Chapter Text
“Yue-Shixiong!” a familiar - but unknown - voice called out.
His eyelids remained heavy, but the stumbling of footsteps getting closer and closer shocked him fully conscious. He sprang up into a sitting position, hands frantically searching for - something he just can’t quite remember - to defend himself.
“This one apologizes, I did not mean to startle you,” they said calmly, as one would try to soothe a wild animal. Seeing as whoever this was isn’t attacking him, he let the tension leave his muscles and began to observe his surroundings.
The voice, or rather, the person, scrambled for something at the side table of his bed. Other than the furniture mentioned, the room was quite barren. A small, dwindling sunlight shone through the single window. Even if he couldn’t quite recall where he was, there was a faint recognition. Almost a similar feeling to the man - who was now with a notebook and ready to jot down any little note - but less intense.
He tried to trace his memories, search for anything relating to this room or the person, but it was useless. He couldn’t recall a thing. Not where he had been before he woke up - because surely he had been somewhere. Or what situation led him here - because something must have happened. Not even a clue as to what his name is - because he had to have a name, didn’t he? Even without a single thought of the past, he was sure that made sense.
A hand waved cut his spiraling thoughts short. No, he does have a name. Yue-Shixiong, right? That's what was called out when he was still half-awake. That seemed right, he thinks. Right enough.
“Yue-Shixiong, how are you feeling?” the man with a - respectfully - ugly mustache that didn’t suit his features at all, questioned.
In fact, that thing was more akin to a fuzzy caterpillar than anything. The way it wiggled and crawled when the man spoke didn’t help this thought. Yue-Shixiong bit down a giggle.
Other than the dull ache gnawing at his bones and the nauseating head pain - he felt fine!
“I’m alright, thank you,” he assured. A forced smile was the last step needed for the other’s shoulders to drop and a pleased sigh to be released. For a reason he is unable to track down, there was a need to lie. Though he did wake up in a strange place knowing nothing. So it should be reasonable to be suspicious.
“In that case, do you remember what happened? You were found collapsed just outside your home by your head disciple. Was there any kind of odd pollen or object of sorts?”
Head disciple…so he is a teacher. Must be a taxing position. That's what he is counting on, anyway.
“It was simply a matter of overworking, pay it no mind.”
This is the right answer, considering the notebook was placed back down. Yue-Shixiong glanced back and forth between the door and the mustache man. Although he didn’t know where to go after he was released, he wanted nothing more than to be out of this place.
“Yue-Shixiong should find time to relax,” he sighed, as if he had said this a 1,000 times before. “This one will send you home with some calming tea. Now, because you did hit your head, I’ll need to ask some basic questions. First of all, your name?”
He made sure none of his nervousness could be seen outward and confidently answered, “I’m Yue-Shixiong, correct?”
Wrong answer. Mustache man raises an eyebrow and looks him up and down.
“Your full name, if you would.”
He felt like a mouse caught in a trap. There was no other way out than honesty. This time, his smile didn’t do anything to ease the other when he reluctantly told the truth.
“I can’t remember.”
—-----
Mustache man, otherwise known as Mu Qingfang, glossed over the basics of his life. His name, his work, and vague summaries on those he works with, with Mu Qingfang being the leader of the medical Peak. Every few sentences Mu Qingfang would pause, ask if he sparked anything, then sink in the chair he pulled up. Yue Qingyuan’s heart ached every time he had to respond with “No.”
“This is Xuan Su, your sword,” Mu Qingfang explained, displaying the weapon in his hands. The sword, overall, was quite plain. The hilt was ink-black and the sheath had two stripes of gold at the sides. What drew him in was the overwhelming power radiating. He needs that sword for something, he thinks. His head only ached as he attempted to recall what exactly that is. As he reached for the sword, it was yanked back.
“You must never unsheathe Xuan Su, unless the only other option is death. Do you understand?” Mu Qingfang warned. Yue Qingyuan only nodded, not daring to ask why. Only then was he allowed back his sword.
After a good few hours of being reminded of his life, the sunlight was long gone, and only a candle illuminated the room. He let out a yawn, praying Mu Qingfang would get the hint and leave already. As nice as he was, all that information made his head spin.
“You’ll stay here tonight. If there is anything you need, call for me. As I mentioned, there are monthly Peak Lord meetings. It is far later than appropriate to contact the others, so it's most convenient to announce your condition at the next one. Tomorrow. That reduces the risk of this becoming public knowledge, as well.”
With a final bow, Mu Qingfang left the room. As soon as he left, so did Yue Qingyuan’s smile. As much as he himself wanted to leave, he was grateful enough to be alone, and he let himself be consumed by the soft blankets and mellow mattress.