Arc 5: Chapter 15
Everyone took in a cold breath.
This kind of matter had never happened before in Pure Jade Palace. No one had ever heard of a master renouncing their own disciple during a formal assembly on the reason the master was unfit, even instructing the disciple to seek another mentor.
All eyes turned toward Chu Yao, their eyes filled with shock and desire for gossip.
Chu Yao was even more stunned.
Just the day before, Molian had summoned him to Ancient Grove Peak.
The dim candle light seemed to soften Xie Hanzhou’s striking features, and Chu Yao couldn’t help but be fascinated. He remembered how the system characterized Xie Hanzhou as aloof and untouched by mundane desires, but despite his frosty demeanor, he was gentle and understanding toward his disciples.
Seizing the rare opportunity to see Xie Hanzhou, Chu Yao approached the man pretending to ask questions about a Daoist scripture and even ‘accidentally’ brushed against the back of Xie Hanzhou’s hand.
That fleeting touch felt like grazing the finest and smoothest piece of jade, and it made Chu Yao’s heart race and his throat dry. In his heart, this type of ascetic master was the most captivating to him. Just touching the back of Xie Hanzhou’s hand already made his blood start boiling.
Chu Yao was confident that Xie Hanzhou would dismiss it, and he was even a little smug for his subtlety.
He never expected that Xie Hanzhou would notice, and even go as far as to renounce him as a disciple in front of everyone, directing him to seek another master.
He grew indignant. It was so unnecessary for Xie Hanzhou to act like this over just touching his hand. This was practically public humiliation!
How could he still raise his head in the future? All of his fellow disciples revered Xie Hanzhou like a god, and now that Xie Hanzhou had rejected him as a disciple, the rest of Pure Jade Palace would definitely ostracize and bully him.
Chu Yao anxiously asked for the system but he was only met with silence. In the end, he could only try to act pitiful. Even if he couldn’t change Xie Hanzhou’s decision, he wanted to get some sympathy from the other peak lords and disciples.
Chu Yao stepped forward to the center of the hall and knelt down with a loud thud. The corners of his eyes were red and tears were threatening to fall. He said chokingly: “Master, what did this disciple do wrong? This disciple respects Master like a father and begs Master to let me stay.”
Hearing Chu Yao say ‘respects Master as a father’, Xie Hanzhou’s brow raised slightly, as if mocking him. He emphasized: “As I said, I am unfit to be your master. But you are still a member of Pure Jade Palace, there will naturally be another teacher to guide you.”
He turned to Daoist Danyang, a middle-aged man with half his face covered by a long scruffy beard, and said: “Senior Danyang, I believe your vast knowledge makes you the most suitable mentor for Chu Yao.”
Daoist Danyang didn’t seem to mind. As the teacher of the fundamental sword techniques, he already had some impression of Chu Yao, and thought this youngster’s aptitude was good. He just didn’t know what this boy had done to displease Junior Brother Hanzhou.
Danyang stroked his long beard, his demeanor tranquil like an autumn drizzle, and said: “The sect leader speaks rightly. Very well, I shall take Chu Yao under my wing.”
Chu Yao had no room to express any protest, and could only bow lowly to cover up his ugly expression.
After the assembly, Lin Yuan sneaked to the back hall to ask Molian about the reason.
In the plot, Chu Yao always stayed as Xie Hanzhou’s disciple, why did his master suddenly renounce Chu Yao?
Molian was a bit surprised to see Lin Yuan, but still shook his head when asked. He said: “Junior Brother, I don’t know the reason either. But yesterday, Master asked me to summon Junior Brother Chu, and when he left, Master’s expression was not too good.”
Lin Yuan found it hard to imagine what Xie Hanzhou’s unpleasant expression would look like. Would he look scary and intimidating? But his husband was already stunningly handsome that even anger would probably still look good on him.
Seeing Lin Yuan suddenly lost in thought, Molian was amused and waved a hand in front of his face. He laughed slightly: “What’s wrong? Junior Brother, what are you thinking about?”
Lin Yuan shook his head and then nodded. He asked Molian imploringly: “Senior brother, can you let me meet Master? I have something to discuss with him.”
Molian hesitated just a moment before agreeing. He had seen that Xie Hanzhou treated this junior brother more favorably than everyone else. He left for a short while and then returned, saying: “Junior Brother, come with me. Master is willing to see you.”
Lin Yuan was led behind Ancient Grove Hall, to two thousand year old sycamore trees in the backyard. The passage of time seemed etched into their trunks, showing the vicissitudes of age.
Under one of the towering sycamore trees stood a figure in a white Daoist robe.
Even the blazing noon sun failed to penetrate through the dense canopy. Xie Hanzhou’s robe was adorned with shifting shadows that covered the intricate silver patterns, like the reflective surface of a silent lake.
After leading Lin Yuan to the back courtyard, Molian retreated. Lin Yuan stepped forward and saluted respectfully: “Master.”
Xie Hanzhou’s gaze first fell on the sky-blue tassel at Lin Yuan’s waist. It was a pale and soft shade of blue that perfectly complemented the white uniform.
As the sect leader of Pure Jade Palace for almost two hundred years, it had been a long time since he had carefully observed the tassel for new disciples, or felt pride and joy in having one.
Ever since he reached his current position, he never looked back. For the first time, because of this teenager, he remembered.
His gaze shifted up past the slender figure and up to the other’s porcelain-like neck. Before his sight even reached the youth's face, in his mind a brush dipped in ink had already painted a refined and cute face.
This sense of expectation was something Xie Hanzhou had never experienced before.
He slowly lifted his eyes, studying Lin Yuan's face carefully. The real person differed slightly from his imagination. For instance, no brush could capture the clarity and purity in the youth’s eyes or the texture of his soft lips. Even the finest artistry and the most colorful pigments only drew a momentary shape, but could not capture his soul.
Lin Yuan felt as though Xie Hanzhou looked at him differently. He wasn’t sure if it was his own illusion, but the man’s gaze as he stared at him was deeper, heavier, and more intricate.
Realizing his little disciple’s scrutiny, Xie Hanzhou withdrew his sight, focusing on the sycamore tree next to him. Inexplicably, he felt as if the scenery around him was dull, not as bright and pleasing as the youth.
“You asked Molian to see me, what do you want to discuss?” Xie Hanzhou said in a cold voice, as always.
Lin Yuan peeked at Xie Hanzhou’s side profile and asked: “Master… why did you say that you were not suited to be Chu Yao’s mentor?”
Xie Hanzhou was silent for a moment. He glanced at Lin Yuan and asked: “You just want to know the reason?”
Lin Yuan couldn’t help but feel nervous for some reason. He blinked rapidly and nodded: “Yes, Master. This disciple is curious.”
Xie Hanzhou noticed his disciple’s nervousness and his serene eyes deepened, concealing a bottomless abyss. “Then, do you want to hear the truth or a lie?”
“Ah?” Lin Yuan’s eyes widened.
Xie Hanzhou seemed to find his reaction amusing, but he repeated the question calmly: “Do you want the truth or a lie?”
Lin Yuan couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was strange. The Xie Hanzhou right now seemed different from the Xie Hanzhou he had first met in this world, but he couldn't explain how he was different.
Since he couldn’t understand now, he decided to dwell on it later if he remembered to. He nodded obediently: “I want to hear the truth.”
Xie Hanzhou told him truthfully: “Chu Yao became my disciple but did not regard me as his master. Yesterday, he committed a great disrespect when I saw him. With such conduct, it is only natural I will not continue to mentor him.”
Lin Yuan understood. Lin Yuan nearly exploded. Chu Yao that dogsh*t had some nerve! Even Lin Yuan didn’t dare to get too close! He only stole a few more glances secretly!
Lin Yuan’s brow furrowed with anger. He planned to secretly cover Chu Yao with a sack and beat him up later.
Xie Hanzhou looked at the youth. From Lin Yuan’s expressive eyes to the other’s pursed lips, obviously the youth was angry for himself.
After a brief pause, Xie Hanzhou said seemingly offhandedly: “Chu Yao... touched my hand.”
Chu. Yao. Lin Yuan was ready to breathe fire and shoot lasers. ARGHH, if he didn’t beat Chu Yao senseless today he’d change his surname to Chu!
He hadn’t even touched Xie Hanzhou’s hand yet—not even once! Lin Yuan thought aggrievedly.
Xie Hanzhou watched Lin Yuan as if observing the wonders of the world. He took in every emotion, the feelings in his eyes, and what was deeper that couldn’t be hidden. Some guesses he had dismissed months ago began to resurface, stronger and clearer than before.
Lin Yuan... liked him.
Unlike the displeasure and disgust he had felt yesterday with Chu Yao, Xie Hanzhou was now calm…and also curious.
He didn’t understand emotions like love or affection, and he couldn’t comprehend how this young disciple had feelings for him while also liking Yu Sui’an.
Maybe this was the fickleness of youth?
As Xie Hanzhou thought to himself, he realized that even if he knew about Lin Yuan’s affection towards him, he had no thoughts about pushing Lin Yuan away like Chu Yao.
Still, as Lin Yuan’s master, he wouldn’t just let it slide. Hmm, let this little disciple copy the Clear Heart Sutra ten times a month.
Lin Yuan, oblivious to his master’s plans, fumed as his brain turned wildly as he thought about what type of sack to get. He huffed: “Master, Chu Yao... Chu Yao acted so rudely towards you, and you only transferred him to Martial Uncle Danyang, isn’t that letting him off too easily?”
Xie Hanzhou stared at the boy's fiery eyes and said subtly: “It’s sufficient. There was once a disciple who offended me more gravely, but since he didn’t know of his crime, I didn’t punish him.”
Lin Yuan was ready to jot another thing down in his mental notebook of revenge. “Master, who was the disciple who offended you even more?”
Xie Hanzhou looked at the soft and pure disciple, and felt as if something lightly poked his heart.
“Just a little liar who wants to step on two boats.” t/n stepping on two boats describes having multiple romantic partners, usually used to describe someone who is cheating