Jin Yu gazed into Yue’s pearl-like eyes for what felt like forever, as if trying to glimpse the truth hidden behind them.

  Though her heart fluttered under the weight of his stare, Yue didn’t flinch. She met his gaze with quiet strength—calm, unyielding.

  Seconds passed. Then minutes.

  At last, Jin Yu looked away, his brows faintly drawn together.

  Even after all that time, he still couldn’t figure her out. What exactly was she thinking? She wants to belong to him? He’d never faced something like this before, and now he found himself at a loss for words.

  The lighthearted look he wore earlier had vanished. There was no trace of that flustered boy anymore—only silence and a deep, uncertain tension.

  “I… I don’t know, Yue,” he said softly. “I’m not sure I’m ready for something like that.”

  Part of him wanted to say yes. To throw everything aside and just say yes.

  But he couldn’t.

  Not yet.

  I’m still too weak, he thought, bitterly. I rely on making people angry just to level up. That’s not just risky—it’s reckless.

  He could barely protect himself and Haozi. He was still living in his father’s shadow, relying on that shelter to survive.

  If I bring someone else into this… how would I protect them?

  The stronger he got, the more Fury Points he needed,which meant facing stronger enemies, more danger, higher stakes. How many people could he shield then?

  His hands curled into fists beneath the table.

  No. I can’t afford to let emotions blind me.

  Yue didn’t speak right away.

  Her gaze slowly lowered, lashes trembling ever so slightly. On the outside, she looked composed,but inside, something tightened. Bitterness brewed quietly beneath the surface.

  The silence between them dragged, thick and suffocating.

  Then, her voice came—soft, almost unsure.

  “Don’t you believe me… when I said I’ve never been defiled?”

  Jin Yu blinked. The question caught him completely off guard.

  “What? No,of course not!” he said quickly, hands rising in defense. “I never thought that about you. Really.”

  But Yue didn’t look up.

  She stayed still. The air between them felt heavier than before.

  Then she raised her eyes again, calm yet fragile. “Then… do you not like me? Am I not your type of woman?”

  Jin Yu opened his mouth, but nothing came out. His heart pounded,not from desire, but from fear.

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  It’s not about that. It’s not even about her.

  If he said yes, she’d stay by his side. She’d see him up close.

  Too close.

  She’d start noticing things. The sudden jumps in strength. The strange timing. The way anger made him stronger.

  What would he do when she started asking questions?

  Could he really trust someone with that kind of secret?

  He turned his head, unable to meet her eyes. “It’s not that I don’t like you,” he said quietly. “I just…”

  He didn’t finish.

  Because the truth wasn’t something he could say aloud.

  His power came from something no one would understand—something he couldn’t risk exposing. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

  And the closer someone got to him, the more danger they’d be in.

  I can’t let anyone see my secret.

  Just as Yue opened her mouth to speak again, a soft knock sounded at the door.

  A woman’s voice followed, full of mischief.

  “A little boy is looking for you, Young Master Jin. Hope I’m not interrupting anything…”

  Jin Yu jumped, startled. In a flash, he pulled away from Yue’s gentle hold like he’d been scalded, nearly toppling from the cushion.

  “I—it’s nothing!” he called, flustered. “Just… hang on.”

  He straightened his robes in a hurry, trying to shake the heat from his face. But Yue’s scent still lingered faintly on his sleeves.

  He opened the door—and froze.

  “Haozi?”

  The boy stood there, hair wild, face smudged with dirt, eyes filled with quiet relief.

  “I’ve been looking for you, Young Master!” Haozi’s panicked voice rang out the moment the door opened.

  Jin Yu blinked, startled. “Why the panic? I wasn’t lost.”

  Then he noticed Haozi’s messy hair, the dirt on his robes, and the way his chest heaved with each breath.

  “It’s not that, Young Master… it’s just—”

  Haozi stepped aside.

  A tall figure loomed behind him, expressionless and imposing. Dressed in a pitch-black battle suit, he stood still as stone. A golden emblem on his chest caught the light,shimmering quietly

  Jin Yu’s brows drew together. “And this is…?”

  The man gave a curt bow. “Shen. Jin Dark Army.”

  That name hit like a cold splash of water.

  Before Jin Yu could question further, the man added flatly, “The Old Master wants you. Now.”

  Jin Yu’s breath caught.

  “The old man?!” he muttered, paling. His eyes darted to Haozi, who couldn’t meet his gaze.

  “Old Master,” Shen corrected. “Not old man.”

  “I know, dammit…” Jin Yu muttered under his breath. “Why’s he looking for me now? Whatever. Just tell him I’m asleep.”

  Shen’s gaze didn’t even flicker. “He said you’d say that.”

  A pause.

  “Then he told me to bring you. Or carry you. Your choice.”

  The silence cracked.

  “You what?” Jin Yu’s voice rose an octave. “You dare threaten me?!”

  “Should I demonstrate?”

  Shen took a single step forward.

  Jin Yu immediately stepped back, pointing at him. “Don’t you dare, you… you… emotionless gorilla!”

  “So?” Shen asked, completely unbothered. “Will you come peacefully?”

  The calmness in his voice—it wasn’t even arrogance. It was indifference. As if Jin Yu’s outrage didn’t matter.

  “Try to touch me, and I’ll rip your arms off!” Jin Yu growled.

  Shen moved. Just slightly. But it was enough.

  “You bastard actually dares—!”

  “Hey! The Old Master said bring him, not drag him!” Haozi snapped, stepping in front of Jin Yu. ““Why are you being so disrespectful?!”

  Shen glanced at him with the mildest hint of disdain, but didn’t respond.

  Jin Yu stared at Shen, eyes cold. “I’ll remember this. You think this is over?”

  No reply.

  Finally, Jin Yu exhaled sharply and pushed past both of them.

  But just as he stepped into the hall, he stopped.

  He turned.

  Yue was still in the room, standing in the soft light, her gaze fixed on him. She hadn’t said a word,but everything in her eyes spoke volumes.

  Hope....

  He hesitated,then said softly, “Yue… goodbye.”

  He left without looking back

  But Yue’s hand trembled by her side, her lips parting just a little… as a tear traced silently down her cheek.

  She never said goodbye back.

  ---

  Jin Yu stormed out of the pavilion, his robes fluttering behind him while Haozi trotted nervously after him.

  His face twisted in annoyance. “That bastard Shen... thinks he can look down on me? Just wait. One day, I’ll take my Fury Points from you, damn beast,” he muttered under his breath.

  Shen, walking calmly behind them, clearly heard—but didn’t respond.

  That only fueled Jin Yu’s fire.

  After a while, he halted mid-step, arms folding across his chest like a sulking prince. “What? You’re just going to trail behind me like a ghost? Lead the way already, arrogant Shen!”

  Without a word, Shen walked past him, expression unreadable.

  “Oh? I thought you’d ignore me or toss me over your shoulder, you old gorilla. Figures. You’ve got strength, and suddenly you think you're someone. Tch. You’re just like that maniac Uncle Lin. You two should live in a cave together!”

  Jin Yu’s rant gained momentum. “You think you're strong now, huh? Just wait until I reach the Immortal Realm. First, I’ll slap Uncle Lin’s face into the mud, then I’ll snap your arms like twigs. Mark my words!”

  He didn’t even realize how much venom he was spitting until Shen came to a sudden stop and turned around, staring directly at him.

  Jin Yu blinked, then raised his voice, “What? You want to hit me? Hah! Try it, and I’ll tell my father you tried to kill his only heir. Maybe you’re a spy from another clan—sent here to eliminate me! Tell me the truth—”

  “When,” Shen interrupted flatly, “did I ever say I wanted to kill you?”

  Jin Yu sputtered. “You think I don’t know? I’ll report you! You’ll explain until your tongue dries!”

  Shen looked at him like he was watching a child throw a tantrum in a marketplace, then shook his head and turned back without saying a word.

  Jin Yu fumed, ready to march ahead of him when he suddenly froze.

  Huh?

  He frowned, eyes narrowing in confusion.

  Where’s my Fury Points?

  He mentally replayed the last few minutes—every insult, every curse. But there was no system ding. No notification.

  “Something wrong, Young Master?” Haozi asked, confused by his sudden pause.

  Jin Yu turned slowly. “Was Shen... angry just now?”

  “Uh... I’m not sure?” Haozi scratched his head. “Why?”

  Jin Yu spun around to face Shen. “Hey! Were you mad earlier?” He marched up, demanding answers.

  Shen stopped, arms folded, watching him in silence.

  “I’m serious! Say something!”

  Shen’s lips parted slightly—then paused, as if debating whether it was worth responding at all.

  “You’re sick.”

  He turned and kept walking.

  Jin Yu stood there, stunned. “You… you gorilla! It’s your father that’s sick! How dare you!”

  He took off running after him, shouting at the top of his lungs.

  “If you don’t give me my Fury Points today, I swear I won’t let you sleep tonight! Come back here, you emotionless block of stone! I’m not done yet—!”