Chapter 15 — Divine Powers

Zhang Qingyue was overwhelmed by the favor; not daring to disobey, he sat down. Su Wan studied his face carefully, then reached out to feel his chest, nodded, and said, "Good, it's nothing serious." With that she took a small white bottle from her bosom, tipped out a yellow, glistening pill the size of a fingertip, and handed it to him. "Take it."

Zhang Qingyue hesitated a moment, then took it and swallowed it. After a short while he felt a warmth rise first from his dantian, then spread to his four limbs and the crown of his head; his whole body glowed with a comfortable heat, and even the faint pain in his chest had vanished.

Zhang Qingyue was both startled and delighted. He stood up and moved about; indeed, all was as usual. The divine efficacy of the elixir was beyond belief. Joyful at heart, he quickly said to Su Wan, "Thank you, Master's wife."

Su Wan nodded with a smile, put away the little bottle, and sat down in another chair. "Don't thank me. It was your master who told me to bring you a Great Yellow Pill."

Zhang Qingyue was taken aback. "Master... he doesn't blame me anymore?"

Su Wan glanced at him and smiled. "He sent me to see you, so of course he doesn't blame you. But I don't know whether you blame him."

Zhang Qingyue was startled. "Nothing of the sort, Master's wife, I would never dare..."

Su Wan raised a hand to cut him off and said gently, "Xiaofan, listen to me for a moment, will you?"

For no reason at all, Zhang Qingyue's heart gave a leap. "Yes, Master's wife," he said in a low voice.

Su Wan said, "Your master striking you today was indeed his fault. I saw it clearly from the side; the moment he raised his hand, he regretted it. It's only that his temper..."

A faint pity lay upon her gentle face, and she went on: "It's only that he has always been proud and stubborn, and he holds his face dearer than anything, so even with regret in his heart he will never say it aloud. You must not hold it against him."

Zhang Qingyue shook his head. "Master's wife, I would not dare blame master. I blame only myself for being too stupid and making master angry."

Su Wan glanced at him and sighed softly. "In truth it has little to do with you. Cultivating the Dao and refining the Way depends on each person's natural gifts; diligence may make up for dullness, but in the end there is still a gap. Your master understands this in his heart, and it is not this that troubles him."

Zhang Qingyue said in surprise, "Then what is troubling master?"

Su Wan gave a faint smile, a trace of helplessness between her brows. "Talent like Qi Hao's and Lin Jinghong's has always been something one may encounter but never seek out. Yet in the Canglan Sect today, the Bamboo Peak line declines day by day. Your master's cultivation is high, but he is often ridiculed by his senior brothers over his disciples. He is proud by nature, and it pains him deeply; he also fears that after he ascends as an immortal, the Bamboo Peak line may never again raise its head, and that he would then fail his forebears all the more. All these heavy burdens rest on his shoulders alone, and in his heart he is truly bitter."

Zhang Qingyue was silent. Su Wan came to herself, shook her head with a bitter smile, and said, "Really, what am I saying all this to a fourteen-year-old boy for?" She rose and patted his shoulder. "Get some rest early."

Zhang Qingyue answered, "Yes, Master's wife. Take care as you go."

Su Wan nodded and went out. Zhang Qingyue saw her all the way to the door, watched her figure disappear, and only then returned to his room.

But no sooner had he stepped through the door than his eyes were suddenly dazzled: there by the table, in the flickering lamplight, stood a girl in red, her face like a lotus, lovely as peach and plum blossom, beyond all description.

He stared dumbly, his heart suddenly racing, and murmured low, "Senior Sister!"