"Tian-ge, I'll beat you to death today."
"Tian-ge, Ling'er is still waiting."
"Tian-ge... save me."
"Tian... ge..."
A silhouette rested leisurely on a Wutong tree, clad in a robe of black and crimson, rich scarlet embroidery tracing along the edges. One leg stretched out, the other casually bent against the branch, exuding an air of quiet peace. His left arm rested behind his head as a makeshift pillow, while the other dangled lazily at his side, fingers loosely gripping a closed, deep-red fan.
Memories of a distant past flashed across his shut, flickering eyes, the haunting feminine voice ringing in his ears. Gradually, his eyes opened. His gaze was quiet and empty, yet so deep with something unexplainable—an abyss with no end. He stared into space silently, seemingly lost in a place far beyond the present.
"Palace Lord! Palace Lord! I saw him! Palace—" A sharp voice resonated through his ears, pulling him out of the trance.
"Ling You, Ling You. I'm not deaf," Yu YongTian spoke up lazily, tilting his head slightly as he gazed downward.
A dark-furred creature, a blend of a ferret and a cat, stood on its two hind legs, its forelegs pressing lightly against the tree. It had a long, slender body with sharp, curved claws gripping the bark for support. Its bushy tail was slightly raised, giving it a balanced, agile look. The most striking feature was its glowing blue eyes, standing out starkly against its dark fur.
"Palace Lord, I really saw him," Ling You scratched at the tree, his eyes glistening as if he had accomplished the most incredible feat.
"Saw who?" Yu YongTian, though uninterested, questioned as his gaze drifted to the sky.
Ling You quickly climbed the Wutong, stopping right before Yu YongTian's face. "The young lad ever dressed in white—the one you're always avoiding."
Yu YongTian froze for a brief moment before his lips curled into a sinister smile. He chuckled emptily, then flicked open the dark red fan, bringing it to his face as he lazily fanned himself.
"Well, not anymore." He effortlessly descended, landing on the ground without a sound. "Let's go meet an old acquaintance."
Ling You, still perched on the tree, eyed Yu YongTian with narrowed eyes. "Palace Lord—"
"Ling You, just come down and lead the way."
He didn't give the now-whining Ling You a chance to start one of his endless lectures. Not that Yu YongTian ever followed those outdated lessons, but Ling You was always in 'wise elder' mode, ready to impart knowledge. It certainly annoyed him.
"I should consider changing masters. I'm tired of your shitty attitude," Ling You announced, though he clung onto Yu YongTian's shoulder, his actions contradicting his words.
"You've been saying that for the past... mmh... how many years?" Yu YongTian chuckled, much to Ling You's annoyance.
Throughout their journey, their bickering never ceased until they arrived at Mingxian Town, a remote settlement. True to its name, Mingxian had long been a safe haven for travelers and new inhabitants, a place filled with cheerful dwellers and warm hospitality. For decades, peace reigned—until recently. People had started vanishing at night, never to be found. Rumors spread like wildfire explaining the genesis of the disappearances, but one in particular dominated them all: Yu YongTian, the Demon Lord, was responsible.
Thus, Yu YongTian was not entirely surprised to hear that 'the young lad ever dressed in white he was always avoiding' had appeared here. If Yu YongTian was asked, he would say that person was obsessed with him. Hehehe!!
"Where is he now?" Yu YongTian asked, his gaze drifting over the bustling streets of Mingxian's market.
Ling You raised his right forelimb, lazily rubbing his snout, his glowing eyes narrowing slightly before turning to Yu YongTian. "He's not far from here, but..."
"But what?" Yu YongTian frowned.
"Aiya! Patience. Have patience," Ling You sneered before sliding off Yu YongTian's shoulder and striding forward. "Follow me."
Yu YongTian rolled his eyes but followed nonetheless. His face remained calm, but inside, a storm brewed. It would be strange if he felt nothing—after years of running from that person, now he was the one approaching.
Finally, Ling You came to a stop outside a... wine house?!! Yu YongTian's mouth fell open, and slowly, without a word, he squatted to the ground, beside Ling You.
"He's here?" Yu YongTian enquired, pointing at the wine house.
"Absolutely yes." Ling You grinned proudly, closing his eyes waiting to hear some good compliments.
"Ling You, I think you're mistaken. There's no way that self-righteous man would come here. Did you trace it wrong?"
Ling You eyes shot open and glanced up, glaring accusingly. "Are you doubting my skills? That's very disres—There! There! See him!"
Ling You almost screeched, his eyes now gleaming brightly.
Yu YongTian followed his gaze—and saw him. The man in white. He couldn't see his face yet, as his back was turned to them. His posture was staright as ever, robe all white and neat, and his dark hair arranged neatly like he remembered.
Yu YongTian felt his blood rush, and a lump formed on his throat as he swallowed hard. But amidst all the surging emotions, Yu YongTian sensed something off. Though the white-robed man had yet to notice Yu YongTian, his stance spoke of battle-readiness. His sword was unsheathed, and in the next instant before Yu YongTian could figure out anything, the white-robed man leaped off the ground, flying backward as if evading an attack.
Instinctively, Yu YongTian moved. He shot forward toward the incoming, and their silhouettes met right outside the door, hung in the air. His left hand caught the man, steadying him, while his right flicked open his fan in a swift motion—whipping away whatever force had been attacking the one in his grasp.
For a brief moment, time stilled. The white-robed man, now secured in Yu YongTian's grasp, turned his head slightly. And when their eyes finally met, one pair sharp and unyielding, the other shadowed by years of buried emotions, Yu YongTian's lips quirked into an infuriating smirk.
"YiJun, I really missed you all these years. Did you miss me?"
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End Note
"Some things change. Some things don't. And some things… were never meant to be forgotten."