Deming walked out of the library, the scent of old parchment still clinging to him, and headed towards the training ground, a hopeful spring in his step. He saw a group of Guozhao brothers, their forms familiar, and his heart swelled with a sudden joy. He was happy, a genuine, radiant happiness, and quickly ran toward the four hunters, eager to greet them.
Deming looked at the hunters, his smile wide. "You're back!" he exclaimed, a profound relief in his voice.
Zheng Yaozu looked at Deming, a mischievous glint in his eye. "We're back, Student Dong. Is there anything I can help you with? You seem very eager." he asked.
"Brother Zheng, Zhiqiang is back too?" Deming inquired, his voice a little breathless, his gaze searching beyond them.
"No, we didn't see him," Zheng Yaozu teased, a playful smirk on his face, giggling at Deming's immediate sad face, the disappointment so clear.
Zheng Tingfeng, seeing Deming's crestfallen expression, shook his head at Yaozu. "He was just teasing you, Student Dong. Senior Brother came back with us. He's here."
"Where is he, then?" Deming asked, his voice filled with renewed hope, his eyes wide.
Zheng Yaozu, enjoying the moment, said, "He and Junjie went to the medicine shop. He had some business there."
Deming smiled, a brilliant, grateful smile, and grabbed Zheng Yaozu's left arm, squeezing it tightly. "Thank you, Brother Zheng," he said happily, his voice bubbling with joy, before rushing out of the gate.
Guozhao Bolin watched Deming rush out of the gate quickly, a blur of motion. He looked at Zheng Yaozu, a puzzled expression on his face. "Thank you, Brother Zheng? Do you know him? He seemed to know you very well."
Zheng Yaozu was confused, scratching his head. "I don't think so. I don't recall meeting him before."
"Then he must know you, Yaozu," Guozhao Shaquan suggested, a knowing smile. "You're unforgettable."
Zheng Yaozu smiled, puffing out his chest. "Everyone knows me. I'm too handsome to ignore, aren't I?"
Seeing Zheng Yaozu admiring his handsomeness, the three hunters shook their heads at the same time, a shared, exasperated amusement.
Deming ran from the school to the medicine shop, his legs burning, his heart pounding with anticipation. Once he got there, he could hardly breathe, leaning against the doorframe, gasping for air. He walked in and saw Tam Qiu at the counter; her head bent over ledgers. He smiled at Tam Qiu, trying to compose himself. "Sister Tam, is Senior Brother Guozhao back?" he asked, his voice still a little breathless.
Tam Qiu smiled at him, a kind, gentle smile. "Student Dong, he's back and was just here, a few moments ago."
The smile on Deming's face disappeared quickly, a sudden coldness gripping his heart. "What do you mean by 'was here'?" he asked, his voice sharp with disappointment.
Tam Qiu, sensing his distress, said, "He's back, but he's gone now. He left a little while ago."
"Did he tell you where he went?" Deming pressed, his voice tight with frustration.
Tam Qiu shook her head, her expression regretful. "No. I already told him that you are looking for him, but he didn't say anything. He just hummed."
"Did he say anything at all?" Deming pressed again, desperate for a clue.
Tam Qiu shook her head again. "No. He didn't say anything, Student Dong."
Deming sadly said, his voice barely a whisper, "Thanks, Sister Tam." He walked out of the door into the crowded street, the bustling sounds a blur around him. He murmured softly to himself, his heart aching, "What's the matter with you, Zhiqiang? You left without saying a word, again?"
Deming wanted to go up to Guozhao Zhiqiang's house to find him, to demand answers, but the sun had already set, casting long, purple shadows. He wondered what if Guozhao Zhiqiang went to his dormitory to find him, a faint hope flickering. Then he rushed back to the school, his legs burning, his heart pounding. As he approached his room, he saw that the light was on, a warm glow spilling from the window. He knew, with a surge of renewed hope, that it must be Guozhao Zhiqiang. He happily walked towards the door, his steps light, opened it, and walked in. He was a little disappointed, a sharp pang of letdown, to see Li Bingqing sitting at the table, patiently waiting for him, her face serene.
Li Bingqing sat at the table, smiling at him, her eyes soft. "You are back, Enlai," she said.
"Bingqing, what are you doing here?" Deming asked, trying to hide his disappointment.
"I'm here to take you to my uncle's house to have dinner," Li Bingqing replied, standing up. "He insisted you join."
"It's okay. I've eaten," Deming said, trying to politely refuse.
Li Bingqing, her smile unwavering, "Teacher Huang is here, Enlai. He wants to see you and talk about your studies. He's very interested in your progress."
Deming smiled, a forced smile, knowing he couldn't refuse Teacher Huang. "Okay, Bingqing. I'll come."
Inside Guo Baiyu's study room, a haven of ancient knowledge, one by one, Shan, the spirit of the mountain, grabbed the books from the shelves and put them on the table. "This is all the books how to tame a demon, Zhiqiang," Shan said expressionlessly, placing ten thick volumes on the table. He picked up the books that Guozhao Zhiqiang had already read, their pages well-worn, and began to put them back on the bookshelf, his movements precise. "Have you read the book I gave you this afternoon, Zhiqiang? The one about the Xin People?"
"Yes," Guozhao Zhiqiang replied, his voice distant, his gaze fixed on the new pile of books.
"Do you have any opinion about the book?" Shan asked, his gaze piercing.
Guozhao Zhiqiang said, his voice flat, "It says they are extinct. The Xin People."
"You're still here, Zhiqiang, so your kind has not faced extinction yet," Shan observed, a rare hint of something in his voice.
Guozhao Zhiqiang quickly changed the subject, his mind still reeling from the portrait. "These fire demons are not animals, Shan, they are sentient beings. I don't believe these books can be of any help in taming them. They're about beasts."
"Maybe you can write one, then?" Shan suggested, a subtle challenge in his tone. "A new guide."
"I need some decent guidance first, Shan," Guozhao Zhiqiang admitted, a rare moment of vulnerability. "I don't know where to start."
"Sometimes an open-hearted conversation is worth more than reading a thousand books, Zhiqiang," Shan advised, his voice surprisingly gentle.
"You sound just like First Master just now," Guozhao Zhiqiang remarked, a faint surprise in his voice.
"This is from the late Master Zhao. When he was alive, he treated everyone equally, without prejudice. He once said, 'You never know a person's authenticity unless you put on their shoes, unless you walk in their path'," Shan explained. He looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang, his gaze steady. "If you want to train this fire demon, don't let him follow behind you like a servant. Train him like you treat your junior brothers and sisters, as an equal."
Guozhao Zhiqiang closed the book, a profound realization dawning, and sighed. "Shan, you are right. Thank you. I will go to town tomorrow and ask Third Master and Teacher Lee for advice. They are wise."
"Good idea. Then I'll send Master Fang a message, letting him know you're coming," Shan said, his voice approving.
"Thank you, Shan. You can read my mind now," Guozhao Zhiqiang replied, a faint smile touching his lips.
"Your way of thinking is like Master Baiyu. I've been with him for many years, and most of the time I can figure out what he wants without him saying it," Shan said, then disappeared, leaving Guozhao Zhiqiang alone with his thoughts.
Early the next morning, Guozhao Zhiqiang and Fang Yaoting were in Lee Dachin's study room, a quiet, scholarly space.
Fang Yaoting, his face thoughtful, said, "If that's the case, Zhiqiang, then you can write it down and let the rest of the disciples learn from your experience. It would be invaluable."
"Third Master, do you think I did the right thing, sparing the fire demon family?" Guozhao Zhiqiang asked, seeking validation.
Fang Yaoting said, his voice gentle, "I'm not sure if what you're doing is right or wrong. For most people, there's only a thin line between black and white, good and evil. Let's just say you did the best you can think of, with compassion in your heart." He patted gently on Guozhao Zhiqiang's left shoulder, a comforting gesture. "Zhiqiang, you and Ah Bao are my proudest apprentices. Through action or discussion, you two have never let me down, never disappointed me." Fang Yaoting sighed, a distant look in his eyes. "Train the little one like we trained you, with patience and love. You may not know it, but your first master always worried that since you were scarred as a child and that you would turn into an evil being, but he was willing to give you a second chance, to believe in your goodness. He said all children are born innocent. Evil depends on the instruction they receive. If we teach Zemin the right way, then when he grows up, he will be another you, a protector."
"I understand. Thank you, Third Master, for your guidance," Guozhao Zhiqiang said, a profound gratitude in his voice.
Fang Yaoting said, a knowing smile, "Shan is right, Zhiqiang, have an open-heart talk with the couple. Build trust." He laughed, a warm, hearty sound, "I really want to see his learning ability when he grows up, this Zemin. He'll be a prodigy!" Fang Yaoting walked towards the door. "Oh, yes, Dachin wants you to stay for lunch, Zhiqiang. He's preparing something special."
When Fang Yaoting and Guozhao Zhiqiang walked into the dining room, a lively scene, both Lee Dachin and Wang Shuchun both smiled warmly at them, their faces welcoming.
Lee Dachin smiled and said, "Zhiqiang, come and sit next to me! It's been too long."
Deming and Li Bingqing, already seated, looked at him. Deming was both happy to see Zhiqiang and intensely angry at Guozhao Zhiqiang for his perceived avoidance. He held the chopsticks tightly in his right hand, his knuckles white. What was even more angry was that Guozhao Zhiqiang did not make eye contact with him, not even a glance, and Guozhao Zhiqiang walked directly between him and Lee Dachin and sat down, a deliberate act of distance.
Guozhao Zhiqiang looked at Wang Shuchun, a polite smile on his face. "Fang Shimu," he greeted, bowing slightly.
Wang Shuchun smiled warmly. "Zhiqiang, it's been three years, hasn't it? How are you doing, my dear?"
"I'm doing well, Fang Shimu. How are you?" Guozhao Zhiqiang replied, his voice calm.
Wang Shuchun smiled. "I am doing well too, Zhiqiang. Thank you."
"This is Teacher Huang," Lee Dachin said, gesturing to the man beside him.
Guozhao Zhiqiang greeted, "Teacher Huang."
Teacher Huang smiled, a polite nod.
Fang Yaoting looked at everyone on the table and said, "Let's eat, everyone. The food is getting cold."
Li Bingqing, oblivious to the simmering tension, picked up some food and put it in Deming's bowl, a caring gesture. Deming glanced at Guozhao Zhiqiang from time to time, his eyes burning with resentment, but Guozhao Zhiqiang did not look at him, his gaze fixed on his plate. Deming, fueled by his anger, decided to pick up some food and put them in Li Bingqing's bowl, hoping to further anger Guozhao Zhiqiang, to provoke a reaction. He decided since Guozhao Zhiqiang did not make eye contact with him, he would not have eye contact with Guozhao Zhiqiang either, a silent war of wills.
After lunch, Teacher Huang and Teacher Lee would share more knowledge with the students. Li Bingqing wanted to see the market, eager for the festival preparations. The three young people—Guozhao Zhiqiang, Deming, and Li Bingqing—said their goodbyes to the masters.
Once Guozhao Zhiqiang, Deming, and Li Bingqing walked out of the house into the busy, crowded street, Guozhao Zhiqiang, without a word, parted ways with Deming and Li Bingqing, turning towards the medicine shop. When Guozhao Zhiqiang walked away, Deming, his anger boiling over, grabbed his right wrist, his grip tight.
Deming squeezed Guozhao Zhiqiang's right wrist on purpose, his voice mad with frustration, "We need to talk, Zhiqiang! Now!"
Guozhao Zhiqiang took Deming's hand away from his wrist with his left hand, his movements smooth and deliberate, without making eye contact. He said, his voice flat, "Sorry, not today, Dong Enlai. I'm in a hurry. Maybe another day." He gently but firmly took Deming's hand away from his wrist with his left hand. "Enjoy your day with your special someone." He then walked quickly towards the medicine shop, leaving Deming fuming.
Li Bingqing heard Guozhao Zhiqiang's last sentence, "Enjoy your day with your special person." Her heart began to beat violently, a sudden, hopeful flutter. She looked at Deming, a question in her eyes. "Is he okay? He seemed angry."
Deming, his face a mask of fury, said, "No, he's not. Come on, Bingqing, I'll take you back to your uncle's house."
Guozhao Zhiqiang walked into the medicine shop, his face grim, and Xiao Mei came up with a smile, her eyes bright.
Xiao Mei smiled and said, "Senior Brother, the operation was successful! It went perfectly!"
Guozhao Zhiqiang's face softened slightly. "Now we only need to wait for it to heal, and we will know if Gen can walk or not," he said, a hint of hope in his voice.
Xiao Mei, beaming, "If Gen can walk, Senior Brother, you and Ah Bao should be very proud of yourselves. It was a miracle!"
"I'm only the assistant, Senior Brother," Xiao Mei demurred. "The full credit should go to Second Senior Brother. He worked the hardest. It might be because Gen's situation is personal to him, being an orphan himself."
"I'm going to see Gen," Guozhao Zhiqiang said, already walking towards the back.
Xiao Mei looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang, a question on her lips. "Senior Brother, why do Gen and Wan call you boss? I heard them." she asked.
Guozhao Zhiqiang, without stopping, "They took a blood oath to the spirit of the sword. This is the only way to keep them alive, under my protection." Guozhao Zhiqiang walked towards the back, disappearing from view.
After a while, Deming showed up at the medicine shop, his face still flushed with anger. He looked around the shop and did not see Guozhao Zhiqiang. He invited himself to the back of the shop, his steps determined.
Xiao Mei, seeing him, chased after him, her voice urgent. "Student Dong, you are not allowed to come back here!" she called out, chasing after Deming. "We have a patient who recently had surgery, and he is not to be disturbed! It's a restricted area!"
Deming didn't care what Xiao Mei said, his mind fixed on finding Guozhao Zhiqiang. He ventured into the backyard, ignoring her protests. Just when Yang Chuntao bit off the thread on Guozhao Zhiqiang's chest with her teeth, her head close to his chest, he and Xiao Mei walked in. To Deming and Xiao Mei, it was like Yang Chuntao put her arms around Guozhao Zhiqiang's neck and kissed him, a tender, intimate moment. Deming clenched his fists in both of his hands, his nails penetrating the palm of his hands, drawing blood. His heart shattered. Deming turned abruptly and walked out, his face a mask of profound pain and betrayal.
Xiao Mei called out, "Senior Brother! Student Dong just left!"
Yang Chuntao turned around, surprised. "Sister Xiao Mei," she said.
"What are you two doing?" Xiao Mei asked, her voice filled with confusion and a hint of accusation.
"I'm mending his torn robe, Xiao Mei," Yang Chuntao explained, holding up the needle and thread. "It was ripped."
Xiao Mei said, her voice worried, "Student Dong was here, Senior Brother. He saw you two."
"Where is he?" Yang Chuntao asked, a sudden concern in her voice.
"He just left," Xiao Mei replied. She turned to Guozhao Zhiqiang, her face serious. "Senior Brother, Student Dong comes here almost every day to ask when you will come back. I think he has something urgent to tell you. He's been very worried."
"Mm," Guozhao Zhiqiang hummed, a complex emotion in his eyes. He walked into Gen and Wan's room, his face unreadable, leaving the misunderstanding to fester.