Swish!
The sharp sound of steel cutting through flesh echoed across the battlefield. Yu Chen stood over the fallen demon, his sword gleaming with fresh blood. He wiped the red stain from the corner of his mouth, his eyes cold and full of disdain. If there was one thing he hated more than anything, it was the foul taste of demon blood. It was bitter and tainted, a reminder of the unrelenting chaos these creatures brought to the world.
"That should be the last of them," Yu Chen muttered under his breath, sheathing his sword with a decisive motion.
Ling Xiao, who had been fighting alongside him, collapsed to one knee, breath heavy and labored. His body was drenched in sweat, his face pale with exhaustion. Leaning heavily against his sword, he wiped his brow. "These demons have gotten stronger... since the last time we fought them," he panted, his voice strained. His sword, though still in his grasp, was nearly as bloodied as the battlefield itself.
A quiet figure approached, his presence unmistakable despite the lack of sound in his movements. Shen Liu, the revered elder of the sect and Ling Xiao's shifu, appeared behind them. His cultivation was second only to the sect leader, and his demeanor reflected that authority. He was draped in flowing white robes that billowed in the breeze. Despite the carnage surrounding them, his robes remained pristine, untouched by a single drop of blood.
"If things continue like this," Shen Liu said, his voice calm but heavy with the weight of truth, "we may one day find ourselves on the losing side. These demons... they are evolving, becoming stronger than ever."
Yu Chen's eyes darted around, scanning the battlefield for any signs of Wei Yu. A sharp pang of dread gripped his chest.
"Wait—Wei Yu! Where is he?" Yu Chen suddenly exclaimed, his voice edged with panic. His stomach twisted in a knot, and his heart skipped a beat. His eyes swept desperately across the field, searching for any sign of the young boy. He had barely noticed Wei Yu's absence until now, lost in the heat of battle.
A cold sweat broke out on Yu Chen's brow. What if the demons had gotten to him? What if the boy was already... dead?
His breath quickened, and his gaze became frantic. He ran through the chaos, weaving between fallen bodies and shattered weapons, calling out for the boy. "Wei Yu! Wei Yu, where are you?!" His voice cracked as panic set in. His heart was hammering in his chest, the thought of the young boy's fate unbearable.
Ling Xiao, seeing the panic on Yu Chen's face, stood up with a grunt, trying to catch his breath. "Yu Chen, calm down," he urged, though his own voice was tight with worry. "We'll find him—just stay calm."
But Yu Chen was no longer listening. His mind was consumed with one thought—Wei Yu. The boy, though still young, had shown great promise in his cultivation, but he was no match for these demons. Yu Chen's worst fear was coming true: the boy had been caught in the chaos, and now—he was gone.
Just as Yu Chen was about to call out again, a figure appeared in the distance. It was Chen Jiu. The sect leader, standing tall and unshaken, emerged from the smoke and blood of the battlefield.
But it wasn't just Chen Jiu who walked toward them.
Cradled gently in his arms was Wei Yu's unconscious body. The boy was limp, his head hanging low as Chen Jiu held him with one arm, effortlessly as if he were nothing more than a child.
Yu Chen's heart skipped a beat. His breath caught in his throat, and his legs nearly gave way beneath him. The sect leader—Chen Jiu—approached him with a purposeful stride, his cold expression unwavering. He stopped in front of Yu Chen, who was frozen in place, his mind racing.
"Shifu..." Yu Chen whispered, his voice barely audible. He extended his arms instinctively toward the unconscious boy, his heart swelling with relief and fear. His mind, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, barely allowed him to think clearly.
Chen Jiu handed the boy over without a word, his expression unchanged. "He's alive," he stated simply, his eyes colder than the mountain winds.
Yu Chen's breath came in shallow gasps as he cradled Wei Yu in his arms, pulling the boy closer. His heart thudded in his chest as he checked for any signs of injury. A deep sigh of relief escaped him as he realized that, despite the bruises and cuts on the boy's skin, Wei Yu was still breathing, though weakly.
"Thank the heavens," Yu Chen muttered, pressing his forehead against Wei Yu's as if to reassure himself that the boy was indeed still alive. His panic slowly began to dissipate, replaced by a deep sense of gratitude. "I thought I... I thought I'd lost him."
Chen Jiu's eyes softened ever so slightly, but his voice remained as cold as ever. "You were too reckless," he said, his tone sharp. "It is not wise to let your emotions cloud your judgment, Yu Chen. You should have been more cautious. You will never protect anyone if you let fear and panic control you."
Yu Chen didn't respond. He simply nodded, his focus entirely on Wei Yu. The boy was still unconscious, but Yu Chen could feel the warmth of his body against his own. It was a relief—a blessing—that he had been spared. He couldn't imagine what would have happened if the sect leader hadn't arrived when he did.
Ling Xiao stepped forward, wiping the blood from his sword and casting a look of concern at Wei Yu. "Will he be alright?" he asked softly.
Shen Liu glanced down at the boy, his cold eyes softening ever so slightly. "He will survive," he said, though his voice lacked any trace of warmth. "But you, Yu Chen, need to learn to control your emotions if you are to protect those you care for."
Yu Chen nodded silently, his mind still reeling from the scare. He looked down at Wei Yu, who, despite the dirt and blood, still looked like the innocent child he had come to care for.
"I won't let anything happen to you," Yu Chen whispered, his voice low but firm.
Chen Jiu didn't respond, but his gaze lingered on Yu Chen for a moment longer than necessary, before turning to survey the battlefield. "We must return to the sect. There is more to be done."
Yu Chen stood, still holding Wei Yu carefully in his arms, and nodded. The weight of responsibility hung heavy on his shoulders, but with the boy alive and in his care, his resolve only grew stronger. He would do whatever it took to protect Wei Yu and his comrades, even if it meant facing the darkness of the Blood Runners once again.
But for now, his focus remained solely on the boy in his arms—and the promise he had made to keep him safe. He had made his decision; he's going to be his shizun!