Jin Lu took a deep breath, her mind and body still in the tranquil state between awake and asleep. She let her thoughts drift, a small frown forming as they immediately went to what had happened yesterday.
Should I ask Long Yin?
Something told Jin Lu that asking him would most likely cause her to lose her cool, so she opted against it.
And what about that guy? Who's "the boss" and why do they want me?
That had been scary and infuriating. She had experience with crazy fans and stalkers from her last life. Jin Lu had taken self-defense classes and felt like a paranoid prisoner in her own house.
Having lost the peace she had woken up with, Jin Lu opened her eyes and sat up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. A touch of alarm hit her when she noticed that her outer robe had been removed, but vanished just as quickly, since she still had her underclothes on.
Entering the bathroom, Jin Lu was pleasantly surprised to see a change of clothes sitting on the stool and the bath steaming. Jin Lu was flustered by her reactions to Long Yin. One second he was frustratingly irritating and the next he was thoughtfully caring.
Whatever. Adapt and overcome, right?
Stripping out of her underclothes, Jin Lu stepped into the bath with a sigh, wishing that she could relax and soak for a few hours. It seemed like each time Jin Lu was able to take a bath, she was in a hurry or too exhausted to bother.
Sweeping the mint and lavender stocks out of the way, Jin Lu grimaced at the new bruises covering her body. The black and purple color was visually striking against her pale skin, making it look like she had been beaten to within an inch of her life. Washing her hair took longer than Jin Lu had wanted, branches and grass hiding in the tangled mass. The thought of cutting it crossed her mind, but she found that she liked the silky feeling of it along her back, almost like a protective cloak.
When Jin Lu finally stepped out into the living room, Long Yin was sitting with a blonde man in his mid-twenties. He was slimmer than Long Yin, but his muscles were still distinctive under his tanned leather clothes. His brown eyes were sharp and clear, not missing anything while not feeling intrusive. Short brown-blonde hair was slicked back, with a few stubborn strands falling against his olive skin.
"Jin Lu, this will be your mentor, Bai Feng," Long Yin waved his long sleeve at Bai Feng as the man stood up, clasping one of his fists in his hand. Jin Lu hurried to copy him, having learned of this type of greeting from her overseas relatives.
Thank you, past life! Who knew getting in touch with my mother's side of the family would come in handy after death?
"I welcome your tutelage, Master Bai. Sorry to trouble you," Jin Lu intoned respectively. Long Yin patted the cushion next to him and Jin Lu sat stiffly, keeping a slight distance from Long Yin. Long Yin presented a meat bun to Jin Lu, watching her eyes in challenge. Jin Lu raised her chin defiantly and took the bun, ignoring Long Yin as she took a bite. The slight tilt of Long Yin's lips blinked into existence, before being replaced by a neutrally bored expression.
"Headmaster has explained what happened yesterday, but I would like to hear your thoughts."
"I have none, I don't know what happened while I was meditating or why I fainted afterward." Jin Lu shrugged. Bai Feng seemed startled for a second before his expression smoothed again.
"I shall explain then. During your meditation, everyone in the field was interrupted by a mental bombardment of music, including the masters." Bai Feng said this last bit as though it was highly significant, so Jin Lu made an appropriately shocked face. Bai Feng seemed satisfied and continued, "Though the pressure that was used was slight, many of the students were unable to continue their cultivation. It seems that your power interfered with theirs, fluctuating it to the point that they needed treatment."
"I am truly sorry for the trouble my lack of control caused everyone," Jin Lu said solemnly. Bai Feng showed his approval and stood up.
"Then let us correct what you lack. Master Long." Bai Feng clasped his fist and walked to the door, Jin Lu hurrying to catch up. A thought flashed through her mind and she turned to look down at Long Yin.
"Thank you for your trouble," Jin Lu said shyly, watching warmth sparkle in Long Yin's eyes.
"No trouble, go," Long Yin shooed her away and she left, grateful but confused and slightly suspicious. Jin Lu had expected Long Yin to do or say something shameless, just as he had been since they met; yet, he only sat next to her calmly.
What is that devil planning?
As Jin Lu followed Bai Feng, her thoughts dizzily spiraled around one outrageous scenario after another. Jin Lu finally gave up when she noticed that they were going the opposite way from Martial Field; instead of turning left, they went right. The trees along the path grew thicker, their presence giving the illusion of a deep forest. The stone under her feet seemed to add to the misconception, shifting from invisible shadow to brightly lit.
When the path opened, Jin Lu was surprised, not noticing the exit at the end. A gasp of awe left her lips. Stretched in front of her were thousands, millions, of herbs, each in a different state of maturity. The raised beds were organized into ten rows across, each with a different herb growing in it. Jin Lu shaded her eyes from the sun, yet still could not make out the end of the garden in the distance. The smell of the mixed plants and the atmosphere made her feel like she was at a nursery.
Bai Feng turned to the left in front of the first row of boxes, walking past what looked like a shed, and into the woods on the side. Jin Lu trailed after, enjoying the smells and feeling of fresh air on her skin. It didn't take long for the forest to open into a clear meadow, the breeze ruffling the ankle length grass. Bai Feng stopped in the middle and sat down, indicating that Jin Lu should sit facing him.
"Are you comfortable?" Bai Feng waited for Jin Lu's affirmative before continuing, "Give me your hands and close your eyes." Jin Lu did as instructed, feeling that same saline like flow coming from Bai Feng's hands held hers. It traveled up her arms, settling just above her belly, then circulating throughout her body. Jin Lu relaxed as the silence stretched out for some time. Bai Feng's hands left Jin Lu's, her eyes opening as she pulled herself out of her feelings of drowsiness.
Bai Feng showed signs of pensiveness as he observed Jin Lu for a moment. Jin Lu had a sense of déjà vu, images of her oncologist interposing with that of Bai Feng. Jin Lu remained expressionless, anxiety and dread swirling like snakes in her belly.
Bai Feng finally stood up, extending his hand out to Jin Lu. Jin Lu let herself be pulled up, her heart trembling.
"I have a theory I would like to test. Memorize my movements, and then perform them." Bai Feng took a few steps back before he squared his shoulders and started to move as though he had watched Karate Kid a few too many times. The actions Bai Feng were performing were slow, hypnotic. Jin Lu became mesmerized as Bai Feng would finish one step, only to transition into the next as though dancing.