The war's aftermath hit Chen Zeon hardest when he saw the bill his nephew alone had racked up. The cost of rebuilding the structures Zoe had destroyed was nothing short of staggering.
"I must say," he began dryly, "if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I'd never believe stopping a war could cost this much." He tapped the report. "Look at all these zeros… The war itself didn't cause half this damage."
Zoe said nothing, his fingers idly stroking the fox cub resting in his lap.
"And what do you plan to do with that?" Chen Zeon added, his tone sharpening. "Don't even think about taking it to the sect."
His gaze lingered on the cub. He knew his brother well—the sect leader would never allow a beastman cub within those sacred walls.
"Are you telling me to abandon a child?" Zoe said lightly. "How cruel."
"Do you think your father will accept him?" Chen Zeon crossed his arms.
"I'm not a child," Zoe replied, unbothered. "I have the right to live as I choose. Even the sect leader has no right to question that."
"But it is a sect rule—creatures from other realms are not allowed."
The interruption came from the doorway.
Looking toward the door, they saw Xi Shen. "I beg your pardon for speaking out of turn." Xi Shen inclined his head slightly as he addressed Chen Zeon and waited for permission to enter.
"Rules are meant to be—" Before Zoe could finish, a sharp knock landed on his head.
"—broken?" Chen Zeon completed coldly, retracting his hand after hitting him for speaking so freely.
Zoe clicked his tongue, rubbing the spot.
A faint smile flickered across Xi Shen's face before disappearing just as quickly. It was a rare sight—someone treating Zoe with such casual familiarity. Other than Rui, no one dared.
"What are you laughing at?" Zoe asked, irritation clear in his voice.
"What brings you here?" Chen Zeon's gaze shifted to Xi Shen.
"The report." Xi Shen stepped forward and presented the summary about the war..
Chen Zeon took it and read through it carefully. It didn't take long for him to notice the deliberate loopholes—details subtly altered, certain actions of Zoe clearly concealed.
"It's well written," he said at last.
As he spoke, he tossed a pouch of silver coins toward Xi Shen—a silent reward for keeping his mouth shut.
Xi Shen didn't even glance at it.
"I didn't do this for any reward," he replied, his voice cold as ice. "And you can rest assured—I won't speak against Zoe or my disciples."
There was no attempt to hide the distance in his tone. Toward Chen Zeon, it was especially clear.
To Xi Shen, this man was nothing more than a shameless father who refused to acknowledge his own son's existence.
"Fine." Chen Zeon caught the pouch and took it back without hesitation, as if it made no difference to him. "That works for me." He paused, noticing Xi Shen still standing there. "Anything else to report?"
Xi Shen shook his head and then turned and left the room.
The moment he was gone, the air seemed to settle again— But the coldness in Chen Zeon's eyes lingered
"Uncle… is he your son?" Zoe asked once Xi Shen had left.
"No."
The answer came without hesitation.
Zoe studied him for a moment. "Then why not make it clear? You know everyone already believes he is."
Chen Zeon remained unmoved. "One only answers when a question is asked," he said evenly. "And I have no interest in wasting time proving something I was never responsible for."
Silence settled in the room.
"Nothing in this world is more painful than trying to prove yourself to the ones you once trusted the most… and realizing they won't believe you. By then, even the last hope left has already shattered."
For a brief moment, his calm demeanor faltered. But just as quickly, he regained his composure.
Zoe watched him, thoughtful. 'Is he talking about Zhihao?' That was the only conclusion he could draw.
"Uncle… have you ever been in love?" Zoe asked, taking advantage of the moment to dig deeper.
Chen Zeon glanced at him, then slowly turned his gaze toward the sky beyond the window.
"There is no one in this world," he said, his voice steady, "who hasn't fallen in love at least once." A faint smile touched his lips. "Your father was completely head over heels for your mother."
Zoe leaned forward slightly. "Then… who did you fall in love with?"
A pause followed.
"Someone I never should have…"
There was a trace of longing in his voice—subtle, but unmistakable.
"Someone…" Zoe repeated. "Is their name a secret?"
Chen Zeon didn't answer. He only gave a faint, knowing smile.
Zoe hesitated for a moment before asking the next question.
"Uncle… if you were given a second chance with that person… would you take it?"
This time, the silence lingered longer.
"…Maybe not."
Zoe blinked, surprised.
"More than love," Chen Zeon continued quietly, "I care about something else now." His gaze darkened slightly. "Self-respect."
That answer alone was enough.
Zoe didn't ask anything further. He clearly understood. No matter how deep the love once was, some pasts could not be undone—and some hearts would never choose to return.
And as for him…
Zoe had no idea how to bring two hearts back together once they had fallen apart because of misunderstandings.
The next day, they returned to the sect.
The moment they arrived; Chen Zoe went to meet Rui and handed the fox cub over to Rui.
"A fox cub?" Rui's eyes lit up with curiosity as he carefully took the small creature into his hands. "Is it a gift?"
"More than a gift," Zoe replied. "He's like a new member of our family. His name is Bai Lu."
"Bai Lu…" Rui repeated softly. The cub licked his finger, making him smile. "Senior, he's licking me. It seems he likes me."
Rui gently stroked the soft black fur, clearly pleased.
Zoe glanced at him and muttered under his breath, "Who else would he like if not you…"
"Did you say something?" Rui asked, looking up.
"Nothing."
At that moment, a disciple approached them in a hurry.
"Senior, you are summoned to the meeting hall."
Rui's expression immediately turned serious. Sensing something was wrong, he looked at Zoe with concern. "Senior… did you cause trouble again?"
Zoe gave a wry smile. "Don't make that face. It's nothing to worry about." He paused briefly before adding, "I'll be back soon. Until then, take good care of him."
His gaze fell on the cub. "And don't let anyone get near him. No one except you and Uncle Zeon."
Rui nodded without hesitation. "Don't worry. I'll take care of him."
With that assurance, Chen Zoe turned and made his way toward the meeting hall— Where the consequences of his actions were waiting for him… Along with the fate of Bai Lu.