The night grew ever deeper, its stillness settling like a silken veil over the chamber.
After taking her medicine, Yu Xiao soon drifted into a gentle sleep, her breathing soft and even.
Long Jianyu, attentive and careful, tucked a blanket around her shoulders, lingering for a moment to listen to the delicate sound of her breaths—a faint, almost inaudible snore that brought a rare, subtle smile to his lips.
He lowered himself quietly onto the edge of a low divan, folding his arms and resting his head in one hand, watchful and composed.
Though this room had once been his sanctuary, filled with his own familiar possessions, it now seemed somehow transformed, its significance altered by her presence.
The thought did not trouble him; rather, seeing Yu Xiao so peaceful, bathed in the dim glow of the lantern light, filled him with a steady calm he could not quite put into words.
He let his eyelids slip closed for a brief moment, content simply to keep vigil by her side. It was then that the silence was subtly disturbed—a shadow flitted across the threshold as Yun Qingjue stepped quietly into the room, his movements light as a breeze.
"Dijun," Yun Qingjue called out softly, barely more than a whisper.
Long Jianyu's eyes opened, meeting Yun Qingjue's gaze with unhurried composure.
"Speak slowly," he replied in a gentle murmur, mindful of the sleeping figure nearby.
Yun Qingjue nodded in understanding, his own eyes flicking to Yu Xiao, serene and untroubled in her slumber.
The hush in the room remained undisturbed, as if even the world itself wished to let her dream in peace.
"I have some news for you."
Long Jianyu exhaled quietly, a shadow flickering across his features.
"Speak," he murmured, his tone calm but edged with gravity.
Yun Qingjue stepped closer, lowering his voice even further.
"We received a report this afternoon. Lord Xue's informant brought word—Zhou Xuanyuan is close by, gathering pure women. The Central Sect and the Western Sect have joined forces, collaborating to hunt far and wide. They're using the authority of the outer domains to cover more ground, making their operation more ruthless and thorough than ever before. According to the message, in less than ten days, they intend to carry out the blood sacrifice—to shatter the yang barrier completely."
He hesitated, glancing once at Yu Xiao's sleeping form, then back to Long Jianyu.
"Dijun, what are we going to do?"
Long Jianyu fell silent, his gaze distant and unreadable.
The weight of the news seemed to settle heavily in the room, mingling with the hush of the night.
Long Jianyu's eyes narrowed, a cold glint flickering beneath his calm exterior.
"Those hypocrites will never cease their schemes until they finally crash into an immovable wall," he said, his voice low and edged with contempt.
Yun Qingjue's expression grew tense, his gaze lingering on the shadows cast by the lantern light.
"I sense something isn't right," he murmured. "Why are they suddenly so eager to lunge at the Northern Sect? In the past, they would never have dared to act so rashly. But now, everything feels different. They're relentless—driven to see this blood sacrifice through, no matter whose life is forfeit along the way."
Long Jianyu's voice was soft but direct.
"What do you suggest?"
Yun Qingjue hesitated, searching Long Jianyu's face for a sign of his thoughts.
"Dijun, Lord Xue spoke with me in confidence about the favor you granted him. I will respect whatever decision you make. But… I must ask—why? Why place your trust in him now?"
Long Jianyu lowered his head, shadows playing across his features as his gaze settled on Yu Xiao, still sleeping peacefully.
"A diamond glass must be handled with care," he replied quietly, his words heavy with meaning.
The vulnerability in his eyes lingered on Yu Xiao, as if the answer to Yun Qingjue's question rested entirely in her presence.
Yun Qingjue's brows drew together, a flicker of concern in his voice.
"What do you mean by that?"
Long Jianyu's gaze softened as he looked at Yu Xiao, the lines of his expression betraying a rare vulnerability.
After a quiet pause, he answered, his voice barely above a whisper, "She… is my weakness now."
The words hung in the dim light, fragile and profound, changing the weight of the silence between them.
Yun Qingjue's eyes widened, a faint, uneasy smile tugging at his lips.
"Dijun, that isn't a good joke," he said, the attempt at levity unable to mask his genuine worry.
Long Jianyu's expression stayed solemn, his eyes unwavering as they lingered on Yu Xiao's peaceful face. His voice was quiet, but each word resonated with rare vulnerability.
"Let me make it clear to you," he said, the sincerity unmistakable. "Without her, I could never have found the strength to leave this place behind."
The confession lingered in the hush of the chamber, its weight settling between them like the deepest secret.
Yun Qingjue hesitated, his voice barely more than a whisper.
"This… you mean…"
Long Jianyu let out a soft sigh, his gaze steady and earnest.
"Long before all this, I had already resolved matters with the Divine Spirit Foreteller. I never intended to keep it from you." He paused, his tone gentle but firm. "So, I ask you—do not be harsh with her. I know you worry about me, and I am grateful for your loyalty. You have always treated me with kindness. I hope you can show her the same respect and consideration you have always given me."
Yun Qingjue nodded slowly, the tension easing a little from his posture.
"I understand. Yu Xiao can be near you without causing harm. Do you... do you think it's a miracle, Dijun?"
Long Jianyu's eyes softened, but his answer was resolute.
"It isn't a miracle. The truth is, she is the one I have been waiting for all this time—the key to breaking free from this hellish curse. In a sense, she is my living antidote. Without her, I can't even approach or speak to any other woman in the realm without consequence."
Yun Qingjue's lips parted in surprise. He hesitated, then awkwardly brought his hands together, pressing his index fingers against each other with a hesitant gesture.
"So, in short, you need to be... close, like..."
A faint, rare smile flickered in Long Jianyu's eyes as he responded with a simple, "Hmn."
At Long Jianyu's quiet affirmation, Yun Qingjue's eyes widened in sudden realization.
Instinctively, he clapped a hand over his mouth, unable to hide his genuine surprise as the truth sank in.
Yun Qingjue, still flustered, let out a nervous chuckle.
"Dijun, I think it's kind of... awkward."
Long Jianyu arched an eyebrow, his tone carrying a hint of reproach.
"Awkward? You're too shortsighted, Qingjue. You've never truly seen how genuine she is with me—all you ever do is quarrel with her. If you paid attention, you'd realize she's actually a sweet person."
Yun Qingjue gave him a sidelong glance, pressing his lips together to stifle a smile.
"Why do I get the feeling that my Dijun is suddenly declaring his admiration out loud? This isn't like you at all," he teased, unable to hide the amusement in his eyes.
Long Jianyu let out a quiet, dismissive hiss, a faint sneer curling at the edge of his lips.
"You're far too noisy," he muttered, though there was no real malice in his tone.
After a brief pause, his expression softened, and he regarded Yun Qingjue with surprising warmth.
"Is there anything else you need from me?" he asked, his voice steady and composed.
Yun Qingjue hesitated, words caught in his throat, then simply shook his head in silence.
Long Jianyu's gaze lingered for a moment, then he gave a small, decisive nod.
"Then leave. Now."
Stepping back, Yun Qingjue bowed respectfully, then turned and slipped quietly from the room.
As his figure disappeared beyond the doorway, Long Jianyu released a soft sigh, the tension in his shoulders easing just a little.
He composed himself, letting the silence settle back in.
For a lingering moment, his gaze drifted to Yu Xiao, and a gentle, reassuring smile touched his lips.
Not long after, he folded his arms and settled back, returning to the rest that had been interrupted before—content to keep watch over the one who had become his solace.
The next morning, gentle sunlight filtered through the curtains, painting soft patterns across the room.
Yu Xiao stirred, her lashes fluttering as she blinked away the last traces of sleep. She let out a long, quiet sigh, closing her eyes for a moment before rubbing them with the back of her hand.
When she finally looked down toward the foot of her bed, she noticed Long Jianyu seated nearby, his head resting against his knuckles in a posture of quiet vigilance.
Curiosity flickered in her eyes.
She straightened up, moving carefully to avoid waking him, and inched a little closer.
A small, silent smile tugged at her lips as she peered at his face, softened in repose. Leaning in, she whispered in a gentle hush, "Good morning!"
Long Jianyu didn't stir, lost in a rare, restful sleep—still keeping watch over her, even in his dreams.
Is he truly fast asleep?
The question fluttered through Yu Xiao's mind, a mix of wonder and mischief rising within her.
Tilting her head, she studied Long Jianyu's face, her lips quirking up in a playful smile.
How can someone be so handsome even while sleeping?
She mused, stifling a quiet snort of laughter.
Still, the sight from her current angle wasn't quite enough.
Unsatisfied, she shifted her position, lying upside down across the bed to get an even closer look at his face, her curiosity and amusement growing with every passing moment.
From this new angle, Yu Xiao could see Long Jianyu's features with striking clarity. Her playful expression softened, the longer she gazed at him—until, unable to resist, she slowly lifted her hand and let her fingertips gently brush over his brows.
We've only just met, yet it feels as if we've shared a thousand years together.
She thought, emotion welling in her chest.
As her touch lingered, she closed her eyes, letting herself be swept away by a sudden rush of feeling.
Unexpectedly, a brief, hazy vision flickered in her mind—a fleeting image of a couple dressed in wedding garments.
The figures seemed achingly familiar, but the details remained just out of reach.
Her reverie was abruptly broken when Long Jianyu's hand closed gently around hers, stopping her movement.
Yu Xiao froze, words caught in her throat, her heart thundering as she met his serious gaze—one softened by unmistakable warmth.
"Are you... peering at me, dear?" he murmured, his voice low and teasing.