Ling Xiao tossed a stone into the river, watching the ripples spread across the surface. The past four days had dragged by painfully slowly since Yu Chen and Wei Yu left the mountain. He felt restless. He could always pick a fight with Chen Yuxuan, but that never ended well for him. So, he had learned to avoid the peacock.
Just as he was about to turn and leave, he spotted something up ahead—two figures. Chen Yuxuan, standing tall as always, and... Li Ming? The same Li Ming who had been defeated by Wei Yu? What was he doing here in the sect? More importantly, why was he talking to Chen Yuxuan?
Ling Xiao's curiosity piqued, and he crept closer, staying hidden behind a cluster of trees. He strained to hear the conversation.
"Are you out of your mind? She did it on purpose, didn't she?" Li Ming's voice was sharp with anger, louder than usual.
Chen Yuxuan's reply was calm, but there was a coldness to it that Ling Xiao didn't miss. "Yes, Hua Rong ruined everything... but there must be a reason for her actions. We need to be careful."
Li Ming's eyes flashed with frustration. "Our plan was simple—to get the mixed blood! Not to kill it! She's sabotaged everything. We can't let her stop us!"
Ling Xiao's heart skipped. Mixed blood? He felt a chill run down his spine. His curiosity deepened. Who were they talking about?
Chen Yuxuan's voice dropped, dangerously quiet. "And you're sure that he is the mixed blood?" The question hung in the air, sharp and cutting.
Li Ming didn't hesitate. "It has to be Yu Chen. It all adds up—his power, the way he controls people. He has to be the one behind everything."
Chen Yuxuan's eyes hardened, and he stepped closer to Li Ming. His voice was icy, full of anger. "Are you suggesting that my father adopted a demon?"
Li Ming didn't back down. "What else makes sense? Yu Chen's cultivation is stronger than mine. He's controlling people like a puppet master. He has to be the one we're looking for."
"Li. Ming."
"Not to mention during the wedding day of Chen Jiu-"
Before Li Ming could say another word, Chen Yuxuan slapped him—hard. The sound of it cracked through the air like thunder. Li Ming staggered back, his cheek turning bright red from the force of the blow. His eyes widened in shock.
Chen Yuxuan stood still, the calm expression on his face more terrifying than any rage. "If you ever speak of that incident again, Li Ming, I will kill you."
Li Ming's shock turned to fury. He wiped his mouth, glaring at Chen Yuxuan. "You think just because I agreed to your plan, I'll follow you blindly? Don't push me, Chen Yuxuan. You're not the only one with power."
With a sneer, Li Ming turned and stormed off, his steps heavy with anger.
Ling Xiao froze where he stood, his heart pounding. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. Yu Chen? Mixed blood? Could it be true? What did that even mean? Was Yu Chen really connected to demons?
He felt uneasy. What should he do with this information? Should he tell Yu Chen? Or should he stay quiet? What if telling him only made things worse?
Just as he was about to step back and leave, a voice broke through his thoughts.
"You're awfully nosy, Ling Xiao."
Ling Xiao's blood ran cold. He spun around, wide-eyed. Standing right behind him was Chen Yuxuan, his face smooth but his eyes sharp with an unreadable expression.
Ling Xiao's throat tightened. How long had he been standing there? His heart hammered in his chest. Had Chen Yuxuan heard everything?
Chen Yuxuan's lips curled into a faint smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You've heard enough, haven't you?" His voice was low, laced with something dangerous.
Ling Xiao stammered, trying to think of something to say. "I... I didn't mean to—"
Ling Xiao's heart skipped a beat. He turned slowly, trying to hide the shock on his face, but Chen Yuxuan's presence was already overwhelming, his gaze cold but unreadable, as always. The fan in his hand was closed now, but Ling Xiao had no doubt it could be used as a weapon in a second if needed.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Ling Xiao felt like he was drowning in silence, but then, Chen Yuxuan's lips curled into a small, dangerous smile.
"I didn't expect you to be so curious," Chen Yuxuan said, his voice smooth like silk, but there was a sharpness to it that sent a chill down Ling Xiao's spine. "What exactly were you listening to?"
Ling Xiao, ever the impulsive one, opened his mouth without thinking. "I— I wasn't— I was just passing by and—"
"You were eavesdropping," Chen Yuxuan interrupted, raising a brow, his tone suddenly sharp. "How typical."
Ling Xiao's eyes widened, and before he could respond, Chen Yuxuan's fan snapped open with a flick of his wrist. The motion was so smooth, so effortless, that it took Ling Xiao a moment to realize it wasn't a threat. It was just… casual. As if Chen Yuxuan had done it a thousand times before, just to pass the time.
"Don't worry," Chen Yuxuan continued, his voice turning more casual again. "It's not like I care much about your curiosity. It's... rather amusing, in fact."
Ling Xiao frowned, feeling an odd sense of unease gnaw at him. He had heard something dangerous—something that could change everything. Yet, the way Chen Yuxuan was acting now was like nothing had happened. Like it was all just a game.
But Ling Xiao wasn't one to back down easily. "You— what were you talking about? Yu Chen... mixed blood? What does that mean?"
Chen Yuxuan's expression flickered. Just a flicker, but it was enough for Ling Xiao to see it. The carefully constructed calm façade cracked for a split second.
"Ah," Chen Yuxuan said slowly, his eyes narrowing just slightly. "So you're not entirely clueless after all."
Ling Xiao took a step forward. "What did Li Ming mean by 'mixed blood'? What does Yu Chen have to do with this? And why was Li Ming so angry?"
Chen Yuxuan's fan snapped shut with a clap, the sound almost final. He looked down at Ling Xiao, his gaze calculating. For a brief moment, Ling Xiao could have sworn that he saw something akin to pity in those eyes. But then, it was gone, replaced by that cool, aloof expression again.
"You've asked too many questions, Ling Xiao," Chen Yuxuan said, his voice low and menacing. "Some things are better left unanswered."
Ling Xiao stared at him. "Are you threatening me?"
Chen Yuxuan didn't answer right away. Instead, he looked at Ling Xiao with a kind of detached amusement, as if he were observing a child at play.
"No," he finally said, his tone softening ever so slightly, "I'm simply warning you. Curiosity is a dangerous thing in our world. Some truths are too heavy to bear, and some lies... they are better left unspoken."
Ling Xiao's mind was spinning. The words mixed blood, Chen Jiu, and Hua Rong... They were all interconnected, but in a way he didn't fully understand. He had seen Yu Chen's quiet strength, his calm demeanor. But now, Ling Xiao was beginning to realize that Yu Chen wasn't just another disciple of the sect. There was something much deeper—darker, even—hidden beneath the surface.
"Why are you telling me this?" Ling Xiao asked, his voice sharper now, demanding an answer.
Chen Yuxuan's lips curled into that unsettling smile again. "I'm not telling you anything, Ling Xiao. You've simply... overheard too much. Now you must decide what to do with that knowledge."
Ling Xiao clenched his fists. He was no fool. He could feel it—the pressure mounting, the burden of the secret weighing on him. Chen Yuxuan wasn't just being cryptic for no reason. There was something he wanted Ling Xiao to understand, even if he wasn't saying it outright.
"Why don't you ask Yu Chen?" Chen Yuxuan said, his tone almost playful now, as if he were inviting Ling Xiao into a game he was too afraid to play.
Ling Xiao swallowed hard. He didn't want to go to Yu Chen with these questions, not without understanding more. But now, he was more curious than ever.
"Tell me what I should do, then," Ling Xiao challenged, his voice steady despite the unease gnawing at him. "Should I stay out of it, or should I dive in? Tell me, Peacock."
The nickname slipped from his mouth before he could think. A part of him wondered if it was a mistake, but he didn't regret it. Chen Yuxuan's arrogance deserved something of its own.
For a brief moment, Chen Yuxuan's eyes flashed with something—something almost... human. A flash of irritation, maybe? But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by his usual cold composure.
"Do as you wish," he said. "Just don't come crying to me when you drown in the consequences."
With that, Chen Yuxuan turned, his fan closing once more with a decisive snap. He didn't wait for Ling Xiao to respond, his figure fading into the distance as though he were nothing more than a phantom.
Ling Xiao stood there, staring after him, feeling the weight of the unspoken words, the untold stories, pressing down on him like a storm.
He had learned too much today. Now, he had a choice.