Lianshu moved forward slowly, her steps calm and deliberate, carrying that solemn weight that always surrounded her, until she reached a chamber separated from the corridor by sheer silk curtains that flowed gently with every faint breeze.
She parted the curtains and entered.
Approaching the bed—it was luxurious, covered in velvet-like fabric that resembled rare silk, faintly gleaming under the dim light—she bent slightly and carefully placed Qing Han's body upon it, as though handling something fragile and precious. She adjusted his position with care, then drew a soft silk cover over him, tucking him in gently, a motion that stood in strange contrast to the terrifying power she had displayed earlier.
She paused for a moment… and looked at him. Then she turned and left the room.
She walked through the corridors with steady, composed steps, surrounded by a silence befitting the grandeur of the place. The walls were adorned with ancient engravings, the floor reflecting her shadow like a black mirror, while dim light seeped from hanging crystal lamps.
On her way… she encountered Xian'er.
She was a girl who appeared younger, her features carrying a delicate beauty, yet in her eyes lingered a clear trace of arrogance, mixed with an immature childishness. She was the younger sister of Gu Changge—or at least, that was how she was regarded within the family. The moment she spotted Lianshu, she stopped, raised an eyebrow slightly, and spoke in a lightly disdainful tone:
"Lianshu… where have you been? I heard Gu Changge was asking about you. He seemed… somewhat angry. Did you upset him?"
Lianshu stopped immediately. Then she bowed respectfully, placing her hands before her in a formal gesture. Despite her strength, there was no hesitation in her demeanor—for in the end, Xian'er was not just a girl, but a member of the Gu family… the family before which even higher worlds trembled.
She spoke calmly, her tone steady:
"Lianshu greets the young lady Xian'er. Of course… I would not dare to anger the young master. Otherwise, what would become of me?"
She raised her head slightly, her voice remaining composed:
"It seems there has been some misunderstanding. I will go to meet the young master and explain the matter in detail… and I will accept any punishment."
Xian'er replied in her usual tone, dripping with boredom and indifference, as though the entire matter was beneath her concern:
"Well… it's not like it matters. That man pretends to be angry over anything just to spill blood… good luck coming back alive, Lianshu… hehe."
She ended her words with a light, mocking laugh devoid of warmth, then turned and left with quick steps that carried her childish lightness, her laughter fading down the corridor.
Lianshu bowed her head respectfully even after she had gone, then straightened and continued on her way calmly, as though nothing had been said.
She advanced through the long corridors until she reached the young master's wing. The place was quieter… and far more oppressive.
At the door, Old Ming was already standing. He did not look at her directly, yet his voice came out low, laden with a clear warning:
"I hope you have a convincing explanation… otherwise, I cannot guarantee what the young master might do to you."
Lianshu paused for a moment, then cast him a cold sideways glance before replying with faint irritation:
"Mind your own affairs… old man."
She then raised her hand and knocked on the door.
Only a moment passed… before the door opened on its own. From within, a calm voice emerged—deep, smooth in a way that was unsettling, as though it had no need to rise to be obeyed. It carried a deadly coldness and absolute confidence, as if its owner always stood above all others.
"Lianshu… come in."
He paused slightly, as though a faint smile had formed on his lips.
"I've been waiting for you."
Lianshu stepped inside, and the moment she crossed the threshold, the door closed behind her in complete silence, as though the outside world had been severed at once.
She did not raise her gaze. The instant her eyes fell upon him… she bowed immediately, then lowered herself smoothly to her knees until her forehead touched the ground in complete submission.
"Lianshu greets the young master… and asks for forgiveness. I acted on my own and did not trouble myself to inform you. I am prepared to receive any punishment… but at least, allow me to speak."
Silence followed. A strange weight filled the room, as though even the air itself was waiting.
"Lianshu…"
His voice came—calm… smooth in a way that sent chills down the spine. There was no force in it, no need for volume—yet it carried suffocating authority, as though every word was imposed upon reality itself.
She raised her head slightly, not daring to look at him directly.
On the other side, Gu Changge sat calmly, his expression still, a faint smile resting upon his lips… but it was not reassuring. It was gentle on the surface, yet terrifying beneath.
"Why are you so tense?"
He spoke as though asking about something trivial.
"It's not as if I'm evil… to punish you before hearing your reasons."
His smile widened slightly.
It was not a large movement… but it was enough to make the atmosphere colder.
"Go on… tell me."
He leaned forward slightly, his eyes fixed on her with unsettling steadiness, as though they could pierce through everything within her.
"What is it… that made you willing to accept punishment for it?"
He paused for a moment. Then added, in a lower tone, laced with curiosity… and something deeper:
"Or rather… who is this person?"
A brief silence followed before he continued:
"Old Ming told me you brought a young man from the lower realms…"
His smile settled at a certain point, as though it were a mask that no longer changed.
"I am interested… in knowing what drew you to him, and drove you to do all this."
Small beads of sweat formed on Lianshu's forehead, sliding slowly down her face, while her breathing quickened slightly—something she could not fully conceal despite her efforts to remain composed.
"As you command, Young Master… I do not yet know his name. He is a young man from the lower realms, worlds that know nothing of cultivation or spiritual energy. He has a father and a mother, and four siblings, and he was the eldest… but his father did not—"
"Lianshu…"
His voice interrupted her. Calm… yet carrying absolute authority, enough to silence any other sound.
"I did not ask you to tell me his life story."
A heavy silence settled as his gaze remained fixed upon her.
"I am asking for the reason. Why him?"
He leaned slightly, his tone still soft, yet colder:
"If he is from a mundane world that knows no cultivation, I cannot imagine you abducted him to refine your essence or raise your level… so why?"
Lianshu trembled faintly, barely noticeable, yet impossible to hide completely. She knew… he saw her as she was, without masks, like an open book. She lowered her voice and murmured:
"My lord… I… do not know."
She paused, as though the words weighed heavily on her tongue.
"Truly… I do not know."
She turned her gaze slightly aside, a rare gesture for her.
"Something… drew me to him."
Her voice trembled—not only with fear… but with confusion.
"It was as if… I was led to him."
"Oh… you were drawn to him involuntarily?"
The words left his lips slowly, like a prolonged exhale carrying genuine curiosity. It was not ordinary surprise, but a rare interest—a faint glimmer appeared in his eyes, as though something within him had been stirred.
"That… is quite interesting."
He leaned back slightly, resting in his seat, a faint smile forming—calm, yet concealing layers of deep thought. His eyes remained fixed, as though looking beyond just a young man from the lower realms.
"I've become more curious about this young man."
He paused briefly, as though arranging his thoughts with precision, then added in a lower, more focused tone:
"Something in my instincts tells me… he carries a secret."
He lifted his gaze back to her, and that unsettling calm returned to his voice—a calm that was not to be questioned, only obeyed.
"Very well… here is your order, Lianshu."
Each word came out measured, clear, carrying undeniable weight:
"When he awakens… make sure I am the first to meet him."
It was not merely an order—it carried an implicit promise… that what would follow would be anything but ordinary.
In response, a clear smile appeared on Lianshu's face, relief and gratitude intertwined, as though a heavy burden had been lifted from her chest.
"I… I am deeply grateful for your mercy, my lord."
She bowed once more, her voice sincere:
"Yes. I will ensure he stands before you the moment he awakens."
In the quiet of the room, where nothing could be heard but the faint rhythm of breathing and the soft drift of silk curtains, Qing Han lay motionless… as though time itself had forgotten him.
Then—his fingers trembled. A slight movement, barely noticeable… yet enough to break the stillness. It was followed by a deeper breath than before, his chest rising slowly, as if air had returned to him after a long absence. Beneath his closed eyelids, his eyes stirred.
A faint twitch… then stillness.
Then, slowly, his eyes began to part—opening little by little, letting in the light.