Chapter 7: The Waiting Servant
Lin Tian sat stiffly on the worn stone steps outside Elder Yun He's hut, his knees pulled up to his chest. The sun had long since tilted past noon, shadows stretching across the mountain path, but he hadn't moved.
His fingers fidgeted with the hem of his servant's robe. Every few breaths, he whispered under his breath, trying out apologies, rehearsing what to say when the alchemist returned.
"Elder Yun He, forgive me, I overstepped—no, too stiff."
"I truly meant no offense, I was only worried—ugh, sounds like groveling."
He let his head fall back against the wooden door, staring at the clouds drifting above. Hours passed, but still he stayed put, determined.
---
A dry, amused voice broke the silence.
"Look at you. Waiting like a stray mutt left in the rain."
Lin Tian smirked faintly. "Better a mutt than a useless map drifting in the void."
The Primordial Map bristled in his head. "Useless? Insolent boy. Do you know how many sect masters, how many great emperors would have killed for a whisper of my guidance?"
"And yet, here you are… stuck with me," Lin Tian muttered.
"Arrogant brat. If I had a choice, I—" The Map cut itself off with a huff. "Fine. At least if you insist on wasting time here, stop twitching like a fool. Hold your arms steady. No—lower. Imagine cutting through air, not swatting flies."
Lin Tian blinked. He hadn't realized he was still mimicking the motions he had seen disciples practicing earlier. At the Map's correction, he straightened his spine, shifted his stance, and moved more carefully. His motions grew smoother, the broom in his hand no longer just a broom but a wooden staff.
A passing breeze rustled the pine needles. For an instant, Lin Tian could almost imagine himself as one of the disciples, training openly in the courtyards.
He chuckled softly. "You really do talk too much, Map."
"And you should be grateful I do. Without me, you'd still be sweeping leaves."
---
Far from the hut, Sect Leader Fang's private residence overlooked the sprawling courtyards of the Verdant Pine Sect. Lanterns swayed in the evening breeze, and the scent of pine tea drifted between the two old men seated inside.
Yun He cradled a cup of steaming tea in his hand, his weathered face softened by the glow of lamplight. Across from him, Sect Leader Fang sighed, rubbing his temple.
"You know, Yun He, there's so much work to be done in this sect. At least warn me when you decide to visit. I can't drop everything just because you wander in."
Yun He smirked. "Work? What work? It's not as if the sect would collapse without you for a few hours."
Fang shook his head, helpless. "You stay buried in that hut of yours all day. How would you know what I deal with? Disciples squabbling, elders arguing over resources, shortages in herbs, outer sect discipline… but you sit here as if you're above it all."
"Haixt," Yun He chuckled, sipping slowly. "Where's my free-spirited sworn brother? All I see now is a grumpy old man."
Fang snorted. "Says you, who does nothing but hide in smoke and fire. I can't believe thats what you do all day."
"At least I have passion," Yun He shot back mildly. "Ever since we were boys, alchemy has been mine. That hasn't changed."
---
Flashback: Decades ago, when the world had been less kind, the two had met deep in the forests beyond Mount Azure. Fang, still a young disciple then, had been cornered during a stampede of spirit beasts, bones broken and bloodied. Yun He—then a wandering herbalist with little more than crude pills and stubbornness—had dragged him from the mud, forcing bitter concoctions down his throat until his heart steadied.
That moment had bound them together. From then on, they had roamed side by side, facing danger and hardship, forging a brotherhood that time could not erode.
---
Back in the present, Yun He set his cup down. "Funny. Today, a servant barged into my hut. Started spouting nonsense about herbs, interrupting a refinement."
Fang raised an eyebrow, eyes narrowing slightly. "A servant? He dared interfere with you? Bold. What's his name?"
Yun He waved a hand dismissively. "Forget it. Just a child, probably trying to get my attention. Not worth remembering."
"If you say so," Fang said slowly, though the sharp glint in his eyes lingered as he sipped again.
The lamplight deepened into night. Yun He rose, brushing off his robes. "It's late. I should head back."
"Don't shut yourself away forever," Fang said. "Sometimes it's good to stroll the sect. And Yun He—think about taking a disciple. You're not young anymore. At some point, your legacy will need to be passed down. It's been ten years since you left your sect."
Yun He clicked his tongue. "There it is again. You just want me to take one of your precious students."
"Not untrue," Fang admitted with a chuckle.
Yun He turned and left. Fang watched him go, the lamplight flickering against his back. With a soft sigh, the Sect Leader drained the last of his tea, eyes drifting upward to the stars. His gaze lingered, unreadable.
---
Back to Lin Tian
By evening, Lin Tian's legs were numb, his back aching. Still, he remained on the stone steps. Finally, he crossed his legs into lotus position, resting his hands on his knees, and drew in slow breaths.
The Map groaned in his head. "Stubborn brat. You waste your time."
"If I leave, he'll think I was just mocking him," Lin Tian murmured. "I'll wait."
"And if he never returns?"
"Then I'll still wait."
Silence stretched. For once, even the Map offered no retort.
---
When the last lanterns of the sect flickered to life below the mountain path, Yun He finally returned. His steps faltered as he spotted the boy still seated outside his hut.
"You're still here?" Yun He's voice was sharp, but a hint of surprise laced through it.
Lin Tian scrambled to his feet, bowing deeply. "Elder, I came to apologize. I never meant to intrude. Please forgive my rudeness."
Yun He studied him for a long moment. Then he exhaled softly through his nose. "Do not interrupt me again. Once was more than enough."
Lin Tian bowed again. "Yes, Elder."
"Go back," Yun He waved a hand, turning away.
Lin Tian dipped his head once more and began down the mountain path.
Inside his mind, the Map scoffed. "Pathetic. Bowing, scraping—where is your pride?"
Lin Tian smirked faintly. "Sometimes, survival means bowing. You wouldn't understand."
"Hmph."
---
Inside the hut, Yun He sighed. The cauldron still smoldered faintly, a haze of smoke curling from its lip. Another failure. He shook his head and reached for the tools to clean it out.
But then he froze.
Within the cauldron, five perfectly round pills glowed faintly, their surfaces smooth as jade, their fragrance sharp and pure.
Yun He's eyes widened, his breath catching. Impossible.
His mind raced, flashing back to the boy's hesitant words—"I don't feel that any of these herbs belong…"
Could it be…?
His hand trembled as he reached toward the cauldron, the light of the pills reflecting in his eyes.
Without another thought, he spun on his heel and rushed outside.
---
The Final Stare
Lin Tian had only made it halfway down the path when Yun He appeared in front of him without sound, a blur of robes and heat.
Lin Tian yelped, stumbling back, nearly falling.
Yun He's gaze bored into him, sharp as a blade. For a long moment, neither spoke.
Inside Yun He's mind, questions tumbled. Coincidence? Trick? Some hidden genius? Or divine fate?
The elder's fists clenched at his side. He wanted to demand answers, but… not yet.
The silence stretched, heavy as the night.