“The one with the cave dragon.”

Wu Lingtian nodded. That had been a particularly frightening incident, though Wu Lingtian couldn’t say that he remembered too much of it. All he remembered was unfortunately running into Fan Yi. The pair had little to say, yet Fan Yi insisted on pestering Wu Lingtian in a way that could not be turned away and the two had stumbled upon a seemingly harmless pond. Fan Yi was preparing to turn around and leave when they had met up with another group that disliked both Fan Yi and Wu Lingtian, which was quite a rare existence. After that…the details were too fuzzy to recount.

“There was that one fellow named Hong Fu. He was annoying you and you ended up telling him off.”

“Did I?” Wu Lingtian wondered aloud. He did remember Hong Fu though. The man was a useless second-generation cultivator who survived off of nepotism and rode off coattails. Although he and Wu Lingtian were part of the same generation of cultivators, the difference between them was as big as Heaven and earth.

Fan Yi’s mind had begun wandering again when he heard Wu Lingtian’s soft, yet audible: “I really dislike him.”

Fan Yi bit down on his lower lip but ended up shielding his mouth with his hand as he laughed. Wu Lingtian’s gaze darted towards the sound before he quickly averted his gaze again. Wu Lingtian’s lips were pressed down into a straight line as Fan Yi’s deep, resounding laughter sounded through the night sky.

As they approached Fan Yi’s residence, Fan Yi recalled an important detail.

“The lion yesterday destroyed the guest courtyard,” Fan Yi said.

“It did,” Wu Lingtian nodded.

“You will be staying in my courtyard, yes?”

“If Sect Leader would allow me to.”

“Naturally,” Fan Yi agreed. “I did not know where you ran off to last night, so I didn’t say anything. But I really wanted to offer you my room. I can just sleep in my study.”

Wu Lingtian shook his head. “No need.”

“The study isn’t anything comfortable. Besides, wouldn’t you find it suspicious if I left you with so much important information?” Fan Yi asked, amused.

“If I wanted your important information, I would be able to get it even without having to stay in your study,” Wu Lingtian reasoned. “But Sect Leader does not have to stay in the study. I will also not be taking your room. I merely need a place to set my things. I can just sleep in the tree in your courtyard.”

Fan Yi thought about the old magnolia tree that sat in his courtyard and then frowned. “That wouldn’t be too good. You really wouldn’t be disturbing me if you stayed in my room. If you feel uncomfortable, I can always just quickly switch out the sheets.”

“Sect Leader’s kindness is appreciated,” Wu Lingtian said. “However, I do not want to sleep in a room.”

Fan Yi’s mind drifted to the few times he had seen Wu Lingtian.

During autumn, when the leaves were beginning to fall from the trees, obscured amidst the disappearing leaves was Wu Lingtian. The youth always wore red, the color of fresh blood. His hair was pulled up into a neat ponytail and his eyelashes cast a soft shadow against his cheek. During the spring, when the flowers bloomed all over the tree, Wu Lingtian would be shrouded by a curtain of soft pink petals. His existence was like a jarring knife among the gentle spring. No matter the season, Fan Yi would inexplicably catch a glimpse of Wu Lingtian, sleeping in a tree with his sword hugged close to his chest.

Fan Yi pulled himself from his thoughts and glanced at Wu Lingtian. “It would be uncomfortable.”

“It would not,” Wu Lingtian said. “I am already used to it.”

Fan Yi hesitated for a moment. “Then, at least take a blanket with you. It gets cold at night.”

Wu Lingtian nodded. “Thank you, Sect Leader.”

Fan Yi chuckled. “Yu Lan, you are our guest. Although we have no idea how long you will be staying, arranging your own place to stay would probably be best.”

“Sect Leader does not need to go through so much trouble,” Wu Lingtian’s feet stopped just before the step up to Fan Yi’s rooms. “I can stay in the guest courtyard.”

“That would not be too proper.”

Wu Lingtian was once known as the prodigy of the cultivation world and Drifting Clouds Mountain Sect’s prize disciple after all.

“Sect Leader, I would be fine staying in the guest courtyard,” Wu Lingtian said. “Unless you feel uncomfortable with me there.”

“No! No, I don’t,” Fan Yi spoke quickly, afraid that Wu Lingtian would misunderstand. “It’s just a little small. I was afraid you wouldn’t be used to it.”

“I enjoy sleeping outside anyway,” Wu Lingtian said. “Besides, I have nothing. There really is no reason for me to have a big living space. It would only be wasting sect resources.”

Fan Yi’s frown grew deeper. “You are being too considerate. What’s wrong with being a little more comfortable?”

The summer wind softly blew through the courtyard. It tickled Fan Yi’s cheek and danced through Wu Lingtian’s hair. The bright moonlight shined down on Wu Lingtian, who stood alone in the middle of the courtyard. His back was straight while his eyes were cast down to the ground, as if he were having a difficult time finding words to explain himself.

“There is nothing wrong with what Sect Leader has suggested. However, I would be more comfortable if Sect Leader did not go to such lengths for me.”

“…I see.”

The two men stood in silence, neither exactly looking at each other.

“In that case, I will not push this matter anymore,” Fan Yi said with a smile. “But don’t deny me of providing you with clothes.”

“I would not,” Wu Lingtian said. “I only have this set to wear for now at any rate.”

Fan Yi’s smile grew a little more genuine. “Right, I nearly forgot. What color would you like? Red?”

Wu Lingtian held out his arms. “This color is fine.”

White, speckled with silver and accented with black.      

“Okay. Then, we will order robes with this color scheme,” Fan Yi agreed. He told Wu Lingtian to wait a moment before heading back into his room. He dug into his set of spare sheets to be used during the summer and pulled out a thin blanket. He handed it to Wu Lingtian. “Here’s this as well. Be sure to use it.”

“Thank you, Sect Leader,” Wu Lingtian bowed his head slightly.

“No need to thank me,” Fan Yi said. He glanced at the large magnolia tree and then looked back to Wu Lingtian. “Yu Lan, do you want me to ask Xiewen to make a new sword for you?”

Wu Lingtian’s eyes were concentrated on the blanket in his hands. “Perhaps later. Now is not the right time.”

He hovered in the middle of the courtyard a moment longer before turning and jumping up onto the magnolia tree. He chose a branch third highest from the ground and settled down.

Fan Yi managed to shake himself from his confusion and hummed. “Goodnight, Yu Lan.”

“Goodnight, Sect Leader,” Wu Lingtian echoed.

Fan Yi closed the door to his room and wandered to his bed. He sat on the edge and fell into deep thought. Wu Lingtian’s words echoed in his mind. He let out a soft sigh and fell back onto his bed. He closed his eyes and fell in to a restless sleep.