To Tianhua

The doors closed behind Yu YongTian with a soft click, as he walked down a long corridor in an unhurried pace, his hands folded behind his back. The hush of the Crimson Night Palace pressed in, much deeper in this part of the stronghold, where fewer dared to step.

He soon entered another chamber which was grander and larger. Unlike where he had left Shen YiJun, this hall was the heart of his territory. Crimson veils floated lightly in the air, hanging from the high ceiling like threads of blood. Incense smoke curled lazily from bronze cauldrons in the corners, and spirit lanterns hovered midair, casting a gentle glow against the polished obsidian floor.

At the front, a lady had one knee touching the ground, her back straight and head lowered in perfect formality. Her robes were dark violet trimmed in silver thread, and her long dark hair was tied with a single jade pin.

"Palace Lord," she said, her voice clear and unwavering.

Yu YongTian did not glance at her. His eyes passed over her bowed form and moved toward the elevated dais at the far end. He ascended the steps and sat, settling into the seat made for him alone. It was carved from shadowstone and laced with spirit jade veins that pulsed like breath beneath the surface.

Only then did he speak. "Rise."

The lady obeyed. She lifted her head slowly, revealing delicate features and sharp eyes that carried the poise of one long familiar with courtly danger. This was Mei QingYue, one of his most trusted subordinates.

"We've found XuanNie." She reported instantly.

Yu YongTian's fingers tapped once against the armrest but said nothing, waiting for her to continue.

"He's in the East, hiding in Tianhua."

A flicker crossed Yu YongTian's eyes quickly, almost imperceptible, but his voice remained calm as he smirked. "Tianhua...?"

Mei QingYue gave a small nod. "Yes, my Lord."

A moment passed in silence, before he asked, "Is that all?"

Mei QingYue was about to respond when she suddenly recalled something, and hesitated.

Yu YongTian's gaze remained on her, and when she didn'tsay a word, he added. "What is it?"

Mei QingYue lowered her eyes slightly but did not shrink. With a low sigh, she proceeded "I heard that you've brought the... cultivator to Crimson Night Palace."

Yu YongTian leaned to the side, and rested his elbow on the armrest, then his cheek was supported by his palm. "Mn." His answer was short and careless.

But Mei QingYue took a breath and continued, "What if this brings trouble?"

Yu YongTian tilted his head with a smile faint rhat screamed of his power. "What kind of trouble?"

"The immortals," she said woth a pause, contemplating her next words,then continued. "If they learn you've captured one of their own, they won't stay quiet."

At the mention of immortals, Yu YongTian let out a low quiet and sarcastic laughter. His eyes gleamed, not with worry, but anticipation.

"I can't wait," he said nonchalant.

Mei QingYue looked at him more directly now, her tone more serious than before. "Palace Lord… it may not be the time to provoke them."

Yu YongTian sighed softly and stood from the throne, his robes flowing gently with the motion. He stepped down the dais, passing her once more, walking towards the door.

"Don't worry. I don't plan to keep Shen YiJun here for long."

Her head turned sharply towards him. "What do you mean?"

Yu YongTian didn't stop walking. "He'll be coming with me to look for XuanNie. There's no one better than him at hunting demons."

He left a playful smirk curving its on his lips, without waiting for her response.

Mei QingYue remained where she stood a bit stunned, and her brows were slightly drawn together. Her lips parted in confusion, but no words came. A moment later, she gave a quiet sigh and scratched her temple lightly.

"It's not like you need anyone's help to hunt someone down…" she muttered to herself, before finally turning and leaving the hall too.

__________

Yu YongTian returned to the quiet chamber where he had left Shen YiJun, and gently pushed open the door. "YiJun." He called out, looking for his silhouette.

Inside, Shen YiJun stood before a tall wooden shelf, and he was holding a scroll unrolled in his hands. He did not turn, nor give the slightest sign of acknowledgment even after hearing Yu YongTian call out to him. His expression was calm and detached, as though Yu YongTian were no more than a passing breeze.

Yu YongTian sighed woth a slightly loud 'huh', not with frustration, but with a quiet acceptance. After all, this was Shen YiJun. Cold as ever, unmoved as stone. Some things never changed. Especially him.

"YiJun, I need your help to find someone, " Yu YongTian said, his voice softer now, but a bit playful.

Only then did Shen YiJun pause. He carefully rolled up the scroll, placed it back on the shelf with deliberate precision, and finally turned to face him.

He said nothing, but his glance was sharp and asking plainly, 'Who?'

Yu YongTian felt the weight of that look but he had long been used to it. Inwardly, he really wanted to ask him: 'YiJun, aren't you afraid one day your eyeballs will pop put with the way you glare at people?' But he dared not, since he didn't know how much Shen YiJun could tolerate him. If it was in the past, he wouldn't have thought twice before saying it but this was present and there was no going back. With that thought, Yu YongTian decided to just focus on the task ahead.

"XuanNie."

Shen YiJun's eyes narrowed slightly. "Why?" He knew who XuanNie was. After Yu YongTian, the other demon who troubled the immortals relentlessly was him. For years, they had never managed to catch XuanNie, since getting even the slightest information of his whereabouts was a problem. The man was like a shadow.

As Yu YongTian stepped closer to Shen YiJun, he stretched his hand and his fan that he had left at the table earlier, flashed to him. Shen YiJun's sword was not there either, since the man had already taken it. Yu YongTian knew how much of importance to him and he rarely kept it down. Looking at him, he tapped his fan on his other hand thrice, until he was standing near Shen YiJun.

Then, his voice dropped as he said. "He has something that belongs to me. Something important."

Shen YiJun looked like he was about to speak again, but Yu YongTian raised his hand with an overplayed flourish. "No, no—don't ask. I'll explain on the way."

Shen YiJun let out a quiet sound of acknowledgment. "Mm."

Without further words, he stepped forward, brushing past Yu YongTian and heading toward the open door.

Yu YongTian followed after him, but then paused mid-step. As if remembering something, he suddenly cupped his hands to his mouth and began shouting—

"Ling You! Ling You—where are you?!" The long corridor echoed with his voice.

Shen YiJun immediately winced, stopping in his tracks. "Can you not?"

Yu YongTian grinned, pleased with himself. "You ignored me earlier. This is only fair."

"Fair?" Shen YiJun glared sideways at him.

"Ling You!!" Yu YongTian called again, louder this time, his voice bouncing off the distant pillars.

Shen YiJun clenched his jaw and took a deep breath while shaking his head, as though silently counting the reasons not to throw Yu YongTian off the nearest mountain. Still, he walked forward, steps steady, not bothering to argue further. He knew better than doing so. Yu YongTian would never stop.

Beside him, Yu YongTian wore the most satisfied expression, as if the childishness had been well worth it. It had really been a long time since he felt the satisfaction of annoying Shen YiJun. And for some reason, he missed those days.

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End Note

"Some bonds are too deep for words—cut them, and they bleed in silence."