204: My Daoist Companion

My Daoist Companion

After weeks of the Gatekeeper's absence, I had begun to suspect that he was waiting for a better opportunity to strike again, and I had prepared myself to confront him at the worst time. Yet I still hadn't expected the reason that led him here to be … the activity in our bedroom … and I suppose I should only be thankful that our visitors didn't turn up earlier in the morning.2

I stepped up, readying my arguments. But Bai Ye stretched out an arm to stop me. "I see that you haven't gotten a chance to think this through." His gaze didn't leave the Gatekeeper. "If anyone was using the demonic sword, there would have been traces of its power left lingering in this area. Do you sense any of it right now where you stand?"

The Gatekeeper huffed. "That would only be the case if you used a standard technique. You always have more than a few tricks up your sleeves, Bai Ye. Not knowing what you have planned with those swords, I can't take any risks."

I winced at the open hostility and distrust in those words. Bai Ye and the Gatekeeper had never seemed to get along, but they had at least tried to keep peace on the surface. Today, however, the Gatekeeper seemed so determined to put an end to this issue that he didn't even bother putting on an act anymore. That didn't forebode well.

"What are you suggesting, Chu Yang?" Bai Ye countered. "That I am intentionally cultivating demonic power and hiding it from the rest of Mount Hua?"

"I am implying nothing except what I infer from the obvious," the Gatekeeper replied. "Recent events at your hall line up too well to be mere coincidences. Your 'mishap' during the retreat has already alarmed us once, and I find it difficult to believe that this is just another unrelated occurrence."

"Bai Ye," Su Nian suddenly interjected. "If the Gatekeeper's— If our conjecture is wrong, then will you tell us what the barrier spell was for? If this is all a misunderstanding, I'm sure it can be easily explained."

Bai Ye's gaze darkened. He opened his mouth to speak again, but I tugged on his sleeve, stopping him. "Tell them the truth," I said, in a usual voice that was loud enough for the group in front of us to hear. "Tell them the real reason. I'm not afraid."

He looked at me, a hint of astonishment in his eyes. I met his gaze firmly. I knew what I said wasn't the way he had planned to deal with this—he had warned me from the very first day that letting the truth out would lead to whispers of me seducing him, and we both knew how much damage those whispers could do to a woman's name. That was why he wanted to leave Mount Hua with me, so that we could find a new place to live where no one would judge us based on what happened here.

But we hadn't planned out all the details yet. Breaking ties with a sect wasn't common at all, and it certainly wouldn't be easy. What excuses would we need? What consequences would we face? Even if we were to leave this place successfully, the world of cultivators was small, and we couldn't completely break free of this circle before we found the cure for him. How would we explain our sudden departure to others then?

These problems weren't unsolvable, but when combined with the risk of threatening his safety at the moment, the decision was an easy one. As soon as we told the group our secret, I would be undoubtedly expelled from Mount Hua, and Bai Ye could naturally leave on his own in "disgrace". The shock might even distract everyone's attention from Twin Stars enough to give us some peace of mind.

I held his gaze. This was too much thought to explain to him in words, but he knew me, and I had no doubt that he could understand all of it through my eyes. As much as I trusted that he had his own way to get us out of our current situation, I didn't want to see him pay for any more consequences. He had done too much for me already. This was the easiest solution with the smallest price, and besides, I meant it when I said I wasn't afraid. I would only be proud to declare our love to the rest of the world, regardless of what they might think of it.

The Gatekeeper broke the silence. "Do tell, Bai Ye," he demanded.

Bai Ye kept looking at me for a little longer. Then a faint smile emerged on his face. "I'm glad, Qing-er," he said to me softly. Turning towards the group, he draped an arm over my shoulders, bringing me closer to him. "From this day forward," he declared, that smile still lingering across his lips, "Yun Qing-er is no longer my disciple. She is my daoist companion."

The sudden declaration, which wasn't an answer to the Gatekeeper's questions at all, clearly caught everyone off guard. All I saw in the crowd were blank stares and confused faces. It was Teng Yuan who understood it first. Shaking his head slightly, he let out a small sigh, though I saw him smiling. Su Nian was the next to react. Her eyes couldn't have widened more, and she glared at me with such rage that I thought she'd charge at me immediately if the rest of the masters weren't there.

Then the Gatekeeper slowly came to terms with reality. "W-What did you just say?" he asked. The first time I had heard him stutter.

"Yun Qing-er is my daoist companion," Bai Ye repeated, "and I will proudly repeat that again and again if you need me to. Now you should understand the purpose of that barrier spell you dreaded." His smile broadened. "Does it suffice to say that it is common practice for dual cultivation … or do you need more details?"

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