Let's get closer

"…?!" Xian Wu narrowed his eyes and put a hand under his chin in thought. "…that makes sense."

After all, if Lai Yiteng would become more resilient with force as with what happened on Deathly Howling Mountain, but also rejected intimacy, he could only go after the topic with small, subtle steps.

Bo Penglai added, "I say you take advantage of the training. Establish close contact whenever possible under the guise of 'showing form'. Ah, and don't forget to make use of the single bed in the house. Like this, you can slowly develop intimacy.

"Wait what?" Xian Wu got lost somewhere in the middle of that. 'Intimacy'? Huh?

No no, he just wanted to earn enough of Lai Yiteng's trust to bring him back to Graceful Dragon Sect! Then he could find a number of excuses to keep him there and prevent Lai Yiteng from going out like a psychopath to take bloody revenge on Lushang Sect.

Bo Penglai explained, "I suspect that this Lai Yiteng might want to become closer, but rejects it out of fear and anxiety. I say this because he seemed to enjoy the leg massage once he let his guard down."

'Enjoy'? Xian Wu spoke woodenly, "Do not say it like that."

"Yes, Sect Master!"

Bo Penglai could not help but sigh internally. Sect Master Xian had never been so introverted about these kinds of matters before, but perhaps that was because he never truly found a person he liked. And to think that person turned out to be a man, Bo Penglai would also be confused if such a thing happened to him...

Shyness was understandable, very understandable.

"Don't worry, Sect Master, as long as I get my salary, I will support you no matter what kind of partner you choose. It will not affect my loyalty," assured Bo Penglai, "even if this beauty sounds a bit unhinged at times, I can only send my best wishes to the both of you!"

Xian Wu's mouth twitched downwards, his hand curling up into a fist, he picked up a stone and threw it so that it bounced off Bo Penglai's head.

"Ouch!" Bo Penglai shrunk back on the rooftop.

Xian Wu spoke in a dangerous tone, "I finally think I understand why you said all those things. Bo Penglai, for the last time, I'm not trying to marry him!"

Bo Penglai furrowed his brow. It was hard to believe that strange atmosphere of Lai Yiteng and Xian Wu sharing a bed and living out here with only each other as company as not being…rather suggestive. Suggestive in the 'cut sleeve' kind of way.

"Really? My mistake, I guess…"

Xian Wu gave an irritated grumble. "You just keep watch over this area secretly. Let me know if anyone suspicious comes to the nearest village or enters the forest."

"Yes, Sect Master."

Xian Wu was rubbing his temple as Bo Penglai left.

Hm, but…his ideas still weren't that bad.

Or were they?

…

Well, might as well give it a try, thought Xian Wu, it was easier than coming up with his own ideas after all! All that mattered was if Lai Yiteng came to trust him more, right?

…

Lai Yiteng returned after two hours.

Xian Wu was a bit concerned at first and wondered how much brooding the younger did while bathing, but in the end decided it was better not to ask.

"Gege, if it's not too much to ask," said Lai Yiteng, "will you please begin to teach me today?"

Xian Wu opened his mouth, then closed it. He'd been about to bring up some small talk, but…he should have figured that Lai Yiteng would be more interested in learning more martial techniques right away.

"Sure…" he said halfheartedly.

He stepped out the house door and the two went on a short trail in the forest towards a larger meadow. It was a spot that would be ideal for practicing different martial arts stances.

"But, using internal force might aggravate your condition," warned Xian Wu, unable to resist bringing it up.

"Mn. I know."

"Yi'er…" Xian Wu sighed, "then, maybe you should rethink-"

"It's fine." Lai Yiteng paused in his tracks a moment, staring at a cicada on a nearby tree. "I will try not to use it too frequently, but when necessary, and can bear with the effects. I must improve somehow, no matter the cost. Besides, if you are dying, isn't it better to try your best and do the thing you want without holding back?"

Xian Wu frowned, his feet felt heavier with each step. "There's no guarantee that it's fatal. That's why you should focus on finding a cure, then afterwards you can think about other things."

"If it's not fatal, I don't have to worry about training," countered Lai Yiteng, "and if it is, then what's the point in searching for a cure that I might not find? Perhaps only Lushang Sect has it, but I doubt they would bother to develop such a thing."

"Hm, but if we contacted one of those famous doctors…"

They made it to the clearing, and Xian Wu turned to see Lai Yiteng shake his head.

"That would take too much time and money. Xian Wu, you surely can't be held up by me forever. Already taking the time to teach me Graceful Dragon Sect Martial Arts is enough."

Xian Wu shifted his eyes.

Um…but he was totally thinking about taking care of Lai Yiteng from now on, you know, like picking up a stray cat? The annoying and sharp-tongued beauty was already like a fellow brother to him, even more now than when he was saved by him long in the past.

But right now he needed patience!

"Fine then..." Xian Wu said reluctantly, watching as Lai Yiteng stood straight as a pine tree in front of him, at the ready to learn. "I will try and tell you the basics of Graceful Dragon forms, and from there we can move on the martial techniques. This could take a few days in itself depending on how fast you learn."

Lai Yiteng gave a serious nod, but his expression faltered when Xian Wu took a step towards him.

Once Xian Wu took another step, only a foot away, Lai Yiteng's mouth twisted.

"Why are you coming so close?"

Xian Wu was going to make this sound as natural as possible.

"Of course it's to show you the basic stances, Yi'er. Do you think it's easier to watch and copy it, or to feel it with your own muscles and bones? If I help position you correctly, then it saves time."

"…." Lai Yiteng was skeptical. Although it was true that he learned quickly, memorizing forms easily. "But no one at Lotus Sect ever used close contact to-"

Xian Wu waved his hand. "Yes yes, Lotus Sect is a place full of pedants and upright folk, they are too prissy to do that kind of training. But in my experience, it's actually much more effective for teaching in some cases."

"I…" Lai Yiteng was lost in deep thought.

"Are you going to follow stand by what Lotus Sect used to do, or are you going to listen to your gege?" Xian Wu put a hand on his shoulder with a big lazy smile, as though he knew exactly how Lai Yiteng would answer.

"…..…" Lai Yiteng thought about it. He stared with glaring intensity at the hand on his shoulder, to the point that daggers were coming from his eyes. But… "I'll listen to you."

Xian Wu beamed. "Good. Okay so, the first martial form…"

He explained all the basics, then went behind Lai Yiteng and placed his other hand onto his shoulder, curling his fingers in slightly to start positioning his body. His heartbeat and warmth loomed closer to Lai Yiteng, and before Xian Wu had shifted him even a milimeter towards the correct stance his hand had been slapped away.

"O-Ouch!" Xian Wu took a step back in fear. He stared at the red patch on the top of his hand with aggrievement. "Didn't you just agree?!"

Lai Yiteng took a moment to process what happened. "Yes, I did." He had slapped Xian Wu's hand off naturally when he felt his taller figure closing in from behind him.

"My apologies, gege, it was a defensive reflex."

"D-Defensive reflex?" Xian Wu narrowed his eyes at him.

Lai Yiteng's expression was calm and unreadable. Xian Wu wasn't sure if he was supposed to believe it was an accident or not? But then again Lai Yiteng always spoke directly, if he didn't want to do this training method, he'd reject it outright. Xian Wu scratched his head with resignation.

This was gonna take a while…

"Okay, but please keep in mind that I'm only trying to direct your stance."

"Disciple understands," replied Lai Yiteng, once again the image of the perfect student.

And so the training began…