Chapter 56: Azure Cloud (34)

Xie Xuanxiao hurried out of his room and rushed to the front hall, only to see Zhang Duixue sitting in a chair with his head bowed. Behind him, two figures sat flanking him like door gods: to the right was He Tingtong holding a teacup, and to the left was Fu Fengyan, gnawing on a tea snack.

While they couldn’t exactly be described as imposing, they certainly hadn’t come with good intentions.

He cast a casual glance around before his gaze settled on Zhang Duixue. He spoke gently, “A-Xue, what’s wrong? If you have something to say, you can come over here and tell me.”

He took two steps forward, intending to pull the person away, when Zhang Duixue looked up. The youth had dark circles under his eyes, and his eyelids were red and swollen—he had clearly been crying. His pitch-black eyes were desolate. Xie Xuanxiao felt a sudden panic in his heart, though his expression remained composed. “Who bullied you? Why are you crying?”

Zhang Duixue tilted his head back, trying his best not to appear like a resentful spouse. He said calmly, “Young Palace Master, I saw everything last night.”

Xie Xuanxiao frowned.

Although he had been drunk the previous night, he hadn’t lost his composure. Breaking their appointment was indeed his fault, but given A-Xue’s temperament, it shouldn’t have reached the point of separation.

Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at He Tingtong. The other man held his teacup, looking perfectly at ease, the corners of his mouth even quirked up slightly.

Mockery, provocation, sneakiness, gloom—Xie Xuanxiao’s mind buzzed, and alarm bells instantly rang out.

He truly loathed this pack of fair-weather friends around Zhang Duixue. Every one of them was full of wicked schemes. It was bad enough that they often whisked Zhang Duixue away so he couldn’t be found, but they also constantly opposed him. If Zhang Duixue ever wanted to leave him, nine times out of ten it was because of this guy named He instigating it.

Over the past year, they had seen very little of each other. Zhang Duixue was constantly being caught by the Guili Sword Master for training; nine times out of ten, he was unavailable. The rare occasion they did meet might only last a short hour or two. Xie Xuanxiao admitted that the long separation had caused small cracks in his relationship with A-Xue. With someone intentionally stirring the pot, it was normal for Zhang Duixue to misunderstand him.

However, Xie Xuanxiao didn’t consider this a major issue. His A-Xue loved him the most and was the most reluctant to leave him. No matter how much others talked, as long as he showed a little vulnerability, Zhang Duixue would throw himself into his arms.

So, Xie Xuanxiao softened his tone even further. “There must be some misunderstanding. Tell me about it, and I will give you an explanation.”

“I drank too much last night and left my communication artifact in the study, so I didn’t see your message. I was wrong. I’ll stay with you for the next few days, alright?”

The elegant youth bowed his head to his lover, admitting his mistake. He had always been unyielding and high-and-mighty, yet now he half-knelt before Zhang Duixue, cupping his hands, pinching those rough, calloused fingertips. He raised his eyes halfway, coaxing softly in a humble posture, cautiously saying, “A-Xue?”

To the side, Fu Fengyan’s eyes widened. He suddenly felt that all his years of learning were in vain; he had finally encountered a high-level “Green Tea” master. Impatiently, he pulled a photographic stone from his sleeve and placed it on the table, wishing he could record Xie Xuanxiao’s every move to take home and study.

Xie Xuanxiao saw his action, and a vein on his forehead throbbed, though his expression remained gentle. He pulled at Zhang Duixue, attempting to take him into the room alone, but the youth’s crisp, clean voice rang out in the courtyard, “Young Palace Master, do you truly love me?”

Zhang Duixue looked him in the eye. His dark eyes were as tranquil as a lake, a shallow pool of spring water, crystal clear. They reflected Xie’s smiling face—gentle, refined, proper, and fake, as ridiculous as wearing a stiff mask. He heard himself say, “Of course. I will only love you in this life.”

Yet Zhang Duixue’s expression remained bewildered. He seemed to have encountered a problem unsolvable in this lifetime, unable to find a solution no matter how he looked at it. He could only stare stubbornly at the problem with mirror-like eyes, saying word by word, “But your eyes don’t say that.”

“What you are looking at… doesn’t seem to be me.”

In an instant, dreams and reality intersected. The stiff smile on Xie Xuanxiao’s face could no longer be maintained. He suddenly raised his hand to cover Zhang Duixue’s eyes. All color drained from him, leaving him pale, his fingertips cold as ice. Then he hugged the youth, lowering his head to hide his eyes behind messy bangs, and said hoarsely, “How could that be? A-Xue, be good. I will explain everything to you clearly.”

“Guards, see the guests out,” he ordered coldly, no longer able to maintain his mask. His subordinates swarmed forward. Being students, they didn’t dare physically attack He Tingtong, and with Fu Fengyan baring his teeth nearby, they could only adopt a tough stance, putting on fierce faces and forming a circle, trying to kill the opponents with their glares.

Unfortunately, the usually tactful “Regent” He seemed unable to understand human language or read social cues today. He continued to hold his teacup, legs crossed, leaning against the table as he critiqued, “Young Palace Master, isn’t this a bit improper? In broad daylight, kidnapping a classmate isn’t the way things are done at Azure Cloud Academy.”

Zhang Duixue struggled in Xie Xuanxiao’s arms. He tried to pop his head out, only to have it pressed back down and his mouth covered, causing him to make muffled, chaotic noises. Although heartbroken, he was overly energetic.

Xie Xuanxiao was flustered, suppressing Zhang Duixue’s resistance one by one. His expression was taut, refusing to retreat a single step. His patience reaching its limit, he simply said, “Behave.”

Zhang Duixue suddenly went quiet and stopped moving. Xie Xuanxiao’s fingers gripped him tightly as he turned to mock He Tingtong, “I have a misunderstanding with my wife and wish to exchange some intimate words. Do you intend to listen to that too? He Tingtong, although the Dean lets you handle many affairs, he didn’t ask you to hide under the bed and listen to other people’s family matters.”

“Throw them out,” Xie Xuanxiao ordered coldly. “If they won’t walk, carry them out.”

The crowd of onlookers immediately closed in. With twelve degrees of caution, they grabbed the legs of the chair. Seeing that He Tingtong didn’t struggle, they relievedly lifted it up.

“Young Palace Master Xie, allow me to offer a kind reminder. It is currently three quarters into the hour of the Dragon (Chenshi). I suggest you hurry. Brother Zhang has class today. You have one hour to clear things up.” He Tingtong sat on the chair as men on either side carried him. He still held his tea, the leaves floating inside. He took a sip and said breezily, “Presumably, you wouldn’t want to see the Guili Sword Master coming personally to collect his student.”

“Thanks for the reminder. I will request leave for A-Xue today,” Xie Xuanxiao’s voice was indifferent. “Fellow Daoist He, you should worry about yourself. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. I wonder if you’ve cleared up that pile of academy matters? Has your cultivation improved by even a realm in the past year? I heard you’re still at the Third Realm. If you can’t handle both administration and cultivation, don’t try to manage more. Be careful you don’t end up achieving nothing and becoming a laughingstock.”

His words were truly piercing, leaving no face.

Indeed, since entering the academy, He Tingtong’s cultivation realm hadn’t moved an inch. Privately, many ridiculed him as a lackey, foolishly doing so much for the Dean that his cultivation time was squeezed dry. Although he had coaxed the right people, the loss outweighed the gain.

Azure Cloud Academy would protect him for four years at most. When new students arrived in four years—given that the Dean loved the new and loathed the old, and had a bad memory—He Tingtong would get his just deserts.

However, He Tingtong had always remained composed in the face of such gossip. He even smiled and politely retorted to Xie Xuanxiao, “I can’t compare to the Young Palace Master, cultivating day and night. It’s a pity you’ve been stuck at the Seventh Realm for three years without an inch of progress. Don’t come all the way to Azure Cloud Academy only to go back with nothing in the end.”

Everyone: “…” You really dare to say that!

Xie Xuanxiao’s cultivation had been stagnant for years. Logically speaking, with his aptitude of entering the Seventh Realm at seventeen, he should have opened his Consciousness Sea and Heart Domain long ago. Yet, after years of grinding and visiting numerous famous teachers, there was still no movement. The Palace Master only said he had a “knot in his heart” and shouldn’t rashly expand his spiritual consciousness. But year after year passed, and no one knew what Xie Xuanxiao’s heart knot was, when it could be untied, or when he could enter a new realm.

Over time, people privately whispered that perhaps his realm had risen too fast, or maybe he was simply a “heartless person” who could never open a Consciousness Sea.

He Tingtong’s words were practically dancing on a tiger’s head.

However, Xie Xuanxiao was currently too unsettled to waste more breath on him, waving his hand to signal them to throw the guy out immediately.

He Tingtong felt slightly disappointed. He thought Xie would fly into a rage out of humiliation and beat them up… It seemed Zhang Duixue was far more important in his heart than other matters.

He leisurely watched Xie Xuanxiao drag Zhang Duixue by the wrist, trying to pull him into the room. Unfortunately, times had changed. Zhang Duixue was as strong as an ox. With doubts in his heart, he didn’t want to move, and Xie Xuanxiao couldn’t drag him without using special means. The two were deadlocked in the courtyard, both looking somewhat angry.

The gate slammed shut in front of them with a bang. He Tingtong and Fu Fengyan were dumped on the main road. As people passed by, he took a small sip of tea and exclaimed, “Good tea.”

Beside him, Fu Fengyan poked his head over. “Give me some.”

Generously handing the remaining half cup to Fu Fengyan, the two sat side by side at the entrance of Langhuan Pavilion basking in the sun, as leisurely as if they were vacationing in some scenic spot.

“Why didn’t we just snatch Brother Zhang back? That guy Xie has some tricks. I feel Zhang can’t handle him; I’m afraid he’ll be coaxed back with just a few words and repeat the same mistakes,” Fu Fengyan slurped from the cup rim, speaking indistinctly.

He Tingtong tilted his head back and closed his eyes to rest. “I want Zhang Duixue to choose for himself.”

Xie Xuanxiao meant something different to Zhang Duixue. Too many “firsts” had been given to him, leaving an indelible mark on his life. External force was hard to apply; in fact, interfering directly might only make their bond stronger. Wanting to separate them depended on their own destiny.

Cracks appeared day by day. Those small, accumulated dissatisfactions would eventually backlash. There were big problems between the two of them. He Tingtong wasn’t optimistic, but he didn’t want to maliciously do things that stole someone’s love.

He only planned to lend a hand at the critical moment, just to stop Zhang Duixue from falling into the abyss.

Anyway, no matter what, he had to make sure Zhang kept learning the sword.

He Tingtong tapped the back of the chair, counting the time. The sunlight was just right, warming their bodies. People flowed past Langhuan Pavilion, giving them curious looks. He Tingtong stood up, planning to find a more comfortable position to lie down, when he suddenly heard a boy’s voice, hoarse as a duck, sounding from the other side. “Brother Tong? Brother Fu? What are you two doing here? Sunbathing?”

Turning his head, he saw Yue Qianxun, sporting dark circles under his eyes and exhausted like a zombie, finally out of class. He slowly crawled toward them. “Are you doing some new type of mission? Why are you running wild at Langhuan Pavilion, do you have a death wish? Careful Old Man Xu doesn’t rush out and tear you apart alive!”

He Tingtong pointed to the pavilion not far away. “Accompanied your Brother Xue here.”

Yue Qianxun ran over in two or three steps, concerned. “What happened? Did Xie the Old Thief become impotent, or is he about to kick the bucket?”

His current primary learning goal at Azure Cloud Academy was to defeat Xie Xuanxiao. He wished Xie Xuanxiao would just wake up one day and drop dead.

Yue Qianxun was in his developmental phase. A teenager in his teens grows wildly like spring bamboo shoots. Every day he woke up, his ankles seemed to have grown a section longer, and his voice had started to crack and become hoarse. When he opened his mouth, it sounded like a hundred ducks quacking loudly. His pants were half a section too short on his legs, flapping around. He trotted over and lay on the gate to peek, looking like a sprinting stick insect. “What exactly happened?”

“I’m not clear about last night’s events.” He Tingtong touched his chin and chuckled. “But according to Brother Zhang, Xie Xuanxiao had a change of heart and was caught red-handed. Your Brother Zhang now plans to sever ties with him. They’re arguing inside.”

Hearing the word “arguing,” Yue Qianxun’s eyes lit up, and he rubbed his palms together. “I knew that guy Xie wasn’t a good bird. Need help? I learned a few new words recently, perfect for arguing!”

“Wait another half hour,” He Tingtong said. “If no one comes out, we rush in to support.”

Reluctantly, Yue Qianxun withdrew. The three of them nestled at the doorway counting the time. However, a quarter of an hour later, Zhang Duixue pushed the door open and came out by himself.

He was alone, looking as composed as usual, without a trace of gloom on his face. But as he got closer, they realized his eyes were dazed, as if he were lost in a dream.

He Tingtong: “How did it go?”

Zhang Duixue turned his head slowly, looking at them. His eyes held indescribable confusion and doubt, and he merely murmured, “The Young Palace Master explained clearly to me. He has no affair with anyone else. It’s just… he’s leaving.”

Yue Qianxun: “He’s dying?”

Zhang Duixue: “…”

“He is about to turn twenty and must return to Yuanchen Palace for his capping ceremony. Once he goes, he probably won’t come back to Azure Cloud Academy.” Zhang Duixue stood beside He Tingtong and explained patiently, “He asked me to consider whether I want to go back with him.”

He Tingtong: “And your answer was?”

Facing the nervous gazes of the three beside him, Zhang Duixue smiled freely. “I refused.”

“The scenery here is unique. I watched Yuanchen Palace for seventeen years; I’m indeed a bit tired of it.”

The youth tilted his head slightly, looking at the half-closed door. Piled with gold and jade, it was beautiful, certainly. But unbeknownst to him when it started, looking at that place now felt like looking at a gorgeously decorated birdcage.

It was indeed very good there. There was Xie Xuanxiao. As long as he loved him wholeheartedly, he would have no worries about food or clothing, living in eternal peace and happiness. With just a little coquetry, anything in the world would be brought before him.

But was this kind of love truly what he wanted?

Wearing magnificent clothes, donning expensive jewelry, following behind the Young Palace Master as a considerate and docile lover. His dreams, his ambitions, his future—all imprisoned heavily within endless love.

If a person only has love left, is he still himself? Does the Young Palace Master like him, or just a shell that constantly says “I love you”?

Zhang Duixue didn’t understand, and he couldn’t figure it out.

But he felt this was indeed a very good opportunity. The Young Palace Master would return to the sect, and he would continue to stay at Azure Cloud Academy to learn, cultivate, and move forward.

Perhaps he wasn’t good enough, which was why people only saw his appearance. But if later on, he stood higher and walked further, letting Xie Xuanxiao see the soul beneath his skin, then perhaps the feelings between them would be purer.

Many problems lay between them. He couldn’t understand or grasp them at the moment, but given enough time, he would eventually find where the crux of the issue lay.

Zhang Duixue turned and left with his friends, never looking back.