Recesses of the Heart

8

For the past month, I've been secretly helping Lan Zhan train. His cultivation has improved greatly and his skills have increased as well. I taught him everything Baoshan taught me so far and that wasn't to be too much for a cultivator to learn compared to an immortal. As an immortal, there are abilities I can use that a normal cultivator can't. Manipulating the elements is one of them. I can do much more but that was a long list.

During that past month, I grew bored of the lectures as I've learned it all before. I couldn't exactly say so though because it would give away some things. I've noticed that Lan Zhan's brother has been keeping watch of Lan Zhan and I recently. Not really because he was worried but more like he was curious. After all, his silent and reserved brother suddenly started hanging around someone. Anyone would be curious I suppose.

As I walked around the main courtyard of the sect, I noticed a good amount of the Lan disciples glancing my way. As I had enhanced senses and one of them being good hearing, these disciples were ignoring a rule and gossiping about me. They were questioning who I was and how Lan Zhan suddenly became so friendly towards me.

I sighed as I noticed I was being followed by a couple disciples, "what do you two want?" I asked.

"Why are you so close to our second master Lan?" One asked.

"Why is that any of your concern?" I asked in return.

"Some may think you are up to something suspicious," the other said.

I looked at that disciple, "you aren't even a disciple here. Why are you so concerned about other sects?"

"Where my friend here is concerned, I would also be concerned," the man said.

"Well, I can guarantee you, I am nothing to be concerned over," I said and turned to leave.

The Lan disciple quickly jumped in front of me with his sword pointing right at me, "I think you are mistaken," he said.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"You don't know who I am?" The Lan asked.

"No, I only know important people," I told him.

"Why you!" The Lan disciple was just about to attack when someone grabbed his arm.

"You are breaking the rules," Zewu Jun said.

"This man is suspicious, you cannot blame me for wanting to eliminate him," the man said.

"It's not his fault that my brother has gain his attention and not yours," Zewu Jun said, "don't think I don't know that you haven't been thinking of crude things about my brother."

"That is wrong!" The man said.

"Whether it is wrong or not, you and your friend here are to be taken into custody for threatening a guest disciple," Zewu Jun said and summon another disciple, "in form my father about these two after placing them in a cell."

"Yes Zewu Jun," the disciple said and had another help him.

Zewu Jun was then left alone with me, "if I have caused any trouble, I apologize," I told him.

"It is not your fault," Zewu Jun said, "I do not know the entire story between my brother and you, but I know he is happier with you around. I just ask that you protect him. He's been through a lot already and he's still so young."

"I would never hurt him," I assured Zewu Jun, "you have my word."

Zewu Jun nodded, "are you hurt?" He asked, "I hope I didn't step in too late."

"No, I am fine," I said, "even if you didn't step in, I would have blocked and made sure I would still be within the bounds of your sect principles."

"When being attacked, the principles tend to be ignored," Zewu Jun said.

"Even laws and rules have loopholes as long as you are smart enough to figure them out," I said.

"Right," he said, "where were you headed?"

"The library," I replied, "I was to get some studying done."

"Oh, well I shall let you get on your way," he said with a smile.

"Thank you for the help," I said.

"Of course," Zewu Jun said and turned to leave.

"Oh, the gossip that's going around, I know it's forbidden but surely you have heard it?" I asked.

"My father, uncle, and I will deal with that," Zewu Jun said, "even Wangji has addressed some people already."

I nodded, "alright," I said.

I watched him leave before I went to the library. Lan Zhan was there of course, which explains why Zewu Jun smiled when I mentioned coming here. I could only shake my head. Before everyone thought I was a monster, he was the one who always encouraged Lan Zhan and me to be friends. Maybe even something more. I can tell he is the same way now.

"Xiao Wu," Lan Zhan greeted.

I smiled, "Lan Zhan, I had an exciting experience on my way over."

"What happened?" He asked.

I told him everything that happened and how his brother stepped in just in time, "seems to me that there are some jealous people here," I said.

"Shufu and my Father will deal with them," Lan Zhan said, "you aren't hurt?"

"No," I answered, "I am perfectly fine. How is your reading? What are you reading?"

"Music scores," he told me.

I pulled out my flute which is a duplicate to Chenqing. Just like my sword, I wanted to make sure I still had my flute with me, "I have Chenqing again, but it's not a ghost flute," I told him.

He smiled, "I am guessing you'd like to look with me?"

"If you would allow me," I said, "it is your sects music though. I imagine you don't let outsiders know them."

"You are not an outsider to me," he said, "come sit."

"I...learn by listening. I don't know how to read the music," I told him.

"Let me teach you," he said, "you've helped me with my cultivation, so let me help you with this."

I smiled, "alright," I agreed.