Luo Qingyan's first official job was simple.
"Clean the sword hall."
"…That's it?"
Lin Yufeng nodded. "That's it."
Luo Qingyan walked into the hall then froze. Hundreds of swords hovered in the air. Each one radiating killing intent. Each one… watching him.
"…I don't feel safe."
He took one step forward.
A sword trembled.
Another tilted.
"…Don't look at me like that," Luo Qingyan muttered. "I'm not your enemy."
A sword flew past his ear.
He screamed.
"I AM DEFINITELY YOUR FRIEND"
Chaos erupted.
By the time Lin Yufeng arrived, the sword hall looked like it had been attacked by demons. Swords scattered, tables broken, Luo Qingyan on the floor.
"…Explain."
"They started it."
A sword dropped beside him.
Point-first.
Lin Yufeng: "…"
From the doorway a quiet voice said
"…You disturbed them."
Luo Qingyan pointed at the swords.
"They tried to kill me!"
"They were testing you." Shen Wuyou said.
"…I failed."
"Yes."
A pause.
"…Why are they like you?" Luo Qingyan asked. "Cold, Violent, emotionally unavailable."
Silence.
Lin Yufeng turned away very quickly.
Shen Wuyou looked at him.
"…You are unfit for sword cultivation."
"I've been saying that."
Another pause.
"…Come here."
Luo Qingyan hesitated.
"…Is this where I die again?"
"No."
"…Okay but like… emotionally?"
Shen Wuyou reached out and placed a hand lightly on Luo Qingyan's wrist. The golden thread flared brightly. For a moment everything went quiet. Then the swords stopped, they lowered one by one as if bowing. Luo Qingyan blinked.
"…What just happened?"
Shen Wuyou withdrew his hand.
"…They recognize you."
"…As what?"
A pause.
"…Someone they cannot harm."
Luo Qingyan stared at him.
"…That sounds suspicious."
Shen Wuyou turned away.
"Clean the hall."
"…You didn't answer my question."
"…I did."
And just like that he left again. Luo Qingyan looked down at his wrist as the thread pulsed softly.
"…Yeah," he muttered to himself.
"This is definitely illegal."
But for the first time the swords no longer felt hostile, one even nudged him gently.
"…Don't get attached," Luo Qingyan warned.
"I am temporary."
The sword stilled as if it understood.