A year later, Kanzaki returned.
The long campaigns against the Abominations of Abundance had clearly taken their toll. In the months that followed, the frequency of major engagements dropped sharply, and the rare stretches of quiet felt almost unfamiliar.
Two weeks later, the Xianzhou Yaoqing held its annual Ember-Ban Festival.
The celebration commemorated those who had fallen during the Suiyang rebellion in the Era of Fire Catastrophe, and the great hero who had burned away alongside the Flint Emperor to protect the Xianzhou. In honor of those spirits, the people of the Xianzhou refrained from anything involving fire on this day.
Instead, every ship in the Alliance hosted a grand singing and dancing gala, broadcast live across the universe. Within each delve, households hung colorful lanterns and prepared pre-boiled Qiongshi bird eggs. Intricate auspicious patterns—clouds and mythical beasts—were carved into the shells, symbols of rebirth and wholeness.
As night fell, the lights of the Xianzhou Yaoqing blazed as brightly as day. The commercial districts overflowed with people, laughter echoing through the streets.
Kanzaki wore a vintage belted long robe that made his tall frame appear even more striking. Jingliu, Xueyi, and Hanya had also changed into similar traditional attire for the first time in a long while.
Jingliu's hair was pinned with the hairpin Kanzaki had given her during her ceremony. The corners of her mouth lifted faintly.
She looked softer tonight, almost like any other young woman on the street. Countless glances followed her as they walked.
"It's so lively," Hanya murmured, her eyes drifting across the glowing lanterns and food stalls on either side of the street. A quiet smile touched Xueyi's lips as she stayed close behind Kanzaki with her younger sister.
Jingliu walked beside them, her gaze fixed on Kanzaki's back.
The atmosphere felt unusually gentle. No battles. No urgent orders. Just Master and the three of them.
Perhaps tonight his usual restraint would ease. Perhaps she could walk beside him like any ordinary woman, her hand resting lightly on his arm.
Music drifted from the central plaza ahead—the climax of the Ember-Ban Festival. The Dance of Shared Wishes.
According to tradition, everyone in the plaza would find a partner and dance together beneath the brilliant lights. It was both a tribute to the heroes of the past and a prayer for peace in the year to come.
"The auspicious hour has arrived! Let us dance and offer our wishes!"
The host's voice carried across the venue. The crowd stirred. Young men and women blushed as they extended invitations. Older couples smiled at one another and stepped onto the floor hand in hand.
Jingliu's heart pounded. She steadied her expression, gathered her courage, and turned toward Kanzaki. The words were already forming on her tongue.
Master, would you dance with your disciple?
But before she could speak, Kanzaki turned slightly and extended his hand toward Hanya with natural ease.
"Hanya, would you like to dance with me?"
His voice was gentle, carrying a warmth Jingliu had never heard directed at her.
Hanya blinked in surprise, then placed her hand in his without hesitation.
"It would be my greatest honor, Lord Kanzaki."
Their fingers intertwined. They stepped onto the dance floor together.
Jingliu's outstretched arm froze in midair. The words she had prepared turned to thorns in her throat—impossible to swallow, impossible to voice.
"Jingliu?"
Xueyi's voice came from beside her, soft and uncertain. She reached out awkwardly, concern clear in her eyes.
"Since Lord Kanzaki and Little Sister have gone ahead… shall the two of us partner up? It's only a formality, after all…"
Jingliu did not answer. Her gaze remained locked on the two figures now at the center of the plaza.
The brightest lights converged on them. Kanzaki's hand rested lightly on Hanya's waist while his other hand held hers. They moved in perfect rhythm—spinning, advancing, retreating with the music. Hanya looked up at him, quiet tenderness in her eyes.
And Kanzaki… the corners of his mouth curved into a faint, gentle smile.
It was an expression Jingliu had imagined countless times in her dreams. One she had never once received.
She had trained until her body gave out. She had slain enemies without mercy. She had pushed herself past every limit, all in the desperate hope of earning even a single glance of approval.
Yet that warmth, that closeness, that quiet affection had been given to someone else without hesitation.
The cheers and music around her faded into nothing. In Jingliu's world, only the two dancers remained.
Her heartbeat grew heavy, each thump striking like a hammer against her ribs. The light in her eyes dimmed, replaced by a deepening darkness. If anyone had met her gaze in that moment, they would have felt a chill run down their spine.
Why?
Why Hanya?
I am stronger now. I am more talented. I love Master more than anyone.
Jingliu watched them without expression. After a long moment, the corners of her mouth slowly, stiffly lifted.
The smile held no warmth. Only a cold, collapsing emptiness.
Master's hand is on Senior Sister's waist… If a sword were to pierce through that spot, what would it feel like?
No. That would make Master angry.
She tilted her head slightly, one hand pressing lightly against her chest. Her crimson eyes reflected the dancing figures with hollow clarity.
Why do they both look so happy?
Why does it feel so cold here?
Is it because I am standing too far away?
Or is it because… some people are simply unnecessary?
If only Master and I remained in this world… If there were no Xueyi, no Hanya… would Master have no choice but to look only at me?
Would his hands hold only me?
Would his tenderness belong only to me?
"Jingliu? Are… are you all right?"
Xueyi's voice trembled. She had taken half a step back without realizing it, visibly unsettled by the lifeless look in Jingliu's eyes and the eerie curve of her smile.
"Your expression… it's frightening. Are you feeling unwell?"
Jingliu's vacant gaze lingered on Xueyi for several seconds before she suddenly blinked and returned to herself.
The thoughts she had just entertained crashed over her like ice water.
She had been mad.
Completely mad.
Xueyi and Hanya were not only her seniors—they were fellow survivors of Cangcheng.
To harbor such thoughts about them was unforgivable. If Master ever discovered what had passed through her mind, he would cast her aside without hesitation.
She could not allow that to happen.
She had only Master.
Only Master.
Only Master.
If she lost him, she would have nothing left. She would not be able to continue living.
Jingliu looked back toward the dance floor. The sight of Kanzaki and Hanya no longer felt quite so unbearable.
At least he was still here. She could still see him. She could still stand in the same world as him.
That alone was enough.
For now.
===
T/N: I swear Kanzaki, you really are a yandere maker.