Si Shen first crossed paths with Xue RenJie in their childhood. Si Shen had left his house in search of a birthday present for his sister when he was smacked right in his chest. Si Shen was unexpectedly knocked back as a scrawny, dirt-smudged boy collided with him. The impact sent the boy sprawling to the ground, pain etched across his face. Guilt surged within Si Shen as he knelt beside the fallen lad, extending a hand.
"I'm so sorry, are you alright?"
The boy clutched something tightly against his chest—a loaf of bread. As Si Shen's gaze fell upon it, the boy hugged it closer, a chuckle escaping Si Shen's lips.
Before Si Shen could offer reassurance, hurried footsteps approached. A trio of adults, led by a fierce-looking woman in her forties, pointed accusing fingers at the boy.
"That's the thief who stole from my shop!" she barked.
The boy's eyes widened in panic, and he tried to bolt, but Si Shen caught his arm, pulling him behind his own form as he faced the adults with an unyielding calm.
"I apologize for my brother's behavior," Si Shen said, his voice steady. "I'll pay for the bread."
The woman hesitated, her companions glancing between her and the two boys. After a moment's deliberation, she glared at the boy and extended her hand. "Five copper."
Si Shen reached into his pocket, surrendering the coins without protest. After verifying the payment, the shopkeeper waved them away, and Si Shen led the boy down the street.
Not far along, the boy slipped from his grasp. "Why did you do that? I can't pay you back."
"You don't have to," Si Shen replied with a shrug, ruffling the boy's hair. "Think of it as an older brother looking out for his younger sibling. But tell me—why steal if you're not hungry?"
The boy frowned, smoothing down his hair. "I'm well fed at home."
Si Shen went along with his lie and nodded. "Got it, but if you ever feel lonely, come find big brother at the teahouse down the street and accompany me, okay?"
The boy tilted his head, curious. "Lonely?"
Si Shen feigned a pitiful expression. "Yes, this big brother is very lonely so come play with me often, okay?"
A laugh escaped the boy as he nodded, clutching his precious bread, before scurrying away.
The current man before him is very different from the young boy Si Shen had once known. Now, Xue RenJie stood tall and striking, his pale blue eyes gleaming with focus, a sharp nose and defined jawline framing his thin lips, set in determination as he attempted to breach the barrier ahead. Si Shen used to be taller than him and now, it seems like that is no longer the case.
Si Shen's gaze fell on the white ribbon adorning Xue RenJie's wrist, the symbol of the Xue Clan's direct bloodline. Was he finally recognized as one of the descendants? Xue RenJie was undeniably remarkable but the only stain on his reputation is that he is the illegitimate son of the then clan leader.
Though Xue RenJie had never voiced any discontent regarding his place within the clan, no one likes being called the bastard child of the Xue Family behind their backs. Then again, Si Shen was not in any better position either. Being forced to wear a mask on a daily basis, only his sister had seen his real face. He was certain that even his biological mother did not remember what he looked like. Si Shen was about to ask about the white ribbon when suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him.
"Stop!" A voice shouted behind Si Shen, probably one of the servants who finally caught up behind him.
The west guardian and Xue RenJie shifted their gaze towards the servant and Si Shen locked eyes with his pale blue eyes that always seemed to be able to pierce through Si Shen's soul.
"Death God!" The west guardian fell to his knees at the sight of his master but Si Shen ignored him, his gaze had never left Xue RenJie as he stepped down from his umbrella. It then closed by itself, returning to Si Shen for him to hold it by its handle again.
Si Shen never believed that he would ever see Xue RenJie standing before him again. He had known him from when he was alive and they were friends. Si Shen might even be bold enough to claim that they were close friends but then again, Xue RenJie was also the man who killed him. That was all in the past and now, he is the Death God, Xue RenJie is trying to barge into his spiritual realm and he has to stop him.
"You are the Death God?" Xue RenJie asked Si Shen, his spiritual energy swirling in his hands, still accumulating.
"Whether I am or not is not the point. The point is -" Si Shen flicked his wrist and shot an accurate condensed resentment energy at the cultivator, dispersing his spiritual energy. "You are not welcome here."
The cultivator stood in shock, rooted to the ground as his eyes widened, probably at how easily Si Shen had dispersed his spiritual energy. Si Shen coughed as he shooed the west guardian and the two other servants. If it's just Xue RenJie, he can handle it alone.
"Please leave and never come back again." Si Shen held his umbrella in front of him with two hands, staring straight at the cultivator with what he hopes is a stern look and an imposing figure.
Xue RenJie, undeterred, lowered his hands and replied, "I have urgent business. If you are indeed the Death God, I must speak with you."
Si Shen snorted at his impudence. "You didn't even bring offerings and yet, wish to speak with me? Just because you are of the Xue Clan doesn't grant you such privilege."
Xue RenJie furrowed their brow at his words before he produced a small packet from his sleeve, extending it to Si Shen. "I hope this is to your liking."
Approaching cautiously, Si Shen accepted the packet and inhaled the fragrant aroma. Jasmine green tea leaves—his favorite.
Si Shen's favorite tea leaves. Jasmine green tea is not uncommon and knowing how healthy the entire Xue Clan is, they probably have tea leaves all over their sanctuary so Si Shen is not too surprised but Xue RenJie never had the habit of drinking tea, saying that the taste is too floral for him. Si Shen remembers being surprised as he had never heard of anyone describing tea in such a way. And besides, if a tea is too floral, it is good tea. Xue RenJie doesn't know what he is talking about.
"I guess this will have to do," Si Shen said, tucking the packet away. "Now, what is this urgent matter?"
Xue RenJie reached out into his sleeves again and retrieved a very familiar item.
The fake broken bracelet that he had given to Xue Ziqi recently.