Repaying His Debt; Disciple Bows to Master

"Ruling Water, Murderous Frost... Drown..."

Uttering that final world, a splitting headache rendered Bi Xue unable to remain upright. She fell backward, feeling the pain of her soul being burdened with having to produce even more energy for her to launch her final attack with.

A massive sphere of water condensed in the air above Yan Yinshao, growing in size until it was large enough to contain her within then falling down onto her. Uncharacteristically of water, the sphere retained its shape in order to keep Yan Yinshao submerged within it.

She would, without a doubt, drown in it.

Everyone seemed to have forgotten that this was a mere talent show, not some tournament for life and death battles. However, they all seemed unanimous in their decision to remain silent. After hearing Bi Xue's words just now, they could not bring themselves to do or say anything.

This was because, doing so would mean they were standing up for the person that had done such things to an old man that already had his cultivation crippled. That was not just any man as well, but Bi Xue's father.

Putting themselves in her position, they all felt that they would react similarly.

Logean Wuji could feel the people's emotions. Ye Hong and Ling Ji'er seemed to look to him for his opinion on the situation, but he ignored their gazes and looked at Bi Xue. She was lying flat on her back, breathing hoarsely, and barely.

In actuality, he had done this for a reason beyond just entertaining himself or allowing her to get the revenge she craved. He did it for her father.

When Logean Wuji saw Bi Xue in the sea, training, he had taken a peek at her dao-heart, finding it lacking. A major reason for this was, of course, because the matter with her father weighed on her heavily. She could not stop blaming herself for losing control during the sparring match in the Yama Clan, thus exposing a side of her she was meant to keep hidden.

Her foolishness had caused her father to suffer far worse than she did. Whereas she had another half of herself to fall back on when her cultivation of the Yama Clan's method was crippled, her father did not. On top of that, she had been too weak to stop Yan Yinshao and Yan Feng, the Clan Leader's son, after they had followed her and her father out of the clan and ambushed them.

She blamed herself for being unable to protect him.

Logean Wuji learned this, so he had put things in place to allow her to vent those feelings. However, what he did not expect was that his opinions on the matter would change as well.

He found it funny, at first, that their human emotions could be so fickle at times. He was even annoyed by the fact that, while Bi Xue blamed herself, Yan Longxi was blaming himself. It was sickening to him for quite some time.

Then he felt the power within Bi Xue at that moment just now. That changed everything.

That reminded him of something he himself had done, long ago. It reminded him of emotions that he thought he had long discarded.

Sighing, he turned his gaze to the sun that hung in the middle of the sky and frowned.

'I don't simply owe her one anymore... I owe her big time for this.'

With that thought, Logean Wuji transferred to his incarnation on the stage. Yan Yinshao had drowned, so he dispersed the water and took away her corpse. Then, he went to Bi Xue and helped her up, being as gentle as he possibly could.

When the others saw what he was doing, their hearts swelled up and their affection toward him was kindled yet again. Bi Xue could hardly see a thing out of her eyes; it was too bright and her eyes were much too dry.

Holding her up, Logean Wuji turned her around to face everyone.

"Seeing such a display of raw emotions, even I was moved. There are few things stronger and more profound than the love between a parent and child; something I have been forced to learn again. Bi Xue, who stands with me before you now, has thoroughly impressed me. She has written her story on my heart and- I dare say- all of your hearts as well."

"Yeah..."

"Damn right she did."

"That's real love, dammit!"

"She scares me!"

The crowd was still in shock at first, after having experienced all that, but they soon shook it off and got into the mood for cheering and praising once again. Off to the side, Xiao Wanshou was bawling uncontrollably and blowing his nose into a handkerchief someone had given him.

Ton Lon was secretly observing it all as well from a dark place under a house, finding himself moved to silent tears.

Even Ling Jian'er and Cyrus were fighting tears, not wanting to cry in front of each other. Instead, they turned their heads to the side and tried to channel their hatred for each other. This only made them think about their battle, which in turn made them think about how Logean Wuji declared it to have ended in a draw.

In the end, they both were crying with their faces hidden.

Logean Wuji raised his hand, silencing the crowd.

"So, in response to her overflowing heart, I will not wait to make a decision; there is no need to deliberate. I, Logean Wuji of the Logean Clan, Son of Logean Zi and Xuyue Zailiang, declare before all that the young Bi Xue shall henceforth be my student!"

Even though the majority of people were shocked enough to gasp loudly, they broke into cacophonous cheers and enlivened the plaza once more, forcing the lingering heaviness to morph into the celebratory aura of victory.

Indeed, that was what it was. A victory for Bi Xue in more ways than one.

Yan Longxi was overcome with joy, but then he saw the weak smile on Bi Xue's face, the dried blood running from her eyes to her chin and the way she leaned onto Logean Wuji in order to stand.

It had not occurred to him before that Logean Wuji could, very easily, rectify her current state. Without a second to waste, Yan Longxi pushed his way through the crowd. They did not know that he was her father, but soon enough someone realized.

"Hey! Watch where you're going, old man!."

"Ah, so sorry sir, but I must get closer to the stage."

"Wait a minute... Are you Bi Xue's dad!?

"Ah, yes that's m-"

"Oi! Fool! This is the Esteemed Father of Bi Xue, got it? All of you! Clear a path for Esteemed Father to get to his daughter!"

The path was cleared immediately. A few of them cast apologetic glances toward Yan Longxi, but most of them were urging him to go to her.

"Shut up, you idiot! He can't hear you!"

"You shut up, ignorant asshole! He's blind. B-L-I-N-D, got it!? That means he can't SEE, not that he can't HEAR, okay?"

"Ah, shit. You're right. My bad, Esteemed Father!"

Yan Longxi laughed awkwardly as he made his way through, finally sensing that he had arrived near the stage. He dropped to his knees and looked up at where he thought Logean Wuji was.

"Young Master Wuji-"

"Please, call me Sir Wuji."

"Ah, yes, Sir Wuji. I beg you, please heal Xue'er. She overused her soul and sacrificed her longevity, so please, I'm begging you... I beg of you... Don't let my daughter die!"

At some point, it no longer seemed like Yan Longxi was merely begging Logean Wuji to save his daughter's life. It almost seemed like he was reliving some torment.

Logean Wuji waved his hand, sending the wind to bring Yan Longxi onto the stage to stand next to Bi Xue.

She could have heard her father speaking, but the truth was that she could no longer see anything but blurs. Her eyes were already failing her. She wondered how it was possible that she was still able to stand and remain awake, thinking it was due to Logean Wuji. The truth was that it was all because of her own willpower and unyielding soul. Even though it was severely damaged, her soul still continued to provide her with strength.

It was entirely possible that, had Yan Yinshao not died already, Bi Xue would still be able to send out another arrow or two.

"Come now. Surely you don't think I would allow my disciple to succumb to something as simple as this, especially now that I've only just made the announcement. I fear not even I have a face thick enough to watch my new disciple die."

Yan Longxi was tightly embracing his daughter, but he laughed into her ear when he heard that.

"Xue'er, do you hear that? You will be healed. You don't even have to worry about me anymore, okay? Just promise me you'll work hard at your cultivation."

However, he had underestimated his daughter. She immediately opened her mouth and said, "I refuse! I will not acknowledge Sir Wuji as my master until you're healed, Father. You are more important to me than even that!"

Unwittingly, she said that much louder than she intended to originally.

Everyone heard it, and their cheerful eyes became tearful once more.

"Oh goodness- such a filial daughter!"

"Any father would kill to have a child like that, I'm sure of it!"

"I would kill! I'd kill Esteemed Father to have Bi Xue as a daughter, even!"

"Oi, calm down buddy..."

"Oh... um..."

Logean Wuji actually hadn't expected that, but he was not too surprised either. He nodded and turned his face to his left, watching them both with glowing silver eyes.

Yan Longxi's pale, wrinkled and elderly-looking self instantly transformed into the personage of a healthy and lively man, full of power. His hair regained its original golden shade, naturally shining in the sunlight. Instantly, a dense heatwave rose from the surface of his body.

Finally, he opened his eyes and took a look at the world around him.

"How can it be!? My cultivation is restored, the deterioration of my body has been reversed and my eyes have been reformed. This is nothing short of a miracle!"

Yan Longxi looked nothing like himself from a few seconds ago, evoking loud cheers from the excitable crowd.

"Yeahhh!"

"Let's go, Esteemed Father!"

"He's so hot!"

A few of the more mature ladies were giving him the eyes, surprising him and making him awkwardly avert his gaze.

Bi Xue was also restored, which he realized once he felt the biting cold next to him. When he looked over, it was impossible to match the Bi Xue standing next to him with the one from before. Even the blood on her face was gone.

As for her soul, he could feel it thrumming with even more vitality than before, delighting him so much that he picked her up into a hug and started to dance gleefully.

Seeing them being happy and carefree, Logean Wuji had to suppress his own sadness. That he could fix things for them did bring him some semblance of joy, but it was not his own happiness that was being fixed. Thus, no matter what he did, he remained with that emptiness inside.

Bi Xue noticed his expression, unsure of why she suddenly felt like Logean Wuji was suffering far more than she was. She then remembered what she had promised earlier, cleared her throat and presented herself before him most humbly.

Logean Wuji was brought, smilingly, out of his reverie. Bi Xue knelt before him, clasped her hands and bowed three times, taking her time with each one.

"Bi Xue greets Master!"

Logean Wuji nodded approvingly, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"You have made your Master most pleased today. From now on, you and your father will live with me on my mountain. You are my disciple, therefore your status shall never be the same; you both must remember this. You are no longer outcasts of the Yama Clan, for this is beneath you. You are my disciple, Bi Xue, and the father of my disciple, Brother Yan."

Yan Longxi hurried to kneel at his daughter's side once he heard Logean Wuji start saying this.

"You must carry yourselves accordingly, for you now represent me."

"Bi Xue."

"Yes, Master!"

"Hear these words: There is no one who is permitted to harm you, no one who is allowed to order you around, and no one who is allowed to teach you but me, for I am your teacher. Only Brother Yan is exempt from these rules, for he is your father. However, anyone else that attempts to break these rules in my presence will be dealt with. In my absence, I expect you to deal with it to the best of your ability."

"Understood, Master!"

Although she was incredibly nervous, she was ecstatic about it all. After that, Logean Wuji permitted her to rise. She bowed to him once more, then left the stage with her father, both whispering about how cool the entire situation was.

Logean Wuji chuckled, then left the stage and returned to the table in the sky.