The Bai Clan courtyard had never felt smaller.
A guest had arrived—unannounced, unfamiliar to most, but radiating power. His name was Liu Shengjie, God of War from the Spirit Realm and Martial World. Few had seen him before, but his name alone caused the Bai Clan elders to bow and straighten their backs.
He stood tall in silver-red robes, divine energy wrapped around him like a coiled dragon. His phoenix eyes scanned the courtyard—until they stopped. And narrowed.
A man in white robes sat beneath a plum tree, dozing lightly, raven hair cascading over his shoulder. His head rested against Crown Prince Longxuan's shoulder, the two of them half-shaded by falling petals.
Shengjie's pulse stalled.
He knew that face.
He knew that Qi.
But no—not Lin Xuanji.
Mo Tianzun.
The world slowed for a moment.
Behind the raven-haired youth, Longxuan noticed the shift first. He rose to his feet slowly, calm but alert, eyes sharp as blades. The Liu Twins followed instantly—Zhenhai's stance protective, Fenglan watching the new arrival with a trained gaze.
Xuanji only blinked open his eyes and gave a sleepy look.
"…You're loud," he murmured.
Shengjie almost staggered. That voice. That unbothered, prideful tone. That was him.
"…And you are?" Longxuan asked politely but firmly.
The war god gave a shallow bow. "Liu Shengjie. Passing through. I heard the Crown Prince was here… with someone of interest."
"You've heard wrongly," Longxuan said with a cold smile. "He is not for show."
Fenglan stepped forward. "Then what do you want?"
Shengjie's eyes stayed fixed on Xuanji. "A conversation. With him."
Xuanji tilted his head. "Why me?"
"Because your presence," Shengjie said softly, "is unnatural. That kind of Yin Qi doesn't belong to mortals. Or even gods."
Zhenhai scowled. "He's recovering from an injury. Watch your words."
Shengjie's smile didn't reach his eyes. "I only meant… I've felt this kind of power once before. And it nearly destroyed a realm."
He took a slow step forward.
Longxuan placed himself in front of Xuanji, lips thin. "Deity Liu, leave."
Shengjie's voice lowered. "Tell me, boy… do you remember me?"
Xuanji blinked. "…Have we met?"
The war god's hands clenched. The chill behind his smile grew sharper.
"No," he said at last. "I must be mistaken."
But inside, his mind screamed 'He doesn't remember. He truly doesn't remember. But that Qi—there's no mistake.'
That's him. That's Mo Tianzun.
He turned to leave, bowing once to the elders.
"I apologize. I won't stay long."
And like a silver streak of wind, he vanished—leaving behind silence, tension, and the faint smell of lightning.
Lin Xuanji watched the empty space for a moment. Then looked down at his own hands, faintly glowing with cool, black Yin light.
"…What was that about?" Fenglan muttered.
Zhenhai frowned. "He knew something. Or someone."
Longxuan placed a hand on Xuanji's shoulder.
"You're safe here," he whispered.
But Xuanji didn't answer.
Inside, he already knew safety had just walked away through that gate—and it wouldn't last.
———
The morning after was filled with golden light and forgetful laughter.
The Bai Clan seemed determined to pretend nothing had happened. Servants arranged fresh tea and pastries. Bai Zhen, the child ran about the courtyard chasing petals. The Liu Twins bickered light-heartedly with Jiang Fenglie looking like unbothered queen. Peace returned—but fragile, like glass.
Lin Xuanji(Mo Tianzun) woke to warmth.
Crown Prince Longxuan lay beside him, one arm snugly wrapped around Xuanji's waist. The man who once commanded armies now buried his face softly against Xuanji's neck, breathing steady, relaxed.
Xuanji didn't move.
He let the moment stay.
He gently touched Longxuan's face. Traced the line of his jaw with trembling fingers. Memorized the peace.
This wasn't just comfort. This was dangerous.
Because it made him want to stay.
Because he wanted to belong.
But deep down, he could feel it. That cursed Yin Qi—the one Shengjie recognized, the one that had once turned gods to ash. Even now, it stirred restlessly beneath his skin.
The time was near.
He would have to make a choice.
.
.
.
.
.
Later, the day passed like a dream.
Xuanji laughed with the twins as they teased Bai Zhen, who had declared he was going to "marry Xuan-gege when he grows up." Fenglan almost choked on tea. Zhenhai held up an imaginary contract. Xuanji blushed and threw a pastry at them both.
Longxuan, calm as always, quietly said, "Unfortunately, I already claimedhim."
The Bai Clan chuckled. Everyone smiled.
And yet, behind Xuanji's smile was a growing silence.
A ticking clock.
That evening, as the sun dipped low, Longxuan found him sitting alone beneath the plum tree.
"…You're quiet," the prince said.
Xuanji nodded. "Just thinking."
Longxuan sat beside him, took his hand. "About yesterday?"
"Mm." Xuanji didn't deny it. "You didn't ask what that man meant."
"I don't need to," Longxuan replied. "I trust you."
Those words nearly undid him.
Xuanji leaned into him. "You're foolish."
"You make me foolish."
They sat in silence, hands entwined, until moonlight lit the garden.
———
That night, after Longxuan fell asleep, Xuanji stood quietly.
He looked at the man who had held him so gently.
He whispered, "Forgive me."
He stepped away.
He walked through the halls like a shadow, slipping past the Liu Twins, past Bai Zhen's room, past the warmth and laughter that had begun to root in his bones.
He left no note.
He took no weapon.
Only his sorrow—and the quiet, cursed Yin that pulsed like a cold heartbeat.
He walked toward the mountains.
Toward the scent of divine power.
Toward Liu Shengjie.
Because this time, he would not run.
He would confront his past.
Even if it meant destroying everything that made him human.