This morning lesson could only be described as a chaotic mess. Lu Qingkong was like a mad dog, snapping at everyone in sight. He bit this person, then that person, dragging every single inner disciple of Rizhao—including the innocent Zhou Fuxue—into the fray.
Zhou Fuxue: "..."
Ever since the day Ming Zhu returned from seeing Master Guining, Zhou Fuxue had quietly moved to the most remote corner of Rizhao Mountain, the Luohua Residence. He had been making himself scarce, and had only come to this morning lesson with the intent of listening to the lecture. He had no idea that such a commotion had broken out in Rizhao in just a few short days.
While he was still standing there in a daze, Lu Qingkong let out a metaphorical "woof" and viciously "bit" him, dragging him onto the lecture platform to confess his sins.
Shang Yanfeng, Yi Fuju, Yan Xueyu, and even Shen Di’an were all hauled up to the platform. Fortunately, they were used to Ming Zhu’s company and had grown quite thick-skinned; they simply offered a few words of apology and leisurely stepped back down.
Zhou Fuxue, however, lacked their shamelessness. He stood on the platform, at a total loss, facing the gaze of the entire assembly with a face full of bewilderment.
Someone started heckling: "Thirteenth Senior Brother, say something!"
Zhou Fuxue’s face turned pale. He stammered for a long while, unable to utter a single word.
Seeing this, Ming Zhu let out a soft sigh. He walked forward as if no one else were there, grabbed Zhou Fuxue’s hand, and with a slight tug, pulled him down from the platform. He then took the spot himself, standing there with a relaxed air and a beaming smile. "Now that you’ve had your fun, how about you listen to your Senior Brother say a few words?"
Zhou Fuxue breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly returned to his seat.
The crowd instantly forgot about heckling Zhou Fuxue and shouted toward Ming Zhu, "Eldest Senior Brother! What do you actually think about those rumors?"
Ming Zhu laughed. "My first thought was: I’m toast. Master is definitely going to punish me."
The crowd erupted in laughter. It was an open secret that Master Guining had never been fond of Ming Zhu.
"Parroting what others say, three people making a tiger... to you, this might just be a matter of flapping your lips, but to the person being gossiped about, it could become a lifelong stain," Ming Zhu said, winking at them as his voice softened. "So, you all have to be good from now on. Don't believe everything you hear, alright?"
"We’ll listen to Senior Brother!"
At times like this, Ming Zhu’s usual popularity shone through. Almost no one would contradict him; they all nodded in agreement.
Ming Zhu smiled.
Suddenly, someone else asked, "Eldest Senior Brother, your beauty is peerless. There must be people in Rizhao who admire you. We’ve always wanted to know: what is your opinion on the affection of men?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone’s eyes lit up. It seemed they had been curious about this for a long time. After all, the North and West Mountains were isolated from the outside world; they saw nothing but men all day long. It was inevitable that some would develop unspeakable feelings for Eldest Senior Brother’s androgynous face.
In the corner, Zhou Fuxue also looked up, staring at him in shock.
Ming Zhu’s expression didn't change in the slightest. He propped his elbows on the lecture desk and leaned forward slightly. His long hair slid off his shoulders, and his eyes held a natural, alluring charm. He gave the male disciple a playful wink and said suggestively, "Why? Do you admire me too?"
The disciple’s face instantly turned bright red. "I—I—I don't!"
Gui He cleared his throat from the side, reminding him to mind his public conduct.
Only then did Ming Zhu withdraw his flirtatious gaze. He smiled and said, "The affection of men... to be honest, I can't accept it. Don't be fooled by how dissolute—I mean, unrestrained—I usually am. In truth, I’m a stuffy, conventional old fogey. After all, the union of Yin and Yang is the only righteous path. What would it look like for two men to be together? Besides, you’re all young and impulsive; perhaps you don't even understand what 'affection' really is. Your Eldest Senior Brother only has this face going for him. If one day my beauty fades with age, would you still be able to feel affection for this face?"
Zhou Fuxue’s face went deathly pale in an instant, because he knew that these words were meant for him.
Ming Zhu didn't even look at him as he concluded, "So, just let your Eldest Senior Brother be a beautiful flower for everyone to admire in peace. Looking is fine, but don't try to touch, okay?"
A chorus of groans rose from the crowd.
Ming Zhu laughed and said, "Alright, we’ve made enough of a scene. Let’s continue with the lesson."
Having finished, he gave Gui He a smile and leisurely returned to his seat.
Shen Di’an smiled at him and whispered, "Eldest Senior Brother, not bad. Your skill at talking nonsense is as sharp as ever!"
Ming Zhu smiled back. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Zhou Fuxue’s ashen face. He paused for a moment before looking away.
He knew that what he said today was indeed a bit harsh, but they were words he had to say.
In his view, Zhou Fuxue’s previous transgression must have been a momentary lapse in judgment. The boy had been sent to Rizhao Mountain as a child and had spent the last few years revolving around him. He likely couldn't distinguish between admiration and genuine romantic affection. Once he spent some time away, he would naturally cool down and return to the right path.
He let out a silent sigh and tapped twice on Shen Di’an’s hand: *Find some time to go talk to Fuxue.*
Shen Di’an glanced at the grim-faced Zhou Fuxue and replied: *I’ve been meaning to ask—what exactly is going on between you two? Ever since you saw Master, things have been off. He even moved straight to Luohua Residence and hasn't shown his face for days.*
Ming Zhu: *It’s nothing. It’ll get better. No need to ask more.*
Shen Di’an was one to know when to stop. He nodded slightly and didn't press further.
The farce of that morning lesson was captured in its entirety by the two Shadow-Recording Pearls. Ming Zhu seemed to like them very much; every time the inner disciples gathered, he would bring them out to poke fun at everyone.
In the span of half a year, the group rarely met all at once. Every time they did, Zhou Fuxue was absent. Whenever Ming Zhu asked, Shen Di’an would say, "He seems to be in secluded cultivation. I can never find him when I go over."
Hearing this, Ming Zhu swatted Shang Yanfeng and said unhappily, "What did you say to him this time? Seclusion, seclusion, all day long. He’s going to turn his brain into mush just like you!"
Shang Yanfeng looked entirely innocent. "I didn't say anything to him."
Yan Xueyu added, "Is it perhaps for next month’s Sect Competition? Isn't it said that those who show progress in their cultivation can go out for experiential training with Master Dao? I heard they’re going to the Kingdom of Jianglou this time. Hmm, isn't Fuxue from the Zhou family of Jianglou?"
Ming Zhu said, "He is."
"Then that’s it. To go home for a visit, he naturally has to cultivate hard. Don't worry about it; we should see him next month."
Ming Zhu turned his head away and rubbed his face awkwardly. "I’m not... worried."
Over the past few months, the scar on his face had completely vanished. In fact, because he applied the ointment Shen Di’an gave him every day, his skin had become a shade fairer—so much so that a casual poke would leave a bright red mark.
He leaned against the table, squinting as he thought: *The Kingdom of Jianglou... does he really want to go home?*
Because the entire sect would be watching the competition, it wouldn't do for Ming Zhu to lose too miserably. Thus, he rarely joined Shang Yanfeng in secluded cultivation at the Cold Spring for a period. Finally, on the eve of the competition, he pushed his cultivation to the Late Golden Core stage—just barely respectable.
In the middle of the night, Ming Zhu, draped in a crane-feather cloak, walked side-by-side with Shang Yanfeng, who carried a carved lantern. Rizhao was located in a dense forest, so autumn arrived earlier than at the foot of the mountain. Though it was only late autumn, a thin layer of frost already coated the ground, shimmering with a crystalline light under the glow of the candle.
Because it was so late, a thick fog had risen in the woods, swirling above and obscuring even the quiet paths.
Ming Zhu took a deep breath. The chill entered his lungs, making his whole body shiver.
Shang Yanfeng said, "For tomorrow’s competition, you only need to fight the first round. Don't push yourself."
Ming Zhu shrugged. "I have self-awareness and know my limits. Besides, even if I took first place, Master wouldn't let me leave the mountain. Why should I waste so much effort? Fighting is for barbarians."
The "barbarian" Shang Yanfeng gave him a cold look. Just as he was about to speak, Ming Zhu’s expression suddenly changed. He turned and slammed into Shang Yanfeng’s chest, his whole body trembling.
Shang Yanfeng was used to this. Without even looking, he released a burst of spiritual energy in front of them. A long, thin snake was sent tumbling into the grass and vanished in an instant.
It took Ming Zhu a long moment to recover. He let out a soft breath and grumbled dissatisfiedly, "When will winter finally get here? I’m going to be scared to death."
Shang Yanfeng continued walking with him. "Still having nightmares?"
Ming Zhu hummed an affirmative. "Tomorrow I need to get some more medicine from Old Ten. Ideally something that will knock me out cold, just to save me from..."
His voice cut off abruptly. Shang Yanfeng looked up, following his gaze, and saw Zhou Fuxue standing before the gates of Buzhiya Courtyard, holding a lantern.
Zhou Fuxue must have been waiting for a long time. His green cloak trailed on the ground, also covered in a thin layer of frost. Hearing footsteps, he looked up slightly. His eyes, like a deep, still well, looked toward Ming Zhu with an unfathomable gaze.
Ming Zhu took a few steps forward and said without looking back, "You go on back first. See you tomorrow."
Shang Yanfeng didn't get angry at being discarded after use. He gave a slight nod and vanished into the thick fog.
Ming Zhu walked up quickly and said with a light laugh, "It’s so late. Why have you come?"
He smiled without a hint of awkwardness, as if those hurtful words from six months ago had never crossed his lips.
Zhou Fuxue looked at him with a cold expression, thinking: *How can he act so nonchalant with me? Does he really think those offenses can be treated as if they never happened?*
Zhou Fuxue didn't speak, but Ming Zhu didn't find it awkward. He stepped aside to open the door. "Since you’re already here, why not come in for a chat?"
Zhou Fuxue still said nothing, but his feet were honest as they followed Ming Zhu inside.
Without Zhou Fuxue around, Ming Zhu had reverted to his original slovenly lifestyle. Aside from when Shang Yanfeng had time to come over and help him tidy up, the place was usually a mess.
Ming Zhu didn't feel embarrassed. After lighting the lamp, he swept a pile of odds and ends off the table with a flick of his sleeve. He then picked up a cushion from a chair, shook off the debris, patted it down, and said, "Here, sit. I’ll brew some tea for you."
From the moment he entered the room, Zhou Fuxue’s brow had been tightly furrowed. Seeing Ming Zhu calmly brewing tea amidst this chaos, his stoic expression nearly crumbled.
He held it in for a long while before finally being unable to stop himself from speaking: "Can't you take proper care of yourself?"
Ming Zhu was crouching by a cabinet, rummaging for tea leaves. Hearing this, he looked up blankly. "Huh?"
Zhou Fuxue was so frustrated he couldn't speak. After a long pause, he said, "Don't bother. Aren't you afraid you won't be able to sleep if you drink tea at night?"
The words were too intimate. As soon as Zhou Fuxue said them, he realized it was a mistake and promptly shut his mouth, saying no more.
Ming Zhu clutched the tea leaves he had found, crouching on the floor in a daze, looking up at him with a lost expression.
***
