Volume 1, Chapter 5: How About Switching Sides to Ye Chen?

"This is truly troublesome." Qin Feng’s thoughts were like surging waves, each crest laden with heavy anxiety, crashing against the embankments of his heart.

His plans—those carefully laid strategies he had once felt so confident in—now seemed fragile and pathetic in the face of Ye Chen’s meteoric rise. It was as if they were being dismantled piece by piece by an invisible giant, dissolving into nothingness. His future, a path that should have been brilliant and promising, was now shrouded in a dense haze, obscuring the way forward.

"Is my retreat truly to be sealed off in this silent contest? I have truly reached a dead end." Qin Feng’s voice was low and trembling, each word squeezed through gritted teeth, heavy with helplessness and despair. His eyes were vacant, having lost their focus; he remained frozen in that moment, completely oblivious to the world around him. Even when Wu Yazi and Qingsongzi both turned around, their gazes fixed upon him with suspicion, he could not pull himself from his own thoughts.

"Qin Feng, what is going on with this boy?" Qingsongzi frowned, his eyes lingering on Qin Feng for a long time without receiving a response. He shook his head in frustration and turned to seek answers from Wu Yazi.

Wu Yazi did not answer immediately. His gaze drifted far toward Ye Chen’s residence, where an unusual aura seemed to be stirring. After a moment, he slowly withdrew his gaze and looked at Qin Feng with profound eyes.

"The Ye Chen of today is no longer the man he once was. Those who once looked down on him, bullied him, or even offended him, would do well to reconsider their actions." Wu Yazi’s voice was low and resonant, each word carrying a weight that could not be ignored.

Qingsongzi was taken aback by these words, clearly surprised by the elder's assessment. However, Wu Yazi abruptly changed the subject: "Sect Leader Qingsongzi, I have pressing matters to attend to and cannot stay longer. I shall take my leave."

"Farewell, Elder." Qingsongzi hurriedly bowed, watching as Wu Yazi transformed into a brilliant streak of light that tore across the horizon and vanished into the distance.

Once Wu Yazi’s figure had completely disappeared, Qingsongzi hesitated for a moment before turning sharply, his gaze piercing as he looked at Qin Feng.

"Qin Feng, why are you still standing there?" There was a hint of reproach and dissatisfaction in Qingsongzi’s voice.

Standing where he was, Qin Feng still harbored a trace of dazed confusion. Qingsongzi’s words struck like a morning bell, jolting him from the fog of his thoughts. He looked up at Qingsongzi, whose stern yet kind face was a mix of reprimand and disappointment, stirring a pang of guilt in Qin Feng’s chest. He knew his distraction was inappropriate, whether it stemmed from his unease regarding the coming challenges or his own self-doubt.

"Sect Leader, what is it?" he asked hurriedly.

Qingsongzi merely waved his hand dismissively, his gaze not lingering on Qin Feng for long, as if Qin Feng’s presence were nothing more than an insignificant breeze passing by without leaving a trace.

"Nothing. I have official business to attend to; we shall part ways here." Qingsongzi’s voice was cold and distant. With that, he turned to leave, not sparing Qin Feng a second glance. Though filled with a thousand questions, Qin Feng could only bow in resignation, watching Qingsongzi’s retreating back until it vanished at the edge of his vision.

Elsewhere, sunlight filtered through the lattice windows, dappling Ye Chen’s bedroom and adding warmth to the quiet space. Ye Yao sat on the edge of the bed, the sunlight dancing in her hair and casting a soft glow upon her. Her eyes held a trace of unease, yet she could not hide her reliance on and trust in her brother.

Ye Chen stood beside her, holding a small cyan medicine bottle that glinted in the light. He set it down on the table and said gently, "Yao-yao, this might sting a little when I apply it."

Ye Yao pressed her lips together, her small face set with determination. She nodded, her bright eyes shining with trust and gratitude. "Brother, don't worry, I can endure it." Her voice trembled slightly, but her resolve was firm.

Ye Chen responded softly and carefully uncorked the bottle. He poured the powder into his palm; it glittered in the sunlight, as if every grain held magical power. He dipped his fingertips into the powder and looked at Ye Yao with tenderness, as if offering silent encouragement.

Ye Yao held out her scraped elbow. The delicate skin was marred by an abrasion, but surprisingly, it had already begun to scab over. As the sunlight hit the scab, it shimmered with a faint golden luster, causing Ye Chen to pause in surprise. He knew well that his sister had been frail since childhood, susceptible to the slightest change in weather. That this wound had scabbed over so quickly was entirely beyond his expectations.

However, Ye Chen pushed this surprise to the back of his mind and focused on applying the medicine. As his fingertips touched the wound, the powder melted, releasing a cooling sensation that carried a slight sting. Ye Yao’s body shuddered, but she bit her lip, refusing to let out a groan. Her eyes remained resolute, telling Ye Chen that no matter how much it hurt, she could endure it.

Seeing this, a complex mix of emotions surged within Ye Chen—pity for the pain she endured, and pride in her strength and courage, which far exceeded her years. He continued to apply the medicine with gentle, meticulous care. Every touch of his fingertips seemed to convey endless love and protection, bringing Ye Yao a sense of peace she had never known.

Ye Yao gritted her teeth, holding onto her resilience until Ye Chen finished applying the medicine and carefully bandaged the wound. In that moment, her eyes shimmered with tears—not from pain, but from gratitude and deep affection.

"There, Yao-yao, it’s done." Ye Chen said softly, clapping his hands to shake off the remaining powder. His gaze was filled with tenderness and resolve, as if promising that no matter what happened, he would remain her strongest shield.

"By the way, stay and rest for the next few days. Don't do anything. If you need anything, just come to your brother." His tone left no room for argument, planting a sense of security in Ye Yao’s heart.

Ye Yao opened her mouth to speak, but seeing the sharpness and determination in Ye Chen’s eyes, she swallowed her words. She knew he did this for her own good, so she nodded gently and replied in a trembling voice, "Alright, Brother."

However, just as she finished speaking, she seemed to recall something. Her brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of worry crossing her eyes. "Oh, and Brother... Jiang Yun lost so much face in front of you, and even in front of the Elder, he likely won't let this go easily."