"So, where is the traitor?" Wu Huan uttered.
Lord Qi Tao sighed loudly, "We sent him to court waiting for judgment after all the sect leaders and Lord Guo arrived."
"Uncle, please let us be the witnesses. We were attacked at the bamboo forest just around the time the fire had happened."
"You two were attacked?" He sighed once again. "We must have dragged you into this. They won't leave you alone once they have targeted you. Hua'er and Huan'er..."
"Yes, Lord Qi?"
"The Mo city would like to ask for a favor. Would you two help catching us this group of bandit?"
Shi Lihua didn't need to think, "Uncle Tao, there is no need to ask for a favor. We also feel responsible for what happened and for not being able to protect your family."
"Yes, Lord Qi. Please rest assured for now."
Qi Tao nodded, smiling, "Two days from now, Sect Leader Shi will be here. I suggest you rest until after the conference. We are also questioning the spy. He will eventually slip out some information by then."
—
"What a tiring day," Wu Huan groaned as he took off his coat. He noticed Shi Lihua glaring but his thin face could only thicken further as he walked around pretending to check out the room.
"Tiring because you were dragging me to get stitched or because you have to convince me to share this room with you?"
The other froze. Then he stretched his nose because it was true. Actually, dealing with and earning trust from Shi Lihua was more difficult than living with his uncle.
[Maybe because he just got stitched, he's more sarcastic than usual? Am I going to sleep on the floor again?]
"If you want to sleep in a warm bed, go to the next room."
"Shixiong," he had reduced himself to the shidi-pleading tactic.
Of course, it didn't work. Nothing ever worked.
"Why do you want to sleep with me so much? Are you a pervert? Do you watch me in my sleep?"
Wu Huan turned visibly pale when he saw Tain Jian being pulled out of its sabbath. "I-It's not what you think. Calm down..."
Phoenix eyes narrowed, "Then what? Don't tell me you are sexually-"
"No!!" He cried, slapping his face embarrassed.
"I haven't finished talking-"
"You don't have to! I know what you're going to say. I just don't want to be alone. I just want to grow closer to you. It's so ridiculous but you know that I..."
Shi Lihua sighed, finally putting his sword away. "That you like me?"
"..."
Somehow Shi Lihua might not have taken it seriously or else he wouldn't have been so leisure. He turned to walk to the bed, took off his cloak then his boots and socks. "What is this? Do you like men? And not anyone else but me? Why do you like me? What is it? My body? My face? Even my personality?" He proceeded to take off his sash belt then pulled out of his outer robe.
"Wait, you're asking too many questions." Wu Huan felt in his guts that he should be looking away anytime soon. Despite the warning of his subconscious, his eyes favored the decision of the consciousness.
Finally, Shi Lihua looked up straight at him. Stripping off his inner rope, he stepped out of it closer and closer to the other body. "You like this?"
...
Knock Knock
"Wu Huan!"
[Shixiong?]
He looked away from the naked body but when he turned back, the scene around him drifted off into smoke. He actually felt sad.
His dream has ended. He couldn't feel the desire to look at the real Shi Lihua anytime soon anymore. There was something scary about looking at that man after such a dream.
"Wu Huan, you're dead if you don't open the door."
"Yes, shixiong?"He darted his gaze to the other's boots after opening the door.
Shi Lihua noticed his weird facial expression but he still reprimanded anyway, "All the sect leaders are coming. It's been two days already, maybe you have grown lazy after sleeping in so much."
"I see..."Wu Huan rubbed his neck. "I'll get ready then."
Creak
It bothered Shi Lihua for some reason so today, he decided to wait outside for the little shidi. Cladding in his cloak, Wu Huan emerged back from the door. He seemed surprised but he didn't comment.
They met Sect leader Shi after arriving at the court.
"Hua'er," the friendly Sect leader patted his son's shoulder. It was clear that he was tired but nonetheless, he also made the effort to ask how they were doing.
Suddenly, someone stepped into the courtroom. Wu Huan was just feeling somewhat thankful that the particular person wasn't here yet and that he would be able to get away before the conference started.
[Nothing worked out lately.]
"It's Duan Jing," Sect leader Shi perked up. "Huan'er, you must have been missing your uncle."
"Y-yes."
The man had a much larger build than most of the officials here. After all, his nickname was Daun Jing the humble sky of the north, the leader of the most powerful Sect with ancestry unparalleled to any other sects. The middle-aged man had already reached the late stage of Nascent Soul despite being the youngest sect leader.
Duan Jing noticed Wu Huan right away. He didn't smile nor frown. He only came in to greet Sect leader Shi who was the closest. "Sect leader Shi," he cupped his hands.
"It's been a while since the last conference. Taohua Sect will thank you again for sending the supplies."
"It's only suitable that Sect leader accepted my nephew as one of your disciples. It was only a small gift for such a big favor. Please continue to take care of Wu Huan."
The said nephew could only find ways to hide behind his shixiong. The room felt too stuffy with Duan Jing's presence. After all the formalities, the two leaders left to greet others. Shi Lihua followed suit.
"Wait, shixiong."
"What is it?" The other person frowned.
"Can we wait outside?"
"Why?"
"I just..."
"You can wait outside. This is important. There's no time to play around."
Wu Huan found a tree in the front yard to prop by. There were still many disciples outside who came accompanying their sect leaders and elders. Wu Huan wondered why their master wasn't here. Resting his eyes, he hugged his arms under the shade.
"Let me guess, your shixiong chased you out?" It was the voice of a young man. Quite sarcastic as well.
Wu Huan looked left, mildly surprised, "Who are you?"
The good looking man smiled, "Your senior brother in law."