Following My Dreams

The trio had traveled back to Lang Jing's village and was now the center of attention. A crowd gathered after word had spread of Lang Jing's return. The villagers are stupefied upon seeing the young man safe and sound, and the mysterious disappearance of the bandits only heightening their distrust.

An old man with a face that resembles a raisin questions, "What happened to the men we hired?"

"Lang Jing must have single-handedly killed the bandits we sent…." A docile-looking young woman whispers to another.

A gasp, "No way… how cruel! Why did he find his way back here?!"

"He must've had assistance from those two young men, perhaps they're possessed too—!"

Shocked murmurs ripple through the crowd, confusion and panic spreading by the moment.

The murmurs continue to sweep throughout the village; however, with just one intimidating glare from Liu Jian, the gossiping people close their mouths with a frightened 'eeep!'.

Satisfied, Liu Jian continues to trail behind Xu Jiyu and Lang Jing. But for some strange reason, he feels a bit melancholic. Seeing the two speak with each other so comfortably, why couldn't he and Xu Jiyu do the same?

An itchy feeling blooms within his chest, and he doesn't quite understand it. Slowly, he brings a hand up to his heart with furrowed brows.

Meanwhile, the two walking in front did not miss the whispers either. Lang Jing was not naive enough to believe the village would accept him back with open arms. The moment he found out he had been possessed, he knew there was no way he could return so easily like this.

With a concerned expression, he pauses in his steps and turns to Xu Jiyu, coming to a decision. "Brother, I am not sure if I will be able to accompany you to the steamed bun stand… the villagers may misunderstand."

Xu Jiyu, although aware of the situation, shakes his head in response. "No, I am but a traveling cultivator. I won't be staying in this village for too long myself, so it's not a problem. You don't have to feel guilty about this, it wasn't your fault."

Feeling touched by Xu Jiyu's words, Lang Jing almost retracts his previous statement. But he manages to endure, knowing that parting would be better for them.

"I am eternally thankful for what you've done for me, but I do care for your well-being, as well as your partner's. It would only bring you more trouble if you stay with me. Perhaps this is selfish of me to say, but I would prefer it if we could go our separate ways…" Although every word was difficult for him to utter, Lang Jing manages to squeeze each syllable out. Driving his only friends as of now away is quite painful; but in the end, he feels that it will be much more beneficial for the pair.

…Liu Jian's irritation somehow disappeared! [Liu Jian's Happiness +100]

"I see…" Xu Jiyu says, contemplating it for a moment. "Well, if that's what you wish. I would not want to force you to follow us, so let us bid our farewells in a less populated area."

Then, the youth looks over his shoulder and asks, "Liu Jian, are you willing to accompany us?"

Immediately, Liu Jian's expression returns to his usual poker face. He gives a small nod of affirmation, "En."

"Then it's settled. I'll lead the way," says Lang Jing.

The group proceeds towards the outskirts of the village.

---

"Please, take this…" Lang Jing holds out a small pouch to Xu Jiyu. "This is the least I can give you for saving my life. I know it's not much, as it's only 50 coins, but it's half of the funds I have…"

Xu Jiyu pushes the offering away, "No, please keep it. You'll be traveling as well, won't you?"

"Yes, but—" Lang Jing starts, before the pouch within his hands is snatched away.

Liu Jian silently takes the object from Lang Jing and swiftly drops it into Xu Jiyu's possession. He says to Xu Jiyu, completely disregarding Lang Jing's gaping mouth, "Take it."

"Liu Jian, you—!" Xu Jiyu starts, but is quickly interrupted.

"You should accept things when they are offered to you…." Liu Jian murmurs, before glancing over at Lang Jing.

"And you…" Lang Jing jolts in surprise upon being acknowledged by Liu Jian. The handsome man gives a slight nod of his head. "...Goodbye."

…Lang Jing couldn't help but think that Liu Jian was trying to desperately get rid of him. If that dangerous glint in his eyes wasn't a sign, he didn't know what was...

Taking this as a warning and dismissal, the young man hurriedly says, "G-Goodbye then, humble brothers! I'll be off to travel the world, so I hope we may one day meet again!" With a quick bow, he scurries off.

"Wait, Lang Jing!" Xu Jiyu calls, swiftly rushing after him, "Come back!"

But no matter how much he calls for Lang Jing, the man never once looks back. Sighing, Xu Jiyu stares down at the pouch within his hands.

"...You earned it, so why shouldn't you take it?" Liu Jian questions after glancing over at a dejected Xu Jiyu.

"No," Xu Jiyu says firmly, sighing. "You earned it, not me. I just sat to the side and watched you fight by yourself. I couldn't do anything because of my ankle…"

Upon making a decision, the youth turns towards Liu Jian and shoves the pouch into his chest. "You deserve this reward, you should take it! I've been traveling by my lonesome for five years, so I'm used to not having any money."

Liu Jian peers down at the reward, before slowly pushing it back towards his partner. His palm slightly grazes Xu Jiyu's for a moment, and he quickly retracts his hand as if burned. Liu Jian briskly turns around and clears his throat, hiding his expression from the youth.

"Ahem, well… I don't need this measly reward. Keep it for yourself."

Xu Jiyu doesn't quite understand why Liu Jian was suddenly getting all shy after a small touch, the man had seen him half-naked in the cave the night before. But Xu Jiyu doesn't say anything. Instead, an amused smile makes its way onto his lips. Could it be this stoic and clueless Liu Jian wasn't experienced in… 'that'?

Xu Jiyu struggles, trying not to laugh.

How unexpected, especially with those handsome looks!

"Hmm," Xu Jiyu hums, feeling amused upon his apparent discovery. "That still won't sit right with me. How about we split it, then? We'll each get 25 coins."

It's truly a shame that he won't be able to talk to Liu Jian after this. After all, since they've found Lang Jing, their mutual goal has been accomplished. This surely would be the right time to break off their partnership.

"...En." Liu Jian agrees after a moment, turning to face Xu Jiyu again. His usual aloof expression had returned.

"Let me count out 25 coins, then! Hold on a moment…" The youth sorts through the coins in the pouch and counts out the exact amount. After pocketing 25 coins into his own pouch, he hands the other to Liu Jian.

"Here! There should be 25 left."

"..." Liu Jian doesn't answer, he only receives the pouch without a word, staring impassively at Xu Jiyu.

Xu Jiyu stands there awkwardly, not knowing what else to say. Eventually, he breaks the silence and says, "Er… well… if that's everything, I'll be going now. Although our partnership was short, I unexpectedly enjoyed it."

"...." Liu Jian still doesn't answer. Instead, he pockets the pouch, settling it into his robes.

Xu Jiyu: "...."

Liu Jian: "...."

A crow caws in the dist—

"Alright, well!" Xu Jiyu exclaims, glaring into the distance where he assumed the crow was. This scene is really too familiar, he had to do something to change it!

"Goodbye, Liu Jian. I'll never forget the short time we shared together."

Xu Jiyu cups his hands and bows, before turning on his heels and walking off onto the dirt road.

Since Liu Jian wasn't answering, it couldn't be helped. The man was a bit strange, anyways. Good riddance!

...Alright! Now, how many steamed buns can he buy with 25 coins? With thoughts like these running through his mind, he's almost salivating by the time he hears footsteps close behind him.

Alert, Xu Jiyu pauses in his steps.

The footsteps behind him stop a few paces away.

...Xu Jiyu resumes his steps.

The footsteps behind him also resume.

This routine continues for five minutes, before Xu Jiyu releases a big sigh and turns around. A handsome man stands there, staring at him.

He feels a headache rising. "Liu Jian! Why are you following me?" He questions, crossing his arms with a rather impatient expression on his face.

The corner of Liu Jian's lips twitches, confusion written on his face. "...Dreams."

"...What?" Xu Jiyu questions, not quite understanding what the other man was getting at.

"...You said this morning," Liu Jian says slowly, "....to follow my dreams."

Xu Jiyu stares blankly at Liu Jian.

Seeing that the youth wasn't answering, Liu Jian continues on, "You were in my dreams."