8. The Zhang Residence
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A familiar scent teased Bailong's nose, as he looked up to find another familiar face, but one he didn't like...
Xu Weiyan had just rescued him.
'Why is it her?!' Bailong fisted his hands.
Xu Weiyan had led to his death on Caoyang, which made her his least liked human, and the biggest person he should avoid!
Xu Weiyan's sword disappeared, and she swiftly scribbled an air talisman with two fingers. The talisman characters appeared in a bright white light, and Bailong noted the characters for 'Forbid' and 'Evil', before they were engulfed in the light, and the remaining evil spirits vanished.
'I've learned something new.' He thought. One of the many things he was good at, was memorising hand movement for techniques.
"2nd Young Master Zhang." Weiyan had turned, snapping him back to the present. She cupped her hands and bowed politely. "I sensed the evil, so I came to check."
She reached out a hand. "Are you hur-?"
But Bailong instinctively slapped her hand away, and stepped back.
For all he knew, Xu Weiyan might already suspect him, and this was an excuse to examine him.
"3rd Miss Xu, thanks to you, nothing happened. But please don't forget propriety." His words were a bit colder than he intended, but he had learned the hard way not to let Xu Weiyan close.
~"Fool!"~ Kai Zhen's voice suddenly entered his mind. ~"Find out her past with 'Zhang Luoyin' before saying anything!"~
Bailong gave a small cough. "Ahem!" He cupped his hands and bowed to Weiyan. "My apologies. Thanks for saving my life."
Weiyan's brows dipped in a pretty furrow, but she turned away. "It's dangerous here. Please return to the Zhang Mansion."
And with that, she leapt onto the nearest roof using *qinggong, and then flew away from his sight.
(*Qinggong- Lightness skill, for agility. This is often exaggerated to endow users with superhuman leaps, temporary flight, walking in the air, on water, standing on vertical surfaces, et cetera. The more powerful the skill, the more spectacularly it can be used).
Kai Zhen appeared behind him. "Idiot disciple! Are you trying to announce your real identity? Before his death, Zhang Luoyin was shy, meek and humble. And he shares a complex past with Xu Weiyan. He would never disrespect her!"
"Shifu, you can't blame me! After feeding a certain dog, it still bit my hand!" But Bailong linked his thumbs and bowed respectfully. "However, you're a boundless pool of knowledge, so I will heed your words. I'll be more careful from now on."
Kai Zhen scowled at his bowed head. "Haaa... White isn't always white, and black isn't always black. You, more than anyone, have experienced this." He said.
"If you're fortunate enough to survive as Zhang Luoyin, you'll find the answers for yourself. Just tread carefully from now on."
A slight breezy sensation surrounded Bailong's wrist, and he saw a silver woven thread appear as Kai Zhen continued.
"Zhang Luoyin died four months ago, but suddenly awakened. His body will attract evil spirits for a while, but this silver thread will keep them at bay. I have to leave at once, and this is the last time I can interfere in your current life."
"Thank you, Shifu!" Bailong said with a bow.
He had so many questions, but what came out was,
"Shifu, this is our first meeting in thousands of years. I know it's impertinent to ask, but can you stay for a short while?" Bailong was teary eyed. "You don't have to interfere, or even lift a finger.
"I'll be extremely grateful if I can simply serve you tea just once again!"
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Meanwhile, back at the city gates, Sun Liang instructed two of the fairies to lead the Divine Light Tiger and follow Lord Xu, while he and the rest returned to Sky Realm to inform the sky Emperor.
"Lord Xu, the Divine Light Tiger is now in your care." Sun Liang began with a cold smirk, as he and his mount vanished in a ray of golden light.
"I hope your knowledgeable friend can ensure that nothing happens to her!" His voice boomed loudly, as if to remind all present of the responsibility of caring for the Light Tiger.
There was a tense silence, but it was broken by Lord Xu's sigh.
"No Risk, No Reward!" He quoted. "It's Weiyan's price by right, so we'll do our best to care for the Light Tiger!"
All the disciples cheered, as he directed them on what to do, and had them accompany the Fairies.
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Back in the city, Kai Zhen appeared with Bailong near a small and shabby inn at the outskirts.
"The tea here is terrible, but it's good enough for a beggar and an outcast." Kai Zhen grinned as a scrawny waiter approached.
It was certainly good enough for Bailong, as he poured his Master a cup of tea with loving care.
The shared pot of tea symbolized both a reunion and a parting, and he respectfully held up his cup. "'One cup, a thousand years of feeling'." He said before drinking the tea.
Bailong had no idea what his future held, but for now, he was more than content to share tea with his Master.
When the teapot was empty, they both walked to a secluded spot, and Bailong bowed to him. "Thank you, Shifu! This student wishes you an eternity of happiness!"
Kai Zhen's smile was the brightest, and his voice sounded nice as he said,
"Ah! Speaking of happiness, I remember investing some money in your Four-Petal Garden..."
Bailong's head shot up sharply as Kai Zhen continued.
"Xiao Bai, if we calculate the interest over thirty thousand years, how much do you think you owe me by now? Hmmm?"
"Sh- Shifu! J- just kill me at once!!!!" Bailong bowed, but only Kai Zhen's laughter replied, and by the time he looked up, his Master had vanished.
Bailong suddenly found himself standing before a set of elegant steps which led up to an imposing gate.
~"You were resurrected at a high cost."~ He heard Kai Zhen's voice fading away. ~"Don't waste it! Silly disciple..."~
Bailong smiled fondly.
'The person leaves, but the tea's fragrance indeed lingers...' He thought a bit sadly. As a mortal, he might never see Immortal Kai again, but he remained his master.
He sighed and looked up at the imposing gates, but he frowned, suddenly feeling apprehensive.
'The Zhang Residence.' A memory informed him.
This was Luoyin's home, but for some reason Luoyin had been terrified of this place.
Bailong began climbing the grand stone steps that led to the large gates, but with each step, he was suddenly flooded with new and awful memories.
Memories of Luoyin running up these steps to meet his mother, and memories of her lifeless body carried down these steps.
Memories of Luoyin's first time scaling these steps during training, and memories of being shoved down these same steps by his elder brother.
Bailong suddenly paused on a particular step, as another memory rushed into him.
The dead Lady Zhang was being carried down the stairs to the Zhang family crypt, which was in another elaborate building behind the Residence. One of the Pall bearers slipped, and the casket fell and clattered down the stairs, landing on that particular step.
"Mother!" A twelve-year-old Luoyin ran to her, kneeling beside the casket and crying his heart out.
The memory sent an unbidden tear rolling down Bailong's face, and he shook his head, forcing his feet to move forward.
However, the instant his foot stepped into the gates, a mighty wave of memories assaulted him.
These were far worse, and he fell on all fours, clutching his chest and gasping for air.
If he could describe what he was feeling, it was like swimming in an endless sea of sorrow, grief, anger, hatred, and pain.
Within this elegant mansion, Zhang Luoyin had been born atop the world.
And within this elegant mansion, Zhang Luoyin had been completely crushed!
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