“Good morning, Senior Brother Xue Fan,” Dejiu said, bowing slightly and clasping his left hand.

  Xue Fan decided to greet him on his way out. The two of them bowed to each other about two meters apart as the other Junior Monks awkwardly filed out of the way. Some chose to stay, obstructing the prayer hall’s entrance. What’s wrong with this guy? So blatant—

  Dejiu frowned.

  From behind Xue Fan, Senior Monk Liang emerged. Placing a hand on Xue Fan’s shoulder, Senior Monk Liang eyed down Dejiu. Well this can’t be good. Not like it was ever good when Xue Fan’s involved.

  “Junior Monk Xue Dejiu, Xue Fan has offered himself to guide you through the Frozen Heart cultivation method. An exemplary display of unity within the temple — please be grateful he took it upon himself despite the coming Warrior Monk exam in a few months. Aiding a junior is behavior befitting a proper monk.” Senior Monk Liang said.

  Some monks murmured faintly, their glances darting between Dejiu and Xue Fan. Dejiu felt a deep resentment welling up but pushed it down. He inhaled through his nose, holding onto his composure with an iron grip.

  Dejiu’s frown wanted to sink deeper, but he didn’t want any more trouble. With his head still low, he replied, “Ah, sorry Senior Brother and Senior Monk, but I already have an Earthly Stage teacher for guidance. Teacher Jiansu is bound to be a better teacher, no offense.”

  Xue Fan finally spoke, his tone smooth and magnanimous. “Junior Brother, this isn’t a challenge to your teacher’s abilities. Think of it as a show of camaraderie. It’s been years since we trained alongside each other, I could help bring you up to speed. I only wish to see you excel.”

  Ah, bullshit. He’s going to beat me to build up his reputation or something. Maybe try to get me to transfer my remnants to him. Dejiu opened his mouth to speak but Senior Monk Liang took the initiative first, “Warrior Jiansu? Yes, his cultivation stage is greater than Xue Fan’s, but I’m sure he can provide guidance as one in the same stage. What went well for Xue Fan might illuminate the struggles you face. After all, not all Earthly Stage monks achieve success, as Warrior Jiansu’s own history makes clear.”

  Dejiu’s brow twitched, but he kept his gaze down. He could feel the judgment in the room, the other monks exchanging glances, waiting for him to react. Instead, Dejiu took a slow breath and replied evenly, “I understand, Senior Monk Liang. But Teacher Jiansu’s strength lies in his experience. He’s taught me well, and I trust his guidance.”

  Xue Fan’s smile grew sharper. “Trust is important, Junior Brother. But trust shouldn’t blind you to opportunities for improvement. I only wish to help.”

  “It’s commendable that you hold your teacher in such high regard, Junior Brother. However, it’s also important to understand the realities of the temple. Warrior Jiansu, despite his years of experience and his cultivation at the Earthly Stage, was once a Senior Monk. His inability to ascend beyond the mid-tiers of the Earthly Stage — and his failure to distinguish himself among his peers among other things — resulted in his demotion to Warrior Monk.”

  Dejiu felt a prickle of heat rise in his chest. He could practically hear the silent thoughts of the other monks.

  Senior Monk Liang continued Xue Fan’s spiel, “Warrior Jiansu was granted a second chance to serve in a different capacity, but it is no secret that his demotion was also a reflection of his struggles to maintain harmony with the other seniors. Such isolation often stems from one’s inability to adapt or... one’s failure to inspire trust. ”

  This geezer! If Dejiu could froth at the mouth, he would. But he’d also be more than a fool than he already is to act.

  “Fine! Let’s train then, Senior Brother.” Dejiu’s jaw set into a forced smile. “I can exchange some stuff I learned in the Seventh Hell too if you’d like.”

  “Great! Let’s make haste and get a headstart before the afternoon training session. I trust that you’re accustomed to skipping meals, Junior Brother?” Xue Fan said, walking forward to meet Dejiu.

  Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

  Dejiu’s face was level with Xue Fan before they brushed sides. Xue Fan was already heading for the training hall. “I am. Food is hard to come across in Hell.” He said as he followed Xue Fan.

  He looked behind and found Senior Monk Liang conversing with another Junior Monk. Hmph. Not coming, geezer? But before he could be certain, he saw a handful of monks break off from the vast line heading for the refractory to eat.

  Xue Li. Xue Song. Xue Zhi. Xue Yao Zhong. Xue Jiang He.

  “Ah, little monk. You absolute fool. You’ve gotten yourself into quite the pickle.” Bing Xin remarked.

  He frowned. Pickle? What is that?

  “A saying. Pay it no mind.” She laughed before her shadowy form projected forward. He eyed her figure beside him and noticed how she didn’t leave any snowprints.

  So what? It’ll only be an hour or so before Senior Monk Liang and the other Junior Monks return from breakfast. It won’t be taken out of hand. You know they used to take me outside the gates to beat me bloody and say a wandering beast did it when I left the temple grounds and they rescued me, right? You were technically there too!

  Before Bing Xin could reply, Xue Fan cut in pleasantly, almost overly so. “You know, Junior Brother, I’ve always admired your perseverance. Not many monks have survived a trip to the Seventh Hell and come back to tell the tale. Quite the accomplishment.”

  Dejiu glanced at him sidelong, the forced smile still plastered on his face. “Thanks, Senior Brother. It wasn’t by choice, though.”

  “Of course not. But surviving such a thing takes skill, talent... and a little luck, doesn’t it? Even a stray dog can learn the Dao if luck has graced its presence.”

  Dejiu’s silently scoffed. Stray dog? He forced a laugh. “Lucky for me, then. I couldn’t ask for a more dedicated Senior Brother.”

  Xue Fan stopped. He turned around to face Dejiu with a deep scowl slick with disdain unbefitting a monk.

  “I’ve said it before and many times after — I don’t believe you belong in this temple. Let alone a Junior Monk, you shouldn’t even be a Lay Monk. The graces of your teacher and the specks of magnanimity of our elders have allowed you to retain your place. I don’t agree. Many others don’t as well. Junior Monks like us, the Warrior Monks who’ve witnessed your actions, the Senior Monks who oversee our training, the Arhat disciples, and Arhats who dealt with the consequences of the Feng Clan’s killings. You’re nothing more than a jinx, a blight. Those actions in the Pillarshard only prove it. You don’t belong here. You never have. I wish the best for this temple, and your presence cannot be tolerated.”

  Xue Fan continued. “Do you know what the elders say in their lessons? Sometimes, a life should end for others to prosper. A rotting branch must fall to keep the tree strong. You, Junior Brother, should’ve perished in that Pillarshard. Your death would have a purpose — a warning for the rest of us. Instead, you survived. And because of that, others paid the price. Think on that.”

  Dejiu said nothing, keeping his gaze ahead as he walked past the motionless Xue Fan. “You were headed for the training hall, right? Let’s not slow down now.” He muttered darkly. He could feel Bing Xin’s silent amusement beside him, though her presence was more unsettling than comforting.

  Bing Xin’s voice whispered in his mind, her tone dark and mocking. “There it is, little monk. The righteous path laid bare. You should’ve died, he says, because it would’ve been easier for them. And these are your temple brothers and sisters? Your family?”

  Dejiu’s fists tightened at his sides. They’re not my family.

  Bing Xin chuckled softly, her voice like smoke. “Good. Because they never were.”

  They reached the training hall, its stone walls tall and imposing, with faint scratches marking countless years of sparring and lessons. Inside, the air was cooler, and the faint scent of incense lingered. Xue Fan led the way to an open space, gesturing with an exaggerated sweep of his arm.

  Dejiu’s eyes narrowed as he followed Xue Fan into the training hall. The room was sparsely lit, the early morning light barely reaching the cracked stone walls. The chill from outside seeped into the air, but the atmosphere felt heavy for another reason entirely.

  “Remember your soul injury, little monk.”

  Not gonna help? Quiet down then. His gaze centered on the end of the chamber where the shadows deepened around her.

  Xue Fan gestured to where a set of worn training platforms waited. “Let’s begin with some sparring. Show me the techniques you’ve picked up in Hell. Surely they’re as deadly as you claim those cultivators you killed in cold blood were.”

  Dejiu snorted and looked behind. He noticed the five lackeys followed inside quietly. Ha! At least he didn’t have to put up pretenses. “I thought you were guiding my cultivation? My breathing?”

  “Enough joking. You knew what was coming.” Xue Fan scoffed and surged forward.