ch 24- A blade between us

The Night the Forest Burned

The southern skies cracked with distant lightning.

A strange darkness rolled over the forest, too heavy for mere shadow, too cold for night alone. The trees moaned as if whispering a warning.

And Rui Xuan ran straight into it.

He wasn't supposed to be alone.

But war waits for no strategy — and arrogance waits for no reason.

His divine blade gleamed at his side, still wet with blood from the last skirmish. His shoulder throbbed, but he pushed forward.

Until—

> Snap.

A branch broke behind him.

He turned.

And five silhouettes emerged from the mist — tall, twisted, inhuman.

⚔️ Ambush

They had no scent.

No aura.

Only hunger.

Rui Xuan's silver eyes narrowed.

> "Fallen demons," he muttered. "Cowards who lost their gods and grew teeth."

The first one lunged — too fast.

Rui Xuan dodged, slashing upward. His blade split the creature's chest — but it didn't stop.

Another demon struck from behind, grazing Rui Xuan's side.

He gasped. Warm blood bloomed across his robes.

Another slash — his thigh.

Another — his shoulder.

He spun, trying to block all sides, but they were coordinated, intelligent, inhumanly relentless.

Their leader grinned. "Protector of realms? You bleed like prey."

Rui Xuan dropped to one knee.

His divine blade trembled in his grip.

His lips parted in exhaustion.

> "Come on, then," he whispered. "Try me."

But inside, something cracked. A flicker of helplessness. He was cornered. Alone.

And then—

🐉 Enter: Mo Jue

The wind died.

So did the demons' laughter.

A pulse of something rumbled through the earth.

A hiss — quiet and low — rose like a song from the soil.

And out of the fog…

> He stepped forth.

Barefoot. Drenched in shadows. Robes of midnight coiled around his tall figure like silk made of smoke. White hair unbound, brushing his waist.

Eyes glowing like wildfire through the fog.

Mo Jue.

The demons turned.

Too late.

> "Touch him again," Mo Jue said, "and you'll never remember the shape of your hands."

One demon rushed him.

Mo Jue didn't blink.

He flicked his hand. A black serpent exploded from the ground, coiling around the attacker's neck and crushing it in a single twist.

The others ran.

But the ground twisted.

Thorns of obsidian and venom shot up, piercing three of them through the chest mid-sprint. Their screams barely lasted.

Only one remained — the leader.

He faced Mo Jue with trembling hands, realizing now what they'd awakened.

> "We didn't know—"

> "Now you do," Mo Jue whispered.

And closed his fist.

The demon collapsed, dead before hitting the ground.

Silence.

Smoke curled.

And all that remained was the soft sound of Rui Xuan's breathing.

---

❤️ The Look That Said Everything

Rui Xuan stared up, still kneeling.

His side burned. Blood still trickled down his temple. But it wasn't pain that left him breathless.

It was the sight of Mo Jue, walking toward him — rage fading, replaced by something far more dangerous.

Concern.

No words passed between them.

Mo Jue knelt — not as a servant, but as a god made flesh, lowering himself only for him.

He reached out, slowly, touching the torn fabric near Rui Xuan's ribs. Blood soaked his fingers.

> "You're an idiot," he murmured. "A beautiful, stubborn idiot who refuses to ask for help."

Rui Xuan clenched his jaw. "I don't need—"

He winced. Mo Jue's fingers had pressed too close to the wound.

Mo Jue's golden eyes flicked up.

> "You need me," he said, softly this time.

> "No," Rui Xuan whispered. "I need you gone."

But his body trembled — not from fear, but from the way Mo Jue's touch lingered.

The way his voice laced fire with silk.

The way he'd come — again — without being asked.

---

🌑 Their Hearts Say What They Won't

Mo Jue pulled Rui Xuan up carefully, one arm around his back.

Rui Xuan didn't resist.

Couldn't.

His breath hitched as their bodies touched — chest to chest, warmth meeting heat.

> "I hate you," he whispered.

Mo Jue smiled. "Not tonight, you don't."

Their faces were inches apart.

Their hands, still bloodied, brushed at the edges.

No kiss.

No promise.

Just the weight of a thousand unspoken things.

Rui Xuan looked away, furious with himself.

But his heart—his traitorous heart—pounded.

And Mo Jue heard every beat.

---

✦ End of Chapter 24 ✦