Ling Xia immediately drowned in embarrassment. It didn’t matter if this sorry figure of his was seen by other people, but being discovered by Yu ZhiJue or Song XiaoHu was appalling on a whole other level. He was their big brother, and this made him appear way too useless… With great difficulty, he hurriedly pulled over the thin quilt to cover himself, his cheeks slightly burning with shame as he muttered, “It’s because I broke a sect rule… These wounds only look scary, it doesn’t hurt at all.”
Ever since he was injured, he had continuously lied on his stomach these days, and his voice was still dry and rough. Right now, his neck was also sore from having to raise his head for an extended period of time, and he couldn’t help but let it drop back down.
Hearing Ling Xia say such words, Yu ZhiJue felt his heart clench, becoming even angrier yet not knowing how to vent this surge of enmity that threatened to overflow. He took in a deep breath and obstinately pulled off that thin quilt, setting it to the side.
Ling Xia’s legs were long and thin, and Yu ZhiJue uncomfortably shifted his gaze upwards. His buttocks and a small portion of his thighs were still immensely swollen, the purple bruises even more sinister and frightening when contrasted with the fair and smooth skin below. There were still residue bloodstains, and one could imagine just how tragic it used to be.
“It’s already been five days. I was wondering why you didn’t come visit me, and then this ends up being the first thing I see when I arrive.” Yu ZhiJue’s tried to maintain his calm as much as possible, but he couldn’t hold back the wrath in his voice as he demanded, “Who exactly did this? I’ll go interrogate the one managing this place!”
Those last few words were filled with traces of a potent fury that unexpectedly made Ling Xia twitch in fright. He hastily struggled to get up and tugged on a corner of Yu ZhiJue's clothes, urging, ''Ah'Jue, don't go!''
Yu ZhiJue was afraid of Ling Xia tearing open his wounds, so he could only stop moving and stand still. Only after erasing the ruthless expression on his face did he turn back around and say, ''Forget it, i'll apply medicine for you first.''
As he talked, he removed the storage bag from his waist, took out a small jade bottle, and smeared some white ointment on his fingertip, poised to spread it on Ling Xia's wounds. This storage bag and bottle were both recently given, and the medicine inside was the best is ShaoYang Sect.
Ling Xia swiftly dodge and insisted, ''I'll do it myself.'' His wounds were truly located in too awkward of a location, and even if it's someone very close to him, it's still too humiliating.
Yu ZhiJue was also somewhat flustered. Except, when he saw Ling Xia moving with terrible difficulty, he could no longer resist pressing the other’s arm aside and taking over the task. His movements were very light and focused, and with some embarrassment, Ling Xia bit his lips and didn’t make a sound. That ointment was very refreshing, and the places it touched felt extremely good.
Fuck! How shameful! Besides his old man and his mom, it’s been ten some years since anyone had seen his butt. Great, now it’s been displayed in front of so many people… ...
When Yu ZhiJue finished applying the ointment, for the sake of getting rid of the awkward atmosphere, Ling Xia searched for a conversation topic as fast as he could and asked, “What about XiaoHu? You must both be very busy, right?”
“He doesn’t have free time,” Yu ZhiJue answered, not wanting to reveal that he had stealthily sneaked out. New disciples like him were incredibly busy these days, as Feng ShuMing was exceedingly strict, requesting them to memorize three fundamental cultivation books within ten days. In addition to that, they had to write a reflection essay with their thoughts. Song XiaoHu didn’t now how to read a single word, but luckily for him, that Feng Luo was helping him with memorizing. And due to an odd feeling, Yu ZhiJue didn’t want to come here with Song XiaoHu, nor did he expect to see Ling Xia in such a tragic state…
Ling Xia coughed, then continued, “How have you been these days? No one bullied you, right? Those people from YunXiao City…did they leave?”
Yu ZhiJue gave him a glance; this person was already injured to this extent, why was he still so chatty and inquisitive? He nodded his head and replied, “I didn’t see that crazy woman these few days, so they should have left. And I’m not like you, I wouldn’t be bullied so easily by others!”
That last declaration finally contained a bit of his usual arrogant manner, and Ling Xia abruptly smiled. After not seeing this kid for a few days, Ling Xia originally thought that he had matured quite a lot, but after a few words, it’s obvious that he still hasn’t grown up.
The two of them chatted for some time, and as the medicine gradually took effect, Ling Xia became woozy and soon fell asleep again. Yu ZhiJue helped cover him up, and in a flash, the expression on his face changed as he walked without the slightest hesitation towards Immortal Welcoming Pavilion’s main hall.
Guang XuZi had already heard from the gatekeeping disciples that a direct disciple of the sect master came over. Furthermore, it was actually to find Ling Xia, which instantly led to him frantically pace around in circles. Who knew that that poor-looking lad had this kind of backer? A backer whose position was above Xu Yan’s!
His Immortal Welcoming Pavilion had the lowest status in ShaoYang Sect, so he couldn’t afford to offend any of these bigwigs! He silently cried injustice in his heart. If he had known earlier, he definitely wouldn’t have been so heavy handed, but now, he can only think of a way to push the responsibility elsewhere… …
At this moment, a sound came from the direction of the door, and a youngster wearing all black ambled inside at a unhurried pace, looking as if he was surveying the decorations in the hall. Seeing Yu ZhiJue’s age, Guang XuZi was faintly put at ease, thinking that this ignorant child would be easy to deceive. He swiftly plastered on a huge smile, walked forward, and greeted, “I‘ve long heard that the sect master took in a few young talents with outstanding aptitudes, and only in seeing Senior brother Yu today, have I come to realize that the rumors are indeed true! As expected of a promising genius! ... …”
All of Yu ZhiJue’s goosebumps popped up from hearing the other’s flattery, and he coldly interrupted, “Today, I came to find Manager Guang because I have a matter I wish to inquire about. My elder brother Ling Xia was fortunate to be assigned under your noble care, and not knowing where he resides, I was wondering if you could permit us to meet?”
“This…” Guang XuZi knew that Yu ZhiJue had just come from visiting Ling Xia, and deducing that the boy was being contrary on purpose, immediately stammered, “A few days ago, your elder brother was…reported by the other disciples to have violated the sect rules, requiring a punishment of thirty strokes… Ah, but this humble one took into consideration that it was his first offense, and therefore reduced it by half.”
Suddenly, Yu ZhiJue smiled, a pair of ink black eyes staring directly at Guang XuZi as he followed up and inquired, “I don’t know which sect rule our elder brother violated? If possible, could Manager Guang please enlighten me? Moreover, he’s actually sleeping in the firewood shed, which is quite strange. After I go back and report to Master, I’ll ask if Immortal Welcoming Pavilion is truly destitute to the point of having no empty rooms.”
That patch of Evening Mist Herbs only required watering twice a month, but every time, it needed ten people to work together, plus, the rear court still had four or five empty rooms, and the punishment for secretly stealing food was merely a three day ban on meals… So at present, being stared down viciously by Yu ZhiJue, Guang XuZi turned into a stuttering and mumbling mess, unable defend himself in the slightest as cold sweat fervently rolling down his head and back.
Yu ZhiJue had already guessed that Ling Xia was being bullied here. He had grown up on Holy Maiden Peak from a young age, and had already seen plenty of the types of shady businesses done in these orthodox sects. Right then and there, a triangular icicle gradually started to form in his hand, and in a voice that contained traces of malice, he stated, “Yesterday, Master taught me how to change the water elementals in my body into ice. Take a look Manager Guang, am I doing it correctly? Here, you are my elder, while I am a newcomer fresh off the boat, and still require much guidance.”
That icicle was extremely sharp, and under the sunlight, it reflected beautiful, fragmented rays of color, making Yu ZhiJue’s hand seem all the more petite and attractive, his fingernails gleaming like jade.
Even so, Guang XuZi felt his blood run cold for an unknown reason, and involuntarily retreating two steps, he babbled, “Senior brother Yu, you, you’re doing it very well… …Yes, your elder brother is currently heavily wounded and weak, this, this humble one will let the other disciples properly look after him without fail. There is actually a quiet room in the rear court, so I’ll get people thoroughly clean it up straightaway and let your elder brother move in!”
“Then I’ll have to trouble Manager Guang,” Yu ZhiJue remarked, curving his eyes as he carelessly twirled the icicle around and waved it under the sun, the very picture of childlike innocence. The mole at the corner of his eye shimmered, scarlet as blood.
Guang XuZi held his breath and gave a salute, then hurried out the door to deal with this matter, panicked to the point of staggering and almost falling down. Based on his intuition, he knew that even though Yu ZhiJue was young, he was much, much more terrifying than that Xu Yan… …
Therefore, when Ling Xia woke up again, he thought he was still dreaming. The room he was in was neat and clean, contained all the necessary furniture, and with the early morning sun shining through the curtains, it appeared peaceful and warm. Yu ZhiJue was currently curled up and sleeping next to him. The two of them were very close, and he could almost feel the young boy’s soft breaths brushing across his face.
Ling Xia crawled up to a half kneeling position and shook out his limbs, only now discovering that his body’s condition had gotten a lot better. Those wounds of his also no longer hurt.
He couldn’t help but stare at Yu ZhiJue, becoming lost in thought. Yu ZhiJue’s eyes were tightly closed, and the bags under them seemed a bit dark… Was this kid having a hard time cultivating? …
As if noticing his gaze, the boy's lashes trembled a few times before his eyes slowly opened, pure and clear and bright. Ling Xia impulsively reached out and rubbed his hair, asking on a hunch, ''Did you say something to that Guang XuZi? How come i'm here?''
Yu ZhiJue instantly leapt off the bed, straightened his hair, and after giving Ling Xia a once-over, walked to the door as he insisted, ''He found his conscience all on his own! I need to hurry and return.''
Ling Xia knew that the other didn't want to admit to this, so he just gave him a smile and replied, ''Then you must be careful, and don't work too hard... Once my wounds heal, i'll go visit you, and also XiaoHu.'' He still remembered what Yu ZhiJue had said, that he didn't go see them for five whole days.
Yu ZhiJue's back imperceptibly stiffened, and after a stretch of silence, gave a hmph and left through the door.
After Ling Xia was completely healed, Guang XuZi’s attitude towards him basically did to a complete 180 reversal, only assigning him the most frivolous of tasks and even asking after his well being now and then. Not only was Ling Xia unaccustomed to this treatment, the way the other disciples looked at him also carried varying degrees of envy.
Ling Xia didn’t know what to say. Only a few manager-level disciples with relatively high statuses and seniority were qualified to have their own private room, so him, as a brand new disciple, staying in a single room inevitably seemed bizarre. But the things he needed to do from now on would be inconvenient if he stayed with someone else, thus Ling Xia had no alternative but to shoulder those peculiar gazes and continue living there.
In the days while he recuperated, he had thoroughly thought things through. He must become strong! There’s no way that he could keep relying on two younger kids, you know? Otherwise, he wouldn’t have the face to continue being their older brother!
Ling Xia suddenly thought of the small animal he met on the mountain when he was secretly roasting fish. Fuck, how did he forget the fortuitous encounter Song XiaoHu had here?
That small animal was absolutely not a common wild beast, but rather a level-7 magical beast, a Snow Flamma! A sage of ShaoYang Sect lived in declusion in one of the valleys near Immortal Welcoming Pavilion, and due to liking Song XiaoHu's straightforwardness and naivete, gave him a few cultivation methods and pointers. Of course, Song XiaoHu was not here at present, so naturally, it was no longer possible for this part of the plot to happen.
In the novel, Song XiaoHu essentially treted the Snow Flamma like a stray cat, chasing after it and the fish it stole, which led him to meeting that sage. Although this elder had a lazy disposition and didn't take Song XiaoHu as his disciple, later even fussing about him being too troublesome and moving away, and despite being just a passerby that didn't appear in the novel again, he was still considered the protagonist's very first teacher!
One should know, the first step of the protagonist’s growth started here!
Ling Xia inwardly cried tears of joy. Being arranged here by fate, could this all be for the sake of getting him to patch up the plot?
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