The night was still, save for the distant crackling of the fire and the soft rustling of leaves in the wind. Tianwu sat by the edge of the camp, his sword resting on the ground beside him. His mind was a storm of confusion and frustration.The encounter with Lei Xu earlier had unsettled him in ways he hadn't expected. The man's aura, his coldness, and that predatory smile—it all reminded Tianwu of something far darker, something buried in the deepest recesses of his memory.But the question gnawed at him—why was Lei Xu here? What was his true purpose? He couldn't have been just another assassin or mercenary. The ease with which he vanished into the shadows suggested something far more dangerous.As Tianwu pondered, his thoughts wandered to Chengyan. Their brief conversation earlier that day had stuck with him, and the kiss with Yuren, still fresh in his mind, felt like a tangled knot that he couldn't undo.His emotions were becoming more complicated with every passing day. A love long gone, a new love he couldn't afford, and a past that threatened to consume him."Lost in thought again, Tianwu?"The voice was familiar. Tianwu didn't need to turn around to know it was Yuren. The warmth of his presence was a comfort amidst the turbulence in Tianwu's heart."I can't stop thinking about Lei Xu," Tianwu admitted. "There's something about him... something I can't quite place."Yuren lowered himself beside Tianwu, offering a thoughtful hum. "There's definitely something off about him. It's like he's... more than he appears to be. But I can't figure out what.""His fighting style," Tianwu said slowly, his gaze fixed on the distant stars, "it's... familiar. Almost as if I've seen it before."Yuren's brow furrowed in confusion. "Do you think he's connected to the shadows we've been fighting?""I'm not sure," Tianwu replied, his voice thick with uncertainty. "But I know he's hiding something. Something dangerous."As they sat in silence, a shadow moved from the corner of Tianwu's vision. It was just a flicker at first, barely noticeable, but it grew stronger as it approached. Tianwu's instincts flared, and he stood up in one smooth motion.Yuren's hand shot out, gripping Tianwu's wrist. "Don't go after him alone."Tianwu shot him a glance, one that conveyed both reassurance and warning. "I'll be fine."Before Yuren could protest, Tianwu moved swiftly into the forest, his senses alert to the slightest movement. He wasn't sure if it was Lei Xu again, or perhaps something even more sinister lurking in the shadows.As he walked deeper into the woods, the air grew colder, and the trees seemed to press in around him. The moon was barely visible through the dense canopy above, casting eerie shadows on the forest floor.Then he saw it—a figure standing silently in a clearing. It was Lei Xu.Tianwu stopped just outside the clearing, his gaze fixed on Lei Xu's still form. He didn't know why he was drawn to this man, why his heart quickened every time their eyes met. Perhaps it was the familiarity in Lei Xu's presence, like a haunting echo from a past life."What do you want?" Tianwu called out, his voice steady but full of warning.Lei Xu turned slowly, his silver hair gleaming under the faint light. His eyes met Tianwu's with an intensity that sent a chill down his spine."I could ask you the same question," Lei Xu replied smoothly. "You seem to have a habit of chasing shadows."Tianwu narrowed his eyes. "You're not just a shadow, are you?"Lei Xu's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. "You've figured it out. How disappointing."Tianwu took a step closer, his grip tightening around the hilt of his sword. "Who are you really?"Lei Xu's expression shifted, something flickering behind his cold gaze. "Does it matter?"Tianwu didn't respond immediately. His thoughts raced, wondering if this was the moment he would uncover the truth. But the words that escaped his mouth weren't the ones he had expected. "I knew you once, didn't I?"Lei Xu's smile faltered for a brief moment, before returning, more guarded. "You are mistaken."Tianwu could sense the lie in Lei Xu's voice, but something stopped him from pushing further. Perhaps it was the flicker of emotion that passed across Lei Xu's face, something he couldn't quite decipher.Before he could say anything else, Lei Xu turned, his figure blending with the darkness as though he were one with it. "The past is a dangerous thing to dwell on, Tianwu. You should be careful."Tianwu hesitated, then moved forward to the spot where Lei Xu had stood. The ground was cold beneath his feet, and there was a strange lingering sensation in the air. It was as though a shadow had passed over him, but the moment was gone as quickly as it had come."What was that about?" Tianwu muttered to himself.He lingered in the clearing for a moment longer, his thoughts swirling. There was no doubt in his mind that Lei Xu was hiding something. The more he thought about it, the more certain he became that Lei Xu was connected to his past in ways he couldn't yet understand.And there was something else, too. A nagging feeling that he couldn't shake. The possibility that Lei Xu was not just an enemy, but a reflection of something far darker—something that had been a part of him in his past life.When he finally returned to camp, he was greeted by Yuren's concerned gaze."Where did you go?" Yuren asked, his tone light but carrying an edge of worry.Tianwu didn't answer right away. Instead, he looked toward where Lei Xu had disappeared into the forest. "Nowhere," he replied softly, though a storm raged inside him.Yuren frowned but didn't press him further. "Well, we should be moving soon. The shadows won't wait.""Yeah," Tianwu murmured. "But I think I'll be waiting for Lei Xu."He didn't know why, but the more he thought about it, the more it seemed like his destiny was tied to this mysterious man. The man who hid his true nature, who had once been his sworn enemy. The man whose very presence brought back memories he couldn't fully recall, but which felt all too familiar.To be continued...