Yuchi Bing Xia didn’t need long to find out where his disciple was. He asked a few of the disciples outside only to find out that Yu Jin had actually gone to the outer sect. He was surprised but still went over. Anyway, whether he was in the inner or outer sect, it was alright as long as he was able to spend some time with other disciples. He just didn’t want him to be lonely. As for everything else … It didn’t make a difference.

Yuchi Bing Xia finally spotted his disciple sitting on the second story of the pagoda where the disciples were learning to forge talismans. He couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows. This was even more unexpected. He went in and then went to the Elder that was overseeing this place, motioning upward to where Yu Jin was. "Is this …"

The Elder looked up, wondering just what the Sect Master might be talking about when he remembered the person that was above them. Then, he gave a smile. "Oh, he has come here quite often."

Yuchi Bing Xia once again experienced a surprise. "He wouldn’t be making any trouble, would he?" Actually, he couldn’t imagine it. From what he had seen of Yu Jin in these five years, he was a reclusive person. He would normally keep to himself and not bother anybody, just quietly cultivating. The fact that he even came here was astonishing enough. He didn’t believe that his disciple would make things difficult for anybody. But, well, it was still better to ask and make sure.

The Elder shook his head and his smile got even brighter. "Absolutely not. In fact, I guess I can count myself lucky that your disciple is coming over so often. You should have a look at this." He waved at Yuchi Bing Xia and then brought him to the small storage room that was at the back of the pagoda, motioning at a stack of talismans that were lying on a table to the side. "These are all thanks to your new disciple. He is making them whenever he’s taking a break from painting. I guess it’s his way of saying thanks for letting him stay?" He couldn’t help but chuckle at that. As if anybody would refuse entry to the Sect Master’s disciple!

Yuchi Bing Xia raised his brows and picked up the talismans. Sifting through them, he nodded with satisfaction. "These aren’t bad. I hope there aren’t too many failures?"

The Elder once again shook his head. "No, that’s why I said I can count myself lucky. I’d say that among ten talismans he attempts, nine are of high quality. The other one might be middle-grade but that is already better than what a lot of the disciples can do for the first few decades. You should have told me that he is able to do that. I would’ve asked to have him come over then." The Elder laughed again.

Yuchi Bing Xia also gave laugh and then turned away, putting the talismans down again. To be honest … He had no idea that his disciple was able to do this. It was quite surprising actually.

Yu Jin was very talented in his cultivation and also a decent practitioner in terms of sword arts. There was nothing he had to complain about that. Having this kind of disciple already made him smile in his sleep.

To think that he was also able to craft this type of talismans … This was a little bit like walking down a path and picking up a treasure that was lying at the side of the road. He could hardly imagine that he had had so much luck.

It made him wonder why Yu Jin hadn’t said anything though. Was this because it was something that his old Master had taught him? Could it be that he didn’t want to admit to it because of that? If yes, then he could somewhat understand that. Otherwise …

Well, to be honest, he would’ve liked it if Yu Jin was a little more open to him regardless of what the reason was. It had already been five years. Even though he could imagine that it still hurt, he would still have liked it if Yu Jin had at least mentioned it. He didn’t need to know the whole backstory but just telling him about the fact would’ve been good already.

Well, there was nothing he could do other than bringing it up with him in the future. He would see if Yu Jin changed afterward. Anyway, it was also nice to get a surprise like this every now and then.

Yuchi Bing Xia shook his head to push the thought away and turned back to the Elder. "Other than that, how is he doing?"

"Your meaning is …"

Yuchi Bing Xia sighed. "Well, he’s a little … closed-off. He doesn’t talk much. I’m worried he might have trouble getting along with others."

The Elder glanced over to the staircase leading to the second story where Yu Jin was currently working. "You can certainly say more about that than me. But from what I’ve seen you’ve worried too much. He often comes alone, that is true, and doesn’t talk much with the others but every now and then, there would be one of the outer sect disciples with him. I guess they’re getting along quite well?"

Yuchi Bing Xia raised his brows. "So? Whose disciple is it?"

The Elder rubbed his neck. "Actually … I don’t think he is anybody’s disciple. From what I’ve gathered, he should be somebody with full spirit veins. That is not the type of disciple that would get his own Master."

Yuchi Bing Xia didn’t know what to say about that. He was happy that Yu Jin had found a friend but he wouldn’t have thought it would be somebody from the outer sect. That might be a little troublesome. After all, the outer sect disciples normally weren’t allowed in the inner sect. So the person couldn’t just come and visit Yu Jin. Did that make him feel alone? "Then how is that person’s cultivation base right now? Is he doing well?" If he was, he might consider taking him into the inner sect. It was biased, yes, but he couldn’t help but want to indulge his disciple a little.

The Elder smiled at the Sect Master’s worried expression. He could imagine what was going through his head. "I don’t know anything about that. He isn’t my disciple. But if you want to, I could go and ask one of the disciples to find out."

Yuchi Bing Xia waved. "No, that … That would be a little too much." Anyway, he could just ask Yu Jin what he thought about it. Well, he probably shouldn’t ask now. After all, he still had to tell him about the news that the Grandmaster’s disciple had sent back. "Well, I should go over. There are some things I need to discuss with him."

The Elder nodded and then stepped back, bidding his farewell.

Yuchi Bing Xia went up the stairs and stopped in the door, watching his disciple. Right now, Yu Jin was sitting at the table, a brush in hand, slowly painting. That other disciple was sitting not far from him, watching silently.

Seeing the two of them like this, Yuchi Bing Xia’s lips twitched. Somehow, he couldn’t say that this wasn’t inside of his expectations. Yu Jin really had a strange way of interacting with others.