Chapter Text
It was a sunny day, although the feigned lights of autumn sun did little for warmth.
The sounds of disciples in a sweat-inducing exercise could be heard across the mountain top, mixed with the howling of the cool wind as it blew.
The autumn wind swept through the training grounds, scattering fire-colored leaves. White-robed Daoists moved like flowing light against the chill — disciplined, graceful, and tired.
“How long do you think until tea break?”
One disciple asked his friend in a hushed voice, wary of overdrawing attention to himself.
“My feet are freezing and I can barely stand.”
His friend was about to respond in a comforting manner when one of the elders instructing them walked past them, shooting them a glance.
The disciple was quick to retract back to himself and settled on sending his friend an apologetic look.
He was already growing hungry and tired but he didn’t want to stay behind his martial siblings so did his best to restrain himself.
They were far from over.
So the disciple clenched his jaw and tried to focus his attention on his sword practice to distract himself from the cold.
But the discomfort in his hands and feet kept disrupting his moves.
All the while the elder Liu Yue criticised their technique and form. Asking them to repeat the moves over and over.
What wouldn’t I give for some warm tea
The students continued with their exercise; it was just then their sect leader appeared from the corner of the yard.
Despite wanting to hide it from their instructor most of the disciples unwillingly shone with hope and joy as the figure of sky blue walked into their field of vision.
His robes flustered against the harsh wind, his figure elegant resembled that of an immortal, sect leader or teacher one simply couldn’t grow used to seeing him. It felt like something out of this world every time.
The disciples mostly loved their sect leader, or didn’t have any bad opinions of him.
At the very least they knew he was righteous and honest, which was more than they could’ve asked for after the troubles their home suffered from outside forces and inner conflicts.
They weren’t aware of the details surrounding what went down that day when Xuandu mountain was ambushed by countless enemies.
If it had been a long time bound to come or an unexpected storm.
Regardless, they knew their home was saved mostly thanks to the lucky presence of a single man.
And luckily for them again, he was currently walking over. Salvation might still yet be possible!
Shen Qiao had just gotten out of a meeting with the elders discussing the politics of their sect.
He was already tired with lots of paperwork to get through before the day was over, but had decided to check on the training grounds before retiring to his chambers.
Upon seeing the desperate expressions of the disciples looking at him his heart filled with sympathy.
Although it wasn’t freezing at this time of year the wind at the mountain peak was still strong. It could easily alter the performances of young disciples without proper foundations to support them.
Shen Qiao walked over and managed to not let out a chuckle at the way all the tiny pairs of eyes watched him.
“Has elder Liu Yue been well?” he asked
Liu Yue lifted his head from scolding his students upon seeing his arrival and greeted him and cupped his hands at him. With this the students took the chance to take a break and catch their breath.
“Sect leader Shen, this humble daoist is now better having received your presence.”
“Elder Liu needn’t be so courteous.” Shen Qiao held out his hand and gave a gentle smile.
“What brings sect leaders to our lesson on this day?”
“This daoist just left the Sanqing Hall and was returning to his chambers, when I saw elder Liu instructing students in the courtyard.”
“We are blessed to have Sect leader’s guidance, is there anything your esteemed self like to add?”
Shen Qiao took a look around the young disciples whose faces were washed with fatigue and spoke carefully to not offend him.
Despite his methods being sometimes a bit overbearing Liu Yue still worked hard for the Xuandu Mountain disciples.
That alone was an indicator of the ways he wanted to atone for his past mistakes and the doubts that clouded his mind, with dedication of his heart to his sect.
“Elder Liu is an experienced master of far greater experience than myself, I could match his level when it came to instructing a lesson.”
With that a proud smile hung on Liu Yue’s face and he gleefully thanked Shen Qiao, all the while still praising him.
Meanwhile the disciples’ faces fell once again, from the looks of Shen Qiao’s words he didn’t have any intentions of helping them.
Shen Qiao smiled warmly at them,
“All of you must follow your elders’ teachings as well as your shadow follows you. Their guidance will be the foundation of you as disciples and future martial artists of future jianghu.”
It was still cold and they were still tired but the encouraging genuine words of their sect leader seemed to lift their mood somewhat.
All of them bowed and thanked him with a new found pride for their sect.
Shen Qiao nodded and added
“You must not also ignore your internal cultivation training, it serves as both your sword in conflict and your cloak in nature. With time it will get easier to withstand hunger or cold.”
With that Liu Yue’s eyebrows rose slightly, as a faint surprise like realisation seemed to appear on his previously content face.
The disciples bowed deeply to Shen Qiao once again before he turned and cupped his hands at Liu Yue.
“I wish you a good training session, Elder Yue. This humble daoist shall now take his leave.”
Liu Yue cupped his hands again. “This humble teacher thanks sect leader Shen for his guidance as well.”
Shen Qiao smiled and left the training grounds.
The disciples were left silently huffing as their last salvation disappeared from sight. They reluctantly gathered themselves to pursue the training, with slightly more lifted moods.
Before something unexpected happened and the elder explained “The training is over for today, you may take your leave. Eat and rest well, tomorrow’s sessions will begin in the early morning!”
The disciples overjoyed, thanked their shifu and quickly took their leave as well.
All the while showering Liu Yue with promises of how they were all going to be here before even the sun rose. Liu Yue only grunted in response but nothing else showed on his face.
It had indeed been a rather chilly day.
Shen Qiao’s way to his room now was a bit prolonged since he didn’t want to just go back the way he came to the training grounds.
He instead took the long way back and was walking in the forest surrounding the edge of the mountain.
Taking a stroll on Xuandu mountain peak wasn’t an easy task, and most people would cower at the idea of being this close to the edge between life and death.
It would especially be worrisome after one had already fallen from a cliff once and would think that was enough cliff experiences for them.
Shen Qiao however had not only fallen from one but had almost witnessed the death of his cultivation partner on the same peak.
Yet somehow he found his strolls comforting. He could see the village below and sky on eye level. It felt like standing not on the edge of death but of heavens.
As he was leisurely walking, letting his mind drift off he heard a voice call from behind him.
“Zhangmen-shixiong!”
It was Gu Hengbo and another person seemed to be with him. Shen Qiao recognised him from just the sound of his footsteps, full of excitement and the energy that comes with youth.
Shen Qiao smiled and turned towards them. Shiwu ran past her and came over to Shen Qiao’s side and cupped his hands, all smiles.
“Shifu! This disciple was waiting for you to be done with the conference to seek your guidance on something, he hopes it went well?”
Gu Hengbo couldn't hold her chuckle at the words.
Such flourished words, do you wish for it to have gone well for the sake of or so A-Xiong is in a good mood and gives you permission?
“It wasn’t anything important, you needn’t concern yourself with it.” Shen Qiao smiled warmly as he patted on Shiwu’s head. “What was it you wanted to ask me?”
Shiwu’s smile brightened
“This Shiwu has completed his studies for the day and did all his chores.” he said proudly.
“He heard that there will be a performance taking place at the foot of the mountain, he hopes he can attend it?”
Shen Qiao and Gu Hengbo’s eyes met and they couldn’t help but warm at the words.
“Oh? Sounds like a joyous occasion, and how did Shiwu hear about this performance?” Shen Qiao asked with an affectionate smile.
Shiwu retreated in himself clearly not wanting to reveal his sources, but he just couldn’t find it in himself to lie to his shifu.
“A….a friend told me about it. She isn’t a disciple of Xuandu mountain. But my friend attends it every year when the performers arrive every year and she talks so very fondly of them.” He shyly replied.
Shen Qiao was understanding, “If it’s this famous I’m sure Yuwen Song and Duan Ying would also like to attend no? You may go if you take them with you.”
Shiwu lit up again. “This disciple will do as told! I'll invite Yuwen Shidi and Duan Shidi if they wish to join. Many thanks.” With that he clapped his hands and hurried away.
Gu Hengbo looked behind his disappearing figure.
“His qinggong is getting better by every event at the foot of the mountain.” she said with a hint of mean-spiritedness.
Shen Qiao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“At least he spoke truthfully this time.”
He was the last person to keep young disciples from exploring the world in the way they wanted. Or people.
The two martial siblings walked together along the cliffside. It wasn’t long before his shimei spoke again.
“How has A-xiong been really?”
“I wasn’t lying before, so far there aren't any major problems nor insurmountable mountains. The Xuandu mountain sect is trying to enter the secular world, that means learning to embrace its conflicts and sometimes unsolvable dilemmas.
The best thing we can do for now is to teach our disciples and ourselves this very nature of the world. There is much to be done, but slow steps are better than none, and mindfulness is better than heedless.”
Shen Qiao replied all the while somewhat lost in the clouds of the sky.
“That is good to hear, but it wasn’t what this shimei was asking.” She intently looked at him.
The few seconds of silence that followed broke Shen Qiao out of his thoughts. He smiled “I am alright too. Wuniang shouldn’t worry so much.”
“Hmm, yet A-xiong’s mind wanders off often, you’re sometimes here sometimes closer to the sun and the moon.”
Shen Qiao didn’t reply.
“If it’s not something that bothers you that’s fine. But if not, don’t let it hinder your chest for too long or else it’ll take root.” she said with a straight face.
Shen Qiao let out an exasperated sigh and rubbed his temples. Since when the stone cold Go Hengbo had started talking about the matters of one’s heart? Nevertheless he couldn’t say it was false.
“It’s almost time for him to return.” He replied softly.
“Ah, so A-xiong’s mood is a good one then?” Gu Hengbo smiled despite herself.
Shen Qiao simply smiled.
“I’m not quite sure myself.”
Waiting for anyone was always worrying in its own way already and Yan Wushi wasn’t just anyone.
After a moment Shen Qiao switched topics .
“And how is Yuan Xianzi doing these days?”
Gu Hengbo seemed displeased at the question. “Why are you asking me? It’s not like she and I are friends, let alone exchange news.”
There was a hint of pride in her words that made Shen Qiao really remember who he was talking with.
“She hasn’t contacted me since the Sword Trial festival.” She added.
Shen Qiao nodded understandingly. That was indeed quite a long time ago.
That being said it didn’t necessarily point out disinterest, neither of them were naturally friendly in a way that was easy to talk to.
“I suppose Yuan Xianzi had her plate full in the past couple of months as well. So much of the world has changed, not to mention the state the Sword Trial festival ended up in.”
With that Gu Hungbo looked more thoughtful. “One can’t imagine the mess she had to clean for Liuli Palace afterwards…” and she sighed despite herself.
“Wuniang can always be the one who writes first. Most often than not, the other person appreciates it as well.” He smiled, "As Wuniang put it so nicely, there isn’t any point in carrying things that linger in your heart.”
Gu Hengbo wanted to retort strongly but calmed herself and settled on begrudgingly whining, “Who is lingering in whose heart.”
As young companionships went, this was as much as he could do to help unfortunately. He wasn’t the most experienced or wise when it came to these matters.
“Even if the river doesn’t end up at the sea, at least it will stay true to its own.” He silently added, now having learned this lesson the hard way, thankfully they had ended up where they wanted though.
Gu Hengbo sighed. “Perhaps A-xiong is right, I will consider it. I just… never know what goes through her head.”
Shen Qiao certainly knew the feeling but this was something only the two of them could handle, so he kept his thoughts to himself.
With that they didn’t talk anymore and walked silently, both minds drifted off to ponder different things. Using the clouds and the wind’s sound as a distraction for their mingled minds
Fighting Hulugu could be considered easier compared to talking about his disciple and Shimei's personal life.
Suddenly Gu Hengbo smiled. “A-xiong has changed a lot since coming back to Xuandu Mountain hasn’t he? I can’t help but see Sect Leader Yan’s influence every now and then.”
Upon seeing Shen Qiao’s somewhat flustered and also worried expression she quickly added,
“In a good way!”
She softly smiled “Both of you seem happy when together.”
Shen Qiao could only hide his embarrassment behind the cuff of his robes. “I’d rather not many people see us when we’re together.”
“Would A-xiong prefer if Sect Leader Yan stopped visiting the Violet Palace?”
she asked curiously. She had also noticed her shīxiōng feeling more on edge whenever Yan Wushi was about to arrive.
Shen Qiao shook his head.
“Its nothing like that. It's just…” Finding the courage to talk about this to his shimei was harder than he expected.
“I do enjoy his visits and I do miss him after however…waiting for whenever he feels like returning is one thing knowing he is about to arrive is another.”
Gu Hengbo stared, unable to understand.
Shen Qiao gazed out from the mountain peak. For hundreds of miles, nothing blocked his sight—only clear skies and the vast world unfolding beneath him.
A breeze, soft as a kiss, passed between them, fluttering their robes and long hair. It carried the scent of distant forests and winding rivers–places that beckoned from the days ahead, and lingered like a dream of the past.
Slowly, words surfaced in Shen Qiao’s mind, one after another.
“Knowing I’ll see him again makes the waiting easy and undemanding." After a pause, he added quietly. “Yet when that waiting is nearly over... my thoughts no longer stay where they should.”
“Oh.” Was all Gu Hengbo could reply. It seemed she was pondering Shen Qiao’s words.
“I wonder if there is a cure for that sort of thing.” She couldn’t help asking Shen Qiao as much as to herself.
Silence took over the martial siblings as they watched the view from the top, finding some sense of twisted peace among nature's cruel chaos.
“Maybe A-xiong could feed him some of his own medicine, why not visit the Huanyue sect every now and then?”
Gu Hengbo added with excitement of a lost child who just found their way back home.
Shen Qiao was stunned, he could only stare blankly at his Shimei. And his Shimei stared back at him, serious and fully committed to her words with the pride of a true fighter.
It wasn’t long before both of them burst out laughing.
Just then Shen Qiao heard quick footsteps approaching in a hurry.
A young disciple came rushing into their point of view and had to halt a moment to catch his breath. Shen Qiao motioned him to calm before talking, it was clear he was running for a long time by the time he found his target.
The ashen messenger however seemed like he wouldn’t be at ease until he completed his task, as if the fear of god had been put into him.
He quickly regained his posture and cupped his hands at them.
“Sect Leader, Gu Shigu, pardon my intrusion!” the disciple blurted. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere, but it was as if the earth cracked open and the sect leader Shen vanished into it!”
Shen Qiao tried to calm the boy, “Breathe and speak slowly, what happened? Is there some kind of trouble?”
The boy hesitated a moment before shaking his head and rushing his words,
“Sect Leader Yan has arrived, he is waiting at the gates. I’ve been told to let the sect leader know but-”
His words dissolved into a fit of caughing. It was clear he had already been frightened half to death by the person who had given him the task; he looked ready to faint from the pressure alone.
Gu Hengbo couldn’t help but chuckle as she stepped in to help out the poor boy, it was uncanny how much people feared that man.
Meanwhile Shen Qiao was unfittingly the opposite. A warm smile adorned his gentle face and pale features, his eyes lighting up despite himself.
It was clear that the restlessness he had spoken of wouldn't ease until he saw that man–no matter how much he tried to hide it.
Gu Hengbo sighed softly and motioned for him to go. Shen Qiao, grateful and slightly embarrassed, thanked her before pushing his qinggong nearly to its limits toward the mountain’s main gate.
Just moments later an arrogant, satisfied whine echoed across the peaks,
“A-Qiao! I’ve been waiting for so long! Did you not at all miss your Yan Lang?”