Gazing out the open windows in the Grandmaster's room, Chi Cheng inhaled a deep breath. Seated on a cushioned chair draped with furs for warmth, he admired the scenery beyond the Han clan's estate.
The ridged expanse of mountains stretched for miles, surrounding the estate and Frost Forest like a natural protective fortress wall. The high peaks almost ascended into the clouds, reminding him of the Grandmaster's stature and his intimidating demeanour.
Yet over the peaks' unyielding nature was a layer of glistening white snow, reminiscent of Han Xuelian's regal and composed attitude in the way he dealt with situations despite the subtle menacing nature hidden beneath.
'Is that why they say you're the incarnation of Xue Ling Ridge?' Chi Cheng considered, smiling to himself from intrigue.
He reminded himself that a few moments ago he was comfortably asleep beside the Grandmaster. He didn't expect that they would share the bed, however he was the one intruding on Han Xuelian's privacy so he could hardly argue or be fussy with the sleeping arrangements.
And Chi Cheng was most grateful that the Grandmaster maintained an appropriate distance from him throughout the night. Although, he believed it must have been uncomfortable to sleep in a smaller space than usual.
'I hope he rested well...I'm not used to sleeping next to anyone except Ah-Ran.'
The mountainous icy breeze blew against Chi Cheng's face, carrying the fresh scent of snow and winter lotus flowers from the lake surrounding the Han clan's estate halls.
'This is a very strategic point…' Chi Cheng analysed the layout of the region since he was blessed with a perfect view of it from the Grandmaster's room. 'But also prone to attacks from the Northern empire beyond… but of course, his Majesty entrusted this region to you as a first line of defence against enemies.'
"You've awakened?" Han Xuelian entered the room, surprised to find Chi Cheng seated by the window rather than resting in bed. "I told you not to walk on your own."
"I just wanted to enjoy the scenery…" Chi Cheng smiled as a way of greeting but it quickly faded and his words trailed off when he gazed at the Grandmaster.
Han Xuelian's upper body was exposed, designed with ridges of muscles around his shoulders and back with a well-toned abdomen showcasing his six-pack. His body was riddled with scars, clearly the makings of an experienced warrior and cultivator. His long black hair, wet and silky from possibly being doused with water, hung past his shoulders and ended mid-back.
His biceps were complemented by two distinct silver bracelets embedded with sapphire jewels that resembled his earrings. The man was nothing short of remarkable and admirable even physically. The droplets dripping off the ends of his hair strands rippled down his body, glistening as they traversed down the ridges.
Chi Cheng caught himself ogling inappropriately for far too long, bashfully turning his head away to distract himself from the scenery again.
"Do you like what you see?" Han Xuelian folded his arms, leaning against one of the foundation support pillars upholding the ceiling in his room.
"Yes, Xue Ling Ridge is truly beautiful in its natural state…" Chi Cheng responded, concealing his reddened face behind his robe's sleeve.
"I'm sure Xue Ling Ridge will be pleased to hear that." Han Xuelian sauntered to where the younger male was seated, crouching on his haunches in the space before him.
'He uttered those same words as the wandering damned souls…' The Grandmaster recalled the night's events and the nightmare Chi Cheng experienced. 'Does he know something or did they speak to him too in that pit?'
"You'll meet with your mother after you freshen up, I will help you." The Grandmaster informed him casually.
"I can do that by myself," Chi Cheng shook his head politely, still not comfortable with having his nudity exposed for anyone to see. Especially since he still vividly remembered what Han Yijun did to him. "I plead with you to not insist, I can manage to do it."
Han Xuelian respected the younger male's wishes, witnessing the clear disapproval of his suggestion in Chi Cheng's eyes.
'There's nothing I haven't seen…' The Grandmaster thought for a moment. 'I wiped down his entire body when I brought him back but perhaps he doesn't remember…'
"Alright, I will help-"
"No." Chi Cheng firmly refused. "I am grateful for your generosity but I need to walk by myself. I cannot let my mother notice that I'm injured or she will draw unnecessary conclusions."
"Your leg hasn't even healed yet…" The Grandmaster argued. "But you have to rest after you meet her and you are aware that you'll be expelled from the apprenticeship course?"
"I am." Chi Cheng nodded. "I never had any ambitious reason to join it in the first place. I just want to oversee Ah-Ran's progress and I will leave with my mother back to Chiyun Mowu."
'Oh? You think you're leaving Xue Ling Ridge?' The Grandmaster almost laughed at the thought. 'You aren't leaving here anytime soon until I've figured out the issue with your body.'
The Grandmaster led Chi Cheng to the bathhouse hall, having already prepared a warm tub of water for him. After freshening up and wiping down his body with great difficulty, struggling at each point while he strained his shoulder, Chi Cheng changed into a casual set of his white and red robes.
He met with Han Zhimin briefly to re-bandage his wounds and then was escorted by Chi Weiran who subtly offered him support on their way to greet their mother.
Arriving at the sanctuary hall where the Grandmaster usually conducted his meetings, Chi Yulan was seated patiently at her assigned table to the right side of the hall. Sighting her sons, she made her way to them quickly.
The Grandmistress clasped both her sons behind their necks, bringing their heads to touch her shoulders in an embrace. Breaking away from them, she scoured Chi Weiran's notable physical changes, nodding approvingly at his development.
Chi Yulan held Chi Cheng by the shoulders, squeezing them in delight since she had not seen the both of them in several months due to the duties that kept her away. Chi Cheng prevented himself from grimacing when she applied pressure on his injury, but she noticed when his shoulder jerked for a brief moment under her touch.
Still, Chi Cheng desperately prayed that the wound wouldn't open or bleed.
"Mother," he said with a smile, gently taking both her hands into his own. "Have you been well?"
"I have," she replied curtly, assessing the way he stood with one leg slightly bent while he balanced his weight on the other. Taking out a red and white fan from her sleeve, she held it close to her lips while she walked around him.
"Mother, do you want to hear about my training?" Chi Weiran attempted to distract her with his question.
Chi Yulan's eyes were fixed to Chi Cheng, but she responded to her younger son kindly. "Tell me, Wei'er. I want to know what you've accomplished."
Finally stopping behind Chi Cheng, she struck the fan against his injured leg. He received a sharp pain that spiraled through his nerves, making the area around his ankle throb. He couldn't maintain his composure, gripping Chi Weiran's arm while his younger brother hastily offered him support.
"You're hurt," Chi Yulan stated candidly, scowling. "Tell me how it happened, now."