v4c25: The Moon, no Longer Hidden By Clouds

After the party, things had calmed down for Bi De—or rather, for the entire Inner Sect, somehow. Everybody, it seemed, was locked in their manors even more intently, cultivating so much that Bi De had essentially free reign of the entire Inner Sect.

 

Even Fengfeng, whom he thought he would be able to get more gossip out of, was unavailable. The woman’s servants told him that she wasn’t to be disturbed, even though she had told him at the party to visit her.

 

It was slightly disappointing, but it enabled him to work on his own garden.

 

“They’re all makin’ plans and trying to see who will be the next to try somethin’. Happens every year!” Old Ling declared before his gaze turned slightly concerned as he watched Bi De work. “Are you sure I shouldn’t be doing this? It’s one thing if they were makin’ you do it, Young Master, but this servant can help!”

 

“I’m fine, Old Ling,” Bi De replied to the fretting servant. “It’s… essential for my cultivation’s growth.”

 

Phrased like that, the old man immediately nodded.

 

“Beggin’ your pardon, Young Master—wait, does that mean the whole time they thought they were doing you a disservice, they were actually helping?” Bi De just smiled enigmatically, and the old man burst out laughing. “In all my years! Young Master, it’s such a privilege to serve such a man!”

 

“Thank you for your kind words, Old Ling. If you do wish to help, however, you could get me some of those beets—as well as any other spices you like to use. The… variety helps.”

 

The old man shook his head. “That’s the darndest cultivation technique I’ve ever heard of, but I s’pose it speaks for itself! Don’t you worry, Young Master! I’ll getcha everything we got, swear on my honour!”

 

“A better servant I could not ask for. Thank you, Old Ling,” Bi De replied, and the old man puffed up before setting off. Soon, Bi De would have in his grasp all the treasures of the Shrouded Mountain Sect, thanks to that old man. Beets, berries, and fruit.

 

He would have to sample the worms as well, and perhaps the crickets. They looked plump and juicy…

 

He worked on his garden for a little while more, enjoying the feeling of invigoration he recieved from farming as always. Truly, his Great Master’s wisdom was beyond anything when he made this his chosen profession. What kind of man could hate farming?

 

Satisfied, he stood and decided to go and see how Ri Zu and Yun Ren were holding up now that he had some time. Perhaps he could help Ri Zu study for her exams? Not that she really needed it. She was going to pass with flying colours.

 

It was about lunch when he came across them. Ri Zu, Yun Ren, Yushang, and Fat Han were together as always—and Bi De joined them, to Yushang’s cheer of ‘Handsome Brother!’

 

Though he could have done without her hugging his arm. He was still a bit… frustrated from the party.

 

It had been a long while since he had felt like this. He thought he had mastered his urges, but it seemed like he required more training.

 

The lunch was nice and the company was pleasant as they made small talk about their progress… but Bi De couldn’t help but notice Yun Ren seemed a bit distracted. After their meal ended, Bi De planned to pull Yun Ren aside when instead Ri Zu grabbed his other arm and pulled him out of Yushang’s grasp.

 

“Will you walk with Ri Zu for a bit?” she asked.

 

Bi De raised an eyebrow at her words and smiled. “Of course. Each moment with you is a treasure,” he replied.

 

Yun Ren and Fat Han both wolf whistled while Yushang just laughed, obviously not upset at all.

 

“Save some room for me~” she simply called.

 

Bi De followed along behind Ri Zu as they walked to one of the more secluded areas of the compound. He was curious as to what she wanted. He was not expecting, however, for her to shove him into an alleyway.

 

He was so shocked he didn’t even resist as she spun him so that her back was against the wall and he was leaning over her, both of his hands on either side of her head.

 

Their faces were close. Their lips were nearly touching. He was staring into Ri Zu’s dark, intense, beautiful eyes. Wait, was she—Bi De felt his heart start to beat faster as she leaned in closer. He was impressed by her boldness—

 

“Good, they can’t see us talking from this angle,” Ri Zu whispered, her voice cutting through Bi De’s movement. “Ri Zu has news.”

 

Bi De composed himself as quickly as he could, shoving down his slight disappointment.

 

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“I see… Thank you for telling me this, Ri Zu,” Bi De whispered to the woman he was leaning over as she finished her short explanation. No wonder Yun Ren had been distracted!

 

“Ri Zu is worried for him… but, well, he seems oddly reliable at times like these,” Ri Zu whispered back.

 

“Despite his lackadaisical attitude, he was the one Uncle Xian trusted the most to look after the Healing Sage,” Bi De replied. “I believe he has thought the risks through thoroughly. All we can do is be ready to support him should the worst come to pass.”

 

“It was why Ri Zu took you here, just in case we were being watched,” she said, looking proud of her idea… before it suddenly seemed to dawn on her just how close their faces were, with Bi De effectively trapping her against the wall.

 

Bi De felt his own heart start to beat faster again as her face slowly flushed.

The author’s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

 

He still didn’t know exactly what he had with Ri Zu… other than that he loved her. He was afraid, slightly, of intimacy after the hens had laid clutch after clutch of sparkless children.

 

When she was a rat it was almost easier. They were completely incompatible, so he couldn’t indulge in her company without anything like this happening.

 

Now? When he could smell the herbal scent and there was Ri Zu right in front of him, so close he could taste her breath?

 

“Shall we make the deception more convincing?” Bi De asked, the words tumbling out of his mouth before he could stop them. He leaned in closer.

 

He expected Ri Zu to blush further and squeak before hiding her face. He expected to save face with a little joke.

 

Ri Zu grabbed him by the back of the head and practically slammed her lips into his.

 

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Ten minutes later they both staggered out of the alleyway looking incredibly rumpled, with Ri Zu closing her open robe.

 

“I… I have to study,” Ri Zu whispered as she combed her hair back into place with her hands.

 

“I look forward to celebrating your achievement, then,” Bi De croaked out, sounding like a young man whose voice just broke.

 

Why was it so easy with other women, but so hard with Ri Zu?!

 

“Yes…. It will be fun.”

 

They both lapsed into silence. There was a bit of an awkward pause as they didn’t look at each other… and then Bi De straightened his spine and turned to face Ri Zu. He would not let his own issues hurt one of his dearest friends.

 

“When we get back home, I shall throw you into a mud pit,” he stated simply, promising to make good on his vow.

 

This time, Ri Zu did flush.

 

“Ri Zu will hold you to that,” she whispered.

 

She looked at him, then darted forwards and gave him a peck on the cheek. Her smile was soft and warm.

 

And then she departed.

 

Bi De stared after her as her hips rocked from side to side. She had clearly based her body off the Healing Sage, because her hips were absolutely magnificent.