19 Clash between blood and ice

Han Xuelian's words were bold and precise, severing the last thread of patience Chi Yulan had been holding onto. With her jaws clenched tight and a face contorted with anger, the Grandmistress reached for a jewelled dagger that was hidden within the confines of her sleeve.

As if sensing her intentions, Han Xuelian lifted his hand, using a few motions of his fingers to conjure a sphere of blue Qi in the middle of his palm.

"A leashed hound is still a hound that is valued by its Master," the Grandmistress argued, pressing the dagger's blade against her left arm. "Unlike the hound that bites the hand that feeds him…" Her gaze narrowed intensely at the Grandmaster.

Liwen tried to calm her nerves in that tense moment, realising that her Grandmistress couldn't be easily swayed to control her wild temper. Words and pleas alone would just be brushed off or blatantly ignored.

"Some hounds are ambitious, they choose to be their own Master." Han Xuelian's lips curved devilishly.

Before the Grandmistress could carve an incision in her arm to draw blood, her actions were subdued by a hand that swiftly confiscated the dagger from her possession.

"Who-" Chi Yulan hastily turned around, prepared to confront whoever had the audacity to stop her. "Han Yijun?" Her anger and expression softened seeing the Grandmaster's nephew.

'Oh? They know each other?' The Grandmaster closed his palm, allowing the sphere of Qi to flow back into his body.

"Grandmistress Chi Yulan," Han Yijun greeted as he bowed respectfully with a polite smile. "I did not know that you were going to visit Xue Ling Ridge."

"Goodness, it's a pleasure to have someone more sensible in this place." Chi Yulan looked at the Grandmaster's nephew fondly. "How is Ah-Cheng? Is he adjusting?"

Han Xuelian scowled at his nephew's polite facade. Despite being grateful for how well Han Yijun seemed to handle the Grandmistress, he couldn't quite fathom how his nephew dared to face Chi Cheng's mother after what he did to her son.

"It is very late, Grandmistress." Han Yijun presented the dagger back to her. "I'm sure you are very exhausted from your journey and Chi Cheng is already resting. Why don't you rest here for the night and you can see him in the morning?"

"Hmm, I suppose you are right. I don't want to disturb him if he is resting," Chi Yulan agreed, sheathing her dagger before she glared over her shoulder at the Grandmaster.

"I wasn't aware you were acquainted with my nephew, Grandmistress." Han Xuelian said questioningly.

"Han Yijun is good friends with Chi Cheng." The Grandmistress folded her arms, seating herself back down at the table. "He visited Chiyun Mowu quite often in the last few months."

"Good friends indeed." The Grandmaster emphasized, his gaze settling on his nephew standing behind the Grandmistress. "They get along very well."

Han Yijun averted his gaze from his uncle, still possessing no courage to defy the intimidating persona the Grandmaster imposed on him. He clasped his hands behind his back, straightening himself obediently without a word.

"You can enjoy the refreshments." Han Xuelian gestured to the tea and food laid out on the table, waking up from his seat. He couldn't stomach the exchange between his nephew and the Grandmistress, but he understood the importance of letting her be handled by someone she was more familiar with.

"You will let me see him in the morning," The Grandmistress demanded, taking a sip of her tea as Han Xuelian briefly passed her.

"If you're prepared to deal with the consequences of him being expelled from this course due to having his mentor aid him, then be my guest." The Grandmaster stated dismissively, taking his leave from the room without another word.

"Keep an eye on her," Han Xuelian ordered Han Yongrui who awaited him outside the room. "She's unpredictable and will be troublesome."

"I will have some of the disciples observe her movements." Han Yongrui complied, nodding in agreement. "She brought a few of her own and I believe some are secretly wandering around the outer estate but I'll have them taken care of."

"Forgive me, Rui." Han Xuelian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I gave you the time to rest but you have more tasks to handle now."

"Tasks are of no issue to me." Han Yongrui reassured his uncle. "Being an idle body leaves me with nothing to do. I'll take my leave then." He stopped, bowing with his hands clasped in front of him and then separated from his uncle.

'First, her husband makes demands and now she arrives to complicate matters further…' Han Xuelian shook his head, making his way back to his room. 'I don't have a good feeling about having three members of the Chi clan in my estate.'

Opening the door to his room, Han Xuelian found Chi Cheng seated on the bed with Chi Weiran's head in his lap. Seated on the on the floor, the Chi youngster was soundly asleep while his older brother caressed his head.

'This brat…' Han Xuelian appeared somewhat disgruntled by the sight, especially since Chi Cheng was so visibly content and smiling brightly. He didn't even stop to consider the Grandmaster's presence, just silently soothing his younger brother.

The soft smile on Chi Cheng's face was mesmerising. He looked so full of life as he gazed down at his younger brother proudly. But beneath the pleasantness of his smile was a hint of sadness in his eyes that seemed lost.

Han Xuelian didn't like the look in Chi Cheng's eyes. It reminded him that there were far too many unusual mysteries and secrets about the younger male and it irked his curiosity persistently. Hence, he decided he could afford more time to adhere to Chi Cheng's father's request.

'Emerald…' Han Xuelian paid attention to the glossy colour of Chi Cheng's eyes. "They're beautiful…" He accidentally revealed aloud, catching Chi Cheng's attention.

Chi Cheng perked his head up, trying to figure out what the Grandmaster was referring to.

"Beautiful?" Chi Cheng asked softly, careful to not stir his brother.

"Mindless thoughts about nothing." Han Xuelian answered him, waving his hand as if brushing it off while approaching the bed.

"Did mother give you any trouble?" Chi Cheng enquired as the Grandmaster seated himself on the bed beside him, avoiding Chi Weiran's legs that were folded to the side on the floor.

"Hardly. She requested to meet you but you're injured and she will make a fuss."

"Did she mention why she visited?"

"I suppose you'll have your question answered after all." Han Xuelian crossed one leg over the other, tilting his head to the side to look at Chi Cheng.

"I planned to have Generals from each Sect that serves the Emperor partake in the next part of the course. They were meant to guide and train the guest disciples from the corresponding clans to develop their cultivation techniques. The only exception of having a Grandmaster was your mother since Blood cultivation is a complicated art."

"I predicted as much." Chi Cheng nodded. "It's a good strategy since you'll be giving the guest disciples first-hand mentorship with experienced Generals from their own clans."

Han Xuelian smiled victoriously to himself, pleased that Chi Cheng thought well of his idea, but it wasn't as impressive since the younger male seemed to have already predicted this outcome.

"Thank you for taking care of me. I have much to repay you for." Chi Cheng finally looked at Han Xuelian, offering a courtesy smile. "I will return to my room with Ah-Ran."

"He can go." Han Xuelian pointed at Chi Weiran. "You're staying with me."