“Now, remember what I told you Wuzhi- do not cause trouble for myself or the class,” Zhu Jian reminded Wuzhi for what felt like the five-hundredth time.

Wuzhi rolled his eyes. “Yes, yes, I got it, sect leader Zhu.”

Since Wuzhi was to stay in Yu Sen Zhu sect for an undetermined period of time, Zhu Jian had thought it beneficial for Wuzhi to become more accustomed to their sect. That included what Zhu Jian did on a daily basis. “It will be good for you to get out of the house sometime, don’t you think?” the sect leader had said with a sweet smile. Which was the only reason why Wuzhi had agreed in the first place.

Classes taught by Zhu Jian were held in a small building in town. Once Zhu Jian entered the classroom, the whole class chorused a “Good morning, shizun” as he made his way to the front of the room. Wuzhi, on the other hand, started to make his way to the back of the room, where there were less students milling around. He seated himself in one of the comfortable seats, casually placing his feet on the table.

Ignoring Wuzhi's disrespectful actions, the other started to introduce him.

“This is Qi Wuzhi, a temporary visitor to our sect. You may call him WuqingShe. He will be staying here for shelter as well as observing our classes from now on. Please treat him with respect.”

All the students’ heads immediately turned around to stare at Wuzhi, their eyes filled with curiosity. Wuzhi’s eyes travelled over the students. They all looked like innocent sheep, their eyes ogling his dishevelled self, the big bad wolf. They must be surprised at the dark clothing and frown he wore, in contrast with the rest of the sect. As expected, they all focused on the ugly scar under his left eye. No matter who he came across, they always stared.

As he casually scanned the classroom, his eyes fell on a student whose glare was clearly directed at himself. Wuzhi raised an eyebrow. Interesting.

The boy wore his dark hair in a short, high ponytail and had a cute, innocent-looking face, save for the glare he currently wore. He had on the same uniform that every other disciple wore- pale blue shirt and pants, and white slip-on shoes. Once lessons started, the boy quickly turned back around to face the front of the classroom.

Wuzhi watched Zhu Jian teach for a while, but quickly became bored. It sounded to him like Zhu Jian was teaching the same subjects over and over again. Wuzhi turned his attention to the teacher rather than the teachings.

Zhu Jian would occasionally tuck a strand of hair behind his ear, the subtle, seductive action making Wuzhi lick his lips. Zhu Jian was too unaware of how beautiful he really was. It seemed that the whole class was in love with him too. They were a little too focused on their shizun. Wuzhi immediately ascertained that Zhu Jian was the most popular teacher in Yu Sen Zhu sect. Wuzhi scratched the desk he was sitting at, his nails creating jagged lines in the aged wood. I will not let anyone touch him, be it a child or adult.

Wuzhi continued to stare intensely at Zhu Jian. He felt a sense of satisfaction well up in him as he observed the teacher’s flustered face and actions, the stumble in his words as well as his walking. "Qi Wuzhi, please focus your attention elsewhere,” the flustered teacher finally managed.

Wuzhi gave a smirk. "Hm? But isn't the disciple supposed to pay attention to their shizun, sect leader~"

"Or would you rather me call you shizun as well-"

Zhu Jian slammed his hands on the table. "Enough! Wuzhi, outside now."

Wuzhi's smirk widened. "Hm? You have quite the temper, don't you, shizun~ "

As if he had only just realised what he had done, Zhu Jian coughed awkwardly, hastily leading Wuzhi outside.

As soon as the classroom door closed shut behind them, Zhu Jian slammed his palm against the wall next to Wuzhi. The snake’s smirk did not waver.

"My my, you have quite the dangerous face on you, sect leader. In all my years of watching you, never have you acted in this way.”

The other hesitated, his face transitioning from it’s earlier annoyance into uncertainty.

“Could it be that I am the only one who can rile you up like this?” Wuzhi sent the sweet whispers into Zhu Jian’s ear.

“Wuzhi… please stop distracting me.” the sect leader let out a tired sigh.

Wuzhi pretended to think. “Hmmm…. fine, sect leader. But only because you were the one who asked.”

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After what felt like an eternity, the class finally ended. Wuzhi stretched his limbs, releasing a great yawn. Is this really what I will have to sit through every single day? he thought tiredly.

Suddenly, he noticed that the disciple who had been glaring at him earlier was now conversing with Zhu Jian. Wuzhi's sharp ears picked up on their conversation, even from the very back of the room.

“Shizuuuun, why are you paying so much attention to him?” whined the little brat.

Wuzhi rolled his eyes again. I hate people like him the most. So disgustingly clingy...

Zhu Jian only gave a bright smile, ruffling the young boy’s hair, causing it to become slightly tousled.

“He is my very own guest, Xin Yao- please treat him with respect.”

Xin Yao pouted cutely. "Fine, shizun."

"Good boy."

Wuzhi frowned. What does he see in him? It still puzzled him to this day. From all he saw for the past five years, Xin Yao was merely a little brat who really adored his shizun. There didn’t seem to be anything special about him. He didn’t have the best grades either.

Deciding to drop the subject, Wuzhi strolled out the door of the building, until suddenly he was interrupted by a loud - “Stay away from shizun!”- directed at his back.

Wuzhi rolled his eyes passionately, lazily turning around to face the young disciple. Quite the brat, isn’t he, this Xin Yao?

“You know I’m not going to listen to you, right?” he drawled.

The other only continued to glare.

Now that he was face to face with the boy himself, the cultivator thought it an opportune time to confront him. “What’s your obsession with sect leader Zhu, anyway?”

The young student’s face flushed with annoyance. “It’s not an obsession! It’s…”

Xin Yao bit his lip.

Dammit- almost got him to confess.

“Well, whatever it is, it’s gonna have to stop, because sect. Leader. Is. mine.” Wuzhi sounded out the syllables in his sentence in a threatening manner.

If one looked, one could almost see the sparks flying from both people’s eyes.

The heated disciple drew his flute, Nàxiē Pòhuài, from his bag. "Then I challenge you to a duel! If I become victorious, you have to stay away from shizun! "

Wuzhi gave a gleeful smile. "Now that’s what I'm talking about!"

Xin Yao brought the xiāo to his lips, ready to play.

Wuzhi smirked. This’ll be easy. My mind control technique works extremely well on emotional types like him.

As Wuzhi was about to open his mouth and Xin Yao was about to blow a note, a figure flew in between the two people as quick as lightning, their palms outstretched towards each person.

“Both of you! Please do not disrupt the peace of the sect!” scolded Zhu Jian loudly.

The two troublemakers exited their battle stances quickly, as to avoid further scolding from the already disappointed teacher.

“This disciple is extremely sorry, shizun, ” Xin Yao apologised ashamedly, his head bowed low and his eyes trained to his feet.

Wuzhi only gave a disappointed sigh. “And here I thought things were going to get more interesting around here.”

After Zhu Jian was out of earshot, Xin Yao finally gave a reply to Wuzhi’s earlier question. “Shizun saved me a long time ago! I would not be here if it were not for him!”

Wuzhi frowns at the disciple’s clear bragging.

“So what? Your shizun and I have even slept together!”

“W-what?!”

“Wuzhi! You should not speak of such things to a child!” Zhu Jian suddenly cut in, giving the back of Wuzhi’s head a light smack. He quickly turned to his disciple, giving him a smile.

“Do not worry Xin Yao- we only slept in the same bed together. I had no spare quilts.”

“...tch.”

Xin yao’s eyes had gone back to their usual shine. “Oh I see, shizun! So WuqingShe was just telling lies!”

Wuzhi bared his fangs. This little…

Xin Yao stuck out his tongue at Wuzhi immediately when Zhu Jian’s back was turned.

Wuzhi hissed. “If you keep doing that, you’re gonna lose it, kid.”

Xin yao quickly retreated back to where his friends were waiting for him.

This was going to be a long, long year.