Emotions surge, hard to control

As summer faded and autumn arrived, the reeds of Liangshan Lake took on a pale yellow hue, the waters growing ever clearer and deeper. After Song Jiang and his men joined the stronghold, its power and reputation grew rapidly, becoming a major concern for the imperial court. Friction and small-scale clashes occurred frequently along the border, creating a tense atmosphere like a bowstring gradually tightening.

Against this backdrop of impending storm, my relationship with Gongsun Sheng entered a delicate yet stable phase. He was no longer just the aloof, detached "Dragon in the Clouds," but more like a strict yet reliable mentor, a silent yet omnipresent guardian.

He still spent most of his time in seclusion, but he would always set aside time each day to review my practice and answer my questions. Sometimes he would watch me practice talismans in the courtyard in the early morning, sometimes he would listen to me play a piece in the evening. Occasionally, he would even discuss with me the more profound principles in Taoist texts. He no longer easily dismissed my "odd ideas" mixed with modern thinking, but instead would fall into deep thought.

This kind of spiritual communication touched my heart far more than simple protection. I could feel that he was trying to understand my world, just as I had been trying to fit into his.

However, beneath the calm, the undercurrent never stops.

Song Jiang's reputation grew day by day. Although he still held a lower seat than Chao Gai in the Gathering Hall, he was already somewhat on par with Wu Yong. Chao Gai even had to consider his opinions more on certain matters. While the debate over the future of Liangshan wasn't as heated as before, the shadow of "recruiting" hung like a sword of Damocles over everyone's heads.

Gongsun Sheng became increasingly silent about this. Except for necessary meetings, he rarely stepped into the Juyi Hall. He stayed in the courtyard all day, either meditating or reading ancient books. The aura around him became increasingly cold and lonely.

I know he is worried and making a decision.

It was a crisp autumn day, and I had just learned a new "Breeze Talisman," which, when successfully executed, was said to induce a gentle breeze and dispel the summer heat. I spread out yellow paper on the stone table in the courtyard, concentrated my mind, mobilized the meager spiritual energy within me, and carefully outlined the rune.

Perhaps it was the autumn weather that made people uneasy, or perhaps the recent atmosphere of the cottage industry had affected my state of mind. I drew several times in a row, but each time I failed at the last moment and my spiritual power dissipated.

I was a little discouraged, so I put down the talisman brush and rubbed my swollen solar plexus.

"How can you accomplish anything if you are so impatient and anxious?" A cold voice sounded behind him.

I turned around and saw Gongsun Sheng standing behind me, quietly looking at the waste talismans on the table.

"Master." I stood up quickly.

He walked to the table, picked up a discarded talisman, looked at it, and said calmly, "The way of talismans lies in the unity of mind and hand, and the harmony of intention and talisman. You have too many distracting thoughts in your mind, and the flow of spiritual energy is stagnant."

He's right. I've been feeling a bit distraught lately, worried about Liangshan's future and also... a bit anxious about this somewhat ambiguous relationship I have with him.

"I know I was wrong." I whispered.

Instead of blaming me, he picked up a new piece of yellow paper, spread it in front of me, and then... stood beside me, so close that I could smell the familiar, clear, cedar-like scent on him.

"Look carefully." He spoke in a low voice, and his slender fingers gently covered the back of my hand holding the talisman pen.

My body froze instantly, and my heart skipped a beat! He...he was going to teach me step by step?

His palm was slightly cool, but with a strange steady force. He guided my wrist, dipped it in cinnabar, and dropped it on the yellow paper.

"Concentrate your mind and calm your breath." His breath almost brushed against my ear, his voice filled with an unmistakable magic. "Feel the spiritual power flowing through the tip of the pen, let your mind follow the pen, and let your energy flow through the runes..."

I forced myself to gather my chaotic thoughts and focus all my attention on his guiding gestures and the flowing spiritual energy. His spiritual energy was gentle yet majestic, like a trickling stream, guiding my faint sense of energy, outlining a mysterious trajectory on the yellow paper.

This time, the tip of the brush moved incredibly smoothly, the cinnabar lines rounded and full, imbued with a spiritual aura. When the final stroke was made, the entire talisman seemed to come alive, emitting a subtle, tranquil aura.

It worked! And the quality far exceeded anything I had tried before!

"Remember this feeling." He slowly released his hand, took a step back, and his tone returned to his usual calmness.

I stared blankly at the successful "Clear Wind Talisman" on the table, then at the back of my hand, which still seemed to retain the warmth of his palm. My cheeks flushed uncontrollably. That moment of intimate contact, though brief, had stirred up a storm in my heart.

"Thank you very much for your guidance, Taoist priest." My voice trembled slightly.

His gaze fell on my red ears, lingering for a moment before moving away. His tone was emotionless: "The path of cultivation is long and arduous. We must guard against arrogance and impatience, and persevere."

"Yes." I lowered my head, not daring to look him in the eye.

Just then, there was a sound of hurried footsteps outside the yard. It was Qingsong.

"Master! Sister Bu!" Qingsong ran breathlessly, with panic on his face. "Oh no! There's a fight in the front mountain!"

Gongsun Sheng and I both looked stern.

"What's going on?" Gongsun Sheng asked in a deep voice.

"It's Chief Li Kui and... Chief Jiao Ting, who just came up!" Qingsong said anxiously. "It seems they were fighting over a jar of fine wine. They got into a fight after a disagreement! No one could stop them!"

Li Kui and Jiao Ting? Both of them are reckless and impulsive, and they don't hold back when fighting!

Gongsun Sheng frowned slightly, clearly displeased with this kind of brotherly infighting. He glanced at me and said, "Stay in the courtyard and don't go out."

After saying this, he moved out of the yard and headed towards the mountain.

I was so worried that I hesitated for a moment, but finally followed him. Of course, I could only watch from a distance.

In the open space in front of the mountain, a number of minions gathered to watch the excitement. In the middle of the arena, Li Kui and Jiao Ting wrestled like angry bulls, punches landing, roars resembling thunder, and broken wine jars scattered on the ground. The other leaders tried to intervene, but they were unable to break up the fight.

Gongsun Sheng arrived at the scene but did not attack immediately. He just shouted coldly, "Stop!"

The sound was not loud, but it was as powerful as thunder, making the eardrums of everyone present buzz.

Li Kui and Jiao Ting froze and subconsciously stopped, looking at Gongsun Sheng with a hint of fear on their faces.

"Brothers, fighting over a mere jar of wine? How disgraceful!" Gongsun Sheng's gaze swept across the two men. "Each of you go back and reflect on your mistakes for a day! If you do it again, you will be severely punished!"

Li Kui stiffened his neck, as if trying to argue, but met Gongsun Sheng's icy gaze and immediately withered, mumbling and daring not to speak again. Jiao Ting lowered his head, not daring to utter a single word.

The storm was easily calmed down by Gongsun Sheng.

Seeing that there was nothing exciting to watch, everyone dispersed.

I stood in the distance, watching Gongsun Sheng, his figure as tall as a pine tree, his presence imbued with dignity, and a surge of indescribable emotion welled up within me. He possessed immense power, yet he refrained from abusing it. He was usually quiet and inactive, yet at crucial moments, his words could make all the difference. How could he not be captivated by such a figure?

He seemed to notice my gaze and turned to look at me.

I quickly lowered my head and pretended to look at the fallen leaves on the ground.

The footsteps approached and he walked in front of me.

"Didn't I tell you to stay in the yard?" His voice showed no emotion.

"I...I'm worried..." I defended myself softly.

He was silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his hand and gently brushed away a dead leaf that had fallen on the end of my hair.

The movements are natural, as if they were done casually.

But I froze because of his sudden, almost intimate behavior, my heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and my cheeks felt like they were burning.

He looked at my instantly red cheeks and my bewildered look, and a very faint, almost helpless smile seemed to flash across his deep eyes, but it disappeared in a flash.

"Go back." He withdrew his hand, his tone still calm, and turned to walk towards his own courtyard.

I stood there, touching the ends of my hair that were brushed by his fingertips, looking at his back as he walked away, unable to come back to my senses for a long time.

Feelings are like vines, growing quietly without you noticing, entwining your heart and making it difficult to control yourself.

I knew I was already deeply entangled, unable to extricate myself. And what about him? Beneath that seemingly calm and peaceful heart, had he also been stirring up unsettling ripples for me?

We have all embarked on this road of love, and it is impossible to turn back.