After Accidentally Entering the Forbidden Land and Forming a Bond with the Grandmaster - Chapter 15

Chu Lanci thought to himself, What is going on? How did Master suddenly transform into the Sect Leader? When he said he was going to fight, surely he did not mean he was fighting the previous Sect Leader?

“I do not know him,” he said hurriedly. He wondered if his Master had done something bad again.

Deacon Cui also felt that Chu Lanci would not know such a person. “Indeed, of course you would not.”

“Deacon Cui, about my wages,” Chu Lanci started.

“Here they are.” Deacon Cui handed five hundred spirit stones to Chu Lanci. “If you need to find me in the future, come to the Inner Sect. I have just entered the Inner Sect and am not yet familiar with everything. Once I am settled, I will find more work for you.”

Upon hearing this, Chu Lanci beamed with joy. “Thank you, Deacon Cui!” Realizing that entering the Inner Sect was a promotion, he added sweetly, “Congratulations, Deacon Cui. You are an Inner Sect disciple now.”

Deacon Cui laughed. “Oh, do not mention it. It took so many years of cultivation just to get in!” He looked at Chu Lanci and said, “If I am put in charge of this year’s recruitment, I will see if I can go easy on you and let you into Qianshan as well. Being in Qianshan provides a stable job with regular pay; you would not have to sell flower lanterns anymore.”

Chu Lanci thought that sounded wonderful. “That would be great!”

Deacon Cui liked Chu Lanci’s smile more the longer he looked at it. He patted Chu Lanci on the shoulder and said, “I took some food from the Delicacy Pavilion; take this.” He handed a box of pastries to Chu Lanci.

Chu Lanci wanted to decline, but Deacon Cui pushed the box back to him. He explained that this was a benefit given to the disciples of Qianshan, coming from both the new Sect Leader and himself. Chu Lanci believed him, thinking that his Master becoming the new Sect Leader was actually quite a good thing.

He accepted the food box, bid farewell to Deacon Cui, and headed down the mountain.

By the time he finished the round trip, night had fallen. Chu Lanci carried a wind lantern as he slowly walked back to Tingfeng Village.

Upon arriving home, he almost doubted his eyes. A tall figure sat by the table. His Master had changed his clothes. Instead of the black robes and martial attire, he wore a long, wide-sleeved robe. The fabric fell like flowing clouds, and his long hair was loose behind his back, making him look far more ethereal.

The flame mark on his forehead was gone, and his hair had turned from silver to black. His sharp, handsome features had softened significantly, yet he still looked calm and composed, as if he could stand against the entire world.

His tiny home suddenly felt even smaller because of Xie Zhuo’s presence.

“Master,” he greeted respectfully.

Chu Lanci could not quite define his feelings toward a man like Xie Zhuo. He was someone who could not be treated lightly, inspiring an involuntary sense of awe.

“Where did you go?” Xie Zhuo asked, interrupting Chu Lanci’s thoughts. In truth, if he wanted to know Chu Lanci’s whereabouts, he only had to tap his temple and use a Soul-Searching Technique to flip through all his memories. However, he chose to ask.

Chu Lanci walked to a corner of the room and lit the oil lamp, making the space instantly brighter.

Xie Zhuo did not need a lamp to see Chu Lanci’s face clearly. His skin was pale and beautiful, and his eyes were bright, like two embedded stars.

“I went to Qianshan,” Chu Lanci replied honestly as he placed the food box on the table. “I went to find Deacon Cui to get my wages.”

Xie Zhuo gave a soft “Mm” in response. “Which Deacon Cui?”

Chu Lanci looked back curiously. “He said he knows you and admires you very much. He is an Inner Sect disciple now named Cui Jin. Do you not know him, Master?”

Xie Zhuo thought to himself that there were hundreds of deacons in Qianshan; he could not possibly know exactly which one was Cui Jin. However, since taking over Qianshan, he had promoted some and removed others to win over people’s hearts. It seemed the results were effective.

“I know him,” Xie Zhuo said. He looked at the flower lanterns in the corner. These must be the lanterns Chu Lanci had mentioned. This youth was exactly as he described himself: his life and character were pure and simple, transparent at a single glance.

He picked up a lantern and placed it on the table. “Teach me how to make one?”

Chu Lanci was surprised. “Master wants to learn?”

“Yes.”

Chu Lanci could hardly believe it, but he obediently began to teach him. Making a flower lantern seemed simple, but it actually required significant manual dexterity. He taught step by step, careful not to touch Xie Zhuo’s hands unless a physical encounter was absolutely necessary.

The lantern light glowed softly, illuminating both their faces.

Chu Lanci taught patiently, failing to notice Xie Zhuo’s distraction and the many times the man stared at him. Together, they completed a flower lantern, each harboring their own thoughts.

Once finished, Chu Lanci counted the materials and let out a small sound of surprise. “A lot of things are missing; I need to go to town to buy more.”

“To Yanlan Town?”

Chu Lanci smiled and nodded. He was completely immersed in the joy of crafting. He loved this work and was very focused while doing it. “I will sell some flowers while I am there. The flowers grown in our village belong to Tingfeng Village; others cannot take them away.” This was the reason their village had survived.

“Master, would you like to see my flower fields? They are right behind the house.”

Xie Zhuo replied, “Next time.” He had not come today to look at flowers.

“Oh,” Chu Lanci smiled. “Next time, then. Is Master going back to Qianshan now?”

He could not exactly ask the man to stay. His house was tiny and the bed was small, only enough for one person. Since Master was an immortal, he did not need to walk for a whole day like Chu Lanci did; he could just fly back in a flash.

Xie Zhuo chuckled softly. The boy actually dared to shoo his guest away.

In fact, ever since Chu Lanci entered the house, Xie Zhuo had been looking for an opportunity. He was not a proactive person, nor did he care for forceful conquest. While his exterior was modest, his heart was incredibly proud and aloof.

But now, looking at Chu Lanci in his light blue robes with a moon-white silk sash loosely tied around his waist, outlining his slender figure as he moved, Xie Zhuo found it difficult to look away. Chu Lanci spoke slowly, sometimes drawing out the ends of his sentences as if he were holding candy in his mouth. His face radiated a pure, youthful smile, and his eyes crinkled with starlight.

They were only a chair’s width apart. Xie Zhuo was tall with long arms; he only needed to reach out to touch him.

Xie Zhuo stood up. He figured his little disciple had not yet awakened to certain things. “I will head back to Qianshan first.”

Chu Lanci smiled. “Oh, safe travels, Master.”

The two walked to the door together. In such a small house, the bedroom was only a few steps from the entrance. As if on cue, it began to rain.

Chu Lanci quickly turned to grab an umbrella and handed it to Xie Zhuo. “Master, it is raining. Take this so you do not get wet.”

Xie Zhuo took the umbrella, felt a stir in his heart, and asked, “What would happen if I got wet?”

Chu Lanci tilted his head. “If you got wet, I would be worried.”

Upon hearing this, a corner of Xie Zhuo’s heart seemed to crack open, releasing a sweet, warm aura. He gripped the umbrella with one hand and pulled Chu Lanci toward him with the other. The distance was perfect for an embrace.

Once he held the boy, he no longer cared for the umbrella. It fell to the ground with a crisp thud.

“Then, will you ask Master to stay? To do the things we did together in the boat that day?”

Chu Lanci was dazed. Memories of his dreams flooded his mind, making his head buzz and his face turn bright red. He wondered if they were doing it again. He figured he was not the one losing out anyway.

He murmured, “Does Master not find it troublesome?” He was lazy at times and grew tired quickly.

Xie Zhuo’s deep, magnetic voice rang in his ear. “I find great joy in it.”

Xie Zhuo had already swept him up in his arms and was carrying him toward the bed. Chu Lanci let out a low, hurried cry. “Master!”

Though he was calling out, it sounded more like a pampered plea.

Xie Zhuo gave an affirmative response, leaned down to kiss him, and coaxed his mouth open to deepen the kiss. Chu Lanci’s cheeks flushed crimson. He leaned weakly against the headboard, his fingers tangling in his Master’s ink-black hair.

His Master was biting him.

When it was over, Xie Zhuo looked at Chu Lanci with a gentle smile. His little disciple had changed so much from their first session in the Forbidden Grounds to the time he lost his memory, and now to this moment. Every time brought a new change.

As Chu Lanci said himself, he was adapting, and he was doing it quite well.

“How was it? How do you feel?” Xie Zhuo asked. During the previous times, Chu Lanci had been in a daze and could not relax, often crying. Xie Zhuo hoped that by the time they officially married, Chu Lanci would be fully awake and consciously falling for him. He was willing to test and help him accept this over and over again.

Rich fruit should be saved for the right moment to be enjoyed, after all.

Chu Lanci had no strength left to think. His brain felt like mush. “It was as happy as being a celestial,” he answered honestly.

Xie Zhuo expected to hear something like “fine” or “not bad,” but this answer made him lean forward and burst into laughter.

Seeing Xie Zhuo laugh, Chu Lanci also giggled. Master looked so handsome when he laughed; his features relaxed in a way that was breathtaking. It seemed his answer had made Master very satisfied. He was quite satisfied himself since he felt the description was very accurate.

After laughing, Xie Zhuo patted Chu Lanci’s head and said with a smile, “Then let us go to Qianshan and continue being Master and disciple. Do not regret it when we get there.” He gave Chu Lanci’s cheek a light pinch.

The term Master and disciple was clearly heavy with hidden meaning.

Chu Lanci was incredibly excited, thinking he meant a traditional apprenticeship. “How could I regret it! I am so happy that Master is willing to take me. I want to learn at Qianshan, though I am quite slow and might trouble you.” He had his own selfish motives. As a person with no spiritual roots, getting help from Xie Zhuo was like ascending to the clouds.

“I do not mind the trouble; I will make the arrangements,” Xie Zhuo said. “We will discuss the other matters when we return to Qianshan. I am a bit busy lately, but we will go once I have finished my tasks.”

Having just been attended to, Chu Lanci was in a dazed state of bliss and agreed to whatever Xie Zhuo said. He completely forgot that he had intended to explain something, that he had only said those things previously because he was drunk.

But Chu Lanci forgot one thing as soon as he thought of another. Immersed in the joy of going up the mountain, he no longer knew the limits of heaven and earth.

Not long after Xie Zhuo left this time, another person came to find Chu Lanci.

The man wore an indigo robe, had a round face with small eyes, and possessed a stout physique like a walking gourd. The jade token at his waist swung incessantly as he bowed repeatedly. He was covered in smiles and his attitude was so flattering he nearly touched the ground. He introduced himself as the Inner Sect Manager, Wei Daoping.

Wei Daoping smiled. “Little Junior Brother Chu, the Sect Leader sent me to fetch you. You may tell me if you have any needs. Additionally, the matter of the Covenant Ceremony will also be arranged by me. Do you have any requirements?”

Chu Lanci shook his head. “I have no requirements.”

“If you do, please do not hesitate to command me.”

Chu Lanci said, “Senior Brother Wei, please do not be so polite or use such formal language. I do not think I am older than you. You can just call me Lanci or A-Ci.”

“I would not dare, I would not dare.” The Sect Leader’s partner? Who would dare? However, Chu Lanci did look soft and gentle, not at all like someone fierce or powerful.

As they talked, Chu Lanci said, “I have heard that Qianshan has a strict hierarchy and many rules to follow. Otherwise, one might be punished. Senior Brother Wei, could you tell me which rules I should follow?”

“You do not need to,” Wei Daoping laughed. “If you must follow any, you only need to follow the Sect Leader’s rules.”

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