The night air was crisp, the full moon casting a pale glow over the landscape. Jiang Yuefeng stood on the balcony of the sect's secluded courtyard, his thoughts as ever focused on his plans. His hands rested against the stone railing, and his gaze was distant, unfeeling, as he observed the quiet night.
It had been weeks since the incident with the demon girl, and yet, the memories of their first real connection lingered. He was used to being in control, used to being the one who directed every interaction. But with her, it felt different. Her presence was a constant now, her golden eyes watching him with an intensity he hadn't expected.
Despite his cold exterior, there was a shift. He knew it—he could feel it. But he would never allow himself to acknowledge it fully. Emotions were a weakness, something he could not afford to entertain. Not when power was his only true pursuit.
Footsteps broke the silence, and he turned slightly, his eyes narrowing as he saw her approach. She moved with a quiet grace, her dark robes swishing slightly with each step. The demon girl, as he had come to call her, was standing before him now, her gaze steady.
"You're thinking again," she said softly, her voice carrying just enough to reach him, but not demanding his attention. It was a strange familiarity in her words, a knowing tone.
"Thinking is a necessity," Yuefeng replied, his voice neutral. "Without thought, there can be no progress."
She tilted her head slightly, as if considering his words. "You always speak in riddles. But I suppose I'll get used to it."
He said nothing in response, and for a moment, they both stood in silence. There was a stillness in the air, a peace that was rare for him. She didn't try to fill it with words, and neither did he. It was just the two of them, their thoughts intertwined in a way that neither fully understood but both accepted.
After a long pause, the demon girl stepped closer, her presence now more imposing than before. Despite the cold, she wore a faint smile on her lips—a smile that was small but genuine.
"You've been busy," she said, her voice almost teasing. "Are you still planning everything out?"
Yuefeng turned his head slightly, his gaze meeting hers. "Plans are never complete. They evolve. But yes, I am."
"Sometimes," she began, her smile slipping just a little, "it feels like you're never truly here."
He looked at her, his eyes unreadable. "I'm always here. You just don't see it."
Her smile returned, though it was tinged with something more—something he couldn't quite place. "You know," she said, her voice soft, "you've never once asked about me. Not really."
Yuefeng didn't respond immediately. He knew what she meant. He had never bothered to ask about her past, her motivations, her struggles. He had been focused only on the present and the future. She had been useful to him—valuable, even—and he had no doubt that she would continue to be.
But something about her words made him pause. It wasn't an accusation, but it felt like an unspoken request.
"I know enough," he replied, though his words sounded hollow even to him. "You are here because you have a purpose. You are mine, and you will fulfill that purpose."
She didn't react right away, but he saw the brief flash of something in her eyes—was it sadness? Disappointment? It was gone in an instant, replaced by the usual mask of composure.
"I suppose that's true," she said softly. "I am here because you saved me. But that doesn't mean I don't have my own thoughts. I want more than just to be a tool."
"Tools are important," Yuefeng replied, his tone even. "A sword does not question its wielder. It serves its purpose."
"But I'm not a sword," she said, her voice now sharp. "I'm a person. I may follow you, but that doesn't mean I don't have my own desires. You might control me, but you can't control everything."
There it was again—her resistance. He had expected it, even welcomed it in a way. Her strength, her will, was what made her interesting. And that was what kept him intrigued.
He took a step closer to her, his presence imposing. She didn't flinch, but her gaze never left his.
"You are mine," he said simply, his voice low, "but that doesn't mean I won't give you the freedom to choose when it matters. The rest... will come in time."
Her eyes softened, the challenge in them fading into something more uncertain. "I don't need your pity," she replied, though the edge in her voice had dulled.
He didn't respond immediately, his gaze fixed on her. He was no fool—he understood what she was seeking. Her independence, her autonomy. But she had already made her choice by staying by his side.
"You never have to earn my pity," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "But you must understand that your place is here. By my side. Whether you accept it or not."
For a moment, she remained silent, as if weighing his words. Then, with a soft sigh, she stepped closer, the space between them closing. Her presence seemed to fill the air, and despite his usual emotional detachment, Yuefeng couldn't help but acknowledge the bond that had been forming between them.
"You think I've been too soft on you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I think you are too valuable to lose," he replied, his gaze steady. "But that doesn't change who we are. We both have roles to play."
For a brief moment, she seemed to search his face for something. She wasn't looking for affection, not in the way most would. But there was something in her eyes—a desire for understanding, perhaps. Something deeper than what he had given her.
But in the end, she said nothing. She didn't need to. Her actions spoke louder than words. Slowly, she reached out, her hand resting against his arm—a silent gesture of acknowledgment.
"You're not as emotionless as you pretend," she said, her voice quiet, yet somehow understanding.
He didn't respond, but the faintest flicker of something—something he couldn't name—stirred within him. She was right. He had always believed that emotions were distractions. But as time passed, he began to realize that they were more than that.
They were bonds.
And for the first time, he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a dangerous one.
End of Chapter 15