Shadows of the Past

Meng Qingshan returned to the sect, his mind heavy with the weight of his encounter with the red-haired demon. As he walked through the dimly lit corridors, he could feel the shift in the atmosphere—an undercurrent of tension that had been growing since his arrival. The rumors of the "Blood Demon" had spread like wildfire, and now, the members of the sect either avoided him or looked upon him with a mix of fear and awe.Meng pushed open the door to his room and stepped inside. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows on the walls, and the silence was almost suffocating. He sank onto the edge of his bed, running a hand through his hair as he replayed the demon's words in his mind."You are different."The words lingered, haunting him. What did the demon see in him? Why had he chosen to align himself with Meng? These questions swirled in his mind, each one more unsettling than the last.But there was another thought that gnawed at him, one that he had been trying to push away ever since he arrived at the sect. His brother. Meng had tried not to think about him, but last night, after the mission, the memories had crept back in. He wanted to ask about his brother, to find out if he was safe, if he was even still alive. But the fear of what he might hear had kept him silent.Meng clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. How could he still care? Chen Ning was supposed to be dead—he had declared it himself. But deep down, the bond between brothers was not so easily severed. The uncertainty gnawed at him, filling him with a sense of dread that he couldn't shake.Before he could dwell further, a knock on the door broke his reverie. Meng stiffened, quickly masking his emotions as he called out, "Come in."The door creaked open, and Jiang Tian stepped inside, his usually jovial expression replaced with one of concern. "Qingshan," he greeted, his voice unusually subdued. "I heard about the mission. They're calling you the Blood Demon now."Meng nodded, his expression unreadable. "So it seems."Jiang Tian studied Meng for a moment before speaking again, his tone cautious. "You know, it's not just a name. People are starting to notice you—important people. The higher-ups are keeping a close eye on you."Meng looked up, meeting Jiang Tian's gaze. "And what do you think, Tian? Do you see me as a monster too?"Jiang Tian hesitated, then shook his head. "I don't think you're a monster, Qingshan. But I do think you're walking a dangerous path. I just don't want to see you lose yourself."Meng's heart softened at the sincerity in Jiang Tian's voice. For all the time he had spent in this sect, Jiang Tian was one of the few who treated him as more than just a weapon. "I appreciate your concern," Meng said quietly. "But I know what I'm doing.""Do you?" Jiang Tian asked, his eyes were steady, filled with genuine concern. Meng Qingshan looked away, staring at the intricate patterns of the floor. The weight of his new identity, the expectations of the sect, and the haunting memories of his brother all combined into a heavy burden."I appreciate your concern," Meng finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's just... sometimes it feels like I'm losing touch with who I was."Jiang Tian stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on Meng's shoulder. "You're not alone in this, Qingshan. Whatever you're going through, I'm here to help. But you need to take care of yourself too."Meng looked up, meeting Tian's gaze with a mixture of gratitude and vulnerability. "Thank you, Tian. It means more than you know."The door creaked open again, and Sua Quan entered, her eyes softening when she saw Meng. "Qingshan, are you alright?Meng nodded, trying to muster a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, Sua. Just... dealing with things."Sua stepped closer, her concern evident. "If you need anything, you know where to find me."Meng gave a slight nod, his mind still preoccupied with his brother. He couldn't help but think of the conversation he had with the demon and the fleeting thought of his brother's fate.Jiang Tian cleared his throat, trying to lighten the mood. "Why don't we go grab some food? You've been cooped up here too long, and we could all use a break."Meng hesitated but then nodded. "Alright, let's go."As they left the room, Jiang Tian made a joke to lift the spirits. "Don't worry, Qingshan. The last thing we need is you turning into a brooding demon who never eats. I'm buying, so you don't have to worry about anything."Meng chuckled softly, feeling a momentary lift in his mood. The trio made their way through the corridors of the sect, the conversation easing the tension that had built up inside Meng.As they reached the dining hall, Meng found himself surrounded by the bustling activity of the sect members. The sight was a stark reminder of the world he had chosen to immerse himself in—one filled with politics, power struggles, and hidden agendas.Jiang Tian's voice cut through his thoughts. "There's something else I wanted to tell you, Qingshan. We'll be having a special meeting tomorrow. The higher-ups want to discuss recent events and your role in them."Meng tensed slightly, but he forced himself to remain calm. "I'll be there."The meal was a welcome distraction, the food providing a brief respite from the weight of Meng's thoughts. As they ate, Meng glanced around the room, observing the lively interactions of the sect members. For a moment, he allowed himself to relax, pushing aside the worries that had been gnawing at him.As the evening wore on and they finished their meal, Jiang Tian and Sua accompanied Meng back to his room. The atmosphere was lighter, and the camaraderie offered a small but significant comfort.When they finally said their goodbyes, Meng returned to his room, the solitude settling back around him. He sat on the edge of his bed, the mask lying on the nightstand beside him. He picked it up, running his fingers over the cold, smooth surface. The mask, a symbol of his new identity, felt heavier than ever.He gazed out of the window, the moonlight casting a soft glow over the landscape. Thoughts of his brother, the recent mission, and the growing reputation as the "Blood Demon" swirled in his mind. He wished he could confide in someone, but the truth about his past and the secret of his identity remained locked away.As Meng lay back on his bed, he whispered to the empty room, "Sorry, brother. I hope you're safe wherever you are. I'll find a way to make things right."The silence of the room was his only answer, but Meng found solace in the act of speaking his thoughts aloud. It was a small step in his journey to reconcile his past with his present, and it was a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there was still a glimmer of hope.