Ye Cheng became completely silent. It's not like he expects that the manual would have issues, he just didn't expect this result.
In this aspect, he was lucky that Bai Jing had somehow destroyed it. But how did the sword spirit not see it?
His gaze hardened, and he asked the sword spirit: "You never told me about the manual."
The Sword Spirit immediately became defensive: "How was I supposed to tell you something I didn't know?
Ye Cheng frowned: "You were the one who told me obtaining a refining manual was important. You saw me bring this one home and yet you didn't inspect it"
The sword spirit explained: "It is important to own a manual, for you to gain more understanding. And yes , I saw you bring a manual home. We were both excited, you didn't tell me to go through it either."
There was an awkward silence. Ye Cheng's expression became blank. He can't deny that he was in such a hurry to return home and study the manual that he forgot about his own safety.
The sword continues: "I hadn't seen you obtain a proper refining technique before! You came back holding one, and I was pleased. I intended to examine it later. But so many things were happening at once."
"Just say you forgot."
"Fine! I forgot."
Ye Cheng rubbed his forehead.
The Sword Spirit quickly changed the subject: "Didn't your little ger say he replaced it? Why don't we check it out?"
Ye Cheng looked toward the papers on the table. He then picked up the one that Bai Jing wrote.
The manual wasn't complete. Several later sections were unfinished, exactly as Bai Jing had said. Of course, at Ye Cheng current level, he can't tell what a complete manual looks like unless he cultivates it. It was the sword spirit that explained to him.
Ye Cheng began reading as the sword spirit examined the manual.
The Sword Spirit was continuously shocked throughout the process. Eventually, he couldn't help but ask: "Where did he get this?"
Ye Cheng shakes his head: "I don't know."
"This is an advanced beginner stage technique. The spiritual circulation is much cleaner. Look here. The technique doesn't force Qi directly into the refining channels. It divides the flow into smaller sections first. This gives you more control. And this section…" The Sword Spirit became increasingly animated.
"I've never seen Master Lu use this method." Ye Cheng finally spoke.
Ye Cheng had observed Master Lu's refining countless times. The methods described in Bai Jing's manual weren't merely a repaired version of an old refining technique. It was much better.
The sword spirit waves his hands dismissively: "Of course you haven't. That stupid cheap guy can't get his hands on something this good."
The Sword Spirit suddenly became thoughtful: "Your little partner has a very big secret."
Ye Cheng didn't look up and shrugged nonchalantly: "Everyone has secrets."
"Not a secret but a treasure." The Sword Spirit replies certainly.
Ye Cheng finally looked up: "What kind of treasure?"
"I don't know. An inheritance treasure, perhaps. A hidden spiritual artifact. Maybe something capable of storing knowledge. Either way, he didn't create this technique himself. Not with his cultivation and experience."
Ye Cheng nodded in agreement. Bai Jing had barely begun cultivating seriously.
There was no reasonable way he could independently correct a refining technique that he has no knowledge on.
The Sword Spirit continued: "Whatever treasure he possesses, it's extraordinary."
Ye Cheng looked toward the bedroom again: "Forget it. Whatever treasure he has is his. Don't investigate him."
The Sword Spirit became quiet: "You're not curious?"
"I am, but I don't want to intrude in his matters. If he wants to tell me, he'll tell me."
The Sword Spirit laughed: "Look at you being all considerate."
Ye Cheng ignored him. He returned his attention to the manual.
For the rest of the night, he studied the technique.
He compared every surviving portion of the damaged manual with Bai Jing's replacement. The deeper he went, the more obvious the differences became.
There were instructions here he had never seen anyone in the refining guild perform.
Methods of controlling spiritual energy that seemed strange at first but became increasingly logical when examined carefully.
Corrections to mistakes Ye Cheng hadn't even known existed. By the time he finally put down the pages, the moon had traveled far across the sky.
Bai Jing had almost died writing this. That realization left a strange heaviness in Ye Cheng's chest. He knew his actions towards Bai Jing from the beginning were wrong. He then decided to make it up to him, even though it would be a long run.
He carefully arranged the pages exactly as he had found them. Then he returned to the bedroom.
Bai Jing was still asleep.
Ye Cheng considered continuing to meditate until morning, but after everything that had happened, exhaustion had finally begun catching up with him as well.
He quietly lay down on the outer side of the bed. He deliberately left space between them.
But it seems that Bai Jing's sleeping posture needed some work. Bai Jing rolled over and pulled at Ye Cheng's sleeve.
Ye Cheng felt fingers touch his sleeve and opened his eyes.
Still asleep, Bai Jing had reached toward him. No one knew what he was looking for.
Ye Cheng looked at the hand gripping his sleeve. He could easily move it away, but remembering how frightened Bai Jing had been earlier, he remained still.
Bai Jing shifted closer. Then closer again. Until his forehead pressed against Ye Cheng's chest.
Ye Cheng stiffened.
Bai Jing gave a small, contented sigh and rolled completely into his arms.
"..."
Ye Cheng stared at the ceiling. He didn't dare move.
One of Bai Jing's hands rested against his chest while his head settled comfortably beneath Ye Cheng's chin.
The same person who had been too frightened to relax beside him while awake was now clinging to him in his sleep.
Ye Cheng slowly exhaled. He carefully adjusted the blanket over Bai Jing's shoulder.
Then he closed his eyes.
...
Early the next morning, Bai Jing gradually woke up. He slept longer than usual. He felt warm and was a bit reluctant to get up.
There was something firm beneath his cheek. His sleepy mind couldn't immediately understand what it was.
He shifted slightly, and felt something was wrapped around his waist.
Bai Jing opened his eyes, and forcefully focused his vision. He saw dark robes. His gaze slowly traveled upward.
Ye Cheng!
Bai Jing stopped breathing. He looked down at his one arm that was around Ye Cheng. One of his legs had somehow moved dangerously close to Ye Cheng's side.
Ye Cheng's arm rested loosely around his waist.
Bai Jing's face went completely blank.
How? How is this possible?!
He distinctly remembered sleeping on the inside of the bed. Ye Cheng then went to meditate.
So how had he ended up here?
Bai Jing didn't expect his sense of danger to be eaten by a dog when he was asleep. He was sure that he didn't have such a death wish.
Bai Jing carefully lifted Ye Cheng's arm, as he watched out for Ye Cheng movements. Luckily, Ye Cheng didn't move.
Bai Jing froze, and after several seconds, he tried again.
Still nothing.
He slowly pulled himself away, one inch at a time. His eyes never left Ye Cheng's face.
He was praying in his heart:
Please don't wake up.
Please don't wake up.
Please don't wake up.
Finally, Bai Jing was able to escape from Ye Cheng arms.
He climbed over the inner edge of the bed as carefully as possible, slipped on his shoes and grabbed his outer robe.
Ye Cheng remained motionless.
Bai Jing reached the doorway. He glanced back once. After confirming that Ye Cheng still hasn't woken up, he turned around and fled like his life depended on it.
The bedroom door disappeared behind him so quickly that anyone watching might have thought a spiritual beast was chasing him.
Several seconds passed. Ye Cheng opened his eyes. He stared toward the empty doorway.
Then his gaze dropped toward the place beside him where Bai Jing had been sleeping moments earlier.
"..."
He had been awake the entire time.
After a long silence, Ye Cheng covered his eyes with one hand.
For some reason, the image of Bai Jing carefully escaping his arms as though his life depended on it refused to leave his mind.
Since when has he become so terrible? Ye Cheng finally realized, what he wanted was not for Bai Jing to be afraid of him.
Was it too late?
...