Main Chapter: Undercurrent.

After his show of brutality nobody challenged Xuan Yu for the rest of the day. So, he found a good spot, closed his eyes and let time pass him by.

When the day was over, he got into an unmarked carriage and headed home. And similarly without incident he made his way to the Vermilion Court. Where;

"Welcome home, Young Master."

Li Zi, was there to greet him.

'How close is she?'

As Xuan Yu asked and Li Zi righted herself, a bright smile on her face.

'Full Qi Sense: progress 96%. So, about time you make preparations.'

'Thanks.'

Seeing Xuan Yu not moving Li Zi tilted her head and walked over to him.

'I would normally want more than that, but I owe her too.'

"Young Master?"

Now face to face, Li Zi placed a hand on Xuan Yu's forehead. But rather than call attention to her action or to her muttering, "not sick."

"It looks like you are happier than normal."

He asked about the smile that she could barely keep off her face.

With a bright laugh Li Zi reached in her pockets and took out several small crystals. Showing them off with pride. And like it is with money at times, it was a large but also small amount.

"Your winnings?"

"Yep, some idiots thought they could gang up on me. But I ended up taking everything they had."

Pocketing her winnings, the smile she was wearing left Li Zi's face. Her gaze growing serious as she looked deep into Xuan Yu's eyes.

"More importantly, what's wrong."

"I was bullied at the Academy today."

Without missing a beat, Xuan Yu joked, but he should have known better.

"I'm serious."

'Then and now, she know you so well.'

Xuan Yu turned away from her gaze but before he could move. Li Zi with gentle but firm movement cupped his chin. And Xuan Yu's eyes were made to look up into Li Zi's own.

"Li Zi, you've seemed to have forgotten your position."

"My job isn't blind obedience. Rather it is one that puts your well-being first."

Xuan Yu's voice was cold, but Li Zi didn't miss a beat either.

"Let go."

"No."

Rare irritation filled Xuan Yu and rashly he did something. Fear, raw unadulterated fear filled Li Zi. Goosebumps raised along her, and cold sweat soaked her skin. Her instincts screamed, yelling at her to run away but she didn't flinch. The eyes staring into Xuan Yu's didn't even tremble.

'Stop Yuyu, you should never do that not to her. No matter how you're feeling. Don't ever repeat that part.'

Heeding her words Xuan Yu stopped what he was doing, and the pointlessly induced fear left Li Zi. Trying a different method Xuan Yu smiled but even before his overwhelming beauty. Li Zi continued to stare down into his eyes unperturbed.

"You never give up do you?"

Xuan Yu relented feeling more than a little helpless.

"What will you do if its something you can't solve?"

"I don't expect to be able to. If you can't solve it Young Master. Then I doubt I would be able to."

"Then why bother…"

"Because I care."

"It-…"

"Don't bother lying."

Xuan Yu tried to remove her hand as he spoke, but Li Zi didn't give and instead cut him off. Her eyes deep into his. She said one more thing;

"Young Master, don't be unfair to yourself."

Then Li Zi took her eyes from Xuan Yu and left his court. And Xuan Yu turned his eye to watch that familiar figure go.

'I forgot how difficult she could be.'

'Honestly, she's the type of person you need in your life. Someone who can clearly see through you.'

'Maybe but she deserves better.'

'You so often do things so arbitrarily without knowing what others wants. Where's Ning Kai? I need him to sort you out.'

At the mention of the name raw and complex emotion filled Xuan Yu's eyes, but it all quickly stilled.

'I wonder too.'

As the two of them discussed what Xuan Yu's rival, comrade and closest friend. Would be up to at this moment. He handled his matters and settled whatever concerns that the servants had brought to him.

Then slipped into the ground and swam down to his hideout. Landing into the cavern. There was no one waiting for him. Instead, in one of the corners was a certain area where two potted plants sat under artificial light that came from a formation in the ceiling.

Pulling on a white coat, gloves and glasses that he had tucked away. He went to inspect those plants. But after just checking on their state, he ignored it.

Turning his attention to a small cup that sat in the room. A lone lotus petal floating on top of concentrated Qi. The cup wasn't made out of Argent Stone, it was just a common cup.

'You haven't even tried to research the other two yet. You do remember me saying that they were the key to you not dying?'

'It doesn't really matter if I do.'

Placing the cup in the center of his left hand. His right drew one array, while he chanted another.

'Mm…'

'Even you were being flippant about it.'

Two different lights formed on the glasses he was wearing. Each providing him with different information as he observed the petal.

'Well…'

'You don't really care either. At most it would be an inconvenience.'

Continuing his chant, his right hand touch the edge of the cup. And a bubble full of concentrated Qi rose up, with the petal inside. A few inches above the cup it slowly began to rotate.

'Yeah, but this time you're facing a fate worst than death.'

'Oh.'

Xuan Yu stilled, he could remember a few of those. He could remember more of those than he'd like.

'I'll be relying on you then.'

With that he returned to his analyzing.

'Come on, it hurts seeing you ignore my warning like that. I'm starting to feel like you don't listen to me anymore. Ah, Yuyu you were so much cuter back then. Believing everything I said.'

'I'm sure I've always treated you with suspicion.'

'Mm, you'll make it up to me though.'