Oh. My. Fate?! (BL, Volume 8, Part 1)

37 Mixed Feelings

The disciple of the Yang Huo Sect took another look at Qiu Ling. He hadn't been at the Gathering of Practitioners back then so he had no idea what the Grandmaster's disciple looked like. Was this really him? Damn. He looked nothing like it! This guy wasn't even wearing the sect robes of the Yun Zou Sect!
Wait. The disciple narrowed his eyes. Could it be that these two were trying to trick him? One of them was wearing the official robe of the Yun Zou Sect but maybe they were trying to get rid of their Yang Huo Sect so they had gotten somebody to pretend to be the Grandmaster's disciple? Considering how daring these guys had been when they ganged up on their senior martial brother Zhou, it wouldn't be strange at all!
He scoffed and then motioned at Qiu Ling's robe. "Who is supposed to believe that? You look nothing like a Yun Zou Sect disciple!"
Qiu Ling frowned and looked down at himself. "How do I not look like one?"
"Your robe!"
"What's with it?"
"It's not the official robe. It looks nothing like it. It's not even white!" Actually, which righteous cultivator would demean themselves and wear a black robe? Shouldn't these two try a little harder if they wanted to trick him?
Qiu Ling looked at his robe. Indeed. It wasn't white. But what was so bad about that? "What's wrong with wearing a black robe? I look good in black." He turned to look at his beloved to make sure he thought so same. Wasn't he more handsome in black?
Jing Yi couldn't help but smile. Was that what he was worried about the most? "Mn, you do look good in black. Anyway." He turned back to the disciple of the Yang Huo Sect. "Grandmaster Zhangsun isn't too strict with his disciple on following the rules as long as it isn't an official occasion. Now, if we could trouble you to inform Elder Gongxi that we've come here ..." He didn't ask to be brought there anymore. He had already done that once and had been rejected and Qiu Ling hadn't been wrong with what he said: Sure, these people were their guests but they were already giving them a lot of face by sending the Grandmaster's disciple over to greet them despite their previous conflict. That was already giving them face. Nobody could expect the Yun Zou Sect to humble themselves further.
The disciple pursed his lips. He was afraid that they were really trying to make fun of him and would have a good laugh if he went and told the Elder about them. But if this was indeed the Grandmaster's disciple ...
He looked from Jing Yi to Qiu Ling and back again. Rumor had it that the Grandmaster's disciple had a lover in the sect ... Maybe this really was him? He hesitated but finally nodded. "Very well. Then I'll go and tell the Elder. I hope for you that you said the right thing!" He didn't wait for their response and turned around with a huff.
Jing Yi sighed. It seemed it wouldn't be that easy to deal with the people of the Yang Huo Sect over the next few days. Maybe he should hope that Qiu Ling was indeed able to scare them off as early as possible so that they wouldn't have to deal with them anymore?
He glanced up at Qiu Ling and found him staring back. The two of them blinked their eyes and then looked in the other direction as if they had decided on it together.
Qiu Ling clenched his hands. Why did he still feel so awkward? Hadn't he already decided to let matters go and treat Jing Yi just as before? This was his Jing He's reincarnation. It was an important part of his life. Even if ... even if it might mean that he wouldn't wake up anytime soon. He had to treat him just as well as Jing He.
Jing Yi also felt strange. Since time moved differently in the High Heavens he didn't feel like he had been separated from Qiu Ling for long. In fact, it could at most be a day or two even though it was difficult to say. There was no sun in the High Heavens so he had no idea how much time had actually passed but it didn't feel like much.
Thinking back ... he remembered very clearly how he had promised Qiu Ling to marry him when they saw each other the last time. When this issue with the Yang Huo Sect was over ... would it be time for him to make true on that promise?
He didn't know if he was afraid or looking forward to it. Maybe it was a bit of both? He didn't mind marrying Qiu Ling, not in the least, in fact, he did want to do so. Afterward, he would really be Qiu Ling's. Nothing would be able to change that anymore. That was good.
But at the same time, he couldn't help but worry as well. It was a new part of their lives. Wouldn't things inevitably change afterward? Maybe not all those changes would be good. He just ... didn't know what to expect so it made him nervous.
Just look at what was happening now: Qiu Ling had been strange since he came back. Maybe it was the fear because of what had happened or maybe there was something else but there definitely was something different about him. And he didn't know what to do about it.
Jing Yi peeked at the person next to him. Qiu Ling had furrowed his brows as if he was deep in thought as well. Ah, maybe they were both nervous because of the upcoming wedding? Then he should probably just bring it up after they had dealt with the Yang Huo Sect. There should be nothing they wouldn't be able to talk through. They were a couple, after all. They should be able to confront these things together.
He reached out to take Qiu Ling hand but just when his fingertips were about to touch his skin, an angry voice sounded from inside the house.
"Who dares to disrespect my Yang Huo Sect's disciples?!"