She jumped in surprise and turned to see her brother standing behind her.

“Shimei… are your thoughts still lingering on the past?” he asked while taking a seat as if he had not just scared the living daylights out of her.

She looked at him for a moment before lowering her eyes.

“just for a moment.” She replied, pouring him a cup of tea. Her brother stared at her.

“Shimei, if I may, I would like to ask you something.”

He took the cup she was handing him. At those words she scrunched her forehead questioningly, but nodded her head nonetheless. The man smiled and took a sip, enjoying the mildly flavoured tea.

“Has something happened? These days you always appear as though something is bothering you and you are on edge. Is it because of the new students or is it something else?” he asked, filled with evident concern.

Zhang YueLiang blew over her tea, disturbing the columns of vapour rising from it, and smiled softly.

“Do not worry, Dage, nothing of the sort. As you said, I am just tired. But I am improving.” Her brother kept looking at her while his face opened up in a smile.

“I am glad. Because while you might appear to be acting somewhat oddly, you also look more serene. You are not even shouting at the Shinzi Shi.” He finished with a chuckle.

She choked on her tea.

“Wh-what?” she asked.

“you had met before, right? During Liang Gongzi’s trials. You had complained extensively about his incompetence. Now that I think about it, even then I was surprised you were showing interest in a servant as lowly as him.” He said, pulling a face.

She chuckled, but she felt herself nervously go ghostly white all the same.

“Ah… yes, well I believe time has improved him. His… manners have certainly improved since.” She said nodding, all the while hoping she could disappear in her teacup.

She had forgotten that their first meeting had not been that at the start of the story. Fate had wanted it so Shi XinNian and the Original had met during those few pages of prologue where they had crossed paths while he was being beaten by other boys, and she had ignored him completely.

Thank you so much, author, for highlighting how much of a bitch I am.

The Customer Service must have been aware of this; but her memories were confused, and she had been under the impression she had only heard of him but had never actually met him before.

Shit, shit, shit! C.S. you could have reminded me. She swore to herself. What must that boy be thinking? She must appear to him as changeable as the wind. She sighed while she rubbed at the base of her nose where her eyebrows met trying to relieve the mental chaos those words had awoken in her.

“I am glad you have changed your mind about him. I feel the boy has lots of potential.”

She looked at him with her eyebrows raised. As if he’s ancient. I mean, he is, but he doesn’t look it! With that beardless face could easily pass for twenty in the right light, surely not the centenarian he is. Her mental commentary added.

“Should he stay by Liang HaoHan’s side I am sure they will achieve greatness.” He added nodding to himself, happy once more. She looked at him sideways, how much of an optimist could that man be?

She replied, shaking her head.

“Do you think I should allow him to study the art of the sword?”

“Oh, I believe he should also be included in the lessons on meditation and music. After all, haven't you accepted him as your disciple?”

“Walk him through the entire path of Cultivation?” she clarified as she picked out biscuits from the plate placed in front of her. As a second thought she asked herself if Shi XinNian had left those there too.

“Absolutely, don’t you think?”

She looked at him out of the corner of her eye as she nibbled on the biscuit she had selected.

“Why are you asking me, Dage? You are the Great Master.”

He shook his head and leant his back against the wall with his hands supporting his head. Not a very Immortal pose, Dage.

“I wanted you to say it, Shimei. Don’t you want to teach him? And you know perfectly well that in my absence you are the Great Master. – she started coughing to dislodge a bite that was choking her and stared at her brother through watery eyes as he laughed at her. – You seem just as interested in his potential. That seemed odd. It must be something he has shown you… to make you change your mind.”

She rubbed her hand over her face in an attempt to hide. Sure, one of his behaviours. I just happen to know what will happen to him in the future and all those fail… Her thoughts came to an abrupt halt and she opened her eyes wide as she was hit with an eureka moment. His failures were only due to his lack of Cultivation, he could not come face to face with Liang HaoHan on equal terms. Even with his Demonic power he was forever weaker because he had started down the path of Cultivation so late! She felt as though she had found her solution, at least in part. Or the quickest way to bring about their end. It doesn’t matter, even the smallest change could change the story… She concluded, more desperate for salvation than afraid her plan might fail.

She was about to stand up and go to fetch Shi XinNian, but then she remembered who she was supposed to be. She stayed put clenching her fist in her lap as Zhang YouDao looked at her in evident confusion.

“Shi XinNian!” she shouted in a poor display of immortality.

Her brother looked at her in astonishment as the young boy arrived and bowed.

“Welcome, Shigong. Shizun? You have called for me?”

She stared at him in silence for a few seconds. How could she phrase this to avoid further penalties? Then she turned towards her brother and pointed towards the boy. I am sorry, but you are the only one who can do this, or I will get stuck in an infinite loop. She sighed internally. He smiled with complicity and leant forward.

“Shizhi, would you like to practice Cultivation?” he asked without beating around the bush.

Shi XinNian lifted his gaze in amazement.

“Shigong?” he asked tentatively. He also turned to Zhang YueLiang who, despite feeling his confused gaze fixed on her back, remained still as a statue without turning to face him. Who knew how many more points they would have taken from her otherwise.

“Ehm…” not having seen any reaction from that mysterious woman he hesitated for a moment longer.

“My Shimei would be happy to teach you.” The Immortal said with a smile.

Zhang YueLiang pushed her fingernails in the flesh of her arm to refrain from saying anything. Dage, Dage what are you doing? Do you want me gone for good? I want him to succeed just as much as you do, but don’t drag me into this! Her expression was cold and distant, as if she were totally indifferent to the outcome of this conversation, but on the inside she was quaking in her boots with a healthy dose of terror and embarrassment. How would the C.S. react? Shi XinNian looked at her again as his heart beat double time once more and bowed his head.

“It would be an honour for me to follow Zhang Shizun’s lessons. – He replied quickly. – Should you grant me this privilege, I promise not to ignore my other duties.”

“Oh, do not worry about…”

The boy bent even lower, touching his forehead to the ground.

“Please, I do not want to be a burden. I will be perfectly capable of Cultivating while carrying on with my work for my Gongzi and Shizun.”

Wait what? She asked, finally turning around.

“Oh, Shimei, I do not think you are aware of this, but Shi-Shinzi has offered himself as one of your full-time assistants. The only one, I’d say. I would have obviously asked for your opinion, but for him to do so he would have had to become one of your disciples first. You might want to take this time to think about it, this is entirely up to you.”

She looked at her brother and Shi XinNian who was still bowing. Oh boy, what is going on? Why does Shi XinNian, my future murderer, want to be so close to me? She lifted the pipe to her lips to avoid blurting out all those questions and turned again to look at her brother.

“I will think about this. For now, make sure you show up on time to my lessons and the training sessions.” As she was about to turn around once more, he replied emphatically.

“Yes, Shizun, I will. And Shigong, I am grateful to you for offering me the opportunity to attend your school.” Zhang YouDao waved his fan with a smile.

“Don’t you worry, the QingLong mountain knows how to pick out talented individuals. You will surely pay back our hospitality with honour and glory.”

Zhang YueLiang grimaced. He was way too much of an optimist.

“Of course.” She said with a sardonic smile. However, it would be her job to be sure he reached such greatness. And with the limitations I have that will be a challenge.

Shi XinNian lifted his gaze in wonder and looked at her without her noticing.

“I will not fail you.” He said firmly.

With that, the Great Master gave him a look that spoke volumes and turned towards his sister. The boy’s eyes widened to the size of saucers and he stiffly walked further into the room so he was standing in front of her. The woman looked at him with some confusion and mild discomfort: what was he doing? Then, seeing he was kneeling, she sighed. It was the triple bowing of disciples when they were requesting to be accepted under a Master’s tutelage. The boy performed the kowtow touching his forehead to the ground. She looked at him with a slight smile playing on her lips and her brother gave her an amused look.

“Shizun, do you accept my request?” the boy asked.

She touched the pipe to his head and nodded.

“Consider it done. Now go, you will have to wake up early tomorrow.”

The boy barely glanced at her as he nibbled on his lips, then with a final bow he left. Her brother clapped in obvious satisfaction.

“And so this is done too. – she raised an eyebrow as she stared at him. – Shimei, I know you and your behaviour. A century spent together must mean something.” He said with a chuckle.

She shivered at those words but smiled back at him.

“Oh yeah? And what do you think you have noticed exactly?” she asked as she emptied her pipe.

“Nothing, just a gut feeling. That young man will play an important role in our lives.”

Sure, in the role of the crazy, undefeatable murderer, especially now I am to teach him the very things that would have been Liang HaoHan’s only advantage. She shook her head at her brother. But who am I to play God? Oh, just a silly Immortal. Only one step removed I’d venture. She raised her eyebrow as she replied.

“Maybe.”

Zhang YouDao looked at her and smiled softly.

“For sure.” He said with a wave as he left.

-龙-

+10 points for Complexity!

She leant on an arm as she looked at her score go up.

“How kind.” She muttered with a grin.