A knock at the door brought the two daydreaming Celestials back to focus. They both looked at each other sheepishly, each with different reasons.
Xuan Tian cleared his throat, "Come in."
Fan Qingyan opened the door and hesitated slightly when he saw inside the study. The Great General and his fiancée, Lady Shu Yue, were standing close—too close. Her back was facing the door, partially blocking Xuan Tian from view. It looked as though they had just stepped back from an embrace—perhaps even a kiss.
Fan Qingyan's heart trembled. I've caught them at a bad time. I'm dead!
Xuan Tian's gaze landed on Fan Qingyan, sharp as a blade. He could feel it in his bones. I'm most definitely dead!
Xuan Tian's glare didn't soften. "What is it?"
Fan Qingyan immediately averted his eyes to stare anywhere but at Xuan Tian.
"Erm, erm, you have a guest, General."
Xuan Tian exhaled, clearly impatient. "Don't dawdle! Quickly out with it!"
He sounds irritated, Fan Qingyan panicked internally. I've disturbed their intimate moment, haven't I? Of course he's mad. I should've knocked later. Or never. Or dug a hole and disappeared.
Still avoiding eye contact, he blurted out, "It's a doctor called Lin Qian."
Xuan Tian remembered One's unfinished report. "Send her in."
Then he turned to Shu Yue, lowering his voice and carefully refraining from sounding harsh. "I'm sorry. I have work to do. I cannot send you home."
It was fortunate—or unfortunate—that Fan Qingyan missed this scene. With his overactive imagination, he would have drawn another conclusion: The General is so affectionate with Lady Shu Yue!
Shu Yue quickly masked her face with her usual cool and poised demeanor. She bowed slightly to Xuan Tian.
"It is okay, General. I'll be leaving first now."
She turned and stepped out of the room elegantly. Showing none of the fluster she had in the study, she was once again the perfect Lady Shu Yue of the Celestial Realm's Noble House of Shu.
Xuan Tian watched her leave. He let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. Lady Shu Yue, his fiancée. He hadn't believed it when Tianjun bestowed the engagement six years ago.
Lady Shu Yue was the most eligible bachelorette in the Celestial Realm. Around the same age as him, she came from the Noble House of Shu—one of the most prestigious noble families in the realm.
The House of Shu, led by Shu Yuan, was the only noble faction that formally represented regular Celestial citizens in Tian Xu's court. Ensuring the prosperity of common Celestials was their primary goal.
Shu Yue was Shu Yuan's only younger sister. She was doted on, yet she never turned out spoiled. Instead, she became a role model—graceful, disciplined, admired by all. Every woman wanted to be her.
When the engagement was announced, the entire Celestial Realm celebrated. The perfect couple—the Great General Xuan Tian, the blade and shield of the Celestial Realm, and Lady Shu Yue of House Shu.
Everyone was delighted, happy, or ecstatic. Everyone, but Xuan Tian.
He didn't share in those emotions. He felt only duty.
It was his duty to obey Tianjun's decree. And for Xuan Tian, this engagement was no different from any other mission.
Except this one was for life.
Never once had he questioned why Tianjun bestowed the engagement. He had always believed it was Tianjun's way of balancing the power in his court.
Xuan Tian was not naïve. Though he was raised by Tianjun and loyal to him, he never mistook Tianjun as a father, nor saw himself as a Crown Prince. He understood their roles—Tianjun as ruler, himself as weapon.
He accepted his duties. Simple as that. And so, he asked no questions. He did not agree. He did not object. He simply remained silent.
But Tian Xu had noticed. Xuan Tian could feel the weight of his disapproval. This silence—this single unspoken refusal—was the only 'rebellion' he had ever committed.
As he watched Shu Yue's beautiful back disappear, his mind drifted to a certain gremlin in a light yellow dress. Her face was both happy and sad. She grinned widely, showing teeth, yet her eyes brimmed with tears as she raised her hand high in the air and waved violently.
She had shouted, "BYE!"
Then she turned around so fast—as if afraid he would catch her falling tears.
But he did.
He saw them. He heard her trying to hold back her sobs.
Friend.
The only friend he ever had.
Xuan Tian wondered what she was doing right now. What she looked like. She would be nineteen—still a chaotic young woman, no doubt. Cheekily teasing her shixiongs and Shizun. Having blinking wars. Arguing with arms crossed and fire in her eyes. Bringing headaches to everyone at Ziyu Sect.
Xuan Tian chuckled lightly.
He was going to Human Realm again. Is he going to see her? Probably not. She's safe in Ziyu Sect, while he's going to infiltrate Lingxu Sect.
He would have to contact Mo Chaoren and Bai Xunli. This time, he wanted to take Jing Xue with him.
Wait. That's right—Jing Xue! He hadn't seen him since returning from Yuxu Palace.
Xuan Tian whistled, lacing it with spirit energy. No one else could hear it—only Jing Xue.
A short while later, a giant silver-white wolf appeared outside his study. Its light grey eyes sparkled brilliantly as it stared at Xuan Tian.
"Master, you called for me?" Jing Xue's thought transmitted directly into his mind. Jing Xue was not a mere mount or pet—he was a companion. Xuan Tian had saved him as a wounded cub, on the brink of death.
"Yes. Where were you?"
"I was at the gate, returning from a hunt in the nearby forest when you called. Master, someone is at the gate, looking for you. She's in bad shape. Fan Qingyan is leading her here."
"She's in bad shape?"
"Yes, Master. I can smell blood on her. Ah, she's here."
Fan Qingyan was walking toward where Xuan Tian stood waiting. Behind him trailed a woman who looked about thirty years old. She was once beautiful and graceful—typical of female Celestials—but today, she looked anything but.
Xuan Tian hadn't seen her in five years, not since they parted outside Tianmen City Gate, just before the Tianwei Barrier. Now, there was little left of the woman he remembered. This woman was thinner—much thinner. Her face had lost its glow, her lips were chapped, her hair a tangled mess. Her robe was torn and bloodied, sleeves shredded, deep cuts visible along both arms.
When she saw Xuan Tian, her eyes widened in recognition and relief. Her lips curled upward with effort, and tears welled in her eyes.
"General..." Her voice was no more than a whisper. "Finally..."
Xuan Tian's hand moved instantly, reaching for her.
But before he could catch her, she collapsed at his feet.
"Doctor!"