Meeting Him

After recieving the message from his master, Qi Juan had hurriedly made his way towards the Ling residence. It was one of many small but gorgeous palaces built on top of Lian Zi Jin Peak. As he finished walking up the stairs leading to the Ling household's front door, he took a moment to turn around and admire the scenery. 'The view from up here is truly breathtaking.' Qi Juan thought solemnly.

Jiang Feng Sect was situated on top of Yueguang mountain, an enourmous volcanic structure overflowing with spiritual energy. It was said that this awe inspiring place was as old as time itself. The sect had been built inside the volcano's colossal crater. It had formed many millennia ago, when mount Yueguang erupted for the very last time. Jiang Feng sect's four peaks occupied the highest points of its rugged, mountainous surface. Yet, this place was far from inhospitable. The masters of Jiang Feng sect had used an incredible amount of effort to lay down a number of powerful formations, transforming the crater into a magnificent place filled with lush, emerald greenery.

Under normal circumstances, no living thing would have survived the cruel conditions on top of the mountain, not only due to the thin air, but also because of the ever lasting snow. The biting cold would penetrate deep into the very core of anyone who approached, extinguishing all sense of warmth instantly. Additionally, the violent winds and steep slopes of the mountain made it virtually impossible for people to approach its summit. This isolated place was perfect for those who wished to cultivate peacefully, for mortals did not dare to climb higher than the tree line. There was even a common saying among the people living at the foot of mount Yueguang. If, let's say, a poor farmer's boy was trying to ask for a rich girl's hand in marriage, one would exclaim: "You'd have better luck visiting the immortal masters of Jiang Feng Sect!"

Qi Juan shook his head. Now was not the time to reminisce about these kinds of things. He turned towards the massive, ebony door and knocked firmly. He did not have to wait long for it to open. The one who greeted him was none other than Ling He himself, the patriarch of the Ling clan.

"Ah, Qi Juan, it's you. You must be here because of Ah Yu. Well, I'm not really surprised Jian Lu Li sent you instead... I expected as much when she agreed to help me so willingly. Please, do come in."

The handsome man smiled softly and stepped aside to let him pass. Qi Juan returned his smile, albeit somewhat apologetically.

"I'm sorry elder. You know master is somewhat... shameless. However, I promise to do my best to help you in hear stead."

Ling He nodded as he closed the door. "It's alright. Your master is a close friend of mine, after all. Besides, Ah Yu will appreciate having somebody like you by his side. You might not know this, but we have heard a lot of impressive things about you. Even though you're still at the foundation stage, you've made quite the name for yourself. As expected of Jian Lu Li's only disciple. I am grateful that my friend has sent someone who's so reliable. Now I can stop worrying so much and focus on finding out who is behind all this."

"Thank you, elder. I am honored that you think so highly of me." Qi Juan responded, his chest filled with a sense of pride.

Ling He led Qi Juan down a long corridor. It was illuminated by small, opaque crystal balls that were embedded into the smooth ceiling. They emitted a soft, white glow that only seemed to strengthen the graceful elder's ethereal aura.

Suddenly, they heard the sound of light, hasty footsteps coming towards them. A young, pretty girl wearing light blue robes with a cloud pattern appeared from a hallway to their right.

"Father! Come quickly! Ah Yu said he doesn't remember me!" she complained in a loud voice.

Ling He drew his eyebrows together in concern. "He doesn't remember? Did he-" but before he could finish his sentence, the girl interrupted: "Come on! What are you still standing here for?! And who's that?" She pointed a slender finger at Qi Juan.

Qi Juan gnashed his teeth. How was that an acceptable way to speak to someone? Especially to such a highly accomplished elder like Ling He! This girl was definitely his daughter. Nobody else would dare disrespect him like that. 'So the rumors about the Ling family's spoiled children are true after all...'

The girl looked at him smugly. "What are you looking at?! Could it be that you are mesmerized by my beauty? Hmph! As expected!"

Qi Juan drew his brows together and did not respond. Well, to be more precise, he did not know how to respond. He was baffled. Was that the famous thing people called 'cognitive dissonance?' How did that woman get the idea that he was even remotely attracted to her?! Qi Juan definitely didn't like this kind of spoiled young miss! Actually, he did not like women at all! He stole a glance at Ling He for help.

The man sighed and scolded her lighy:" Ah Yin, that's no way to talk to a guest. This is Qi Juan, he is here to accompany Ah Yu. We are relying on him, so please behave accordingly."

The young woman only pouted in response. Ling He turned to Qi Juan with a slightly embarrased look on his face. "This is my daughter, Ling Suyin. Please excuse her rude behavior just now."

Qi Juan forced a smile. "It's okay. She must be very worried about her brother. It's only natural to be upset at a time like this."

Ling Suyin just turned her head away with her arms crossed. "Hmph! Whatever!"

Ling He sighed again. "Well...let's go to make sure everything is alright with Ah Yu."

With that, he continued down the hallway with Ling Suyin close behind. Qi Juan just shook his head resignedly and followed them. Soon after, Ling He stopped in front of a wooden door. He turned to Qi Juan and explained in a quiet voice: "Please wait here for a bit. I want to make sure everything is alright with my son before I introduce you to him. I will call for you when I am ready."

He nodded in understanding and retreated a few steps. Ling He turned back towards the door and knocked on it twice. After a few seconds, a pleasant voice could be heard: "Come in."

Qi Juan restrained the urge to take a peek and see what the person who spoke looked like. His voice sounded much more pleasant than Ling Suyin's. Even if Ling Mingyu would turn out to be rude like his sister, he hoped they could at least be able to work together without many issues. Obviously, he had to make sure that whoever was targeting the Ling clan did not succeed in harming Ling He's son. However, that didn't mean that they would just sit around and do nothing. The two of them would still have to go out and do the missions their respective masters assigned to them. How else could they gain real combat experience? After all, it would be impossible for a person to grow if they were cooped up inside the sect for all their life!

Qi Juan had done assignments with other disciples before, but he did not like it very much. He preferred to work alone. That way, he wouldn't have to explain his actions all the time and could finish his missions swiftly and efficiently.

But some things were impossible to do alone. Depending on the difficulty of the task, the four peaks would put together a team comprised of disciples with certain strenghts and abilities. For example, if the task was to protect a village or town from a demonic beast, they would send both martial artists and healers. Maybe they would even add some scholarly disciples so they could help by laying down formations to protect the mortals from future attacks. As a disciple from Lian Zi Jin Peak, Ling Mingyu should be a healer. Qi Juan could only hope that he wasn't completely incompetent and wouldn't be a burden to him. Well, even if that young master turned out to be useless, it would only make Qi Juan's task slightly more difficult. That way, he could improve his own skills at a faster rate.

Qi Juan sighed. Just then, Ling He's muffled voice could be heard from the other side of the door:

"You may come in now, Qi Juan."

He opened the sturdy, wooden door, strode into the chamber confidently, and looked around. To his right were Ling Suyin and some other guy he had never met before. He did not pay much attention to them, however. His eyes were drawn towards the youth sitting besides Ling He. It was Ling Mingyu. Qi Juan could feel his heart beat faster as he stared into that person's reddish- brown, peach blossom eyes. They held neither arrogance nor willfulness, unlike what he had expected. The young man was completely expressionless, but it did not take away from his beauty in the least. Though his posture was completely unguarded, it did not seem sluggish. On the contrary, it actually held a kind of effortless elegance. Ling Mingyu, as a whole, seemed more like a beautiful flower than a human being: motionless and impassive, but alluring. Qi Juan had never seen anything like it.