Lin Junqing was perplexed by Chu Yu’s behavior. If Chu Yu truly realized the parasite was maturing within him, why would he refuse to ask for the antidote? Was it possible he had a hidden method to purge it, or was there something else at play?
While Chu Yu was busy attending to sect matters, Lin Junqing spent his time wandering the Demon Sect’s headquarters. The more he observed, the more he realized that the “monstrous” reputation of the sect was largely manufactured by the righteous sects to justify their own greed. The disciples here were not the bloodthirsty fanatics the outside world claimed they were; rather, they were mostly outcasts—people who had lost everything to the injustice of those very “righteous” sects and had found a rare sanctuary in the Demon Sect.
One day, while Lin Junqing was sitting in the courtyard, Chu Yu returned early. He walked over and sat beside him, his gaze heavy and unreadable. He did not say anything for a long time, simply watching Lin Junqing as if trying to memorize every detail of his face.
“Qingyue,” Chu Yu finally spoke, his voice unusually soft. “If the world were to turn against me, would you still be willing to stay?”
Lin Junqing paused, his heart skipping a beat. He knew Chu Yu was likely referring to his deteriorating health—the parasite was clearly becoming more active. He looked at Chu Yu, whose face was slightly paler than usual, and felt a pang of pity he could not suppress.
“The world’s opinion of you has never mattered to me,” Lin Junqing replied honestly, though he chose his words carefully. “But you must be honest with me. What is happening to your body? You have been acting differently these past few days.”
Chu Yu was startled, then let out a low, self-deprecating laugh. “You have always been too observant for your own good. I am dying, Qingyue. The parasite inside me is growing, and soon, it will consume my meridians entirely.”
Lin Junqing felt his throat tighten. “And you still refuse to ask me for the antidote?”
Chu Yu looked at him, his eyes filled with a strange, possessive warmth. “If I take your medicine, it might reveal the secret of your blood. I would rather endure the pain than allow anyone else to discover what makes you so special. If the world finds out what you are, you will never know a moment of peace.”
Lin Junqing was stunned. Chu Yu was choosing his own agonizing death over the risk of exposing Lin Junqing to the greed of the martial arts world. He had expected schemes and manipulation, not this reckless, self-destructive devotion.
“You are a fool,” Lin Junqing muttered, looking away to hide the complicated emotions swirling in his eyes.
“Perhaps,” Chu Yu admitted, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind Lin Junqing’s ear. “But I have lived long enough to know what I truly value. And right now, all I value is ensuring you remain safe, even if it means I have to disappear.”
Lin Junqing could no longer remain indifferent. The weight of Chu Yu’s actions, combined with the lingering shadow of his past life’s memories, made it impossible to treat this as just another mission. He reached into his robe, retrieved the porcelain bottle containing the modified Heart-Devouring poison, and looked at it in silence.
He had meant to use this to bring Chu Yu down. Yet, faced with this man who was willing to die to protect his secret, the poison felt heavy and impossible to offer.
“I have medicine,” Lin Junqing said quietly, his hand trembling slightly as he held the bottle. “But I do not know if it will truly save you or if it will only bring more suffering.”
Chu Yu looked at the bottle, then at Lin Junqing, and smiled—a genuine, unguarded smile that reached his eyes. “If it comes from your hand, Qingyue, I will drink it. Whether it brings life or death, I have no regrets.”
Lin Junqing stared at him, struck by the absolute trust in Chu Yu’s eyes. He realized then that he could not kill him—not like this. He would find another way, or perhaps, for the first time in his existence as a traveler between worlds, he would choose to fail the mission.
“Drink it,” Lin Junqing said, his voice firming up. “We will face whatever happens next together.”
Chu Yu took the bottle, uncorked it, and downed the pill without a moment’s hesitation. As the medication settled in his stomach, he pulled Lin Junqing into his arms, holding him tightly as if he were the only anchor left in a crumbling world.
“If I survive this,” Chu Yu whispered into his hair, “I will give you everything you want. If I do not, remember that I loved you more than my own life.”
Lin Junqing leaned against him, listening to the erratic beating of Chu Yu’s heart. He did not answer, but for the first time, he did not pull away. The silence of the night settled over them, and in that fragile moment, the boundary between mission and reality began to blur into nothingness.