First Meetings
There are many places in the Argent Sect. Windswept peaks dusted with snow, deep valleys where skittering things preyed upon each other, vast woodlands where spirits and beasts watched from hidden places, but to Han Jian there was only one place of interest today. This rock.
It jutted out from a cliff side path with a black glossy finish, and it was half again his size. Below the outcropping was a small lake, or perhaps a large pond, that glittered in the sunlight. And what sunlight this place got! The valley that held the lake arched east to west giving the rock full access to the sun the moment it breached the valley wall. For almost the entire day the rock had full access to sunlight. It was perfect.
Han Jian had promised to work harder, to stop lazing about, and he had kept that promise. Already he approached the yellow and silver stage, his allies were progressing nicely, at least most of them, and he was making inroads with the other provinces. He had worked hard, so he deserved a little break. Just one day sunbathing.
Yet when he arrived at the rock to enjoy his day Han Jian found that someone was already there. Small with white hair and a white dress. He swallowed. Bai Meizhen. Golden eyes turned with languid certainty towards him. Han Jian knew that the Bai had sent scions to the sects of the empire, but knowing that he could meet a Bai was different from the fear creeping up his spine. Memories of Fan Yu's pained face flashed through Han Jian's mind.
"Greetings." Bai Meizhen said, her voice aloof and distant.
"Greetings." Han Jian said he tried to keep any tremors from his voice but wasn't sure he had succeeded.
"You are Han Jian, are you not?" Bai Meizhen said.
"I am."
Bai Meizhen hummed, apparently lost in thought. "You tutored Ling Qi, correct?"
"I did share some pointers with her, yes." Han Jian said. Where was this going?
"Very well. I assume you are here because of this location? There is little other reason to visit this valley."
"That rock is well placed." Han Jian allowed.
"I propose a deal. I could take this rock, as is my right, but I am willing to only use this rock during odd days of the month, since you have helped Ling Qi."
That was a better deal than he was likely to ever get. "That sounds agreeable."
"Very well. Since today is the sixth, I will leave it to you." With that Bai Meizhen stood and walked past him, and with her gone the fear that had been boiling in his stomach faded.
Well, today had started on a pretty low note, but as Han Jian laid on the warm rock, it could only go up from here. He would just have to make the most of today. With those warm thoughts he drifted off into the half daze. Ling Qi may never know it, but their friendship had already been repaid, this was really the best rock at the sect.
A.N
Super short omake today
@yrsillar
This comes from a conversation on discord about how Han Jian is a cat, Bai Meizhen is a snake, and so they would likely enjoy the same warm rock. Enjoy!