Chapter Fifty Six - Spring Can Begin In December

The plants in the greenhouse were not week, for the most part; their constant diet of carefully balanced nutrition and the blessed water produced by their keeper ensured they were strong of root and blight free. Therefore, despite the fact that the soil in the pots was not as moist as three days prior and the light within had been smothered in part by a blanket of snow, the vegetation seemed no real worse for wear. However, it was still winter and the air within the walls of glass windows was still cool. There was no flowers nor fruit upon the leafy planting. If it weren't for a few winter cabbages and spinach grown in the central beds, there would be nothing fresh to harvest at all in the coming days.

Ren Zexian gathered a strong gust of chilly air to knock loose the thick snow and allow more light to pour in through the roof, while Nathan took care of his beloved plants. One by one, he adjusted the liquid feed doses to be added to the water he gathered to moisten their soil.

Once the youth had completely shown his love for them, he reappeared at Ren Zexian's side. "I want to visit my house," he said, pointing in the direction of the cottage. He'd not taken much from the cottage, just a few clothes, which already were heaped into a pile ready to be cleaned or feebly attempting to dry upon an airer in an atmosphere too cool to properly allow this. He also wanted to see how the small garden outside his home was faring. They found no issues with the property, the plants in the garden were quietly dormant beneath the blanket of white, however they left there with more than they expected.

*****

Autumn placed fresh toast in front of Ren Zexian and Nathan with the chestnuts and pastries she had saved them as well as a cup of precious hot chocolate to warm them. This was also poured for Dexter and the others as they entered, pale and shivering after serving the sheep and they took it gratefully, warming hands and inner bodies. Dexter praised her thoughtfulness, causing her to blush. Chang Min also took the drink, but unlike the others, he seemed non-perturbed by the cold.

"Chang Min is in the middle of the body tempering phase," Ren Zexian commented, proudly. "His tolerance towards extreme temperature is much greater than our own."

"Body tempering phase?" As usual a simple question sounded scornful spilling from Tyler's lips, but he was indeed curious.

"En," Ren Zexian responded. "Cultivation stages primary through to tertiary represent the core formation phase, then quaternary through to senary represent body tempering phase and septenary through to nonary are the mind tempering phase. Each stage takes longer to Cultivate through successfully, yet even at Chang Min's youthful age, he has come so far." Chang Min was indeed his apprentice and had never failed his expectations. Chang Min beamed beneath his Master's praise, while Nathan felt uncomfortable in his seat and unable to comprehend why. He just knew that he no longer wished to sit here at the table eating and listening to these words.

However, before he could rise and flee, Ren Zexian's hand gently lay upon his wrist and his attention was wholly captured. "One day you and the others will be as strong as Chang Min, perhaps stronger," he smiled, gently.

"I will be as strong as you," Nathan stated, before resuming the consumption of his meal.

The curve of Ren Zexian's lips faltered slightly and he inwardly sighed. It would be some time before he was as strong as his own apprentice once more! He glanced towards Tyler, who was refilling the kitchen's two water tanks, translucent and light barrels meant for brewing beer upon a small scale. They had found a handful of these in one of the village properties during their initial searches. Another was in the bathroom upstairs for hand and face washing, and another in the living room, so that water to be obtained at anytime. Usually, Tyler was the one to fill these, though Nathan had helped on occasion during the time he had lived here.

"Tyler," Ren Zexian called to him in order to capture his attention. "This may be of use to you." He placed a hand-sized teardrop crystal upon the table. It was one of the natural crystal's formed upon the skinny, leafless tree in Nathan's garden. Inside the crystal was a miniature snowstorm, much reflective of the sky that had been outside of their windows for the past few days. It was cool to the touch, but not cooler than the glass panes during the bitter winter. Tyler took it in hand and felt it resonate with his spirit. He recalled how Dexter had felt much the same with the crystal that had captured the lightning blast.

Still he couldn't help but glance at Nathan, wondering why Ren Zexian hadn't handed it to his little boyfriend to use. Yes, he knew that the pair were not an official couple, but the whole puppy-dog eyes and air of ambiguity that swirled around the pair was so obvious that everyone in the house knew it was only a matter of time. In fact, there were even bets on when they would admit to it.

"For me?" Tyler questioned, reluctant to keep it, reluctant to give it up. "Nathan's also has water abilities..."

"This is more useful for you," Ren Zexian replied. "Nathan's cultivation... Nathan requires more guidance at this time." Well, it was true that he hadn't been able to come up with an appropriate cultivation method given Nathan's triple root system, however it just so happened that Nathan had yet to circulate his spirit using the basic method once by himself yet. In fact, after lunch, it was Nathan's habit to drag him back to their room in order that they could cultivate together, he as active guide and Nathan as passive student. He seemed to look forward to it even.

Others did not take Ren Zexian's words at more than face value; they did not really know better. The Ren they knew never lied nor whitewashed things, why would they assume to read between the lines? However, Chang Min was different.

Once they had finished eating, Nathan thought to cultivate with Ren Zexian now rather than wait and mentioned it to the older man, who did not disagree. But before they could journey upstairs to the bedroom, Chang Min caught his master's sleeve and expressed; "Master, could I speak to you a moment?"

Ren Zexian turned to glance at Nathan first and said softly; "Go on up, I'll join you in a few moments."

"I can wait for you here," Nathan replied. His heart felt sore when he looked at the two oriental men standing side by side. Both had exotic features, long hair of midnight and skin like white rose petals, eyes like peach blossoms. Chang Min was a tiny bit shorter, but his physical appearance no less refined and his face was circular like the sun and his smile just as bright. When they were together, they made an amazing view. Nathan felt as if he were the weed in their garden. He did not want to be a weed. His calloused hands with skin still bearing a little colour from the sun were captured in Ren Zexian's elegant ones. The pain eased a little and he finally agreed to go to their room first, but he still glanced over his shoulder at the pair as he reached the last steps.

Chang Min watched the forlorn youth disappear upstairs before voicing his mind; "Master, do you like him?" He asked. "Do you like Nathan?" It was not that he had not had some small suspicions before, but Chang Min had not really had many chances to view the interactions of people in intimate relationships during his time in the old world. The people of this world, he found were very forward, hence as his Master and Nathan were too subtle in their affections, he had dismissed own his thoughts. Just assumed they were a bit closer than the Master was with his other new students. That Ren Zexian was fond of Nathan. However, no Master would indulge their student with personal guidance for a long period of time or how would the student ever be able to cope alone?

Ren Zexian did not falter in his response. "Yes."

A smile bloomed upon Chang Min's thin lips as he said; "I have only had the honour of calling you Master for a hundred years or so, but I have heard from the others how aloof you held yourself from them. I am glad you have found the one that you can stand beside."

"Thank you, Chang Min."

"Only, Master," his apprentice could not help but add, "Why is there a distance remaining between you both? You have not..." With his strength, he would have an inkling if their spiritual energies had mingled, making it more obvious to him their closeness, but...

"No," Ren Zexian admitted. "I fear pushing him too fast. He does not see the world in the way that we do."

"He does not," Chang Min agreed. "But then, who does in this world? We awoke in a world that had adapted to being fit for our ways, but I understand that it was not always that way. We would not have been so readily accepted in their previous world. Cole explained Nathan's condition as being one that was also not fit for their world in which they lived, so he created a small world for himself. One where he did not have to adapt to others, where he could express his intelligence and caring nature without being judged. And yet, albeit slowly, I can see that he has adapted to you, Master."

His words caused a fluctuation in the speed in which Ren Zexian's heart beat. "What are you suggesting?"

"Well, I'm not suggesting it be so direct as to make him your Dao Companion, though I believe that will be the inevitable road, but perhaps make clear your feelings for him?" Chang Min noticed the shadow still lingering upon the landing and pushed Ren Zexian in the right direction. "I believe he is waiting for you to make the first move, Master."