Chapter 10: Bringing Lotus Seed Along

Leaving the Flower Garden, they traveled through forests and across clear streams. Lan Shui led Xue Ze and the others far from the crowds. Only when they reached a place rarely touched by human presence did Lan Shui and Ji Lin, along with Xue Ze, reveal their true Tianshan selves; their attire transformed back to its original state, reminiscent of their customary Tianshan garb.

Lan Shui and Ji Lin’s clothes changed quietly: robes of white ice-silkworm brocade, boots as pale as drifting clouds and cranes, each bearing unique patterns and embroidery, yet all exuding an ethereal elegance. Their headdresses, too, now bore the marks of Tianshan, echoing the white strands woven through their hair, lending them the air of immortals descended to earth.

“Wow, they look... so beautiful!” Lianzi tugged at Xue Ze’s sleeve, whispering, “Senior Sister, your Senior Brothers are even more handsome after they transform! They look just like immortals come down from the heavens. Is everyone from Tianshan like this?”

With a gentle smile, Xue Ze replied softly, “Transform? This is how we usually dress.”

Ji Lin smoothed his dark hair and grinned in delight. “Junior Sister, is this little tagalong complimenting me?”

“Junior Sister, ignore him! He’s always been vain,” Lan Shui smiled at Xue Ze, pulling Ji Lin back. “In front of your junior sister, must you still act so improper? Be careful, or I’ll teach you a lesson!”

Lianzi giggled foolishly and whispered to Xue Ze, “Do you have any attire that might amaze me as well?”

Xue Ze smiled serenely, her mundane clothes shifting into her Tianshan robes. Pure and elegant, gentle and lovely, she left Lianzi marveling in admiration.

“Wow, your clothes are beautiful too!” Lianzi couldn’t help but stroke the sleeve of Xue Ze’s robe, her eyes transfixed. “Your clothes look somewhat similar—do they have a special meaning?”

Xue Ze nodded. “These are the robes of Tianshan disciples, distinct in both fabric and pattern from the mortal realm. The materials are refined from the treasures of Tianshan, making us instantly recognizable to each other. The style, color, and embroidery are tailored to individual rank and preference…”

All three were disciples of the Venerable Qiangui, so their attire bore the hallmarks of Snow Bamboo Hall. Their garments were snowy white, their hair streaked with white strands, and their sleeves and hems marked with the emblem of snow bamboo. The embroidered patterns upon the cloth signified their standing and identity. As the Venerable Qiangui resided in the Snow Bamboo Hall and ruled over the snowy domains, both she and her disciples wore robes scented with lotus and marked with snow bamboo.

The white streaks in their hair identified the male disciples of Tianshan. That lock of white was natural, as pure as a silver chain, as delicate as a snowflake. The higher their rank, the more white strands they bore. At this moment, Lan Shui had two, Ji Lin one; those without rank bore no snowy threads.

Once Lan Shui had properly admonished Ji Lin, he brought him over. “Junior Sister, we are truly reunited as disciples now!”

Ji Lin grinned widely. “Welcome back, Junior Sister!”

“Lianzi, pay your respects to your Senior Brothers!” Xue Ze led Lianzi to kneel before them in the Tianshan manner.

After ten years apart, such a ceremony was only fitting to mark her return. Lan Shui and Ji Lin returned Xue Ze’s salute, but showed no acknowledgment to Lianzi. Crestfallen, Lianzi stood at Xue Ze’s side, clutching the edge of her sleeve, as if afraid of being abandoned or forgotten.

Xue Ze gently patted Lianzi’s hand in comfort, then spoke earnestly to the two men. “Please forgive me, Senior Brothers, but I must bring Lianzi with me! She is the child of the Red Lotus whom I saved at the age of ten, and has been loyal and sincere to me ever since. Her spirit is pure and her character noble; I have always regarded her as a sister. I resolved before this journey to bring her back to Tianshan and beg your consent.”

“Junior Sister, since you treat her as a sister, we will naturally care for her as well. You needn’t worry about us. However, Tianshan is not an open place, and Lianzi was born in Lanhua Pavilion. That may be a problem,” Ji Lin said with concern.

“I know it will not be easy to bring her up the mountain, but I cannot leave her behind, nor can she bear to be apart from me. You need not worry about her origins—if Master speaks for her and a contract is formed, she will no longer be tied to Lanhua Pavilion. No matter what, I wish to try. Just as I strove with all my might to return to Tianshan, so too does she have this longing!”

Xue Ze’s resolve showed in her sorrowful expression, which, together with Lianzi’s pitiful look, stirred sympathy.

“Xue Ze, why do you wish to return to Tianshan? And why must you go back now?” Lan Shui asked.

“Tianshan is where I grew up, where I studied with my master. With Master, Senior Brothers, and so many fellow disciples there, how could I not yearn day and night to return? Lately, unforeseen troubles have befallen us. Tianshan’s reputation has been sullied by Beihua. Disasters have occurred, and I have been away, unable to help. Now, with Father’s help, I finally have a chance to go back and must seize it!” As she spoke, the memory of her dream returned, strengthening her resolve.

Lan Shui nodded, his icy gaze softening as he looked at Xue Ze. The face once as cold as a glacier now glowed with gentle warmth, no less tender than the joy of any ordinary soul.

“Ji Lin and I have been away for some time, all for this. Before sunset that day, I obtained the Nine Command Beads, but I did not deliver them to you at once. Upon hearing news from Miss Qu, I went alone to Beihua’s capital, and only after much toil did I learn the Xue family’s true intent…”

“What was their purpose?” Xue Ze asked urgently.

“The Xue family covets the Tianshan snow lotus, thus orchestrated this affair. First, they accused the High Priestess Mu Fan of a false divination, causing disaster. Then, they blamed the plague on the refugees drinking from the Blue Lake. Rumors spread that Tianshan seeks to destroy the people of the Central Plains and seize power. It seems the Xue family wants Tianshan’s treasures to quell the unrest among the refugees.”

“Did you explain this to Master?” Ji Lin asked.

“Did you not see the messenger dove that just flew off?” The messenger dove, a spiritual creature of Tianshan, was commonly used to send messages.

Hearing the coldness in Lan Shui’s tone, Ji Lin grumbled, “Senior Brother is as partial as ever! Now that Junior Sister has returned, I’m even less important!”

Lan Shui shot him a look, and Ji Lin immediately straightened up and fell silent.

Xue Ze was in no mood for jokes; her thoughts remained on the pressing matter. “Senior Brother, what does the Xue affair have to do with Lianzi’s entry to the mountain?”

Lan Shui hesitated, but Ji Lin answered for him, “Senior Brother is worried that with current unrest, bringing a stranger into Tianshan will cause talk. Lianzi must have a proper identity.”

Xue Ze asked, “May I ask, Senior Brother, how could an identity be given to Lianzi?”

“Xue Ze, have you forgotten who you once were?” Lan Shui replied with a question of his own. “There are no outsiders here—why are we so formal with each other?”

Xue Ze smiled gently and corrected herself at once. “Senior Brother, I was wrong. It’s not intentional distance, but after ten years apart, one cannot know what changes have occurred. This first meeting is important; it’s only natural that respect outweighs affection. Please forgive me.”

“No matter! Whatever changes may come, Ji Lin, Master, and I will never waver in our feelings for you,” Lan Shui said, glancing at Ji Lin.

Ji Lin smiled, dimples appearing as he nodded vigorously. “No matter how much more the Sect Master or the Celestial Lotus Priest may favor you, the bonds we have in Tianshan remain. Coming home is the right choice!”

Seeing the Senior Brothers’ kindness toward Xue Ze, Lianzi felt relieved and happy, unable to hold back her thoughts. “Lianzi has seen with her own eyes how sincerely you both care for Xue Ze—what joy! Should I have no fate to follow Xue Ze up the mountain, I would not be afraid or worried, for I know you will care for her as I would.”

Ji Lin regarded Lianzi with approval. “You are truly loyal—rare indeed! If you cannot come, we will look after Xue Ze; rest assured.”

Lianzi was about to thank him when Lan Shui glanced at her, startling her into silence.

After a moment, Lan Shui spoke calmly, “For your sincerity and kindness, I will find a way to bring you up the mountain.”

At his words, Lianzi jumped for joy and thanked him repeatedly. Ji Lin too was delighted, muttering, “At last, another girl to share the chores!”

“Lianzi will do her best to lighten your burdens, Senior Brothers. Should there be anything I can do, please do not hesitate to ask!”

Ji Lin was in high spirits, but Xue Ze quickly pulled Lianzi to her side. “Absolutely not! I have never treated Lianzi as a servant; how could you, Senior Brother, ask a young girl to do your bidding?”

“Oh, Junior Sister, you are so kind. But Senior Brother has so many daily tasks—who will help me? You and Lianzi are as close as sisters, while Bluewater and I are not only brothers but fellow disciples, yet he often orders me about. How do you explain that?”

Lan Shui shot Ji Lin a cold look and said nothing. Xue Ze couldn’t help but laugh. “After all these years, Senior Brother Ji Lin has developed a taste for complaining!”

“You two always gang up on me!” Ji Lin sighed in mock despair.

Yet with a few lighthearted words, the old camaraderie among the siblings returned, and everyone felt at ease.

“There’s no need for more, Lianzi,” Xue Ze said. “You may not receive the same treatment as I do, but you must show proper respect to your Senior Brothers and to the Venerable Qiangui.”

Lan Shui nodded in satisfaction and said coolly, “That is the right attitude. Remember the rules of Tianshan: always consider your actions, do more and speak less. Do not offend the Celestial Masters or the Venerable, and you will be safe.”

Lianzi nodded and replied with a bright smile, “Yes, I will remember!”

“Enough. We can catch up on the road. To avoid Master Qinglian tracking us, let’s hurry back!” With that, Lan Shui led the three others away, riding their swords toward home.