bgm: restraint

After witnessing Shi Feng’s dramatic exit, Ouyang Che had turned to meditating to recover from the shock of dealing with the half-immortal’s aura firsthand. Nan Wuyue managed to join him after struggling into the sitting position with some difficulty. But then things had taken a strange turn.

Fei Chenling finished his treatment almost half-an-hour early—not by choice, but via force in a terrible backlash of qi that had broken through his seal from the inside out. By the time Ouyang Che and the helpers from Mt. Luojia entered the inner chambers, the sect leader was already unconscious on the floor. He had also lost over half of his internal cultivation to Jun Zhen’s body. 

Fei Chenling cultivated a special Way in the path of the phoenix thanks to his special bloodline, a remnant of a now extinct royal clan. His powers had strong yang properties well suited to treat the yin chill of Jun Zhen’s frozen legs. Unfortunately, Jun Zhen himself had regressed to his most confused, child-like state by the time Ouyang Che questioned him, leaving them with no clues about what had happened. The current Fei Chenling was still sleeping to heal from his internal injuries. According to Mu Yelian, he would wake up in a week’s time if there were no complications. 

Thanks to Shi Feng breaking the wards and Jun Zhen’s disciple running for help, it wasn’t long before word spread around Star Pavilion Sect that something big had happened at Mt. Linglong. Fortunately, Ouyang Che managed to suppress any specific details, but what leaked out was enough to make the Four Peaks Alliance restless.

“The outside story is that you and the sect leader were discussing cultivation matters before you suffered an episode of qi deviation. When Fei Chenling tried to help you, he was affected by the backlash and fell unconscious,” Ouyang Che finished.

“The Qi Refining Pool?” Mo Yixuan guessed and Ouyang Che nodded. After all, qi deviation didn’t just happen out of the blue. They required an impetus and he had the best excuse for one after soaking in its mysterious waters.

“You’ll have to excuse me for using a convenient excuse to push you into the spotlight,” Ouyang Che said. 

“That’s just the kind of person you are,” Mo Yixuan said indifferently.

“What kind is that?”

“Someone who thinks for the good of the sect, what else?” Mo Yixuan arched a brow. “And seizing advantages whenever you see them.”

Ouyang Che didn’t deny it. “After this, they’ll focus efforts on me and Yelian instead so you can rest easy,” he patted Mo Yixuan on the back. “It’s just sect politics, nothing more.”

“You don’t have to go out of your way to reassure me,” Mo Yixuan sighed.

“Aren’t you the one who’s been jumping off cliffs and digging out your own heart?” Ouyang Che retorted. “My dear junior brother, I’m worried you’ll really succeed at offing yourself one of these days if we trigger you too much. How will the rest of us survive Fei Chenling’s fallout then?”

Mo Yixuan simply ignored the topic entirely. “Why was the elder and Peak Lord Ji here?” 

“To check if you were really as injured as I claimed,” Ouyang Che followed his change in topics without complaint. “The Four Peaks Alliance has been more aggressive in taking a stance since our master’s death. If this keeps on, Star Pavilion Sect might as well split in half and start a separate sect!”

“Wouldn’t that solve your problems?”

“Hah! After they followed master and studied his teachings all these years?” Ouyang Che scorned. “Who knows what kind of havoc they could wreck in the Lower Realms with the Celestial Sublime Sword Style? The last thing we need is troublemakers staining our master’s good reputation for their own fame and gain. In any case, since you’re back we should go to Mt. Luojia,” he urged. “It wouldn’t hurt for Yelian to look at you one more time.”

“I feel fine,” Mo Yixuan replied.

“Let the healer decide that,” Ouyang Che said simply as he summoned his flying sword. When he saw that Shi Feng and Mo Yixua were both weaponless, he couldn’t help shaking his head. “Even if you can fly unassisted now, Peak Lord Mo, it’s better to hide those skills until they’re needed. The wind always strikes at the tree that stands out.”

Mo Yixuan’s lips thinned. “I forgot it.”

“Your sword? We’ll wait for you to grab it.”

“No, I mean I forgot where I put it,” Mo Yixuan glanced back helplessly at his quarters.

“Where you put...never mind, just share a sword with me,” Ouyang Che said, but was cut off as Shi Feng’s hand circled around Mo Yixuan’s waist.

“I’ll take Ah-Xuan so he stays unseen,” the half-immortal offered.

Ouyang Che opened and shut his mouth a few times before recalling how the two had appeared out of thin air without anyone the wiser. “Although I trust in Senior Shi’s skills, we wouldn’t want to take up any more of your time.”

Technically speaking, these were internal matters of Star Pavilion Sect. By letting Shi Feng stay while they discussed the issues was already giving him plenty of face. There was no need for him to get further involved.

“No need, I’m willing,” Shi Feng said as if he completely missed the hint.

Ouyang Che shot a look at Mo Yixuan, but the latter was only looking at Shi Feng curiously. “You’re not busy?” he asked.

“I’m far more idle than I used to be,” Shi Feng replied.

“Sects are troublesome things,” Mo Yixuan reminded him, quote for quote.

“But you chose to return and thus here we are,” Shi Feng finished flawlessly before taking to the air with them both.

Ouyang Che narrowed his eyes at the pair before giving pursuit. “Senior Shi, do you know the way to Mt. Luojia?”

“What kind of escort would I be if I couldn’t even drop Ah-Xuan at the right house?” Shi Feng nodded. “Naturally, I studied the nine peaks of Star Pavilion Sect beforehand.”

The next second he flashed out of sight, leaving Ouyang Che frowning at the air. It’s easy to invite an immortal but hard to see him out. Never had the idiom rang so true in his ears.

—

“Senior brother!” 

Upon arrival at Mt. Luojia’s healing hall, the trio was greeted by the spectacular sight of Mu Yelian barreling her way into Mo Yixuan’s arms. He stiffened at once while she hugged him and complained against his chest.

“Senior brother’s been neglecting me. First you shut yourself up with that disciple of yours, then you get hurt and never tell me! Quick, let me see how you’re doing!”

She released him to grab his wrist, leading him over to a table and seats before starting to take his pulse. Poor Ouyang Che and Shi Feng were completely ignored on the sidelines. 

“Ah-Xuan is very popular,” Shi Feng remarked before moving towards Fei Chenling’s bed. Ouyang Che immediately followed behind him.

“What are you doing?” Mu Yelian asked sharply as Shi Feng drew close. Although she was treating Mo Yixuan, her senses were alert to potential threats towards her patients. “The sect leader is resting.”

“Yelian, this is Senior Shi Feng,” Ouyang Che explained. “He brought Senior Brother Mo back after looking after him.”

Mu Yelian only looked more miffed at that admission. After all, Ouyang Che had sent her a message for help that day, only for her to show up when everything was too late. In her eyes, this no-good cultivator had simply stolen her senior brother away!

“He can even be the Immortal Sovereign for all I care, but he’s not allowed to touch my patients!”

Shi Feng put up his hands in surrender. “Young friend, I’m only here to pay respects to an old friend. It won’t take long.”

“H-he’s not dead!” Obviously, Mu Yelian took offense to his phrasing. “You, you—!”

“Junior sister, my arm.” Mo Yixuan said quietly.

Mu Yelian’s eyes snapped to Mo Yixuan’s wrist, where she saw her fingers pressing tightly against his pulse. “Ah—sorry! Did I hurt you, senior brother?”

“Not really,” Mo Yixuan said plainly, but Mu Yelian had already forgotten about Shi Feng to fuss over him instead. Distraction success.

With Mu Yelian taken care of, Ouyang Che cleared his throat and asked, “Does Senior Shi know Sect Leader Fei?” 

By now Shi Feng had drawn close enough to see Fei Chenling’s face and shook his head. “No, we’ve never met.”

“Then…”

“I was friends with one of his ancestors,” Shi Feng went on. He seemed lost in thought. After a while, he took something from his sleeves to hand to Ouyang Che: a small, golden-white pill that turned his eyes wide.

“This is…!” A rare treasure capable of healing internal injuries!

“Viewing fees,” Shi Feng replied. “This man has a seven to eight parts likeness to someone I knew in the past. But what’s gone is gone. In any case, this should help with his injuries.”

“Is Senior Shi a healer as well?” Ouyang Che asked. Behind them, Mu Yelian had looked up as well. She couldn’t see the pill from here, but she could certainly smell enough to pinpoint at least 26 different high-rarity ingredients.

“A healer? Hah, a hoarder is more like it,” Shi Feng laughed and stepped towards the window. “Ah-Xuan!”

Mo Yixuan wordlessly lifted his head. The same cheery brown eyes, ordinary in hue yet astonishingly clear, pierced him with their expectant look.

“Senior Shi,” he gave in and acknowledged.

Shi Feng’s smile widened as he opened the shutters, allowing a gust of wind to blow past his hair. “My time with you ends now. We’ll meet again when you’ve advanced in cultivation.” 

When the breeze died down, he had vanished from sight. Once again, Mo Yixuan was left with nothing but the heady scent of jasmine in his face. He didn’t even get a chance to reply.

Mu Yelian was annoyed. “Coming and leaving as he pleases, opening windows in patients’ quarters...hmph! Senior brother, tell me the truth. Did that man pick on you these past few days?”

Mo Yixuan only felt helpless as he shook his head. Did this junior sister really think the world was out to bully him?

“Yelian, watch your tone,” Ouyang Che rebuked as he shut the windows. “Senior Shi Feng is capable of crushing any one of us with a single finger. It wouldn’t do to antagonize him.”

“Who told him to antagonize me first?” Mu Yelian retorted, but relented to pat Mo Yixuan’s hand. “I’ve finished checking, senior brother. You’re all better now! Thank goodness…” Her last words trailed off into the faintest of pink on her cheeks.

“You always fixate on the tiniest things,” Ouyang Che clicked his tongue. “Here, maybe this will change your opinion.” He walked over and handed her the strange pill in his hand.

Mu Yelian only glanced at it at first, but quickly sucked in a breath. “You’re kidding me! Is it real?”

“Would Shi Feng damage his reputation by giving us fake goods?” Ouyang Che rapped her on the forehead. “I’ve checked, it’s genuine. Go ahead and verify it yourself.”

Mu Yelian quickly inspected the pill, even sending in a tendril of qi to analyze its components before her shoulders sagged in disappointment. “It’s real…”

“Why do you look so down?” Ouyang Che was caught between laughter and indignation. “This can be considered a boon for our sect leader! Ah, Yixuan—” he caught Mo Yixuan’s sleeve just as the man was about to slide off his chair. “You haven’t heard of the Sunflare Drop, right?”

Mo Yixuan, whose escape plans had been foiled again, reluctantly shook his head. Mu Yelian perked up at this and instantly stepped in.

“They’re a speciality of the royal Feng Clan (鳳族) and store pure yang energy, making them ideal pills for use in Senior Brother Fei’s cultivation path! But after the Feng Dynasty collapsed, the method to make Sunflare Drops was lost too...”

Mu Yelian trailed off once again. It was an open secret that Fei Chenling was the last descendant of that same fallen Feng Dynasty, but its last mortal heir had died out over two centuries years ago. Fei Chenling himself had no interest in the throne when Ye Xinglin took him in as a disciple, even changing his surname as he set his sights heavensward.

“Do you think…” Mu Yelian turned towards Ouyang Che. “Could that Shi Feng’s friend be a surviving member of that royal family?”

“Sect Leader Fei would know if that’s the case,” Ouyang Che reasoned. “He’s been searching for them harder than anyone in case the survivors have talent for cultivation. Besides, Senior Shi said what’s past was past. Most likely he was gifted that pill when the royals were still alive.”

“Then this might be one of the last remaining treasures of the Feng Clan?” Mu Yelian sighed breathlessly.

“It’s probable,” Ouyang Che agreed.

“Let’s not use it. Let’s save it for Sect Leader Fei when he wakes up!”

“You just don’t like the idea of owing Shi Feng a favor,” Ouyang Che saw through her motivations in a heartbeat.

“You don’t want to owe him either, do you?” Mu Yelian shot back. “A sudden half-immortal descends from the skies and takes Senior Brother Mo away for no reason...who knows what he’s thinking, hmph.”

“If he gave it away, it’s as good as ours,” Ouyang Che reasoned. “We’d be fools not to take advantage.”

Mo Yixuan only muttered an idiom under his breath, “Seeking gains and coveting profit.”

Mu Yelian was quick to back him up. “That’s right, that’s right! You’re always so sly, Senior Brother Ouyang! And you call yourself a peak lord of a righteous sect!”

“Who’s the one withholding treatment just to spite a potential rival?” Ouyang Che’s retort was merciless.

“W-what rival?!” Mu Yelian flushed but didn’t back down. “The Sunflare Drop is a hundreds year old family heirloom! We can’t just stuff it down senior brother’s throat without letting him have a look! Besides,” she added shamelessly, “with your experience and my brains, we might even be able to reverse manufacture the pill formula.”

“Hah! Look who’s trying to flatter her senior brother.”

“Master said you have to treat me well because I’m the youngest,” Mu Yelian stuck her tongue out. “And you know I’m right.”

The banter went on for a while. In the end, it was decided for Mu Yelian to hold onto the pill until Fei Chenling regained consciousness. As she still had to look after him, Ouyang Che offered to accompany Mo Yixuan back to his quarters. 

But as soon as they left the gates of Mt. Luojia behind, Ouyang Che stopped and spoke up. 

“Are you going to see him?”

It took a minute for Mo Yixuan’s brain to catch up. “...Nan Wuyue?”

Ouyang Che nodded. “His imprisonment is unofficial since senior brother didn’t get to pass judgment before he lost consciousness. But the ice prisons aren’t easy for any disciple to take, let alone one at Foundation Establishment stage.”

Mo Yixuan didn’t reply immediately. After all, the last time he and Nan Wuyue interacted, the latter was actively trying to kill him.

“In some ways, he’s truly unlucky,” Ouyang Che went on. “First he gets accepted as a rare talent, only to see that dwindle to nothing and get abused behind the scenes. His master puts on a show of kindness for the world, but in truth there’s not a single person who cares about this disciple in the sect. Yet instead of withdrawing quietly, he insists on sticking around and causing more misery for himself.”

“He’s a masochist,” Mo Yixuan muttered decisively under his breath.

“He might die if he’s left there any longer,” Ouyang Che said simply. “Of course, if you want to get rid of him once and for—”

“Take me to him.”

“Ah?”

“I still have questions to ask,” Mo Yixuan’s face was gloomy.

“As you wish.” Ouyang Che summoned his sword and in a few moments, the two of them were whisking off into the skies.

—

Shi Feng landed soundlessly at the side of a mountain located in the southeast of the continent. Here the plants were lush and the birds singing; everything was vibrant with the first blush of spring. Still the half-immortal seemed preoccupied as he approached the solid rock wall and gave a wave with his sleeves. Instantly, the rocks shifted and broke apart to reveal a tall, narrow entrance. He stepped inside to a wonderland of glistening crystals and pale blue light, exhaling a mouthful of mist at the sudden chilly temperatures.

He walked for a long way, heading deeper into the darkness. There were multiple twists and turns, but Shi Feng navigated them with practiced ease until he reached a room at the very end. Unlike the rest of the cave, this one was shrouded in mist from the vapors that rose from the ice coating its walls that glowed with a cozy pale luminescence. It was a small space barely tall enough for Shi Feng to stand; at the very end of it stood a platform upon which sat a large, long, blueish-white box.

A coffin.

The half-immortal sat on the edge of the platform before his hands shifted the lid aside. Pale light illuminated the inside, revealing a hint of silken robes from the body within. Carefully, Shi Feng reached inside and lifted out the occupant’s arm. The sleeves fell away to reveal a beautiful, slender hand: cold as ice but still perfectly supple, as if its owner was merely asleep, not dead. Shi Feng admired the graceful digits for a while before thoughtfully stroking its unadorned right index finger.

A curious smile rose to his lips.