Fallen At A Glance Chapter 7
byI Don’t Know Him
The night was inky black, silhouetting the towering halls of the Azure Cloud Sect into a quiet shadow play. Only Chengxiao Hall, the Sect Master’s residence at the core of the sect, glowed with a cold, clear light under the moonlight. Inside, the lamps were still lit, casting two silhouettes onto the carved wooden windows.
There was no incense in the hall, only a faint, cool scent, as if carried from the mountain peaks. In the center, an ancient purple sandalwood tea table stood, flanked by two prayer mats.
Xiao Cheng, the Sect Master of the Azure Cloud Sect, was around fifty years old. His face was lean and ascetic, and his deep indigo Daoist robe, embroidered with cloud patterns, accentuated his detachment and ethereal, immortal bearing.
He slowly lifted the teapot and poured the tea into the cups. The tea was a clear yellow, the leaves fully unfurled. It was the rare “Cloud Mist Soul Sprout,” a tea that only grew on the highest peaks of Azure Cloud, harvested at midnight, and required three years of nurturing with Spiritual Power before it could be brewed.
Lian Mu sat opposite Xiao Cheng, dressed in a moon-white long robe with his ink-black hair tied up in a crown. Lian Mu’s white clothing was not ordinary fabric, but high-quality ice silkworm silk, light and flowing, shimmering faintly like water ripples in the light.
The white was not harsh, but possessed a gentle texture, making him appear even more like carved jade, ethereal and aloof.
Lian Mu picked up the teacup but did not rush to drink. He simply lowered his gaze to the clear tea within. The rising steam blurred his deep, unfathomable eyes, yet made his profound, ink-painting-like profile seem even more distant.
The teacup was thin-walled white porcelain, which highlighted his long, well-proportioned fingers, making them appear as warm as jade, yet radiating a coldness that warned others to keep their distance.
“May I ask Immortal Master what business you have with my master? He is currently entangled in secular affairs and cannot leave, so he instructed this disciple to come and apologize to the Sect Master.”
“It is nothing major. I recently acquired a treasure and wished to present it to the Sect Master as a gift. I never expected the Sect Master to send the Young Sect Master here personally to explain. The Sect Master truly holds this old Daoist in high regard.”
“Sect Master is too modest. The Azure Cloud Sect is a major Immortal Sect and has contributed greatly to maintaining the righteous path in the mortal world. My master always praises the Immortal Master to his disciples and instructs me to learn much from you.”
“Hahahaha,” Sect Master Xiao Cheng of the Azure Cloud Sect beamed.
“Since you have come all this way, Young Sect Master must stay here for a few more days so I may fulfill my duties as host.”
“Then this junior will impose upon the Immortal Master.”
“Young Sect Master is too kind.”
…
Yun Suiyi lay prone on an ancient pine tree on a sheer cliff, his white robes fluttering. He quietly gazed into the distance. Seven peaks rose like swords, piercing the starry river, while only the seven-story pagoda in the center stood silently, like a closed-eyed giant beast.
Yun Suiyi leaped down, soaring like a night raven, landing without a sound.
Outside the Secret Treasure Pavilion, two guarding disciples were changing shifts. Yun Suiyi hid behind a stone lion, his eyes sweeping over the pair of Soul-Suppressing Beasts at the entrance. The stone carvings’ eyes subtly shifted, sensing killing intent and obsession. He closed his eyes, suppressing all the malice in his heart, leaving only a trace of “innocent curiosity” before slowly stepping out.
One step, two steps… He moved along the base of the wall, his fingertips lightly tracing the stone until he found an extremely fine crack. He bit his fingertip, using his blood as a guide, and silently chanted a spell. In an instant, ripples spread through the air, and a phantom-like door slowly opened.
He quickly slipped inside.
The pavilion was deep and dark, with bookshelves like a forest, stacked layer upon layer, all filled with forbidden texts. The air was filled with the scent of old ink and the burnt smell of incinerated talismans. Yun Suiyi dared not light a lamp, relying only on the moonlight to quickly navigate the interior.
After searching for an hour, Yun Suiyi still hadn’t found what he was looking for. Just as he was about to leave, he heard the footsteps of four or five people approaching from within the pavilion.
It was the patrolling guarding disciples.
Since he was already here, Yun Suiyi avoided the disciples and took the scrolls he found satisfactory. Just as he was about to leave, he stopped, hearing the conversation of the guarding disciples.
“Our Sect Master sure has a lot of prestige. Even the Young Sect Master of the Cold Shadow Sect came to chat with him.”
“Indeed. I heard that even the disciples of the Cold Shadow Sect rarely see their Young Sect Master.”
“I heard from the disciple serving the Sect Master that the Young Sect Master has an ethereal, immortal bearing, and every movement is the epitome of an immortal.”
“I really want to catch a glimpse of the Young Sect Master too.”
“Let’s sneak over after our patrol is done.”
“Sounds good, sounds good.”
Lian Mu, Yun Suiyi narrowed his eyes. Why was he at the Azure Cloud Sect? Could he have a good relationship with that beast of the Azure Cloud Sect?
Yun Suiyi’s figure flashed, and he left the Azure Cloud Sect’s Secret Treasure Pavilion, heading straight for the Sect Master’s residence. Before leaving, he didn’t forget to set the Secret Treasure Pavilion ablaze. After all, he had taken everything he was interested in.
“Quick, quick! The Secret Treasure Pavilion is on fire! Hurry and put it out!”
“Someone, come quickly!”
Not long after Yun Suiyi left, the Azure Cloud Sect’s bell rang, and all disciples rushed toward the Secret Treasure Pavilion to fight the fire.
After the large wave of disciples departed, Yun Suiyi stopped. He came to the Azure Cloud Sect to handle business. What did he care about the relationship between Lian Mu and the Azure Cloud Sect’s Sect Master?
If they were close, wouldn’t it be simpler to just kill them both in the end?
Having made up his mind, Yun Suiyi was about to turn and search elsewhere for the whereabouts of the Soul-Returning Pearl.
“Yun Zhao?” Hearing the voice, Yun Suiyi stopped.
“Are you Yun Suiyi or Yun Zhao?” Judging only by the color of the clothes, Lian Mu guessed it should be Yun Zhao, as Yun Suiyi preferred to wear black. So Lian Mu tentatively asked.
Watching the person in front turn around, Lian Mu confirmed that this person was Yun Zhao.
After all, Yun Suiyi did not possess such harmless, calm eyes.
“Yun Zhao, why are you here alone? Where is your brother?” Lian Mu frowned.
“My brother had something to do and told me to hide here. Immortal Master, why are you here?”
“Did your brother burn the Azure Cloud Sect’s Secret Treasure Pavilion?” Although it was a question, Lian Mu was already certain in his heart.
“Yes, my brother found the Azure Cloud Sect displeasing, so he set it on fire.”
“It’s dangerous here. I’ll take you away first.”
Watching Lian Mu avoid the crowds and lead him away, Yun Suiyi mustered his courage and spoke, “Immortal Master, if you take me away, what about my brother? He’s still alone in the Azure Cloud Sect.”
“It’s fine. Your brother has profound Spiritual Power. But you, if you stay in the Azure Cloud Sect, you might be captured.”
Yun Suiyi felt a wave of bitterness. Look, they both knew this person at the same time, and he had even met Lian Mu earlier than Yun Zhao, yet Lian Mu was solely concerned with Yun Zhao’s safety, completely disregarding his own.
Yun Suiyi, oh, Yun Suiyi, you truly cannot compare to Yun Zhao.
“Alright, it’s safe here. Stay put and don’t wander off. Wait for your brother to come and fetch you.” Lian Mu said, preparing to leave.
“…Immortal Master, do you still have those red fruits? My brother told me they were especially delicious, and I want to try them too.”
Lian Mu thought for a moment, unsure how long it would take to find Yun Suiyi. A box appeared in his hand. “There are over twenty in here. You can eat some if you get hungry. If I run into your brother, I’ll tell him you’re here.”
Seeing Lian Mu so readily give Yun Zhao a whole box of fruits, Yun Suiyi was so angry his heart nearly seized up. When he ate them, Lian Mu was stingy, only allowing him a few, but he was so generous with Yun Zhao, giving him an entire box.
“I’m leaving.”
“Goodbye, Immortal Master.”
Watching Lian Mu’s figure disappear, Yun Suiyi angrily threw the box onto the ground. Seeing the bright red fruits scatter across the dirt, Yun Suiyi squatted down and picked them up one by one.
No one had ever been so generous with fruit to him before. Although it was thanks to Yun Zhao, Yun Suiyi carefully collected the fruits and kept them intact.
Returning to the Azure Cloud Sect, Lian Mu began secretly searching for Yun Suiyi.
“Stop, who are you?” Lian Mu was drawn by the sound and immediately saw Yun Suiyi surrounded by a group of Azure Cloud Sect disciples.
Since the Secret Treasure Pavilion didn’t hold what he needed, the Soul-Returning Pearl must be in Xiao Cheng’s hands. As long as he started a fight and made a big enough commotion, Xiao Cheng would surely appear.
With his mind set, Yun Suiyi launched the first attack.
“Who are you, daring to trespass into my Azure Cloud Sect?”
“He came, indeed,” Yun Suiyi thought, his heart stirring.
Xiao Cheng’s figure appeared ten feet away, followed immediately by Xiao Cheng’s attack.
Yun Suiyi was about to defend himself, but Lian Mu was already standing in front of him, blocking the blow.
Looking at the figure in front of him, Yun Suiyi didn’t know whether to be angry about the fruit incident earlier or grateful that Lian Mu had blocked the attack for him.
Wait, why should he thank him? He could have blocked it himself.
“Who asked you to meddle?” Yun Suiyi snapped. Lian Mu actually felt that this was more like him; otherwise, it felt like something was missing.
“Immortal Master.” Lian Mu looked at Xiao Cheng.
“Why would the Young Sect Master appear and block this attack for this person? Is this person related to the Young Sect Master?”
“No relation. I don’t know him.” Yun Suiyi turned and looked at Xiao Cheng.
A vein throbbed on Lian Mu’s forehead.
Looking at the young man beside Lian Mu—with skin like snow and a face like a flower, eyes as beautiful as a painting, shimmering like water-soaked obsidian, and lips as red as early spring peach blossoms—Xiao Cheng’s eyes flickered, and a smile appeared on his face. “What is your name? Would you like to join my Azure Cloud Sect and become my personal disciple?”
“Immortal Master, are you trying to steal my person?”
“What stealing? I’m not familiar with you at all.” Yun Suiyi refuted.
“Oh? Young Sect Master, this young man says he doesn’t know you.” Xiao Cheng was in high spirits. “What is your name? Would you like to join my Azure Cloud Sect and become my personal disciple?”
“Immortal Master, is he truly unfamiliar with me, or is he just throwing a tantrum at me? Can the Immortal Master truly not tell?”
Xiao Cheng was momentarily uncertain. Although the young man kept saying he wasn’t familiar with Lian Mu, the look in his eyes when he glanced at Lian Mu certainly didn’t suggest unfamiliarity.
“You are such a…” Before Yun Suiyi could finish his sentence, Lian Mu pulled him into his arms.
Yun Suiyi blinked, momentarily speechless.
“Even if he is the Young Sect Master’s person, setting fire to a building in my Azure Cloud Sect is inappropriate, isn’t it?”
“How can the Immortal Master be so certain that he was the one who burned the building? Surely the Azure Cloud Sect isn’t resorting to making him a scapegoat just because they can’t find the real culprit.”
“The Young Sect Master speaks wisely,” Xiao Cheng smiled. “Since it’s a misunderstanding, I won’t disturb the Young Sect Master and this young man any further.”
Hearing that Xiao Cheng was about to leave, Yun Suiyi grew anxious and opened his mouth to speak.
“Yiyi, was it just because I didn’t let you eat a few more fruits? Why are you still throwing a tantrum?” Lian Mu looked down at Yun Suiyi, his gaze calm and gentle, like a lake warmed by the spring sun, shimmering with focus and tenderness.
He looked at Yun Suiyi so quietly, as if the person before him was the most cherished, rare treasure in his hands, unwilling to look away for a moment.
Mentioning the fruit, Yun Suiyi’s temper instantly flared. “How dare you bring that up? When I wanted to eat, you only let me have those few, and you claimed you were good to me, you…”
The words about giving Yun Zhao a whole box of fruit were left unspoken.
Lian Mu’s thumb gently rubbed Yun Suiyi’s lips, his voice soft as water. “Didn’t Yiyi say his stomach was too full and he couldn’t eat anymore?”
As he spoke, his eyes glanced down at Yun Suiyi’s backside.
Xiao Cheng, who had been intently watching Lian Mu and Yun Suiyi, instantly understood. Was it not the mouth above that was eating, but rather…
Xiao Cheng couldn’t deny that his mind instantly conjured the image of the young man beneath him.
“Immortal Master, as you can see, he is merely being petulant with me. It’s getting late, so I won’t trouble the Immortal Master with chasing the culprit. I will take him to rest now.”
Lian Mu finished speaking, forcefully embracing Yun Suiyi and leaving immediately.
Behind them, Xiao Cheng continued to stare at Yun Suiyi’s backside.