#Chapter 9: The Immortal Beneath the Moon
Lu Zhaoye resigned himself to his fate. When he had first heard that Li Yuezhou had awakened, his mind had been plagued with all sorts of anxieties. But seeing him today, he realized those worries were entirely unfounded.
Just looking at that face, begging him so pitifully, Lu Zhaoye felt that, let alone the position of Alliance Leader, he would willingly give the boy his very life.
He wondered if Li Yuezhou had any inkling of just how devastatingly lethal his own face was. It made it physically impossible for anyone to speak a word that might disappoint him.
Still, because the boy’s fever had only just broken, Lu Zhaoye didn't dare lower his guard, wrapping him up layer upon layer.
The garments of this season were meant to be light and airy, and by midday, it grew warm enough that most people wore nothing but thin shirts. But Li Yuezhou’s constitution was simply too weak.
Beneath his robes, he wore a moon-white tunic, over which Lu Zhaoye layer a pale green, white-bordered zhiduo, a straight-hemmed scholar's robe, making him look as delicate as a willow branch swaying in the breeze.
Even so, terrified that he might catch another chill, Lu Zhaoye insisted on draping a cloak over his shoulders. Fortunately, it wasn’t heavy. Li Yuezhou reached out to brush it with his fingers, finding the fabric remarkably soft.
"Brother, it will be hot."
"The night air is cold. Wear more for now; you can take it off if you get too warm."
Lu Zhaoye firmly shut down any thought of discarding the cloak. He lifted the youth into his wheelchair and carefully smoothed out the fabric of his clothes.
Once everything was neat and tidy, he reached out to gather the boy's dark hair. Holding the tresses, which felt like flowing silk, in his hands, Lu Zhaoye lowered his eyes, his fingers deftly weaving the strands into an elegant, intricate pattern.
"It's just... going outside. Too complicated," Li Yuezhou murmured, staring at his reflection in the mirror. His face bore a soft, peach-blossom flush, and his eyes were misty, looking as though he hadn't fully awakened.
Two thick sections of dark hair were braided on either side and pinned elegantly at the back of his head, fastened in place by a silver hairpin Lu Zhaoye had slid into the weave.
Under the combined glow of the candlelight and the brilliant moonlight, the silver hairpin and the dark hair shimmered in harmony, making him look like an immortal who had descended from the moon.
Because his attire consisted entirely of pale, ethereal colors, even Li Yuezhou found himself momentarily dazed by his own reflection. This face was virtually identical to the one he had possessed in his modern life.
However, due to the harsh realities of his previous existence, he had never bothered to dress up, and his demeanor had always been somewhat gloomy.
Even if he had been handsome then, no one had ever paid him any notice. Now that he was being well-nurtured, that inherent beauty was blooming in full force.
Lu Zhaoye gazed at the beautifully adorned youth with immense satisfaction, a quiet sense of fulfillment warming his chest. No wonder his mother had loved dressing him up when he was a child; there really was a profound sense of accomplishment in it.
The mere thought that such a flawless, jade-like person would call him "brother" so submissively, nestle into his embrace so obediently, and depend on him so entirely, caused a sudden flame to ignite deep within Lu Zhaoye’s heart.
"It isn't complicated. It looks beautiful."
Suppressing his swirling thoughts, he pushed the wheelchair out of the room.
---
The two brothers conversed in low tones as they made their way through the grounds. At this hour, nearly everyone had retired to their quarters, leaving only the guards of the Martial Arts Alliance diligently patrolling. Seeing the pair approach, they bowed respectfully.
"Eldest Young Master. Second Young Master."
Lu Zhaoye offered no expression, merely giving a cold, aloof wave of his hand. Anyone unacquainted with him might have assumed he harbored a deep grievance against Li Yuezhou.
Li Yuezhou, however, curved his eyes into a warm, bright smile. "Thank you for your hard work."
The guards scratched their heads, offering honest, sheepish smiles. "It's no trouble at all, it's our duty. Thank you for your kindness, Second Young Master."
Watching the youth smile so warmly at others made an inexplicable prickle of discomfort rise within Lu Zhaoye. He is far too beautiful. His already expressionless face seemed to turn a fraction colder.
The guards instinctively pulled their heads back. Holding a healthy dread of the Eldest Young Master, they instantly snapped to attention, staring straight ahead without daring to glance sideways.
Yet the moment Lu Zhaoye turned back to face Li Yuezhou, his demeanor shifted completely. While he didn't exactly beam with joy, his expression softened considerably into something profoundly gentle.
"The Martial Arts Alliance is built halfway up Mount Lingjue. The entire layout is perfectly square. Normally, Godfather handles administrative matters in the side hall next to the Zhengxin Hall. Occasionally, when a particularly thorny dispute arises, he will resolve it publicly within the main hall itself."
Lu Zhaoye had always considered himself a deeply introverted and quiet person, yet in front of Li Yuezhou, he found himself with an endless stream of words to say. Perhaps it was because no matter what he spoke of, the boy was always an incredibly attentive and enthusiastic audience.
"To the left are the quarters where the disciples and servants rest; they are separated from one another. The grand assembly is hosted in the central arena, as it has the largest capacity."
"The Alliance grounds are vast. There is the Library Pavilion, which houses all manner of martial arts manuals and secret techniques; the Patrol Prefecture, where the guards report for duty; and the Disciplinary Hall, the Lecture Pavilion, the Medical Pavilion, and many others."
Li Yuezhou’s eyes widened in genuine awe, finding it somewhat hard to believe. "So... massive. Father is incredible."
"Godfather is indeed remarkable. Though he is exceptionally kind and genial around us, any martial artist out in the wider world will tremble down to their bones at the mere mention of his name."
The moment the words left his mouth, Lu Zhaoye felt as though he were somehow slandering his godfather. But just as he was about to clarify, he heard Li Yuezhou laugh.
The youth's laughter was crisp and clear, winding into Lu Zhaoye’s ears like a delicate hook that left a teasing itch in its wake.
"However, the Martial Arts Alliance wasn't founded by Godfather alone. There were many other seniors involved."
Li Yuezhou thought for a moment before asking, "Brother, what about your father?"
"Yes. My father was one of the men who supported Godfather in establishing the Alliance all those years ago." Lu Zhaoye's eyes softened. "There were many others as well. Godfather hasn't officially announced the news of your recovery to the public yet; he wants to wait for Valley Master Hua to observe your condition a bit longer before making a decision."
"Alright." Li Yuezhou nodded. His gaze drifted toward a specific path ahead. If they continued in that direction, they would reach the guest quarters where the participating disciples were staying.
"Brother, let's go over there."
His heart fluttered with a sudden spike of nerves. He wondered if he would run into that vile demonic cultivator. Realizing that this would be his very first time actively participating in the plot, Li Yuezhou felt a potent mix of anxiety and exhilaration.
Lu Zhaoye’s brows knit together, a clear look of reluctance washing over his face. Yet, loath to disappoint Li Yuezhou, he simply stood frozen in place, refusing to move the wheelchair forward.
"Brother, look, a cat!"
Sensing Lu Zhaoye’s hesitation, Li Yuezhou quickly pointed toward a small black shape darting beneath a large tree nearby. In truth, he hadn't seen clearly whether it was actually a cat or not, but he needed a pretext to get himself pushed over there.
He likes cats? Lu Zhaoye pondered for a brief moment. Perhaps he could find one and bring it back for the boy to raise?
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