Even though Lin Shijin could not see Fuheng, he sensed a subtle shift in his presence. He reckoned Fuheng was on the verge of losing his temper, so he added in a low voice, “You needn’t worry. Shixiong and I are bound by a soul-bond. He has always known my whereabouts. He would never tamper with it behind my back. As for hearing me speak with others… I will ask him later.”
If he asked Sheng Rufei, he would surely tell him.
Fuheng said nothing, only giving his ear a light tug. Lin Shijin covered it at once and slipped behind Sheng Rufei.
Yinbing Sword in his arms stirred, turning slightly as a sharp strand of sword intent flared behind him.
He guessed it had sensed Fuheng. He stroked the sword lightly in reassurance, and the intent gradually subsided.
Sheng Rufei exchanged all the demon bones for spirit stones and handed every last one to him, keeping none. Lin Shijin gathered them up with delight and stored them away in his storage pouch.
“Shixiong, if you had silver, you could simply leave it with me. I would not spend it carelessly.”
Sheng Rufei gave a quiet “mm”, then glanced at him, resting his fingertips atop his head and giving it a light rub.
“If it is spent, it can be earned again.”
Holding an armful of spirit stones, Lin Shijin answered vaguely, “Shixiong, all your money is with me now.”
If one day Sheng Rufei wished to part from him, he would at least have to think of these stones before speaking of it so lightly.
After leaving the underground market, they returned to the streets. Lin Shijin wandered about the city, buying things they might need for the journey ahead, artefacts, maps, and a few pastries besides.
“Shixiong, just now he told me you set an array within the jade lock, so that you could hear me speaking to others. Is that true?”
“Him?” Sheng Rufei paused slightly. “The spirit that follows you?”
Lin Shijin nodded, only to have his ear tugged again. Fuheng seemed to treat it like a tuft of fur, pulling at it whenever displeased.
He did not react, merely pressing his lips together in quiet protest.
“There is indeed an array within,” Sheng Rufei said evenly. “It is meant to protect you. It cannot hear everything. I incorporated certain voices into it.”
“If Jun Yewu appears by your side again, I will know at once. It also prevents him from scheming to take you away.”
Though voices could be disguised, it served as a precaution.
Lin Shijin gave a soft “oh”. That was how it was. He touched the jade lock at his chest, curiosity stirring, and began asking about the array itself, entirely forgetting to ask whose voices had been woven into it.
“Shixiong, how did you create such an array? I have never heard of anything like it.”
“It alters subtle fluctuations in spiritual energy,” Sheng Rufei replied. “If you wish to learn, I can teach you when we return.”
Lin Shijin answered with a bright “alright” and followed along. Sheng Rufei made several more stops, purchasing various odd items, claiming they might prove useful later.
By the time they returned to the inn, evening had fallen. Along the way, Lin Shijin noticed that the number of Scourge-Slayers had increased.
At the entrance, Su Lian and the others were waiting. Chunhe sat within a carriage, as though expecting them.
“Something is amiss in the city,” Su Lian said. “Liuguang, to be safe, we intend to depart tonight.”
“It would be best to reach Buye City sooner.”
Sheng Rufei had no objections. After a moment’s thought, he said, “You go ahead. Seventeen and I will follow.”
Su Lian agreed, knowing the trouble was likely aimed at Sheng Rufei. He boarded the carriage with Chunhe and the others. “We will meet again ahead.”
The carriage rolled away and vanished around the corner. Lin Shijin, who had been listening quietly, quickly gathered his things and followed Sheng Rufei into their own carriage.
“Shixiong, what is wrong in the city? Has something happened?”
“Mm. Perhaps demonic cultivators have arrived.”
At present, only they would be pursuing him.
Lin Shijin climbed aboard obediently. He did not particularly wish to travel with Su Lian’s group, and having not seen Xue Danggui that day, he gave it no further thought. Settling himself, he brought out the small array maze Sheng Rufei had made for him.
The maze was set within a wooden tray, layered with illusion arrays, allowing one to experience it as though truly within. Sheng Rufei had said this was the simplest version; if he could clear it, he would increase the difficulty.
Lin Shijin arranged his snacks and held the tray. He was not especially anxious. Yinbing Sword still nestled in his arms. When he shifted, a faint tingling stirred at his chest, prompting him to glance down.
The sword lay quietly, unmoving.
“Shixiong.” Lin Shijin lifted the curtain. Sheng Rufei sat beside his puppet, studying a map and plotting their route.
“Is it not somewhat unsafe to leave the city at midnight?”
Within the city there were still Scourge-Slayers. Outside, it would be only the two of them.
“Yes,” Sheng Rufei replied simply, then added, “but the longer we remain, the greater the danger.”
“If we move first, we seize the initiative.”
Lin Shijin nodded. He stayed beside him for a while. At a fork in the road, Sheng Rufei paused, as though considering.
Two narrow paths stretched ahead, both pitch-dark, their ends unseen. Lin Shijin glanced once and quickly looked away, a faint chill creeping over him, as though something lay waiting.
“Shixiong, let us take this one.” He pointed to the path on the left.
Sheng Rufei looked at him.
Lin Shijin scratched at his ear. “My instinct says the right, but my instincts are never accurate. So the left must be the correct choice.”
Lin Fuheng: “…”
The right path was indeed more dangerous, riddled with ambushes. Lin Fuheng regarded the foolish boy. Was this, in its own way, making use of his weakness?
When one’s instincts were consistently wrong, even that could become a form of accuracy.
Lin Shijin spoke truthfully. He had expected hesitation, yet Sheng Rufei chose to trust him and took the left path.
Those lying in wait along the right were left speechless.
The road was dark, yet they encountered no real danger. At the next fork, Sheng Rufei again let him decide. Once more, he chose the path opposite to his instinct.
“Why do you let me choose?” Lin Shijin asked, curious, though pleased to be of use.
“They have all seen the map,” Sheng Rufei said after a pause. “Su Lian knows me well. If I choose, he can predict my reasoning.”
Thus it would be easy to anticipate his route. Letting Lin Shijin choose broke all patterns, leaving no logic to follow.
Lin Shijin gave a quiet “oh” and did not ask further. Sheng Rufei must have his reasons. They avoided danger almost entirely, encountering only minor ambushes.
That night, they rested briefly in the carriage. After sitting in the cold wind for too long, Lin Shijin felt chilled and retreated inside to play with his little maze.
Within it, he followed his instincts in reverse, avoiding whichever path they urged him towards. Before long, he had cleared it.
“Shixiong, I am out.”
A barrier had been set around the carriage. The bead within the wooden tray had rolled from the first slot to the last. He carried it over to show Sheng Rufei.
Yinbing Sword still rested in his arms. As he moved, something felt off. Looking down, he found the blade flushed entirely red.
Sheng Rufei noticed his expression. Lin Shijin drew the sword out. At some point it had slipped into his inner robe without his noticing.
“I did not realise earlier. It was already like this when I saw it.”
The once silver blade now glowed crimson, like a sword steeped in infatuation, utterly unlike its usual cold austerity.
Lin Shijin absently brushed his chest, feeling something strange, though too embarrassed to say it aloud.
Sheng Rufei glanced at the sword, his gaze cooling, then lowered his eyes to Lin Shijin’s collar.
“Take it off. Let me see.”
Lin Shijin’s ears warmed. He hesitated, then felt a faint sting beneath his inner garment and slowly removed his outer robe.
By candlelight, their shadows stretched across the table. Sheng Rufei leaned close, nearly enclosing him. Lin Shijin felt a surge of embarrassment, fingers clutching lightly at Sheng Rufei’s sleeve, the other’s nose brushing his neck.
“It is chafed,” Sheng Rufei said quietly, fingertips brushing the spot.
The touch sent a jolt through him. Colour flooded his face as though spilled there. His grip tightened, and he let out a soft sound, shrinking away.
“Shixiong, do not touch at random.”
Sheng Rufei’s hand paused, then withdrew. His gaze shifted to the Yinbing Sword, which lay perfectly still, feigning innocence.
“Sword spirits follow their masters,” Lin Shijin said, lips pressing slightly. He had not expected it to be so sly, taking advantage in secret.
He reached up and touched Sheng Rufei’s ear, still flushed red. “Your ears are the same colour it was just now.”
The sword tip twitched faintly, then stilled. Sheng Rufei lowered his gaze, expression unchanged, save for that betraying flush.
“It requires medicine. It is already swollen.”
His tone remained calm, though his fingers brushed it again.
“Sheng Rufei—”
Lin Shijin’s ears reddened in turn, this time with irritation. He glared at him. Sheng Rufei slowly withdrew his hand and fell silent.
Lin Shijin watched as he produced a small vial of medicine, dark and unremarkable. Taking it from him, he said, “I will do it myself. No need for your help.”
He shot the culprit another glare before retreating to a corner. He lowered his head and took a cautious sniff. Rather than unpleasant, it carried a faint fragrance, touched with the scent of fallen plum blossoms.
Glancing back, he saw Sheng Rufei still standing where he was. When their eyes met, Sheng Rufei turned his face aside, profile cold and distant.
“… ”
Lin Shijin could tell at once. This blockhead was sulking.
He rolled his eyes inwardly. He himself had not even grown angry yet.
