Baili Shao looked at Mei Chao Bing and harrumphed. "You sure took your sweet time."
Mei Chao Bing nodded, outright admitting his mistake. Even though Yun Bei Fen didn't talk about his Master that often, it was obvious they had a good relationship. If he argued with him now, that would only cause problems. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Elder Baili."
Baili Shao sighed and waved. "Let's not talk about that. Come on in then. Let's go to the study where the brat can't hear us." He turned around and walked into the house, bypassing Yun Bei Fen who was still standing behind the door, staring at it with wide eyes as if he had been trying to make the sounds appear as words in front of him.
Mei Chao Bing looked at the little bunny and couldn't help but reach over while he walked past him and ruffle his hair. "Don't worry about it," he whispered before continuing to follow Baili Chao. He closed the door when he entered into the study and then stood in place, waiting for the Elder's verdict.
Baili Shao sighed and sat down behind his desk, once again waving at Mei Chao Bing. "What are you standing around there, brat? Come over and sit down."
Mei Chao Bing's brows rose but he still went over and sat down as he was told.
Baili Chao looked at him and sighed again. "Since the day that boy entered the sect and saw you, he's been talking about you nonstop. I could try however much I wanted to teach him anything new, as long as it wasn't something that he saw you do, he wouldn't have any interest. Until today, he has only ever taken in spiritual energy, slowly making his way up until the refinement stage. It doesn't help that his comprehension is low. I didn't think he had any chance to advance further in this life. You taking some time and being able to teach him something new really is a good thing. How could I as his Master complain about it?"
Mei Chao Bing didn't know what to say to that. He had no idea how exactly Yun Bei Fen had learned how to cultivate before. He had indeed been a little surprised that there were so many things he couldn't do but then again, Yun Bei Fen was still rather young.
Baili Shao sighed. "Is there nothing you want to say?"
"I do not regret teaching him these things. As long as it can help to make him just a little bit safer while he is in the border region, it is worth it. I'm just sorry for doing so without you being in the know. I should have said something before you left."
Baili Chao gave him a smile. "You're worried about Fen'er. That's good. It makes me a little less worried about the time he'll spend here in the border region. Honestly, even though he's an adult now, he is still a child at heart. It's good if there's somebody paying a little attention to him out there. As for you not telling me that you intended to stay out … That is also my fault. I just throw him to you to get rid of that Yang Wu Huang so if anything, this should be regarded as my fault."
Mei Chao Bing furrowed his brows. He directly ignored the person that had been brought up and focused on the only thing important to himself. A child at heart … "What is Elder Baili trying to say?" This wouldn't be like the last time when he had been told to wait, would it?
Back then, he had understood. Yun Bei Fen had truly been too young to be able to decide on anything. But now, he could already be considered an adult. Even though he was still rather immature because he had spent so much time isolated while cultivating and not really made many experiences, it didn't change the fact that he was actually already an adult. Would he really need to wait even longer? Then how long would that be?
Baili Chao smiled when he saw Mei Chao Bing's expression. Actually, he had been rather surprised that Mei Chao Bing had just given up back then because he told him to. Seeing that he was unwilling to step back once again now, actually made him happy. This person really cared about Yun Bei Fen.
"You don't have to worry. What I said back then, it was because of Yun Bei Fen's age and because what happened with your Master had only just happened. It was a bad situation and I didn't want my disciple to be pulled into that.
"Now, things are different. It has already been several years. Those that still don't except you would probably never do so even if you waited another hundred years. While the others that are a little more open-minded should be able to distinguish between you and your Master by now.
"So … Why should I make things difficult for you? You like Fen'er, Fen'er likes you too. I know for a fact that my disciple would be very happy being with you. As his Master, that is what I want for him. I just want him to be happy. He doesn't need to be a very good cultivator. As long as he is happy and safe, that is already enough for me."
Mei Chao Bing couldn't help but smile at these words. "Fen'er can count himself lucky to have a Master that cares so much for him."
Baili Shao snorted. "Obviously, he can. I really don't know why a brat like you is more of an idol to him than me. Obviously, I'm much better!" He huffed and then waved at Mei Chao Bing. "Go get yourself a room. Since you don't have a Master of your own and your martial brothers aren't here either, you can just stay with us. Fen'er will probably be thrilled if you tell him. Don't leave out that it was my idea though."
Mei Chao Bing got up and cupped his fists, bowing to Baili Chao, his heart filled with bubbly happiness. "I wouldn't dare to. Thank you, Elder Baili. This means a lot to me."
Baili Chao nodded and waved again. When the door closed behind Mei Chao Bing and he heard his disciple's happy laughter from the other side of the door, he couldn't help but sigh. Ah, he really hoped that he wasn't doing anything wrong.
This was certainly what Yun Bei Fen wanted. It was also what the Sect Master expected of him because of the black warrior's prediction. But still, with the demonic sect so close, he couldn't help but wonder if things wouldn't take a turn for the worse. It wasn't that he didn't trust Mei Chao Bing. Actually, he did think that this boy was pretty good. But who knew what trouble would come from outside?
What if things escalated in the future? What if they picked on Yun Bei Fen because of Mei Chao Bing? Targeting the person he loved to pull him to the other side, that wasn't completely impossible. He could only hope that Mei Chao Bing would be strong enough to defend Yun Bei Fen when it came to that point.