Pursuit [III]

Shen YiJun stood beside her, his sword glinting faintly with residual energy from the battle. He raised his gaze to Yu YongTian, his expression unreadable. Anger? Contempt? Or something far more complicated? The weight of those eyes made Yu YongTian sigh heavily, yet he did not return the look for long. Instead, his gaze fell upon Jiu Lian, studying her with a detached curiosity, as if assessing an insect caught beneath his fingers.

His voice, laced with cold amusement, cut through the stillness. "Why have you been tarnishing my name?"

Jiu Lian's brow creased in confusion. Her lips parted slightly, as though she struggled to comprehend his question.

"Who are... you?" she asked, her voice hoarse.

Yu YongTian chuckled. A sneer, laced with mockery, curled his lips as he flicked his fan open. He fanned himself leisurely, his motions unhurried yet carrying a distinct chill.

"Does it matter?" he replied, voice dropping into an icy drawl. "Just know you've offended me."

The moment Jiu Lian's eyes fell upon the intricate patterns of the fan, a flash of realization struck her. Her pupils shrank, and she stiffened as if struck by lightning.

"Palace Lord—" she whispered, her body involuntarily pressing back against the earth.

Yu YongTian paused his fanning and crouched before her, his sharp eyes narrowing in a feigned amusement. His fingers idly tapped against the ribs of his fan, creating an unsettling rhythm in the thick silence.

"So, you do remember me?" he mused, tilting his head slightly. "After stirring trouble in my lair, now you've decided to ruin my reputation in the mortal world. What a loyal servant you are to him. I'm impressed."

His words were laced with mockery, but his eyes graced with endless darkness, also brimming with something deadly. He held no trace of amusement from earlier. Without hesitation, his free hand shot forward, grasping Jiu Lian's throat, a trace of dark energy emanating from his hand. The force of his grip crushed the air from her lungs, and her fingers clawed at his wrist in desperation.

"Where is he?" Yu YongTian's voice was dangerously soft, the kind that sent shivers down spines.

Jiu Lian's lips parted, but no words came forth. Despite the pain twisting her features, her eyes burned with silent defiance. She refused to speak.

Yu YongTian's grip tightened. His fingers dug into her delicate skin, and a faint crackling sound echoed in the air. Just a little more force, and her neck would snap like brittle wood.

But before it happened—

"Yu YongTian."

Shen YiJun's low and deep voice cut through the tension like a blade.

Yu YongTian's breath paused and his entire body tensed. His fingers, as though commanded by some unseen force, loosened. His gaze which was unreadable even to himself, flickered toward Shen YiJun, different from when he glared at Jiu Lian.

In that moment, nothing moved. The world felt suspended between past and present, between a time when they stood side by side and the reality of where they stood now, worlds apart. Yu YongTian gulped, memories surging like a tidal wave.

Jiu Lian gasped desperately for air as Yu YongTian finally released her, stepping back in silence. He moved to Shen YiJun's side, his posture screaming mystery, while his eyes cast away as if refusing to meet the other's gaze. And he did not know why. Maybe deep down somewhere... he didn't want Shen YiJun to see him for the demon he was. But that was his wishful thinking. So he thought.

Shen YiJun's fingers moved with ease, unfastening the Demon-Sealing Pouch attached to his belt. He lifted his handand traced a slow circle in the air. The place crackled, golden runes shimmering before forming into a glowing vortex. The moment the light touched Jiu Lian, her body jerked violently.

"You—!" she snarled, her form twisting as she was forcefully pulled into the pouch. "Let me go! Go to he—"

The pouch sealed with a faint hum, silencing her completely. Shen YiJun remained motionless for a moment before lifting his gaze. His eyes, deep as the night sky and clear as the sea, settled on Yu YongTian who was still looking away.

Then, his voice, calm and firm, broke the silence. "Come back with me, Yu YongTian."

Yu YongTian exhaled slowly, his fingers tightening around his fan. He did not respond immediately, a feeling if self mockery creeping in. What had he expected? That he would at least ask how he is? Where he had disappeared to?

He chuckled dryly, then turned slightly, his lips curving into a faint smile—one that held no joy, only quiet defiance.

"If YiJun also misses his Shixiong so much, I'll allow you to… come with me."

Shen YiJun's expression did not change. He simply waited, unwavering, but the next moment, Yu YongTian's fan swiftly flashed in front of him catching him off guard.

"You..." His statement was left incomplete, and he fell unconscious. Luckily, Yu YongTian caught him by his waist before he fell to the ground. His eyes were darker than hell, as they slowly lifted and settled on the soft glowing light, that was a bit shadowed by the trees.

"YiJun, it's twilight." His expression colder than ice, he said to the unconscious man, and carried him away.

"Palace Lord! Palace Lord! Master!!! Hey!... You are leaving me behind again?" Ling You cried and wailed in anger but Yu YongTian was long gone. He gazed at his disappearing silhouette above the trees in disbelief. "I'm not coming back! You better find yourself another... another spirit beast?"

Ling You's expression twisted in horror at the thought of Yu YongTian replacing him. With a loud deafening scream, he fell to the ground kicking his little paws on the air angrily, while also plotting how to make Yu YongTian pay.

______________________

End Note

"Time changes all things—some bend, some break, and some… become unrecognizable."

Years have passed in a blink, yet I still wait,

Under the ancient Wutong, where autumn winds sigh.

To see your silhouette beyond the mist and moon,

With no regrets, no tire, only a silent vow.

Across the endless river of time, where fate unwinds,

Even if the stars fade, my heart shall not wane.

When twilight graces the earth, we shall meet again.