In Too Deep

Master was dead, and the whole sect had become a mess.

My senior brother wanted to take charge, my second senior brother wanted to split up the sect, and my third senior brother was nothing but a troublemaker.

I wanted to run away, but then I met a sickly-looking young man who foolishly blocked my way down the mountain.

I stared at his face and, as if possessed, took him home with me.

The young man said his name was Shaoyi, and that he was from Xunzhou in the Northern Borderlands.

He came from a distinguished family, had impressive cultivation, and was... decent-looking. He'd descended from the sky like a phoenix, somehow landing on my obscure little mountain.

He also said he wanted to repay me.

When the sect was torn apart by infighting, Shaoyi was there with me to say my final goodbye to Master. When I was caught up in a secret realm because of the treasures I carried, Shaoyi forged the first sword I had ever held. And before sunrise over the sea of clouds, it was Shaoyi who knew I was hopeless at cultivation and helped me rebuild my Daoist heart.

I believed every word of it, right up until we'd vanquished our enemies and fought side by side.

How could he turn around, snatch the treasure, and act like he didn't know me?

My Daoist heart, which I'd only just rebuilt...

Crumbled all over again.

1. My own take on xianxia, told in first person.

2. Unstable gong x beautiful, in-control shou.

Theme: Unite earth and open heaven