You Don’t Happen to Like Me, Do You?
Ji Chaoyun snapped fully awake, shoving Feng Qi back and shifted backward, asking warily, “Why are you here?”
“...” Feng Qi calmly withdrew his hand and gave a light cough. “I was just passing by.”
“Passing by?” Ji Chaoyun, having only just awakened from sleep, was nowhere near as clear-headed as he was during the day. His eyes were bloodshot, and he rubbed them in confusion and discomfort. “Isn’t the teleportation formation to the disciple peaks in the east?”
His head was tilted slightly upward, hands instinctively raised in front of him. Without the bristling wariness he carried during the day, he even looked somewhat innocent and youthful.
The dim yellow light played across his handsome, delicate face, its soft glow trailing down to the collar loosened slightly by sleep. From Feng Qi’s angle, he could even see a small portion of the slender collarbone hidden beneath Ji Chaoyun’s robes.
Feng Qi’s breathing faltered slightly, and he looked away.
Several scriptures lay open across the long desk. Ji Chaoyun must have been studying them before falling asleep.
Feng Qi swept a cursory glance over them. From beneath the notes, sheets of xuan paper (宣纸, xuānzhǐ) is a traditional Chinese paper commonly used for calligraphy and painting. , and a pile of Yellow-rank cultivation texts, he unerringly pulled out the Supreme Splendor Scripture and dropped it in front of Ji Chaoyun. His confidence returned at once. “I did come looking for you. Because of this.”
Ji Chaoyun froze, looking unusually guilty. “Y-You... how did you know...”
“Why do you care how I found out?” Feng Qi sat down upon the long desk, raised his chin, and looked down at him from above. “If you don’t want anyone to know, then don’t do it in the first place. Ji Chaoyun, you stole something and somehow managed to steal from me. Don’t you think you owe me an explanation?”
“I didn’t steal it...”
“Taking something without permission is called theft. You took a book from Cloud-Ascending Tower behind my back. If that isn’t stealing, what is?” Feng Qi tilted his head with a smile, his handsome face practically begging to be punched. “Do all dragons love lying this much?”
“You—” Ji Chaoyun was furious and about to argue when Feng Qi leisurely tapped the scripture spread across the desk.
Ji Chaoyun had no choice but to suppress his anger and say stiffly, “This matter was entirely my fault. I apologize.”
Feng Qi pressed his advantage. “You think one light little apology settles everything? Since when was there such a convenient thing?”
“Then what do you want?”
“Perhaps you still don’t understand how serious this is.” Feng Qi spoke slowly. “Since Cloud-Ascending Tower belongs to me, I make all its rules. Anyone who breaks them may be treated as having violated academy rules and handed over to me for punishment as I see fit. You conspired with Xiao Jue to steal books from the tower. Tell me, how should I deal with the two of you?”
Ji Chaoyun’s eyes flickered. “This has nothing to do with Senior Brother Xiao. If someone must be blamed, I’ll bear it alone.”
“How noble, bearing it all alone.” Although Feng Qi was supposedly holding him accountable, there was not the slightest anger in his eyes. If anything, his teasing expression only grew stronger. “Yet as far as I know, Xiao Jue acted first and reported afterward. When he gave you those books, you didn’t know they came from Cloud-Ascending Tower, did you?”
Ji Chaoyun did not answer.
Feng Qi continued, “After entering the academy and learning that Cloud-Ascending Tower never lends out its books, you immediately contacted Xiao Jue and returned them. So why did you insist on keeping one?”
“If you hadn’t left evidence behind, you could’ve simply denied ever reading any of them. Then I wouldn’t be able to come trouble you now, would I?”
“I... I hadn’t finished reading it.” Ji Chaoyun’s fingers curled against his lap. At last, he told the truth. “This book benefits my cultivation, but it can’t be found anywhere except Cloud-Ascending Tower. If I returned it, it would be difficult to obtain again.”
Feng Qi stared at him for a long moment, his thoughts unreadable.
After a while, he suddenly asked, “Why didn’t you ask Yaoguang to change your disciple courtyard?”
Ji Chaoyun froze, unable to understand why Feng Qi had suddenly changed the subject.
Feng Qi said, “Yaoguang takes such good care of you that he even agreed to let you sleep in the classroom. There’s no reason he wouldn’t help you change courtyards. Why haven’t you asked him?”
“Immortal Venerable has already helped me greatly. He has many matters to attend to. There’s no need to trouble him over something so minor.”
“Minor?” Feng Qi swept his gaze over Ji Chaoyun, looking utterly unable to comprehend him. “So you’d rather live here?”
“It’s perfectly fine here.”
Feng Qi stared at him in disbelief. “This miserable place is cold and damp. If that old man Tianshu didn’t force me to attend lessons, even I wouldn’t want to come here. What part of it is fine?”
“...”
Ji Chaoyun actually had a terrible temper upon waking. Feng Qi had already interrupted his sleep and left him simmering with irritation, but because Ji Chaoyun knew he was in the wrong, he had held it back.
Now listening to Feng Qi ramble from one thing to another, his patience finally snapped. “Second Highness Feng, do you think everyone is like you, perching only upon parasol trees and drinking only from sweet springs, too precious for anything less?”[TN4]
No one had ever dared speak to Feng Qi like this in all his life. He was immediately rendered speechless.
“...There are many people in this world who have no home at all. To have even a crude shelter against the rain is already a blessing. Do you know how many people spend their entire lives unable to obtain this ‘miserable place’ you speak of?”
Ji Chaoyun drew a deep breath and continued slowly, “Forget it. How could people like you, who have stood above everyone else since birth, possibly understand? There’s no point wasting my breath.”
The lamp had reached the end of its oil, and the only flame in the classroom rapidly dimmed.
Moonlight filtered through the pine forest and fell across the window, leaving swaying shadows of the trees behind.
Feng Qi gazed at Ji Chaoyun’s eyes, still bright even in the darkness, and felt something stir faintly within his heart.
Ji Chaoyun raised a hand to add more oil to the lamp, only for Feng Qi to suddenly seize his wrist.
Ji Chaoyun instinctively pulled free. “What are you doing?”
The skin beneath Feng Qi’s fingertips was fine and soft. He stiffened for a moment before turning his head aside. “Didn’t you say you’d bear it alone? Come with me.”
☁︎
The night was silent, and there was not a soul to be seen upon Hongmeng Academy’s main peak.
Feng Qi led Ji Chaoyun slowly along the mountain path.
Ji Chaoyun asked, “The academy forbids wandering around at night. Where are you taking me?”
“Just follow me. Why ask so many questions?” Feng Qi did not turn around, his tone lazy. “I’m not going to do anything to you. Don’t tell me you actually think I’m interested in you?”
“...” Ji Chaoyun lowered his eyes and said nothing.
Feng Qi was exceedingly handsome, and his voice was clear and pleasant to hear.
Unfortunately, he always spoke at an unhurried pace. When he deliberately drew out his words like this, it made one want nothing more than to punch that handsome face.
Feng Qi looked back at him. “Were you about to say something just now?”
Ji Chaoyun said, “Nothing. I was only thinking that it’s fortunate you were born into the Phoenix Clan.”
“What do you mean?”
“The fact that you’ve lived this long without being beaten to death means you really ought to be grateful for the advantage of your bloodline.” Ji Chaoyun met his gaze, then expressionlessly looked away. “...And that face.”
After saying this, he quickened his pace and walked ahead.
Feng Qi was not offended.
He stood there blankly for a moment, then thoughtfully rubbed his chin. “Can I take that to mean you think I’m good-looking?”
Ji Chaoyun: “...”
Feng Qi caught up with a laugh. “Say something. You thought I was good-looking the first time you saw me, didn’t you? Why else would you keep staring at me?”
Ji Chaoyun: “...Get lost.”
“There was also Wenqu Peak. All I did was get a little closer, and you were so frightened that you revealed your true form.” The amusement in Feng Qi’s eyes deepened. He deliberately poked Ji Chaoyun from behind. “Hey, you don’t happen to like me, do you?”
Ji Chaoyun abruptly stopped walking.
Feng Qi continued chattering behind him. “Well? Do you or don’t you? If you really do—”
Ji Chaoyun whipped around, an unusual light faintly appearing in his eyes.
He gritted his teeth and said coldly, “Say one more word and I’ll—”
“And you’ll what?” Feng Qi looked perfectly at ease. “You can’t beat me. What can you possibly do to me?”
“...” Ji Chaoyun closed his eyes and forcibly suppressed his anger.
Then he slowly nodded. “You’re right. I can’t beat you, so... I can only call for someone.”
Feng Qi froze. “Call for someone?”
Ji Chaoyun took one step toward him, a faint curve appearing at his lips.
When Ji Chaoyun did not smile, he looked cold. His innate air of noble aloofness was something even many immortal descendants born and raised in the Immortal Realm could not compare with.
Only when he smiled like this did the strange beauty and danger carved into his very bones from his days as a spirit beast reveal itself.
Feng Qi’s heartbeat inexplicably quickened, as though some invisible force had pinned him firmly in place.
Ji Chaoyun leaned close to his ear and whispered, “I hear the Phoenix Clan values its reputation above all else. Suppose I shouted right here that Second Highness Feng forcibly brought me to this secluded place with improper intentions. What do you think your uncle would do when he found out?”
Feng Qi clearly had not expected him to have such a move prepared and froze on the spot.
Ji Chaoyun stepped half a pace back and straightened his collar. “Those of us born among spirit beasts know only such despicable tricks. I hope Your Highness will forgive the spectacle.”
If it had been anyone else, Feng Qi would not have been particularly worried. At worst, he would be confined for several days, and the most severe punishment would merely be expulsion from Hongmeng Academy.
Unfortunately, this particular person was the one Tianshu had repeatedly instructed him to “treat with courtesy and assist with all his effort.”
An image inexplicably appeared in Feng Qi’s mind of Tianshu plucking every feather from his phoenix body and hanging him before the academy’s mountain gate for public display.
He shuddered violently.
Feng Qi remained silent for a long time.
Ji Chaoyun asked again, “Where exactly are you taking me?”
“...We’re already here.”
Feng Qi pointed ahead.
Ji Chaoyun followed his gaze and saw a jade tower in the distance, brilliantly lit and half-hidden among the clouds and mist.
“Cloud-Ascending Tower?”
“Correct.”
A barrier surrounded Cloud-Ascending Tower. Seen from outside, the upper half of the jade tower disappeared into the clouds and could not be clearly seen.
Feng Qi led Ji Chaoyun inside. “Cloud-Ascending Tower holds thousands of books and treasures. It’s also my second residence within Hongmeng Academy. Because of that, it’s the only place on the main peak permitted to remain brightly lit throughout the night without anyone questioning it.”
The first floor of Cloud-Ascending Tower was used to receive guests. Its layout was exquisite and its decorations luxurious, with every furnishing and utensil one could need.
Beginning from the second floor, the center of the building opened into a hollow space. Looking upward from below, wooden staircases spiraled around the tower walls all the way to the top.
Ji Chaoyun asked, “Why did you bring me here?”
“You stole my book. Shouldn’t you compensate me properly?” Feng Qi answered with another question rather than explaining.
Cloud-Ascending Tower had seven floors in total. The second through fourth floors contained the book collection, the fifth and sixth housed treasures, and the floor above those was Feng Qi’s residence.
Within the library, rows of towering bookshelves stood one after another. Scriptures and books of every kind filled them, enough to overwhelm the eye.
Several small desks stood in the center of the library, presumably for disciples to sit and study the books.
Feng Qi did not spare any of them a glance and led Ji Chaoyun directly to the fourth floor.
They passed between rows of bookshelves until, at the end of a corridor, they reached a small warm chamber.
“This is where I usually read.” Feng Qi pushed open the door and walked inside.
Second Highness Feng never made life difficult for himself under any circumstances. Even his private reading chamber had been furnished to the highest standard.
The tables and chairs were all crafted from rare parasol wood, decorated with fine silks, pearls, and precious ornaments. Every corner radiated wealth and nobility.
An incense burner upon the desk released a faint warm fragrance. Through gauze curtains in the inner room, one could vaguely make out a small couch covered with a soft fur blanket.
The only flaw in this otherwise perfect scene was...
Books and scriptures were scattered across the floor and every table in the warm chamber, as though the place had only just been ransacked. The disorder was almost unbearable to look at.
Feng Qi paid no attention whatsoever to the mess.
He casually swept the books on the desk onto the floor, sat down upon the tabletop, and asked, “What do you think of this place?”
Ji Chaoyun could not determine what he was planning, so he answered truthfully, “It’s very good.”
It was far more than merely good.
There were even more books here than Ji Chaoyun had imagined. Following Feng Qi up through the tower, he had nearly been dazzled by everything he saw.
His heart was already stirring with desire, yet outwardly he maintained an indifferent expression and calmly looked at Feng Qi.
Feng Qi said, “Cloud-Ascending Tower contains more than eight thousand two hundred and forty volumes, only around two thousand fewer than the academy’s Scripture Pavilion. However, most of the books in the Scripture Pavilion concern cultivation and martial practice, while there are no such restrictions on the books kept here.”
“Most were added by the successive masters of Cloud-Ascending Tower, and quite a few have even become the only surviving copies.”
Ji Chaoyun tried to resist but he failed.
His gaze kept drifting longingly toward the rows of bookshelves outside the warm chamber, and his throat unconsciously moved.
Feng Qi did not miss that eager little expression.
Suppressing the smile in his eyes, he continued, “These eight thousand-odd volumes haven’t been properly inventoried since I became master of Cloud-Ascending Tower. The cultivation-related books in particular are read most often. Some need to be sorted and returned to their proper places, while others need damaged or missing portions copied out and restored.”
“Well? Such a small task shouldn’t be beyond you, should it?”
“What exactly do you mean?”
Feng Qi said, “From now on, I want you to stay in the library and help me organize the books here. Also, to prevent anything like the previous incident from happening again, I plan to dismiss all the disciples who attend to Cloud-Ascending Tower. From now on, you’ll be responsible for cleaning the place inside and out as well.”
“...” Ji Chaoyun was silent for a moment before gritting his teeth. “You’re treating me like free labor?”
“It’s punishment.” Feng Qi looked at him teasingly. “If you really refuse, I’ll have no choice but to give these tasks to Xiao Jue instead. What a pity. He went to all that trouble helping you, only to end up sold to me as labor. Truly unfortunate in his choice of friends...”
Ji Chaoyun said, “Don’t drag him into this. I’ll do it.”
“Good.” Feng Qi smiled in satisfaction. “Don’t worry. I’m not entirely unreasonable either. I know the most important thing for you right now is passing the seasonal examination, so I can be somewhat lenient.”
“Attend your lessons as usual, but whenever you have free time, you must come to Cloud-Ascending Tower. That includes at night.”
“This place may be a little crude, but since you can even sleep in a classroom, there’s no reason you can’t sleep here.”
Standing inside a warm chamber decorated even more extravagantly than the homes of wealthy mortal families, Ji Chaoyun looked at Feng Qi as though he were some strange creature.
Feng Qi seemed extremely satisfied with the arrangement.
A streak of golden light passed from his fingertip and entered the passage token at Ji Chaoyun’s waist. “This spell will allow you to pass freely through the barrier around Cloud-Ascending Tower. From now on, I’m leaving this place in your care.”
He casually grabbed several books from the desk and slapped them into Ji Chaoyun’s arms. “Work properly. No slacking off. I’m leaving.”
Ji Chaoyun was silent for a moment before answering quietly, “...I understand.”
Feng Qi turned and left the warm chamber.
Only after the sound of his footsteps had completely disappeared did the tension finally leave Ji Chaoyun’s back.
He sighed and placed the books in his arms neatly upon the desk.
They clearly had the exact same face. How could their personalities and ways of doing things be so different?
His mind didn’t seem particularly sound either.
If all descendants of the Phoenix Clan were like this, that would truly be disastrous.
Ji Chaoyun thought gloomily.
He was about to crouch down and gather the books scattered around him when something caught the corner of his eye.
He froze.
Ji Chaoyun’s spiritual root severely limited him, making his cultivation progress exceedingly slow. What an ordinary person could accomplish in three months would take him at least three years.
With his present cultivation, he truly had no confidence that he could pass the seasonal examination three months from now.
That was why he needed the Supreme Splendor Scripture.
Immortals generally possessed excellent innate aptitude, and cultivation scriptures varied according to the individual. Most required exceptionally strong foundations and advanced at a rapid pace, leaving Ji Chaoyun with no way to begin.
Among all the cultivation texts he had found, the Supreme Splendor Scripture was one of the rare few that progressed gradually from the simple to the profound.
Yet by the fourth volume, even that had become difficult for him.
That was why he had asked Xiao Jue to find several additional scriptures to use as supplementary references.
The books Feng Qi had casually handed him were not the ones he had requested, yet by coincidence, they also concerned foundational cultivation.
They were even better than the ones he had wanted.
“Not right in the head, but at least his luck is good.” Ji Chaoyun muttered quietly.
Remaining where he knelt, he opened one of the books and began studying it carefully.
A short while later, Feng Qi poked his head out from behind a bookshelf.
Through the half-closed door of the warm chamber, the slender figure could be seen kneeling before the small desk.
From this angle, Feng Qi could see only half of Ji Chaoyun’s finely defined profile and the faint upward curve of his lips.
He won’t even say thank you, and he secretly insults me besides. This little dragon brat.
Feng Qi watched him intently for a long while.
Then he gave an unreadable little laugh and disappeared behind the bookshelves.
☁︎₊˚⊹ The Author’s Jade-Slip Aside ⊹˚₊☁︎
Phoenix: He thinks I’m good-looking, keeps staring at me, and when I get a little closer, he gets so flustered that he reveals his true form. He definitely likes me. [Flawless logic.
Yunyun: ...Get lost!
IsitRo: If you areeee curious, check out here for more info about xuan papers :3
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