Shizun… Shizun thinks I'm kind of cute, Li Zhameng thought to himself, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst from his chest. His face, now as red as a ripe cherry, burned with a mixture of embarrassment and giddy excitement. He dared not meet Xue Laohu's gaze, too overwhelmed by his spiraling emotions.
Xue Laohu, ever composed, watched his flustered disciple with a mix of amusement and faint exasperation. Before he could speak, Li Zhameng, clearly unable to contain himself, lunged forward like a startled rabbit. He buried his flushed face into Xue Laohu's chest, gripping the folds of his Shizun's robes as though they were the only thing grounding him.
Xue Laohu let out a resigned sigh, his calloused hand coming to rest on Li Zhameng's head. He patted it a few times, each motion steady and deliberate, like one might soothe a frightened child. "Meng Meng…" he began, his tone low and patient. Gently, he pushed the younger man away, adjusting his disheveled robes in the process. The disciple's sudden display had partially loosened his attire, leaving his chest faintly exposed.
"About A-Tuzi," Xue Laohu continued, his brows knitting together slightly. "You mentioned he likes someone you know, correct?"
Li Zhameng nodded, "Yes, Shizun," his voice soft and a little unsteady. His cheeks still glowed with a faint pink, and his hazy eyes were downcast, as though the ground might hold answers to his embarrassment. He fidgeted slightly, his hands clasping and unclasping at his sides. "But he rejected nearly all the men formed in that strange… assembly line."
Xue Laohu's expression darkened as he crossed his arms, his fingers tapping idly against his sleeve in thought. "Some of them might have been too afraid to even join the line, scared of the humiliation that comes with being rejected," he mused, his sharp eyes narrowing.
Xue Laohu tilted his head, his brows knitting together in confusion. "But that doesn't make sense. A-Tuzi doesn't even talk to anyone besides us," he pointed out. Then, as if a realization struck him, he added, "Unless—"
Xue Laohu froze mid-thought, his gaze snapping toward Li Zhameng. His disciple's wide eyes blinked back at him, unassuming and unaware, and for a moment, Xue Laohu felt an uncharacteristic pang of unease. No. It couldn't be. Could it?
His mind raced, struggling to piece together the puzzle. Could the man A-Tuzi have a crush on… be Li Zhameng? The thought was absurd. He dismissed it immediately, then hesitated, the evidence creeping back in. They do spend an awful lot of time together, he reasoned. They're martial brothers, after all—it would make sense. But still… Li Zhameng?
Xue Laohu's gaze swept over his disciple, taking in the soft, delicate features partially obscured by his ever-present naivety. Li Zhameng's pale cheeks were still faintly rosy from earlier, his lips slightly parted as though on the verge of asking another question. Sweet and gentle, yes, but mediocre at nearly everything. His talent for blundering through tasks with an almost childlike obliviousness was a constant source of frustration.
He's a complete dummy, Xue Laohu thought, suppressing the urge to groan aloud. Please don't tell me that's A-Tuzi's type.
If Xue Tuzi really was in love with Li Zhameng, then he'd miscalculated everything from the start. The idea left a bitter taste in his mouth. But there was still hope, he told himself. As long as Li Zhameng didn't return Xue Tuzi's feelings, this could be salvaged. As long as Li Zhameng remained oblivious, Xue Laohu thought grimly, there's still a chance to fix this.
"Shizun…" Li Zhameng's hesitant voice broke through Xue Laohu's deep contemplation. The disciple's tone was soft but insistent, drawing Xue Laohu's focus back to the present. He blinked, waving his hand as though physically dispelling the tangle of thoughts in his mind. His sharp, calculating gaze fixed on Li Zhameng, who was shifting awkwardly where he sat.
"Are you attracted to A-Tuzi?" Xue Laohu asked abruptly, his tone firm and probing.
Li Zhameng's head snapped up in alarm, his cheeks immediately turning a deep shade of crimson. "N-No, Shizun!" he stammered, his voice trembling as he waved his hands defensively. "He's… he's beautiful, of course, but…" His gaze darted downward, his fingers curling into the fabric of his robes. "I think Shizun is much more dazzling."
Xue Laohu blinked, momentarily caught off guard. But as quickly as the words came, they flew right over his head. "Oh, thank goodness," he sighed in dramatic relief, pressing a hand to his chest as though a great weight had been lifted. The second half of Li Zhameng's confession registered only as background noise, utterly dismissed in his eagerness to address the larger problem.
Li Zhameng fidgeted in place, stealing a glance at his Shizun, whose expression had softened into a rare, genuine smile. Xue Laohu raised his folded fan, pressing it lightly against his lips as he considered the next step. Then, with a chuckle, he reached out to pat Li Zhameng's head, his touch surprisingly gentle.
"Alright," Xue Laohu declared, straightening his posture and exuding renewed confidence. "If that guy—whomever he is—isn't actively pursuing A-Tuzi, then we still have a chance!" His voice carried an air of triumph, as though the solution were already within reach.
Li Zhameng tilted his head in confusion, his wide eyes silently questioning what his Shizun meant.
"We need to create a romantic moment between A-Tuzi and Shudu," Xue Laohu explained, his tone brimming with enthusiasm. His fan snapped open with a sharp flick, emphasizing his determination. "Any ideas?"
Li Zhameng blinked rapidly, his mind racing to catch up. "A romantic moment?" he repeated dumbly, his face once again flushed with embarrassment.
"Yes, Meng Meng," Xue Laohu replied impatiently, tapping the edge of his fan against his palm. "Something unforgettable. Think—what would make A-Tuzi fall head over heels?"
"Hmmm…" Li Zhameng let his mind wander, a dreamy haze softening his gaze. How nice it would be if Shizun and I had a romantic encounter…
In his imagination, the scene unfolded vividly: a secluded hot spring hidden deep within a lush, moonlit forest. Steam rose in delicate tendrils, curling into the cool night air. The water shimmered with the light of a full moon, its pale glow reflected on the rippling surface. Li Zhameng envisioned himself sitting in the spring, his long, jet-black hair unbound, cascading like a silken curtain down to his hips. As he bathed, his hands gliding over his skin, a gentle splash disturbed the quiet.
Turning, he saw his Shizun approaching, his powerful figure barely concealed by a towel wrapped low around his waist. His phoenix-like eyes gleamed with fierce intensity, partially veiled by the wisps of his damp bangs. The moonlight danced across his broad shoulders and pale chest, highlighting every defined curve of his body. Li Zhameng felt his breath hitch in his throat, heat rising to his cheeks as he instinctively sank deeper into the water, trying to shield himself.
"Shizun!" he would cry out, his voice trembling with a mixture of embarrassment and anticipation.
Xue Laohu's lips would curl into a faint, teasing smile, his voice low and inviting. "Meng Meng," he would say, tilting his head ever so slightly, "may I join you?"
Li Zhameng's heart raced wildly as his fantasy deepened. He nearly swooned at the thought, his body tingling with a mixture of giddy excitement and euphoria.
"Meng Meng! Meng Meng!"
The sharp sound of Xue Laohu's voice jolted him back to reality. Li Zhameng blinked rapidly, his surroundings rushing back into focus as he realized he'd been staring off into space.
"Shizun!" he yelped, straightening himself clumsily. "I-I have an idea!"
Xue Laohu raised a brow, intrigued. "Oh? Let's hear it."
Li Zhameng swallowed hard, trying to banish the remnants of his fantasy from his mind. "What if we have A-Tuzi and Shudu Gongzi share a… a romantic encounter at a hot spring?" His voice wavered slightly, betraying his lingering flustered state as the image of his Shizun in the moonlit water stubbornly lingered in the back of his mind.
Xue Laohu's eyes lit up at the suggestion, a smirk spreading across his face. "That's not a bad idea at all," he said, his tone carrying a hint of approval. He tapped his folded fan thoughtfully against his chin. "Both Shudu and A-Tuzi have suffered major injuries from their battles. The Sect's Spring of Recovery would be the perfect excuse to have them meet up casually."
His smirk deepened as he rubbed his hands together like a plotting little fly, his excitement evident. "Yes, yes… This could work brilliantly! A serene setting, the allure of moonlight, the soothing atmosphere of the spring… It's practically made for romance!" Li Zhameng nodded eagerly, his heart pounding as he tried not to think too much about his version of the scene.
The following day, Xue Laohu set out to find Xue Tuzi, knowing exactly where to look. Sure enough, he spotted him in a secluded courtyard, the faint swish of his sword slicing through the crisp morning air. Xue Tuzi moved with practiced precision, his blade cutting arcs of silver light as it glinted beneath the sun. Though Xue Tuzi rarely used his sword in combat, he never neglected his training, dedicating every spare moment to honing his technique.
"Beautiful," Xue Laohu remarked as he approached, his voice smooth and warm, like a breeze stirring the stillness of the morning. He clapped his hands in approval, the sound carrying over the rhythmic hum of Xue Tuzi's blade.
Caught off guard, Xue Tuzi stumbled slightly, lowering his sword. His cheeks turned a faint shade of pink, a rare flush of emotion showing through his usually stoic demeanor. "Shizun is far too kind with his words," he murmured, bowing low with his hands cupped in salute. "This disciple is not nearly as talented as Shizun."
Xue Laohu smiled faintly, his sharp eyes appraising his disciple. "You've been overworked," he said, his tone turning softer. "The recent battles have taken their toll on your mind and body." With a flick of his wrist, he snapped open his fan, a gentle breeze stirring his wispy bangs as he began fanning himself. "I'd like you to come with me to the Spring of Recovery."
"The Spring of Recovery?" Xue Tuzi echoed, lowering his sword. His flushed cheeks deepened as he cast a curious glance at his Shizun.
Xue Laohu turned toward him, his fan lowering just enough to reveal the faint curve of a smile on his lips. "The Spring of Recovery is a hidden gem nestled deep within Sect Mount Dingbu," he began, his voice carrying the practiced cadence of a storyteller. "Its medicinal properties come from a rare species of flowers that grow around the spring. Each night, as the petals unfurl, they release a delicate essence into the water, filling it with healing energy."
Xue Tuzi's eyes widened slightly as Xue Laohu continued.
"The spring is at its peak during the full moon," he explained, snapping his fan shut with a decisive motion. "The moonlight is said to awaken the latent properties of the minerals in the water, amplifying its restorative effects. It's a rare opportunity, Xue Tuzi, and I'd like you to take full advantage of it."
Xue Tuzi straightened, bowing once more. "Yes, Shizun," he replied, his voice tinged with gratitude.
"Good," Xue Laohu said with a nod, tucking his fan away. "Meet me at Xu by my study, and I'll take you to the spring myself."
Xue Tuzi cupped his hands in acknowledgment, bowing low once more as Xue Laohu turned and departed, his robes swaying gracefully with each step.
That was too easy, Xue Laohu thought to himself, a sly smirk creeping onto his lips as he strode away. Now came the challenge: how to get Shudu to arrive at the spring shortly after Xu. His mind whirled with possibilities as he plotted his next move.
Meanwhile, Xue Tuzi stood frozen in place, his sword slack in his grip. His heart was pounding, a rapid, unsteady rhythm that refused to calm. He brought a hand to his chest, his brows furrowing. "Shizun probably just wants to show me where the spring is," he muttered to himself, his voice soft and strained. "Why am I getting so worked up over it?"
He let out a deep sigh, shaking his head in frustration, before raising his sword once more. "Focus," he told himself, resuming his practice. But no matter how many swings he completed, his thoughts continued to drift back to his Shizun's smile, and the strange flutter in his chest refused to fade.
Shudu lounged lazily on the branch of a large tree, his posture as relaxed as ever. A straw dangled from his lips, rolling idly as he chewed on its end. His eyes remained closed, content with the peaceful moment, until the unmistakable sound of Xue Laohu's voice broke the quiet.
"Yo!" Xue Laohu called out from below, his tone sharp and commanding as he waved to get Shudu's attention.
Shudu cracked one eye open, his sharp gaze narrowing as he peered down at the intruder on his serenity. After a brief pause, he sighed dramatically, swinging his legs over the branch before hopping down in one fluid motion. His boots landed with a soft thud on the forest floor.
"Grandmaster Xue seeks an audience with this venerable one?" Shudu drawled, his lips curving into a playful smirk. Without waiting for an answer, he stepped forward, grasping Xue Laohu's hand with an elegant flourish. His fingers brushed over the back of the Grandmasters hand, stroking it with deliberate gentleness.
Xue Laohu's expression twitched, his sharp brows knitting together as he yanked his hand back with a snap. "That is correct," he said briskly, ignoring the gleam of mischief in Shudu's eyes. Straightening his robes, he fanned himself once before launching into his prepared speech. "You've been overworked. The recent battles have taken a toll on your mind and body. I'd like you to come with me to the Spring of Recovery."
Shudu tilted his head, his smirk widening as he regarded Xue Laohu with a mix of amusement and something darker, more suggestive. Without warning, he reached out, wrapping an arm firmly around Xue Laohu's waist and pulling him in close. His voice dropped to a low murmur, the warmth of his breath brushing against Xue Laohu's ear.
"If Grandmaster Xue wished to bathe with this venerable one," Shudu said smoothly, his tone laced with teasing intimacy, "he need not ask."
Xue Laohu's expression darkened, a flash of irritation crossing his face. He placed both hands on Shudu's chest and pushed himself free, stepping back with an exasperated huff. "At the hot spring, after Xu. Meet me there!" he snapped, pointing a finger at Shudu for emphasis.
Shudu chuckled softly, his crimson eye glinting with amusement as he watched Xue Laohu spin on his heel and stalk off, his robes swishing with every indignant step.
As he walked away, Xue Laohu muttered under his breath, his fan flicking open and closed with nervous energy. Ugh, I really hope this works, he thought, his mind already turning to the next phase of his plan.
Behind him, Shudu leaned back against the tree, his smirk lingering as he twirled the straw between his fingers. "After Xu, hmm?" he mused to himself, his voice carrying a note of curiosity. "This should be interesting."