The Serpent and the Lotus Blooms

Healing is a Path You Must Choose

((CW: light gore, grief trauma))

For months Bai Yusheng tracked the other two members of the Yangseong sect. Sect Leader Wu was furious and adamant about hiding them from Bai Yusheng's wrath, demanding a trial. Bai Yusheng had already murdered two disciples and their son. The debt has been paid in blood. It had to be enough. Where would their wrath end? Disciples of the DeLun sect tried to calm Bai Yusheng. Tried to reason with them. Sect Leader Huang Weimin himself descended the mountain in an attempt to bring Bai Yusheng back home. They returned for a day to mourn at Zhou Qiqiang's funeral. Throwing themselves at the funeral plaque they had set for him, sleeping there in the grass moistened by dew and their tears. Huang Weimin helped them to sit, kneeling before them to present Huojin to them.

"I did not have it buried, and it felt wrong to allow another disciple to have it. It should go to you, Bai Yusheng. That is what Zhou Qiqiang would have wanted." Bai Yusheng held their hands out to receive the sword, a lump forming in their throat as they clasped their hands around that familiar sheath and bowed.

"Thank you, Shifu..."

"I know your heart is in pain, Bai Yusheng. I will not dampen it by saying we are all in pain. You did right by him when you slayed Wu Jinhai. I am proud of you. However, cease your search for the other two. I know they do not deserve your mercy."

"They do not," Bai Yusheng said resolutely.

"They do not. But, you will only hurt yourself more by seeking them out. Once they are gone and dead, then what? Will it bring Zhou Qiqiang back to us? To you?" Huang Weimin looked to his most skilled disciple. A disciple who had always been the light and sun at DeLun Temple. A disciple whose light was stolen from them. He would do anything to see them happy again. No one had known that trip would steal more than just Zhou Qiqiang's life.

"Zhou Shixiong deserves justice," Bai Yusheng snapped before settling back, clenching the sword they held in their hand, tears beginning to drip onto the fine hilt.

"And he shall have it. If you agree to cease your search, we will hold trial, and they will be sentenced for their crimes. But you have to let them go." His voice was uncharacteristically gentle. The rough and wild Huang Weimin, brought to near tears by the loss of what felt like two of his most prized head disciples.

"And if I refuse?" Their voice was a quiet whisper, broken and torn.

"I cannot say what will happen." Sect Leader Huang placed a hand on Bai Yusheng's shoulder, and they stayed for a moment before rising, strapping Huojin to their back. Before clasping their hands to bow.

"Shifu, thank you for everything. You should not worry about this disciple. I request to separate myself from DeLun Temple. Henceforth, my actions will fall only upon my own head and have no bearing upon my martial brothers and sisters," they did not raise their head even as Huang Weimin stood.

"You do not have to do that, Bai Yusheng. DeLun Temple will stand by you, always," He caught their arms, and they straightened, not bothering to wipe the tears from their face as they raised their chin and met their master's eyes.

"I must do this. I will not rest in peace until I have avenged him." Bai Yusheng turned and left hurriedly.

"Bai Yusheng!" Huang Weimin called, reaching after them, but they leapt upon their sword and didn't look back.

~*~

It took what felt like an eternity to finally track one of the disciples. They had kept them separate, it seemed, and Bai Yusheng cursed inwardly as they kicked at the head that rolled by their feet in disgust. How long until this would be over? How far must they search? How long must they wait? It was at a local inn that they began to hear whispers. Something impressive had occurred in the world of the Immortals. Something unheard of. At first, Bai Yusheng had tuned out these talks, uninterested in anything other than finding Zhou Qiqiang's last murderer and bringing him to justice. But these whispers began to take life, and they heard the most curious tales.