“So, you need my help.”
Wu Lingtian looked Wuma Qiongling up and down. The posture was the same. The tone of voice was the same. However…
“Got into a fight with Xiao-xiong again?”
Wuma Qiongling choked on his tea. He placed the cup down and glared at Wu Lingtian. “You came here for my help, didn’t you? Why are you bringing up other things?”
Wu Lingtian shared a glance with Zhou Ying’an before lightly clearing his throat. “Yes, we need your help. There will be an all-out war soon, but they have strength in numbers. We don’t need much—just enough to hold back the puppets while we charge into Drifting Clouds Mountain Sect.”
“The puppets, hm?” Wuma Qiongling reclined in his seat, a brow slightly raised. “Alright. I can loan you some Hounds.”
“…Wouldn’t animals be difficult to control?” Wu Lingtian asked.
“I don’t mean rabid dogs, I mean my Hounds,” Wuma Qiongling said. “They’re expertly trained soldiers. You won’t need more than fifty to take on two hundred people. They’ll listen to you.”
“Are you not coming with us?” Wu Lingtian asked.
“You have Bai Qiu. You don’t need me,” Wuma Qiongling said. He sighed carelessly. “I’ve dealt enough with you people. I would personally like to stay in my own frigid territory than watch a bunch of snakes go at each other’s throats. The entertainment value has worn off.”
Zhou Ying’an’s expression puckered at Wuma Qiongling’s words. Her mouth opened, but Wu Lingtian stopped her before she spoke. She glanced over at him with furrowed brows. Wu Lingtian subtly shook his head and turned back to Wuma Qiongling, his hands clasped before him.
“Thank you for your generosity. I will make sure my martial nephew makes good use of your Hounds,” Wu Lingtian said.
Wuma Qiongling glanced at him.
“And if you need my help, I will gladly lend a hand,” Wu Lingtian said.
“Hm. I don’t like this.”
Wu Lingtian raised a brow. “What?”
“Your attitude,” Wuma Qiongling said, leaning forward. “I thought we had gotten closer. Why have you pulled away again?”
“Someone won’t tell me what’s wrong with them, so it feels like we’re strangers again,” Wu Lingtian said.
Wuma Qiongling narrowed his eyes. “Petty, aren’t you?”
“I’m just very nosy,” Wu Lingtian said shamelessly.
Wuma Qiongling glanced at Zhou Ying’an. The woman let out a soft sigh and patted Wu Lingtian’s shoulder. “I’ll wait outside.”
The two men watched her leave before Wu Lingtian sat down on Wuma Qiongling’s desk, on leg crossed over the other as he waited for Wuma Qiongling to speak.
“…A-Rui wants me to move in with him.”
“Isn’t that what you wanted?” Wu Lingtian asked.
“It is.”
“Then, what are you hesitating for?”
Wuma Qiongling met Wu Lingtian’s gaze.
“You take what you want. If you can’t even do that much, can you call yourself a resident of Fengya?” Wu Lingtian provoked.
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.
Qewj Hlbcuilcu rwlgxfv. “P’w uijv atbrf ifrrbcr tjnf ilnfv klat sbe obg rb ibcu.”
“Tbe mjc ajxf j qfgrbc bea bo Mfcusj, yea sbe mjc’a ajxf Mfcusj bea bo j qfgrbc,” Qe Olcualjc rjlv. Lf qertfv tlwrfio boo atf vfrx jcv rabbv. “P’ii rff sbe ja Te Vtel Zjcbg atfc.”
“Wait.” Wu Lingtian paused and turned around. Wuma Qiongling had sat up and looked Wu Lingtian up and down. “Don’t die.”
Wu Lingtian scoffed. “I wasn’t planning to.”
“Let’s go for some drinks after this.”
“Alright. I’ll bring along a friend. I think you’ll like her.”
Wuma Qiongling reached into his drawer and pulled out a black pass. He tossed it to Wu Lingtian and leaned back in his seat. “Safe travels.”
Wu Lingtian turned the pass in his hand and gave him a curt nod. “…You too.”
Wu Lingtian left his study and nearly bumped into Zhou Ying’an. The two martial siblings made their way out of Black Scales Palace. Zhou Ying’an glanced at Wu Lingtian.
“You’re not going to say hi to Xunrui?”
“I don’t need to. We don’t have time anyway.”
Although Wu Lingtian hadn’t asked for the details, he knew that once he gave this pass over to Bai Qiu, the young man would know what to do with it.
Once they returned to Qingyao Manor, Wu Lingtian called for a meeting. His plan was laid out simply and concisely. He waited in silence for any questions, but none came up. He met Fan Yi’s troubled expression and straightened, arms crossing over his chest.
“I will be going with you.”
Fan Yi met Wu Lingtian’s gaze.
“At the moment, I need someone who is able to control me. And I only listen to Sect Leader. If you leave me at Qingyao Manor or with Bai Qiu at the front lines, I can’t guarantee what I may do,” Wu Lingtian said truthfully.
Fan Yi’s lips pursed. What a liar.
The details were further ironed out and the pass was handed over to Bai Qiu as the others filed out of the room. “Jianshi is in your hands.”
“…Wu-shishu, don’t put so much pressure on me,” Bai Qiu said sheepishly.
“I have faith that you’ll do splendidly. You weren’t Lord Wuma’s right hand man for so long for nothing,” Wu Lingtian said, patting Bai Qiu on the shoulder.
Bai Qiu nodded awkwardly. He bowed to Wu Lingtian and quickly followed Su Han.
A presence lingered behind Wu Lingtian. It was difficult to ignore. He slowly turned and looked at the glowering man behind him. A soft smile pulled at the corners of his lips as he walked over and took the cold hands into his.
“Why are you frowning?”
“You shouldn’t be coming with me.”
“Worst case scenario, she gets control over me again and you bring me back,” Wu Lingtian said. “It’s nothing to worry about.”
“Nothing to worry about? You could—I don’t need you to take care of me, okay?” Fan Yi said. “I’ve had this condition since before you were born. I know how to handle myself.”
“I know, I know. I’m just scared that I’ve spoiled you so much recently that you’ll forget to take care of yourself if I’m not by your side,” Wu Lingtian said. He brought Fan Yi’s hands to his face and pressed his cheek against them. “Just imagine it—there won’t be anyone to pour tea for you and tuck you in at night. Won’t you feel out of place and sad?”
Fan Yi clicked his tongue. “I’ll feel a lot more relaxed without you around. You’re like a little young master with hands that have never touched water. If you come, I’ll be the one to take care of you.”
“Don’t act like you dislike having me around,” Wu Lingtian said, stepping forward and walking Fan Yi into the edge of the desk. “You’re being mean again.”
“I…I’m sorry. But you must remain here.”
“I won’t,” Wu Lingtian said. “I’ll follow you. And at that point, you won’t even know I’ve followed you.”
“You—”
“So, would you rather I follow you in plain sight, or would you rather me follow you in the shadows?” Wu Lingtian asked, his lips brushing against the shell of Fan Yi’s ear.
“Wu Lingtian.”
“Fu Yishan,” Wu Lingtian called out the name tenderly. He pressed a slow kiss to Fan Yi’s ear. “Don’t abandon me. I’ll be sad.”
“I’m not abandoning you! I’ll come back. It’s far too dangerous for you to—”
“For me, the safest place is beside you. If I don’t have you, I’ll go crazy sooner than if Rong Meihua were to get her hands on me,” Wu Lingtian said. He placed his head against Fan Yi’s shoulder. “You say I’ll be fine, but how much do you know about my condition? What if I relapse somehow?”
“You won’t,” Fan Yi muttered softly.
“And it’s not as if I’ll be completely useless. I’m still Yu Lan Sword Immortal,” Wu Lingtian said.
“I didn’t say you’d be useless,” Fan Yi said sternly. He shifted his shoulder away so Wu Lingtian had to stand straight. “Are you really not going to give up?”
Wu Lingtian lightly pecked Fan Yi’s lips. “Nope.”
“…Fine. Come with us then,” Fan Yi said. He pulled his hands from Wu Lingtian’s grasp and cupped his face. “But if you start feeling unwell, then tell me.”
Wu Lingtian nodded obediently.
Fan Yi scoffed lightly and shifted. “Can you move back? I still have to make preparations.”
“Mm, but I want to stay like this,” Wu Lingtian hugged Fan Yi. “My sect leader gets so much more irritable in the winter. I have to soothe his fur.”
“I’m serious. Let go—”
“If we do it once, you’ll be much warmer,” Wu Lingtian tempted, his lips brushing lightly against Fan Yi’s neck. “I have enough spiritual energy for you to take.”
Fan Yi twitched away from the ticklish sensation. His hands flexed against Wu Lingtian’s waist, but he hesitated. “Aren’t you tired?”
“You’ll be more tired than me when we’re done,” Wu Lingtian promised.
Fan Yi pulled Wu Lingtian’s hands away from his belt. “Wait till we get back to the room.”
A triumphant smile took over Wu Lingtian’s face as he pulled Fan Yi out of the study.
“Don’t die.”
Bai Qiu glanced at Wu Lingtian. Their robes fluttered in the chilling winter winds as they looked over the hundreds of Hound soldiers that had come at the call of Bai Qiu’s insignia. He lowered his head in respect and let out a soft chuckle.
“Is that what Master told you to tell me?”
“Well, he told me not to die. But I’m sure it’s the same sentiment to you,” Wu Lingtian said. He paused as he looked over the sea of black below them. “Bai Qiu, can I ask you a question?”
“Please ask.”
“After all this, do you plan to stay at Screeching Sparrow Sect?”
“I…” Bai Qiu’s gaze flickered up towards his martial uncle. “I have plans to travel. Master won’t reply to my correspondence anymore. I have a feeling he’s kicked me out.”
Wu Lingtian chuckled. “That does seem like his style.”
“I will go with Su Han,” Bai Qiu said, his voice growing quieter. “I hope Sect Leader doesn’t mind.”
“If he minds, I’ll have a word or two with him,” Wu Lingtian said. He lightly patted Bai Qiu’s shoulder. “Remember to come back and visit us though.”
Bai Qiu smiled and nodded gently.
“Wu Lingtian! Let’s go!” Zhou Ying’an shouted at them from the bottom of the hill.
Wu Lingtian let out a sound of understanding. He looked back to Bai Qiu. “Then, I’m going. Let’s meet back on the other side.”
“Wu-shishu.”
Wu Lingtian stopped and looked over his shoulder.
Bai Qiu bowed low, a full ninety degrees. “Thank you. If it weren’t for you, I would have never had the courage to come back. It’s because of you—”
“What’s this? Why are you sounding like this is the last time we’re talking to each other?”
“…On the off-chance that something went wrong during this battle,” Bai Qiu said, “I wanted to thank you now. Or I think it would be a regret I’d have if I were to die.”
Wu Lingtian pulled Bai Qiu up. “First of all, I haven’t done anything. You came back because of your own courage. Second of all, you won’t die. I’d much rather Jianshi fall than for you to die—do you understand?”
Bai Qiu nodded slowly.
Wu Lingtian cupped Bai Qiu’s unmasked half of his face and gave it a light pinch. “Stupid kid. If you die because of my plan, do you think your shizun will let me live any good days?”
“He—”
“He won’t. So, don’t die. That’s an order from me. And that’s an order from your Master,” Wu Lingtian said.
Bai Qiu nodded again, with a bit more vigor this time.
“And you can’t let Su Han become a widower, right?”
Bai Qiu’s face warmed under Wu Lingtian’s teasing, but the thought was left in his mind as his martial uncle left. It gave him an odd boost of confidence.
As Wu Lingtian joined the others at the bottom of the hill, he heard the rallying cries of the troops below. He glanced back. The imposing black flag of Black Scales Palace and the familiar flag of Screeching Sparrow Sect fluttered and mixed together with the snow.
“Have the disciples departed?” Wu Lingtian asked.
Fan Yi nodded. “Yu Liulin came and took them away already.”
“That’s good,” Wu Lingtian said.
He looked at the group in front of him. Aside from the Three Pillars, there was also Zhou Ying’an, Situ Hong, and Zhong Renyi. Wu Lingtian hadn’t been nervous before, but when he saw this group of people in front of him, his stomach suddenly began to roil. Things were finally coming to an end, no matter the outcome.
If they’re together, nobody can distract either of them with lies about the other being captured, compromised or wounded. And, he is the Yu Lan Sword Immortal!
[buzzing with excitement and worry]