Lin Shijin belatedly realised something was amiss. Feng Qing was effectively speaking on behalf of Feng Rugao; if Feng Rugao learnt he had been clinging to Sheng Rufei, he would certainly lecture him for being so improper.
He instantly let go, worried Feng Rugao might make him copy out the sect rules as punishment. He stepped a little further away from Sheng Rufei, and the moment he released him, Sheng Rufei’s aura cooled by a degree.
“Lord Feng, were you looking for me?” Lin Shijin guessed Feng Qing had come to deliver something. He could see an object in Feng Qing’s hand.
Feng Qing had yet to recover, his gaze still fixed on the two of them. He asked, “I didn’t disturb you young masters, did I?”
“Please don’t misunderstand,” Lin Shijin replied, noticing Feng Qing’s usual habit of subtly mocking him. “I was just too happy and couldn’t help throwing myself at my shixiong. We do that all the time.”
The moment he spoke, he realised something about that didn’t sound quite right, so he hurriedly added, “It’s just me. I like doing that to my shixiong.”
At the word “shixiong”, with no mention of anyone else, the fingers Sheng Rufei had wrapped around his sword twitched slightly, and the chill in his aura eased.
“Young Master should be more mindful. Such intimate conduct between the two of you will invite gossip.”
Feng Qing handed over the item. “Su Lian sent this specially. Sword Master instructed that Young Master’s skin mustn’t come into direct contact with others. This is a human-skin mask, custom-made.”
As he spoke, Feng Qing discreetly assessed the pair of them. Were this reported to Sword Master, Sheng Sixteen might well lose a layer of skin at the Hall of Cautious Punishment.
So that was the reason. Lin Shijin accepted the mask, belatedly realising he had misunderstood Su Lian-shixiong. Su Lian hadn’t been avoiding extra trouble. He had been fulfilling Feng Rugao’s request, worrying that Lin Shijin’s skin was too delicate, and had arranged a custom mask for him.
“Thank you, Lord Feng,” Lin Shijin said with some delight, taking the mask and examining it. Then he asked, “When will Shizun return?”
He wanted to catch a couple of demonic beasts in the secret realm to present to Feng Rugao, to prove he had been diligently cultivating of late.
So there was no need to keep finding shortcuts for his cultivation.
“Sword Master has gone to Jinyue Temple. It could be a few days, at most half a month… not long.”
Lin Shijin uttered an “Oh.” He had already decided to catch those beasts, so it was best not to mention it to Feng Qing, in case he failed and embarrassed himself.
Though the mask had been delivered, Feng Qing did not immediately take his leave. He gestured for Lin Shijin to go on. There was something he wished to say to Sheng Rufei.
Lin Shijin, wholly absorbed by the mask, had forgotten the wooden statue at his side. He nudged Sheng Rufei. “Shixiong, I’ll wait for you up ahead.”
The youth walked off holding the mask, leaving only the two of them. Feng Qing didn’t intend to beat around the bush; the boy earlier was a fool and easy enough to deceive. But the one before him was not.
“Sixteen,” he began tactfully, “I’ve never said this to you directly, but I’m sure you’ve noticed. If Seventeen clings to you again, don’t simply allow him to.”
“You two are shixiong and shidi.”
And that was all. Feng Qing hoped Sheng Rufei would maintain that boundary.
His meaning could not have been clearer. Lin Shijin was equally affectionate with everyone, carefree and heedless. Whereas Sheng Rufei was restrained, deep-minded, and rarely showed his emotions.
“Is this Shizun’s intention?” Sheng Rufei asked.
Feng Qing shook his head. “Not Sword Master’s. Sword Master treasures Seventeen greatly. Whatever else he may be, you should understand this… Sword Master will not give him away lightly.”
A blunt warning. Feng Qing continued, “Besides, you still have a great enmity to avenge. Do not let sentiment sway you. Otherwise… you will not be able to stand against that person.”
With that, Feng Qing vanished, leaving Sheng Rufei alone beneath the faintly trembling leaves. Sheng Rufei had always been dutiful. Wherever he went, he was taught to follow rules, to adapt, to grow stronger. Long ago these teachings had seeped into his bones. He had only two tasks: hold fast to his principles, and cultivate until he was strong enough to avenge his parents.
He was nothing like the carefree youth in the distance, unrestrained and untouched by such burdens.
Lin Shijin was waiting for him. He had finished examining the mask. It wasn’t particularly interesting, merely a layer of skin with no features, feeling disconcertingly like real human flesh. He dared not guess what it was made from.
“Shixiong?” He turned and saw Sheng Rufei still standing under the tree, half hidden in shade. He went over, holding the mask, and took Sheng Rufei’s wrist just as Sheng Rufei had done to him earlier.
“Let’s go, we’ve not much time.”
He was slightly older than Sheng Rufei, though it was usually Sheng Rufei who looked after him. Holding him like this gave him the feeling of pulling along a younger brother… albeit one who was taller.
And whose hands were larger. His own hand grew sweaty after a moment, and he released the wrist quickly.
“Shixiong, should I put on the human-skin mask now?”
Sheng Rufei replied, “No rush. Once we’re there, I’ll ask Su Lian, then we’ll see.”
“Oh.” Lin Shijin chattered away, as he always did with familiar people. Sheng Rufei listened quietly, occasionally offering a brief reply.
By the time they reached the back mountain, most disciples had arrived, though some such as Ye Lang, who was the other member of Lin Shijin’s group, had yet to come.
Su Lian, forever busy and valued by the sect leader, handled almost everything. Seeing them arrive, he still spared a moment to hand over the mission location and their group’s task to Sheng Rufei.
It was clearly Lin Shijin’s mission, but Su Lian could see who was really in charge. And since he’d given it late, Sheng Rufei looked displeased, his expression icy.
Su Lian offered a helpless smile. “I’ve been far too busy lately. I meant to deliver the mission tokens together, but I forgot. I only told Lord Feng about the mask. That was my oversight.”
“It won’t happen again, Rufei. Don’t dwell on it.”
He had thought it was just Lord Changming doting on his youngest disciple, but now it seemed Sheng Rufei’s attitude towards his shidi was also rather… particular. Odd, considering that in Rakshasa City he’d used the boy as bait.
“It’s fine,” Sheng Rufei said. Inwardly, he added, There won’t be a next time.
Lin Shijin listened as they spoke. Noticing Su Lian watching him, he glanced up, only to be met with a gentle smile. Embarrassed, he lowered his gaze to the mission token.
“In Yixiu City, you will be demons. Your task is to conceal your identities and deliver a letter to the righteous faction. Which side is righteous and which is evil, you must judge for yourselves. Additionally, each of you must collect a certain number of jade pieces.”
“Failing to collect enough will count as mission failure.”
The Yixiu City secret realm faithfully recreated past events. The disciples played different roles, each with different assignments. Some even used puppet bodies. As no one was allowed to reveal mission details, fellow disciples could not easily assist one another.
If they were not in the same group, they might not recognise one another; even if they did, they might not meet. And even if they did meet, they might not share the same allegiance.
Sheng Rufei’s gaze paused on the words “demon” and “evil spirit”, his thoughts unclear. Then he looked at Lin Shijin again, silent for a moment before saying, “Hide your tail properly. Don’t let your enemies see it.”
“Whatever form you take in the secret realm comes with corresponding traits. Remember, they’re effects of the realm, not your true instincts.”
Lin Shijin felt dizzy. Sheng Rufei patted him on the head and added, “I’ll come find you.”
“Listen to Su Lian once inside. If he tells you to put on the human-skin mask, do so at once.”
“Oh.” The time to enter was close. Each disciple had an identity token. Lin Shijin watched Sheng Rufei depart, eyes full of reluctant longing.
Time ticked on, and Ye Lang still hadn’t arrived. Su Lian cast several glances towards the path. Finally, about a minute before the appointed time, Ye Lang appeared.
Standing among people he didn’t know, Lin Shijin stayed quiet. Hearing movement, he glanced over and recognised the black-robed youth. He was the very one who had crashed into him days earlier.
The youth looked half-asleep, his expression dull, his eyes faintly shadowed. He had prepared nothing, he hadn’t even brought a human-skin mask.
Lin Shijin looked at him for only a moment before Ye Lang’s dark gaze swept to him. A faintly gloomy glint appeared… and then he smiled.
Lin Shijin’s scalp prickled. He immediately looked away and edged closer to Su Lian, putting more distance between himself and the youth behind him.
“Although the secret realm is mostly safe, accidents can still occur. If you encounter danger, crush your token immediately.”
As the elder finished, light burst from the tokens in their hands. Lin Shijin felt a powerful pull, his vision went white, and he lost consciousness.
When he came to, he was somewhere else.
He opened his eyes slowly. Everything was blurry, his head spinning. Someone was calling his name.
His fingers brushed the token by his side as his sight gradually cleared. He saw the face in front of him—
Su Lian-shixiong. Strangely, Su Lian’s eyes seemed longer, permanently curved into a smiling shape.
“Lin Seventeen… you…”
Su Lian’s voice faltered. Now that he could see the boy clearly, his tone caught.
“What’s wrong with me?”
His voice was the same as ever. Lin Shijin noticed Su Lian’s odd expression. He quickly felt something himself, his fingertips creeping upwards to touch something soft atop his head.
Warm. Fluffy. And it twitched when he moved.
“Lin-shidi, you…”
Su Lian looked torn.
The disciples had landed randomly. Lin Shijin spotted a river nearby and walked over. For some reason, Su Lian’s gaze on his back felt strange.
The river water shimmered. As he approached, he saw a familiar face in its reflection.
His own face was still delicately striking, but his eyes were rounder. And perched atop his head were two white ears, twitching slightly. His skin was even paler than usual, like a white camellia blooming on snowy brocade.
The moment he saw himself, Lin Shijin’s face flushed scarlet. He looked thoroughly displeased, and the youth in the water mirrored him. His eyes were shimmering, corners reddened, and fluffy ears standing stiff.
He almost coughed blood. What was this? He was meant to be a demon. Why this?
He recalled Sheng Rufei’s words: Hide your tail… hide your tail.
An unthinkable suspicion formed. His fingers moved slowly behind him… then brushed a soft, furry object.
Lin Shijin: “…”
