Fei Qianchi held the man tightly in his arms upon hearing his words. In that split moment, it brought forth the memories of losing this man. However, he knew that this time. he would not lose the man again.

"Me too, I love you too." Fei Qianchi whispered, Zhu Longwang's head was pushed up against his chest. He could feel the man's breath hitting him through his layer of clothing.

Zhu Longwang leaned in, his head touching the man's hard chest. He could feel it. He could feel the the man's heart beating, sometimes slowing, sometimes speeding. His lips trembled. He wanted to cry. He was obviously happy, yet, he wanted to cry for some reason.

Fei Qianchi didn't know what thoughts were running through the man's head. If anything, it also made him think. Having lived through so many different lifetimes now, Fei Qianchi wasn't the same as the person he was in the past.

The moon was high in the air. Fei Qianchi could hear the sound of cicadas in the forest.

Softly patting Zhu Longwang's back, he told the man, "Sleep first. I'll stay by your side." While Fei Qianchi had many things he wanted to tell the man, he also knew that the man had just woke up. There was no need to rush things.

Zhu Longwang bit his lips, hearing the man's voice. In the end, he could only nod his head. Fei Qianchi was by him, he didn't have to worry now. Thus, he pushed himself closer to the man by his side.

Fei Qianchi waited. He waited as Zhu Longwang's breath became steady, slowing down. The man was still up close to him and Fei Qianchi smiled, touching the man's hair.

His blue eyes darted around the room, at the bright moon in the sky. He shifted, looking to see if Zhu Longwang was startled by his movements. Seeing that the man was still sleeping soundly, Fei Qianchi shifted once more, slowly pulling away from the man as he got up from the bed.

He fixed his robes, glancing out the window as he walked over, jumping out.

Outside of the window, a man stood, looking up at the night sky. His long black hair cascaded over his back, his figure tall and strong. There was a white pendant hanging from his hip, dressed in a black robe. The man's face was turned away, but Fei Qianchi knew who this man was. His aura was undeniable.

"Why are you here?" Fei Qianchi asked, slowly walking over and sitting on the table. He wasn't scared, only calm.

The man turned around, lips rising as a grin settled on his face. His skin was pale, a sickly color of pale. With red pupils that shone with blood-lust, his features were bewitching yet cold.

"Why else would I be here? I came to see you." Su Baicheng merely answered as he stood, looking at Fei Qianchi. He stood where he was, not moving closer. He merely stood under the moonlight that made his eyes shine brighter. There was no malice from him. Instead, it was calm.

"To hear those words, I don't know if I should be happy or afraid." Fei Qianchi cocked his brow, glancing at the man.

Su Baicheng smirked, "Well, perhaps it's a bit of both." The man turned away. "I'm assuming that he told you the whole story."

Fei Qianchi knew who the man was talking about at once. "Yes. Although, truth be told, I don't understand why I became entangled in your mess. If anything, you had no right to involve me in this revenge of yours, no right to avenge yourself by killing people who were not involved in the first place."

Su Baicheng merely scoffed. But, he didn't refute those words. The man stood, solemn under the moon. "In a way, you are similar to me. Except, there was someone who was willing to sacrifice themself for you." The man turned around, sneering, mocking himself.

Fei Qianchi listened to the man. His heart didn't waver, but in a way, he saw what the man meant. If Zhu Longwang wasn't there, perhaps he would have also become like Su Baicheng.

"That doesn't change what you've done wrong." Fei Qianchi spoke up. His heart wasn't soft. Just because the man said these words, it didn't mean that he would waver and forgive him.

Su Baicheng shook his head, "Of course, it doesn't. I won't make any excuses. You are right, I'm cruel and evil. I involved innocent lives simply because I wanted revenge. I dragged people who had no wrongs, people who were innocent. Simply for revenge, I sold away myself." The man's eyes were glazed by a heavy light. "I envy you. Unlike me, there were countless people by your side to help you, people who couldn't hate you, people who didn't betray you. For me, even the littlest thing was taken away."

Fei Qianchi sighed, running a hand through his white hair. Knowing a part of Su Baicheng's life made it hard to not sympathize. Even so, Fei Qianchi was not a just person. Perhaps he once was, but currently, he wasn't.

"Baicheng, everything is in the past now. You've gotten revenge. It is time for you to let go." Fei Qianchi meant it honestly. He wasn't trying to put the man down. Su Baicheng had gotten what he wanted most. He took back Fushui Sect, he killed the family who chased and killed his parents, he even avenged Zhu Luishui's betrayal.

Su Baicheng laughed. It was laugh that brought chills down Fei Qianchi's back. For a second, he even thought that the man went crazy, hence, he tensed.

Su Baicheng's eyes swept over him. "It's so easy to say, especially when you haven't lost everything. I lost and lost. In the end, I saved those who were like me. With these people, I trained them and they became my loyal subordinates, people who will never betray me." The man looked at Fei Qianchi, cocking his brow.

"I married a man who was cold-blooded, a man who hid his secrets, a man who wanted my death. For that man, I was willing to forget about revenge, I even sealed my cultivation so that I could live by his side and age with him. I had a family who was evil, I had friends who wanted my seat. In the end, I lost everything." Su Baicheng scoffed, his eyes narrowing with a cold light.

"Even as I've gotten revenge, my heart is not quelled. It is not content. Why?" The man closed his eyes. "Because... there is no way I can return to the man I once was."

Fei Qianchi understood what the man was trying to say. He pitied the man, but he didn't forgive him. "What can you do now? No matter how far you take this revenge, it won't change the past." Fei Qianchi sighed, massaging his temple. "Baicheng, you've gotten revenge. It is also time for you to let go."

At this, the man's eyes narrowed with mockery, lips curling up to reveal his canine. "Only you would say such words to me. Truth is, even after all this time, I still resent Zhu Luishui. I don't love him anymore. It is impossible to move someone who killed me. I only hate him. I hate him for his duplicity and lies, for his act of betrayal." The man's figure stood tall. His eyes gleamed and glowed, red eyes shining bright. "Love? What a joke. I want to kill him." He clenched his fist. "But I can't."

Fei Qianchi didn't know what to say. From just this alone, it was clear that Su Baicheng had lost himself since long ago. Perhaps, the centuries of betrayal had turned him into the demon he was now known as. In a way, he understood. Zhu Luishui's actions against him, his betrayal towards a man who was already scarred would be the breaking point. For Su Baicheng, who lost his parents, his home, who was being chased down, Zhu Luishui became his light. Even that was taken away.

Su Baicheng looked at Fei Qianchi. The man didn't reply to his words, he wasn't expecting an answer. He was tired. He had bathed in blood, in hatred, and in pain for too long. It numbed him now. He no longer expected anything. Emotions were too frightening. It was how he had fallen in the first place.

"A word of advice for you, Qianchi. Never trust another person more than yourself. Don't let your emotions cloud you. Else, you may also end up like me. Perhaps not now, but time does its toil. Fate is kind to no one." Su Baicheng walked over, slow steps as he sat across the man as if they were close friends. He looked at Fei Qianchi, the man whose face was cold, and he smiled as he cocked his brows. "If you end up like me, you wouldn't be able to bear it for as long as I have." The man tapped his fingers onto the table.

But Fei Qianchi didn't think so. He trusted Zhu Longwang. The man had given everything to him since long ago. "But I'm not you. My story is not the same as yours."

Su Baicheng's smile staggered, turning his face away. "Well, that is correct. Unlike me, there was always someone there for you in the darkest moments of your life. Unlike me, someone was willing to sacrifice themself for you."

The man was silent after that, resting his chin upon his palm. "I came to speak to you about our meeting tomorrow. I don't know what Lord of Suzhou's reaction will be like. If anything, he resents me more than anyone. Hence, I sought out for you, because you are not bias. I... will no longer interfere with you, with any of your people. So long as you remain in the sect, so long as you stay here as elders, I am willing to leave you alone. It has been centuries already. Even I am getting tired of everything." Su Baicheng's red eyes casted down.

Fei Qianchi tilted his head, slightly leaning forward, "Why now? You had centuries, you had countless years to mend things."

"Lord of Suzhou and Fei Shang, after what I did to you and Zhu Longwang, they would never believe me. Quite frankly, I need power in this sect too. As strong as I am, one against dozens, it is impossible for me to survive for so long. The stronger I become, the weaker I get. I'm sure that you already know." Su Baicheng didn't hide the fact that he was growing sick too. It was hard to hide, especially with his sickly face.

Fei Qianchi nodded his head. This was what Fei Shang spoke about. As Su Baicheng was getting closer to ascending, his body was also unable to bear the energy within his body. It was easier for him to fall to Heart Demons, easier for Qi Deviations. With attacks coming from many sects, Su Baicheng couldn't fight against so many for much longer. His body wouldn't be able to hold out, especially with the Qi Deviations and the excessive use of his energy.

Yet, it was hard. Fei Qianchi didn't know if he could trust the man either. Even if the man seemed so sincere, his hatred had been formed centuries ago. Thus, he could only say, "No matter what, it is up to the Lord of Suzhou."

Su Baicheng laughed, "Of course. But if we are to speak, you will grow to become the strongest. With time, you will easily defeat me if I do not ascend soon." Su Baicheng held out his hand, looking at his pale and long fingers, "This body of mine is slowly dying. For revenge, I chose to use demonic energy. The demonic energy is revolting, slowly killing me inside. After all, suppressing the demonic energy will only make it stronger. I can't afford to let it take over me."

Truth be told, Fei Qianchi didn't know much about demonic energy. While it was brought up often, he didn't have any memories of ever studying it close enough. "XueLu, how did he get close to you?"

Su Baicheng seemed a bit shocked by Fei Qianchi's question. The man's red eyes narrowed. "It is a bit surprising that you would bring him up. He is my savior. He saved me centuries ago and in return, I taught him everything I knew. He became my most loyal subordinate. That was the beginning. After that, with him by my side, I began to rein in people who were just like me. I knew they would never betray me because they too, had walk the same road I had."

"Fei Qianchi, don't become like me." The man whispered, red eyes flickering. Su Baicheng stood up after his words, taking one finally glance at Fei Qianchi. "Tomorrow. I promise that I will prepare everything. Until that moment, do try to quell down the Lord of Suzhou. I wish you well." Su Baicheng slowly walked away, his figure was somehow lonesome in the night.

"Wait!" Fei Qianchi called out for the man, who stopped in his tracks. Fei Qianchi struggled to find the words he wanted to say. "Why... why does it sound like you are preparing to die?"

Fei Qianchi wasn't mistaken. The man sounded like he was prepared to die. It sounded like he knew that death was approaching. Every word he said, everything he was doing, it all felt like his final preparations for his death.

Su Baicheng flinched, but the sound of his laugh could be heard. "I'm not a person who will prepare for my death. Even if death is approaching, I am not afraid. I have already gone through death once. Once more will do nothing to me." The man shook his head, "And if I die, perhaps it would be the best outcome for you."

Fei Qianchi's eyes widened, yet he was unable to say a word as the man's figure disappeared under the night. Fei Qianchi stared at the empty space, a headache appearing in his head. He didn't like this. He wasn't a just person, but he also couldn't just let Su Baicheng die. Now, he understood why the man needed their powers too. Fei Qianchi had saw it just now.

When the man walked away, a wisp of Qi had escaped through a crack in his core. It was small, yet, it appeared as if it was gradually growing bigger. Fei Qianchi stood up, rubbing his head. This was also frustrating.

Stifling a groan, Fei Qianchi closed his eyes, his body reappearing back in Zhu Longwang's bedroom. The man was still sound asleep. Fei Qianchi smiled. He could feel his frustration disappear as he looked at the man. Moving as quietly as possible, Fei Qianchi slowly crept back onto the bed, moving the blanket.

Zhu Longwang was still. His face was illuminated by the moonlight, his hair laid out on the bed. The man was sleeping on his side, his arms stretched towards the right.

Fei Qianchi shifted the man as he got behind him, spooning him. He slowly tucked his arm under Zhu Longwang, holding the man in his arms as he listened to the sound of his breath.

Fei Qianchi smiled as he also closed his eyes.

"Though harsh, I hold an umbrella for you. These hardships, I only wish you be safe. When the sun shines once more, know, that we may be parted but close are our hearts."

In his unconsciousness, Fei Qianchi heard the voice of a woman singing in the distance. As he looked around, eyes blinking with uncertainty, he realized he stood upon a grassland. The grass was green, flowers blooming around him. The sky was blue, the sun shining down as a soft breeze caused the flowers to sway.

It was comforting. The voice was soothing to his heart. This voice, this lullaby, Fei Qianchi could faintly remember it, but he wasn't certain.

He heard footsteps behind him. As he turned around, flinching as he did so, he saw a woman.

The woman was dressed in a light pink robe. Her white hair fell down on her back, drifting in the air. She slowly walked closer, brown eyes filled with a warm light. The woman was no longer sickly pale. Her cheeks were full with pink and plump lips. The woman smiled gracefully, her every movements were elegant. Her almond eyes were full, a mole by the corner of her lip.

Fei Qianchi's body shook. It was foreign... he had never felt such warmth before. It was only from his memories that he experienced this type of love.

Chan Lihua... this was his mother.

Fei Qianchi didn't know what to do. He could only stand still as the petite woman walked towards him.

Chan Lihua smiled, staring at Fei Qianchi. "You are already so old, my son." Her voice was warm, yet, it also trembled.

Fei Qianchi felt like there was a lump in his throat. He didn't know what to do, didn't know how to answer.

In front of him, the woman's eyes suddenly teared as she gasped, lips trembling. Her hands flew up to wipe away her tears, to stop herself from crying. "Gosh, why am I crying?" Chan Lihua forced a smile on her face.

Fei Qianchi was shocked by her tears. He panicked, moving closer to wipe her tears away, stunning Chan Lihua.

Chan Lihua laughed, seeing the shock in Fei Qianchi's eyes. Seeing that the man was not wary of her, she raised a hand and gently caressed Fei Qianchi's face. "I... I'm sorry for leaving you behind. Did you... were you well?"

Fei Qianchi coughed, clearing his throat as he tried to find his voice. "Yes, yes, I did, m... mother."

Chan Lihua's eyes twitched, now red and glistening. She suddenly sobbed as she looked at her son who was now much bigger than her. Centuries... was that how much time had passed? What a shame. So many years had already passed.

Fei Qianchi didn't know what to do as huge tears fell from Chan Lihua's eyes. Even as she cried, she was smiling. It was a sad smile, yet, it was also filled with relief.

Chan Lihua was barely able to stop her crying session as she snuffled. "Sorry. It's been so long since I've seen you." She smiled. "Come, follow me. I'll take you back to my residence."

Without waiting for an answer, the woman grabbed his hand and pulled him with her.

Fei Qianchi stared at the small back in front of him. It was small, yet filled with strength.

A small smile made its way to his lips. His heart felt warm... it was warm.

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