The Weight of Unspoken Truths

Even on ordinary days, even when Xia Niansheng entered her room for her to feed, Duan Xi Shen never allowed him to leave anything that carried his scent behind. Forget intimate clothing; even the bedsheets he had lain on, Duan Xi Shen would insist Xia Niansheng change for a freshly laundered set. She would even demand he take a bath before allowing him to enter her room. The specific reason was that initially, it stemmed from Duan Xi Shen’s severe mysophobia; she hadn’t believed this newly accepted disciple would be any different. Gradually, however, she realized she felt no such aversion towards Xia Niansheng’s scent, or indeed, anything about him. Yet, the habit persisted, and Xia Niansheng always respected her wishes. And then, later, with the augmentation of his Blood Spirit Physique, and the inherent magical aura he possessed, those superfluous steps, initially taken for “mysophobia,” seemed to have shifted their purpose towards isolating herself from a certain addictive substance. After all, each time she finished feeding on Xia Niansheng’s blood, as she held him, appearing to savor the lingering aftertaste, what was it she truly craved? She couldn’t articulate it. Towards this disciple—or rather, this intended sacrificial offering—an irrational torrent of uncontrollable emotions had inexplicably arisen within her. All she could do was maintain her distance. But now… But now, if Xia Niansheng could truly cure her hemophilia, then that deliberate distance would no longer be necessary. No one understood Xia Niansheng better than she; if he claimed confidence, success was assured. Moreover, he had sacrificed so much for her…

Duan Xi Shen brought the clothes Xia Niansheng had just changed out of closer to her nose. The bitter scent was so potent it stung her heart. Yet, with a deep inhale, peeling back the layers of bitter medicinal aroma, she could discern Xia Niansheng’s unique scent underneath.

‘Niansheng…’

‘Niansheng…’

Beneath the cool moonlight, a misty haze gathered in Duan Xi Shen’s eyes, and a flush even crept across her exquisite face.

****

Although his right hand was injured, making things a bit inconvenient, Xia Niansheng still had his left. ‘Hmm, I wouldn’t even need my left hand, considering I have White Snow Jade.’ ‘Cough, cough.’

The next morning, Duan Xi Shen arrived at Xia Niansheng’s room once more. He genuinely felt a headache brewing; while Duan Xi Shen claimed she was caring for him, many of his planned actions were indeed hampered. He also found this clingy solicitude somewhat unbearable. Duan Xi Shen had gone to brew medicine again. She seemed to have taken it upon herself as a duty. His plans were indeed being affected, and Xia Niansheng felt he needed to find an opportune moment to clarify things. After all, it wasn’t strictly accurate to say she was causing trouble, and he wasn’t a child to be swayed by such sudden attention. More importantly, he simply felt awkward.

Just as the previous evening, Duan Xi Shen sat beside him, holding a bowl of medicinal soup.

“Master, you should hold it more steadily this time,” Xia Niansheng couldn’t help but remind her.

After all, he didn’t have many clothes, and more critically, if he missed even a little medicine each day, his recovery might not happen within the planned ten to fifteen days. Duan Xi Shen began to feel a little embarrassed. Thinking of the unwashed clothes still soaking in the bucket, a blush crept onto her face.

‘Xia Niansheng has truly changed.’

‘In the past, he would never have reminded me like this.’

‘Though not malicious, he would certainly never utter words that might cause me slight embarrassment.’

‘He truly is growing less obedient with age.’

Duan Xi Shen offered no reply, merely spoon-feeding Xia Niansheng the medicine. The traditional medicine was indeed very bitter, especially when consumed spoon by spoon, which prolonged and intensified the taste. After several sips, estimating the medicine in the bowl was now at a suitable temperature, Xia Niansheng extended his left hand, took the porcelain bowl from Duan Xi Shen, and swallowed the rest in one large gulp. He then picked up the porcelain cup from the table, took a mouthful of water, and washed away all the bitterness in his mouth. Duan Xi Shen stood stunned nearby, holding the empty bowl, while Xia Niansheng, having already carefully considered his words, spoke.

“Master, you don’t need to come every day.”

“This Master has said…”

“I don’t need looking after. See, aren’t I quite agile?”

‘Could a cultivator be rendered immobile just by injuring their right hand? And I’m even in the Core Formation stage; this is preposterous.’ Moreover, Duan Xi Shen was genuinely hindering him.

“I can take care of myself, Master. You don’t need to do this.”

Before Duan Xi Shen could refuse, Xia Niansheng suddenly looked up, staring directly into her eyes. Staring so directly at someone during a discussion amplified the weight of his words significantly. Duan Xi Shen froze for a long moment, unable to utter a sound. In that moment, Xia Niansheng’s gaze held a distinct aloofness. She had never witnessed such an expression in Xia Niansheng’s eyes before, at least never directed at her. In that instant, Duan Xi Shen inexplicably felt a sharp pang in her heart.

In truth, Xia Niansheng felt their previous sense of distance had been perfectly adequate. Though she was his master, they typically met only once every few days, avoiding any intrusion into each other’s lives. Xia Niansheng rose to his feet.

“I will be making a trip to Heavenly Spirit Peak shortly to seek an audience with the Sect Master and discuss the matter of becoming a Saint Child once more.”

Duan Xi Shen, still somewhat dazed by Xia Niansheng’s gaze, also rose upon hearing his words.

“No… actually, you don’t need to go find Qiu Yan. Aren’t you simply aiming for the Nine Provinces Dragon Abyss? The position of Saint Child within the sect is currently vacant, and there are two qualifications for entering the Nine Provinces Dragon Abyss. Even if you don’t become a Saint Child, this Master can still help you secure a spot.”

“After all… if you were to become a Saint Child, it would only bring you many more troublesome matters, wouldn’t it?”

Duan Xi Shen had actually considered this matter in detail: Xia Niansheng’s desire to become a Saint Child was solely a means to enter the Nine Provinces Dragon Abyss and save her. As an Elder of the Heavenly Spirit Sect, and with Xia Niansheng having ranked first in the Grand Sect Competition, she had the means to secure him the vacant position, bypassing the need for him to become a Saint Child. However, she hadn’t had time to consider it thoroughly before, and it seemed Xia Niansheng had already finalized discussions with Qiu Yan. But now, she genuinely did not want Xia Niansheng, her own disciple, to become a Saint Child and, by extension, a direct subordinate of that woman, Qiu Yan. She truly did not wish it. She possessed her own possessiveness, especially when the other party was Qiu Yan.

Xia Niansheng sighed softly. He had anticipated Duan Xi Shen might say this, which was why he had mentioned it so hastily the first time, giving her little time to ponder. That had been a problem he inadvertently created back then. Even Duan Xi Shen’s current “retaliatory” care was a form of punishment for his failure to clarify things when he had tried to brush her off. He felt it was necessary to explain himself clearly, just this once. Duan Xi Shen watched Xia Niansheng, who now stood a head taller than her, suddenly turn to look at her with profound seriousness, and a terrible premonition arose in her heart. Xia Niansheng remained silent for a few seconds.

“Master… perhaps I didn’t make myself clear then. My intention to become a Saint Child wasn’t solely because I needed to go to the Nine Provinces Dragon Abyss.”

“…What do you mean?”

Xia Niansheng sighed.

“Master, you don’t need to treat me with such ‘retaliatory’ kindness. All I’ve done, including getting injured in the Grand Competition, was primarily for my own benefit. As for going to the Nine Provinces Dragon Abyss to find the Immortal Blood Flower, that was merely an added bonus.”

Duan Xi Shen stood frozen in place.