"Wei Yu... Wei Yu."
A soft, ethereal voice broke through the haze that clouded his consciousness. Wei Yu blinked slowly, the weight of his eyelids making each movement feel sluggish. His eyelashes fluttered as his eyes struggled to adjust to the dim light. He was lying down—where was he? Slowly, with some difficulty, he managed to sit up, his head spinning for a moment as his body protested.
A familiar presence was beside him. A steady hand gently supported his back, helping him sit upright. Wei Yu turned, and his gaze landed on the figure next to him. It took him a moment, but the one word that came to mind slipped out before he could stop it.
"Immortal gege?"
The words hung in the air, soft yet filled with nostalgia. His heart skipped a beat. The name felt strange now, as though it belonged to a different time. A time when he was younger, more innocent, less burdened.
Yu Chen's expression shifted immediately. He froze, the calmness in his eyes faltering for a fraction of a second. There was a flicker of something—regret? Longing? Wei Yu couldn't tell, but what followed was unmistakable: anger.
"You," Yu Chen's voice was sharp, cutting through the quiet like a blade. He leaned in slightly, his eyes narrowing. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? Do you want to die?"
The weight of his words landed on Wei Yu like a heavy blow, but there was no malice in Yu Chen's voice, only concern—raw, unfiltered concern. The sight of Yu Chen's dark eyes, usually so steady and calm, flickering with panic unsettled Wei Yu. His shixiong was genuinely afraid for him.
Wei Yu's throat tightened. He had caused Yu Chen pain again. The guilt churned in his chest, but he could only stare at him helplessly.
"Shixiong," he croaked, his voice barely a whisper. "How long... how long have I slept?"
Yu Chen took a deep breath, calming himself. There was a moment of silence, then he smirked, his features softening slightly, the usual teasing hint in his voice returning. "Two years," he said flatly, watching Wei Yu's face pale in shock.
Wei Yu froze. His mind spun, and his heart lurched in panic. Two years? Had he really been unconscious for that long?
But then, Yu Chen's smirk deepened. "I'm kidding," he said, rolling his eyes with an exaggerated sigh. "It's been two days."
Relief washed over Wei Yu in an instant. His shoulders sagged as he let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He shot Yu Chen a playful glare, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Shixiong, you're becoming more and more of a comedian every day."
Yu Chen chuckled softly, his anger subsiding. "Someone has to keep you on your toes."
There was a brief moment of comfortable silence before Yu Chen turned his gaze toward the window. His expression shifted slightly, more contemplative now, almost wistful.
"I've thought about it," Yu Chen said quietly, as if speaking to himself. His voice grew firmer as he continued, "I'll be your shizun." His eyes met Wei Yu's, and though his tone was calm, there was an underlying weight to his words. "Of course, only if you still want me to."
Wei Yu's heart skipped a beat, and his breath caught in his throat. The words he had been yearning to hear. Without thinking, he straightened up, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Yes! Cough—I mean, yes. Of course I do!" His voice cracked slightly, and he quickly covered his excitement with a forced cough, trying to hide the emotion bubbling to the surface.
Yu Chen raised an eyebrow at his overly eager reaction, but there was a faint, fond smile on his lips. "Good," he said simply. "I'll make you worthy of it, don't worry."
Before Wei Yu could respond, the sound of a door creaking open interrupted them. Wei Yu turned his head in surprise, his heart skipping a beat as a tall figure entered the room, draped in long robes. The man's presence was commanding, and for a moment, Wei Yu's mind raced.
Chen Jiu.
The figure who had saved him, who had watched over Yu Chen. But what was he doing here now?
Yu Chen's expression immediately shifted into one of respect. He stood swiftly, bowing deeply. "Shizun," he greeted with reverence, his tone formal yet warm.
Wei Yu watched in awe, standing up quickly as well, his heart pounding as he looked from Yu Chen to Chen Jiu. It wasn't just that Chen Jiu was the one who had saved him—it was that, as the revered elder of their sect, his presence carried an undeniable weight.
Chen Jiu nodded in acknowledgment, his dark eyes sweeping over the room before they landed on Wei Yu. His gaze was steady, searching, before his lips curved into a slight smile.
"I heard," Chen Jiu said, his voice carrying the authority of someone who had seen and experienced much. "Yu Chen intends to accept you as his disciple."
It wasn't a question. It was a statement. He was not asking, but acknowledging, as if everything had already been decided in his mind. His gaze softened slightly as he looked at Wei Yu, who was still standing, unsure of how to respond.
Chen Jiu's eyes lingered on him for a moment longer, as if appraising him, before he gave a short nod. "I trust you will not disappoint him, child." His expression serious as ever.
Wei Yu blinked, his mind still processing the weight of the elder's words. He didn't know how to respond, but his heart swelled with a feeling he couldn't quite place—gratitude, awe, perhaps a little nervousness. He knew how rare it was for someone to be chosen as a disciple by someone of Yu Chen's caliber, and now, Chen Jiu had acknowledged him too.
Chen Jiu's gaze shifted back to Yu Chen, his gaze softening. "I leave him in your hands, Yu Chen. Guide him well."
Yu Chen nodded, bowing his head deeply. "I will, Shizun. I will make him worthy."
Chen Jiu gave one last glance toward Wei Yu, his expression unreadable. Then, with a swift movement, he turned and exited the room, leaving a heavy silence behind him. The door closed quietly, leaving only Wei Yu and Yu Chen in the space.
Wei Yu turned to Yu Chen, his heart racing with the gravity of what had just happened. His voice was barely above a whisper, reverent and full of awe. "Shizun… thank you." He finally called Yu Chen his shizun.
Yu Chen glanced at him, his eyes softening, though he hid his emotions behind a mask of calm. He walked toward Wei Yu, standing before him. There was no grand ceremony—no pomp or flourish. It was just the two of them, and yet, in that moment, the bond between teacher and disciple felt as if it had already been forged.
"Come, kneel," Yu Chen said softly, his voice steady.
Wei Yu obeyed, dropping to his knees without hesitation. His heart pounded in his chest as he bowed low. This was the moment he had been waiting for. The moment when they became more than just two individuals—a teacher and disciple, bound by respect and shared purpose.
Yu Chen stepped forward, placing his hand on Wei Yu's head with a gentle but firm motion. "From this day forward, I am your shizun, and you, my disciple. Walk the path of cultivation with honor."
Wei Yu's throat tightened as he lowered his head, the words he had dreamed of finally passing his lips. "Shizun."
The words felt like a promise, an oath. He had finally found his place—beside Yu Chen, under his guidance. Together, they would walk this path.
Yu Chen's voice was warm as he spoke again, "Rise, my disciple."
Wei Yu stood, his heart swelling with emotion. He looked up at his shizun, his expression filled with determination.
"I won't disappoint you, Shizun. I swear it."
Yu Chen smiled, though it was faint, like a whisper of something greater. "I know you won't."