Seeing the innkeeper on the verge of losing consciousness, Ji Chun reached out to grab Su Ran's wrist, hoping to stop him. But before he could react, Su Ran struck him hard in the chest. Over the past few days, Ji Chun had let his guard down around this man, and now he paid the price. The force of the blow sent him stumbling backward. Su Ran, meanwhile, flung the innkeeper down the stairs. Fortunately, a burly man with some martial skills and a kind heart was standing below. He leaped into action, catching the innkeeper mid-air and saving him from what could have been a fatal fall.
Ji Chun frowned, his expression grave as he braced himself. He knew Su Ran's next target would be him. Sure enough, Su Ran lunged forward, unleashing a series of vicious attacks—first a heart-piercing palm strike, then a spinning kick. Ji Chun retreated, blocking each move, but Su Ran's attacks grew increasingly ferocious. The more Ji Chun defended without retaliating, the more enraged Su Ran became, his strikes bordering on lethal.
As the fight dragged on, Ji Chun grew weary. Defending without countering was exhausting, and Su Ran showed no signs of tiring. His attacks seemed fueled by pure rage, a desperate attempt to vent his emotions. Finally, Ji Chun decided to engage him head-on. The two men clashed in close combat, their movements swift and precise, until they found themselves back inside the room.
Ji Chun could see the sweat glistening on Su Ran's face, his eyes filled with a mix of ruthlessness and despair. When their gazes locked, Ji Chun felt a pang of unease, even a flicker of fear and sorrow. Suddenly, Su Ran leaped through the window and vanished into the night. Ji Chun started to give chase but stopped himself. Perhaps, he thought, he really shouldn't meddle in Su Ran's affairs.
Night fell, and the inn grew livelier as patrons filled the common area. The noise and bustle did little to ease Ji Chun's troubled mind. He returned to his room, picked up his chopsticks, and stared at his food, lost in thought. Was it because I bought those clothes without asking him? he wondered. But he seemed fine when he took them. Why did he snap like that?Su Ran's temper was unpredictable, but this outburst felt different. Something was wrong.
Unconsciously, Su Ran became the sole focus of his thoughts. Even as he ate, the food tasted bland, like chewing wax. A cool breeze drifted through the window, carrying with it a few droplets of rain. Ji Chun shivered. The day had been scorching, but now the night was cool and damp. He put down his chopsticks, his appetite gone, and walked to the window. The raindrops felt refreshing against his skin, but they did little to calm his restless heart.
He paced the room, glancing out the window repeatedly, torn between disappointment and hope. It had been over two hours since Su Ran left. Where is he now? Ji Chun wondered. The rain was light, but the wind was biting. Su Ran had left wearing thin clothes. Even with his internal energy to protect him, he must be cold.
A flash of lightning streaked across the sky, and Ji Chun's heart raced as if gripped by an invisible hand. He stood abruptly, pushed open the door, and hurried downstairs. He asked the innkeeper for an oil-paper umbrella and stepped out into the rain. Mud splashed onto his robes and soaked his shoes, but he barely noticed. The umbrella offered little protection against the wind-driven rain, and soon his clothes clung to him, damp and uncomfortable. Yet, none of that mattered. A growing sense of unease gnawed at him, a premonition that he was about to lose something—or someone—irreplaceable.
Finally, he spotted a dimly lit tavern. Inside, the flickering candlelight cast erratic shadows. At a small, rickety table, Su Ran sat slumped, a wine jug in hand. He drank recklessly, the liquid spilling over his lips and soaking his clothes. He looked utterly defeated—decadent, frustrated, and consumed by despair. The sight struck Ji Chun like a knife to the heart.
He approached Su Ran and snatched the wine jug from his hand, his voice trembling but firm. "Come back with me!"
Su Ran blinked, his gaze unfocused. He seemed not to recognize the monk standing before him. When the jug was taken, he slammed the table and roared, "You're asking for death!" The table shattered under the force of his blow. He tried to stand, but his legs wobbled, unsteady from the alcohol. His movements were sluggish, his limbs heavy.
Ji Chun couldn't bear to see him like this. He stepped forward, grabbed Su Ran's arm, and hauled him to his feet. The strong smell of alcohol was overwhelming, but Ji Chun forced himself to endure it. Half-dragging, half-supporting Su Ran, he led him out of the tavern. With his free hand, he grabbed the oil-paper umbrella and held it over them, shielding them from the cold, relentless rain.
Who could have expected that after just a few steps, the drunk man would suddenly shove Ji Chun aside? Ji Chun nearly slipped and fell into a muddy puddle, the oil-paper umbrella slipping from his hand and landing in the dirt. Dirty water splashed onto his face, and he steadied himself, wiping the mud away with his sleeve. His already stern features looked even more imposing under the dark sky, his thick brows furrowed and his lips pressed into a tight line. His eyes burned with intensity as they fixed on the man who had just lashed out so unexpectedly.
A loud clap of thunder tore through the sky, and the rain grew heavier, drenching both men within moments. "Damn you, heavens! If you've got the guts, strike me dead right now! Strike me now!" Su Ran screamed into the storm, his voice raw and desperate. In the dim light of the street, amidst the rain and fog, he looked fragile and broken, swaying unsteadily as if he might collapse at any moment.
The heavens seemed to hear his cries but chose to ignore him. The rain poured down relentlessly, the only sound the steady patter of droplets hitting the ground. Ji Chun stood by, his heart aching as he watched. He wanted to rush over and drag Su Ran back, but he felt an invisible barrier between them. What had this man endured in his life to bring him to this state?
Finally, Su Ran's voice grew hoarse, and he sank to his knees, letting the rain soak him. He seemed to lose all awareness of his surroundings, clutching his head as his body trembled. Ji Chun picked up the fallen umbrella, shook off the mud, and walked over silently, holding it above Su Ran's head. Though the flimsy umbrella did little to shield them from the wind and rain, Ji Chun remained steadfast, unwilling to leave him.
After a moment, Ji Chun bent down and gently touched Su Ran's arm. The man flinched, his body shaking, and Ji Chun felt a pang of sorrow. Without thinking, he raised his hand and placed it on Su Ran's back, patting him softly. Just as he was about to speak, Su Ran let out a heart-wrenching cry: "Mama—!"
Suddenly, Su Ran turned and clung to Ji Chun's legs, burying his face in Ji Chun's knees as he sobbed. His grip was tight, as if he feared letting go would mean losing everything. Ji Chun wanted to say something, but his throat felt dry and constricted. Instead, he continued to pat Su Ran's back, offering what little comfort he could.
"Mama, please don't leave me again, okay?" Su Ran cried, his voice breaking. "Papa... Papa always beats me. Mama, please don't leave me alone again. Don't go…"
Su Ran was lost in the memories of his childhood. His father, consumed by suspicion that his mother had been unfaithful, had neglected them for years. One day, his mother had been captured and tortured to death while trying to protect him. His father, overcome with guilt, had turned to drink, leaving Su Ran to fend for himself in the ruthless world of the Demonic Sect. Weak and vulnerable, he had struggled to survive without his father's protection.
"Su Qi! I swear I'll kill you!" Su Ran's sorrow suddenly turned to rage. He released Ji Chun and stood up, his face hardening into a cold, cruel mask. "Oh, Cang Jinwu, do you think you can escape?" he muttered, then burst into laughter, a mix of pride and bitterness. "How does it feel to live a life worse than death? Ha ha ha ha ha!"
"Su Ran..." Ji Chun called out, his voice filled with concern.
"Shut up!" Su Ran snapped, glaring at him with a vicious smile. "I know you're only doing all of this because of the monster in my belly, right? Don't worry, I'll take good care of it until its strength is restored. Then we'll see who comes out on top!"
Su Ran stepped closer to Ji Chun, his hand brushing against Ji Chun's cheek as he leaned in, his lips nearly touching Ji Chun's ear. "Master Ji Chun," he whispered, "let me make one thing clear. If you ever dare to have such disgusting thoughts about me again..."
Ji Chun's face paled. He pushed Su Ran away, his voice cold and firm. "Sect Leader Su, please respect yourself!"
Su Ran let out a bitter laugh, swaying unsteadily on the rain-soaked street. His laughter was quiet but carried a haunting loneliness that echoed through the night. Ji Chun didn't know where Su Ran was headed. His feet felt rooted to the ground, heavy as if weighed down by a thousand pounds. The pride and dignity he had always carried seemed to crumble in that moment.
As he stood there, the figure of Su Ran grew smaller and smaller in the distance. Ji Chun lowered his head, about to turn back, when he saw Su Ran collapse heavily to the ground, unmoving. Without a second thought, Ji Chun rushed over and scooped Su Ran up from the mud. In the dim light, he could see Su Ran's pale face, his lips trembling slightly, his hands clutching his lower abdomen as he curled into a ball, moaning softly in pain.