The Endless Promise

8. The Zhang Residence

.

A familiar scent teased Bailong's nose, as he looked up to find another familiar face, but one he didn't like...

Xu Weiyan had just rescued him.

'Why is it her?!' Bailong fisted his hands.

Xu Weiyan had led to his death on Caoyang, which made her his least liked human, and the biggest person he should avoid!

Xu Weiyan's sword disappeared, and she swiftly scribbled an air talisman with two fingers. The talisman characters appeared in a bright white light, and Bailong noted the characters for 'Forbid' and 'Evil', before they were engulfed in the light, and the remaining evil spirits vanished.

'I've learned something new.' He thought. One of the many things he was good at, was memorising hand movement for techniques.

"2nd Young Master Zhang." Weiyan had turned, snapping him back to the present. She cupped her hands and bowed politely. "I sensed the evil, so I came to check."

She reached out a hand. "Are you hur-?"

But Bailong instinctively slapped her hand away, and stepped back.

For all he knew, Xu Weiyan might already suspect him, and this was an excuse to examine him.

"3rd Miss Xu, thanks to you, nothing happened. But please don't forget propriety." His words were a bit colder than he intended, but he had learned the hard way not to let Xu Weiyan close.

~"Fool!"~ Kai Zhen's voice suddenly entered his mind. ~"Find out her past with 'Zhang Luoyin' before saying anything!"~

Bailong gave a small cough. "Ahem!" He cupped his hands and bowed to Weiyan. "My apologies. Thanks for saving my life."

Weiyan's brows dipped in a pretty furrow, but she turned away. "It's dangerous here. Please return to the Zhang Mansion."

And with that, she leapt onto the nearest roof using *qinggong, and then flew away from his sight.

(*Qinggong- Lightness skill, for agility. This is often exaggerated to endow users with superhuman leaps, temporary flight, walking in the air, on water, standing on vertical surfaces, et cetera. The more powerful the skill, the more spectacularly it can be used).

Kai Zhen appeared behind him. "Idiot disciple! Are you trying to announce your real identity? Before his death, Zhang Luoyin was shy, meek and humble. And he shares a complex past with Xu Weiyan. He would never disrespect her!"

"Shifu, you can't blame me! After feeding a certain dog, it still bit my hand!" But Bailong linked his thumbs and bowed respectfully. "However, you're a boundless pool of knowledge, so I will heed your words. I'll be more careful from now on."

Kai Zhen scowled at his bowed head. "Haaa... White isn't always white, and black isn't always black. You, more than anyone, have experienced this." He said.

"If you're fortunate enough to survive as Zhang Luoyin, you'll find the answers for yourself. Just tread carefully from now on."

A slight breezy sensation surrounded Bailong's wrist, and he saw a silver woven thread appear as Kai Zhen continued.

"Zhang Luoyin died four months ago, but suddenly awakened. His body will attract evil spirits for a while, but this silver thread will keep them at bay. I have to leave at once, and this is the last time I can interfere in your current life."

"Thank you, Shifu!" Bailong said with a bow.

He had so many questions, but what came out was,

"Shifu, this is our first meeting in thousands of years. I know it's impertinent to ask, but can you stay for a short while?" Bailong was teary eyed. "You don't have to interfere, or even lift a finger.