Zhuo Yixuan went to his room without bothering to light the lanterns, as he could see perfectly well with the door leading outside wide open, from where the light from the lanterns they had used in the front yard still shone brightly. He also hoped that by maintaining the darkness, Li Lun would be encouraged to come in, so he could give him the gift he had prepare for him.
Although he hadn't appeared before him since leaving him that morning, Yixuan could sense his presence all around him, neither too close nor too far away. He assumed his senses had become even more acute, as Li Lun concealed his demonic energy much better than Zhu Yan did to avoid giving himself away. However, Yixuan still sensed traces of it no matter how hard Li Lin tried to tone it down. He smiled to himself, as both great demons had failed to deceive him.
He was beginning to understand how the great demon operated, not directly, but in the shadows, where he thought no one could see him. It was truly amusing to feel him watching him as he walked down the Citadel's market street. He could see scattered leaves here and there, and Yixuan smiled. The leaves had been placed before he arrived at the Citadel; some merchants were sweeping them out onto the streets. In reality, there was nothing about them that would catch the attention of the demon hunter walking or working there, because they were unaware of a certain pagoda tree demon who had recently decided to stay with them, but he knew better.
Those leaves were all a bright green, very different from the dull green of the leaves on the trees in the forest surrounding the Citadel. Since the trees there absorbed the demonic energy emanating from the gate, they seemed less lush than those in Tiandu, for example, so it was obvious to him that the ones that fell "naturally," coincidentally wherever he went, were his.
On the other hand, he didn't blame Li Lun for keeping an eye on him like that, given that he hated humans and would never walk the human streets with him, but he was curious enough to endure the annoyance of following him and using his leaves to spy on him. He would have loved to show him around like his brother had done with Zhu Yan, but in a way, he still felt he wasn't alone.
Back in his room, he walked over to the shelves at the wall and picked up a wooden box, and placed it on a table. The content was not impressive, but it held a special place in his heart. He didn't hope to impress Li Lin with it, but rather to show him that human beings can be grateful, respectful, appreciate the efforts of others, offer things without expecting anything in return, and show that he cared and was glad he'd stayed to help, regardless of his reasons or circumstances.
Now he wondered whether he should call out to him or wait for him to appear on his own. There was a chance that he would appear, but also a bigger chance that he wouldn't, as he was so proud that he had deliberately kept his distance even while they celebrated outside the mansion. While they were cheering to encourage the many performances, Yixuan occasionally glanced at Zhu Yan's tree, from where he knew Li Lun was watching them. The magical tree was enormous and could conceal anyone among its numerous branches, foliage, and flowers, making it a perfect hiding place. The fact that everyone could see Zhu Yan, even from a distance, was due, firstly, to the fact that he had no need or desire to hide, and secondly, because he leaned against the lower branches with fewer leaves.
"It's a wonderful night, Master Li Lun, why not enjoy it a little? We're really not that bad, didn't you already see it tonight? We can cheer, make fools of ourselves, joke around, show affection and care with gifts. We are not just a race of heartless, evil, and ruthless people. Just like everything else, there are different sides to it, one good and one bad, as well as a mix of the two." Yixuan said aloud as he approached the balcony and looked toward Zhu Yan's tree. Then he saw a swirl of leaves approaching and moved away from the door to give Li Lun some space.
"You knew I was there?" He asked as soon as his body materialized.
"Where else could you be if not inside the mansion? I doubt you'll be watching the door for that long, will you?" He wasn't entirely lying, because inferring that he was in the tree was the answer to his specific question, and that he hadn't been watching the door the whole time was also a valid assumption. However, Li Lun realized that the man's answer was more than what he was actually saying.
"You can sense me, right?" And then he had to ask the question Yixuan was trying to avoid. If he said yes, it might hurt his pride; If he says no, he'll know he was lying.
"Do I really need to answer that question?" Yixuan tried to be polite instead, and Li Lun sighed.
"Not really. The question is an answer in itself. Since when can you do that?"
"Since you came to this world."
"Do you never lose track of my presence?"
"No. I'm the Commander of a specialized demon hunting unit for a reason, and besides, as you know, I'm more than just human. If it makes you feel any better, I can assure you that you're better than Zhu Yan at suppressing your demonic energy, because his was never very... too impressive." Yixuan admitted, which made Li Lun chuckle. Well, at least he did better than the monkey, although he believed that Zhu Yan was not very intent on hiding from humans, as he was always curious about them, which was understandable, especially for a descendant of his father's lover.
"I see that you humans with divine blood are full of surprises. I admit that what I saw tonight was harmless, at least to humans, but it was also a demonstration of demon hunting skills, all well executed and performed. Yours and your brother's, more than anyone else's, demonstrate your ability to give your all. The swords alone, charged with your divine energy, are enough to frighten the lesser demons in this forest, not to mention posing a challenge to the strongest. I can understand why the demons here struggle to survive..."
"Master Li Lun, we don't hunt demons for fun. You may think we just kill demons left and right, just because they're demons, but you never see the bigger picture, as if humans have also been hunted by demons for as long as we've existed in this world, and countless villages have died at their hands, hundreds even in a single night of raiding. A single strong demon could kill countless men, women, and children. You have the advantage of cultivation, born into the world with the means to survive and a long life that ensures the development of your powers, steadily and without fear. We must educate and protect our children for most of their lives before they can defend themselves, and most will not survive even after training. Yes, we kill demons, but not with the pleasure you imagine, but with the fear of losing what matters most to us: fathers, mothers, siblings, children, daughters, friends, and comrades, not to mention our lovers. What burdens us is not the thrill of killing, because even if we had killed large numbers of demons over the centuries, we have lost ten times as many humans, not because we wanted to, but because we had no other choice." Yixuan said as he stared at Li Lun, and for an instant, he could see that golden dragon within him coiling around him with a hard gaze.
It was the same hard gaze Bing Yi had when he was angry, when he wanted to protect; it was the same feeling too, a way of showing his dignity as a human, his determination, his motivations for developing the ability he possessed, not out of joy, but out of necessity. And he wasn't wrong in his arguments. A human baby was an easy target, born to be fed, raised, and protected for many years, a demon born with instinct and power, and not even he could deny that. Maybe he went too far, because the man who stood in front of him was not merciless killer, but a noble man set to protect his family, his brother, his father, his friends and comrades... and perhaps a lover? Did he had a lover? And well, why not? He was a handsome man, an older brother to be the next head of the family, talented, protective and caring, a perfect catch for any woman, man or even a demon...
Seeing that he had upset the young man for no reason, by letting himself get carried away with resentment against the wrong man, he took something out of his robes to offer him in the hope of cheering him up. He liked it when he smiled, when he felt at ease, when he looked at him with those deep eyes that sometimes seemed to penetrate all his barriers and see his vulnerabilities. He had been wary of humans for most of his life, but he couldn't judge this particular man, and the proof of that was evident from watching him for most of the day.
The way other humans respected him, welcomed him with smiles, always offering him the best products, the best treatment, the best food, the best seat, the best everything, just because he was Zhuo Yixuan, the most beloved demon hunter in the Citadel, as an old woman in a teahouse had brazenly told him, also saying she missed his presence, as he had been absent for so long. It was obvious he was highly regarded in the Citadel, and he knew why now, his kindness, his caring, his devotion.
Yixuan's eyes widened in surprise as Li Lun offered him what looked like a resplendent and beautiful crystal flower, with a mystical, golden and bluish glow, the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, especially in the darkness of his room, where the brightness made it even more enchanting. The flower looked delicate, with petals that shone crystal clear, while the leaves remained green and soft, a strange, yet captivating combination. In addition to its ethereal appearance, the flower radiated a strange energy, cold and mysterious, yet surprisingly in tune with his own divine energy, the energy of Bing Yi.
"There is an snow/ice crystal valley in the demon world, not too far from the gate. It's an enchanting and beautiful place, with crystals trees, glowing flowers reflecting the light in all colors and shining lakes you can use as mirrors, but also is one of the most dangerous place in my world. Its beauty attracts demons of all kinds, but the valley freezes and turns to crystal anything that remains within for more than a few minutes or more than you can resist the power. Only high level demons have enough demonic energy to repel the valley's unique energy and effects, and even then not for long."
"I crossed the gate and chose this one after leaving you, for two reasons. First, you were going to exchange gifts, and seeing how excited you were, I couldn't return empty-handed, because a caring Zhuo Yixuan would not leave his so-called Master without one. Second, you put your life in my hands by accepting my challenge, and I know you meant it, so let's put the tea thing aside and accept this instead. I also risked my life to get this for you, which matches your golden aura and Bing Yi's blue energy. Besides, this flower is still young and immature, which means it needs cold energy to fully crystallize and open completely. So, it's part of your training to make it bloom fully, but I warn you, too much cold energy at once will break it, and too little will cause it to wither and close. Find the right balance, and it will bloom for you your whole life." He said as he looked down at the glowing flower in his hand for a moment.
"I'll be honest with you, I don't feel any affection for humans at the moment, but since you seem different from any human I've encountered before... I can give you the chance to make me see this world as you do. You were right when you said humans are born weak, struggling to grow and survive, so, unlike us demons, I'll grant you that. So I'm willing to learn from you. Show me everything you so passionately defend, make me want to protect the same things you do. If you can make me see humans differently, I'll swallow my pride, consider you one of my own, and protect you with my life through thick and thin, and this is proof of my promise." He offered it to him, and Yixuan was speechless for more than one reason.
First, Li Lun went out to find a gift and chose one that had put his life in danger. It was his way of showing his commitment, his seriousness, his honesty, and his heart, as open as the flower he offered. Yixuan accepted it with a gentle smile. His heart was undoubtedly overwhelmed by a demon who didn't understand emotions before, but he was more emotional than he'd realized. Secondly, Li Lun was willing, regardless of the reason, to learn as much as Yixuan was willing to learn from him, proving that Li Lun could also grow, with the right amount of care and the right feelings, he could change his view of humans and, in return, become a protector. Yixuan bowed low to him in sign of deep respect.
"Forgive me, I was too harsh earlier. I will gladly show you, to the best of my ability, that humans can be good too. I am also willing to learn from you, to learn more about the demon world, about the places you've travel, like this magical Crystal Valley you spoke of, or anything else you would like to share with me. I have always been good at listening, and even better at learning. I promise to take care of this flower, make it bloom fully, and keep it bright for as long as I live. I will accept your teachings with an open mind and heart, work hard, and do my best to live up to your expectations. As per your request, I will treat you not as my Master, but as one of my own, and I will be under your guidance until you deem me fit to fulfill my promise and fight you." Yixuan said, making Li Lun both pleased and annoyed with himself for requesting this challenge he was beginning to deeply regret.
"Forget about the challenge for now. My goal is to strengthen you enough for you to help us find Bing Yi. Zhu Yan believes the answer lies in your brother, but you were also born with his blood, so perhaps we can find a way to contact him on our own, and the sooner we find him, the better."
"About that... I must admit that I've never had the same dreams my brother had in his entire life, nor have I ever dreamed directly about Bing Yi. Since the Cloud Light sword chose Xiao Chen from birth, I'm sure his connection to him is stronger than mine." Yixuan apologized with a sad smile.
"You never know until you try, right? Ever since you cast that spell, I knew you weren't ordinary and your divinity is far more developed than your brother's. Just a few minutes ago, I could have sworn Bing Yi was surrounding you. I find it a little strange that your aura is gold while your brother's is blue, but you resemble Bing Yi so much that no one can deny you're his descendant."
"Alright if you are set on it, we can try, and I'm willing to do my best, but if it fails..." Yixuan looked at the flower in his hand, feeling strange, as its energy felt familiar.
"Then it will indeed depend on your brother."
"Or fate."
"I am a great demon, fate had nothing to do with me." Li Lun assured him, and Yixuan sighed, finally grabbing the wooden box he had left on the table and offering it to Li Lun.
"This is my gift. Since I know you're not interested in human things, like we are, I thought I'd make something for you with my own hands. I don't know if you will like it, but all the firstborn of the Zhuo family do this at least once in their lives. It's a skill only the firstborn seem to be born with, and seeing your gift, perhaps now I understand why. Take a look."
Li Lun opened the long box containing a scroll, carefully wrapped in red paper. He looked at Yixuan, a little confused, not knowing what it was, but with his encouragement, Li Lun took the scroll, untied the turquoise tassel holding it, and opened it very slowly. Then, he was surprised. Right there before his eyes was a beautiful painting of a set of what he knew were white lotus flowers, slightly tinted in gold with blue leaves and a golden sky with falling snow. The painting was well done, a masterpiece if anyone ask him, but the combination of white lotus (instead of pink), blue leaves (instead of green)and snow (instead of water), which was where the flowers usually grow, was a bit odd.
"This..." He couldn't find the right words to tell him how the painting confuse him.
"Does it seem strange to you? I know you know very little about human art, but you do know plants, so I suppose you're wondering why I painted such strange combinations?"
"I'd be lying if I said no. It looks pretty good, but there's something about it... that reminds me of something else."
"Well, it should be, because it's right here." Yixuan said, showing him the flower he had given him, still shimmering with gold and blue, with a hint of snow on one leaf... he gasped.
"It's not the same flower."
"It isn't, but what I painted reflects the feeling I have. I painted a lotus flower because it's a symbol of resilience; the blue leaves, a symbol of an open mind; and the golden sky with snow, a symbol of divinity and purity... the same feelings I have when I hold this treasure in my hands."
"It's just a coincidence..." Li Lun said as he looked at the painting again.
"Is it? Then can it also be said that it's a coincidence that my first painting, at seventeen, was... a pagoda tree in full bloom, my gift to Yichen on his thirteenth birthday, just as he graduate from our academy to become a demon hunter?" He confessed, and Li Lun looked at Yixuan in amazement.
"Why did you paint a ghost tree as a birthday present?"
"Why, indeed? I was very young then and had never seen a pagoda tree before... back then, I hadn't even entered the Citadel yet."
"Then how did you know it was a pagoda tree you painted?"
"My father told me about it. He said that all the firstborn sons in our family, since they had no talent for it from the second onward, would end up painting a blooming pagoda tree, without exception. He did it as a child too, and it was like a tradition among older brothers. Yichen pouted and cried when he first heard about it, when he was about seven years old, saying that he too wanted a tradition for younger brothers, but he didn't know how to paint at all..." He smiled brightly, remembering his little brother's little tantrum, and his smile was so warm that Li Lun couldn't help but smile back.
"I guess he was more of a brat then, than he is now."
"He was very spoiled, but Xiao Chen never disappointed our family in the slightest. As a child, he behaved as he should, but as he grew up, he became very diligent, focused, and trained hard, more than anyone else in the family, including me."
"I see you brothers truly love each other."
"And I see you're learning faster than expected."
"What do you mean?" At that, Yixuan smirked.
"Now you can identify love... at least one kind, I will be very happy when you identify other kinds too." Li Lun was speechless for a second. That man was as bad as the monkey! He was a teasing golden dragon!
"I have a feeling I'll never win an argument with you."
"Did you get that right?" Yixuan smiled.
"Sure did. Thanks for the painting. We'll start training tomorrow. Don't be late." Then he stormed out of his room in his leaves form, taking the painting with him, and Yixuan laughed, with his beautiful flower still in his hands.
AN: I was going to include the others too, but once again is getting too long. I don't know if it looks silly for a man to gift a flower to another man, but I choose a flower to gift Yixuan for a very good reason, which you will find out later, so, the plot will move forward very soon. Hope you like it and prepare yourself for the coming impact in the following chapters. Thanks for reading and until next time, take care.