Chapter Three: First Arrival at Lingfeng Sect

White clouds drifted freely across the blue sky as white-headed pigeons perched on tree branches called out now and then. Sunlight streamed through the window, falling squarely on Su Raochen’s face.

Slowly, Su Raochen opened his eyes. The surroundings were no longer the cave of yesterday.

Not far away, a sandalwood desk held a pale brown censer, from which delicate tendrils of smoke curled upward, climbing along the morning sunlight, rendering the entire scene tranquil and beautiful. In the corner, a porcelain vase held a sprig of green plum blossom, nourished by spiritual energy and all the more captivating for it. Clearly, the owner of this room was a person of cool and refined temperament.

Su Raochen’s gaze returned to the censer on the desk. This scent… Was it calming incense? It seemed this person was quite attentive. If only he’d learned more about herbs from his uncle in the past, he wouldn’t have ended up in such a situation… Su Raochen brooded over this thought, and had anyone seen him at that moment, they might have found a touch of strange—perhaps even endearing—charm in his expression.

“Little darling! Little darling! Are you awake?” The voice arrived before its owner.

Before Su Raochen could even react, a figure suddenly appeared outside the wooden door on the right. The newcomer’s jet-black hair was unbound, cascading freely over shoulders and down the back. Eyes as dark as black gemstones shone with vitality, and beneath a high, straight nose, lips tinged with a healthy pink curved into a radiant smile. Yet, hands and feet fidgeted with restless energy as he pounced toward Su Raochen.

Caught off guard after just waking, Su Raochen was enveloped in a full embrace before he could dodge. The fresh fragrance of medicinal herbs flooded his senses. Though not yet accustomed to the touch of strangers, Su Raochen knew it must have been this person who had rescued him the night before.

He gently pushed the man away, not yet having time to offer thanks, only to catch sight of a black sleeve just outside the door.

Following Su Raochen’s curious glance, the man turned to the doorway, immediately catching on. “Hey, Xiao Shen, aren’t you going to come check on the person you brought here last night? Oh… could it be you’re shy?”

“Who said that!” As the man finished speaking, a figure appeared at the door—the very youth from the previous night.

“I saw you refining the Yunlin Flower last night. I don’t have much cultivation, so I could only bring you here. Don’t be afraid, he’s a good person…” The youth gestured to the man still half-leaning on Su Raochen.

The two wore similar blue robes, and the man’s waterfall of black hair spilled over Su Raochen as he braced himself behind him. From Mo Shen’s perspective, it looked as though Ye Laxiang was embracing Su Raochen, an irritating sight, yet somehow impossible to look away from.

“I couldn’t stop him just now. Are you… are you alright?” Mo Shen, noticing Su Raochen’s curious gaze, turned his head away in embarrassment, pretending to admire the plum blossoms.

“I’m fine, thank you both. Pardon my intrusion. I didn’t return home last night—my uncle and elder brother must be worried. I’ll take my leave now. Your great kindness speaks for itself, but should you ever need help, you may seek me out,” Su Raochen said gratefully.

“Hahaha! Little darling, you don’t know—we’re in a mustard seed pocket right now. Time has stopped flowing,” the man laughed, only to realize he’d never asked for Su Raochen’s name. “I’m Ye Laxiang. I’m a good person. You can recover here before leaving. It’s no trouble.”

Hearing this, Su Raochen was startled. To reveal such a secret so casually—either this man was utterly guileless, or so powerful as to disdain secrecy.

“He’s an elder of the Lingfeng Sect, known as the Old Mischief,” Mo Shen interjected, unable to bear Ye Laxiang’s posturing, though he had to admit the man was indeed a master.

“My name is Su Raochen. Are we in the Lingfeng Sect now?” Su Raochen thought to himself, “Ye Laxiang… night-blooming fragrance… a lovely name.”

“Yes, we’re in my quarters, and you’re safe here. Don’t worry.” Having answered Su Raochen’s question, Mo Shen turned and brought in a bowl of medicinal soup, then moved to Su Raochen’s side, subtly edging Ye Laxiang away. For some reason, seeing Ye Laxiang and Su Raochen sitting so closely together in matching blue robes irked him, though he couldn’t quite say why.

“Drink this. It’ll help your recovery.” Mo Shen succeeded in sitting beside Su Raochen, his gaze lingering on the youth in blue, recalling the image of him slumped disheveled against the stone wall that night… No, best not to dwell on it!

Su Raochen looked at Mo Shen’s pale, rough hands holding the bowl. The thick, creamy congee was redolent with fragrant ingredients, making his mouth water. Su Raochen slowly reached out to take the bowl, his fingers brushing against Mo Shen’s.

“Thank you,” Su Raochen said, then glanced at the flush on Mo Shen’s earlobes, puzzled, when Ye Laxiang suddenly began to wail in mock distress, “Wah! Xiao Shen, you’re playing favorites! Where’s my share? Boo hoo hoo!”

“I know, there’s more outside. I’ll go get it,” Mo Shen replied, fleeing the room as if in escape, leaving Ye Laxiang alone on a small stool, waiting for food like a child.

“You should go too. Let Su Raochen rest. Don’t disturb him,” Mo Shen said, having second thoughts about leaving the two alone and returning to the room to address Ye Laxiang.

“It’s fine. He’s not disturbing me,” Su Raochen said on Ye Laxiang’s behalf, after all, this man had saved him.

“How can it be fine? Even his breathing would disturb you,” Mo Shen retorted, grabbing Ye Laxiang’s hand and pulling him out. “The congee’s gone. Come out and I’ll make you some.”

“But you just said there was more. How can you—” Ye Laxiang protested, his voice turning plaintive as he prepared to cry. The two gradually disappeared down the corridor.

Left alone, Su Raochen’s doubts bubbled up. He couldn’t help but feel that Mo Shen was deliberately avoiding contact with him. Did he dislike him? Watching Mo Shen’s camaraderie with Ye Laxiang, Su Raochen wondered if perhaps he’d been jealous to see them sit together. Better keep some distance next time, he thought to himself, lost in thought within the quiet room.