The Phoenix Flower

They went silent for a moment, then Rong Wang proceeded to stand up and flatten his sleeves.

"Ahh, what a timing. Young Master, since your time is out, and I've finished my job, we shall part for now. Thank you for letting this old man meet his person." He bowed at him, both hands placed on his front, So Eun didn't budge and raise his eyebrows. He couldn't be this formal to me now?

He stood from his seat and bowed, too occupied to return the farewell. He plainly said, "Thank you, Wang Elder, I should get going now."

He brushed past him and took the step onto the threshold, taking note of the orange blush of the sky outside, he sighed and walked towards the main door.

But before he stretches his hand to open the door, he noticed a spark from his peripheral vision. His hands stopped and turned to glance at the open window sill of the Pavilion. There, he saw an elegant flower pot, place in the open.

With the glow of the sun outside, the sky growing darker, he saw the glint of a flower that resembled the sparkle of a star.

The white flower swayed by the wind, yet it remained in its spot. So Eun was dazed, the flower didn't look like an ordinary one, he's pretty convinced it was a fake one by the beauty of it alone. If it is true, then why didn't he found another flower like this in here?

"Young Master?" The lady outside knocked him out of his daze.

"I'm here, I'll just be out in a minute." He gave the door a slight gap to gesture at the servant. The lady immediately understood him and bowed before leaving.

He nearly forgot that he came here for a flower, and something had coincidentally caught his eye.

Which enthralled him at the first sight, the white flower seemed to generate a pure aura that he couldn't form the words to describe it.

Its petals were white as now, almost reflecting the orange light of the sun, So Eun had to double-take if the petals were purely white or translucent.

He decided to walk and stopped only a distance from it. Investigating if this was a real flower or just one of the elder's creations. Truly captivated by the sight, he didn't realize his hands were reaching out to touch it.

But behind him, a clear cough echoed.

"Young Master, found something finally suited your taste?" The elder went beside him, his eyebrows raised once again, that look that So Eun doesn't want to know if he's making fun of him or what.

When he already mentioned what he wanted, then So Eun simply prefer to be straightforward, even though by the looks of this flower, he'll doubt that the elder would give it to him that shortly.

"What kind of flower is this? I think I can keep him." So Eun timidly said, doesn't want to be rejected so bluntly, as he expected the elder to do. But beside him, Rong Wang hummed and spoke.

"A special kind of phoenix flower, it has long been extinct, but I managed to preserve it for the meantime." So Eun glanced at him and placed both hands on his back.

"You want to keep him? That sounds like you want to take care of a dog. But anyway, Young Master, this is my favorite flower, so by any means, I couldn't just give it to you. This flower contributed a lot to my cultivation, I'm very sorry for disappointing you, I hope we could still be friends." So Eun had no idea if he would take him seriously. He sighed and crossed his arms. The elder appeared to be observant than anyone else, because he instantly felt that he's getting irritated in the passing seconds.

"Alright, I'll be serious. But why did you choose this out of all the flowers out there?" His questions again, So Eun was tired to even answer that and blurted.

"Because it's unique and beautiful. What else would I like from a flower?"

From then on, the elder hummed and crossed his arms too. After being silent for too long, So Eun spoke without looking at him.

"Don't worry, I won't let it die. I will take care of it like my friend. If the time comes that I couldn't protect it, I will surely return it to you." Saying something like this was a first to him, or more like it was a first to convince someone to give him what he wanted. He normally has things he always wanted. Being the son of the Clan Leaders was the reason.

"Like my friend? Why? You don't have friends?"

So Eun didn't even hesitate to glare at him.

Rong Wang stepped back at that and waved his hands.

"I'm kidding, just kidding." The grin from the old man was starting to get on his nerves. But soon after So Eun didn't respond, he kept quiet and rubbed at his chin.

"Young Master, words aren't enough, you know." This time, his voice was serious, So Eun looked up at him.

He really wasn't used to this, and didn't even know what more he can say to please the elder. So he heaved a deep sigh and attempted to turn around and leave.

But the elder had other plans, again. He grabbed his shoulder and stopped him.

Now, he was entirely sure that the old man was making fun of him.

"Since you are the son of the So Clans, I'll challenge you." His voice was confident, grinning widely when So Eun tilted his head to listen.

"I'll hand this to you for one week to take care, when it's still alive after a week, I'll give it to you then."

So Eun frowned even more. A challenge wasn't necessary, but he guesses that he'll need the elder to believe his capability before handing something precious to him.

When he thought about it, So Eun didn't mind a little challenge.

When the sky turned bluish, he walked out of The Blossom Pavilion with the phoenix flower in his hand.