Xue Tuzi had dozed off at the table, his head resting on one arm while his other hand dangled limply, fingers still curled around a slender needle. The air carried the faint scent of ink and fabric, remnants of his late-night work.
Beneath a haphazard pile of coats, robes, and blankets, a small figure stirred. Jiao Jiao wriggled, his tiny limbs stretching as he fought his way free from the cocoon of warmth. His chubby cheeks were slightly flushed from sleep as he finally poked his head out, dark crimson eyes blinking drowsily against the morning light. "Mama," he chirped, his voice still thick with sleep as he struggled to untangle himself further.
Xue Tuzi stirred at the sound, his brows drawing together before his eyes fluttered open. He released a deep, groggy sigh, stretching his arms before covering his mouth with the back of his hand as he let out a long yawn. Pushing himself up, he made his way to the bed, his movements sluggish but gentle.
"Good morning, Xiao Jiao," he murmured, his voice still laced with sleep. He reached out, carefully peeling away the layers of fabric that had kept the child warm through the night. Jiao Jiao wasted no time throwing his arms around Xue Tuzi's neck, his tiny fingers clutching onto the folds of his robe as he nestled into his embrace. Xue Tuzi smiled, patting the boy's soft hair.
"But before we try on your new clothes," he said, smoothing down Jiao Jiao's tousled locks, "we must bathe first."
Jiao Jiao nodded sleepily, his small hands gripping Xue Tuzi's robe as he was lifted into his arms. His weight was slight, his warmth a pleasant contrast to the morning chill as Xue Tuzi carried him towards the bathhouse, their quiet footsteps echoing through the stillness.
Meanwhile, outside the room, a figure stirred from his uncomfortable perch. Shudu groaned as he rubbed the stiffness from his neck, grimacing at the dull ache that had settled in his muscles after spending the night hunched up on the windowsill. With a frustrated exhale, he leaned forward, pressing his crimson eye to a narrow slant in the wooden shutters, peering inside.
Empty.
His lips curled in irritation as he scoffed under his breath, pulling away from the window. "Let's go," he muttered, flicking his fingers in silent command.
From the shadows, Xiao Zongzi stirred. The small spider lifted her delicate legs, her web glistening faintly in the morning light as she scurried towards his waiting arm. She crawled up his sleeve, nestling herself into her usual spot as Shudu turned on his heel, his expression unreadable as he strode toward the courtyard.
With Jiao Jiao finally bathed and wrapped in the lingering warmth of his freshly dried skin, Xue Tuzi knelt beside him, presenting a neatly folded set of new clothes. The garments were an exact replica of Shudu's usual attire—the all-black trousers cinched at the waist with a deep blue belt, the jet-black high-top boots, and the blue button-up shirt. However, there was one distinct difference: Jiao Jiao's shirt had sleeves. Xue Tuzi could not fathom leaving the child sleeveless, especially in the bitter cold.
Carefully, he buttoned the last button at Jiao Jiao's collar, his nimble fingers adjusting the fabric to sit just right. The sleeves, intentionally tailored long, were gently rolled up just a little so they wouldn't get in the way, ensuring they would still keep the child warm when the temperature dropped.
Then, as if revealing a hidden treasure, Xue Tuzi pulled out a small plushie—a worm, meticulously sewn together the night before. Its round, soft body was stitched with care, tiny embroidered eyes peeking up from its fabric head. Jiao Jiao's eyes lit up instantly, his little hands snatching it from Xue Tuzi's grasp. Without hesitation, he clutched it close to his face, burying himself into its softness, his cheeks squishing against the plush as he let out a contented sigh.
"Do you like it?" Xue Tuzi asked, watching the boy's reaction with eager anticipation.
Jiao Jiao didn't need to answer with words. He nodded so enthusiastically that his hair bounced with the motion, a beaming smile stretching across his round face. His tiny hand instinctively reached for Xue Tuzi's, grasping it tightly as they stepped out into the courtyard together.
The scene they entered was anything but calm. Xue Laohu paced back and forth, his fan snapping open and shut with anxious energy. Beside him, Li Zhameng stood not bothering his Shizun's sulky behavior.
The moment Xue Tuzi and Jiao Jiao appeared in the hallway, Xue Laohu's sharp gaze locked onto the small child. His eyes widened, and with a flick of his fan, he pointed.
"Whoa!" he exclaimed, his mouth falling open. "Look at him! He looks just like a mini Shudu."
At the sudden attention, Jiao Jiao tensed, his small frame retreating behind Xue Tuzi's robes. His fingers clung to the fabric as he peeked out shyly, clutching his stuffed worm against his chest for comfort.
"He really is the spitting image of Shudu Gongzi," Li Zhameng added, nodding in agreement as he studied the child's features.
From the shadows came a voice—low and unmistakably smug.
"Of course he is."
Shudu emerged, arms crossed tightly over his chest, his long braid shifting with the breeze as he walked forward. His crimson eye gleamed under the morning sun.
"He is my son."
Jiao Jiao's grip on Xue Tuzi's robes tightened. His lips pressed into a small pout, brows knitting together as he hesitated before looking up. His voice was soft, trembling with uncertainty.
"Mama… am I ugly?"
Xue Tuzi stiffened. "Huh?" The question caught him so off guard that it took him a second to process. He placed a hand gently on Jiao Jiao's head, trying to reassure him, but the child wasn't done.
"You always call Papa ugly," Jiao Jiao reasoned, his voice wobbling as he pressed his face deeper into his plush. "And I look like Papa."
Tears threatened to well in his large crimson eyes, his small body quivering as he struggled to hold them back.
Xue Tuzi immediately crouched down, cupping Jiao Jiao's round cheeks between his hands. His thumbs brushed away the unshed tears, his voice gentle but firm.
"No," he said softly, pressing a tender kiss to Jiao Jiao's forehead. "My Xiao Jiao is cute."
A sharp scoff broke the moment.
"Tch."
Shudu rolled his eyes so dramatically it was a wonder they didn't get stuck. His expression twisted into a mix of irritation and disbelief as he glared at the pair.
"Besides," Xue Tuzi continued with a delicate smile, the mole under his lip curving upwards, "you look nothing like him."
Xue Laohu nearly lost his footing and Li Zhameng parted his lips then closed them to only part them again saying nothing. Meanwhile, Shudu's entire demeanor darkened. His jaw clenched, fists curling at his sides as a dangerous aura radiated off him.
"HE LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE ME!" he barked, voice laced with outrage.
Xue Tuzi barely blinked, his expression calm and unwavering as he met Shudu's furious stare with cool indifference.
Before anything could escalate further, Xue Laohu swiftly stepped between them, snapping his fan open with a flick of his wrist.
"Anyways," he interjected, waving his fan as if to physically dispel the tension in the air. His wispy bangs lifted slightly from the breeze, revealing the sharp phoenix eyes beneath. "A-Tuzi, your spiritual seal has yet to be broken."
"Does Shizun know of a way to break it" Xue Tuzi's voice was quiet, yet the weight of his words hung heavy in the air.
Xue Laohu sighed, shaking his head. "I don't know." His voice was softer than usual, missing its usual teasing lilt.
He stepped closer, the rustle of his robes breaking the tense silence. Reaching out, he placed a firm but gentle hand on Xue Tuzi's shoulder, a reassuring weight, before finally turning away.
"Meng Meng, come with me. There are some lessons to go over," he called down the corridor, his hands clasped loosely behind his back.
Li Zhameng, who had been standing attentively nearby, quickly straightened at the summons, hurrying to fall into step beside his Shizun. As they walked, Xue Laohu tilted his head slightly, casting one last glance at Xue Tuzi over his shoulder.
"If you really want to break your spiritual seal," he mused, voice smooth as silk, "I can help you with that."
Xue Tuzi didn't slow, but his posture stiffened. The air between them grew tense, charged like an impending storm. Finally, he stopped, turning his head just enough to glance at Shudu from the corner of his eye, his expression cold, unreadable.
"Oh? And how?" His tone was dry, unamused.
Shudu leaned in, close enough that his breath ghosted against Xue Tuzi's ear, his lips barely brushing the shell as he whispered, "Dual cultivation."
A wicked smile stretched across his face, his tongue flicking out to wet his lips, amusement dancing in his crimson eye.
Xue Tuzi exhaled sharply through his nose, rolling his eyes with a mixture of exasperation and irritation. "No thanks," he huffed, pushing past Shudu with an annoyed glare.
Shudu chuckled, watching him leave with predatory amusement.
"If you change your mind," he called after him, voice laced with amusement, "I'll be at the Crimson Petal Parlour."
Even as Xue Tuzi disappeared down the path, Shudu remained where he was, smiling to himself.
Xue Tuzi spent the entirety of the day attempting to break his spiritual seal, he slayed demons, cultivated, soarred with fellow disciples, meditated but no matter what he did he could not reach a break through.
His patience snapped.
"What do I have to do?" he muttered under his breath, raking a hand through his tousled hair. His voice rose with frustration, echoing through the trees. "Fight a god?!"
From his mossy seat, Jiao Jiao smacked his lips, savoring the sweetness of a peach. Juice dribbled down his chin, sticking to his fingers as he clung to the fruit. Unbothered by Xue Tuzi's outburst, he lifted the half-eaten peach toward him, offering it with an innocent smile.
"Mama!" he called out, voice muffled by his full cheeks.
Xue Tuzi turned, his exasperation softening as he let out a breath of quiet laughter. He crouched down, pulling a handkerchief from his robes, and gently wiped the sticky remnants of peach juice from Jiao Jiao's round face and tiny fingers.
He took a deep sigh, his jaw tightening as he muttered under his breath, "What's it going to take?!"
Xue Tuzi ascended Mount Dingbu, choosing the most treacherous path available. Jagged cliffs loomed overhead, their craggy faces slick with mist. The sun had begun its descent, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson.
Xue Tuzi exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face. The exhaustion seeped deeper than his bones—it clung to his very spirit. He walked over to Jiao Jiao, scooping the child into his arms.
As he began trekking back up the mountain, his voice was barely above a whisper.
"I must break my spiritual seal," he murmured, desperation sinking in like a shadow stretching with the fading light.