Moving shapes were thrown across the clearing by the flickering light of the bonfire, which crackled in the silent night. Sitting with his knees crossed, Jianyu gazed at Tian as he meticulously sharpened his sword. The stillness was broken by the sound of the blade scraping against the whetstone, which increased the tension they were unable to express aloud.
At last, Jianyu said, "Tian." Sharp but steady was his voice. "Be honest with me."
The whetstone continued to move slowly along the blade, while Tian's hands remained steady. Calmly, he said, "The truth about what?" However, his tone gave the impression that he was already aware.
"The killers." The dark blossom. Jeanyu leaned forward and pressed, "All of it." "Why do they care so much about my family?" "Why do they want me?"
Tian took his time putting down the dagger. The whetstone fell gently to the ground once he lost control of it. As though searching for words in the flames, his gaze was riveted on the fire. He drew a deep breath.
"They care about more than just your family," he remarked in a quiet voice at the end. "That's what your family stood for." Your father's attempt.
Jianyu's eyes glowed with rage, and his brow furrowed. "You've been secretive." Do you not? You've been lying to everyone about how much you know.
Tian gave him a look. His face was unreadable, but his eyes were black. His words were, "I promised your dad." "To protect you. The more you know, the more vulnerable you are, which is why I haven't told you.
"I'm in danger already!" Jianyu's voice became louder as he lost it. "Tian, they sent killers after me.If you know, you must tell me why.
Tian's shoulders slumped and his body bowed slightly under the weight of his memories. As though trying to stay warm against something as frigid as the night, he rubbed his hands together.
A short while later, he remarked softly, "It's not just about you." "It's about me." Regarding the things I did incorrectly.
Jianyu became confused instead of angry. "Do you mean to say that?"
Tian's hands ceased to move. Like anchors, he encircled his knees with his fingers and hung on. "I had a family before your father and before all of this." a spouse. "A daughter." He continued despite his trembling voice. "I thought I could keep them safe." I thought I was strong enough to defend them.
The melancholy wrinkles on Tian's face were visible in the changing firelight as Jianyu gazed at him. "What took place?"
"They came for me," Tian said in a low voice. "A distinct clan. They wanted me to be silent or loyal. "No," I replied. He paused as his words were trapped in his throat. "They forced me to do what they wanted by using my family." By the time I struggled back to them, it was too late. I failed them.
The roaring fire suddenly became too loud as the air between them became dense. Jianyu's chest constricted as he attempted to comprehend the significance of Tian's confession.
Under his breath, Tian remarked, "That's why I stayed with your dad." "I thought that if I could protect you, I could make up for what I lost when he asked for my help."
Jianyu let the words to sink in as Tian's voice was full of unadulterated agony. He was simultaneously heartbroken and angry. He had always considered Tian to be a resilient individual. However, he suddenly observed a man who had more severe scars than he had initially believed.
Softly, Jianyu said, "I didn't know." "I didn't know..."
"You weren't supposed to," Tian replied, his voice solemn but weary. "You don't have to carry my mistakes." If you want to survive, you must understand that this battle is about more than just getting even. It's about surviving.
Jianyu clenched his jaw. "It's not just about survival." He stated in a harsh voice. "It's about my dad." regarding my family. They made an effort to eradicate us. That is not possible.
Tian stared at him for a long time, but it was impossible to read his face. He concluded by saying, "Your father was a good man." "Better than most." If you wish to commemorate him, you must be more intelligent than he was.
With haste, Jianyu got up and declared, "I'm not him." He began honing his own blade using the whetstone that Tian had discarded. He moved coarsely but resolutely. "Yes, I know that." But I can complete what he started.
For a brief time, Tian believed he recognised the boy's face as the edge of his blade caught the fire's light. It reflects Lin Zhiwei's determination, yet with a dash of rebellion.
Tian stated to them, "You need to be ready for what's coming if you're going to do this." The Black Lotus doesn't forget, and neither do they stop.
Jianyu's eyes met Tian's as he raised his head. "Neither do I."
The fire was modest, and in the cool night air, the embers glowed dimly. Their shadows were lengthy and dispersed across the floor, and both guys were sitting still. For the first time, Jianyu saw in Tian a man who had experienced loss, not merely a teacher or a guardian.
"Tian." He continued, his voice growing quieter. "It's no longer just about my dad." We're all involved. "Everybody they have harmed."
Tian took a moment to respond. He ran his fingers along the handle of his knife and gazed into the dwindling flames. It took him a moment to nod. He stated, "You're more like him than you think." His lips formed a faint smile. "Remember, though: fire burns brightly and quickly." Be careful not to lose yourself in it.
Jianyu remained silent. He gripped the handle of the sword tighter and gazed up at the sky. The road ahead was hazardous, and the outside was gloomy and frightening. For the first time, though, he realised that he wasn't only rushing to the truth. He was in a hurry to reach his destination.