Tia silently moved back to her seat, her eyes brimming with tears she struggled to hold back.
Linhua stood to the side, unsure how to ease the tension.
"Umm… do you want more meat?" Linhua asked casually, forcing a small smile.
"No, thank you," Tia replied, her voice cracked, head lowered as she fought to steady her emotions.
Linhua studied her carefully. Even in the short time they had spent together, she could already read some of Tia's character. For someone like her to reject a meal, she must be truly hurting.
After a moment of thought, Linhua took the initiative.
"Tia, you can't really blame him. He's going through a lot, mentally. Remember your late father's words," she said gently, shifting closer.
Tia gave no reply, her eyes fixed on the floor as if it hid her secrets.
From what Linhua could see, Tia was deeply emotional. She wore her heart too openly, unable to hide what she felt.
Just as Linhua was about to speak again, Tia's voice broke the silence.
"I was only looking out for him. I love him. I don't want anything bad to happen to him." Her voice was faint, and a single teardrop fell to the floor.
Linhua said nothing at first. After a pause, she rested her hand lightly on Tia's shoulder.
"I understand. But still… sometimes it's better if he makes some decisions on his own," Linhua said softly, giving her shoulder a gentle pat.
Tia turned toward her, her face already wet with tears.
"I know… but I just don't want anything bad to happen to him. I may never forgive myself if it does." She wiped her face quickly, trying to steady herself.
Linhua smiled faintly, though inside she carried a thousand questions. How could this be the same Tia—the fierce princess everyone in the sect feared? How could someone so strong in battle be so fragile here?
Her thoughts drifted back to the day Tia had nearly took her life. But now, looking at the princess crying in front of her, Linhua only had more questions than answers.
---
Draven's Doubts
Draven stepped back into his room, his mind restless.
He knew Tia had his best interests at heart, yet he couldn't understand why she opposed this particular path—the only chance he had at being cured.
Had she changed all of a sudden? Or had she only pretended to care all this while?
The questions weighed on him. He had forty-eight days left, and already the pressure was becoming unbearable.
Sitting down cross-legged, Draven forced himself to begin meditating now that his body was calm enough to allow it.
---
The day waned, night drawing close.
By the time Draven opened his eyes, the stars had already begun to pierce the sky. His stomach growled faintly. He decided to go out and ask for food—even if he had to pay for it.
As he stepped into the hall, he nearly collided with Tia coming in.
He muttered a quick apology and moved past her without another word.
Tia paused at the doorway, watching him walk away. She had thought his anger was only temporary, a momentary impulse. But now… it seemed he was far more serious than she expected.
She lingered there, torn about calling him back, but decided against it. He'll come back for his medication, she told herself.
Or so she thought.
---
Draven finished his meal quickly, then turned to Linhua with a small nod.
"Thank you. I really enjoyed it," he said with a faint smile. By now, the last traces of sunlight had disappeared beyond the horizon.
Clearing his throat, he added,
"Regarding Orion…"
Linhua adjusted slightly, lowering her head respectfully.
"Well, your sister was not wrong. Orion is surrounded by a forest full of demonic beasts. I believe she only meant well."
Draven ignored the mention of Tia completely.
"When are these demons least active?" he asked.
"They have no set time of inactivity," Linhua replied carefully. "But they are most active at night."
She hesitated for a moment, then added,
"Cao, do you remember where evil-doers are banished when found guilty?"
Draven thought hard, then shook his head with regret.
"No. I don't."
"That forest," Linhua said, her tone sharp with significance. "There was never truly an 'Orion.' The place was built by survivors of that forest."
Draven's chest tightened with shock. So my sister was right all along. Going there… may very well be a death sentence.
Still, his resolve did not waver. He would go. He had no choice. The real question was—at what cost?
As he weighed the risk, his eyes narrowed on Linhua. A sudden suspicion struck him.
"How do you know my name?" Draven asked, his voice low and firm.
Linhua froze, a chill running down her spine.
"Well… I recognized you almost at once," she stammered, panic slipping into her tone.
Draven's stare hardened. Something was off.
After a long silence, he finally exhaled slowly.
"I was cursed by a Seventh Qi Condensation sorcerer. Then why, tell me, am I chasing one at the Fifth?" His voice was quiet, but iron-clad with suspicion.
The facts did not line up. And that could only mean one thing—
she might be his enemy.
Draven's eyes never left her as he waited for her answer.
Linhau cleared her throat. She was obviously beginning to panic, though she tried her best to maintain composure.
"Well, wouldn't it be better if you heard that from her? I wouldn't want to spread secrets just like that," Linhau said as beads of sweat began to fall from her face.
She instantly regretted trying to help in the first place.
Draven's aura began to flare faintly as he tried to mask his emotions.
"So how sure am I that you're not just trying to kill me off?" Draven asked, shifting his gaze away while clenching his fists.
"I have nothing to gain from that. I only feel indebted to your sister for saving my life, that's all," Linhau replied, hoping to end the conversation there.
"But that could just be a mask, don't you think? If not, how else was my father killed by his favorite son?" Draven said, rising to his feet.
As he moved closer to Linhau, about to utter another word, a voice cut through the air from behind him.
"She is practicing a forbidden cultivation path, Cao. Why must you always be suspicious of everyone who wants to help you?"
Tia said as she stepped forward.