NEBM Chapter 53: Faceless

This chubby youth was A’Lin, who should have been with Yu Yuan in town.

Lin Qin blurted out, “Junior Brother A’Lin!”

A’Lin heard him called but didn’t look back.  He continued to speak, saying words that he’d probably wanted to say for a long time. Although he was stammering due to the tension, his words were still quite clear.

He talked about everything that had happened in recent days and requested to hand over the matter regarding Yan Jin. Finally, he said in a trembling voice, “Junior was inattentive and caused a big disaster. Regarding my senior brothers’ blame, I have nothing to say. I only sincerely request that spiritual master provide one or two pointers. If there is a way to get Senior Brother Zhang’s statement to clear my name, then I would die without regret.”

As A’Lin spoke, his tone was mournful yet slightly courageous. Listening to him, Lin Qin couldn’t help but feel upset. He said, “Junior Brother A’Lin, we don’t blame you…”

A’Lin turned to look at him. In the past few days, he’d suffered a lot in his heart. He was obviously thinner, and his cheeks were sunken. His expression was desolate as he said, “I know that my disciple brothers have been avoiding me these past few days. Senior Brother Yuan also sent a letter to master, requesting that martial uncle come and take me back…None of you believe me.”

Lin Qin was momentarily speechless. He opened his mouth but couldn’t say anything. In the end, he could only stand up and treat Spiritual Master Qiongyu with utmost courtesy. “Spiritual master, please forgive my junior brother’s rudeness. Regarding this matter, we can’t determine the truth and so we would like to ask spiritual master for a pointer or two…”

This was basically the same as A’Lin’s words.

Spiritual Master Qiongyu’s expression turned grave. He supported Lin Qin up with one hand and said, “Where is Yan Jin right now?”

…..

In the small town at the foot of Qiongyu Sect’s mountain, Yu Yuan forced himself to remain calm. “Think again. When and where was the last time you saw Junior Brother A’Lin?”

The youth said, ”One hour ago, Junior Brother A’Lin said that he was hungry and wanted to go out and buy some buns that were being sold by the side of the inn. I could see him from where I stood just outside the door. So I didn’t keep up. I just looked at him from the door. As Junior Brother A’Lin was paying, suddenly a child ran out, causing a group of people to chase after him. After the chaotic group of people ran over, Junior Brother A’Lin was gone.”

He added in a low voice, “…I thought Junior Brother A’Lin was pushed away by the crowd and so I waited. But, after a while, I still didn’t see him. I searched everywhere but couldn’t find him.”

Yu Yuan said anxiously, “Martial uncle is coming. Junior Brother A’Lin must not have any mishaps….” He paused. Taking a deep breath, he forced his expression to remain calm, not wanting to cause any more panic. “Search again…”

Before he could finish the rest of his words, he was interrupted by a voice outside saying “Senior Brother Yuan.”

It was Lin Qin’s voice.

Lin Qin had already met with Spiritual Master Qiongyu and returned?

Yu Yuan momentarily put down other thoughts and walked out quickly. But, the moment he went out, he became stunned.

Lin Qin was back with Spiritual Master Qiongyu’s junior disciple, Spiritual Master Qi Yu. And the person standing next to him…Wasn’t that the A’Lin who’d gone missing again?

Yu Yuan’s expression shifted slightly.

……

That group of youths was being noisy about something. Shen Zhixian and Yan Jin heard a bit but didn’t pay it any mind. After all, to the youths, they were nothing but big criminals. Instead, they just treated it as if they were just tired and came to take a rest at the inn.

The door was not closed tightly, but two youths guarded it carefully, fearing they would sneak away.

Shen Zhixian took a light sip of tea. His eyebrows slightly wrinkled before smoothing out. “It’s too light and a bit tasteless.”

He set the tea cup down and no longer touched it. Resting his chin in his hand, he said in a voice low enough for only the two of them to hear. “This group of little guys seems to be looking for a supporter… When they properly arrange things with A’Lin, let’s leave.”

In fact, the youths’ hostility was getting burdensome. Shen Zhixian had been worried that there was something weird going on with A’Lin, and these young buns might suffer as a result of it. But now that they’re looking for a supporter, he and Yan Jin could quietly leave once an opportunity arose.

This group of young guys didn’t understand the affairs of life. Even after walking with them for so long, they still couldn’t figure anything out. They could only make Yan Jin feel wronged.

He wasn’t willing to let Yan Jin be wronged!

Over the past few days, he’d watched as the group of youths repeatedly shot Yan Jin bad looks. No matter how good his temper was, he couldn’t bear it anymore.

Yan Jin quietly murmured “Mmnn” in agreement. He had no objections. In fact, he’d long wanted to take Shen Zhixian away. He found it unbearable that he couldn’t teach this group of youths a lesson for being so disrespectful to Shen Zhixian.

They each wanted to mutually save the other from suffering injustice. Thus, the plan to slip away was very agreeable. Who knew that this idea would be dashed within moments.

Yu Yuan brought in Spiritual Master Qi Yu, who also brought with him the sect’s magical artifact. This treasure was an eleventh rank magic weapon. With this treasure, he invited them to enter Qiongyu Sect’s forbidden room.

This forbidden room, to put it plainly, was the Qiongyu Sect’s dungeon.

Fortunately, there was a bed, a small table, and even two praying mats. As dungeons go, it wasn’t too bad.

After Spiritual Master Qi Yu left, they looked at each other for a moment. Shen Zhixian bent over and laughed. He joked, “….How interesting.”

In fact, if the magic artifact really was used, with their cultivation, they could still break out as long as they combined force. However, if they resisted, it would only inevitably make the situation worse.

Qiongyu Sect’s happy occasion was near, and the people who’d been invited had started to arrive. Even though they were only disciples from small sects, they were very noisy and irritating, especially with regards to Yan Jin’s capture. Yan Jin became the target of the crowd, with everyone demanding that Yan Jin be executed.

Qiongyu Sect’s plan was to calmly settle the companion ceremonies first and then deal with Yan Jin and Shen Zhixian afterward.

Shen Zhixian tried to push open the forbidden room’s door, but it was locked by a restriction. The restriction was actually rather clever. If it was forcibly broken, the entire sect would immediately know that they’d escaped.

Shen Zhixian gave up on the idea of using violence to break the restriction. He looked around slowly. After deciding that the environment was acceptable, he saw down on the low bed and patted the space beside him. “A’jin, come over and sit here.”

Yan Jin obediently sat down next to him.

Shen Zhixian quietly looked at his expression but saw at once that he displayed no expression.  He couldn’t tell whether there was any joy or anger. Thinking that Yan Jin might feel aggrieved, he felt uncomfortable in his heart. As he was wondering how to cheer him up, Yan Jin spoke first, “The companion ceremony…What’s that?”

Shen Zhixian didn’t expect that he would ask this question first. After a short pause, he answered, “It’s when two people have an affinity with each other and decide to spend the rest of their lives together as Dao companions.”

He thought that Yan Jin was just curious about the companion ceremony between the two Qiongyu Sect disciples. Unexpectedly, Yan Jin just murmured “mmn” and then thoughtfully asked, “Then Sui Xian is my…Dao companion?”

Shen Zhixian, “….”

Yan Jin said the two words “Dao companion” softly and slowly. He seemed a little uncertain and a little hopeful as he waited anxiously for a positive answer. Within the darkness, he stared unblinkingly at Shen Zhixian.

Suddenly, Shen Zhixian’s mouth went dry, as if he’d lost his ability to speak. He wanted to deny it but felt that he would end up hurting Yan Jin. He wanted to confirm it, but his face suddenly became too hot and shyness gripped his tongue.

After a long pause, he hemmed and hawed before saying, “A’jin, have you really decided?”

Yan Jin nodded without hesitation.

Shen Zhixian looked at him, his expression very serious and solemn. Then, he unconsciously licked his lips and forced himself to calm down. “Then, then it is.”

He also decided that if he fell in love, then he fell in love. He wasn’t a guy who was determined to be straight. Speaking of romantic love, it was already rare enough for him to be able to transmigrate into a book, much less be able to hold on to the protagonist. How rare and fortunate!

During this period of time, as they continued to interact, Shen Zhixian had been seriously reflecting over this issue. Yan Jin clearly had a stubborn temperament. Once he set his mind on something, he won’t give it up. And, as for Shen Zhixian himself…

When it came to romantic sentiments, he was also someone who was dedicated and single minded.  When he liked someone, he would like that person wholeheartedly. No matter how uncertain the outcome, he also won’t give it up.

The scene wasn’t ostentatious. Just, in this humble, forbidden room, two people simply asking each other about a life together, thoroughly laying out and communicating their intentions.

Without words, tenderness lingered silently between them. Linked by the contract, the same joy merged together and instantaneously expanded several times over. From within their heart was a sweetness that wrapped them in honey, making it feel as if it was being lightly tickled with the softest of feathers.

Shen Zhixian held Yan Jin’s hand and, with his head down, nonchalantly played with his fingers. After playing for a while, he heard Yan Jin ask, “The Dao companion ceremony…how does it work?”

“Burn incense to worship heaven and earth, commit to a lifelong contract.” Shen Zhixian didn’t think much about it and simply tried to recall the Dao companion ceremony. He casually added, “Probably like this? I’m not very clear on it.”

Hearing these words, Yan Jin paused. Shen Zhixian understood him and immediately responded, “Our contract is different. It should just be an ordinary…master and disciple contract…”

As his words trailed off, he became a little less confident. In fact, he wasn’t too certain what this contract was exactly. It was only a fragment of a page, with no top and no bottom. If the situation with Yan Jin wasn’t so urgent at that time, he wouldn’t have taken it out so abruptly…

In order to cover up his ignorance, Shen Zhixian decided to take the lead in shifting blame. “If it wasn’t because you did that thing, then I would have allowed you to leave and not block your path…A’jin, be honest. At that time, you absolutely didn’t want to recognize me as your master, right?”

It felt like such a long time ago. Now, that they’re in this kind of relationship, when Shen Zhixian recalled Yan Little Hedgehog Jin’s conduct at that time, he could only sigh.

Gaining this disciples heart was really like navigating a seabed full of needles.

At that time, he’d been worried whether Yan Jin was the little cabbage or the pig. Who would have imagined that, in the end, Yan Jin would turn out to be the cabbage while he himself became the pig.

—Wait, why should he call himself a pig?!

Peipei (1), he wasn’t a pig. He should be a white jade, flawless, and noble cabbage!

—No, wait a second, he was so good. Why should he compare himself to a cabbage?!

Shen Zhixian, who felt wrong, pressed down these messy thoughts, only to find that Yan Jin’s mood was suddenly downcast. He stared in surprise, not understanding why. Then, he saw the deep regret within Yan Jin’s eyes.

“Master, I’m sorry…” Yan Jin’s mouth tightened. He held Shen Zhixian’s hand in the palm of his hand and repeated in a low voice, “Sui Xian, I’m sorry…”

“If you’re still angry, you can hit me, scold me. Just don’t leave me,” Yan Jin said in a tight voice. His voice was full of unease and sadness, like a child who was afraid of losing the most precious treasure, making him cautious and afraid. “If you still leave, I would be alone.”

Seeing Yan Jin in this kind of obstructed mood, Shen Zhixian felt as if an insect had taken a bite out of his heart, the sting incredibly painful. He almost immediately regretted teasing him.

He hugged Yan Jin to his side and rubbed his cheek against Yan Jin’s cheek. He awkwardly whispered into Yan Jin’s ear, “Okay, okay, okay. I won’t leave. Our A’jin is so good-looking, I’m also not willing to part with him.”

Afraid that Yan Jin might still think too much, he patted Yan Jin’s back and lightly coughed. Letting go of Yan Jin, he pulled out his storage bag, undid the restriction, and shook out all the things from inside. “Look, I brought a lot of things out from Qingyun Sect. A’jin, see if there’s anything you want. I’ll let you play with it.”

With an “Ah,” Shen Zhixian fished out a black bowl made out of an unknown material. “This seems to be a very good defensive weapon. A’jin, take it and put it away. Whoever tries to harm you in the future, you take him out with the bowl, alright? What are you searching for?”

Yan Jin picked up a book from the storage bag and, with an innocent look, said, ” I want this … ”

Shen Zhixian, ” … ”

He stuffed the bowl into Yan Jan’s arms, hastily grabbed the book, and repeatedly refused. “This, no, no, no. This book is not well written and might teach you bad things. “

Yan Jin’s hand still won’t let go of the book. After the book was tugged back and forth, he looked at the book, then looked at Shen Zhixian. He could clearly see that Shen Zhixian was reluctant to part with the book so he tried to soften him with a few words. “Since Sui Xian won’t let me look at the book, I won’t look at the book, I merely think that the volumes of books should be put together…”

Shen Zhixian rolled up the book and lightly tapped it against the back of Yan Jin’s hand, “Then you call me Master.”

Yan Jin obediently said, “Master”

Shen Zhixian nodded with satisfaction. Then, he ruthlessly put the book away and said with a smile, “Since I’m your master, then you must listen to my words. If I don’t want you to read it, then don’t read it.”

Yan Jin, “…”

Together, they talked about the book for a while, treating this forbidden room as their home on Qingyun Sect’s fifth peak. Forgetting that they were locked up, they chatted in a relaxed manner, laughing and casual.

They didn’t know how much time had passed, until a slight squeak sounded, the noise similar to the wind blowing against leaves. Shen Zhixian and Yan Jin’s conversation paused and they looked in the same direction.

A faint “Master” came from outside the door, and the door suddenly and silently opened a crack.

Slowly, slowly, the door creaked open.

A tall man in black stood at the door, his head turned stiffly towards them.

There was nothing at all on his blank face.