The Proposition

Jinhai remained silent for a few moments, staring at Jinshen who was still wearing the near perfect facade of cheerfulness and innocence, but he saw right through it.

"First," He said in a rather sharp and harsh voice that was still calm "I want you to be your true self, while you're fake smile and emotions are very convincing, I rather not speak to a manipulator."

Jinshen's grin immediately dropped as it was replaced by hardened and stoic expression, the 'warmth' that was displayed in his eyes was gone, replaced by a distant and blank stare, the air seemed to grow cold around him.

"Alright then," he said, voice flat and emotionless. "I'll be myself from now on. But answer me. What's your true purpose for attacking me?"

A small, faint smirk spread across Jinhai's face as he tilted his head in an amused manner, meanwhile Yanwei who was standing besides Jinshen was completely confused by Jinshen's sudden cold behavior but he remained quiet as Jinhai was speaking.

"I want you to help me, my brother, Mo Yanxu, the heir of the Demonic Sect-"

"You want me to help you overtake him." Jinshen cut him off in a cold and calculating yet confident manner, already knowing what Jinhai wants from him."Not happening. We would both get defeated with ease, and not only that we would be punished on top of that.."

Jinhai's eyes narrowed in annoyance at the interruption, but after a long, deep and calming breath he slowly nodded in reluctant acceptance.

"Very well then, that is a fair point... But you must understand one fact about Elder Brother. If Elder Brother Yanxu is the heir, neither a mindset like your's or my talent, will help in rising up. We'll always be overshadowed. Not only that, we'll be eternally compared to him."

Jinshen stared into his eyes silently for a few moments, contemplating his claim before his eyes and veins started glowing blue which seemed a bit unsettling in the near complete darkness of the labyrinth as Jinshen narrowed his eyes at Jinhai whose body stiffened almost immediately at the feeling of Jinshen's glare.

"You do not need to worry about me," He spoke in a monotone yet resolute tone, one that dripped of confidence "I'm not one that can be overshadowed by any one. Its far more likely that in the future, he's getting compared to me."

Jinhai scoffed in annoyance but the cautiousness in his eyes was starting to grow but he simply nodded in response before taking a few steps back, still facing both Yanwei and Jinshen

"Alright then. Suit yourself." He muttered in annoyance before he walked past them both, turning a corner and disappearing into the shadows of the labyrinth.

Yanwei looked at Jinshen's face and still glowing eyes as the latter stared at the passageway from which Jinhai disappeared.

"Jinshen, um... Can't we just sleep the rest of the time away?" He paused noticing that Jinshen was still stoic which made him feel a bit uncomfortable but he continued nonetheless "I mean, you've showed you're strength enough and so have I..."

Jinshen's eyes slowly stopped glowing as he turned his head to his side looking down at Yanwei with a cold and calculating expression seeing Yanwei shrink away from his gaze made him feel a bit of confusion but his voice remained distant and stoic.

"I know I have showed my strength to the Elders that are watching us. But, when have you showed you're skills?" He paused letting his words sink in before continuing "If I am not wrong, you have yet to defeat an opponent or show any technique that some usefulness."

Yanwei nodded slowly in response, he took a deep breath to compose himself before standing up straight trying his best not to shy away from Jinshen's gaze which felt like he was staring into the eyes of a wolf which made his voice tremble as he spoke.

"I-I know.. That's why I want you to sleep, I'll go fight or maybe do something useful." He paused looking up at Jinshen with hopeful yet determined eyes "I want to be a respected member of the Demonic Sect too you know, and how am I going to get that when you're already coddling me despite having just met me."

Jinshen smirked faintly, his expression softening for a moment before going back to being a stoic and indifferent one as he took a few steps towards a passageway, stopping just a step before entering it.

"Don't die." He said in a matter of fact tone while facing away Yanwei as he heard Yanwei's heartbeat increase, a sign of excitement. 

This made Jinshen smirk once more as he walked into the passageway, leaving Yanwei to his own devices for now. But what Yanwei didn't know was that Jinshen had snuck a few drops of the liquid Nanomachine onto him that would alert him if he came into any danger.

He's just like a small kid, I can't just let him be on his own, at least for now.

Yanwei grinned in happiness, his heart was beating rapidly as in a moment of impulse he slapped the back of Jinshen's back but missed and stumbled as the latter walked into the passage.

Oh crap! Yanwei thought to himself as he caught himself just in time to not fall on the hard and rather uncomfortable ground.

Yanwei sighed deeply as he started to walk away, walking past the long passageway where Jinshen fought the Phantom Wolf, the corpse had disappeared, the Elders had most likely taken it away.

The Elder's work fast huh?

On the other hand Jinshen had sat down on the hard, rock floor of the labyrinth as he sighed deeply, staring at the glass ceiling which had now been completely covered by something.

Nanomachine, I'll be sleeping now, wake me up if Yanwei is in danger alright?

Nanomachine chuckled slightly in amusement, it seemed to be busy with something but it still made time to be playful and annoying casual despite it being a cold and emotionless thing when Jinshen first encountered it.

Alright Master, ya do you. Just let me update in peace.

Jinshen raised an eyebrow at the word of 'Update' but he remained silent, having grown used to Nanomachine's ever changing personality, leaning his back against the wall of the labyrinth as he took one, final deep breath before closing his eyes.

I wish I can just sleep through the 17 hours left... Thankfully I don't have to eat, I put the Liquid Nanites on the Phantom Wolf.

He wasn't physically exhausted, the Nanomachine was doing most of the work after all, nor was he hungry since he had the liquid Nanites break down the Phantom Wolf and bring the nutrition back into his body. A rather convenient way to replenish his body.