That dream was unexpected.
Lu Kai is a part of me. What I experience, he does as well. Does this mean I'm becoming more receptive to his sense of awareness? It could mean that he and I are combining our conciousness once again.
Rong Xin returns from her bath. Her hair is dripping wet, but she's managed to tie the upper half into her usual hair bun.
"Rong Xin, come here," I order.
"Yes, Master."
Opening a long velvet case, I present to her the hairpin I purchased for her.
"Wow, Master. It's beautiful," she says with eyes absorbed by the pink ornament.
"I was thinking that your hair looked too plain without an accessory."
I pick up the pin, and held it in my hands. "Turn around. I'll pin it in your hair."
"Ah?" She's confused but turns around as I've asked.
"H-- How does it look?" She asks as she turns back to face me.
Without thinking I blurt out, "Pretty. Very pretty."
Suddenly my cheek is met with her lips.
"S-- Sorry, Master! I thought you were someone else."
Someone else? Does she mean Lu Kai?
I clear my throat, "No worries... Just one small mistake, it's fine. We're heading back to Bleak Night today. You ready?"
I'll forgive her this time. It's not like her kiss was intolerable.
"We're already leaving?" She asks a bit saddened.
"As Sect Leader, I have errands to take care of, so we must leave earlier than expected."
"Of course..."
When we returned, I immediately asked for Gu Yi.
"Rong Xin is no longer a maid for Bleak Night," I tell him.
"Yes... Sect Leader."
"You watch her and see what she needs."
"I will.... May I ask where you took Miss Rong Xin, Sect Leader?"
"You don't need to know. Go."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
Wicked Mist has proven to be callous in these past few weeks. I've been working with the Night Ravens to track down their many locations. However, I'm displeased with every case not leading to their leader.
While out near the desolate valley of Crimson Snow, I suddenly remember something. A sharp pierce penetrates the side of my brain with memories of a glistening sword.
"The Meteor Sword?"
"What is it, Zi Huo?" Wu Jing is concerned. He stops walking ahead and watches me closely.
"Wu Jing, the Meteor Sword that Luo Na Li owned, could it still at Crimson Snow Valley Sect?"
He ponders at my question. "It might be. Scavengers stray away from looting there because of the rumors that it's haunted by the vengeful ghost of Zhao Bao Bai."
"I must go look for it." I leave him and enter the path leading to the snowy valley.
I wonder why after all these years I have not kept this sword in my possession. This Lu Kai version of me worshipped Luo Na Li, so why didn't he keep her sword from all those years ago? Not only that but the Meteor Sword is a powerful weapon with mythological origins. Should it fall into the wrong hands...
Stepping inside the Sect, nature has already claimed most of its structure. The walls are broken down and snow covers every surface. Skeletal remains are frozen in ice. I pick up a few swords stuck to the elements of the weather, tossing them when I identify they weren't the Meteor Sword.
Finally I pull a sword from a pile of ice and snow. Wrapping my hand around the diamond encrusted handle, the ice melts off the blade, and its shine is restored as if it never suffered a day in such extreme weather.
Once Rong Xin's condition improves, I shall have her practice with the Meteor Sword.
I return to Bleak Night. Within seconds of hearing about my return, she comes to find me.
I set down the Meteor Sword, and turn to face her, "You're here."
"Yes," she pouts
"What is it?"
"Master, since we've been back, you haven't taught me anything."
"We'll pick back up the lessons when you can do a simple teleportation spell. Have you even been practicing?"
"Well, I-- Only when I have time..."
How will she wield the gift I got for her when she doesn't dedicate herself to practice?
I sigh, "I purposely no longer made you my maid so that you could practice cultivation, and yet you do not. Do you laze around all day?"
"Master, you can ask Gu Yi what I've been up to. Even though I'm no longer a maid, the only things I can help with are menial chores."
She really... needs to believe in herself.
"Just devote yourself to your cultivating, all right? That's what I want you to focus on."
"Okay..."
I walk pass her to sit down at the table.
I don't want her to become too dispirited. Who knows she might run back to Wu Jing for cultivation lessons.
Attempting to appease her, I ask, "Do you want to eat something? I'll have the cooks prepare something for you."
She excitedly sits down in the chair next to me. "Okay! I liked the dishes you cooked for me when we were at Shui Jing Mountain. Can I eat something like that again?"
She's too easy.
"All right. I'll prepare those for you. Wait here."
"I'll go with you!"
"Sure."
After cooking a fine meal, we relocate our dinner to the pavilion looking over Dark Fall Lake.
Rong Xin is about to drink her cup of wine. She takes the cup to her nose, sniffing it before sipping. I've seen her done that when Lu Kai offered her wine in my dream.
"Why do you do that?" I ask.
"Hmm? Do what?"
"Sniff wine before drinking it."
"You've seen me drink wine before, Master?"
"I guess I haven't. I must be thinking of someone else."
I forgot I haven't actually drank wine with her before. In any case, I don't want to reveal to her that I'm aware of her infiltrating my dreams. It's something that annoys me because she's spent that time with Lu Kai. The imposter.
Perhaps I've allowed her to drink too much. She ramble endlessly about things I don't understand.
"Master, did you know that I was so happy when you and I stayed at Shui Jing Mountain? I liked hearing you call my name every time you wanted to talk to me. It felt like... like we were living together, sharing a home together."
I sip on my wine, listening to her drunken words.
"Did you know that I've always held you with high regards? Like... Like looo--"
"I know," I tell her.
"Th-- Then Master, do you feel the same for me?" She hiccups waiting for me to answer.
I don't know why she wants me to say something like that. I'm not even sure I can love another being. As Lu Kai have said, I know nothing about love.
Fuming, she walks to my side of the table.
"What are you doing?"
She falls into my lap, and I catch her. Resting on top of me, she dares to grab my by my robes.
"Don't play with me, Yang Zi Huo!"
"Y-- You're being disorderly!"
"You're not being honest with me... It's weird. When you barely noticed me, I wanted to try my hardest to love you. But when there was an inkling of possibility that you could be in love with me, my courage starts to fade and I want to disappear. I don't have the confidence to love you in reality. The fantasy of it is easier than actually caring and loving for another being. But when you speak softly to me, and you seal my lips with a kiss... At least treat me as though I'm nothing to you like Ying Jun so my desires will dissolve. Whether you're Lu Kai or Yang Zi Huo, I find myself yearning for your acceptance. For me, there really is only you. Only you who I could spend my life with. So from now on! From now on, I'll love you without fear... but do you know that it's so nice to receive love once in awhile? It feels so nice to be needed, to be loved..."
"I don't know anything... about love, Rong Xin. I'll just end up hurting you like I do to everyone else."
Her breath is steady as she rests her head against my chest.
"Ever since I've met you, I feel like you've changed me in some way or that you're reminding me of who used to be, that I am deserving of your feelings... For the longest time, I didn't believe anyone would be able to accept me as I am. And it's become clear that I like your presence and appreciate your admiration. I'm just afraid..."
If I lose someone like you again, I will really never recover.
"Are you sleeping? Rong Xin?"
I carry her to my room, placing her gently on my bed. I pull the covers over her, observing her pink cheeks.
"She... is quite cute."
The next few days Rong Xin has become too embarrassed to face me. I don't mind giving her space, but she's acting like I'm the one who drunkenly spouted out my heart to her. I finally corner her before she enters her room for the evening.
"Why have you been avoiding me?"
"Avoiding you? No. Not at all, Master."
"I mean I understand. I'd hide too after getting so drunk."
"I-- I've been busy!"
"Really?"
"Uh-huh. If you'll excuse me." She tries to get by, but I block her.
"Did you really... mean what you said the other night?" I ask.
"Ha. Ha. Um... "
"I can't believe you were once infatuated by that backward village idiot, Ying Xun."
"His name is Ying Jun."
"Doesn't matter. Did you mean what you said the other night?"
She nods quickly like a child admitting wrong.
"I see... Rong Xin, tonight the night market in Ye Guang city will be showing fireworks, would you like to go with me?"
"Go with you?"
"Yeah. Just the two of us."
"Just the two of us?"
"Are you a parrot? Yes, just the two of us."
She reaches to sniff my scent, wrapping her arms around my neck. I step back out of her hold.
"What are you doing?"
"This isn't the first time I'd been fooled by a demon. I had to make sure it was really you."
"Of course, it's me. Who would dare to impersonate me within Bleak Night?"
She-- She's lucky it's me she's violating.
I'm getting ready to meet Rong Xin by Yeguang City gates. I don't know how to describe this feeling. Almost similar to a less intense level of rushed adrenaline before a battle. Excited? I guess I'm excited to spend time with her, just the two of us.
Gu Yi runs inside my chambers without knocking, he appears disgruntled.
"Sect Leader, Miss Ming Yan just arrived at Bleak Night doors. She's been heavily injured."
"Have you ordered the physicians to have a look at her?" I ask.
"Yes, before I came to tell you Sect Leader."
A physician runs in as well and bows to greet me. "Sect Leader, your presence is needed at the treatment hall."
"Why?"
"The lead physician says it's advantageous to have your powers save Miss Ming Yan."