Meng Qingshan woke up to the scent of medicinal herbs and incense, his body feeling heavier than it should have. His surroundings were quiet, save for the faint crackle of a fire in the distance. He blinked, trying to adjust his vision. The room was dim, lit by soft lanterns placed along the walls, casting a warm yet eerie glow.He tried to sit up but felt a sharp pain in his chest, forcing him back down. His body had yet to fully recover from the demonic ritual, though the worst of it was over. Meng sighed, glancing over at his arm where the contract seal had once appeared. The red markings were now faint, nearly invisible, but the memory of them burned in his mind.The red-haired demon, Zhuan Xinyi, had haunted his thoughts ever since the summoning. The mere sight of him had triggered something dark in Meng, a part of him that had long been buried deep under layers of control. He could feel it, the dark energy simmering just beneath the surface, threatening to rise again. Meng closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure.A knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. Jiang Tian entered the room, his usual cold demeanor replaced with a slightly concerned expression. "You're awake," Tian said, walking over to the side of the bed. "How are you feeling?"Meng tried to sit up again, this time slower, gritting his teeth through the pain. "I'm fine," he muttered, though the strain in his voice betrayed him.Tian gave him a look. "Don't lie. The ritual took a lot out of you. Even if you're physically healing, your mind's another matter." He sat down in a chair near Meng's bed, watching him closely. "You can't afford to break down."Meng didn't respond right away. He knew Tian was right, but the weight of his recent actions—everything from the summoning to the destruction that had followed—still clung to him like a dark cloud. "I won't break," he said quietly, more to convince himself than Tian.Tian leaned back, crossing his arms. "You know, I used to think I had it all figured out. That strength was all I needed to survive. But then I met you," he said, his gaze narrowing. "When I saw you fight during our first mission together, I thought, 'I've met a real monster.'"Meng's eyes flickered with surprise, but he said nothing, letting Tian continue."You carry this power that scares everyone around you. And honestly, I can see why," Tian admitted. "But what makes you different is that you don't let it consume you. At least, not entirely." He paused, watching Meng carefully. "You're not the monster they think you are."Meng's grip on the edge of the bed tightened. The memories of his past—the betrayal, the lies, the person he used to be—flashed through his mind. His chest tightened as he thought of his brother, Chen Ming, and the life he had left behind. Was he truly in control of his power, or was he just delaying the inevitable? Was there still a part of him that could escape the darkness?"I don't know," Meng finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe I am the monster."Tian shook his head. "No. A monster wouldn't care."There was a brief silence between them before Tian stood up. "You should rest more. You'll need your strength for whatever's coming next. And believe me, there's always something coming."As Tian made his way to the door, Meng spoke up. "Tian."Tian paused, looking over his shoulder.Meng hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Thank you."Tian gave him a small nod. "Just don't make me regret it."Meng watched as Tian left the room, leaving him alone once more. His mind was racing, his body aching, but something had changed. For the first time since the ritual, he didn't feel entirely alone.Meng lay back down, closing his eyes. He wasn't sure what lay ahead, but he knew one thing: whatever it was, he wouldn't face it as Chen Ning. Meng Qingshan would forge his own path, no matter how dark it might become.