Be Gentle, Immortal Master

"How much did he tell you?" I asked instead, hoping that it was a question Xie Lun could actually answer. "When you came to find me, it was already five days since he went into retreat. How did you know what had happened during that time?"

"I didn't know." Xie Lun shrugged. "But I didn't need to. He told me that something unpleasant might happen to you while he was away, and it was easy enough to tell whether that was the case by simply looking at you."

Something unpleasant was just a little understatement of what happened, I grumbled inwardly. Though I suppose that was the simplest description to prepare Xie Lun for all different possibilities. Bai Ye must have given him different tasks based on how I reacted to that vision in the crystal. Had I looked angry instead of despondent, for example, I wouldn't be surprised if Xie Lun's job would become adding more fuel to my fury and making me doubt Bai Ye further.

Their deal made me at a loss for words. Should I be grateful that Bai Ye cared so much for me as to put this much effort into it, or should I be mad that he had so little faith in our love? I sighed. "Did he plan for the woman we ran into at the village as well?" I asked. "How did you manage to time it so perfectly without me knowing?"

"That part … actually isn't in the plan. Or if it was, he didn't tell me. I had only guessed who the immortal was based on what she said, and I answered your questions the way he would want me to." Xie Lun paused. "I should apologize that I didn't tell you the truth about the price to pay for that forbidden art … The consequences are always borne by the person performing the spell, not the one that is brought back. I assume you've already found out about it though."

I nodded. Thank Heavens that I found the real and detailed answer at Azure Dragon Palace. But if not for Xie Lun's reminder that a forbidden art like this came with great prices, I might not have suspected everything so soon either. In the end, he still helped things turn out the way they did.

So I managed to smile. "No need to apologize, Senior Xie. You helped me in more ways than you realized, even with that half-truth of an answer. I owe you all the time and effort you spent on that trip with me." I looked down at the longsword in my grip. "Are you sure you don't want to keep this? I can easily convince the owner that you are more than worthy of the gift."

Xie Lun laughed. "I will not deny that I covet his collection. But a deal is a deal, and to be honest, I prefer things turning out this way. You are fortunate to have a master— a man that cares so much about you, and I'm glad that I didn't succeed in undoing any of it."

I stared at him in bewilderment then. I had been trying to avoid this topic—although I expected Bai Ye to tell the minimum about what happened between us, it wouldn't be hard at all to guess based on his requests, and Xie Lun was too sharp to miss it. Based on Xie Lun's attitude towards Su Nian while we were at Jade Temple, I didn't expect him to approve of us, and I was content enough that he hadn't openly voiced his judgment. But from what he just said … his opinion had changed?

"Not everyone at Mount Hua is that narrow-minded," Xie Lun explained, seeing the look on my face. "I admit that this came to me as a shock at first, and it is easy for an outsider to judge harshly using whatever 'norm' they expect of others. But I could tell from how thoroughly he planned everything for you that he truly cares, and your reaction to him showed the same. From the bottom of my heart, I don't want to see you separated."

Inclining his head slightly, Xie Lun smiled again. "I've already distracted you for long enough. Please send my regards to Master Bai Ye, and I hope everything will turn out the best for both of you soon."

I said my thanks and gave him a slight nod of farewell. Closing the gate behind me, I felt a tinge of relief easing my mind. I knew that at this rate, the secrets within this hall won't hold for much longer. I wasn't afraid of all the sneers and chastisements that awaited, but I was still glad to learn that not everyone will look at us that way. At least some would understand.

Putting those thoughts away, I crossed the garden and strode back towards the meditation chamber.

Bai Ye was still reclining in the same position as he did when I left. Hearing my return, he shifted towards me, a look of worry shadowing his face.

"Did you hear who it was?" I asked, walking towards him to sit down at his side.

He shook his head. "The front gate is too far away for me at this point."

I gritted my teeth again. He was already weakened to this extent, yet he still wouldn't stop surprising me with all those idiotic plans for me! I fought back the urge to squash him with the longsword. Reminding myself that it wasn't the sword's fault, I fought back another urge to throw it onto the floor. Instead, I took a deep breath and placed it next to him as gently as I could. "It was Senior Xie," I said with pretended casualness. "He came to return a gift from you."

The worry on his face drained, replaced by that helplessness I had grown too used to seeing these days. I shifted closer to him.. "Since when did you start gifting other people so generously, Bai Ye?" I whispered into his ears. "Care to explain?"