The fire crackled softly as the morning sun filtered through the forest canopy. Ling Tianyi sat silently, staring down at the half-broken sword resting across his lap. Yanxin, the once-mighty celestial weapon that had cut down gods and demons alike, now looked pitiful. Its blade was jagged and dull, its brilliance extinguished.
His fingers brushed the hilt with a reverence that Zhi Yue, lounging nearby, noticed. For the first time since their meeting, the demon lord's smirk faded slightly.
"You keep staring at that thing like it's the love of your life," Zhi Yue quipped, his voice lighter than usual. "Do you even remember who gave it to you, or are you just brooding because it's broken?"
Tianyi didn't respond, his thumb running along the cracked edge of the blade.
Zhi Yue sat up, brushing leaves from his robes. "Alright, Ice Block, this is getting depressing. Look, I get it—your sword is busted, and your pride probably hurts more than your hand ever will. But carrying around a celestial-grade junk heap is just sad."
Tianyi finally spoke, his voice low and heavy. "This sword has served me longer than I can remember. It was once my only companion." He paused, a shadow crossing his face. "It's a reminder of what I've lost."
Zhi Yue arched a brow. "Oh, please. Don't tell me you're one of those sentimental types. You're holding onto a broken relic like it's going to fix your life. Hate to break it to you, Ice Block, but a sword is just a tool."
Tianyi's grip on the hilt tightened, his tone hardening. "Yanxin is more than a tool. It's alive."
Zhi Yue tilted his head, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. "Alive, huh? So, it's like a pet. Or maybe a clingy ex-lover?"
Tianyi's glare was icy enough to silence him for a moment, but only a moment.
Zhi Yue rose to his feet, brushing off his hands. "Fine. If you won't do something about it, I will."
Before Tianyi could react, Zhi Yue strode over and plucked the sword from his grasp.
"What are you doing?" Tianyi snapped, rising swiftly.
Zhi Yue held up the sword, inspecting it like a merchant appraising a trinket. "This thing is an eyesore. If you're not going to fix it, I'll handle it myself."
Tianyi's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Give it back. Now."
Zhi Yue ignored him, grinning as he pressed the sword to his chest. For a brief moment, Yanxin's broken blade resisted, vibrating with a faint hum. But then, to Tianyi's shock, it vanished into Zhi Yue's body as if it had been swallowed by shadows.
"There," Zhi Yue said with mock satisfaction, patting his chest. "Safe and sound."
Tianyi froze, his mind racing. "How…?"
Zhi Yue smirked, clearly enjoying his reaction. "What? Did you think your sword wouldn't listen to me? I'm hurt, Ice Block. Have a little faith."
Tianyi's voice was cold and sharp. "Yanxin doesn't obey anyone but me. It's bound to my soul."
Zhi Yue's grin widened, his crimson eyes gleaming with mischief. "Guess your sword likes me better."
Tianyi stepped closer, his tone laced with suspicion. "Who are you really? No one should be able to command Yanxin but me."
"Oh, relax," Zhi Yue replied, waving a dismissive hand. "I'm not here to steal your precious sword. I'm sending it to the Demon Realm to get fixed. Let's face it—nothing in the Mortal Realm can restore it to its former glory."
Tianyi's mind whirled with possibilities. Either Zhi Yue was someone close enough to him that Yanxin recognized him, or his power was so vast that even the sentient blade had no choice but to obey. Neither option put him at ease.
"Why would you do this?" Tianyi asked, his tone quieter but no less wary.
Zhi Yue leaned in, his expression softening ever so slightly. "Because watching you mope over a broken sword is unbearable. And because, like it or not, I'm stuck with you. Can't have you wandering around unarmed like some pitiful mortal, can I?"
Tianyi studied him, his mistrust warring with a reluctant sense of gratitude. "I didn't ask for your help."
"And yet, here I am," Zhi Yue replied with a wink. "You're welcome, by the way."
With the matter of the sword settled, Zhi Yue stretched lazily and gestured toward the road ahead. "Alright, Ice Block. Time to move."
Tianyi remained where he was, his expression unreadable.
"What now?" Zhi Yue asked, exasperated. "Don't tell me you're planning to sit here all day. Or are you hoping the heavens will pity you and send down a golden chariot?"
"I have nowhere to go," Tianyi admitted quietly.
Zhi Yue blinked, caught off guard by the honesty in his tone. Then he sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "Nowhere to go? You're an immortal, for crying out loud! You've got an entire realm to explore, mysteries to uncover, people to irritate."
Tianyi's gaze remained fixed on the ground. "I can't trust anyone—not even myself. What's the point of wandering aimlessly?"
Zhi Yue crouched in front of him, his grin returning. "Oh, I see. You're doing the whole 'tragic hero' thing. Let me guess—you're wallowing in guilt and self-pity because you got betrayed, right? Boo-hoo. Join the club, Ice Block. Trust is overrated anyway."
Tianyi's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond.
"Look," Zhi Yue continued, his tone turning oddly sincere. "You've been dealt a crappy hand. I get it. But sitting here isn't going to change anything. If you're so lost, then why not take a page out of my book?"
"And what would that be?"
Zhi Yue grinned mischievously. "Find yourself. Or at least figure out what you're still good for. Who knows? Maybe you'll stumble across something worth living for."
Tianyi looked up, meeting Zhi Yue's gaze. For a moment, the demon's usual arrogance was replaced with something almost… genuine.
"Why do you care?" Tianyi asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.
Zhi Yue stood, brushing off his robes. "Who said I care? I just don't want to waste my time babysitting a sulking immortal. Now get up before I drag you."
Tianyi hesitated, then finally rose to his feet. "You're insufferable."
"And you're a walking icicle," Zhi Yue shot back, smirking. "Let's call it even."
As they began their journey, Tianyi couldn't shake the feeling that Zhi Yue was hiding something. But for now, he had no choice but to follow.