with new, impossible relishes.

The pain in me subsided quickly over time, though I wasn't sure if it was a result of his home remedies or his constant presence around me, passing his spiritual power to me every chance he could get. His meticulous care almost alarmed me, and I felt a little too spoiled at times, but I couldn't deny the fact that my heart was bursting with happiness.

I tried not to think about Twin Stars again, and I stopped visiting the library. Maybe ignorance could be a blessing for once—whatever the truth was, I wasn't so eager to learn it anymore. I didn't want to bring any doubts between us, and I trusted that Bai Ye would tell me everything when both of us were ready.

In the blink of an eye, the tournament of swords was only two days away. Following the tradition, every participant needed to report their challenge invitations for lineups, so I was given "permission" to leave my room and visit the main peak. It was an exciting change after the almost two-week confinement, and I arrived at the field to find Xie Lun's group standing in line right before me.

"Yun Qing-er!" Qi Lian exclaimed brightly as usual. "It's been so long since we saw you last. I hope your master hasn't made your lock-up life too difficult."

I almost tripped upon hearing those words. Why did he mention Bai Ye the first thing he saw me? I glanced at Xie Lun, remembering Bai Ye's suspicions from last time, and wondered if Qi Lian had heard some kind of gossip from his senior.

"Use your eyes, Qi Lian," Xie Lun chuckled. "Don't you see how well-rested and radiant she looks? She might've been under confinement, but certainly not lacking provisions."

Qi Lian scratched his head and mumbled, "I … I did notice, but I've been telling her every time I see her that she looks different … I don't want that comment to be taken the wrong way."

Everyone laughed. I let out a short breath, relieved that Qi Lian didn't make his earlier remark out of certain knowledge. Though his response piqued my interest in a different way—I had thought before that his frequent praises on my looks were purely out of politeness, but from what he just said, it seemed like he had meant it. Could this be another effect of Twin Stars on me?

That thought was soon behind me as we continued in casual chatters while waiting. Qi Lian filled me in with the latest rumors of Mount Hua, and I couldn't help laughing at the stories of how eagerly Zhong Yilan's admirers started keeping their distance every time her name was mentioned, as if being associated with her was the most shameful thing ever happened to them. It was hard to believe how flimsy this so-called "love" was between them, and how fast people could change.

The line moved slowly, and by the time it was finally our turn, I had almost forgotten what I came here for. "How many invitations to register?" the disciple working the lineup sheet asked without looking up.

"Just one," I replied, "from Yun—"

"Yun Qing-er." A voice from behind interrupted me. "I would like to make it two, if you don't mind."

The disciple at the register grunted in disapproval, clearly annoyed that I was about to slow down the line. I turned around. It was Wen Shiyin, walking towards me from the back of the line. "I apologize for the last-minute notice," she added. "Would you accept my invitation?"

There were no ill intentions in her tone, though I still felt slightly bothered by the surprise. She was at Xie Lun's experience level, and it was rare for advanced disciples like her to challenge their juniors, especially given that we barely knew each other. What could her reasons be?

"Senior Wen, I—" I was planning to discuss it further, but I paused when I saw the stabbing look from the disciple at the register, his expression screaming "make this quick". I sighed internally and nodded. "Of course. I'd be honored to."

Wen Shiyin lowered her head in a polite thanks. "I appreciate it, and I look forward to seeing you again in two days." With those words, she returned to the end of the line without looking back.

I was speechless. That was it? No explanations, no details? I was still gaping at her disappearing figure when the registering disciple cleared his throat behind me. "Noon at north field and sunset at south field. Now please make room for the next person."

I shook my head as I cleared the buzzing crowd and rejoined Xie Lun's group at the far end of the field. Qi Lian made a face at me. "I knew Senior Wen would challenge you," he said and winked at Xie Lun. "Senior Xie, you lost the bet. Which move will you teach me in return for losing?"

I was caught off guard by the comment, not realizing that they had seen the little incident and, even more so, knew it was going to happen. "How did you know?" I asked. "And why did she?"

Qi Lian only grinned. Xie Lun sighed, "I'm afraid you'll have to consider this my payback, Yun Qing-er. Just like how you dragged me into your feud with Zhong Yilan … I dragged you into mine."

It took me a moment to work out what he was implying. "The rumors are real?" I gasped. "Senior Wen challenged me because … I challenged you?"

The rumor of Xie Lun and Wen Shiyin being lovers in the past was a well-known one at Mount Hua. I had suspected that was why Wen Shiyin helped me when I confronted Zhong Yilan, but to think that she would challenge me at the tournament for the same reason …

Xie Lun nodded sheepishly. "She has already challenged all the junior disciples at our hall. If she can't have the chance to spar with me directly, she'll settle for sparring with those around me … and my opponents as well, which includes you. It might sound strange and hard to understand, but that has always been her way."

Surprisingly, I found that I did understand. If I wasn't allowed to be close to Bai Ye—heaven forbid that it would never happen—I'd probably seek out everyone related to him as well, just to make myself feel that he was still right next to me. I darted a glance towards the line where Wen Shiyin stood. I didn't know the full history between her and Xie Lun, but somehow, I felt a little tinge of compassion for her.

"She helped me that day when I made the scene at Zhong Yilan's hall," I said. "I thought that she had done it because … I thought that she meant well for you." I watched Xie Lun's expression and chose my words carefully.

Xie Lun laughed. "It's alright, Yun Qing-er. She won't deny that she still wants the old days back if you ask her." He gave Qi Lian a hard punch on the shoulder when the latter chuckled. "I don't want to bother you with gossips about our past, but mind you that she's an admirable opponent. Even I can't guarantee to win against her every time. Good luck to you."

He clearly didn't want to linger on the subject, so we changed topics soon afterward. Though I couldn't help but wonder: if Wen Shiyin still held such deep feelings for him, then what was it that had separated them?