“What brings you to my office so early in the morning, young man?” Zhihao asked, cutting the tension with a casual word. “You don’t look to be too injured.”

Surprised, Xinyi looked him over and noticed that Zhihao was correct. While the bruises and scratches were visible, the slight sheen over them indicated that he’d been treated already. Not very well, she noted, looking at the haphazard use of ointment used but definitely treated.

Xieren, on the other hand, thought of the voice he’d heard the night before. The one that assured him that he’d be okay and gentle rocked him to sleep. The one whose scent still lingered in his nose, making him shiver with delight.

Unconsciously, he pressed his sleeve to his face, wanting to catch the elusive and unique smell. It was faint but there. While he was still unsure about that man, he couldn’t deny he was curious about a lot of things.

But for now, he’d keep that to himself.

“I apologize, Master Zhihao.” Xieren whispered, bowing his head. “I felt a bit light headed from before and needed to rest. I thank you for your understanding.”

“...And the one who brought you here?” He asked, not letting him slip out of his line of questioning. Zhihao was sure someone else had been with him. How he’d failed to notice until after Xieren was dropped off was still unclear.

“I’m afraid I cannot give an clear answer, Master.” He replied, his tone suitably contrite. “This disciple never saw that person and cannot give master any answers. Please forgive me.”

Zhihao glared at Xieren for a while, sipping his tea quietly. He very much disliked that Xieren was clearly protecting this unknown person from him, one of his elders. But he also knew that the young man was telling the truth as well. If he’d been attacked by the Wandering Mist Serpent, his eyesight would have been the first target, so he doubted Xieren saw anything. Anything else given would be circumstantial at best so there was really no point in pressing the issue.

Still, to think some bastard managed to break into his area…

His hand clenched around the cup until it cracked. The two disciples failed to notice the change in the air.

Elsewhere, Liang Fei felt a shiver run down his spine. Did someone have ill intentions toward him? He thought, looking around. But he hadn’t even done anything yet!

***

Days passed and Xieren soon found himself staring out into the densely packed square. He grimaced at the chaos before him.

“Are you sure it’s wise to do this, Xinyi?” He asked, looking up at the girl beside him. Despite being close in age, Xieren was dwarfed by Xinyi. He was shorter than most people. It wasn’t by much but it was a matter of pride for the young man.

“I don’t see how that could be the case.” She replied, fearlessly walking through the crowd as she searched for the right shop. “Master Zhihao asked us to do this.”

“No, he said he needed someone to buy his things, not us and especially not me.” He pointed out, annoyed to have been dragged along. He’d tried to remain at the sect but Xinyi responded to his well reasoned and firm rejection by pouting and pitifully lamenting how cruel and heartless he was to allow his female friend wander about town all alone.

Even knowing her tears were fake didn’t harden his heart enough to refuse her.

“Yes, but as his student, I must act according to his wishes and he wishes for… Hemp oil and Sesame seeds.” She said with a smile, reading off her list. “Besides, we owe master for not letting anyone know how you got injured or why.”

Xieren had fallen ill for a few days after their conversation, having to remain in bed for fear of hurting himself. While the matter of the serpent had been reported, Master Zhihao was kind enough to keep Xieren out of it, saving him from having to explain why he’d left the sect grounds without permission. While it might not seem like much, such disregards for the rules would not be looked upon kindly. As such, the young man did indeed owe that tea guzzling old man.

“Fine.” He grumbled, looking away as Xinyi rushed forward to talk to a stall manager. While her looks were sweet and humble, her eyes glowed fiercely as she began to haggle for the best items for the lowest deal. Had he not seen the sight before, he might have been staring at her with awe, just as some who passed them by were.

Instead, his mind was on other things. Particularly, the conversation happening somewhere nearby. While the daytime rush was loud and chaotic, the conversation was clear as day since those involved had to yell over the crowd.

“Hey hey, brother what took you so long?” A female voiced asked, sound a bit annoyed. She was clearly older, possible a veteran shop keep from how hoarse her voice was. “I expected you over an hour ago.”

“Sorry, Auntie.” Another voice replied, calm and cool like water on a hot day. It drew Xieren in more than anything else surrounding it and made him tune in. “There were a it of other tasks. Please excuse my tardiness.”

“Always so fancy with the words, aren’t you.” The lady laughed, greatly amused and apparently having gotten over the lateness of this man. “You continue to work hard and you might have a place in our little town, Tankian.”

“Your words are too kind, Auntie.” ‘Tankian’ replied. “I must get going. I have a lot to do today.” He said, dashing off in Xieren’s direction. Not wanting to be caught eavesdropping, he turned his back to the man. As such, he didn’t see the long flowing hair drifting behind him as the man ran past. He didn’t noticed the lightness of his steps as he ran.

What he did notice, that gripped his attention like a bolt of lightning, was the scent that drifted past his nose just as the man ran by.

The scent that matched nothing he could place. He’d tried to place it but nothing came close. It was too musky to be floral or fruit based but too pleasant to be just woodsy. It was a scent unique to only one person. The person Xieren had longed to see again over the last few days.

The mysterious man who sang him to sleep.