It was impossible to keep up with Shan Si, and Tao Hua had to huff down that hallway in order to keep up with him. He was attempting twice the speed of the marching man with half the energy to offer.
Too much! It was all too much for this small man to handle.
Each ringing plead distorted, sounding more and more cracked the further they made it out of the changing room and toward the main entrance of the Martial Hall. Fortunately, the man in question wasn't anywhere to be found, so the two ended up exploring that giant building from one end to the other.
Bending forward, hands on his knees, Tao Hua let out a few croaked wheezes. He stared at his trembling hands while his face creased with a million new wrinkles.
How did it come to this? Weren't they having a great time lounging and discussing history? Even for someone like Tao Hua, who rarely had interest in history, found himself enjoying it.
In fact, it would have been better if they had just ignored the situation entirely and continued speaking; Weng Jing wasn't worth the effort. Tao Hua didn't have many places he could go, and typically was resigned to stay within his palace; therefore, it wasn't difficult to avoid the Daoist Master.
The problem would have sorted itself out somehow, one way or another, and Tao Hua was convinced Weng Jing would eventually get bored with him. At least, as soon as he figured out Tao Hua wasn't this magnificent Daoist Master Zhuan.
But, what seemed to confuse Tao Hua more than He honestly couldn't put together why Shan Si made such a big deal out of a small situation? When it was Suo Han dealing with the brunt of Weng Jing's attitude, Shan Si just watched without reacting, perhaps finding a bit of humour in it.
But when it involved Tao Hua? Brace the heavens, there was no stopping this man from marching forward.
Frowning, Tao Hua couldn't help but feel the disappointment creep in amid all his exhaustion. He really just wanted to spend time with Shan Si—ask all the things that had been boggling him down for the last three days. Now it seemed he'd have to write down every question, as it felt answers only came in small spurts.
Dipping his head further, with a groan, Tao Hua inhaled a large gulp of air and warily rose to his feet. He shouted once more before darting ahead, calling for Shan Si over and over, begging.
Nothing was getting through that stubborn man's thick skull. It was so aggravating! And to make matters worse, he had completely lost sight of Shan Si while trying not to collapse on the ground.
Who designed this fucking Martial Hall anyhow?! And why did it seem so big inward, yet so fucking small outward?! Annoying! Annoying, annoying, annoying!
From left to right—even up and down—Tao Hua's head darted in many ways, looking like a spinning toy ready to topple. His prayers would be answered the moment he heard the echo of a door slam and two voices spoke up.
Tao Hua's eyes lit up. Only two! And neither belonged to Shan Si! Perhaps he had yet to find him? Immeidately, Tao Hua dashed toward the source to find Weng Jing and Suo Han within the main entrance of the Martial Hall. It seemed the two were in the middle of another argument, only to stop the moment Suo Han's eyes fell on Tao Hua.
"Young Master!"
"Oh…thank god!" Tao Hua exasperated, plunging his head back. "He hasn't found them."
The two stared at Tao Hua, Suo Han slowly receding into relief and Weng Jing positioning his hand toward him.
"See?" he began, every bit of his sour attitude dissipating into one of pure delight. It was a ridiculous sight, to say the least, and from the head down to his waist, Weng Jing was dressed in nothing but a towel.
Just like Shan Si.
"Daoist Master Zhuan was not lost, she clearly found her way to us as fate would have it. All that worrying, and for what?" Weng Jing asked. "Tranquillity yields transcendence, servant boy."
Looking as if he'd fall into tears at a moment's notice. "I'm so glad you're safe. I…"
But he paused, every inch of his body locking up and only twitching. As usual, Weng Jing wasn't aware of this, and hadn't clocked the change in Suo Han's entire demeanour. He just continued his monologue as if nothing were amiss.
"Though I must say, the spirits are not happy with you, Master—they are listless and depressed," he stated, shaking his head. "These are not my words, so listen carefully. The spirits claim the energy surrounding is tainted black. Daoist Master Zhuan never garbed herself in black, only blue as clear as ice, and as pure as jade."
During this, Suo Han slowly straightened himself, reaching a trembling hand over toward Weng Jing, his eyes fixated not on Tao Hua, but on what was beyond Tao Hua. Brows pinched, Tao Hua watched the frantic servant, turning his head to check over his shoulder.
He, too, would freeze up.
"It is ill-fitting of such purity. I figured there was something amiss with that bath. None would heed my words regardless of my qualifications," Weng Jing sputtered, annoyed. "Not this useless servant boy, nor the old guard dog."
Suo Han, after some contemplation, took a few steps away from Weng Jing instead. He cupped his hands, and just as something gently placed a hand on Tao Hua's shoulder, it pushed him off to the side.
Eyes widened, Tao Hua watched as Shan Si made his way toward Weng Jing who, unaware, just droned on. He was waving his hand at something, but it was hard to tell, and his brows creased with each complaint spoken.
"Yet, they disallow my blessed companionship?! To violate heaven and go against reason, the palace is filled with audacity! All of you deserve seven years reincarnated as a stone--"
SLAM.
Weng Jing's hair whipped forward, faster than an arrow at top speed, just as his entire body flew straight into the wall. Despite being pinned, this rambling Daoist Master maintained perfect composure and wasn't at all bothered.
Chapter end.