"I don’t need the food. The garrison has more than enough for all soldiers. What I want is...." General Fei leaned in towards Bai Shijue and smiled meaningfully, "How about one date to the firework festival a week from now?"
Han Shun didn’t want to see Bai Gege having a date with this man to the firework festival! He wouldn’t allow it!
But Bai Gege used his godly power to prevent him from doing anything. He was bound like a dog, unable to voice any protest as he saw Bai Gege smile towards General Fei and nod willingly.
"I’m also interested in the firework festival, General. I don’t mind at all. I’m still new around here, so I’d prefer a company to guide me around during the festival," Bai Shijue said.
’Me! Bai Gege, I can be your guide! This Young General is not from here! I was born and live in this city! Me! Me!’ Han Shun desperately tried to fight the invisible chain around his body to no avail, and General Fei took the lead instead.
"I will gladly show you around. I know this city in the back of my head," Young General Fei said.
"Ah, that would be perfect, then how about my little brother here? When will he be allowed to train with you?"
"I will take him after the firework festival next week. Sounds fair?"
"That’s fair. Thank you so much, Young General," Bai Shijue bowed his head politely.
"Haha! Don’t be so polite to me. We’re cultivating good feelings to each other right now, Young Master Bai," Young General laughed and then stared at Bai Shijue with a meaningful gaze. The more General Fei saw this beautiful man, the more infatuated he got with Bai Shijue.
"Indeed, Young General. I’m happy to meet you here," Bai Shijue agreed.
Young General Fei was the last customer of the day. After the young General left the teashop, Bai Shijue finally released the invisible bind on Han Shun’s body.
Han Shun looked at Bai Gege with a hurtful gaze. He was so angry that he couldn’t even speak right now.
Bai Shijue raised his brow, "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Han Shun said nothing and turned around. He returned to the kitchen, withholding the anger in his heart.
Bai Shijue sighed. There was nothing he could do anyway. He should just talk to Han Shun tonight.
**
Han Shun ate in silence beside Bai Gege. He was so upset that he couldn’t even speak, nor did he feel that he needed to.
Bai Gege’s words were already final. He had no way to refuse the idea of going to the military to train as a soldier.
Bai Shijue put down his chopstick and opened the conversation, "Han Shun, if you have something to say, then say it. I can’t concentrate when you keep directing your anger towards me like this."
"Bai Gege, I thought you said that you’d tolerate me... am I not good enough for you?" Han Shun asked.
"Why would you say that?"
"Because you just kicked me away from your residence, Gege," Han Shun said. "If... if you don’t want me here anymore, then I will leave..." he said bravely, but his body started trembling. Of course, he didn’t want to leave no matter what.
But Bai Gege already kicked him out...
"Is it because I asked Young General to let you join the military and train as a soldier?"
"Yes..." Han Shun lowered his head full of sadness. "Gege, did I do something wrong?"
Bai Shijue patted Han Shun’s head to calm him down, "I sent you to the military because I’m incapable of training you a martial art and such. I don’t have the skill."
Han Shun looked up to Bai Gege, asking for more answers.
"Han Shun, I am born as an immortal. There is a blood of immortal flowing in me. That’s why I never have to practice my martial arts. All I do is cultivate my innate power and become what you call a god in this mortal realm."
"I have zero understanding about martial arts. That’s why I can’t teach you," Bai Shijue explained. "Only other humans can teach you how to be a great martial art practitioner, not me. That’s why I want you to grow up strong and able to defend yourself first."
"But... I have no intention of fighting anyone, Gege," Han Shun said. "I just want to stay with you."
"That’s the point, Han Shun. If you want to stay with me, you have to train yourself first. Do you expect us to stay as a teashop owner forever?"
...
Han Shun’s silence basically confirmed that he wished to stay like this forever, only him and Bai Gege working on a teashop.
But that wasn’t the fate that Han Shun had to face. He was fated to be something bigger than just a kid who worked in a teashop.
Bai Shijue knew that Han Shun wasn’t really an ambitious kid. He was born and raised as nothing but a street kid, so having a roof on his head, eating good food, and living in peace was definitely his priority.
But Bai Shijue’s job was to guide him to the real fate that awaited him as the sect leader.
"Han Shun, I am an immortal. I shouldn’t stay in this world for so long," Bai Shijue said.
Han Shun’s eyes widened instantly. He looked at Bai Gege with disbelief, "G—Gege will leave me?"
"I have to. Originally, I wanted to give this teashop and the residence for you to live comfortably. But you said that you want to follow me, right?"
"Y—Yes! Gege, please take me! Han Shun will do anything as long as you take me to wherever you go!" Han Shun begged. He didn’t have any other ambition in this world other than following his Bai Gege.
"That means you have to start by training your body first. Once you are strong enough, then I will start giving you cultivation method, so you can come with me to the immortal realm."