The promotion ceremony was quiet but formal. Inner sect robes were presented on an embroidered cushion, the blue-and-silver fabric shimmering under the lanterns. Shen Jiu stood behind the elders, his arms folded, face neutral.
Luo Wen stepped forward, bowing low. The air in the pavilion was thick with incense, but his steps were steady, eyes lowered with practiced humility.
When the sect master smiled and said, "Such promising talent from the outer courts is rare," several elders murmured in approval.
Even Elder Mu, who seldom praised, added, "Power should not be questioned when it serves righteousness."
Shen Jiu nodded slightly, but something in his chest tightened. He told himself it was relief. Not unease.
Luo Wen took the robes with both hands and bowed again. "I will not disappoint you."
He didn't look at Shen Jiu.
He didn't need to.
---
Later that day, Shen Jiu found himself near the meditation courtyard, the faint scent of plum blossoms brushing past him on the breeze.
He paused beneath the tree where he had received the pendant. His fingers touched it absently. Still warm, still pulsing gently—though he'd long stopped noticing that.
From behind the stone wall came faint laughter. A group of disciples—perhaps five or six—talking in hushed tones.
"You see how fast he moved in the duel last week?"
"Like he'd already seen the move before it happened."
"It's unnatural. Creepy."
"He's just trying to impress Shen Shixiong. Following him like a stray cat."
Shen Jiu turned the corner before he thought it through.
The disciples stiffened, then scrambled to bow. "Shen Shixiong!"
He gave them a glance that could've frozen molten steel. "If you have concerns about a fellow disciple, voice them to the elders. Not under trees like gossiping housewives."
One of the boys flushed scarlet. "We didn't mean—"
"Luo Wen earned his promotion. You'll do well to remember that."
They bowed again, stammering apologies, and hurried off.
He stood there a moment longer, expression unreadable, before turning back toward the central pavilion.
He didn't see the figure watching from the shadowed corridor behind the wall, breath slow and eyes dark.
---
That night, when Shen Jiu returned to his quarters, a bowl of warm soup was waiting by the door.
He blinked. No note. Just the bowl, carefully covered to preserve the heat. The scent of lotus root and spiritual ginseng floated up.
He glanced around. No footsteps. No movement.
Still, he smiled faintly. It was clumsy—but thoughtful.
A quiet knock came at the door a few minutes later.
Luo Wen stepped in when called, dressed not in his new inner robes but his old outer disciple ones.
"Why are you wearing those?" Shen Jiu asked, amused.
"I didn't want to forget where I came from," he said softly.
Shen Jiu didn't press. He gestured toward the soup. "Was that you?"
Luo Wen looked surprised, then smiled. "I remembered you skipped lunch. I thought… maybe you'd like something warm."
"That was considerate." Shen Jiu sat, sipping slowly. "You've grown more thoughtful lately."
"I want to do things right this time," Luo Wen said.
Shen Jiu didn't notice the way he phrased it.
He simply nodded. "Good. The sect's watching now. You'll have responsibilities."
"I only care what you think," the boy said quietly.
Shen Jiu chuckled, dismissing it as gratitude. "Well, I'm watching too."
He didn't see the way Luo Wen's gaze lingered on his throat as he swallowed another spoonful. Or the way his fingers twitched slightly, resisting the urge to reach out and touch the pendant that glowed softly against the hollow of Shen Jiu's neck.
---
The next morning, a new disciple arrived from a branch sect.
His name was Xie Rong, and he was all flashing smiles and friendly charm. He bowed deeply when introduced to Shen Jiu and offered a folded paper fan inscribed with poetic lines.
"You're even more impressive in person, Shen Shixiong."
Shen Jiu, used to flattery, accepted the gesture politely and moved on.
But during the morning formations, Xie Rong positioned himself near Luo Wen. Close—too close—offering friendly corrections and joking praise.
"Watch your footing there—wouldn't want to trip in front of Shen Shixiong, eh?"
Luo Wen responded with a smile.
It didn't reach his eyes.
At the next rest break, Shen Jiu passed by as Xie Rong handed Luo Wen a steamed bun and said loudly, "Bet you didn't get meals like this in the outer courts."
Luo Wen nodded politely, accepting the food with both hands.
Shen Jiu smiled at the interaction.
He's making friends, he thought, relieved. This is good. Normal.
That evening, Xie Rong didn't report to evening meditation.
He was found unconscious by the riverbed, his leg broken and bruises blooming down his ribs. The elder who discovered him said he must have fallen.
Luo Wen knelt quietly nearby, listening as two inner disciples whispered their speculations.
Shen Jiu arrived last, eyes scanning the crowd, lingering on Luo Wen.
"You were with him earlier," he said.
Luo Wen bowed his head. "He left to bathe after sparring. I went to sweep the courtyard. We weren't together."
"Mm." Shen Jiu didn't press.
Later, he told himself it was just an accident.
But he did notice Xie Rong never stood near Luo Wen again.
---
The sky turned violet at dusk, clouds drifting low. From his room, Shen Jiu watched the lanterns flicker on one by one through the courtyard.
The scent of the soup lingered faintly from the night before. The pendant warmed softly against his skin.
He touched it again.
It calmed him now, strangely. Grounded him.
He didn't know why.
Outside, a shadow moved beneath the plum tree.
Hands clasped behind his back, Luo Wen stared up at the window of Shen Jiu's room. The light inside flickered against the paper screen.
He stood there a long time, unmoving, until the lantern went dark.
Only then did he smile.
--