Chapter Text
Shen Jiu was terribly, awfully bored. Lying around all day would typically do that, but Shen Jiu had lain still for nearly a year before this. The real difference was now he was lying on a cot deep in a sect, his only friend was due to inherit, absent of mortal fear or existential dread. He was glad to be safe, of course. The problem was that they did not let him do anything!
He days usually went something like this: wake up at sunrise, eat a light breakfast, exercise under supervision of a healer, lay back down, eat a light lunch, lay back down, maybe get a visit from Qi-Ge or Mu Qingfang or someone else, not actually do anything until a small diner, and fall back asleep long after everyone else had left. Sometimes someone would bring him new books or something else “non-strenuous” that would occupy him for a few shichen, but that was not nearly often enough.
It did not help that apparently any healer considered “competent enough” could see him without restrictions. This meant anyone from a teenage junior disciple with a couple of years of experience and up could enter his room. There were a few he was keeping an eye on.
Shen Jiu had discovered a way to solve both his problems. A few of the more naive and foolish girls were easy to convince of his suspicions. A few half-truths here, a lie there, and topping it with saying he was “uncomfortable”, apparently seen as unacceptable, and they were eating from his palm. It was nothing at all to set them out to gather any suspicious activity on the male healers.
Every other day or so, when it was one of the girls’ turns to care for him, they’d give him a report. Mostly nothing but gossip, but gossip was itself information. Or maybe it was better to say it was entertainment with a kernel of truth.
He was rather glad when Qi-ge came to visit despite his busy schedule.
“What took Qi-ge so long this time? Did you have to host some noble family, or did some self-righteous sect leader try to pull one over on you?”
“Ah, nothing so interesting as that. I’ve been overseeing classes so that I am prepared to be peak lord and sect leader. That is on top of my current personalized training with Shizun.”
“Ah, right. You’re still at his mercy.” The old bastard certainly would make classes as inconveniencing as possible to keep the two of them separated.”
Qi-ge cleared his throat, “Jiu-er, someone would like to visit you soon. I think you are familiar with Yang-Shishu from Qing Jing Peak.”
“The one who keeps trying to steal me away?”
That makes Qi-ge laugh. Apparently, he’s not so concerned that the freak would break in in the middle of the night just to drag a not-so-unwilling disciple back that much sooner.
“Don’t worry, Jiu-er. He’s only going to take you once you are cleared, and if you agree. Even the second in command of the sect can’t out rule the Qian Cao Peak lord on Qian Cao. Though he is getting quite impatient, and Li Shishu is also starting to consider other options.”
“I’m starting to outstay my welcome.”
“Not necessarily!” Qi-ge waved away, not entirely convincing. “Perhaps they are reconsidering how little work they are giving Jiu-er. He has apparently been keeping himself busy.”
“What are you talking about? I’ve only lain around, bored out of my mind. I’d think I’d notice if I were causing trouble.”
Qi-ge looked at him as if he thought Shen Jiu was lying through his teeth. The doubt stung a little.
“What? Name one thing!”
“Jiu-er pulled a dagger on a healer. They were rather shocked by that.”
“That was once, nearly nine months ago! And if they really didn’t want me to have one, they would have better security protocols!”
“They will now.
“And Jiu-er snuck an emetic into his food and then asked a healer to taste test it for him. Apparently, that kid still won't touch congee.”
“That was eight months ago, and he deserved it for his attitude!”
“Jiu-er is not saying he did not do it, though. Most healers don’t appreciate being attacked by their patients and having to use extra resources. They won’t kick you out since they have technically dealt with worse, but they will allow you to spend some time under Yang-Shishu’s tutelage if you agree.”
“Then why is he not here telling me himself?”
“Because men you are unfamiliar with are no longer allowed into your room without your permission.”
“One time, Qi-ge! I pulled a blade one time! That was forever ago!”
“And bit two boys and hissed at other peak lords several times.”
“I was half feral at the time! And I will avenge you, even if you think they don’t deserve it.”
“Of course, Jiu-er.” The reply was just as unconvincing as ever. “But the healers have all agreed that it is better that any male you don’t know well needs your permission to enter your room, no matter what their standing is, for your own health. Constantly worrying about strangers is not conducive to healing. If there is anyone you don’t want in your room, just say so. If they don’t listen, then one of us will take care of it.”
Which Qi-ge should know means every male that is not him, and maybe Mu Qingfang. He was still deciding how he felt about the healer. Though that would exclude the peak lord most likely to accept Shen Jiu and mess with his investigation. It was best to stay quiet on that for now.
“How does Jiu-er feel about seeing Yang-Shishu?”
“Let him in, I suppose. But only if I become his disciple. And you have to stay here with me the whole time.”
Qi-ge smiled a little, “Okay, I’ll let him know.”
Qi-ge disappeared behind the door for a few moments. Presumably, he was talking to someone about Shen Jiu’s agreement. Perhaps he was even talking to the Qing Jing Peak Lord himself.
He reappeared following that very man. The freak happily sat in a chair next to the bed as Qi-ge stood guard at Shen Jiu’s side. They sat in silence for a little too long.
Finally, Shen Jiu had to ask, “Does this mean I’m your disciple now?”
“Well, this master can’t say Shen Jiu is a disciple right this moment, but this one can guarantee you a spot. There are ceremonies and tests and so on, which must happen first, but are only possible once the potential disciple is on my peak. I can also educate you as far as my Shidi will allow.”
It was not great. A promise meant nothing, especially from a man. Anyone could break a promise. Promises could be broken even when the person who made it does their best to keep it. The freak might as well have guaranteed to find the first sect leader’s ghost. Shen Jiu made sure to show his doubt on his face.
“How about this, I’ll swear to the heavens in an official ceremony right here.”
Qi-ge froze. Based on his reaction, this was no small thing. It did make sense with some thought. Cultivation could do many things. One of those things could very well be divinely enforced contracts.
Qi-ge pulled out a piece of paper, an ink stone, and ink. Under the peak lord’s watchful eye, the young man ground the ink and then added a drop of something. Then Peak Lord Yang added a couple of drops of his blood. He wrote in impossibly neat strokes a simple promise.
“I, Yang Wanzhang, hereby agree to accept Shen Jiu as a personal disciple the day he is medically released. This master will create no unnecessary delays. This master’s signature stamp will symbolize this commitment to the heavens. To break this commitment will be to invite divine punishment.”
He finished with a stamp he pulled out of his sleeve and pressed with the special ink. The ink glowed for a few seconds before dissipating, and it was miraculously dry.
“I trust Yue-Shizi to protect this.”
“Yes, Shishu.”
Qi-ge disappeared the paper into his sleeve, then returned to his spot at Shen Jiu’s side.
“Well then,” the peak lord spoke, “Let’s go over what your current coursework will be like. I assume you were made aware that I will be personally providing you with an education.”
Shen Jiu tamped down the initial bristling at the implication that he was stupid and uneducated. He did agree to this after all.
“I am aware, but I already know how to read and write.”
“If you are sure, but do you know how to write well, neatly?”
She Jiu could feel phantom pain return to his hands. It had been so long, and the man was dead. But even when replaced with mud, his hands remembered. He could even feel them twitching.
“I am sure.”
“And decorative calligraphy is something else altogether.”
Qi-ge rested his hand behind Shen Jiu’s arm, having noticed the increasingly uncontrollable twitching.
“Jiu-er.”
“I’m fine!”
“It might be better to talk about the other four arts. Unfortunately, they refuse to have you learn music as of yet. Strings and instruments with holes might be too much for now. Qi and painting will be very good starting points. I have some beginner's materials.”
The peak lord then unpacked what was apparently a qiankun pouch full of a large stack of manuals, an entire qi set, a set of brushes, ink, grinding stone, and high-quality “practice paper”.
“I expect you to have completed all of the manuals in one of the four arts by next week and have started practicing what you learned.”
“Yang-Shishu, respectful-” Qi-ge started to argue, but Shen Jiu silenced him with a raised hand.
“And if I complete all of them?”
The freak smiled, “I might get some complaints from my Shidi that you did not get enough rest, but I personally won’t stop you.”
In other words, go right ahead. The peak lord of the scholars’ peak would be more than happy to have an eager student. It was proof enough that they were committed to the work.
“Oh!” The freak theatrically gasped, “Perhaps I should also teach you how to better curate informants!”
“What is Peak Lord Yang speaking of?”
“Well, it appears my Shidi was informed by a senior disciple that you’ve been gathering intel on a few select disciples, seemingly only out of an abundance of caution.”
Shen Jiu looked to Qi-ge, who was very clearly avoiding contact. It seemed he intentionally left that bit of info out of their earlier conversation. That must have been the true last straw that made them decide to keep him busy. Not that he could complain about getting training earlier.
The freak continued, “He’s decided to give you the benefit of the doubt and allow it to continue, but do be aware that most disciples tend to have big mouths. Junior disciples tend to be especially so with seniors they respect. Be glad the senior they spoke to is willing to play along and keep it under wraps for now.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
The freak left soon after. Qi-ge helped find temporary homes for all of the supplies that were dumped on him.
“So, when was Qi-ge gong to tell me they found out about my half-assed espionage?”
“Jiu-er did not tell me about it, so this one assumed he did not want this one to know. It seemed better to continue as we were before so that Jiu-er would not be too upset. Apologies.”
“Enough with the apologies. You apologize too much! Just tell me next time one of my secrets gets out. I’m not as bothered that you found out as everyone else.”
“Of course, Jiu-er. And he can tell me anything. I’ll always keep your secrets between just us.”
“Sure, but I suppose this only proves that the fewer people who know a secret, the safer it is.”
“True enough, but this Qi-ge is not some random disciple. He sees Jiu-er's secrets as more important than whatever a random junior healer thinks of them. If Jiu-er needs something done, this Qi-ge would love to be the first person he asks.”
“Qi-ge better stick by that.”
“Always!”