使 使 使 使
人 人 人 人
失 失 身 心
明 语 热 动
Make one lose their sight.
Make one lose their voice.
Make the body burn.
Make the heart fall in love.
Anonymous Poem, Yanqing & Yilan
No matter how long it takes hundreds, thousands of years…
I will still wait to meet you again.
.
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The Great State of Dayun once known as Yangyinshui.
Cling
In the rear training grounds of the Shanshui Academy of Dayun, the late winter wind of the afternoon brushed past the brass wind chimes beneath the eaves, their clear ringing echoing across the courtyard.
This was the finest academy in the entire state of Dayun, where young noblemen gathered to study and cultivate. Royal descendants trained here in great numbers including the ancient Yang clan, founders of the realm before power shifted a thousand years ago and the nation was renamed Dayun.
Clang! Clang!
A slender figure staggered across the sword-training yard, arms barely visible beneath a towering stack of books. He waddled forward like a mole burrowing through daylight, swaying as though he might topple at any moment.
Around him, fellow disciples sparred energetically, blades flashing. Young men in the prime of youth tall, broad-shouldered, their martial skills advancing with each passing day.
All except one.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The thin figure shuffled along, head lowered, shrinking in on himself as he hurried toward the library pavilion. While his peers refined their sword techniques and soared to ever greater heights in cultivation, there was one person who seemed never to advance at all.
The noisy chatter of fellow disciples drifted closer, forcing him to hurriedly shove the copied scrolls back onto the shelves. The more he rushed, the clumsier he became, papers slipping from his grasp again and again.
Fwaap!
"Damn it… the pages are all mixed up now. What do I do? …Never mind, I'll just gather them first!"
— Demonic Beasts
— Methods to Subdue Demonic Beasts
— Surviving Demonic Beasts
Why are all these manuals about demonic beasts? Is Master planning to admit a baby demon beast into the imperial academy or something?
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The footsteps drew nearer.
At last..
Thud!
Too late.
"Well, well… look who we have here. The great poet, Yang Yanqing."
Damn it.
They weren't friends. They weren't even acquaintances. And yet every time they spotted him, they approached with those strange looks in their eyes as if they had just found something entertaining to play with.
I'm not some mouse for you giant cats to toy with.
I'm a cat too, you know!
Grrr~
(He growled inwardly.)
But he didn't dare lift his head.
…
Gu Mingyue!!
That giant cat might not even be the same species as me he's more like a tiger.
We're from the same Shanshui Academy, the same generation of disciples, yet he shot up like some superior breed of plant no need for tending, no need for care growing tall and imposing, standing proud against the wind. Even storms and rain couldn't seem to bruise him. Ridiculous.
Is he even human? Or some wild buffalo?
That bully clearly despises the Yang clan.
Perhaps it's because he was once my betrothed.
…How terrifying.
Why is it my fault for refusing the engagement? I just… didn't like him. Why must he torment and humiliate me for that? I'm only a single, pitiful fruit born of love, with no siblings, no allies. Please, spare my life… Hic. Can't you show even a little mercy to someone as unfortunate as me, Gu Mingyue?
Thud.
"I have sword practice. But you, who can't even cultivate what are you doing behind the academy, Ah Yan? Or could it be~"
"Master asked me to copy poems. I've finished and was just about to head back. I'll be going now."
Whoosh!
"Wait."
A long arm shot out, blocking the fragile figure that looked as thin as rice paper one gust of wind and he'd be blown away. Gu Mingyue's arm wasn't an arm at all it was practically a log. Just the lightest push against Yanqing's narrow frame sent him staggering as if he were about to collapse on the spot, never to return home and bid farewell to his parents.
Wind, if you would, carry my final words to Father and Mother tell them my life ends here… ngh… I love you both. Even if I never agreed with using an engagement to shield me from demonic beasts.
Hah..
Flick!
A long finger snapped against the center of his forehead so hard it felt as though his skull might crack open.
"Ah—ow!"
"What kind of expression is that? Are all members of the poet clan full of nothing but ridiculous fantasies? If there's something on your mind, can't you just say it out loud? You look half-mad."
Gu Mingyue's words pierced just as sharply as his fingers. He tormented him daily mentally, verbally standing less than an inch away, shouting until spittle sprayed across Yanqing's face.
Are you afraid I won't hear you? Why stand this close?
Your voice is already loud!
Rough!
Deafening!
Gu Mingyue the pretender so composed and noble in front of others, face calm, manners flawless. Yet look at how he treats me, as if I wronged him in some past life and he's been holding a grudge ever since.
His sharply curved lips kept moving without pause, yet not a single word truly entered my ears. Standing this close barely a foot apart I could clearly catch the clean scent of a nobleman raised within palace walls. He trains with the sword all day, and yet he still smells this refined… Is he some celestial being descended from the heavens? Handsome, accomplished in every way except for one fatal flaw.
…I don't like him.
"Hahaha! So? Do you remember what Master said? We must prepare properly before completing our studies. Someone without martial arts like you would only burden others. If you beg me nicely, I might even let you share my carriage but in exchange, you'll do all my calligraphy assignments. All of them~"
Why is he rambling so much? I don't want to hear it.
"Mm."
Why did I nod?
I've always believed that love forced upon you isn't right. But perhaps obeying the elders might at least help me live a little longer, just as they advised.
"You're not heading back? After sword practice, you must be tired… ha… ha…"
The three towering figures stood with arms crossed, watching Gu Mingyue and me pressed against the thin wall. If he leaned any closer, I was certain I'd go straight through the paper wall and roll down the mountain.
And the academy valley is quite high, you know.
"I'm not in a hurry. Where would you be rushing off to?"
"I I have to… go do chores."
"Hmph. Are you even a man, Yang Yanqing? Small frame, big eyes, slim waist, short legs. And your face… doesn't look like a man's at all. Born in the wrong place, perhaps. Your father is slender, your mother petite no wonder you turned out this way."
Bang!
Why are you slamming the wall, you uncivilized brute, Gu Mingyue?!
"Uh… Your parents don't really look like you either, Mingyue."
"Hahahahaha!"
The three handsome tyrants burst into laughter, loud enough to nearly blow Gu Mingyue's head off. I didn't quite understand what was so funny, but my scalp itched, so I scratched it vigorously only to feel Gu Mingyue's murderous glare slice toward me. I quickly lowered my hand.
"You've gotten bolder lately, little one."
Wai' an, the young master who always smiles with playful dimples, praised me lightly. He looks gentle and charming, but his martial arts are on par with Gu Mingyue's. A beautiful man who is anything but weak unlike me.
So envious~
"Hey! If you can't use words properly the way you do in your poems, then you'd better keep your mouth shut."
Gu Mingyue grabbed my small face with one hand and squeezed until my lips puckered. It didn't really hurt just infuriating that I couldn't shake him off.
Mm! Such a bad temper!
My so-called ancient royal lineage was of no help at all. I could only lower my head and avoid the sight of Gu Mingyue's handsome yet sly face as he leaned down, the bridge of his nose nearly brushing my hair.
His shoulders were so broad they blocked out everything behind him. The firm muscles across his chest were enviable beyond words. That faint, refined scent like someone freshly bathed in palace incense clung to him.
When he already has everything…
Why must he pick on me?
I truly don't understand why someone blessed with looks, wealth, status, and talent insists on bullying me!
Hmph!
At eighteen, Gu Mingyue grows more striking by the day dignified, imposing, feared by many. His circle consists entirely of tall, wealthy, capable young men. And here they stand, surrounding someone like me who has nothing to compete with them.
The moment Gu Mingyue approaches, they move as one to harass me. Like a pack of wolves tearing at a small, harmless creature.
I'm not even plotting to kill anyone, so why is Young Master Gu giving me that scheming look?
"I have something for you to do."
There it is the honeyed words of doom.
My tiny eyes nearly popped out of their sockets before Gu Mingyue poked at them with a finger.
Those are human eyes, not fish eyes! Don't just jab at them, you heavy-handed brute!
Gu Mingyue revealed a smile edged with mischief like a devil. Handsome, but wicked. And a devil is still a devil.
He extended his hand toward Baili, the son of the Grand General.
Plop~
The tall, pale, expressionless Baili placed something into Gu Mingyue's large palm. At first glance, it looked like he'd handed over a log to bash me with but no. It was more familiar than that.
A familiar scent…
Paper. Ink.
It was..
(The Manual on Subduing Demonic Beasts!)
Gu Mingyue curled his lips into a wickedly handsome smirk and leaned down to look at the much smaller figure before him who kept making the strangest expressions. One moment frowning, the next widening his eyes, then scrunching his face in some peculiar way.
A long finger slipped beneath the small chin and tilted it upward, forcing their gazes to meet. His sharp eyes stared deeply into those bright, clear irises light blue, unlike ordinary humans. Thin reddish lips were pressed tight, trembling faintly. Just that brief touch of a fingertip made Yanqing feel as though he'd been scorched by flame.
"…Why bring this to me?"
"I'm not good at copying texts. But you are exceptionally skilled at it. So you were the first person I thought of."
(Don't think of me, you muscle-brained lunatic!)
"Copy it for me."
Has he lost his mind? Who could possibly finish a volume this thick in a single lifetime? Use your head for once, you arrogant giant cat selfish, ill-tempered. You know I stand alone with no one to back me up, so you take every chance to bully me, don't you?
Someone like me Yang Yanqing who apologizes to dogs before even asking what happened… who keeps his head lowered and runs from trouble how could I ever stand against someone like him?
"N-no…"
The small mouth trembled. He wanted to refuse, but fear made his voice shake. Gu Mingyue pressed closer, his larger body pinning the slender one flat against the wall. Yanqing turned his face away, biting down hard on his lower lip.
"No… what?"
The wicked smile widened, clearly amused. His sharp eyes gleamed with enjoyment.
The tyrant prince of Dayun's academy.
Yanqing shook his head so hard that loose strands of hair whipped about but a large hand caught his chin again, sliding along his jaw as if it might crush him in its grip.
Gu Mingyue's voice, rough with youth yet lazy in tone, carried an effortless threat. He had been pressing down on him for so long, acting as though he owned his very life then claiming Yanqing was the one lost in imagination and unwilling to speak.
Who would want to talk to someone like you, Gu Mingyue?!
"So it's settled, then."
Hadn't you already decided the moment you stepped out of your house? Why even bother asking me?
You ill-fated young master!
Hngh oh! Was I pushed by a ghost? Who made me nod just now? Show yourself!
"…Mm."
"Good. When you're this obedient, you're at least somewhat endearing."
(Hah… I'm obviously cuter than you, Gu Mingyue!)
Their laughter rang out one last time before the tall figures finally disappeared, leaving the small one behind adrift once more.
I don't really understand my own existence. Even if I want to know why I fall so far short of everyone else… I never seem to find the answer.
"…Sigh."
Soft lips released a weary breath. His delicate face looked utterly fed up with his own cowardice. Slender fingers lifted, spreading short, blunt "claws" as if he were a tiger only to turn and scrape them uselessly against the wall.
Scratchkkk… scratch…
Just like a drenched kitten sharpening its claws.
"Just you wait until I have power! You'll regret it!" He bared small teeth in a fierce little hiss. If he had martial arts skills, this Yanqing would definitely teach those towering brutes a proper lesson.
Whoooosh—creeeak~
A sudden gust of wind swept across the front courtyard of the academy.
The round little head immediately bowed over and over in panic, movements so frantic they were almost comical.
"Wah! S-sorry, sorry, sorry! I wasn't talking about you at all! Gu Mingyue, please forgive me I didn't mean.."
Whoosh… creeeak…
…
"Ahhh—!"
…
Only the wind rustling through bamboo, stalks brushing against one another.
"Ridiculous!! I'm so scared it's gone to my head, and I still dare to talk big. I'd better hurry home."
.
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