“Are you really going?” Lin Cangyuan asked.
“Do I need to stay?” Gui Yin asked back.
Lin Cangyuan and Jiu Jingyi shared a glance.
“No, you don’t, but…”
“Sect Master-shixiong, that’s my disciple,” Gui Yin said.
“She won’t be alone,” Lin Cangyuan said. “She still has her mother.”
“I know. But her mother has been far removed from the happenings of the sect for years. And her cousins were never properly taught either,” Gui Yin said. He sighed. “She’s still a child. She needs proper guidance. What if someone tries to cheat her?”
Lin Cangyuan begrudgingly agreed. “Just…be careful.”
Gui Yin chuckled. He swept his eyes over the tent one last time, making sure he had everything he needed, before following Lin Cangyuan and Jiu Jingyi out.
Gui Yin paused beside Jiu Jingyi. “Are…you okay?”
“Me? I’m…I’m fine,” Jiu Jingyi said with an awkward smile.
Even if their relationship was strained, Elder Shan had still been Jiu Jingyi’s grandfather. Gui Yin swept his gaze over Jiu Jingyi. She always bemoaned her mother’s side of the family, yet at this moment she was wearing a set of white robes in honor of Zhengyang Shan Sect’s tradition of wearing white clothing for the next ten years, in order to mourn their late sect leader. The stark white greatly contrasted the brilliant navy that was usually worn.
“Do you want to see your aunt?”
Jiu Jingyi shook her head. “It’s been a long time since I was considered part of the Shan Clan. I just want to honor the last blood relative who considered me his family.”
“Alright,” Gui Yin hummed. He turned to Lin Cangyuan. “Don’t worry about the barrier. I’m about ninety percent done. Once everything is finished, I’ll personally come back to deliver it.”
Lin Cangyuan sighed. “You know that’s not what I’m worried about.”
“Has anything ever managed to defeat me?” Gui Yin clicked his tongue. He gave Lin Cangyuan’s shoulders a shake. “I’ll be fine! I’ll be back before you know it.”
Lin Cangyuan hummed.
“Take care,” Jiu Jingyi said.
Gui Yin offered a smile. “You too.”
The two peak lords walked Gui Yin to the entrance of their camp.
Shan Yu was already there. At her side was Li Fangyin, Gui Linghuo, Qin Siyi, and Li Yan. The girl who was normally the most energetic was the quietest. Her gaze was downcast and her eyes were puffy and red. She only looked up when she realized Gui Yin was in front of her. As soon as she saw him, her lips pursed and her eyes began to water again.
“Well,” Gui Yin threw an arm over Shan Yu’s shoulders and gave her a light squeeze. “We’ll be going now.”
Gui Linghuo and Qin Siyi glanced at each other.
“You two remain here and be good. If you’re going to go with Fangyin, be sure to listen to him,” Gui Yin said, giving the two of them a slight pat.
Since they had achieved victory in this area, Lin Cangyuan’s troops and Li Fangyin were going to split. Li Fangyin would be heading up north while Lin Cangyuan would be moving a bit more towards the south and east. Now that they had even music cultivators to control the demonic energy, they no longer had to fear extended wars.
“We will, Shizun,” Gui Linghuo said. He glanced at Shan Yu, who remained silently attached to Gui Yin’s side. “If you need us, be sure to write a letter.”
“Mn! We will,” Gui Yin said. He glanced at Shan Yu. “Yu’er, you don’t want to say goodbye to your Da-shixiong and Shijie?”
Shan Yu shifted from Gui Yin. She took three wobbly steps forward and pulled the two older disciples into a hug. Gui Linghuo and Qin Siyi appeared surprised for only a split second, before they pulled her into a spine-crushing hug.
“Stay safe,” Shan Yu whispered. “Please.”
“You too,” Qin Siyi said, pressing a kiss to the side of Shan Yu’s head. “You still owe me Wulian Flower Cakes.”
“I still owe you a birthday gift,” Gui Linghuo said. “Be sure to come back to get it.”
Shan Yu blinked back her tears and swallowed the lump in her throat. Her response was a mixture of a hum and a whimper, her grip on the two tightening ever so slightly.
Shan Yu stepped back and turned away to wipe her tears. Gui Yin glanced at her, withholding a sigh, as he turned to look at Gui Linghuo and Qin Siyi.
“Take care of each other, okay?” Gui Yin said, gently rubbing the tops of their heads. He smiled sadly. “I’m sorry for leaving you two again.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Gui Linghuo and Qin Siyi shook their heads.
“We understand, Shizun. Don’t blame yourself,” Gui Linghuo said.
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“I remember when you first brought this out, you carried all of us onto it,” Shan Yu said.
Gui Yin raised a brow. “I may not seem old, but I don’t know if I can carry a sixteen-year-old girl up this tall ship anymore.”
Shan Yu scoffed. “Shizun, you of all people have no right to say that.”
Gui Yin laughed. He waved his hand and the boat rose to the skies.
Shan Yu leaned against the side of the boat, looking down at the scenery that flew by. Gui Yin sat down on a nearby seat, head leaning back against the pillar, and watched her silently for a moment. He heard a sigh and watched as Shan Yu rested her head against the side of the boat.
“I don’t know what to do.”
“What do you want to do?” Gui Yin asked.
“I…all my life, I’ve always been told that I will be sect leader. And I want to be. But it’s come so suddenly and in such a way that I…I don’t know if I want it anymore,” Shan Yu said, laughing sheepishly at the end. She looked under her arm at Gui Yin. “Shizun, doesn’t this disciple sound silly?”
Gui Yin shook his head. “I know what you mean. When my shizun died, I also…”
Gui Yin’s words faded. Shan Yu straightened and silently observed Gui Yin’s far off look. She left her spot by the side of the boat and sat down beside him.
“Luckily, I wasn’t as young as you,” Gui Yin said. His gaze was far off, as if he were immersed in his own memories.
But only he knew that he was standing in front of a locked door, one that he had thrown away the key for himself. He wanted to remember more, but he couldn’t. All he recalled was the aftermath of his shizun’s death and just how broken he was. Broken to the point that he would do something as foolish as breaking apart his primordial spirit and sending it across universes to reincarnate over and over again.
“Whenever I think about it, I still feel an ache here,” Gui Yin said, pressing his hand against his chest. He glanced at Shan Yu. “But it’s natural if the person was especially close to you.”
He let out a long sigh and rubbed Shan Yu’s hair. “Besides, your Zhengyang Sect is broad and strong. Even if you decided to abandon it for a few years and run around to have fun, it would still be standing. So, you don’t have to think about it too much.”
Shan Yu giggled slightly. She leaned into Gui Yin’s warm touch and closed her eyes. For a moment, she felt like she was six again. There was no war. Her grandfather was still alive. She didn’t have to worry about her future or her sect’s.
“Shizun, you’ll still accept me when I want to hide from my responsibilities, right?” Shan Yu asked, sneaking a peak at Gui Yin.
Gui Yin laughed. “Of course! If anyone comes looking for you, I’ll even hide you away and say you’re not there.”
Shan Yu’s lips slowly curved into a smile. “How could you do that? I’ll be a sect leader! What if they were looking for me for important reasons?”
“So? This and that are two different scenarios. No matter what, you’re first and foremost my disciple,” Gui Yin said. “I don’t care about those other people.”
Shan Yu knew Gui Yin was only coaxing her, but the lump in her throat vanished by just a bit. She hugged Gui Yin by the waist and leaned against his chest. She listened to his quiet heartbeats and closed her eyes.
“Thank you, Shifu.”
Gui Yin stilled for a moment. He let out a soft sigh and patted Shan Yu’s back. “Please don’t feel like you’re alone in this world. Even if I’m not here, you have your Da-shixiong and Shijie. It’ll all be okay.”
“…Mn.”
“It’ll all work out,” Gui Yin whispered. “Yu’er is smart as well. I’m sure you’ll fall into your role perfectly fine.”
The ride to Zhengyang Sect’s camp was smooth.
The air in the upper realm was much nicer than the lower realms. It tasted sweet, while the air in the lower realms always seemed to carry a coppery tinge.
When they landed, Gui Yin immediately put away his disc, for fear that people would later badger him about what new invention he had, and dutifully followed behind Shan Yu as they entered the camp.
The moment they entered, Gui Yin was reminded of scenes from dramas and novels of the prodigal son of heaven returning. At her side was a new regent-figure. Of course, Gui Yin hoped his role in this story would be small and near negligible. He barely enjoyed the task of being peak lord; he dearly hoped he would never be saddled with the task of being a regent to a sect leader.
A chorus of scattered “Sect Leader” filled the camp. Under everyone’s gaze, Shan Yu held her head high and kept her back straight. Even Gui Yin was impressed by his little disciple. However, the moment Shan Yu entered the camp that housed her visiting mother and her remaining two cousins, her expression crumbled slightly.
The mother who always held a proud expression even when her husband had passed, looked upon her daughter with sadness. She moved forward and gently pulled Shan Yu into a hug, pressing her against her chest as she leaned her cheek against her daughter’s head.
Shan Yu didn’t cry, but she gripped her mother tightly.
Seeing this, the madam looked at Gui Yin with a tired smile. “Thank you for coming, Lord Ninglan.”
“There’s no need to be so polite, Madam Su,” Gui Yin said. “You can just call me Qinle.”
Madam Su Yingyun (肃滢云) gave Gui Yin a helpless type of smile. “How can I do that?”
“Madam is my senior and as Shan Yun’s shizun, we’re nearly family,” Gui Yin said. “I would feel very uncomfortable if you referred to me as lord immortal.”
Although Gui Yin’s words were vague, Madam Su understood his meaning. The rim of her eyes teared slightly and she bowed her head gratefully.
“How long will you be staying, Lord Immortal?” one of Shan Yu’s cousins asked.
“As long as I feel like I’m needed. Yu’er hates new places. She always needs someone familiar by her side,” Gui Yin said. “Once I feel that she’s adjusted, then I’ll go.”
The atmosphere of the Shan family members was rather delicate at the time. Everyone seemed to be looking at Gui Yin as though he was their savior. To interrupt such an uncomfortable feeling, Gui Yin loudly cleared his throat.
“Where will I be staying?”
“Oh! Yes, forgive us. We’re a bit scatterbrained at the moment,” Madam Su said. She glanced at one of her nephews.
“Lord Ninglan, please follow me.”
Gui Yin breathed a sigh of relief once he was alone. He flopped onto his new bed and kicked off his shoes. He didn’t even bother undoing his crown.
The thing he hated most was being the center of attention. He was used to being away from the eyes of people, able to do his own thing and move at his own pace. That was a big reason as to why he had refused for a long time to come out as the “genius inventor”. Even the spotlight of being the so-called War God made him uncomfortable.
No one had ever said so to his face, but just the idea of there being such ridiculous tales circulating about him made his hair stand on end.
Now, to have mourning family members look at him as though he was their savior?
No thank you.
After returning from the twenty-first century, Gui Yin had always wondered if this little quirk of his was some type of anxiety. Well, it most certainly was. But for it to manifest in the kind of way where praise was the thing that made him want to hide was truly unfortunate.
“What’s wrong?”
Gui Linghuo relaxed against the embrace that had just come up from behind him. He curled on the bed and rested his head against Li Yan’s lap as she moved to card her fingers through his hair. He closed his eyes.
“I’m worried.”
Li Yan frowned slightly. “Worried about?”
“…Shizun and Shan Yu,” Gui Linghuo said. He sighed. “I thought if I grew up, I would be able to help Shizun carry his burdens and worries, but it turns out that was just a pipe dream.”
“Oh, don’t say that,” Li Yan gently scolded. “You’ve helped him a lot. You gave him the idea to use musical cultivation against ghost cultivators. And he put you in charge of helping my brother in the upcoming battles. If he didn’t trust you, why would he do that?”
“Siyi is also here, isn’t she?”
Li Yan clicked her tongue. She pinched Gui Linghuo’s nose, causing the man to open his eyes. “What are you saying? That’s your shimei. You two should be working together and getting along. Why are you suddenly bringing her up in this situation?”
Gui Linghuo pouted slightly. He knew he was being unreasonable, but he couldn’t help the bitter feeling in his chest. He sighed, nestled closer to Li Yan’s stomach and remained there silently.
Li Yan looked at Gui Linghuo helplessly. Her hands lifted to his head; her fingers began to gently thread through locks of his hair. “A-Huo, you don’t have to worry so much. I’m sure when the time comes, your shizun will come to you if he needs your help. Besides, that’s not why you’re really worried, right?”
Gui Linghuo didn’t answer.
“You’re worried for their safety and you’re upset you can’t do more. It’s understandable. If my brother was in a similar situation, I would also be upset at myself,” Li Yan said. She pressed a kiss against the back of Gui Linghuo’s neck. “But just because you feel this way doesn’t mean you can take it out on the next closest person. If Siyi heard what you said, do you think she would be happy?”
Gui Linghuo slowly peeled himself from Li Yan’s embrace, propped himself up, and looked at her. “She wouldn’t.”
“She wouldn’t,” Li Yan repeated, her expression serious. “So, don’t say that kind of thing again. And don’t be so harsh on yourself.”
Gui Linghuo slowly smiled. Despite Li Yan’s solemnity, he still found her extremely lovely. She had the type of girlish face that made it difficult for people to see her anger as something genuine. It was even more apparent now, since she truly wasn’t cross at him.
He nodded and then fell into her arms again. He closed his eyes, happily rolling in her warmth.
“Thank you, A-Yan.”
“Mn, don’t thank me,” Li Yan said. She smiled. “As your partner, I should be comforting you. Isn’t that right?”
Even after six years, Gui Linghuo’s ears still flushed red. He turned himself so Li Yan wouldn’t be able to see the way his cheeks darkened a shade. But his neck still betrayed him. He heard Li Yan’s giggles and felt his heart pound against his chest. It was moments like these that made him realize what it meant to be unable to live without the other person.
Outside the tent, a figure shifted away.
Qin Siyi didn’t bother knocking or entering. She had heard the conversation fully, but the uncomfortable feeling in her heart still didn’t stop. She missed Shan Yu. She wished that she had just shamelessly clung onto their shizun and begged to be taken along.
With Shan Yu gone, she didn’t even have anywhere to vent. There was no one to return to. Her heart felt like a piece of paper that had been balled up and smoothed out too many times. The edges of the paper ball were no longer so sharp and now it was fragile to the point of nearly tearing.
Qin Siyi felt the edges of her eyes sting. She turned the corner and ran face first into someone’s chest. The person gasped and quickly reached out to steady her.
“Are you—Miss Qin?”
Qin Siyi quickly rubbed her eyes. “Young Heir.”
Li Fangyin frowned. After the events that took place a few days ago, he could only offer a small smile. “Do you…want to talk about it?”
Qin Siyi glanced at him.
“I have no other meaning,” Li Fangyin quickly said. “Just…we aren’t very close. Maybe you would want a stranger to vent to.”
Qin Siyi averted her gaze.
She had been left behind by Shan Yu and her shizun. Her da-shixiong hadn’t even considered her feelings. When she thought no one cared, there was suddenly a Li Fangyin.
Although they had fought alongside each other these past few years, Qin Siyi had never bothered trying to get close to Li Yan’s brother. Even though they lived in the same vicinity, they were nothing better than strangers.
Qin Siyi couldn’t help glancing at Li Fangyin.
He was more mature and much more masculine than Li Yan, but if she squinted she could make out similar features. The ends of their eyes drooped down in a similar way. Their lips seemed perpetually curved. The cupids bow on their upper lip was particularly pronounced, giving them a lovely appearance.
Qin Siyi couldn’t help but soften a little. “It’s nothing. I’m fine.”
Li Fangyin suppressed a sigh. Gui Yin told him to take care of his disciples, but he also wasn’t much older. He may be Li Yan’s brother, but that didn’t mean all children around Li Yan’s age would automatically treat him as an older brother.
“Then…do you want to take a walk? I’ll accompany you. Silently,” Li Fangyin said.
Qin Siyi smiled. “Alright. Thank you, Young Heir.”
“It’s nothing. There’s no need to be so polite,” Li Fangyin quickly said.
The pair began their walk, with Qin Siyi leading. Li Fangyin hung back slightly, acting as a silent bodyguard as he watched the girl wander. He frowned slightly and made a note to talk to Gui Linghuo tomorrow. It was good that he loved his sister so dearly, but it was another matter if he began to neglect his own family because of that.
He glanced at Qin Siyi.
The two people were obviously like brother and sister, but at some point they had drifted apart because Gui Linghuo opted to spend more time with Li Yan. When Shan Yu was around, Qin Siyi was fine. If not her, then she had her shizun, but now, this young woman had no one.
Qin Siyi let out a soft sigh. Li Fangyin stilled right behind her.
“I…I think we should head back,” Qin Siyi said.
“Alright,” Li Fangyin agreed.
They had been walking for nearly two hours, but they had just been going circles around the camp. Now that they were heading back, it was Li Fangyin’s turn to lead.
As they got closer to the camp, Li Fangyin paused. He turned his head and stared into the shrubbery beside them. Qin Siyi looked at him curiously.
“Young Heir?”
“…Huh?” Li Fangyin met Qin Siyi’s gaze. He smiled. “It’s nothing. I thought I heard something.”
Qin Siyi warily glanced around. “The area around the camp is well-protected though.”
“You’re right. It must have been an animal,” Li Fangyin said. “I apologize if I startled you.”
Qin Siyi shook her head.
But on the way back, she couldn’t help but glance behind them a few more times.
In the end, nothing showed up.
QIN SIYI!!!!! ʕっ•ᴥ•ʔっ
Gui Linghuo son boy, dont leave your sect sister alone for your own two person world :< (his feelings tho make me wonder about his ghostly qi infection… hmmm….)
siyi needs all the hugs she can get– THANKS FOR READING
yes yes yessss angst galoreeee. I’m so ready for sibling angst and also gui yin angst