34 This is more importan (1/2)

He set down his teacup, now empty, and was about to excuse himself. Liu Sumeng seemed to pick up on his intentions pretty quickly. ”Wait.”

Impatience surged within Yuan Xuelan, but it was mostly with himself, ”What is it?” The itch to flee wound his muscles tight, his voice became clipped.

Liu Sumeng chewed his bottom lip but eventually brought out the Tiger Hear Amethyst with his interspacial ring. The treasure, a shining golden jewel as big as his palm, had a miniature storm that rumbled and crackled inside.

”What in the…” Yuan Xuelan's attention was instantly captivated and his guards lowered as he leaned in, eyeing the mystical jewel. ”Is this the Tiger Heart Amethyst?”

Entranced with wonder he poked and prodded the jewel, as if trying to lure the storm out with his finger. It grumbled in response, the storm curling like cat trying to sleep. ”Is this why you went to Boling? Why didn't you say so sooner! I would have gone with you!”

”...” Liu Sumeng's body tensed.

”I mean! I know you wouldn't have asked me anyway but next time just take me along.”

”It's for you.”

Yuan Xuelan thought he heard wrong, ”Huh?”

”...” The Ivory Sword Saint took a shuddering breath. Heavens, did Yuan Xuelan never notice how gorgeous this person was? ”It's yours.” The Tiger Heart Amethyst was shoved into Yuan Xuelan's hands and he froze, shocked and wondering if he was imagining this sequence of events.

”Huh?” he repeated dumbly as the weight of the Tiger Heart Amethyst burned through his palms, ”Huh!? What do you mean it's mine? Are you stupid? Are you just giving this sacred treasure to me!?”

Liu Sumeng looked at a loss, those rigid brows downturned and lips pulled into a frown. Liu Sumeng, dammit! Could he please not look at Yuan Xuelan like that! Yuan Xuelan wanted to scream. ”Do you…not like it?” the Ivory Sword Said asked.

Yuan Xuelan's patience ran out. ”Not like it!? How could I not like it, dumbass! Who do you think I am? Why the hell do you think you can just give a sacred treasure away!? To me of all people! How can my heart feel at ease with something like this? You must be brain dead!”

Liu Sumeng was taken aback, his expression was one shocked, pitiful, like a scolded child. Yuan Xuelan couldn't stand it any longer and leaped to his feet. ”I, Yuan Xuelan, refuse to let this absurdity stand! Just you wait, Ivory Sword Saint! I'll pay you back tenfold!” Satisfied with his passionate declaration he rushed out the door. Only to return seconds later to close it.

And Liu Sumeng was left on his own.

Just what had happened? Was he hated? Or was he not? Did things improve? Or did they not?

Liu Sumeng felt a bit dizzy. He climbed to his feet and massaged his temples. It was about time he went and drew that bath. Maybe then, he could understand things a little bit better.

It was after the first snowfall when Yuan Xuelan received the news. Liu Suye waved him over after a sparring session with Xu Hexian, his expression was graver than usual. ”I have a message for you,” he said, ”Peng Zhugen sends his regards.”

Yuan Xuelan frowed. The courtyard was awash with a thin layer of white that the disciples slaved to sweep off the paths as more fluttered down from gray skies. ”Peng Zhugen? Not Peng Jipei? I don't really know Peng Zhugen.”

Xu Hexian looked over, curious but Liu Suye shook his head, reminding him that it wasn't his place. ”Wufang wants to let you know that Cao Hong is not doing so well. Her days are numbered.”

”...Oh.”

”You should go and visit her.”

Yuan Xuelan thought he should probably feel sad, ”I understand.”

So he had packed up to leave the very next day. Chen Anyue fixed his robes and drape a heavy pelt around him, insisting he would need it against the biting northern chill. She also packed him way more food than he needed. ”Take care, A-Zhang. Say hi to A-Huan for me.”

”Yeah, no worries,” he paused, ”but what about you?”

Chen Anyue tilted her head. She was different lately, with the way she laughed and walked down the halls with a brisk and quickened pace. Her aura glowed like a caged bird having grown wings. But Yuan Xuelan had also caught her looking listless at times, mind lost in a trance and he couldn't tell if his Shijie was happy or sad. She would never tell him out right either.

”What did I tell you about worrying about yourself?” She giggled, voice high and pleasant, her doe eyes curving into two lovely crescents. ”I am more than happy here.”

He didn't quite understand what more meant, but it also felt strange to ask. So he pulled his Shijie into an embrace and bid her farewell one last time. She chuckled and reminded him it was only a short trip before Yuan Xuelan grinned back, and left the snow-dusted manor.