Chapter 11: How Fierce
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The child looked up at the sound of approaching footfalls. The exquisite outline of his face was highlighted as he raised his chin slightly, a pair of infinitely deep blue eyes meeting Wu Shan's gaze. It could not be a child looking out at him from those eyes.
The boy kept silent.
Wu Shan watched him for a moment, then stepped forward. "Fei Zhao has told me all about you. Do you plan to remain on Lavender Mountain?"
Qinghan shook his head, his eyes bright and steady. There was no trace of the terrified child he usually pretended to be around Zhe Huo. There was even a hint of a smirk upon his cute little lips. "I go wherever Zhe Huo goes."
Wu Shan's dark eyes sharpened ever so slightly. Something in his handsome features tightened. His tone, however, remained so casual as to seem leisurely. "It's an admirable spirit to want to repay those who have helped you, but Zhe Huo can't keep looking after you forever—and neither can Lavender Mountain. Do you understand what I'm saying, child?"
There could be no doubt that last word was meant as an attack against Qinghan, but the boy responded dispassionately, "The grandmaster as well as Zhe Huo's master have both agreed to let me stay."
Wu Shan glanced sidelong at Fei Zhao, who explained in a hushed whisper, "The boy is a prodigy at chess. Our masters enjoy seeking him out for a game."
Wu Shan considered this a moment, then sternly declared, "You may have a place here at Lavender Mountain, but it will be as one of the disciples, rather than hidden away in here all day."
As he said this, Qinghan's ears perked up all of a sudden. His cool façade melted away. Lip trembling and eyes wide, he asked, "Are you trying to get rid of me?"
His voice was weak, his tone pleading. It was just the sort of question a child would ask.
Thinking that he was having an effect on the child, Wu Shan's voice became even colder. "That's right.".
Someone pushed open the outer gate. Zhe Huo shed her ceremonial robe in a cascade of bright yellow fabric, rolled it up into a ball, and tossed it to Fei Zhao as she strode in. "Wu Shan, why didn't you tell me that you've returned?"
Qinghan hopped out of his chair, went over to Zhe Huo, and lightly took hold of her hand. Feeling his little hand trembling in hers, a powerful rage filled her heart.
"You didn't say anything about bringing this demon child here either, Zhe Huo." Wu Shan fixed her with a hard look.
A vicious light flashed through Zhe Huo's eyes. Refusing to be spoken down to, she replied, "I have permission from our masters to keep him, and I think he's been behaving himself. Do you have an opinion on the matter?"
Wu Shan watched her in silence for a while. Then, he bowed his head. "No."
Without another word, he turned on his heel and left.
His feet shuffling with anxiety, Fei Zhao hurried after him.
It was only after both men had left the room that Zhe Huo realized she had angered Wu Shan. Normally, she could barely hold on to any favor from the other disciples… to think that, for the sake of some kid, she'd been the one picking a fight today.
Zhe Huo decided she would have to go apologize later.
Now that they were alone, Qinghan hugged her and whimpered, "He's so fierce."
No trace of this trepidation reached his eyes—not that Zhe Huo could see.
Zhe Huo stroked her fingers through his soft hair. "Wu Shan probably just got the wrong idea about something. He's not usually like that."
Qinghan snorted, very gently. "Zhe Huo, the next time you've got to go out to do something, can I come along? I don't want people calling me a freeloader."
This elicited another grimace from Zhe Huo. "He called you that?"
Qinghan snorted again, but didn't otherwise reply.
Zhe Huo took his silence as confirmation, and felt another spike of anger flaring up. What could have gotten into Wu Shan? Qinghan was obviously a helpless little creature—how could he have been so mean?
Her elegant eyebrows danced about for a moment. There would be words over this matter.
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