He Xiaotong. He Xiaotong. He Xiaotong.
That name is important.
...
He Xiaotong's practice sword swept downwards for the hundredth time. His arms felt like they were soup, but he still had many more times to repeat this exercise.
Five hundred more to go..., he thought, as his breaths became faster, without any breaks in between...
Each swipe took him a considerable amount of effort. He was just a beginner, he had to remind himself whenever he felt like complaining. I cannot expect myself to do as good as the seniors, it is too 'presumptuous.'
He didn't even know the word presumptuous until one of the students from the last selection told him. He was, apparently, being too assuming. And was weaker than them all. Even though they were selected at the same time.
But he was a higher authority, so He Xiaotong has to do what he says.
After all, shixiong seemed genuine. (He didn't.)
The training grounds were completely empty of any soul other than He Xiaotong. He was the only one practicing in the amber sun, in the nearing sunset. He was just...alone.
He really wanted to meet Xu-ge right now...
He unconsciously pouted.
Yan Qingshan felt that He Xiaotong looked rather adorable pouting like that, and his hands inexplicably felt like squeezing those somehow chubby cheeks, which looked so squishy.
However, he was also aware of the thin ice he was standing on.
The fact that the system hadn't begun to ring yet was a good sign. Because the original goods, for some godforsaken reason, did not like to visit this training ground. At all.
Original goods? More like unreasonable goods!
He laughed at his own joke.
But since he was standing only at a small distance from the edge of the grounds, and there was no one else other than He Xiaotong, he froze and immediately turned to look who else was here.
Only to be met with the happy, laughing face of his master.
He seemed to glow kindly in the orange light, the color pushing out warmth from somewhere deep within his heart. He seemed genuinely happy, and when he met He Xiaotong's eyes, he smiled at him, as if without a second thought.
...
But suddenly, Yan Qingshan could not smile anymore. Once he realized his folly, he immediately had to assume a stern face, as he internally prayed that the system did not notice this tiny, infraction.
It did, but only flashed a buggy warning. Hmm.
He Xiaotong immediately knelt in front of Yan Qingshan.
"This disciple greets master!"
Yan Qingshan forced himself to glare at the tiny form in front of him. He was just 13!!! Why did authors have to be so cruel to teens?!
"What," Yan Qingshan said neutrally, "were you doing here at this hour? All disciples are supposed to be at the main grounds right now; what gave you the right to come here?"
All disciples were not supposed to at the main grounds, because they were supposed to be at the dorms by sunset, and had the free time.
However, since Yan Qingshan was a man of flexible rules, and very much would bend rules if he hated someone, he was not exactly out of character. Yan Minhui was slightly relieved when the system flashed out of his vision.
"This disciple was not aware, master!" He Xiaotong answered immediately, not wishing to bear punishment. "His shixiongs suggested he come here to train, so that he could be better."
They wished ill for you then, kid, get better seniors!!! Yan Qingshan hated anyone who liked something he hated; he would think you were looking to be beaten!!!
But here is where he saw a choice.
Original goods, would indeed punish him for this. He hated He Xiaotong's guts.
On the other hand...
The system wasn't working. So if he phrased it meanly enough, he could perhaps let He Xiaotong go without any punishment.
"Well, inform them, then. They must truly be stupid, if they were not aware of this. Perhaps your stupidity passed onto them. I should really take smarter disciples onto my peak," he turned away, so not at to look at He Xiaotong's relieved face and incur penalty, "not slaves."
And he laughed (in his head) as he left for the library instead. Where He Xiaotong was sure not to go, the kid didn't know how to read!
....
He Xiaotong's watched Yan Qingshan's retreating back. His master did always have cutting words for him, but this time his words didn't feel so harsh. For some unfathomable reason, his words even seemed to mean well! Perhaps...He Xiaotong had a chance? He could make him proud too?
But why did he laugh???
____________________________
Yan Qingshan actually felt really happy. He was at a point where the protagonist had not had a chance to suffer any lasting damage!!! He had a chance of survival!!!
And so he had to force himself not to skip in his happiness, and appear like a grumpy old man, despite Yan Qingshan's body not being older than 25.
Hah. Perks.
He immediately went to the library too because...
Because...
Oh. He stopped.
He really had no reason. He already figured out at what point he was.
A disciple greeted him, and he gave a cursory nod. He headed back to his house instead.
As he stepped into the Xue house, he was immediately greeted with the scent of fragrant roses, and realised who had come as guest while he was gone.
Sect leader Li Mingzhu, of Shishan.
Yan Qingshan almost yelped at the doorway, but he still had some grace.
He entered the room, and greeted, "This shidi greets Zhangmen-shijie." And lowered his head.
"So he does," was her curt reply.
Even until their last meeting, he wasn't sure what exactly was Li Mingzhu's deal. Did she hate him? Did she like him? Would she support him?
Another death he had seen with his own eyes...
He set to prepare some tea immediately.
"Has Yan-shidi been well?" She asked.
"This shidi has been excellent, thanking Zhangmen-shijie for asking," he replied mindlessly. "Though if she doesn't mind him asking, what is the purpose of her visit?"
Li Mingzhu stayed quiet as he served the tea, in a way only she could do; a silence that made you wonder if someone was disappointed with you, or disapproved of you.
Yan Qingshan was only good at continuing such silences, not being a good conservationist. He sipped his tea.
"This shijie only worried for shidi's health. He was quite unwell."
Yan Qingshan anticipated. However.
"However," Yes! "This shijie did wish to ask him to attend the sect conference in her stead."
Yan Qingshan did not know which one she was talking about.
"This shidi must ask, which one is shijie referring to?"
She snapped, as if embarrassed,"The upcoming conference of the cultivation sects of course!"
"I- What? This one is not of high enough rank to qualify attending such an event in shijie's place, and hence must-" he quickly began. He was not a public speaker!
"This Zhangmen-shijie is asking Yan Qingshan to substitute for her in this upcoming conference," she repeated, "He is not allowed to refuse."
Wow, lady! You are using your authority to send your employee into a business meeting, so you don't have to go!
Yan Qingshan just leveled her with a look.
...
This was not at all the sect leader he imagined.
"It seems this shidi does not have a choice," he noted faintly, is he supposed to take some of his disciples with him? He isn't sure. He felt quite self conscious at the crowd of people he would have to face. Why was the original goods good at speaking to the masses? Or was he the only one Zhangmen-shijie felt could be strong armed into this?
She passed a small qiankun pouch across the table. "Thanks," she added as an afterthought, as she left in the dark skies. "This shijie would repay you later."
Hah! Like never. You'll probably send me into another one before that.
Now he had the prospect of a sect important meeting. With not digging a grave.
Yay.
____________________Author notes time!!!__________
Shishan means 'lion mountain'. I felt it fitting for the head peak.
Li Mingzhu, sect leader. Mingzhu means 'bright pearls'.
Hopefully I'll update again!!!