NEBM Chapter 6: Hedgehog

He kept his eyes wide open and held his breath as he tightly held the light bamboo pole in his arms and quickly walked down the narrow path.

The two elders who followed behind watched with contented expressions. Anyway, the person wasn’t their disciple. They just came for the fun.

“Little Shen’s physical strength is really good. Holding a person but still walking so fast.”

“Young people are always so energetic.”

These two elders had served the former sect leader and were Shen Zhixian’s senior martial uncles. It could be said that they watched Shen Zhixian grew up and usually addressed him casually.

Shen Zhixian was originally very close to them. But, after his heart ailment, his arrogance soared as high as the Heavens and he gradually distanced himself from them. When they saw this, they could only sigh helplessly.

“Today, Little Shen looked a bit like how he was before. He also seems to have a different attitude towards his disciple.”

“It’s a little strange. I don’t know what Little Shen wants to do…But, now matter what, I still hope their master and disciple relationship would get better.”

Although they would not intervene in the affairs between master and disciples, the child Yan Jin was indeed a good one. Despite Shen Zhixian’s current situation, he could still be a good teacher.

“Forget it. Let the young people deal with it on their own. This venerable fourth elder is going to go and play chess. You should also get busy.”

Seeing that Shen Zhixian was long gone, Third Elder waved his hand and told the stewards following them to disassemble. Then, the two slipped away.

Shen Zhixian held Yan Jin all the way back, unabashedly expressing his care for his disciple. This scene fell into the eyes of many disciples, both big and small, and immediately spread.

“How could Elder Shen’s disciple’s luck turn around so fast? He was just barely punished and sent up the Cliff of Reflection, and now, a day later, he’s being carried back?”

“Wasn’t their relationship always bad? Maybe Elder Shen thought of another way to torture him?”

“Who knew? It’s none of our business, anyway. We can only observe…”

Various kinds of whisper passed on to Yan Shen’s ears. His eyes darkened and his hand fell to the hilt of his sword. In the next moment, he changed his expression into a cheerful smile and paid no attention to stations as he walked over to the disciples deep in discussion “Are you discussing Senior Brother Yan Jin? What happened to him?”

Yan Shan was careful to build a good image toward other people. When the disciples saw that it was him, they all enthusiastically welcomed him into their folds.

“Your senior brother is very fortunate. Even after breaking into the Hidden Sword Pavilion and causing such trouble, the sect leader just disregarded it.”

Naturally, it was because his master had ruthlessly used the sect leader’s good image as leverage. Yan Shen knew it well.

Speaking of Senior Brother, he was so badly injured and was driven up to the Cliff of Reflection. Once he returned, his vitality was bound to be seriously wounded. When that moment comes, Yan Shan would turn the situation around. Sooner or later, the master would only have eyes for him.

“Well, you don’t have to worry anymore.” A junior disciple grinned. “Elder Shen went to bring the person down. He even personally held him!”

He exaggeratedly imitated the embrace, his pose making everyone laugh.

Yan Shen stopped, completely startled, and his expression became ugly. Then, he set his mind at rest and joined in on the laughter. “Senior Brother was carried? But, that’s great!”

“Not only that, but Elder Shen personally took him back to his house.” The senior brother, who usually got along well with Yan Shen, patted him on the shoulder and tentatively added, “A’Shen, you and Yan Jin are both Elder Shen’s personal disciples. You probably understood their relationship the best. What’s going on?”

Yan Shen shook his head. This happened too suddenly. He only just saw Master yesterday and had spoken to him about Yan Jin going to the Cliff of Reflection. Which sentence had caused Shen Zhixian to suddenly go and pick Yan Jin up in person?!!

He desperately thought back and could only murmur, “I don’t know. Master may have other considerations.”

The senior brother studied him carefully to confirm that he really did not know and then laughed. “We’ll inconvenience A’Shen to visit your senior brother. Do you know? Elder Shen even said, ‘We need to carefully investigate the Hidden Sword Pavilion incident.’”

Yan Jin was not valued by Shen Zhixian, and he was treated lower than even the outer disciples. This group of people had more or less bullied him, and they were afraid that if Yan Jin suddenly rises in status, they might have trouble.

Looking into the Hidden Sword Pavilion?

Yan Shen’s heart jumped. Why did Yan Jin break into the Hidden Sword Pavilion? Others didn’t know, but he was very clear. Although he was guaranteed that this would never be found out, Yan Shen still felt a cold sweat on his palms.

When he finished chatting with this group of disciples, Yan Shen turned around, his eyes immediately darkening. After thinking for a moment, he strode towards Yan Jin’s residence.

…..

Shen Zhixian descended the mountain and carried Yan Jin all the way back to his residence.

Yan Jin’s residence wasn’t terrible, but it was still too crude for an elder’s personal disciple.

Shen Zhixian frowned. He had every intention to take good care of Yan Jin, but after thinking twice during the tiring trek down the Cliff of Reflection, he suddenly discovered a serious problem.

Qingyun Sect was the head of the four major sects.

Within such a large sect, countless people diligently sharpened their skills every day to climb up to this central place of strength.

His heart ailment only prevented him from further improvements in his cultivation, but it certainly had not turned him into a waste. He could get through without spiritual power for a day or two. But, if he ended up being a “normal person” for a long time, it might make other people suspicious. Worst, in case of danger, there’s no need to talk about taking care of Yan Jin, he was afraid he wouldn’t even be able to save himself.

Shen Zhixian wasn’t completely helpless when it came to these mysterious things. He still had the original Shen Zhixian’s memory and knowledge. This allowed him to perform small tricks like the drunken leaves and the communication grass bud he had left behind with Yan Jin on the Cliff of Reflection.

But, currently, his tricks were only limited to these. He was a man who lived peacefully in the scientific world for 20 years, only to suddenly arrive to a world where he could fly around and fight with swords. He needed time to adapt!

Shen Zhixian absentmindedly lay the person on the platform bed and took out various healing medicines and elixirs. Then, he absentmindedly peeled the bamboo shoots…cough, peeled little Yan Jin’s shirt apart.

Yan Jin: “…!”

He originally wanted to pretend to be unconscious and then wait for Shen Zhixian to leave. But now, he could only snap his eyes open, hurriedly raised his own hands to block Shen Zhixian’s hands, and coldly said, “Master.”

Shen Zhixian returned to his senses. Withdrawing his hand, he brought a fist up to his lips in a cough, acting as if nothing had happened. “You’re awake. I thought you were unconscious. ”

The little hedgehog Yan Jin sat up, his quills raised, and vigilantly watched Shen Zhixian for any indications of anger. After a moment, when Shen Zhixian hadn’t done anything terrible, he tentatively settled down somewhat.

Shen Zhixian stretched out a finger and effortlessly poked the little hedgehog who was about to leave the bed. “Where do you want to run? Lie back down and I’ll give you medicine.”

The little hedgehog was rigidly pushed back on the bed, and ignoring the delicate jade bottle next to him, he insisted, “I need to get something.”

What was so precious that, even when injured, he would want it first. Shen Zhixian frowned and looked at his disciple’s pale face. He picked up the medicine and shoved it into his hand, saying, “Eat it first. Where is the thing?”

Yan Jin unwillingly clutched the bottle. He tried to move again, but he couldn’t evade Shen Zhixian. Finally, he pressed his lips together and reluctantly nodded toward the humble cabinet in the corner.

Shen Zhixian followed his direction and found a shabby little bag made out of old clothing that was patched multiple times.

Yan Jin took the small bag with a blank face and dragged it towards him. Instead of opening it, he only lowered his eyes and said in a low voice, “Master must be busy. You don’t need to worry about me.”

The tone was more peaceful and not as hostile as last night. However, Shen Zhixian raised an eyebrow, fully understanding this little hedgehog’s meaning.

——Hurry up and get out of here. Leave me alone.

However, it was impossible for him to leave. He doesn’t want to be tortured in the future.

Shen Zhixian had never coaxed a child before. His heart felt as if thousands of marmots were stampeding on it, but he could only try to put on a kind and amiable smile. His tone was soft and gentle as he said, “There’s no hurry. First, let me take a look at your injury. Come, take off your clothes. ”