The night was still. Only the hot spring burbled, mist curling above its waters.
Yun Qing leaned against the pool's edge, his double pupils half-lidded, though the corner of his eye remained fixed on the tightly shut stone door of the cave abode.
After roughly three breaths, the formation Blood Rune flowing across the stone door trembled ever so slightly.
Yun Qing's eyes lit up, and he pressed further. "I doubt they'll content themselves with watching the ceremony. Back when Ji Wen served in the Court of State Ceremonial, he was famous for his 'keen ears and sharp eyes.' No secret ever escaped him when he was present."
He had barely finished speaking-
Smack.
A branch of the fruit tree overhead moved without a breeze. A Vermilion Fruit, so red it was almost purple and fully the size of a fist, landed squarely on his forehead.
The blow was not heavy, but his entire body stiffened.
Yun Qing rubbed the spot, then glanced at the fruit that had rolled to the pool's edge. Suddenly, he chuckled.
"Understood." He picked up the Vermilion Fruit, brushing a fingertip over the natural Dao patterns on its skin. "Whoever steps out of line gets a 'wake-up blow to the head,' then gets 'smashed into pulp like fallen fruit.'"
No further sound came from the cave abode.
But the Vermilion Fruit tree quietly lowered another branch, offering him two fresh fruits.
Yun Qing accepted them, his smile deepening.
This was indeed Brother Huang's style. Few words, one fruit to the head, and the entire message was delivered.
Yun Qing rose from the pool, droplets sliding down the contours of his body. He dried himself, donned his dark robe again, and tucked the three Vermilion Fruits into his robes.
He hefted the fruit in his hand.