The silence after the battle was deafening. The oppressive weight of the shadow had lifted, leaving only an eerie stillness in its wake. The land around them bore the scars of their struggle: cracked earth, scorched trees, and a lingering sense of unease. Tianwu sat on his knees, his breath ragged, the divine energy within him still flickering weakly. Yuren knelt beside him, his hand on Tianwu's shoulder, grounding him.But before they could fully recover, the ground began to tremble again. Tianwu's head snapped up, his body tense. Was the shadow reforming already? The thought filled him with dread—he wasn't ready for another fight, not like this.A faint hum echoed through the air, a sound that resonated like a perfectly struck blade. It wasn't the oppressive roar of the shadow but something sharp, precise, and commanding. The air itself seemed to shift, the tension replaced by an electrifying energy that sent shivers down Tianwu's spine.From the horizon, a figure emerged.The man rode atop a sleek, black stallion that moved with an unnatural grace, as though it was part of the wind itself. His robes, deep crimson with golden embroidery, marked him as someone of high status, but it was the aura surrounding him that demanded attention. It wasn't just the energy of a warrior—it was divine.The figure raised his hand, and in an instant, a massive weapon appeared—a guandao, its blade glinting with a sharp, celestial light. With a single, fluid motion, the man swung the weapon in an arc, sending a wave of golden energy toward the shadow remnants that lingered in the distance. The energy struck with precision, slicing through the darkness and obliterating it in an instant.Tianwu stared, his breath caught in his throat. There was something achingly familiar about the way the man moved, the way his energy hummed in perfect harmony with his weapon.As the figure approached, Tianwu's chest tightened. The man dismounted gracefully, his movements fluid and purposeful. His face came into view, and Tianwu felt the air leave his lungs. The sharp jawline, the piercing amber eyes, the faint smirk that tugged at his lips—it was a face Tianwu knew, a face he had once loved."God of Weapons..." Tianwu whispered, his voice barely audible.The man turned his gaze toward Tianwu, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still. There was no recognition in those amber eyes, but there was something else—something deep, something unspoken, that sparked in the air between them."Are you all right?" the man asked, his voice smooth and steady, but carrying an edge of authority. He looked at the group, his gaze lingering on Tianwu for just a moment too long before scanning the surroundings. "The shadows are retreating for now, but they'll return. You need to be prepared."Tianwu couldn't speak. His mind was racing, a flood of memories and emotions crashing over him. He had once stood beside this man as equals, as allies... as something more. In his past life, the God of Weapons had been his sworn ally, the blade at his side in countless battles. And in the quiet moments between wars, he had been his lover, the only one who had seen the man behind the god.But this wasn't the same person. This was someone new, someone mortal—and yet, the divine energy surrounding him was unmistakable.Yuren stepped forward, breaking the tense silence. "Who are you?" he asked, his tone wary but respectful.The man's gaze shifted to Yuren, his expression calm. "I am Liu Chengyan, envoy of the neighboring kingdom of Xiaozhou." He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. "And its rightful heir."Tianwu's eyes widened. A hidden crown prince. He could feel the weight of those words, the power behind them. Chengyan wasn't just a mortal who happened to wield divine energy—he was someone who carried the blood of kings and the essence of gods.Liu Chengyan turned back to Tianwu, his expression softening just slightly. "You seem familiar," he said, his voice quieter now, almost contemplative. "Have we met before?"Tianwu's heart clenched. He wanted to say yes, to tell Chengyan everything—that they had fought side by side, that they had shared lifetimes of memories, that they had once been more than comrades. But he couldn't. Not now. Not when Chengyan clearly didn't remember.Instead, Tianwu forced a smile, though it felt strained. "I don't think so," he said, his voice low. "But thank you for saving us."Chengyan studied him for a moment longer, as though trying to piece together a puzzle that didn't quite fit. Then he nodded, his expression unreadable. "You're welcome."Xianglu, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. "Your Highness," he said, bowing slightly. "We owe you a great debt. If there's anything we can do to repay you, please let us know."Chengyan waved a hand dismissively. "There's no need for that. The shadows are a threat to us all. If they're allowed to spread, none of our kingdoms will survive."Tianwu couldn't take his eyes off Chengyan. The way he moved, the way he spoke—it was both familiar and foreign, a painful reminder of what had been and what could never be again. But there was something else too, something deeper. The bond they had shared in their past lives might have been severed, but the thread was still there, faint but unbroken.As the group began to make their way back to camp, Chengyan fell into step beside Tianwu. The two walked in silence for a moment, the air between them thick with unspoken words."You seem troubled," Chengyan said finally, his tone gentle. "Is it the shadows? Or something else?"Tianwu hesitated. He wanted to tell Chengyan everything, to pour out the truth of their shared past. But how could he, when Chengyan didn't even remember him?"It's nothing," Tianwu said, forcing a smile. "Just... a lot to process."Chengyan frowned slightly, as though he didn't quite believe him, but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he looked ahead, his expression thoughtful. "You're strong," he said after a moment. "Stronger than most. But strength alone won't be enough to face what's coming."Tianwu nodded, his heart heavy. "I know."As they reached the edge of the camp, Chengyan turned to Tianwu, his gaze intense. "I'll stay for a while," he said. "The shadows aren't gone yet, and I have a feeling this isn't the last we'll see of them."Tianwu's chest tightened at the thought of Chengyan staying, of being so close to someone who was both a stranger and the person he had once loved. But he nodded. "We'd be glad to have your help."Chengyan smiled faintly, a hint of warmth breaking through his otherwise stoic demeanor. "Then it's settled."As the group settled in for the night, Tianwu couldn't help but steal glances at Chengyan, his heart aching with the weight of memories and the uncertainty of what lay ahead. The shadows might have retreated for now, but the real battle was only just beginning.And this time, Tianwu wasn't sure if he was ready to face it.To be continued...