"What are you doing here?! How did you even get in? I thought you were locked up?" One of the men barked aggressively, his brows furrowed as he stepped closer, squinting his eyes to scrutinize Ji Wuye's face intently.

"Elder told you to stand—" On the other hand, the leader also began to support the accusation, but his narrowed eyes suddenly flew open wide in dawning realization. "Wait...you're not Du Chen." He stumbled over the words, taken aback as he noticed the stark differences in the man before him.

Crimson eyes observed them calmly for a lingering moment. Ji Wuye's gaze was uncharacteristically composed - a far cry from the flustered, unhinged Du Chen they were familiar with, especially in the presence of a rare beauty like the woman beside him.

The man who had boldly approached closer recoiled slightly, raising his head higher to study Ji Wuye's features with a deepening crease between his brows.

"No, he isn't Du Chen. As far as I remember, that bastard's hair isn't this long and pristinely white," another man chimed in, his eyes trailing over the river of white tresses cascading down Ji Wuye's back, fluttering slightly with each subtle movement.

"Yeah, and Du Chen is a vulgar, uncouth man," someone else added, raking his assessing gaze over Ji Wuye from head to toe before focusing on those striking crimson irises - devoid of even the faintest glimmer of lust or carnal desire one would expect from the notorious Du Chen.

A heavy silence hung in the air as Ji Wuye regarded them evenly. Then, the corners of his lips curved upwards in a faint, almost imperceptible smile as he cupped his hands formally towards the group, seemingly unfazed by their blatant accusations moments ago.

"I'm Wuye from the Ji family. Nice to meet you all," he introduced himself.

The tense atmosphere dissipated in an instant as the young leader with neatly trimmed black hair scrambled to return the courteous gesture, his face flushing. "A-ah, I'm s-sorry for my rude behavior," he stammered contritely, quickly followed by his Junior Brother who had mistaken Ji Wuye for Du Chen.

"My name is Shi He, a Wudang Sect disciple. These are my Junior Brothers," Shi He introduced the rest of the group, his words tumbling out in an awkward rush as he struggled to regain his composure after the unanticipated turn of events.

The man who had confronted Ji Wuye first cleared his throat, offering a respectful nod. "Nice to meet you, Brother Ji. My name is Lu Shui, a Wudang Sect disciple."

Unlike his Senior Brother Shi He, who had a bulky build and a rugged face, Lu Shui had a more delicate, almost feminine appearance.

His skin was fairer and smoother, lacking the weathered texture of someone frequently exposed to the elements. Despite his softer looks, Lu Shui's physique was surprisingly well-muscled and toned, even more so than his burly Senior Brother's frame.

Adding to his unconventional appearance were his short, tightly curled locks - a stark contrast to the long, straight tresses commonly sported by martial artists.

However, what Lu Shui lacked in stature, he made up for with an earnest and respectful demeanor. Noticeably shorter than both Shi He and the towering Ji Wuye at only around 5.5 chi tall, he cupped his hands and dipped his head in a slight bow.

"I'm Duan Yi, a Wudang Sect disciple..." Another young man stepped forward, his voice clear and confident as he introduced himself.

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"I'm..." One by one, the group of men stated their names. Most regarded Ji Wuye with warm smiles and polite nods, their initial hostility melting away into open friendliness as the misunderstanding was cleared up.

Yet, Ji Wuye's intuition told him their superficial kindness belied more calculated intentions simmering beneath.

'Well...well...well...Wudang... what a coincidence to meet you again,' Ji Wuye thought to himself.

His lips remained curved in a faint, placid smile as he squinted slightly, carefully observing each disciple during their introductions.

Once the final introduction was made, Ji Wuye's eyes opened fully, sweeping over the group once more with an assessing crimson gaze.

"Thank you for taking the time to attend our gathering, Brothers," he said evenly, raising his cupped hands in a respectful gesture. "I heard you mention the name of Brother Du? May I know who this warrior is?"

Though the Wudang disciples hadn't expected Ji Wuye to inquire about the mysterious Du Chen after their rude behavior, it was a natural curiosity given how fervently they'd brought up the name in their hasty assumptions.

"Allow me," Shi He spoke up, waving off his Junior Brothers who made motions to explain.

He met Ji Wuye's inscrutable gaze for a lingering moment before subtly glancing towards Lian Rougang. The radiant beauty was observing their interaction with a newfound affectionate warmth shining in her eyes.

Her smile only seemed to blossom more radiantly at Shi He's sideways look, as if silently encouraging him to seize this opportune moment to shine.

But then, he couldn't help but notice how strikingly handsome Ji Wuye was - almost as handsome as one of his own Junior Brothers, which somehow irked him in a way he couldn't quite put his finger on. "Du Chen is one of our first-year disciples," Shi He replied, his voice carrying a tinge of pride.

Ji Wuye simply nodded in response, secretly taking note of how Shi He's nose seemed to rise with a subtle air of arrogance as he smirked and cast a sideways glance behind him.

It amused him how this group viewed him in a negative light just because he was handsome.

It was obvious from their hostile and wary gazes, and now, the leader, Shi He, also looked down on him. 'Then what would happen if they knew my reputation?' Ji Wuye thought inwardly.

This time they were clearly wary of him as they tried to get closer to his Senior Sister, but once they knew his reputation... 'Well, I'll deal with that later,'

"He's quite talented, both in martial arts and...ehm...courting girls," on the other hand Shi He continued, the slightest suggestive lilt underpinning his words. At this, the atmosphere among the group noticeably tensed, with some shifting uncomfortably while others visibly recoiled in disgust.

"But, well, he was a good man...until he used a forbidden art." Shi He's expression darkened, his thick brows furrowing deeply as he gazed upwards at the brilliant blue sky, as if searching for the right words amidst the drifting clouds.

The heavy silence that blanketed them was broken by Lian Rougang's gentle interjection. "Oh my...that must have been heartbreaking," she murmured, offering Shi He a look of soft understanding as she slightly dipped her head. "He must have been a very handsome man, considering you mistook my Junior Brother for him."

At her words, all eyes turned towards Ji Wuye, heads nodding in reluctant agreement as they drank in his striking, unconventional handsomeness.

Meanwhile, Shi He's heart stuttered in his chest as he caught the tender warmth in Lian Rougang's gaze, casting a lingering sideways look at the object of her clear admiration.

"Yes, but well...compared to Du Chen, Brother Ji is certainly a great man," he managed, the thinly veiled envy coating his words leaving a bitter tang in the air.

...

Time slipped by in a meandering flow, and before they knew it, the brilliant afternoon sun was cresting towards the horizon. Ji Wuye and Lian Rougang had finally concluded their lengthy conversation with the Wudang Sect disciples and were making their way back towards Ji Wuye's courtyard.

"It must be tiring for you, Senior Sister," Ji Wuye remarked pensively as he walked by her side, taking note of her slowed, sluggish steps and the faint creases fanning out from the corners of her eyes and lips - subtle signs of fatigue marring her usually vibrant countenance.

A gentle, self-effacing chuckle spilled from Lian Rougang's lips as she nodded in response to his observation. "Is it that obvious?" Despite the kind, faint smile curving her mouth, her voice carried the barest hint of weariness.

"You should rest then, Senior Sister. There's no need to accompany me all the way back to my courtyard," Ji Wuye said gently as they reached the wooden bridge arching over the creek. They paused for a moment, and Lian Rougang's gaze strayed away, settling on the flowing waters below.

"I-I just wanted to chat with you a bit more. After all, in two months, the Tower will begin its trial again," she murmured, leaning her elbows against the wooden railing. Her finely arched brows drew together in a slight furrow, the corners of her lips tugging downwards as she spoke in a somber, muted tone.

The golden rays of the afternoon sun illuminated her flowing midnight tresses, causing them to glisten like spun silk as they cascaded in lush waves past her shoulders. The warm light also cast her delicate features into sharp relief, accentuating the melancholic sadness etched into the planes of her face.

As she stared contemplatively at the rippling creek, her pupils suddenly dilated, long lashes fluttering. She felt the gentle weight of hands wrapping around her shoulders from behind, followed by the tender caress of fingers combing through her hair - causing a furious blush to blossom across her fair complexion.

"It's okay, Senior Sister. I'm always here for you," Ji Wuye's deep voice resonated close beside her ear in a hushed whisper. Lian Rougang's heart stuttered wildly in her chest as his masculine sandalwood scent enveloped her senses. She dared not even glance at her Junior Brother's face, rendered breathless by his unexpected intimate embrace.

"Junior..." she murmured faintly, her voice nearly drowned out by the burbling creek and his next words rumbling against the nape of her neck.

"But, well...I'm also quite curious about the upcoming gathering. Shall we continue our discussion in my courtyard?"