Arc 5: Chapter 14
Xie Hanzhou’s Daoist heart remained as calm and still as ever. A spark might ignite a dry field but it could never set ablaze a thousand acres of snowfield.
Shifting his gaze away from his little disciple’s lips, Xie Hanzhou looked at the teenager’s eyes. They were a pair of clear, beautiful almond-shaped eyes that glistened like pure mountain streams or springs after fresh rain.
Xie Hanzhou had never noticed before, but at this time, he recognized the emotion in those eyes.
When he was young, famous immortal fairies and noble daughters would also look at him with such eyes, ones filled with admiration and longing for love.
Xie Hanzhou almost thought that he misunderstood. He knew that this little disciple was already romantically involved with Yu Sui’an, while he was merely his master in terms of cultivation, an elder. From what he had observed, this little disciple was obedient everywhere except for getting close to Yu Sui’an, how could Lin Yuan actually harbor such audacious desires?
No, his little disciple was a good child, it was impossible for Lin Yuan to be fickle and a cheater in love. Xie Hanzhou was certain. He must have made a mistake.
Lin Yuan scrutinized Xie Hanzhou and felt that the man was the same as when they first met, still aloof and cold, like the untouchable moon in the sky and exuded a cold front that could freeze an entire mountain range.
The man’s narrow eyes were serene and indifferent, and their depths revealed an untainted coolness that was not soiled by the mortal world or even a hint of warmth. He stood tall and his spine was straight, and his stunning appearance could render any scenery dull in comparison.
Lin Yuan didn’t see any change at all, so where did the 12% blackening value come from?
Did something make Xie Hanzhou unhappy recently?
As Lin Yuan puzzled over this, Xie Hanzhou lowered his gaze down on the book on his desk. It was a Daoist scripture for calming the heart and purifying the mind.
Yu Sui’an wouldn’t be around for a considerable amount of time as he secluded himself in the Demon Realm’s Grand Radiant Hall in order to break through. During this time, Xie Hanzhou intended to let his little disciple sever any lingering thoughts about Yu Sui’an and focus entirely on cultivating detachment.
Picking up the scripture, Xie Hanzhou slowly walked over to Lin Yuan and handed him the book: “Take this.”
The deep blue cover contrasted with Xie Hanzhou’s pale hand, that was white like snow, elegant and flawless and well-defined joints and protruding veins. Lin Yuan reached out and took the scripture, bowing to Xie Hanzhou: “Thank you for the book, Master.”
Reading the title, Clear Heart Sutra, Lin Yuan silently wondered why his husband gave him this.
Xie Hanzhou seemed to see the doubt in Lin Yuan’s eyes and explained coldly: “Lin Yuan, your Dao heart is unsettled and easily troubled. The path of cultivation is long and arduous, from today onward, copy the Clear Heart Sutra once every five days. It will clear your mind and purify your thoughts. Every month from now on, bring Master a complete transcription to review.”
Lin Yuan didn’t expect that Xie Hanzhou would meet him just to assign him more homework. Copying it every five days would sum up to six times a month, and worst of all, his husband sounded as if he would copy it till the end of time.
Luckily, he didn’t know the reason why, but the coursework at Pure Jade Palace had eased up recently, reverting to the amount it had been when he first entered the sect. Otherwise, Lin Yuan would’ve been very unwilling to work so hard. Now that he had the free time, Lin Yuan figured he might as well write. Copying the scripture would also help to clear his mind and benefit his cultivation.
Lin Yuan looked up at Xie Hanzhou with bright, round eyes. When he smiled, the dimples on his cheeks deepened, making him looked soft and sweet: “Yes, Master. This disciple understands.”
Xie Hanzhou had always been taciturn and reserved and rarely talked to other people outside of business matters. He would never spend a second more when he didn’t need to with other people. As he stared at the soft and harmless youth in front of him, he inexplicably thought that the boy resembled a little fluffy white bunny.
The little disciple was indeed white and tender… as for soft…
Xie Hanzhou’s eyebrows twitched quickly as he remembered the sweet and flexible sensation that he had tasted countless times. His gaze involuntarily fell on the pair of rosy lips, as if they had hooked his sight unknowingly.
They were indeed very soft. And sweet too.
Suppressing the surge of strange thoughts, Xie Hanzhou reminded himself that it was just that his Dao heart had been unsteady lately because of Yu Sui’an. Everything would pass with time.
Xie Hanzhou waved his hand, letting Lin Yuan leave.
Lin Yuan nodded obediently and turned to leave. He only took a few steps before he couldn’t help but look back and ask in a small voice: “Master, have you been unhappy recently?”
Xie Hanzhou froze slightly and the cold and distant blackness in his eyes briefly flickered.
He was pulled into memories from a long time ago, when he had first entered Pure Jade Palace. Back then, his master, martial uncles, and even his senior brothers and sisters would often ask him the same question. At that time, he had been so small and weak that he was unable to control even his own life and death.
Over time, he had grown stronger, strong enough to control the future of Pure Jade Palace, and even exert influence over countless immortals over the world.
But there was no longer anyone who asked if he was unhappy.
His senior brothers and sisters now treated him with only solemnity and reverence. The senior brother who used to sneak him out for fun was gone. The senior sister who patched his clothes was gone. The junior brother who caused mischief alongside him was also gone.
Heaven and earth were heartless, and so were people.
Now he was the Venerable Patriarch of Pure Jade Palace, the Immortal Sovereign Xie Hanzhou. He represented the righteous sects and he could never waver. But he had not been himself for a very long time.
Lin Yuan had never seen Xie Hanzhou look so lost before. He was like a flawless statue of a god—noble, untouchable, and… very lonely.
But in a blink of an eye, Xie Hanzhou recovered his usual cold and indifferent demeanor. He looked at Lin Yuan with a light gaze but also so deep it could pierce hearts: “Go back.”
Lin Yuan hesitated and didn’t want to leave. He really wanted to accompany Xie Hanzhou right now.
The sycamore trees atop Ancient Grove Peak never shed their leaves and neither withered nor decayed. Lin Yuan had not thought much of it before, but he felt now that this was also a kind of cruelty.
After some thought, Lin Yuan remembered something Yu Sui’an had said before.
It’s just that when I was growing up, I was poor, without clothing and food, and never got the chance to taste a drink this sweet before.
Since Yu Sui’an was also Xie Hanzhou, then his childhood must’ve also lacked all traces of sweetness.
Lin Yuan secretly exchanged some of his points at the system mall for a handful of candies. He approached Xie Hanzhou timidly and stretched out his hand: “Master… thank you for your teachings. This is a small token of appreciation, I hope you don’t dislike it…”
Xie Hanzhou looked at Lin Yuan’s flushed cheeks and hesitated for a moment, and then accepted the candies.
It was light in weight, but his heart felt heavy.
Lin Yuan beamed when he saw Xie Hanzhou accept his candy. His eyes rounded and sparkled and he said excitedly: “Master, it’s very sweet!”
Xie Hanzhou mused that this little disciple was quite childlike. Who had heard of sending candy to his master?
Just as he was about to give the candy back, Lin Yuan had already dashed away. His skipping figure really looked like a bunny.
Xie Hanzhou watched Lin Yuan leave before slowly lowering his gaze to the candies in his hand.
He had long forgotten what candies tasted like, and had no desire to remember it.
Originally, he intended to throw these candies into his storage ring, but considering his disciple’s filial intentions, he instead took out a white jade box.
The box was a rare treasure. If it had a spirit and knew it was just used to store a few candies, it would probably cry...
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To Lin Yuan’s surprise, ever since he began copying the Clear Heart Sutra, he stopped dreaming of Yu Sui’an. But he couldn’t help but think of Yu Sui’an many times during the day. Would there be any danger during his closed door cultivation?
Lin Yuan also missed Xie Hanzhou. Did his master try the candies he had given him yet?
Xie Hanzhou was a very diligent peak master. He regularly summoned every newly admitted disciple and inquired about their cultivation every two months.
Only Lin Yuan was different, and was summoned every month. Every time Xie Hanzhou reviewed his copies of the Clear Heart Sutra, he would almost always say the same thing: “Your handwriting has improved. Continue.”
On the first day of the twelfth month, Lin Yuan was at his seat chatting with a classmate about sword techniques, when a startled exclamation overshadowed the bustle of Cangwu Hall.
“Master is here?”
Similar cries sounded one after another.
“Ah! My master is here too?”
“I see my master!”
Quickly, Ancient Grove Hall became dead silent as the peak lords entered. All of the disciples stood up and bowed respectfully.
Daoist Danyang, the eldest among the peak lords, nodded slightly and said: “No need for formalities. Please sit.”
“Yes, Master!”
“Yes, Martial Uncle!”
Daoistn Danyang and the others took their seats.
Moments later, Xie Hanzhou, dressed in snow-white robes, emerged from the back of the hall. As always, he looked otherworldly, his beauty unparalleled, cold as ice and snow. He was like the reflection of the moon in a mirror, distant and untouchable and exuding a frosty chill.
The peak lords exchanged greetings with Xie Hanzhou too. Once everyone was seated, Xie Hanzhou’s indifferent eyes slowly surveyed the batch of newly admitted disciples.
“Chu Yao,” Xie Hanzhou called out in a cold voice.
Lin Yuan looked to the side, puzzled. Why did his master suddenly call for Chu Yao in front of everyone?
Chu Yao was also confused and stood up. He responded nervously, “Master.”
A trace of mockery flickered across Xie Hanzhou’s flawless face, although his expression was mostly indifferent. His voice was still that same icy tone: “Chu Yao, I am not suited to be your master. During today's assembly, you will choose another peak lord as your mentor.”