Chapter 4: His Only Disciple
Confusion, struggle, and pain flooded Shang Zhu. He held the tea until it went cold.
“Shang Zhu, I must go out. If you're hungry, operate this artifact.”
He Yi'an's voice was gentle. Shang Zhu accepted it and rasped, “All right.”
He knew how twisted his expression must look. Only when He Yi'an's presence disappeared did he raise his head and clench the object in his palm.
—
“Greetings, Sect Leader!”
“Sect Leader, you finally came!”
After half a year here, He Yi'an had grown accustomed to his duties. He gestured until the peak masters fell silent.
Yu Chen of Crimson Peak burst out, “I watched the whole trial! That boy you sheltered was incredible. His talent may even surpass Mu Fan's!”
Zhang Yi of Cloudtop Peak folded his arms. “Cloudtop gathers the world's spiritual energy. Even a mortal changes after staying there. Aren't you exaggerating?”
“Changing one's constitution and innate talent are different things—”
Liu Mufeng of Frost Peak cut them off. “Enough. Why are you arguing?”
He Yi'an tapped the armrest. “You believe the test was rushed and will disrupt future plans. Correct?”
No one answered.
“Then I am correct. Shang Zhu is someone I value.”
The peak masters were startled. None had taken seriously the child their honored leader casually sheltered.
He Yi'an continued, “Is selecting disciples once every six years truly suitable? Demonic cultivators have grown restless, and their cultivation advances rapidly. Do you want another great war?”
Everyone present had lived for centuries and remembered the war that nearly destroyed them. Without the former Lingyun leader's fatal sacrifice to seal the demons, the world would have fallen.
“From now on, selections will occur every three years. Understood?”
“Yes!”
He Yi'an knew whether he acted for the world or Shang Zhu. Shang Zhu came first; the world was incidental. If cultivation society fell, Shang Zhu would return to his hellish fate.
He remembered the novel's scene: a filthy white-haired boy with fierce violet eyes bit a man's wrist until blood sprayed, then reached for stolen food while a crowd beat him.
He Yi'an had driven them away with magic, lifted the discarded cake, and asked gently, “Will you come with me?”
A god. That had been Shang Zhu's first thought.
No, Little Zhu. It was hell.
Though Shang Zhu had begun as a fictional character, He Yi'an could never stop thinking about him.
When He Yi'an flew back to Silent Reflection Peak, Shang Zhu was studying the basic cultivation manual. Clean dishes stood outside. How could anyone be so obedient it hurt?
He Yi'an watched from the doorway, then left. Shang Zhu raised his head, complicated emotion in his eyes before coldness covered it.
—
“Admit the disciples!”
Yesterday's top ten entered in order. At the front, Shang Zhu immediately saw He Yi'an seated above. The sect leader's calm face softened into a smile when their gazes met.
Shang Zhu widened his eyes, looked away in panic, then stole another glance. He Yi'an noticed everything.
“Tell us which master you wish to follow.”
Cursing his performance inwardly, Shang Zhu said, “I wish to enter your school.”
“The sect leader?”
“First place certainly dares!”
“But will the sect leader accept him?”
At the end of the line, Bai Tiansheng clenched his fists and glared. First place certainly knew how to choose.
The peak masters had expected it, but the disciples' chatter revealed something Shang Zhu should not yet know: He Yi'an was the sect leader. A boy raised among commoners could not have known.
Shang Zhu displayed the same shock and timidity as before. “I... perhaps I should choose—”
He Yi'an descended and handed him an unfamiliar jade pendant.
“I accept. Little Zhu, from now on, call me Master.”
Shang Zhu took it and softly repeated, “Master.”
Yu Chen interrupted, “Enough, Sect Leader. Take your little disciple aside. Others are waiting.”
Mu Song chose Frost Peak. When Bai Tiansheng's turn came, he said, “Sect Leader, I wish to be your disciple.”
“I will accept only Shang Zhu.”
He Yi'an did not even look up from guiding Shang Zhu as he made small objects. Rejection was ordinary, yet their harmony made Bai Tiansheng's chest tighten. He forced a smile and turned to Zhang Yi instead.
Back at Silent Reflection Peak, Shang Zhu asked eagerly, “Master, why did you say you would accept only me?”
He Yi'an teased, “Does Little Zhu want fellow disciples?”
“I... do.” The lie came reluctantly.
His thoughts were written across his face. He Yi'an sighed theatrically. “But your master refuses to grant that wish. I want only you. What will you do?”
Joy burst across Shang Zhu's face before he hid it behind a cough.
“I will obey Master.”
Little Zhu never wanted to burden anyone, yet longed desperately to be favored. He Yi'an decided he would indulge him like a younger brother and give him every preference he could.