Entering a Split Personality — Chapter 44

Bluephoenix Palace was at the top of Bluephoenix Peak, and within the palace lived Yun Qing.

At this moment, the people who had still been a little dazed just now had faces full of shock.

And Xiao He couldn’t say a single word.

He’d thought he was in desperate straits, and that he was about to fall from a precipice, but he never expected that he’d see a glimmer of light in his darkest hour, and his prospects would suddenly turn bright!

Yuan Feng frowned, but he had no say over what the sect leader decided, so he could only watch helplessly as this evil boy walked quickly up the mountain. 

Xiao He had fantasized many times about the two of them meeting again, but when he saw it all at this moment, it was hundreds of times more beautiful than what he had imagined.

Clouds and mist curled around the top of Bluephoenix Peak. In the mist, Bluephoenix Palace was like a divine bird soaring upward, outstanding and spectacular, as elegant as a painting.

But no matter how beautiful the scenery or the clouds, they couldn’t compare to the man standing within the palace.

His robe was as soft and graceful as silken mist, and the ink-black hair that fell to his waist was like a deep-flowing stream. He turned his head, and with one look as indifferent as the clouds and wind, he made Xiao He completely forget everything around him. 

“Come here.” He called him softly. 

Xiao He walked over to him.

Yun Qing looked down at him, and said with a pleasant voice, “Your name?”

Xiao He suddenly felt a little nervous. “Sect leader, my surname is Xiao and my personal name is He.” 

“Xiao He.” Yun Qing mulled over these two words, and then said with a soft smile, “It sounds pleasant.” 

Xiao He grew more nervous.

But Yun Qing didn’t ask him anything else. He gestured to the side and said, “Serve the tea.” 

Only now did Xiao He come back to himself. He hurriedly took up the tea, kneeled on the ground and performed the apprenticeship ceremony.

“Master, accept my respects.”

Xiao He seriously touched his head against the ground. Yun Qing picked up the tea, took a slight sip and accepted him as a disciple.

Then he said slowly, “From now on, you’re my disciple. Work hard and practice diligently, and don’t let down my expectations.”

His features were exceptional, and his voice was low and unhurried. At this moment, Xiao He saw and heard him for real, but it still seemed so unreal.

Xiao He felt solemn at heart, and his voice was full of reverence. “I definitely won’t let you down!”

 ***

The days that followed were more beautiful than Xiao He could’ve dreamed. 

He stayed on Bluephoenix Peak and became the sole personal disciple of Master Yun Qing.

He enjoyed the best resources, and obtained a courtyard overflowing with spiritual energy. And this courtyard had a rarely-found small spring, that had a great nourishing effect on water cultivators.

Yun Qing treated him very well. Not only did he make the proper arrangements for Xiao He’s basic needs and everyday equipment, but he also took time every day to answer his questions and clear up any confusion. 

As the sect leader and the foremost man on the Forestfirst continent, he should be very busy, but no matter how busy he was, he would always see Xiao He once every day.

Sometimes it was a class in the early morning, sometimes it was in his leisure time in the afternoon, and more often it was at sunset, when night was falling.

Yun Qing never missed it, and he would definitely meet him. And when they saw each other, he would explain Grandcloud Sect’s mental techniques, their secret skills and even his personal experience with cultivation to Xiao He, one by one. 

Xiao He had never had a master before, but he felt that no one could be more responsible, serious and perfect than his master.

Luo Fei had found a master as well, so he would often come find Xiao He to play. The two of them started chatting, and Luo Fei was completely amazed. “Really? The sect leader actually explains things for you every day?”

Xiao He nodded and replied, “I have no need to lie to you. Three days ago, Master taught me the energy-condensing technique, and these days he’s started teaching me the Skycrossing movement skill. In a few days, he’ll probably start teaching me practical skills and scouting techniques…”

As Xiao He spoke, Luo Fei grew more shocked. “Even for personal disciples, I’ve never heard of anyone giving lessons every day.”

Xiao He asked, puzzled, “Then how do you study under your master?”

Luo Fei sighed and said, “My master took me on, but up until today, it’s been a senior disciple teaching all of my lessons. And he’s rather busy, so it’s pretty good if he answers my questions once every week.”

Compared to Xiao He, this was really the difference between heaven and earth.

But Xiao He was only a fourteen-year-old boy, so when he heard Luo Fei say this, he just felt warm at heart. “Sure enough, no one compares to my master. He’s the best and the most amazing.”

Luo Fei looked over at him, and happened to see the boy’s slightly curved eyes and the corners of his mouth curling up. His pleased little look was so amusing it tickled Luo Fei’s heart. 

Even if he were angry, he would've stopped caring about it because of this.

Luo Fei laughed. “Yes, yes, your master is the best, your master is the most amazing, after all, he’s the foremost man in the land!”

Xiao He realized he’d said something wrong, and he said a little embarrassedly, “Uh...Elder Yuan Rui is a very good master as well.”

Luo Fei was apprenticed to Elder Yuan Rui. Xiao He only thought of remedying his words now, and he couldn’t avoid being a little too late.

But Luo Fei wasn’t angry at all, and only looked at Xiao He good-naturedly. “Since you’ve gotten such a good opportunity, it shows that your many years of hard work weren’t in vain.” 

When Xiao He heard him say this, he felt grateful at heart, and he felt more and more that Luo Fei was a good person, and well worth having as a friend.

The two boys had originally had an average relationship, but since they came to an unfamiliar environment at the same time, they slowly grew closer and got to know each other. 

The days passed easily and comfortably like this. Xiao He’s relationship with his master began to change from his original nervousness and apprehension to one of confidence and familiarity. Now, Xiao He even dared to chat with Yun Qing in the remaining time after class.

“Master.” As Xiao He drew the water out of the spirit spring, he asked in a small voice, “Do you still remember what happened seven years ago?”

Yun Qing wasn’t displeased that he was talking while practicing, and only asked softly in return, “What?”

Xiao He looked at Yun Qing, blinked and said, “Back then, it was you who saved me.”

Yun Qing’s hand paused slightly while picking up his tea, but there wasn’t much emotion on his face. He only said indifferently, “I don’t remember it anymore.”

Xiao He felt a little disappointed at heart, but he wasn’t surprised.

“It’s normal for you to forget. After all, it’s been so long, and all you had to do was lift a finger to save me. There’s really not much worth remembering about it.” He said this to himself, but the light in his eyes didn’t go out, and brightened instead. “Even if you’ve forgotten, I’ll never forget. When you saved me, that became my hope for living on!”

He spoke clearly and resoundingly. Yun Qing only glanced over him from the corner of his eye, then turned his head and stared at the tea leaves floating in his cup. He said lightly, “You admire me because I saved you?”

He hadn’t thought that Yun Qing would reply. Pleasant surprise flashed through Xiao He’s eyes. “It’s not just that. Back then, I couldn’t remember anything, and I only vaguely recalled that my parents had died. After that, there was only you. In my eyes, in my mind and in my entire being, all I was conscious of was you. Really, you might not believe me if I say this, but at the time, all I thought of was that if I could see you again, that would be wonderful.”

A boy with elegant features and bright eyes was saying pleasant words in a soft voice. Anyone who saw it would be moved.

But Yun Qing’s eyes only flashed slightly, and without even looking at him again, he said in a calm voice, “Back then, you went through a disaster and lost your memories of the past to protect yourself.  At that time, I happened to appear, and replaced the things in your consciousness that you had lost but still longed for, and became what you thought about at heart.”

Xiao He couldn’t really understand what he was saying, and he couldn’t help but wrinkle his brows slightly.

Yun Qing looked at him and said slowly, “You took me in place of your dead parents and family, as your spiritual support for survival, and as your conviction in living, right?”

Xiao He felt that he had spoken correctly, but when he thought about it carefully, he felt that there was something wrong.

Yun Qing smiled lightly, set down his teacup, leaned forward slightly and looked him straight in the eye. “Xiao He, now that you’re by my side, are you happy?”

Xiao He had been staying with Yun Qing for three entire months, but his master had never looked at him from such a close distance before.

He knew Yun Qing possessed features that the whole realm marveled at, and he knew that he had beautiful, light eyes like distant mountains seen through the mist.

But when he locked gazes with him at this moment, his heart almost stopped beating.

It wasn’t because of those otherworldly features, but because of the indifference and lack of desire in those pale eyes.

“I…” Xiao He opened his mouth, but he couldn’t say another word.

Yun Qing looked at him and guided him. “Are you happy?”

“I’m happy.” Xiao He opened his mouth.

The smile on Yun Qing’s lips spread to his eyes, and his light eyes, as if ignited by flames, were instantly colored by passionate feelings.

Xiao He’s almost motionless heart began pounding wildly, and he felt as if his whole body were about to burn up.

And just at this moment, because he was too distracted, he lost control of the spirit spring he was controlling with his hands, and it spilled all over him with a splash. 

His light clothes were soaked through, and the boy’s pretty build was inadvertently exposed.

Xiao He didn’t move in the slightest, but Yun Qing’s gaze was so hot it seemed like it had already torn through his clothes and burned straight into his skin.

Xiao He’s body inexplicably shivered slightly, and he called out lowly, “M-master.” 

A single low call, one word.

It suddenly made all of Yun Qing's enchantment vanish like smoke.

Yun Qing rose and lifted his hand slightly, and the wet patches evaporated instantly. Xiao He’s clothes returned to the way they were before, and Yun Qing’s expression resumed its former calmness and indifference as well. 

Xiao He couldn’t come back to himself so fast, and he couldn’t help calling out again, “Master…”

His tone was soft and sticky, as if he was pleading for something.

The depths of Yun Qing’s eyes darkened a little, but he soon calmed down and said levelly, “I’m happy that I could take you as my disciple as well.”

The content of these words was fine, but the coolness and indifference within them made Xiao He come back to himself with a shudder.

***

That night, Xiao He had a dream, a salacious dream that he couldn’t speak of in broad daylight.

When he woke up the next day, his eyes were filled with alarm, and his heart was still pounding fiercely.

His...his dream…

The scene in his dream was still clear and distinct, and it seemed he could still see, hear and feel it.

He could still feel his master’s kiss, his burning gaze, and the boundless pleasure he gave him.

But this was too absurd!

He did indeed admire and revere his master, but how could he have a wicked desire like this? Filthy thoughts like these?

When he suddenly thought of Su Yichen’s words, Xiao He’s heart felt cold as ice.

Could it be that he was really as unacceptable as Su Yichen had said? 

No...that was impossible, he absolutely couldn’t be!

Xiao He shook his head quickly. He sat down cross-legged and meditated, and after working for a whole day, he finally got rid of all the distracting thoughts in his head and calmed down again. 

He didn’t dare to think about it a minute longer. He just dove into cultivating mental skills, and once he started training, more than ten days passed by. 

After that, Xiao He went through the most surprising day he’d had since he stepped onto Bluephoenix Peak.

Today...his master didn’t teach him, and Xiao He didn’t see him until the sun set and the sky turned dark.

But his master wasn’t alone.

Xiao He watched from afar, startled, and felt that a stream of ice water was flowing through his chest.

Through the curling clouds and mist, the man in the white robe seemed like an exiled immortal descending on the world, a divine mist faintly surrounding him, magnificent and awe-inspiring.

And at his side, there was a beautiful woman. Her glamorous dress couldn’t outshine her phoenix eyes and red lips, and instead set off her skin so it looked like snow, and made her features more alluring.

They walked forward holding hands. The woman was gentle and charming, and the man looked down at her with a smile, his light eyes full of tenderness and affection.

Xiao He’s throat moved slightly, and his hands unconsciously tightened.

When Yun Qing saw him, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he beckoned and said, “Xiao He, practice by yourself for the next few days, alright?”

Xiao He said dully, “Okay.”

Yun Qing seemed not to have noticed his downcast mood, and continued with introductions. “This is Mistress Hong Shuang, my wife.”

He’d already been anticipating this, but when he actually heard it like this, Xiao He’s figure still faintly trembled. But he soon settled down, and called out quietly with his head low.

Hong Shuang was like the red frost of her name, gorgeous and flamboyant, so beautiful it was a little excessive.

But she was very cordial to Xiao He, even though he was a little cold and reserved. She tugged on him and gave him a ring of simple and unadorned design.

When Xiao He took it into his hand, he realized that it was an interspatial tool. He couldn’t help feeling cold at heart, and he wanted to decline.

But Yun Qing spoke. “Take it, it’s a sign of her regard.”

His master had spoken, so Xiao He pursed his mouth and said his thanks.

Hong Shuang smiled gorgeously. “Don’t mention it. You’re Yun Qing’s only apprentice, so taking care of you is what I should do.”

Xiao He continued to thank her, but he really couldn’t stay here any longer. He apologized and left first.

Once Xiao He left, Hong Shuang, who’d been leaning against Yun Qing’s side just now, quickly got up. She fiddled languidly with her long hair, sighed softly and said, “Such a cute kid. If you like him then just accept him. Why bother to put on a performance to break his heart?”

Yun Qing stared after him and didn’t make a sound.

Just when Hong Shuang thought that she wouldn’t get an answer, he opened his mouth and spoke lightly and slowly.

“I’ve been avoiding him for seven years, and I’ve been watching for him for seven years. It’s time to put an end to this.” 

***

The author has something to say:

I kind of have a feeling that I’ll be scolded. Ahem, please stay calm, stay calm. If you were to compare them, Xiao He’s feelings are more inclined towards admiration and worship, while Yun Qing has been tormenting himself from start to finish (of course, he has it coming, haha).

I feel like I’ve already written it very clearly, but I still have to say that Hong Shuang and Yun Qing have a completely pure relationship. He only requested her to come and put on a performance, that’s all. There’s reasons why Yun Qing is being this difficult, layers of reasons. Let me write them down one by one, muah.

To further explain for a moment, as for the question of Xiao He’s character, he’s still him, and his nature hasn’t changed. It’s just that his living environment is different, and the experiences he went through were different, so they gave rise to a different personality. After all, you can’t ask for a boy who was orphaned at seven years old, went through arduous training and grew up all alone to turn out sweet, pure and naive, right? 

***

5 hours and 29 minutes for 2,947 words, or 11.2 minutes for every 100 words. An increase in rate by 0.1 minutes...right back to where we started.

The name of Luo Fei's master, Yuan Rui, is 元瑞 (Yuán Ruì). 元 means "original," while 瑞 means "lucky." Notably, he shares a last name with Yuan Feng, who refused to take Xiao He on as a disciple. Perhaps they're brothers? 

Hong Shuang's name is 红霜 (Hóng Shuāng). 红 means "red," while 霜 means "frost." 

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