Heaven's Golden Finger - Chapter 39: Chapter 39

Shirong wondered if Shun Shixiong had thought about things. Oh, he'd gotten a room with two beds, which was good, but then he'd gone and ordered a single bath. "Maybe this isn't a good idea...."
"Sect Master Qiong won't do anything at the moment. Houttan City may be disorganized but its ruler won't allow cultivators to fight within its borders."
"That...."
"He may try to make trouble for us with the city guards, though. We'd best stay alert."
"But...."
"I doubt he'll bother us tonight. Just eat your dinner and clean up."
"Should we...."
"There isn't a better inn, Shirong Shidi. We'll just...."
"SHUN! LISTEN TO ME!" It wasn't quite a shout, but it was definitely louder than it should have been.
Shun eyed him, clearly startled by his sudden and horribly rude interruption. Apologies would have to wait. "I was trying to say, should we bathe separately?"
It took his Shixiong a moment or so to consider the question. "Shirong," he said quietly, "We've bathed together before with you feeling the way you do. Does it truly matter?"
Ignoring the use of his name without a title for the moment, Shirong gazed wide-eyed at Shun Shixiong. "You don't mind me looking?"
A faint pinkish glow formed along Shun Shixiong's cheekbones. "You've already seen everything, remember?"
Now it was Shirong's turn to blush. That doll proved just how much attention he'd paid to his Shixiong's... ah... assets. "That doesn't mean you'd want me to look."
"I trust you not to stare. And there won't be space for two baths, anyway."
By this time they'd reached their room and settled in. Servants had already brought in a large tub and were filling it with bucket after bucket of cold water. Shirong couldn't help examining the thing curiously as they waited. Large enough to take up most of the room's floor space, it was a square structure of framed wood and an unexpected material. "Is it made of canvas?"
"It appears to be. Waterproofed, obviously."
There were sigils embroidered around the rim of the tub, symbols Shirong didn't recognize, though they resembled Sanskrit from his other life. Were they some proto-version of the language or was it coincidence? "They're heating the water," he noted, seeing steam rising off the surface. "That's convenient."
"Mm. Yes."
By now the last bucket of water had been poured in and the servant had shown them how to drain the water once they were finished with it. "If sirs require more water, sirs need only ask."
Once the servants were gone, Shirong hesitated. "Shixiong should go first," he suggested, taking refuge in formality.
"Just undress and wash, Shirong. You're wasting time." Shun Shixiong was already undoing his outer robe, folding it up and putting it on his bed.
Shirong flushed. Forced himself not to stare as his Shixiong undressed. As Shun Shixiong had said, he'd seen it all before. He didn't know why it embarrassed him so much now.
Turning away, he stripped as quickly as he could then slid into the water, trying not to look. Once seated it wasn't so bad. The water distorted everything below its surface, so he couldn't really see anything important. It reminded him of the pattern used to censor naked sims and he had to force back a foolish grin.
"What is it now?" Shun Shixiong asked. He'd leaned back in the water, black hair floating around him, cloaking his pale shoulders.
"Nothing I can explain," Shirong told him. "From my other life."
"Someday I'd like to know more about that."
Shirong would be glad to show it to him if he knew how. "We could ask Craft Master Feng Shi if she knows a way to do it."
"Mm. A good thought. Keep it in mind."
Shun Shixiong sounded drowsy and Shirong realized he was half-asleep, basking in the warmth of the bath like any good snake would. "Don't drown yourself."
"Snake Demon, remember? We don't drown."
Although he wanted to argue that snakes weren't amphibious, Shirong had no idea if it even mattered with a demon. At some point he was going to have to work out just what demons and spirits were, compared with regular humans but right then he was feeling drowsy himself.
Tired out and content to bask himself, Shirong stretched his legs out closed his eyes. It'd be fine if he napped for a bit, right?
A rap at the door roused Shirong, setting him flailing, legs tangling with Shun Shixiong's and causing them both to splash around wildly before finally recovering themselves. Stammering apologies while whomever it was at the door rapped again and rapped harder, Shirong startled to a halt as Shun Shixiong's shoulders started shaking.
It took a moment to realize the older boy was giggling. It was such an unexpected, even impossible, reaction that Shirong sat staring while the rapping continued. Then, "I'll... just get that... shall I?"
"Y..yeeyyessss..... Do...."
Clambering out of the bath and gathering his outer robe around himself, Shirong went to the door, expecting to find one of the servants bringing their dinner. Instead it was Ling Xi Shixiong, Sect Master Qiong's Senior disciple. He gazed coldly at Shirong, with only one sharp and disapproving glance into the room. "Master Qiong orders you to come down."
Shirong was about to refuse, but Shun, quickly recovering his calm demeanor, leaned on the edge of the tub and said, "He's still our sect master, Shirong Shidi. We owe him respect. Am I required too, Senior Ling?"
"Your sect master?" Ling Xi Shixiong demanded derisively. "You ran off without permission and got yourself in trouble...."
"I had my Shizun's permission, Senior Ling. It's up to all the masters of the sect to decide if that was insufficient." Shun Shixiong smiled suddenly, an unexpected expression. "But you've not said if I'm required."
A sniff of disdain. "Of course not."
"Then I shall finish my bath and await dinner. Don't keep Shirong Shidi too long. He hasn't eaten since mid-afternoon and he's likely to wither to nothing if he doesn't have food soon."
Shirong would have preferred not to accompany Senior Ling at all. Would have preferred to tell his adopted father just what he thought about everything. But Shun Shixiong had given his orders and he'd obey. "Just let me dress," he told Senior Ling, closing the door between them, leaving the older boy waiting outside.
To Ling Xi Shixiong's credit, he didn't pound on the door and demand to be let in. He did have a sour expression when Shirong finished dressing and stepped out, leaving Shun Shixiong splashing contentedly in the warm water.
"Are you two cultivating together?"
It took Shirong a moment to work that one out. Dual cultivation might be a thing but he knew practically nothing about it except that it generally involved sex. He couldn't avoid the slight flush the thought elicited but his voice remained steady. "Not yet."
That did not make Senior Ling happy at all. "You really intend.... He's your Shixiong!"
"Doesn't that depend on if the Masters allow him to remain with Leifeng Sect?" For that matter, Shirong wasn't sure he'd remain. Not knowing what he did about Master Qiong's actions.
They returned to the inn's dining hall, mostly empty now except for an attractive woman in traveler's clothes at one end and a dimly familiar older man at the other. Shirong didn't bother thinking about either, focusing his attention on his adopted father.
Politely, but in a stiffly correct way that was more insulting than outright rudeness, Shirong bowed. "Master Qiong. Disciple greets you."
"My boy. Come. Sit down. There's no need to be so formal. You should eat something."
"Disciple apologizes, but a meal has been ordered for him already and it should not go to waste." Shirong remained where he was, still slightly bowed, the excess formality setting Master Qiong's lips tight.
"Shirong, I'm your father. Don't be this way."
"Disciple has been informed his birth father is alive in the world. Has been informed of other things as well." Shirong wanted to scream it all into Master Qiong's face, to point out every flaw in the way he'd been raised. He did not. "Disciple owes Master Qiong a great deal. Someday hopes to repay it."
Anger flared in Master Qiong's eyes. "I'm the only father you have now, boy! You will do as I say, or else!"
"Your pardon, Master Qiong, but you were never intended to be Disciple Xu's adopted father." That came from the man sitting in the corner. He rose to his feet smoothly, flash stepping behind Shirong rapidly. Before Shirong could move, the stranger set a hand on his shoulder and tilted his head at Master Qiong.
"Who are you? This is between me and my adopted son! How dare you interfere?"
The man smiled, squeezing Shirong's shoulder in a way he found oddly comforting. "I interfere because you've caused enough harm already, Master Qiong. Shirong was sent to Leifeng Sect to be adopted by the man Master Zhan Kui intended to inherit his position. As for who I am, I realize I've done some growing since then, Shizun, but don't you recognize me yet?"
As Master Qiong stared wildly at the man, Shirong turned a startled gaze his way and slowly realized just why he looked so familiar. Those older and harder features weren't a precise match to his own, but if he looked closely he could see the resemblance. Tremulously he said, "Father?"
With a smile, Xu Sheng inclined his head. "You said something about a meal, boy. I don't suppose you and young Shun would be willing to share?"
Shirong had no doubt Shun Shixiong would.
It wasn't hard to leave Master Qiong and return to their room. The old man was too deeply shocked by Xu Sheng's reappearance to stop either his former disciple or his adopted son from leaving him. As for his disciples, they didn't know what to do at all, sitting beside their master and trying to get his attention.
"You've met the Forest King," Xu Sheng said as they headed up the stairs.
"We did."
"He told you what happened, then." Again it wasn't a question. "Good."
"He told us what happened to Shun Shixiong's mother. Told us how he came to be where he was. Didn't tell us much of anything about you." There were so many questions Shirong wanted answered. So many things he wanted to say.
"En. He wouldn't. He didn't like gossiping, even when he was his old Self." Xu Sheng smiled ruefully. "I'll answer what you ask when we're safely in your room and warded. I don't want my old master to spy on us."
There was a time when Shirong would have been offended on behalf of his adopted father. Not anymore. Not having learned what he'd learned and seen what he'd seen. "I'm not good at wards, but Shun Shixiong is." He smiled ruefully as they reached the door, adding, "I've not trained well, sir. I'm sorry to be a disappointment."
"I'm told you survived your tribulation without too much damage to your spirit, though. That's an accomplishment, at least. We'll discuss it later."
A tap at the door and a brief question through it confirmed Shun Shixiong was done bathing. Even so, Shirong stepped through, leaving his father at the threshold. Best to give proper warning before inviting the man in. Shun Shixiong didn't seem to hold grudges against Xu Sheng but that didn't mean he wanted to meet him.
"You're just in time, Shirong. Dinner's here."
Noting this was the second time Shun Shixiong had forgotten? dispensed with? titles, Shirong hesitated. "Shun?" At his Shixiong's slight smile he continued a little more bravely. "While I was downstairs I met someone I think we should talk to."
"Hmm?" Shun Shixiong... Shun... sipped from his wine cup. "Who would that be?"
"My father."
That made Shun spit out half of what he was drinking and Shirong hurriedly helped him wipe up. "I'm sorry. I should have waited to say that."
"Yes, you should have." Shun sighed. "Well, don't make him stand outside. Invite him in."
Shirong did so quickly and was startled to hear his Shixiong choke on his drink a second time. "Why don't I learn?" Shun grumbled, setting his cup down. "And why the hell didn't you tell me who you really are, Lan Shizhong?"
That made Shirong spin around and stare. Lan Shizhong was the man who'd bought Shun at the auction. The one who'd claimed to require his assistance in crossing Jingling Forest from Khai to Batsu. And that led to another suspicion, one Shirong wasn't at all sure he dared mention.
Xu Sheng looked embarrassed, assisting Shun with another clean up. "I wasn't sure you'd believe me, to be honest. Not to mention I wanted a chance to explain myself to Shirong here first."
Waving Xu Sheng off, Shun took a deep breath, closing his eyes as if to think. Then, "And mother didn't want me realizing who she was, did she?"
No surprise Shun figured it out. No surprise he was hurt. The look in his eyes when he opened them to gaze at Xu Sheng sent sharp hollow pain straight through Shirong. Apparently his father felt the same. "Child, she was afraid to tell you. Wouldn't you be, if the board was turned?"
A sigh. "I would. But I would have appreciated it if she at least warned me she was going to dump the crown on me."
Now it was Xu Sheng's turn to be surprised. "She did? Already? She'd planned to wait until she found you again." He looked at the seats around the dining table inquiringly. "May I sit?"
"You may as well. Though best wipe things off first. No guarantees I didn't choke my wine into the food, either." Shun gestured at the meal. "You may as well join us. Eat first. I'd rather know the truth on a full stomach."
His request got no argument from either of them.
Unknown Character: Young Master Shun, I am your...
Shun: What? Brother? Sister? Father's great aunt?
Shirong: Cousin's Uncle's Roommate in High School?
Unknown Character: Er, no... I'm your roomservant. I've come to clear the dishes.