When the exit of An Xing opened, whether by chance or not a scroll delivered via pigeon arrived at Wang Minglan's side right before they left. No one knew what was in it, but after reading the note their master's jaw clenched and he burned the letter into unrecoverable ashes. Without waiting their master took out the carriages and had them board without letting them rest. Exiting the golden city in the gloomy air without allowing them to even say goodbye to the Zenith star sect. When Wang Minglan went to board the same carriage Wang Lan Biyu and Ling Da Chuanli used, he visibly trembled when he took the first step inside. As the smell of tea leaves, morning dew incense wafted throughout the carriage. This time, not only did Da Chuanli see it but the rest of his disciples as well, compelling the depressing and tense aura surrounding them to double.
Ling Da Chuanli witnessing his master entering the shared living courters and stopping in the middle wordless went around his master towards his room with a salute. "This disciple will turn in first." Leaving without peeking at his master's face and shutting the door considerately behind him. Turning around he accesses the familiar room with nothing but a table and tea mat, large bookshelves lining the walls. It was a simple abode, but seeing the half-opened window where he could sometimes hear the faint sound of Wang Lan Biyu's guqin. He latched the window closed firmly with a blank expression and took out the book he hadn't finished reading when they arrived.
Only to recall that he hadn't sorted his spacial ring in awhile, so, with a tranquil vibe the young disciple counted his rewards to himself setting aside his books. Keeping his mind blank, and his expression the same. The living must think of the future, not the dead. The living mustn't let the past haunt them in the present. Palm touching warm jade Da Chuanli tensed up completely frozen in place after spotting the familiar ornament lying in his hand. Subtly feeling a ripple in his chest Da Chuanli's brows furrow faintly as a *Snap! fills the silence. Shimmering red dust fell through his fingertips as well as the dispersing spell, past the curtain of red dust one could see the teen's bland expression after destroying the priceless qilin heart.
White wisps of frigid smoke frame his face before also fading away, unable to hold its shape longer than a second. Taking with it, the warmth of his fingers...
________________________________An Xing Rebellion Year Five________________________________
There were many changes to the sect after they returned while donning white robes. The days traveling pass in a silent blur and the days after returning are much the same. Young and old awaited them at the gates, expressing excitement and yearning. Only to find a white parade instead of the vibrancy they had initially expected filling them with dread. When counting the heads of the students and elders the sect fell into disbelief seeing one talented face missing from amidst the group. Da Chuanli had grown numb to the wails of girls after hearing of Wang Lan Biyu's demise. Their cries shook the mountains, the loudest Rui Shi. The elders paled when peeking at his master's shaking pupils but stony outer appearance. Fuqing stumbled almost collapsing to the ground with a white face.
Contrary to everyone's expectations, Qing Mianyang didn't go to his side and stood sobbing quietly in the middle of her worried group of companions she hadn't seen in weeks. Da Chuanli watched in a faint daze as white ribbons decorated the sect halls he used to cross daily accompanied with the laughter of other disciples throughout the halls in the past. Watching with the eyes of a passerby as his master dutifully planned her funeral. Seeing him clutching that same silk handkerchief reluctant to let go of it before placing it down into the silver coffin with shaking hands under the eyes of hundreds of Azure disciples.
He watched as others came and went softly offering his master their condolences before placing white flowers in the casket. His own hand carrying a white rose, the same as his master. Other than himself, no one else possessed the rose which his master watched with eagle-like eyes as he placed right beside their own. His own gaze never allowed to rest on the handkerchief hiding a pale treasure in the middle of dozens of white flowers. Observing calmly as the elders treated his master who was grieving with the greatest care as if tiptoeing around a tether-hooked beast whose chain had gone loose. And listening without expressing much opinion as the girls argued with Qing Mianyang taking the brunt of their abuse in silence refusing to let her near the coffin to place that lily flower.
Her face sported a fire-red palm mark and her hair and clothes were in disarray before being whisked away by Gu Ping who couldn't stand to see injustice be dealt in front of his very eyes. "In this time of grieving, you dare cause trouble?! Is this what Master would wish to see during this sensitive time?!" His actions were supported by Gao Chang who reprimanded the furious and disgruntled children, as he was the only one who could with Da Chuanli and their master uncaring of the courtyard affairs. The group of children spilt apart in a matter of days without the mediator called Wang Lan Biyu. For some reason, the months afterward appeared dreary and murky without the liveliness they had before. It should have been a time of joy and youthful inspiration with the success of their return but it was overshadowed by the death of one girl.
On the first day of the second month, almost a full five years since that haunting event. A young man sat in his unchanging simple abode alone once more with a brush in hand. His hands long and calloused from sword practice elegantly moved across the rich parchment without stumbling. His appearance at first glance like a scholar, but upon closer inspection the strength beneath those seemingly gentle hands was not that of a scholar but a serious cultivator. His letters were bold and sophisticated "Senior brother, this junior came to ask for advice on their cultivation on behalf of the others." Da Chuanli who had been practicing his calligraphy pauses mid-sentence to look up at Gao Chang who seemed to have grown weary yet taller once more in the last few months. The handsome youth's hair had grown longer, his sleeves and hair tied up with grey ribbons. His robes which should have carried a sect light blue were only pure white without intricate embroidery.
His sharp features matured into finery expected of a noble from an adequate household. His eyes are intelligent and sophisticated beyond his years like liquid gold. As if changing with his attitude, honey became noble aurelian, making the young master seem even more outstanding in comparison to the rest. "Advice? Is there such a need? Master provided you all with proper books did he not?" Gao Chang who had cut his hair short unlike his senior brother due to the inconvenience didn't take offence and patiently corrected Da Chuanli. "Senior brother is talented in comparison with the rest of us who need a proper teacher to show us how to cultivate the right path. Mere books are hardly enough for average talents who cannot live up to you and master's genius."
The young man wore a seemingly enlightened expression "Is that so?" His lips curl up into a genial expression completely different from the coldness of the previous years mimicking a more mature version of his younger self. Gao Chang showed no change in countenance despite the other's seemingly good-natured aura. To him, this smile was more unnerving than previous. That time just after Wang Lan Biyu's death seemed to be an incubation period for this deadly eagle to soar from its corrupted egg. He didn't even feign warmth anymore, just smiling for the sake of it. However, the gold in his eyes was as attractive as before.
"Then since you all require a helping hand, in Master's stead I suppose I should help as your senior brother." "Many thanks, senior brother." Da Chuanli chuckles genially "No need for thanks, as your senior it's only right I do such a simple thing. Does junior brother also need help with his cultivation?" Asking out of mere courtesy, he glances down at the head of the boy still not daring to meet his indifferent gaze. "There's no need." Lip curling higher Da Chuanli leisurely walks past the boy's bowed head commenting humorously. "You should take advantage of when I am being generous, Gao Chang. Once I leave on my travels I will not be able to give you any more advice in person until I return to the sect a year or so later."
"...Then junior brother will thank senior brother once more in advance for his generosity in guiding his ignorant self." Gao Chang reminded himself to buy more ointment for the next few days in advance for the beating he would surely have to endure. In the training courtyard, a line of their master's students stood solemnly in wait for their arrival. Gao Chang went to the side as Da Chuanli proceeded up to each of them questioning them on their cultivation path and rank. He didn't need to take part as the person who spent the most time with their senior brother, there was no doubt their senior brother knew Gao Chang's progress.
"You have so much potential yet your heart is full of malice, instead of practicing with your sword you should go into seclusion to temper your spirit." Gao Chang narrows his eyes at Chun Hua who took a deep breath after being called out and exposed by their all-knowing senior brother. She glances over at the subdued Qing Mianyang dressed in the same mourning white as the rest robotically answering Da Chuanli with two words. "I understand." When Da Chuanli comes across Qing Mianyang, he doesn't take into mind her flinch and instead comments faintly as if it were nothing. "You have been performing harder than the rest, but your stunted growth isn't due to lack of passion. Work at a steady and healthy pace to match your inborn talent and you won't be hopeless yet."
Seeing she received no reprimand nor hatred as she expected from him, the girl's eyes and nose grew red. Out came a nasally "Mmn, thanking senior brother for his guidance." Perhaps for her, what she needed most wasn't comfort nor harsh criticism but just normalcy. These past years she had reflected on her behavior more and with the help of Gu Ping tried to change her bad habits. To not shame the person who had given their life so that she could live hers. As Da Chuanli was about to walk away he slowed down to say coldly to the other. "Don't slacken your efforts and smear master's trust."
Having the same attitude towards the others and giving examples of each technique they absorbed slowly without daring to blink. Only when the sun began to set did Da Chuanli dismiss them, following close behind him as he retreated was Gao Chang who gave them all pointed looks before leaving. "Is senior brother running low on cedar incense lately? According to the others, a peddler arrived not too long ago carrying high-quality incense of both cedar and lilac mix hardly seen so far out from the capital." He had reserved a few boxes in case Da Chuanli held an interest and sure enough, the young man nodded his head. "Then bring them in and place them in the usual place."
"On second thought," Da Chuanli just recalled something and changed his orders rather suddenly much to Gao Chang's bafflement. "Set the lilac in the far corner out of sight." Although confused Gao Chang didn't question him giving his assent before Da Chuanli entered the inner yard where Gao Chang without purpose no longer found a need to enter empty-handed as he was. When he arrived with the boxes of incense and saw bodyguards with purple sashes only then did he understand. Walking past the two intimidating men he ignored them and entered the outer room. Announcing his presence to the people inside his senior brother's room conversing.
"Senior brother I'm here to deliver the package." "Enter." Gao Chang using one hand opened the door and spotted a person he had grown a bit familiar with now. "Senior brother, senior Jiang." He received acknowledgment before being ignored as the two went back to their topic of conversation. Jiang Tengyi was the direct disciple of King Feng. As per his master's request, he visited Ling Da Chuanli every month so they could become familiar with one another. Wang Minglan didn't seem to agree or disagree so they took it as consent towards this friendship. Unlike his master Jiang Tengyi wore a serious face all day and spoke in a neutral tone no matter the topic of conversation.
With round eyes and angled eyebrows, the serious young man was a sharp contrast to their noble-looking young master who wore a fake smile all day. But contrary to looks and personalities they got along well. At least, they both loved talking about nonsensical things which had nothing to do with cultivation. "-fear that they will let themselves be led astray due to Zheng He's leadership. Master disagrees and says that the boy will learn and mature as they age but it's already been quite awhile and he is as irresponsible as before." Unlike what Feng Shuchang said, surprisingly when Jiang Tengyi opened up he spoke quite a lot.
Da Chuanli hearing his friend's complaints was amused into a smile "Rightly so you are to be concerned. Is it not your sect's teachings to have a stable temperament? Perhaps your master has faith in you to rein in your junior brothers and restrain them while your junior brother's role is to lighten their spirits." Jiang Tengyi frowns "They only listen partially before doing differently behind my back. Panxin is the only junior who does his best to listen to the master and my warnings." Da Chuanli chuckles at his troubles pushing forward the plate of snacks to soothe his friend's wounds.
"Is it not a good thing to have such lively juniors?" Jiang Tengyi sighed under his breath out of frustration and took his offering casually. "It becomes tiring after so many years of the same thing." Out of the corner of his eyes, he spots Gao Chang who finished doing whatever it was he was doing before leaving the room. "On the topic of juniors, how are your own?" Da Chuanli, once Gao Chang was out of the room, leisurely rested his elbow on the table and leaned into his palm with a half smile. "Them? Nothing new, unlike your juniors mine are rather independent and only seek my guidance once every blue moon and practice on their own."
Jiang Tengyi disapproved of Da Chuanli's irresponsible attitude towards his juniors, to him his friend's way of teaching was too rough and careless. "If you continue the way you are there will be a day they forget your face after you depart. You at least share the same master, why the distance?" Not feeling the need to explain himself Da Chuanli just gave him a squinted smile in return before bringing his attention to the green tree out back. The empty pavilion though unoccupied these past few years was still cared for lovingly by his master. Sensing his attitude Jiang Tengyi no longer scolded him and instead followed his gaze.
"My master said that more and more cultivators are being attacked along the borders of the golden city than before. The civilian casualties have also increased. Simmering tensions are high, a fight between sects broke out in an inn just a few miles west of here." A blossom sways in front of the window before being cast far away by the ever-blowing wind surrounding their mountain. Da Chuanli took awhile to respond to his report appearing distant from the murders as he spoke. "Is that so? Who were the two sects?" Jiang Tengyi exhaled wearily "Manque Qimeng, and the beast-taming sect Tiaozheng. Supposedly a disciple from Manque had slaughtered a beast from a Tiaozheng inner disciple claiming it had become a demonic beast and they were harboring a monster endangered the villagers."
Da Chuanli laughed gently peeking at his serious-faced companion "Demonic beast? A beast-taming sect cannot tell the difference between a demonic beast and a normal one?" Jiang Tengyi agreed with his mocking glance, as it was a ridiculous and messy claim for the Manque Qimeng sect to make. "They say, those who walk the path of a beast tamer share not only their qi with their beast but also their heart blood." He lingered on the last word for a bit before finishing softly. "The disciple who lost their beast was bedridden and wavered on the edge of life and death for weeks before they regained consciousness again."
"-Because the disciple did not die, the Manque Qimeng sect said it was overstepping that the Tiaozheng sect claims a life for a life as repayment for the offense." Da Chuanli could tell Jiang Tengyi was rightfully anguished for the Tiaozheng sect who received nothing more than a letter and insincere gifts of apology. He too, thought it was too much. "They are not even hiding their intentions to provoke and intimidate the neutral sects into choosing sides now." Grimly Jiang Tengyi nodded and took an object out from his sleeve. "As soon as the news reached my master, he told me to give this to you. My junior sister is unfamiliar with the current state of the world and though she was meant to travel with our senior aunt. Master asked for your permission for her to join us instead."
Da Chuanli rose a brow and sat up straight to take the letter from his hands. "I thought that your junior sister had lived in seclusion and would stay in the sect for a couple of more years before leaving?" While he read the letter Jiang Tengyi's brows furrow with a hint of worry, "I also thought the same, but since senior aunt became too busy with outside affairs she couldn't guard my junior sister all the time much less travel with her outside. Master also said it would be safer for her with us than alone in the sect. Junior sister is reserved and hardly speaks to anyone outside of Master and Madam." Lifting his head from the paper Da Chuanli caught ahold of the strange choice of words. "Protection? What are you protecting her from?"
Jiang Tengyi wavered, glancing at the door which made Da Chuanli understand it wasn't something he could say casually. So without prodding him for an answer he respectfully skimmed the letter instead. Da Chuanli frowns "She's not allowed to enter another sect's grounds?" A bit embarrassed to ask this favor of Da Chuanli the other young man answers positively to his question. "Master and Madam are very protective of her, fearing for her safety under another person's watch. Although master doesn't doubt Sir Wang's honor, nor the honor of the Azure sect. He is just being extra cautious. He said that if you wish it you could return with me this time or visit next month after discussing with your master."