Chapter 8
Outside, Jia Zhelan waited beneath a fruiting peach tree for Liang Chen. The two doors swung open, and out came Liang Chen, his green robes fluttering in the wind. He carried himself with the confidence of someone who had dined with the devil and came out alive.
Then there was that smirk.
It wasn't a smile of arrogance. It was a smirk of satisfaction.
[Jia Zhelan's Pulse: Relief – 61%, Gratitude – 84%, Inner Conflict – 36%]
[Microexpression Detected: Tensed jaw, hesitation masked by a practiced smile.]
[Hidden Emotion: Guilt]
[Intent Analysis: She's rehearsed this conversation over ten times in her head.]
Liang paused, then walked up to her until they stood maybe a few feet apart.
Jia Zhelan opened her mouth to speak, then closed it. She took a breath, then finally said, voice soft:
"I… I wanted to say thank you. For what you did. You stood up when no one else did. Not even the elders. You didn't even hesitate."
Liang Chen didn't speak, he just watched her quietly.
She lowered her gaze.
"You could've walked away, but you didn't. I owe you, more than I can ever repay. You saved me."
[Pulse Flare: Sincerity – 97%]
[Social Cue Detected: Formal gratitude]
[Underlying Layer: Self-blame, desire for redemption]
[Intent Analysis: Seeks purpose in the aftermath. Likely to follow if offered direction.]
Liang raised an eyebrow slowly, his smirk deepening a little but not too much to send the wrong message.
"I don't want you to owe me anything," he said.
Jia blinked, looking up. "What?"
"I said," Liang repeated, adjusting his robe, "I don't want you to owe me. In the sect, debts are weapons. Favors turn into shackles. You think you're free, then one day, someone calls it in."
[Pulse Detected: Confusion. Fragmented disappointment. Thought Spiral Initiated.]
He took a step closer.
"But…" he added, voice dropping slightly, "that doesn't mean we can't look out for each other."
He extended his arm towards her.
"No debts. Just… allies. You watch my back. I'll watch yours. How does that sound?"
Jia Zhelan stared at the hand, she didn't know what to do.
Then slowly, a warm real smile appeared on her face.
"Deal," she said, and stepped forward into a hug.
Her arms wrapped around him, cautious at first, like she wasn't sure if she was allowed to. But Liang didn't pull away. His hand lightly touched her shoulder once.
[Pulse Detected: Emotional Stabilization Achieved.]
[Hidden Pulse: Safety; 42% and rising.]
[Social Bond Established: Proto-Alliance]
They pulled apart.
"Take care of yourself, Jia," Liang said, looking her in the eyes.
She nodded once, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You too, Liang Chen. Don't die before I return the favor."
Liang Chen couldn't help but chuckle a little.
And with that Jia Zhelan walked down towards her home. For the first time since the incident, she walked almost confidently.
As she disappeared down the path, Liang Chen remained beneath the peach tree for a moment longer. He plucked a fruit from the lowest branch, tossed it in his hand, then took a slow bite.
The peach was unnaturally sweet.
Liang Chen smirked again.
Then made his way to his home.
…
Over the following days, Liang Chen's transition from outer sect disciple to inner sect disciple was met with some serious backlash.
To start with, it was unheard of.
Outer sect disciples spent years training, hoping and praying that a bored elder with the slightest bit of mercy would notice them. Promotion required flawless discipline, a record of achievements, good behavior, and above all, obedience.
And yet, Liang Chen.
A no-name with a tainted reputation, a shattered dantian, and a history of… questionable 'hobbies' had not only gotten promoted overnight, but had also done it by humiliating Fan Wuyi, the son of an influential elder.
What Liang Chen couldn't understand however was why people were still hating him.
Fan Wuyi had the biggest ego in the sect. He abused juniors, slept around with other women, was a drunkard and an entitled piece of shit, relishing in the immortality of his fathers position.
And even as he went on errands, the whispers were still there a constant throb.
[Pulse Across Inner Disciple Courtyards: Discontent – 74%, Distrust – 51%, Jealousy – 91%]
But now, Liang Chen didn't care.
In fact, he almost loved all the attention he was getting. Because it meant eyes were on him. And if people were watching, then they were exactly where he wanted them.
The elders had also granted Liang Chen, Fan Wuyi's old villa. It was a luxurious house nestled deep within the inner sect territory. Liang Chen didn't really care about the aesthetics, so he declined the offer. Opting for a more modest home on the outskirts of the inner sector that fit his needs.
Even as people passed, the all seeing eye read them.
[All-Seeing Eye: Passive Scans Initiated]
[Tracking Threat Profiles: 19 minor hostility. 6 high hostility. 3 active sabotage attempts predicted.]
Liang Chen had no need to be worried.
Everyday, he trained in the inner sects courtyard, polishing his spear techniques. When he was bored, he went to the Kenkai woods to hunt for spirit beasts. Liang Chen wasn't the strongest in the sect, he was probably the weakest, but his confidence spoke volumes.
As the weeks passed by, the sabotage began.
His cultivation chamber had special vents where rich qi would flow through. Now they were blocked. It was a minor inconvenience but it was annoying.
His name was left off the monthly contribution list.
A cultivator from the inner sect had sent him rotted meat. Liang Chen didn't eat it. He didn't go on an outburst.
He simply wrote a note saying: Not bad. 'Needs more poison next time'
[Pulse Detected: Agitation rising.]
[Response Prediction: Escalation imminent.]
One day, during his evening walk near the bamboo path that led to the waterfall shrine. Three inner sect disciples approached him. Their killing intent was spiking.
"Liang Chen" one of them called. He was short with blonde hair.
"Didn't think you were brave enough to walk alone around here," the second one said, twirling a dagger in his hand.
The third one said nothing, he just cracked his fingers.
Liang Chen didn't stop walking. He just said in a low calm voice.
"If I stopped for every mosquito trying to bite me, I'd never reach the river."
Twenty seconds later, two disciples lay unconscious on the floor, blood gushing from their nose. The third was coughing blood, his shoulder dislocated.
Liang Chen dusted off his robe, not even a speck of dust on it.
Later that night, as he returned back to his home, a letter was waiting for him on his mat.
"You've made many enemies, don't add to your problems"
Liang Chen smirked. Then he burnt the letter in the fire.
He didn't fear anyone. He would burn the heavens if he had to, just for his revenge.
But not everything was grim, however.
Jia Zhelan sent him a note on a messenger hawk.
Inside was a folded sheet that smelled faintly of plum blossom.
It read:
"The elders gave me another mission. I'll be away for a while.
I thank you again. I really mean it.
When I return, maybe you'll tell me what's really behind those eyes of yours.
Until then… stay alive. I'm still planning to return the favor.
– Jia Zhelan.
Liang Chen held the note for a moment, then slipped it into the pocket of his robes.
"…Not if I return it first." he whispered to himself.