Author Notes: Hello again, everyone! I've been receiving many, many PMs asking me to collab on paid artwork. I am not interested so please do not ask me. Enjoy this chapter :)
- Chapter Start –
Zhao Yuanzhou blinked down at the shimmering blue blade embedded in his chest, the shock of being pierced so suddenly numbing the pain for a moment. Looking up at Zhuo Yichen, he smiled even with the warm slide of blood leaking from his mouth.
"Xiao Zhuo-daren, I'm impressed. I thought I would have to run myself onto your sword to spare you the guilt of killing your best friend."
"I know." Zhuo Yichen's voice cracked and he exhaled, long and shuddering. "I know, but I only trust myself to do this right."
Slowly, he pulled his sword free. Zhao Yuanzhou braced himself for more pain, but there was none, only a sense of weightlessness as he started falling backwards. He heard the rustle of silk, the rush of a small breeze and then he was falling into Zhuo Yichen's arms like he belonged there.
Zhuo Yichen was shaking, more tears running down his cheeks.
"Ah, Xiao Zhuo-daren," Zhao Yuanzhao murmured.
"Don't call me that!"
"Xiao Zhuo, then. Don't be sad for too long."
Zhuo Yichen snorted at that and almost choked on his tears.
"I won't because I will see you again." It sounded like another vow. Or maybe a threat.
Before Zhao Yuanzhou could ask him what he meant, golden light washed over them, followed by more voices.
"Zhao Yuanzhou!"
"Da yao!"
Wen Xiao dropped down beside them, crying as much as Zhuo Yichen. She grabbed Zhao Yuanzhou from him and cradled him close.
"Zhao Yuanzhou…"
"Wen Xiao, I had hoped to spare you this sight. You know what you have to do."
She shook her head hard, causing her tears to fall on his face. Two more faces appeared behind hers – Ying Lei and Pei Sijing's, both white and panic stricken.
Zhao Yuanzhou smiled at them too. He couldn't seem to draw enough breath. The malicious energy inside him was building, escaping his control. He looked back at Wen Xiao.
"Don't be angry with Xiao Zhuo."
"I'm not. I'm angry with you."
He tried to smile again.
"That's good then. Don't be sad for too-"
"Shut up," she said and kissed him. Her lips were soft and quivering. That kiss was the last thing he felt before the storm inside him burst free.
- o –
Several hours later…
The sun had already set by the time Wen Xiao, Zhuo Yichen, Pei Sijing and Ying Lei returned to the Demon Hunting Bureau. Pei Siheng had vanished into his wooden puppet which was safely tucked inside a pouch at Pei Sijing's hip.
Wen Xiao walked slowly, almost stumbling over her own feet. She was healed of Wen Zongyu's poison, but completely drained after using her Baize Token for hours, converting Zhao Yuanzhou's malicious energy into healing rain that fell like a benediction over Tiandu City.
The people would be healed, but there was no healing her broken heart. All their hearts, even Xiao Zhuo's, no matter how much he might deny it. He hadn't said a word as he accompanied her through the streets, face pale and lips pressed tight. He had put a supporting hand under her elbow earlier. Now that she was exhausted, he had an arm around her waist as she leaned heavily against him.
Once upon a time, she would have teased him for being so daring towards his xiao gugu. There was no such urge now, only a gaping, aching hole in her heart, made bearable only because Zhuo Yichen was still here - and suffering just as much.
"Wen-daren, Xiao Zhuo-daren," Situ Ming greeted them once they entered the main hall. His eyes darted between the four of them. "Where's Zhao Yuanzhou?"
"Dead." Zhuo Yichen's face twisted with grief. "Wen Xiao healed everyone using Zhao Yuanzhou's malicious energy, but I… I killed him."
"Xiao Zhuo, don't." Wen Xiao straightened up and turned to him, taking in his eyes puffy and red from the countless tears they had shed, the tiny quivers pulling at his lips, the weary slump of his shoulders. Right now, he looked almost too frail to wear the heavy mantle of commander of the Demon Hunting Bureau.
If Zhao Yuanzhou were still here -
Ah, how easy and seamless they had made it look, taking turns to lead their little group. The initial friction between Zhao Yuanzhou's easy teasing and Zhuo Yichen's affronted snapping, the sarcasm and the huffiness, the inevitable push and pull… that had all given way so quickly to understanding and a tacit agreement so instinctive it needed little more than a shared glance.
Except that Zhao Yuanzhou was no more. Him with his ancient wisdom, his generous and unfailing kindness, his quick wit and penchant for stating annoying remarks was gone. All she had left were the memories of his gentle eyes, loving smile and the jade love token he had carved for her.
Zhuo Yichen would have to shoulder the burden alone in the coming days. No, not alone. He still had her, Fan Ying, Pei Sijing, Ying Lei and Bai Jiu.
"Xiao Zhuo-daren, carrying out your vow was your contribution, one no less important than theirs," Situ Ming said soberly.
Zhuo Yichen hesitated before nodding.
"How is Xiao Jiu?"
Situ Ming smiled.
"His burns are healing well and he's sleeping. My wife is with him. As for Fan-daren…"
"A-die!" Wen Xiao's beleaguered heart gave a little leap of hope. "I must go see how he is."
Zhuo Yichen hesitated again, looking between her and Situ Ming. Pei Sijing touched his arm.
"I will go with Wen Xiao. You go look in on Xiao Jiu."
"I want to see him too!" Ying Lei piped up.
- o –
Having reassured himself that Bai Jiu was fine, Ying Lei trudged to the kitchens to see about dinner. His two assistants were nowhere to be found and there was barely anything edible to cook with. He managed to make a pot of soup and even delivered it with the aid of a small trolley on wheels that he found.
Bai Jiu was awake now and asking about everyone, especially Zhuo Yichen. Wen Xiao and Pei Sijing were sitting beside a sleeping Fan Ying. Zhuo Yichen was sitting at the table on his balcony and staring down at his Cloud Light Sword. He thanked Ying Lei for the soup and turned down his offer of company.
Feeling somewhat dismissed, Ying Lei tried to cheer himself up with the prospect of going marketing tomorrow and went to bed.
- o –
The next morning, the people of Tiandu thronged the streets in celebration, singing the Demon Hunting Bureau's praises for healing them, and denouncing Chongwu camp.
A steady procession of gifts – fresh and cured meats, vegetables and fruits – started arriving at the Demon Hunting Bureau's kitchens, enough that Ying Lei didn't have to go marketing for a week. Instead, he was left scratching his head at the baskets piling up around him, wondering what to do with all the extra food.
As day turned to dusk, the streets were lit up with lanterns, and the sky overhead with firecrackers. Inside the Demon Hunting Bureau, the mood was vastly different. Zhuo Yichen, Wen Xiao, Fan Ying, Pei Sijing, Bai Jiu and his parents turned up at the large dining hall, more in search of company than sustenance. They greeted one another with sad little smiles that died before reaching their eyes. Even though they were rested and mostly healed from the various injuries of battling Wen Zongyu, Zhen Ming and fiery barriers, no one had much appetite to enjoy Ying Lei's hard work.
Zhuo Yichen tried his best to be an attentive host. His face softened in a smile whenever he looked at Bai Jiu, but faded again when he glanced at the empty chair on his right. Wen Xiao dabbed at her eyes when she thought no one was looking. Pei Sijing glared at the dishes before her. Bai Jiu kept his chatter to a minimum. Fan Ying, Situ Ming and Bai Yan followed his example.
Ying Lei hadn't spent as much time with Zhao Yuanzhou as the others had due to his Mountain God duties, but he missed Zhao Yuanzhou too. Somehow, the Great Demon had endeared himself to all of them - as a leader, older brother, friend, mentor and even soulmate to Wen Xiao. As for Zhuo Yichen whose relationship with Zhao Yuanzhou had gone from hated enemy to best friend, Ying Lei couldn't imagine how hard it must have been for him to carry out the vow he had made so readily at first.
- o –
The next two weeks were the busiest the Demon Hunting Bureau had ever been. With Chongwu camp disbanded by King Xiang, Zhuo Yichen and Pei Sijing had their hands full overseeing all demon-related cases as well as training the younger recruits they had taken in from Chongwu camp. It seemed like every waking hour was devoted to following up on leads, solving cases, training the juniors, reporting to the new Prime Mister and so on.
Wen Xiao was equally busy traveling between Tiandu and the Wilderness to ensure there was peace in both realms. In addition to treating human patients, Bai Jiu also tended to the large group of demons who had been captured and tortured by Chongwu camp. He even recruited his mother to assist and provide counselling where needed.
Ying Lei did his best to help all of them. He was thankful that Lu Wu and the other Mountain Gods were guarding Kunlun Mountain on his behalf.
- o –
When Zhuo Yichen retired to his rooms each night, he would wash up and don his sleeping robes. Then he would place his Cloud Light Sword across his knees and meditate, no matter how late the hour.
When he stabbed Zhao Yuanzhou that day, he had used the Cloud Leading Technique to extract a part of his soul. That was the good news. The bad news was, he had no idea where it went, but he hoped someone else did. During his battle with Wen Zongyu, there were moments when the Cloud Light sword had glowed unnaturally bright and he had heard the echo of a deep voice coming from within. Since it was once forged from one of Yin Long's bones, it was possible that a speck from the last shred of his soul had clung to it. It would know where Zhao Yuanzhou's soul was.
Except that despite his best efforts, Zhuo Yichen was unable to connect with his Cloud Light sword.
I will see you again.
The five words he had uttered with such confidence to Zhao Yuanzhou that day came back to mock him. He sniffled, close to giving in to the tears he had somehow managed to squash deep inside him. Each time he saw Wen Xiao or even thought of her, he felt wretched and guilty all over again. Even though she assured him that it was Zhao Yuanzhou's choice, even though she spoke with gentleness, it didn't change the fact that he had killed her beloved.
The Great Demon Zhu Yan whom he had hated for eight years only to get to know him, understand him, respect him and like him, maybe even-
How could he call himself Zhao Yuanzhou's best friend when he couldn't even save a tiny part of him?
"Zhao Yuanzhou!" He burst out at last. "Where are you?"
Two weeks had passed. Anything could have happened to that precious spark by now, the only thing of Zhao Yuanzhou that Zhuo Yichen had left apart from his memories, and a black and gold twig he had planted in a small pot on his table. It hadn't sparked at him since that day, but somehow, it stillglared.
Two tears fell from Zhuo Yichen's eyes, followed by more. He started weeping, head bowed over his sword as if in penance. He didn't see his teardrops falling on his sword… or the blade starting to glow… or the tendrils of blue light emanating from it.
"Very well."
But he did hear that deep voice. Eyes snapping open, he blinked around at the blue glow surrounding him, right before something grabbed his consciousness and yanked him inside his sword.
- Chapter End –
A/N: Thank you for reading! Sorry for the excessive narration, there should be more dialog in the next chapter. Hope you enjoyed it :)
daren = a title of respect for superiors or an adult
die = father (informal)