2 Days ago (During Chi Cheng's healing session)
Chiyun Mowu, the western Blood Marshes.
Estate of the Blood Sect
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Submerged in a wooden tub of hot water scented with herbal leaves and medicinal flowers, the Grandmistress of the Blood Sect rested her head back against the tub's rimming.
The water's scalding temperature soothed the fatigue in her bones, but her comfort was short-lived. Alerting her from her relaxation was a triggering sensation that felt as if needles were spearing through her veins.
With her blood coursing furiously through her body, she hastily emerged from the bath. Her crimson eyes flared with a glowing hue as streams of water rippled down her nakedness.
"Ah-Cheng…" The Grandmistress clawed at the region of her heart, feeling an unsettling tightness closing in. "Liwen!" She summoned her aide who appeared from the shadows in the dimly lit bath area, bowing immediately.
"Yes, Grandmistress," Liwen responded calmly.
Stomping out of the steaming tub, leaving a trail of water in her path, the Grandmistress grabbed her white and red robe that was neatly folded on a stool and slipped it on. Flicking her drenched hair back, she clenched her fists while a scowl formed on her face.
"Prepare to leave for Xue Ling Ridge immediately."
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Present day
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Accepting the Grandmaster's gesture, Chi Cheng couldn't help but shy away each time Han Xuelian fed him a slice of fried lotus root. The root's sweetness was a pleasant taste to welcome after two days of not eating.
The Grandmaster's movements with the chopsticks were graceful and he was unnaturally patient, waiting for Chi Cheng to take his time and swallow as a parent would for a child. However, the younger male had yet to become accustomed to Han Xuelian's openly caring nature.
"I don't think I can eat anymore… '' Chi Cheng waved a hand politely, stopping the Grandmaster from feeding him another slice. "I'm quite full."
"You've only eaten the lotus root slices." Han Xuelian frowned, setting down the chopsticks on the food tray. "You need to drink the soup as well."
Sighing in defeat, Chi Cheng was well aware that he couldn't refuse the Grandmaster. While the older male wasn't forceful or commanding, Chi Cheng certainly couldn't achieve victory against him. Reaching for the bowl of soup, the Grandmaster stopped him.
"Let me do it." Han Xuelian insisted, placing a hand on the back of Chi Cheng's head while he brought the bowl closer to his lips. Tilting the bowl, the younger male steadily drank the lukewarm lotus soup. The liquid and ingredients felt refreshing, but he couldn't stomach drinking more than a few sips.
"Good enough." Han Xuelian complimented, setting the bowl with a few dregs of soup left onto the tray. "I can't avoid this topic any longer, Chi Cheng. I have questions that you need to answer."
Tenseing at the shift in the Grandmaster's tone, Chi Cheng was already aware that speaking about the incident at the archery test was inevitable. He had already considered a few possible questions from Han Xuelian and how he would answer them.
However, his confidence in whether he would be convincing or believable enough was lacking.
"Ask as you wish." Chi Cheng closed his eyes, reaching to fiddle with his earring, forgetting that he no longer had it.
"I will be blunt." The Grandmaster folded his arms, crossing one leg over the other. "Did you know Shan Liying was going to target you?"
"I observed her for a while whenever I spotted her through the trees." Chi Cheng opened his eyes again, directly glaring into the Grandmaster's icy blue orbs. "She kept eyeing Weiran and Feng Yuxian…"
"So her target was your brother?" Han Xuelian quirked an eyebrow. "According to when I arrived, it didn't seem that you communicated with Chi Weiran in any way. How did he know to speed up?"
"I whistled." Chi Cheng smiled. "I've always used such signals with my brother. He simply trusted my warning of danger and sped up in response."
"You willingly let yourself get shot?" Han Xuelian's expression darkened. "Whether he is your brother or a friend, how could you possibly think that embracing his dangers is any better?"
"I would rather bear the wounds than let him come to harm." Chi Cheng scowled, his tone deepening. "I know my actions were foolish and I caused you trouble, but I promise I won't let something like that happen again."
'That's not what I was implying…' Han Xuelian mentally sighed, running a hand through his hair. 'I should stay off the topic of his brother, he's too defensive about it. I shouldn't suspect him anymore… I've already confirmed that he has no Qi flowing through his body so I'll trust his explanation for now.'
"Do you remember what happened when you fell off that ledge?" The Grandmaster recalled the unsettling presence of the wandering damned souls appearing. "We searched over the ledge for you and Yijun, but you somehow landed somewhere much further than you should have."
"I don't remember…" Chi Cheng massaged out the crease lines forming on his forehead, straining his mind to recall. "I was immediately unconscious when I fell so I didn't see or notice anything."
"Very well… " Han Xuelian nodded. "I will ask Yijun if he remembers anything."
Waking up from his seat, Han Xuelian approached the drawers on the other side of the bed. He opened one of them, retrieving a bottle filled with a pale yellow liquid and a jade comb. He laid both items on the bed beside Chi Cheng.
"You won't refuse me for this too, will you?" Han Xuelian tucked a few strands of Chi Cheng's hair behind his ear. "It will be difficult for you to do by yourself."
"I am indebted to you…" Chi Cheng solemnly nodded, merely agreeing because he didn't have the strength to protest or argue.
The Grandmaster slipped a hand under Chi Cheng's un-injured arm and around his back. He offered his other hand as support for the younger male which Chi Cheng gratefully accepted. Assisting him in the rise to his feet, Han Xuelian was careful to manage Chi Cheng's balance against his broader frame.
'It would be easier if I just carried him… ' Han Xuelian decided, gently lifting the younger male into his arms.
Taken by surprise by the Grandmaster's gesture, Chi Cheng tried to worm his way out of the older male's arms, shoving at Han Xuelian's shoulder and looking at him pleadingly to let go.
"You didn't fight me when I carried you here from the pit." Han Xuelian tightened his embrace, flashing the younger male a victorious smirk. "Why are you fighting me now?"
"Because I'm heavy and I'm conscious now…" Chi Cheng bit his bottom lip, his brows furrowing as a light pink hue dusted his cheeks.
"I'm stronger than I look, Chi Cheng," the Grandmaster teased, his lips curving devilishly while he walked with Chi Cheng in his arms to the simple dresser.
He tenderly set the younger male on the cushioned seat, cautiously ensuring not to exert pressure on his injuries. Chi Cheng shifted to settle himself, facing a medium-sized oval mirror that was designed into the dresser.
When he finally saw his appearance, he closed his eyes shamefully. Hence, it occurred to him that the Grandmaster must have thought he looked unpleasant in such an unkempt state.
Han Xuelian brought the two items, positioning himself behind Chi Cheng. He opened the bottle, pouring a small amount of the liquid into his palm, coating his fingers. He laid the bottle down on the dresser, threading his fingers into the denseness of the younger male's hair.
"Lay your head back," the Grandmaster instructed him.
As his hands coursed through Chi Cheng's hair, they found the knots and tangles, loosening them with care. The liquid's warmth and the Grandmaster's soothing touch made the younger male feel far too relaxed and at ease.
A slightly sweet, nutty scent filled Chi Cheng's senses and he recognized the liquid as almond oil. It was as if each knot that the Grandmaster untangled, relieved the younger male of some of his tension.
After coating Chi Cheng's hair properly with the oil, Han Xuelian took the jade comb and began combing out the remaining knots in the younger male's hair. Chi Cheng's chestnut red hair had quickly regained its beautiful sheen under the Grandmaster's delicate care and skills.
'It's almost like a fiery red colour… just like your mothers', but which of your parents did you take after?' Han Xuelian pondered, trying to fathom the nature behind how the younger male conducted himself.
"Your earrings are gone…" The Grandmaster noticed the red ruby accessories were no longer attached to the younger male's ear.
"They aren't important…" Chi Cheng quickly lied. "I can always get another pair."
'You clearly liked them so much…' Han Xuelian looked pensively at the absence of Chi Cheng's earrings. 'Perhaps… '
Setting the comb down, Han Xuelian arranged Chi Cheng's hair neatly with a simple ornament, drawing it up into a loose ponytail. When he gazed at Chi Cheng's bare neck, he noticed the marks were gone sooner than they should have.
"The archery test...." Chi Cheng mumbled. "How did Weiran do?"
Han Xuelian sighed, realising he would have to accept the fact that Chi Weiran was the dearest apple of his older brother's eye.
"He achieved the highest score along with Feng Yuxian," Han Xuelian revealed. "They work rather well together despite their differences."
"That's a relief..." Chi Cheng smiled proudly. "I knew he would do well."
"I wonder who taught him..." The Grandmaster hinted, recalling Chi Cheng's excellent display of archery skills. "You're not going to ask if you passed?"
"That doesn't matter to me." Chi Cheng brushed it off with a wave of his hand. "I'm content enough if Ah-Ran made it to the next round."
"Chi Cheng," Han Xuelian started, meeting the younger male's gaze through the mirror. "Your father-"
The Grandmaster's words were shortened by Han Yongrui's abrupt arrival as he hurriedly opened the room door without requesting or announcing his arrival.
Turning on his heels, the Grandmaster was astonished to see his capable nephew huffing and puffing heavily, barely managing to catch his breaths.
"Rui?" Han Xuelian approached his nephew swiftly. "What happened?"
"The… Grandmistress is here… "