The forest path stretched out ahead of them, quiet save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. Tianyi walked with his head slightly bowed, his mind lingering on the events at the village temple and the celestial artifact now residing in his chest.
Zhi Yue, on the other hand, strolled along as if he were on a leisurely holiday, hands clasped behind his head. "You know," he began with a smirk, "for someone with amnesia, you sure do have a knack for sticking your nose where it doesn't belong."
Tianyi glanced at him, unimpressed. "And for someone who claims to be tagging along for amusement, you seem remarkably invested in mocking me at every turn."
Zhi Yue stopped and gasped theatrically. "Mocking? Me? Perish the thought. I'm just here to provide… commentary. A public service, really."
Tianyi rolled his eyes and kept walking.
Their path led them to another temple—or what remained of one. The sight stopped Tianyi in his tracks. The temple's structure was barely standing, its once-grand facade covered in moss and grime. A group of aggressive monkeys swarmed the area, pulling down what little remained of the decorations, chattering and screeching as if they were the true owners of the place.
Tianyi turned to Zhi Yue, his expression darkening. "What happened here?"
Zhi Yue's smirk widened, though his eyes held a flicker of something more serious. "Oh, this? Just another tragic tale of celestial neglect, I'm sure. Come on, it's a waste of time. Let's keep moving."
But Tianyi's feet stayed rooted. "This… doesn't feel right." He took a step toward the temple, his gaze sharp and searching.
Zhi Yue groaned, throwing up his hands. "Of course, you're going to investigate. Because why not? You can't resist a good sob story, can you? Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you when you're knee-deep in monkey droppings."
Ignoring him, Tianyi ascended the crumbling steps. The monkeys, which had been aggressive toward the villagers trying to reclaim the temple, suddenly grew quiet. Their wild energy seemed to vanish, replaced by an almost reverent stillness. They moved aside as Tianyi passed, their gleaming eyes watching him in silence.
"Well, isn't that interesting?" Zhi Yue murmured, following behind. "The little beasts respect you. Must be the brooding loner vibe. Very commanding."
Tianyi frowned but didn't respond, his focus on the ruined interior. Inside, the devastation was even worse. The walls were cracked, the floor littered with debris, and the central statue—once the heart of the temple—lay shattered into countless pieces.
"This temple was meant to protect the people," Tianyi said softly, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Every immortal who establishes one leaves behind a fragment of their soul to ensure its strength. Yet… it couldn't even protect itself."
Zhi Yue leaned against a pillar, picking at his nails. "Maybe its master didn't think it was worth the effort. Happens all the time. Immortals are famously lazy, you know."
Tianyi shot him a sharp look. "You know something about this, don't you?"
Zhi Yue's grin didn't waver, but there was an edge to it now. "Oh, I know lots of things. But you wouldn't believe me even if I told you. So why bother?"
Tianyi approached the broken statue, crouching to examine the face. Something about the features stirred a faint flicker of recognition, but the memory slipped away like sand through his fingers.
"I know him," Tianyi murmured, almost to himself.
"Do you?" Zhi Yue's voice was closer now, his tone light but probing. "Or do you just want to know him? Big difference, you know."
Tianyi stood, turning to face Zhi Yue. "What happened here?"
Zhi Yue shrugged, his smirk returning. "The same thing that always happens when power is left unguarded. Someone takes it, someone destroys it, and the mortals suffer for it. Now, are we done sightseeing? I'm getting bored."
The path away from the ruined temple was eerily silent, the air heavy with unspoken tension. Tianyi's thoughts swirled like a storm, pieces of the puzzle refusing to fit together. He slowed his steps, glancing back at the temple now fading into the distance.
"That temple…" Tianyi murmured, the weight of realization beginning to sink in. He stopped abruptly, his fists clenched. "Zhi Yue, that temple wasn't just any temple, was it?"
Zhi Yue, who had been humming an off-key tune to himself, paused and turned, one brow arched. "Ah, so the gears are finally turning? Took you long enough. No, it wasn't just any temple. But I thought you'd already figured that out."
Tianyi's voice dropped, cold and sharp. "It belonged to General Zhao."
Zhi Yue's smirk widened, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Ding ding! We have a winner. Yes, that pitiful excuse for a shrine was his. What gave it away? The monkeys or the overwhelming aura of mediocrity?"
Tianyi ignored the jab, his mind racing. "If that temple belonged to him, then…" His gaze snapped to Zhi Yue, suspicion and frustration boiling over. "You destroyed it, didn't you? You knew."
Zhi Yue leaned against a tree, inspecting his nails with mock indifference. "Me? Destroy a temple? What kind of monster do you take me for?" His grin widened at Tianyi's glare. "Alright, fine. Maybe I helped nudge things along. But really, do you think Zhao deserved a shrine? It's practically a public service."
Before Tianyi could respond, the shadows around them deepened, and the oppressive weight of a powerful presence settled over the forest.
A voice cut through the silence, venomous and sharp. "You dare speak of me like that, demon?"
From the shadows stepped General Zhao, his celestial armor battered but still imposing. His face was twisted with fury, and his hand gripped the hilt of a jagged sword glowing faintly with celestial energy.
Tianyi's breath hitched, memories flickering at the edges of his consciousness. "Zhao…"
The general sneered, his eyes scanning Tianyi with disdain. "Ling Tianyi. The mighty immortal brought low. How the heavens must laugh at you now."
Zhi Yue let out a delighted laugh, clapping his hands. "Oh, this is rich! A reunion! And here I thought this would be another boring stroll through the woods."
Zhao's glare shifted to Zhi Yue, his lip curling. "And you… You're the one behind the temple's destruction, aren't you? You wretched demon!"
Zhi Yue tilted his head, feigning confusion. "Me? Destroy your sad little temple? Don't be ridiculous. The monkeys did it. Very industrious creatures, monkeys. Maybe they just didn't like the decor."
Zhao's face darkened further, his voice trembling with rage. "Do not mock me, demon. You think I don't recognize your handiwork? You've meddled enough!"
Tianyi stepped forward, his voice cutting through the tension. "Zhao. You were behind my fall, weren't you?"
Zhao's laughter was bitter, filled with triumph. "Of course I was. You were a blight on the heavens, a constant reminder of everything I couldn't have. You were too perfect, too righteous, too…" He spat the word like a curse. "...beloved. So yes, I helped orchestrate your downfall. And I'd do it again."
Tianyi's hand moved instinctively to the hilt of his sword, anger flashing in his eyes. "You betrayed the heavens and your own people for jealousy?"
Zhao smirked. "Spare me the moral high ground. Look where your righteousness got you. Cast out, broken, powerless. Face it, Ling Tianyi—you're nothing now."
Zhi Yue chuckled, stepping between them. "This is getting interesting, but really, Zhao, you shouldn't throw stones. Especially not when you're standing in a house made of lies and poorly-maintained shrines."
Zhao's fury turned on Zhi Yue. "Enough of your insolence!" With a roar, he lunged, his blade slicing through the air toward the demon.
Tianyi moved to intercept, his own sword clashing against Zhao's. The force of the blow sent him skidding back, his weakened state evident. Zhao pressed forward, his strikes unrelenting.
"You're pathetic," Zhao sneered. "Not even a shadow of what you once were."
Zhi Yue yawned audibly from the sidelines. "Is this a fight or a dramatic reenactment? I've seen toddlers with sticks put on a better show."
Tianyi gritted his teeth, his movements growing slower as exhaustion set in. Zhao's blade nicked his shoulder, drawing blood.
"Come now," Zhi Yue called out, twirling a strand of his hair. "Do you need me to step in, or are you enjoying your one-sided sparring session?"
Tianyi glared at him, sweat beading on his brow. "Stay out of this!"
Zhao turned his attention to Zhi Yue, his expression a mix of anger and unease. "Why do you mock him, demon? Are you not his ally?"
Zhi Yue's grin turned wicked. "Oh, I'm many things. Ally, tormentor, occasional lifesaver. But mostly, I'm just here for the fun."
Zhao charged at Zhi Yue, his sword blazing with celestial energy. But Zhi Yue didn't flinch. Instead, he caught the blade with his bare hand, the energy crackling harmlessly against his skin.
Zhao's eyes widened in shock. "What are you?"
Zhi Yue's voice dropped, all traces of humor gone. "Someone you should've thought twice about crossing." With a flick of his wrist, he sent Zhao flying into a nearby tree, the impact shattering the bark.
Zhao struggled to his feet, blood dripping from his mouth. He glared at Zhi Yue, his bravado crumbling. "This… this isn't over."
"Oh, it absolutely is," Zhi Yue said, his tone light again. "But feel free to come back for another beating. I'll be here."
Zhao retreated into the shadows, his threats echoing in the distance.
As the forest returned to its quiet state, Tianyi turned to Zhi Yue, his expression unreadable. "You're not just a demon. What are you really?"
Zhi Yue sighed dramatically, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeve. "We've been over this, Tianyi. I'm your devilishly handsome companion. What more do you need to know?"
Tianyi's gaze didn't waver. "You destroyed that temple, didn't you?"
Zhi Yue's smirk softened into something more thoughtful. "Maybe. Or maybe it destroyed itself long before I got there. But you—you're asking the wrong questions."
"And what are the right ones?"
Zhi Yue leaned closer, his voice low and enigmatic. "Ask yourself this: What would happen if you truly remembered everything? And are you ready for the answer?"
Tianyi's chest tightened as Zhi Yue stepped past him, his laughter echoing through the forest. The journey ahead felt heavier now, the shadows deeper, and the answers farther away than ever.