Xue Laohu let out a deep, weary sigh, rubbing his temple as a shadow of concern passed over his sharp features. I hope those two don't kill each other, he mused to himself, lips pressing into a thin line. Perhaps a little time alone would ignite the spark of romance between them. He furrowed his brows, his arms tightening instinctively around Li Zhameng's neck as the disciple carried him with effortless ease.
"Is Shizun comfortable?" he asked.
Xue Laohu pouted, his lips pressing together in irritation as he swung his feet idly. "I'm fine," he muttered begrudgingly, though every fiber of his being was bristling with indignation. His pride had taken a thorough beating today. First, he had been ridiculed for his height—no, not merely short, but reduced to an insignificant, puny, flea-sized existence. Then, he had been publicly humiliated upon discovering that he lacked a pure heart. How could that wretched bridge judge him so unfairly? He had cultivated a golden core, a feat only achievable by those free of impurity, and yet it had spat on his very existence, branding him unworthy in front of his disciples, demons, and a… Loli.
And now, to top it all off, he was being carried like some helpless damsel. Unacceptable! He, a grandmaster, should be leading the pack with unwavering dignity, not clinging to his disciple's back like a feeble fool.
Xue Laohu let out another long exhale, his breath warm against Li Zhameng's skin, sending a sudden shiver down the disciple's spine. Resigned to his fate, Xue Laohu rested his chin on Li Zhameng's shoulder, his feet swinging slightly with each step.
A soft smile curled at the corners of Li Zhameng's lips. In a voice barely above a whisper, he murmured, "When Shizun dangles his feet like this, he reminds me of a content child riding on his mama's back."
Xue Laohu's face ignited in an instant. His pupils shrank as the words sank into his ears like venom. His arms snapped around Li Zhameng's neck, strangling him with all the righteous fury of an affronted master. "Are you calling me short?!" he barked, his entire being radiating outrage.
Li Zhameng gurgled, his breath hitching as he struggled to form a coherent protest. "Shizun—" he gasped, his voice breaking between strangled coughs.
Realizing his disciple was actually choking, Xue Laohu huffed and loosened his grip, though his expression remained thunderous. Puffing out his cheeks in frustration, he turned his head away in disdain. "Such an insolent disciple! Remind me to punish you when we return home!" he snapped, his voice carrying the unmistakable weight of wounded pride.
Li Zhameng lowered his gaze, sighing deeply. "It is as Shizun wishes."
The sight tugged at something deep in Xue Laohu's chest, and after a moment of silence, he exhaled sharply before resting his head back on Li Zhameng's shoulder. One arm lazily draped around the disciple's neck, while his other hand reached up to ruffle Li Zhameng's hair in an uncharacteristically gentle motion.
"How was I blessed with such an obedient disciple?" he murmured into Li Zhameng's ear, his voice laced with something soft, something almost affectionate.
Li Zhameng's lips simply curved into a smile shrugging his shoulder as he continued to carry him.
Not too far away, Jiao Jiao had made himself comfortable atop Huo Yi's broad shoulders, her eyes twinkling as they landed on the tiny creature nestled near her collar.
"Are you… are you Lord Shudu's notorious, fearsome, all-mighty Gu worm?" she asked, her voice brimming with excitement as she peered curiously at the little being.
The Gu worm tilted its head sideways in confusion, its large, beady eyes blinking at her inquisitively before it slowly crossed its front little nubs. With a solemn nod, it confirmed its identity.
Huo Yi's eyes sparkled like twin stars. Overcome with excitement, she snatched the tiny Gu worm into a tight embrace, pressing it against her chest. Its small body squished against her bosom, but rather than protest, his eyes turned into delighted crescent shapes, basking in the affectionate warmth.
"As Lord Shudu's spawn, you must possess the strength of a thousand demons!" she exclaimed, holding him up in the air as if presenting a divine relic.
A single drop of sweat slid down the Gu worm's antennae as it hesitated before giving a reluctant nod. Why did they always exaggerate?
As they arrived at the cave entrance, an eerie yet mesmerizing swirl of mystical aura coiled around them, its shimmering tendrils brushing against their skin as they stepped through the threshold. The air inside was thick with ancient energy, humming with an unseen force that made even the most seasoned cultivators tread with caution. Stalactites hung like jagged fangs from the cavern's ceiling, their crystalline surfaces refracting the dim, ethereal glow that pulsed from within.
At the very heart of the cave sat Grandmaster Chang, cross-legged in serene meditation. The Celestial Compass hovered just above her palm, its golden inscriptions shifting like liquid starlight, spinning slowly as if measuring the threads of fate itself. Though she bore the marks of past battles—a missing arm and a missing eye—her beauty remained untouched by time. Her long black hair cascaded like a river of ink down her back, its glossy strands pooling at her waist. Her face, soft yet commanding, carried an air of wisdom and quiet joviality, as if she had long since made peace with the cruel hand of destiny.
At the sound of approaching footsteps, she fluttered open her single remaining eye—sharp and phoenix like, gleaming with an intelligence that saw far beyond the physical realm. Her gaze landed upon her disciple, Xiao Xiao, who immediately lowered herself into a respectful bow.
"Shizun, I have brought Grandmaster Xue and his…" She hesitated for a moment, her eyes flicking over the group before narrowing slightly. "His acquaintances," she finished, her tone laced with mild disapproval.
Xue Laohu felt Li Zhameng shift beneath him as the disciple knelt, gently lowering his Shizun to the ground. Xue Laohu hesitated. His foot hovered just above the stone floor, his mind racing with irrational dread. What if this cave floor was cursed? What if he was instantly collapsed the moment he made contact? But as logic overpowered paranoia, he gingerly placed one foot down, then the other, before swiftly hopping off his disciple's back. In a flurry of movement, he produced his fan, snapping it open in front of his face to mask his flustered expression.
Grandmaster Chang's lone eye studied him with quiet scrutiny, a flicker of disbelief flashing across her features. "Grandmaster Xue… is that truly you?" she asked, suspicion lacing her voice.
Xue Laohu closed his fan with a flick of his wrist, his usual arrogance returning as he strode forward, the dim cave light casting shifting shadows across his sharp features. "Yes, it is I," he answered smoothly, his voice carrying an air of nonchalance.
A moment of silence stretched between them before Grandmaster Chang inclined her head. "Please forgive me for not recognizing you," she said solemnly, lowering herself into a respectful bow.
Xue Laohu returned the gesture, dipping his head in acknowledgment just as Li Zhameng hurried to his side, dropping into a deep bow with unwavering reverence.
"Several demons have been after the Celestial Compass. As you can see, guarding it has taken a toll on me," Grandmaster Chang said, her voice calm but weary. Her gaze lowered to her feet as she clutched the floating artifact, its golden glow casting long shadows across her face. The weight of countless battles seemed to press upon her shoulders, yet her grip remained firm, unwavering in its duty.
Xue Laohu's sharp eyes flickered toward her missing arm and the empty socket where her eye had once been. She must have lost those in battle, he thought, a rare flicker of respect settling in his chest.
"We will seal the compass at the heart of Mount Dingbu, where neither human nor demon will dare to touch it. That, I can assure you," he declared, his voice brimming with confidence.
Grandmaster Chang lifted her head, her single eye gleaming with something unreadable. "Then I must trouble Grandmaster Xue for guidance," she said, turning to Xiao Xiao and handing her the compass. The young disciple stepped back swiftly, clutching the celestial artifact with both hands.
Xue Laohu opened his mouth to reply, but then—
In one fluid motion, Grandmaster Chang dropped into a battle stance.
Wait… what? His blood ran cold.
Xue Laohu took a cautious step back. "Eh… I'm not quite sure I understand," he said nervously, his fan twitching in his grasp.
"Prove to me that you can protect it better than I can!" she shouted, launching herself at him with frightening speed.
Xue Laohu barely managed to evade the first strike, his robes fluttering as he twisted out of harm's way. His heart slammed against his ribs. I was just feeling sorry for her, and now she wants to kill me?!
"Shizun!" Li Zhameng shouted in alarm, preparing to rush in, but before he could take a step, a shimmering barrier materialized between him and the fight.
"You must not interfere," Xiao Xiao said firmly, her gaze locked on the battle unfolding before them. Huo Yi and Jiao Jiao stood frozen at the sidelines, watching the confrontation unravel with wide eyes.
Xue Laohu barely had a moment to breathe before Grandmaster Chang struck again. Her sword sliced through the air with deadly precision, each movement fueled by years of honed mastery. Xue Laohu countered with his fan, expertly blocking and dodging, but he could feel the force behind her attacks.
The clang of metal against lacquered wood rang through the cavern as they exchanged blows. Sparks flew as her blade grazed his fan, narrowly missing his fingers. She was relentless, her attacks calculated and swift. One strike came too close—a searing pain bloomed across his cheek as the edge of her blade grazed his skin, a single drop of blood tracing a slow path down his jawline.
Alright. That's enough.
With a sharp exhale, Xue Laohu flipped his fan, channeling a powerful gust of wind that surged forward, slamming Grandmaster Chang against the cavern wall. Dust and debris scattered in the air as she hit the rock face with a forceful thud.
"Shizun!" Xiao Xiao cried, immediately rushing to her side.
Grandmaster Chang coughed, shaking off the impact as Xiao Xiao helped her get to her feet. A wry smile tugged at her lips as she looked at Xue Laohu, wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth. "So, you really are the famous Grandmaster Xue," she murmured, testing her limbs before straightening fully.
Xue Laohu narrowed his eyes, hiding his irritation behind his fan. "My apologies," she continued, grunting as she adjusted her stance. "I had to see for myself."
His brows twitched with annoyance. Apologies? He huffed under his breath. "Didn't I already say I was him?" His fan snapped shut with an audible clack as he strode forward, his lips pressed into a pout of contempt. The nerve!
Grandmaster Chang, unbothered by his sulking, leaned in slightly, her single eye scanning his face with mild curiosity. "Please forgive me," she said, tilting her head. "You look nothing like the last time we met."
Xue Laohu stiffened. "What's that supposed to mean?"
She tapped a finger against her chin in thought. "The Grandmaster Xue from my memories was tall, ethereal, and… handsome."
A vein twitched at his temple. His grip on his fan tightened. "I am handsome. I am ethereal. I—"
Before he could launch into a full tirade, Grandmaster Chang waved a hand dismissively. "Nonetheless," she said smoothly, "please ensure this doesn't fall into the wrong hands."
She turned to Xiao Xiao, who immediately presented the Celestial Compass. With a flick of her wrist, Grandmaster Chang tossed the artifact toward Xue Laohu.
He fumbled.
The compass slipped through his fingers once, then twice, before he managed to catch it, nearly tripping in the process. He scowled, glaring at her as he tightened his grip around the artifact.
His eyes flickered to her missing arm again. Hesitantly, he asked, "Your arm and eye… was it because of this?" He lifted the Celestial Compass up ligh gazing at its mysterious aura.
Grandmaster Chang blinked before bursting into laughter. "This? Oh no, I lost these in a fishing accident! Ha ha ha!"
Xue Laohu's face went blank.
His grip on the compass tightened to the point of almost cracking it.
Fishing accident?!
His eye twitched violently. Dragging a hand down his face, he exhaled sharply. "Let's go," he barked at Li Zhameng, turning on his heel.
With that, they made their way back toward the icy lake, the Celestial Compass now in their possession—and Xue Laohu's dignity hanging by a thread.