Spending the night in the Grandmaster's room

"You really are very spoiled by your brother, do you know that?" Han Xuelian angled himself to look at Chi Weiran's head which was listlessly resting on his shoulder.

Carrying the Chi youngster on his back, the Grandmaster sighed when the only response he received was a soft groan from Chi Weiran. The younger male was soundly asleep, unnaturally ignorant of his surroundings or of the fact that his body was in motion.

Earlier, Han Xuelian argued with Chi Cheng that the younger male would recover more effectively in the comfort of his room rather than the one he shared with his brother. In truth, the Grandmaster simply wanted to create an opportunity for Chi Weiran to adopt a sense of independence from his older brother.

And naturally, Han Xuelian was concerned that the beds in the disciples' quarters weren't nearly as comfortable and accommodating as the one in his well-maintained room.

"You don't have even one vigilant bone in your body, do you?" The Grandmaster asked again, yet his words fell on deaf ears and disappeared into the air.

Han Xuelian clicked his tongue, mentally scolding himself for being swayed by Chi Cheng's expression. When he attempted to wake Chi Weiran from his slumber earlier, Chi Cheng immediately swatted his hand away without a second thought. As if flicking away an infuriating insect.

And usually, the Grandmaster would not have accepted or tolerated such imprudence.

However, it was the soft expression on Chi Cheng's face at that moment, which clearly depicted how much he didn't want to disturb his younger brother's sleep.

For that charming, pleading look in Chi Cheng's eyes, Han Xuelian was defeated. And by request, he agreed to escort Chi Weiran back to his room without disturbing him.

'Carrying him really isn't an issue so… what am I annoyed about?' The Grandmaster shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. 'Was it because he swatted my hand away?'

Adjusting Chi Weiran on his back carefully without stirring him, the Grandmaster finally reached the entrance of the disciple quarter's hall. He was relieved when he sighted Feng Yuxian who was idly leaning against the wall beside the hall doors.

"Ah, Feng Yuxian, how convenient." Han Xuelian greeted him with a forced heart-warming smile. "I was impressed with your archery skills, you're so very capable." He approached the Feng youngster, preparing to lay Chi Weiran off his back.

"Grandmaster Han, your praises are generous," Feng Yuxian greeted, bowing while he clasped his hands together in front of him. His gaze narrowed distastefully when he sighted Chi Weiran. 'What is he doing with the Grandmaster?'

"I'd like to make use of your capabilities." Han Xuelian whispered, still wary of Chi Cheng's firm warning to ensure his younger brother remained asleep. "I have some urgent matters to attend to, you wouldn't mind escorting Chi Weiran to his room would you?"

Feng Yuxian eyed the Chi youngster, preventing himself from grimacing at Chi Weiran's state. He thought of him as no better than the dead weight being hauled about like a stuffed rice sack. The peaceful expression on Chi Weiran's face, as if nothing in the entire Xue Ling Ridge mattered, was enough to test Feng Yuxian's patience.

'Such a child…' Feng Yuxian shook his head, realising he had no reason to refuse Han Xuelian's request nor could he disobey the Grandmaster of the Sect he was merely a guest at.

"Please try not to wake him up…" Han Xuelian carefully set Chi Weiran on his feet, entrusting him to Feng Yuxian's arms. 'I fear Chi Cheng will definitely not like it if he doesn't sleep well…'

'With how heavily asleep he is, like he's dead, I doubt he'll wake up.' Feng Yuxian swallowed his pride, presenting a trustable and task-worthy attitude in front of the Grandmaster. "I will see it done." He nodded, using Han Xuelian's assistance to position Chi Weiran on his back.

Once properly secured, the Grandmaster opened the hall doors for Feng Yuxian to enter. The Feng youngster denoted Han Xuelian's remarkable strength since the doors were large and made from thick reinforced iron that required at least two males with capable strength to man them. Yet, Han Xuelian handled them effortlessly, lessening the creaking sound with his gentle movements.

He easily closed them afterwards as well once Feng Yuxian was inside the hall. He felt Chi Weiran's arms tighten around his neck from behind, shifting slightly as he clung to the Feng youngster.

"Bastard…" Feng Yuxian gritted his teeth, speeding up his pace so he could be rid of Chi Weiran faster. "You were crying like a baby a few hours ago now you're completely asleep."

Returning swiftly to his room, Han Xuelian discovered that Chi Cheng was already asleep. Closing the door silently behind him, he approached the younger male's side of the bed. He adjusted Chi Cheng's pillow to ensure his shoulder rested gently against it, draping the sheets over him.

With a single wave gesture of his hand, the Grandmaster extinguished the candles around the room, leaving only a single bronze brazier blazing with a small flame to warm the room. He removed the top layer of his black and blue hanfu robe, the remaining layer was only black pants while his upper body was bare.

Seating himself on his end of the bed, he ran a hand through his hair; finally feeling the fatigue of the day's events settle in his bones. There was much to oversee in the coming days which meant he had to ascertain whether Chi Cheng could be accommodated in his schedule or if he would have to devise an excuse to send him back to Chiyun Mowu.

'What am I even doing…' The Grandmaster sighed, angling his gaze to look at Chi Cheng.

The younger male's features were soft under the scant light radiated by the burning brazier, but Han Xuelian could see how well it emphasised his smooth fair skin. He was certainly very pleasant to look at or admire as if he was graceful even in his sleep.

Han Xuelian leaned closer, brushing a strand of hair away from Chi Cheng's face. Then his gaze trailed over to the younger male's ear which was missing its complementary ornament.

'Should I try and find them for you?' Han Xuelian considered for a moment. 'That would take a long time… time that I don't have.'

Just as he was about to turn away, Chi Cheng stirred in his slumber. He grimaced, his brows drawing together tensely.

The Grandmaster returned his attention to him, gently caressing his forehead which seemed to relax and uncrease under Han Xuelian's comforting touch.

'Are you having a nightmare?' The grandmaster studied him, watching Chi Cheng's lips tremble as if attempting to say something. 'What are you dreaming about?'

"... celestial…" Chi Cheng mumbled almost inaudibly. "...defiler…" Was the last word he uttered before quietening.