Arriving at the disciple quarter's main hall, the Grandmaster could feel the intensifying tension circulating in the atmosphere. He scanned the area until he discovered an unsavoury sight; a tiff between the Chi and Feng clans.
"Grandmaster, should I… " Han Yongrui stepped forward, seeking approval before he took action.
"No need," the Grandmaster reassured him and gestured for him to remain behind. "I'll handle it."
Han Xuelian approached the table where Chi Weiran and the Feng clan's disciple were prepared to engage each other in a brawl. But his attention was distracted by Chi Cheng who appeared unsteady on his feet.
He subtly hastened his pace towards the shorter male, serving as a medium for him to fall against. He snaked an arm around Chi Cheng's waist from behind to help him regain his balance, offering the support of his hand as well as interlocking his fingers with the shorter males'.
Han Xuelian watched him carefully, noticing the sheer surprise in Chi Cheng's eyes when he discovered who it was that rescued him in time. But the Grandmaster paid no heed to the finer details of their contact because he suspected that Chi Cheng's wounds had yet to recover and they must have caused him some mental strain.
"Are you alright, Chi Cheng?" Han Xuelian asked, a flicker of concern in his eyes. "You seem unwell."
"I… I'm quite well!" Chi Cheng replied quickly, feeling the heat rush to his face as the Grandmaster's hand was still on his torso. He attempted to escape his hold, but Han Xuelian only tugged him closer.
"Don't run from me, Chi Cheng," the Grandmaster spoke softly, offering him a subtle smile that was hardly noticeable at a glance. "Just wait a moment." He switched to draping an arm around the shorter male's shoulder, releasing his hand.
Chi Weiran, clenching his fist, raised his arm to strike the intolerable Feng disciple. However, his actions were subdued by a few words from the Grandmaster.
"I trust your journey here wasn't too troublesome, Chi Weiran, Feng Yuxian," he greeted them with a nod that made both the youngsters separate from each other.
They immediately bowed, paying their respects and formally greeting him.
"A gracious morning to you, Grandmaster Han," they said in unison, standing beside each other as if their earlier conflict never occurred.
"If the morning is as gracious as you claim," Han Xuelian gestured for them to rise. "Then why do I see tension amongst my guest disciples?"
"Forgive us, Grandmaster," the two youngsters synced with each other, clasping their hands behind their backs as they stood straight.
"A misunderstanding occurred," Chi Weiran spoke first, his gaze quickly finding his older brother who was under the Grandmaster's touch.
"No matter," the Grandmaster said with a dismissive gesture. "I hope that you all will learn to cooperate with each other. I understand that your journeys here were wearisome and difficult so please use this time to replenish your stamina. We will prepare for our course in the next half hour."
Chi Cheng observed the Grandmaster's professional conduct. He admired the way Han Xuelian took control of the situation without force and nor a detailed enquiry into what happened.
'He didn't want to abuse his authority…' Chi Cheng acknowledged. 'He knew that being light-hearted and calm would put the other disciples at ease.'
Chi Cheng couldn't contain himself from smiling at the display of Han Xuelian's consideration.
Despite the rumours of his fearsome nature, he was particularly kind this morning.
"Are you in a better mood now, Chi Cheng?" Han Xuelian caught him smiling.
"Oh, I… " Chi Cheng averted his gaze, avoiding the Grandmaster's line of sight. "I'm quite fine now, Grandmaster Han. I apologise on behalf of my brother so please allow me to be on my way with him."
Chi Weiran shamefully lowered his head when he heard his brother apologising for his foolish mistakes.
"You'll be joining me for breakfast, Chi Cheng." Han Xuelian nodded. "As will you, Chi Weiran, Feng Yuxian." He invited the two youngsters and signalled Han Yongrui to accompany him.
Taking Chi Cheng by the shoulders, the Grandmaster guided them to the table that was set in the middle of the hall, the unoccupied one.
He seated Chi Cheng beside him on one end of the table, while the two youngsters and Han Yongrui seated themselves across from him.
"Please eat to your fill," the Grandmaster stated. "But do remember to eat lightly as there are some physical activities prepared for today.
Chi Weiran's disapproval of the seating arrangements was obvious in his expression, looking like a child who was uncomfortable around strangers. He looked intensely at his older brother, subtly pressing his lips together with worry. But Chi Cheng reassured him with a smile.
'Relax child,' Han Xuelian mentally assessed Chi Weiran's uneasy demeanour. 'I'm not going to eat your brother… not unless he wants me to.' The last thought almost made the Grandmaster smirk but he was cautious to maintain his professional appearances.
He watched Chi Cheng as the shorter male retrieved a bowl of rice and slid it carefully across the table to his younger brother. He then moved on to take three pieces of sliced, steamed fish from the platter it was laid onto and skillfully removed the thorns from them with a pair of chopsticks. He placed the three pieces of steam fished into Chi Weiran's rice bowl after he was done.
'Your brother relies too much on you… ' Han Xuelian deduced. 'And you seem too accustomed to doing this. Almost as if it's second nature.'
And while preparing his own fish, the Grandmaster set aside a few pieces for Chi Cheng.
Feng Yuxian observed the Chi brothers' exchange and their affectionate relationship. It irked him to the core that he almost lost his appetite, appeasing his hunger with merely a bowl of rice.
"Sulk less, eat more," Han Yongrui told him, placing a few pieces of boiled meat into Feng Yuxian's rice bowl. Although the Feng youngster wasn't welcoming to it, he couldn't refuse the gesture from a senior disciple, especially the Grandmaster's aide.
Chi Cheng's mind was distracted by his constant thoughts of Han Yijun. He couldn't achieve victory against the feeling of uneasiness and guilt that plagued him.
'I was a fool to throw those embers in his eyes... ' Chi Cheng regretted his actions. 'What if he permanently loses his sight?'
Speaking of the devil, Han Yijun had just entered the main hall. His gaze instantly spotted Chi Cheng seated beside the Grandmaster, and his expression contorted into fury.
Chi Cheng noticed his arrival, but he was too ashamed and afraid to meet his gaze. Although, it appeared Han Yijun's eyes were perfectly fine other than the fact that he seemed to walk with a limp.
Was he punished? The thought of it stirred more guilt within Chi Cheng.
Sensing Chi Cheng's distress and the silent exchange between him and Han Yijun, the Grandmaster intervened to distract the shorter male.
"I know you don't have much of an appetite, Chi Cheng," Han Xuelian noticed the shorter male's reluctance to partake in any of the dishes. "But you need to at least replenish your energy."
Han Yijun stormed off when he saw how kindly Han Xuelian treated Chi Cheng, ensuring that he was comfortable. The sight alone incited his anger, creating a nauseous sensation in the pit of his stomach so he was quick to take his leave.
Dishing a bowl of rice for Chi Cheng, the Grandmaster added the fish he removed the thorns from along with pieces of boiled meat and other seasoned vegetables.
"Thank you for your generosity, Grandmaster," Chi Cheng displayed his gratitude with a bow of his head, accepting the bowl of food.
Chi Cheng barely remembered the last time he was extended the courtesy of someone else dishing his meal for him. Nor did he recall ever having anyone other than his father remove thorns from a steamed fish for him during his childhood. The gesture, even if it had no deeper implications, still made him smile.
'You listen to me so well, Chi Cheng,' Han Xuelian found himself smiling at the shorter male as he ate in silence. 'But it's obviously out of fear. Looks like we need to change that.'
"Chi Weiran," the Grandmaster said, bringing his attention back to the two youngsters. "And Feng Yuxian."
"Yes, Grandmaster?" They both ceased eating, giving their full attention to Han Xuelian.
"I'd like to pair both of you for the duration of this apprenticeship course," Han Xuelian decided, meeting their astonished expressions with a gentle smile.