kingdom falling | gyuricky

twenty six.

As much as Gyuvin realized he missed being home at the Court, the solstice holiday they'd been given only lasted a week, and they had to leave the Sunshower City by early morning on the fifth day in order to make it back to the Peak by the stipulated time. Minwoo was coming back with them this time, as per Sect Leader Baek's arrangements, though he was decidedly not happy to have to leave his work behind at a time like this. He was so busy settling some last minute matters that he didn't even eat breakfast with them before they set off from the Court.

Gyuvin reached into his pocket and handed him a piece of scallion pancake wrapped in paper he'd saved from the Eclipse, as they mounted their swords and headed back in the direction of Raintree Town. "Sunbae, you didn't get an breakfast. You shouldn't travel on an empty stomach or you'll be low on spiritual energy."

Minwoo accepted the pancake, though he still looked burdened. "I can't believe the Sect Leader is making me do stuff like this when it's the busiest month of the year for the sect," he said, sighing.

"He did say he wanted you to have a break," Gyuvin said, trying to lighten the mood a little. "It'll be fun to be away from the Court for a while. The Peak grounds are really beautiful, and the schedule there isn't as bad as it is at home."

"Doesn't he know none of those donkeys know how to do anything without me there?" Minwoo continued, as if he hadn't heard anything Gyuvin had said. "The last time I let Myunghee handle the purchasing of flour for the noodle-making, I asked him for fifty bags and he had the gall to come back with thirty-five! Seriously, I spent last night writing an entire list of instructions so they wouldn't be so clueless while I'm gone. I'm having a headache just thinking about it..."

Gyuvin wanted to comfort Minwoo, but first he had to stop himself from laughing at the idea of poor Myunghee getting reamed by Minwoo over the flour, which was no easy task in the first place. "Maybe they'll discover some new potential in themselves while you're away," he said optimistically. "And then you won't be so overworked when you get back. There's always a possibility."

"I hope so. In the meantime, I'll be praying the Court doesn't burn down."

It took them about the same number of days to get back to the Peak than it did for them to leave. Night was beginning to descend upon Raintree Town as they passed over the quiet village and landed at the foot of the mountain. Jung Aerin and Lee Eunyoung were there when they arrived; Gyuvin surmised they were there to receive Minwoo and welcome him to the Peak. The nine of them greeted the seniors and headed up the Peak using the elevator enchantment, leaving Minwoo behind to talk to the seniors and get settled in.

The Peak was just as lively as it usually was. Most of the other cultivators had just returned from wherever they'd spent their week's holiday too, and there was a jovial sense of reunion as they passed through the main corridors, greeting the other cultivators and catching up with them. They'd travelled for two days in a row without much rest, and Gyuvin was a little worn, so he excused himself after a little while of socialising to go rest in his quarters.

Ricky was sitting at his usual spot in their courtyard, under the willow tree, when Gyuvin entered. As expected, Ricky didn't seem to have much desire to socialize either. Gyuvin deliberated for a moment and decided to sit outside, his back against the willow tree directly facing Ricky's. He sat in silence for a few minutes, looking like he was pondering hard, before getting up again and sitting at the little stone table in the centre of the courtyard.

"What was that about?" Ricky asked, looking a little bemused.

Gyuvin answered with complete seriousness. "I was trying to figure out why you always sit there."

"So did you figure it out?"

"No, and the tree roots hurt my butt."

Ricky gave Gyuvin a strange look, but didn't argue. "I just like being outside. It's stifling to be cooped up indoors all the time."