Shen Yuan appeared outside his abode, his movements stiff and deliberate. His mind buzzed with Elder Tian Xu's words, like echoes in a deep canyon that refused to fade. Folding his arms, he paced back and forth across his small courtyard, the moonlight casting jagged shadows of his restless form on the stone tiles.
For the first time in a long while, Shen Yuan felt utterly out of his depth. His usual confidence was replaced by a gnawing uncertainty, and it annoyed him to no end.
"I've faced worse odds," he muttered, trying to steady his thoughts. But the words rang hollow. This wasn't just about brute strength or cunning schemes—it was about surviving an elder who had seen through every layer of his carefully crafted persona and is above a realm in cultivation.
Frustration mounted as he clenched his fists. "Damn it... fucking hell…. why does it feel like I'm a child again, powerless against forces beyond my control?"
He stopped pacing, leaning against a pillar, his gaze fixed on the stars above. Seeking advice wasn't in his nature. For as long as he could remember, he had relied on himself, trusting no one fully. But now, he had to admit that his current predicament was beyond what he could handle alone.
He smiled bitterly. "I'll just have to swallow my pride this time."
Closing his eyes, Shen Yuan sent out a message through his divine sense to his two most trusted allies.
"Bai Chen, Feng Yanqing. Come to my abode. I... need your advice." Shen Yuan almost sweated.
The words felt foreign, even embarrassing, but there was no turning back now. Within moments, two familiar presences appeared at the edge of his courtyard.
Bai Chen strolled in with his usual air of casual confidence, hands tucked behind his head. "You? Need advice? Am I dreaming, or did you finally decide I'm wiser than I look?"
Feng Yanqing, however, arrived with a more concerned expression. Her fiery eyes softened when she saw the faint tension in Shen Yuan's posture. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice gentle but tinged with worry.
Shen Yuan hesitated for a moment, then exhaled deeply. "It's Elder Tian Xu."
Both Bai Chen and Feng Yanqing stiffened at the name.
"He knows everything," Shen Yuan admitted. "About the elders' schemes, about my involvement... everything. And he's not on my side. If anything, he's planning to slaughter me in the war he knows will come."
He recounted the cryptic exchange in the secluded garden, his voice measured but laced with frustration. By the time he finished, Bai Chen had dropped his teasing demeanor, and Feng Yanqing's brows were furrowed in thought.
"This is... complicated," Bai Chen finally said, scratching his head. "Elder Tian Xu isn't just any elder. If he's decided to target you, there's no easy way out. Fighting him head-on? Suicide. But running away? That's not your style and he is faster as a nirvana realm cultivator."
Shen Yuan folded his arms, his lips curling into a faint sneer. "I know that much, dude. I need more than obvious answers."
Feng Yanqing tapped her chin, her fiery gaze meeting Shen Yuan's troubled one. "What's really bothering you? Is it the fight itself or the fact that he's seen through you?"
Shen Yuan's eyes widened slightly, her words cutting closer to the truth than he expected. He didn't respond immediately, but his silence was answer enough.
Feng Yanqing stepped closer, her tone softer now. "Shen Yuan, you've always relied on your intellect and cunning to survive. But it's okay to feel lost when someone disrupts that. Sometimes, the answer isn't in overthinking—sometimes, it's about trusting what you already know."
He frowned, her words resonating despite himself. "And what do I already know, exactly?"
She smiled gently. "You know what you want. You've always known. Stop looking for guarantees. Follow your heart."
Shen Yuan blinked, her words sinking in like water on parched earth. Slowly, the tension in his shoulders eased. A faint glow of understanding flickered in his gaze.
For a moment, the stoic Shen Yuan broke character. His lips curved into a genuine smile, and before he could think better of it, he pulled Feng Yanqing into a hug.
She froze, then turned crimson. "W-What are you doing?"
Bai Chen, who had been silently observing, burst out laughing. "Well, this is a sight to see. Bro, Shen Yuan, you actually have a heart!"
Shen Yuan immediately released her, his own cheeks tinged with embarrassment. "Don't make this weird," he muttered, looking away.
Feng Yanqing huffed, her arms crossed, though her blush betrayed her. "Hmph. If I knew you'd get so sentimental, I'd have kept my advice to myself."
Bai Chen grinned. "Don't lie. You love it."
"Enough," Shen Yuan interjected, though his usual commanding tone was absent. His gaze turned skyward, the faint spark of clarity now a roaring flame. "I know what I have to do."
The other two watched as a determined glint returned to Shen Yuan's eyes. Whatever doubts had plagued him moments ago seemed to have dissipated.
Bai Chen clapped him on the shoulder. "Good. Just don't forget who helped you get here when you're basking in glory."
Feng Yanqing rolled her eyes but smiled. "You're welcome."
Shen Yuan turned to them both, his expression softer than usual. "Thank you…. really."
As the night deepened, Shen Yuan retreated to his abode.