## Late Afternoon’s Unease

He stumbled, half-dreaming, to the rough-hewn table. He seized the kettle, but as he tilted it, no water flowed. Stupefied, he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. The meager bedding lay in crumpled disarray, a testament to the morning’s heat. He turned, bewildered, to Wang Lin. “Wang Lin! When did you return? Is this… a drought spirit plaguing our abode?”

Wang Lin offered a wry smile, pushing open the creaking door. “I know not, Zhang Hu. I found it thus upon my return. Best you seek counsel from our senior brothers, lest word reaches the Elder. Then troubles you shall surely face, and perhaps even interrogation.”

Zhang Hu shook his head vehemently. “Nay, I’ll say naught! Else I’ll be beset by questions, and a wrong answer shall earn me a scolding’s fire.”

Wang Lin ignored him, departing the room. The heavens still wept a gentle rain. He paused, a sudden worry gnawing at him. The beads! He feared their strange influence upon the downpour. He slipped down hidden paths, exiting through the eastern gate, weaving left and right like a furtive fox. Each raindrop that kissed his skin was devoured by the mystic beads. He was taut with apprehension, lest prying eyes detect the anomaly. He had contemplated concealing them within his room, but wiser counsel prevailed; they were safer hidden beyond the confines of the living quarters.

He hurried to the place where he had secreted the Azure Dew Beads. Fortune smiled; the dawn remained veiled, and few souls stirred so early. He walked with meticulous caution, ensuring solitude. Then, swift as a shadow, he buried the beads.

Relief washed over him. He would retrieve the treasure when the rain subsided. After one last, furtive scan of the area, Wang Lin departed with measured steps. Reaching the office of chores, he reached for a water bucket, when the door of Disciple Liu’s chamber groaned open, revealing his weasel-like face, sharp-mouthed and monkey-cheeked. The man’s eyes widened upon seeing Wang Lin, and a sudden tide of feigned warmth flooded his features. He practically wrestled the bucket from Wang Lin’s grasp. “Is that not Junior Brother Wang! How fares your kin? I have been plagued with worry for them since your departure!”

Wang Lin was dumbfounded. He knew the man’s face well, yet he could not fathom the purpose of this sudden affability.

“Senior Brother Liu, my parents are well, and require not your concern,” Wang Lin replied cautiously.

“Junior brother, fret not about rising so early henceforward. Twas but a jest that I bid you draw ten jars a day! One jar shall suffice, full or not! And go eat when the hour arrives. Should any make your path difficult, invoke your senior brother’s name! It carries weight, I assure you!” The disciple Liu puffed out his chest, radiating false enthusiasm.

A curious light flickered in Wang Lin’s eyes. After a moment’s hesitation, he asked, “Senior Brother, is there something you require?”

Disciple Liu feigned offense, his brow furrowing. “Junior brother! Why do you regard me with such suspicion? Am I so miserly? You are my junior brother! To treat you well is but natural! All that concerns you henceforth is my affair. Whether your duties are fulfilled well or poorly rests solely upon my word. The rain falls today, so let your labor rest. And hark! Elder Sun sought you out a few days prior. Now that you have returned, you would do well to report to him.” He watched Wang Lin with narrowed eyes, awaiting his reaction.

Wang Lin pondered this, a faint smile playing on his lips. He believed he understood the truth of the matter. Elder Sun had sought him out in his absence, and this Disciple Liu, fearing some misunderstanding, now groveled and cajoled. He mimicked the man’s mannerisms, offering a noncommittal grunt.

Upon seeing Wang Lin’s reaction, Disciple Liu felt a jolt of apprehension. His suspicion was confirmed. The wastrel had stumbled upon some stroke of luck, ingratiated himself with the Elder, else why would he act so haughtily? This youth was clearly one to hold a grudge, and the past torments would surely be repaid.

He had been a registered disciple for thirteen years, toiling in the office of justice for six. Never had he witnessed an Elder deign to seek out a mere registered disciple. Even a visit from an inner disciple was considered a momentous occasion.

He dared not presume that Wang Lin might have offended the Elder. While unlikely, uncertainty gnawed at him. He had learned over his many years within the Heng Yue Sect that beneath the surface, the currents ran deep. Even the most insignificant registered disciple could hold unexpected sway.

He ground his teeth, retrieving a slip of yellowed parchment from within his robes. He thrust it into Wang Lin’s hand. “Junior brother, he seemed taken with you last month when he sought you. This humble gift is but a token. You must accept it, I implore you! If you do not…”

Before he could finish, Wang Lin snatched the paper. A cursory glance revealed it to be an Immortal Talisman, typically used by registered disciples when visiting relatives.

“Easily said, Senior Brother’s kindness is great. Junior Brother cannot refuse. But the Elder awaits. I shall return tomorrow to reminisce over times past,” Wang Lin said, chuckling softly.

Senior Brother Liu nodded profusely, his voice tinged with envy. “The Elder is important, junior brother. Make haste!”

Wang Lin, outwardly calm, felt a seed of doubt take root. Elder Sun had sought him out in person? For what purpose? Questions swirled within him as he walked slowly towards the main courtyard, analyzing every possibility, but finding no solace in any answer.

“Could they have discovered the mystic beads?” He paused, considering. He reasoned that avoiding the summons would only arouse suspicion. Best to play the fool. The beads were safely hidden, after all. With renewed determination, he quickened his pace.

Soon, he stood before the main courtyard. Announcing his purpose, the young man in white robes emerged. Surprise flickered across his face, followed by a sarcastic sneer. “Returning home for another visit, are we?”

Wang Lin raised his eyebrows, ready to retort, when Elder Sun’s voice echoed from within the courtyard.

“Bring him to me at once! Delay not!”

The youth in white pursed his lips, casting a meaningful glance at Wang Lin. Without a word, he entered the yard. Wang Lin followed in silence.

Upon reaching Elder Sun’s residence, the youth in white departed, giving Wang Lin one final, peculiar look before he vanished.

A tremor of nervousness ran through Wang Lin. He pushed open the garden door. An old man emerged from the room, his face a roadmap of wrinkles, his eyes bright and cold. He fixed Wang Lin with a piercing gaze.