Chapter 205 – Final Decision
Everyone's faces turned different colors. Although dual cultivation was nothing but expected between daoist companions, many still found the word embarrassing, and most would never bring up such a topic in public. Now that Bai Ye had put it so openly and explicitly, half of the disapproving frowns towards us shrank back awkwardly, and the indistinct murmurs that just started rising from the group quieted.
Well, I suppose that was one way to stop their judgment.
The Gatekeeper, however, kept his condemning glare steady. "You …" He pointed a finger at Bai Ye, shaking in fury. "You … Do you have any idea what you are talking about? Daoist companionship isn't a joke!"
"Which part of what I said sounded like a joke to you?" Bai Ye arched an eyebrow. "If you are concerned about the validity of the matter, there is no need to worry. Daoist companionship requires only the approval of each side's masters. As Qing-er's master, I approved of this union before changing the way we are bonded."
A few masters in the group lowered their heads. Some hid a chuckle, and some blushed. I spared a glance at Bai Ye. He was being quite bold with his words today, and I wondered if he had done it on purpose to distract the Gatekeeper. Surely, a scandal like this would pose a much greater threat to Mount Hua's reputation than the issue with Twin Stars.
"So you still remember she is your disciple!" The Gatekeeper bellowed, and his face reddened with rage. "Bai Ye, have you lost your mind? Do you realize how much blemish this would bring to your name, and the entire Mount Hua's in that regard?"
"WAS my disciple," Bai Ye corrected nonchalantly. His arm around my shoulders tightened. "I don't see why choosing to be with the person one loves should bring blemish to one's name. But if that is the way things work at Mount Hua, then I shall accept such blemishes with no regret."
He turned to look at me then. In front of almost every master at Mount Hua, our eyes met, and I saw the overwhelming love and trust in his gaze. I smiled. He did the same. Contrary to what I had imagined months ago, this moment of truth didn't feel dreadful. It felt free and proud. I couldn't be more glad that we had finally stepped out of the shadows, and I couldn't be more sure that we had made the right choice.
"Bai Ye!" Su Nian's voice sliced through that peaceful silence between us. "What has gotten into you? She's nothing but an ordinary disciple … How could you …" Her voice trembled so much that I thought she was going to break into tears. "What has she done to you? Did she use some unspeakable means to …"
Seduce you? Force you? She didn't say the rest of the words, but I knew it well. Breaking my gaze from Bai Ye reluctantly, I turned to face her. "What unspeakable means do you think an 'ordinary disciple' such as me could possibly have?" I said with a confident smile. "Besides … You should know best out of everyone if Bai Ye is that easy to sway."
The color drained from her face. She stared at me in disbelief, and I knew it was because of how naturally Bai Ye's name rolled off my tongue. I should not have to prove the truth to her any further. A tiny part of me felt a little sorry for her—having been Bai Ye's disciple, I understood perfectly how it felt to be in her position—but that didn't give her the right to question my position instead.
"Bai Ye." The Gatekeeper spoke again, his voice a hoarse snarl. "I give you one last chance to make this right. If you rescind your decision, I can promise—"
"I will do none of the sorts." Bai Ye didn't bother to wait for the Gatekeeper to finish. "The decision has been made and is final. And if I remember correctly, Chu Yang, your duties as Mount Hua's Gatekeeper shouldn't include choosing daoist companions for others."
"I suggest that you consider it more carefully," the Gatekeeper ignored Bai Ye's barbed reply and continued. "You are one of the most revered immortals here. As your old friend, I do not wish to see your reputation ruined."
We all knew that it was Mount Hua's reputation that the Gatekeeper was actually concerned about, but there was some truth in his words. Feeling slightly guilty, I glanced up at Bai Ye. Although this wasn't nearly enough to change my mind, I did feel responsible for tarnishing his perfect image. The Gatekeeper was right about one thing—Bai Ye had always been highly respected by everyone at Mount Hua, and that would no longer be the case after today.
But there was no trace of hesitation in his eyes. "I have already considered it carefully," he said, "and I repeat: the decision has been made and is final."
"Then I'm afraid that I cannot tolerate such abomination in front of my eyes," the Gatekeeper declared. "I respect all your contributions to Mount Hua over the past four hundred years, Bai Ye. But Mount Hua has its rules, and I cannot make exceptions even for you. The best I can do for you is to try to keep disgrace off of your name." He paused, giving me a hard glare before continuing, "Your disciple is to be expelled immediately. You are to leave Mount Hua in ten days, and I will announce to our friend sects that you are traveling indefinitely on an errand. You still belong to Mount Hua in name, and what happened today will not reach the ears of other cultivators or any disciples here."
I blinked. What the Gatekeeper just said was … too good to be true? Leaving Mount Hua but still retaining ties in name … isn't that exactly what Bai Ye needed? I squeezed his hand furtively, almost too excited at the news to hide it.
But Bai Ye didn't seem to share my excitement. He only narrowed his eyes.. "And what of Qing-er's spiritual roots?" he asked.
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