Once the excitement of their reunion had passed, Xu Ziqing and Zhuang Wei, both mild-tempered men, sat looking at each other without knowing where to begin.
As the elder of the two, Zhuang Wei smiled first. “Brother Ziqing, this is Yuezheng Hezhi, the Second Young Palace Master of the Ice and Snow Immortal Palace, the man I wholeheartedly follow.” He turned toward the purple-clad youth. “Hezhi, this gentleman in the fiery-red cloak is my friend from the lower world, Xu Ziqing. Beside him is Yun Lie, his dual-cultivation Dao companion.”
Yuezheng Hezhi had frowned at Zhuang Wei’s opening words, apparently displeased, but his expression eased slightly upon hearing the phrase “wholeheartedly follow.” He listened to the introductions that followed with little interest, though he did give a nod of acknowledgment rather than behave discourteously.
Xu Ziqing noticed every detail. Finding it rather interesting, he merely smiled and said, “Greetings, Palace Master Yuezheng.”
After the introductions, Zhuang Wei seemed to relax. Looking back at Xu Ziqing, he said, “I wasn’t able to congratulate you when you married. I’m truly sorry.”
Xu Ziqing laughed softly. “I couldn’t find you then and never sent you an invitation. How could I possibly blame you?”
But Zhuang Wei looked serious. “By now, you’re the only old friend I have left. Naturally, such an important event matters greatly to me.” He considered for a moment. “Over the years, I’ve managed to save a little. I’ll choose a suitable gift as my belated wedding present.” Seeing Xu Ziqing about to refuse, he continued, “Now that fate has brought us together again, we should spend more time in each other’s company. You and Fellow Daoist Yun must stay here for a while so we can catch up properly.”
Xu Ziqing felt warmth rise in his heart.
But after a little thought, he shook his head. “It’s not that I don’t want to. My sect has strict rules, and I must return within three months. Nearly half that time has already passed, and I still haven’t found the item I need. I’m afraid I can’t afford to delay, so I’ll have to decline your kind invitation.”
Zhuang Wei was startled. “What item is it? If I have one, I can give it to you as a wedding present.”
Xu Ziqing smiled. “It’s extremely rare. I’m afraid it won’t be so easy to obtain.”
He explained that Southern Melting Extreme Water might be found on the Desolate Snow Icefield and did not conceal their request to borrow the Feng clan’s Wave-Reflecting Ox. If Zhuang Wei actually possessed the water, Xu Ziqing would gladly exchange something for it rather than accept it as a wedding gift. Even if Zhuang Wei did not have it, any information would be welcome.
After listening and searching his memory carefully, Zhuang Wei looked apologetic.
He possessed quite a few fine treasures, but not this kind of extreme-yang divine water. Despite living on the icefield for years, he had never heard any such news.
At this thought, he turned toward Yuezheng Hezhi.
Seeing the earnest appeal in his eyes, Yuezheng Hezhi gave a cold snort. “I don’t have this divine water either. But a mere Wave-Reflecting Ox is nothing. I’ll send word to the Feng clan. Within a few days, their clan head will accompany you on a search, whether he likes it or not.”
The Feng clan was under his protection. To him, this truly was a trivial matter.
Xu Ziqing was slightly surprised. He had not expected Yuezheng Hezhi to intervene. But it was now obvious that this man valued his friend Zhuang Wei to an extraordinary degree.
With this, he and his senior brother no longer needed to negotiate with the Feng clan.
He would remember this kindness shown through his old friend.
Zhuang Wei looked gratefully at Yuezheng Hezhi once more, then said to Xu Ziqing, “Since Hezhi has spoken, the Feng clan head will come of his own accord. Brother Ziqing, you and Fellow Daoist Yun should stay here. You’ll be far more comfortable than at the Feng residence.”
This time Xu Ziqing smiled and did not refuse. “Then we’ll gladly accept your hospitality.”
Staying with an old friend was certainly more relaxing than remaining in a stranger’s home.
The two friends spoke for some time longer. Yun Lie sat cross-legged nearby, as silent as ever, while Yuezheng Hezhi simply kept his eyes on Zhuang Wei without speaking either. One was cold and detached, the other cold and arrogant, but both were there for the sake of the people beside them.
After an hour, someone delivered a message from outside. Yuezheng Hezhi looked displeased but rose to attend to the matter.
By rights, Zhuang Wei ought to have accompanied him, yet Yuezheng Hezhi told him to remain and entertain his guests.
They might have been called master and servant, but how did their interactions resemble that relationship in the slightest?
After Yuezheng Hezhi left, Xu Ziqing and Zhuang Wei found it easier to relax.
Xu Ziqing smiled with a sigh. “Palace Master Yuezheng certainly has an extraordinary presence.”
Zhuang Wei looked a little embarrassed. “Hezhi has always been like that. In truth, he’s a very good person.”
Xu Ziqing raised an eyebrow slightly, his eyes teasing as he looked at Zhuang Wei. “Brother Zhuang, your feelings toward Palace Master Yuezheng seem somewhat…”
Zhuang Wei blushed. “Hezhi is also my friend. Everything I’ve accomplished today is thanks to his help. I do indeed… indeed admire him deeply. But a man of Hezhi’s caliber deserves a peerlessly beautiful immortal maiden. I’m already content simply to be by his side every day, as I am now. I ask for nothing more.”
Hearing this, Xu Ziqing sighed inwardly.
Whatever a person’s character, once they fell in love, their heart could become uncertain, filled with a hundred conflicting emotions.
Xu Ziqing himself had once experienced precisely such feelings.
When he first fell in love with his senior brother, he too had believed there was no one in the world who could compare to Yun Lie. Simply being able to stay at his side and pursue immortality with him had seemed the greatest possible fortune. He had tried desperately to suppress his longing, yet it returned again and again, deepening every day until it penetrated his very bones, a tenderness he could never forget.
But even those years of bitterness and uncertainty had ultimately come to an end.
After enduring countless trials, he and his senior brother had discovered that their feelings were mutual. Only after overcoming many hardships had they enjoyed the joy of marriage and the intimacy of connected primordial spirits.
Now those earlier troubles lay behind them, their lives were joined, and their happiness was as complete and secure as could be.
Whatever pain or danger the future might bring, as long as they remained united in heart and purpose, he would accept it gladly.
Xu Ziqing recognized that Brother Zhuang’s thoughts now resembled his own from years earlier, perhaps with even more repression and self-doubt.
That was not strange. Although Xu Ziqing’s cultivation had once been far below his senior brother’s, he had good natural aptitude and no obstacle of status between them. He had only needed to struggle with his own emotions, without worrying about much else.
Zhuang Wei, by contrast, had three spiritual roots and was not especially gifted even among cultivators with three roots. Xu Ziqing did not yet know how he had reached the Qianyuan Great World, but his earlier remarks made it clear that his cultivation and realm had depended greatly on Yuezheng Hezhi’s assistance. This differed from the guidance Xu Ziqing had received from Yun Lie, and there were likely many experiences he could not even guess at. Although Zhuang Wei addressed Yuezheng Hezhi by name, his actual position was merely that of a follower, at best a favored attendant. With so many differences between them, it was understandable that he dared only bury his feelings deep within his heart.
Xu Ziqing understood that a mere difference in status or aptitude might not have reduced Zhuang Wei to this state. But he lacked both aptitude and status. Where was he to find the courage? Yet as Xu Ziqing saw it, mutual affection was a private matter between two people. Once the heart had chosen someone, it could hardly help itself, and trying to imprison those feelings would only create suffering. Zhuang Wei loved Yuezheng Hezhi, but who could say that Yuezheng Hezhi did not love him in return?
At the very least, Xu Ziqing believed Yuezheng Hezhi’s feelings for Zhuang Wei were no weaker than Zhuang Wei’s feelings for him.
Otherwise, why would such an exalted figure show Zhuang Wei so much consideration? He might look fierce, but someone paying attention could see through him.
Thinking this, Xu Ziqing wanted to offer a little guidance.
But what right did an outsider have to interfere in another pair’s love? Perhaps he could offer gentle advice and allow Zhuang Wei to resolve the matter himself.
First, however, he would need to understand how they had met and come to know each other. Only then could he decide how best to help.
After thinking for a moment, Xu Ziqing smiled. “Come to think of it, you haven’t told me how you came here, or how you met Palace Master Yuezheng. I still remember that you entered the great world with Miss Xu Ziluo back then. The two of you…”
He trailed off, remembering that Zhuang Wei had once loved Xu Ziluo deeply. What sort of experiences could have led him to leave that woman behind and fall in love with the Second Young Palace Master instead?
Naturally, Xu Ziluo could not compare with Yuezheng Hezhi in any respect. Setting aside their bearing and elegance, Yuezheng Hezhi’s treatment of Zhuang Wei was a thousand, ten thousand times better than Xu Ziluo’s!
Zhuang Wei parted his lips, then blushed even more deeply.
Xu Ziqing was amused. When Zhuang Wei had loved Xu Ziluo, he had never shown such an expression. Now things were decidedly different.
Realizing his friend was probably terribly embarrassed, Xu Ziqing decided after some thought that he should speak about himself first.
He turned to Yun Lie with a questioning look.
Yun Lie glanced at him, his expression showing no displeasure.
Xu Ziqing smiled, then began telling Zhuang Wei about the many things that had happened between himself and Yun Lie.
After all, when they married, he had opened his primordial spirit to his senior brother without reservation. Every secret thought from those years had long since been laid bare to Yun Lie. What difference would it make to recount them now to an old friend?
What had once been embarrassing was now something he could remember with nothing but joy, with none of the old bitterness remaining.
At first Zhuang Wei’s face burned with embarrassment, but as he listened to Xu Ziqing’s history, his attention became increasingly earnest. He shared his friend’s happiness and sorrow at every turn.
It took more than an hour to finish the entire story.
When Xu Ziqing spoke of moments that moved him deeply, his gaze met Yun Lie’s. Tenderness flowed between them, their feelings impossible to conceal. It was truly a sight to inspire envy.
By the time Xu Ziqing finished, Zhuang Wei’s embarrassment had gradually faded.
Zhuang Wei was no fool. How could he fail to understand why his friend had told him all these things? Filled with gratitude, he found that speaking about the events of the past years no longer seemed difficult.
After collecting his thoughts, Zhuang Wei grew calm, his eyes gentle. “When we parted, Brother Ziqing, I cared only for Miss Ziluo. I knew my abilities were small, but I thought that if she needed anything, I would go through fire and water for her, even lay down my life.”
Xu Ziqing paused and sighed.
Yet Xu Ziluo had been spoiled and selfish by nature, using him while refusing to cherish his devotion in the slightest.
Had that not been the case, why would Xu Ziqing have believed that she was Zhuang Wei’s destined calamity, certain to become a heart demon for his friend?
Zhuang Wei continued, “But among the nine thousand great worlds, there are wonders beyond imagining. With my limited knowledge back then, how could I possibly have known that the Miss Ziluo I cherished so deeply as a child was not actually the same Miss Ziluo at all?”