A Promise Before the Moon

As dusk settled over the Ren Family estate, crimson sunlight painted the rooftops in shades of gold and scarlet.

The disciples slowly dispersed from the plaza.

No one spoke loudly.

The events of the day had left everyone in shock.

The Young Master had performed the Forbidden Second Summoning.

The Divine Phoenix had knelt.

An elder had been erased from existence.

And an ancient fox spirit whose mere presence frightened Heaven itself had willingly become Ren Jushang's companion.

The news spread through the estate like wildfire.

Within hours, every servant, elder and disciple knew one name.

Yun Qingjiu.

...

Ren Jushang walked through the stone pathways leading toward his courtyard.

Beside him, Yun Qingjiu followed half a step behind.

Unlike before, he had hidden his twelve tails and fox ears with a simple illusion. To ordinary eyes, he now appeared to be nothing more than an exceptionally beautiful young man with long silver hair.

Even so, his appearance attracted countless glances.

Some disciples hurriedly lowered their heads whenever they met his gaze.

Others simply ran away.

Yun Qingjiu looked puzzled.

"...Master."

"Hm?"

"Did I do something wrong?"

Ren Jushang glanced sideways.

"What makes you ask that?"

"Everyone keeps avoiding me."

"..."

Ren Jushang almost laughed.

"They're afraid of you."

Yun Qingjiu blinked.

"Why?"

"I only erased one person."

"..."

"..."

Ren Jushang sighed.

"You say that as if it's insignificant."

"It was insignificant."

Yun Qingjiu answered honestly.

"He wanted to hurt Master."

"So I removed the problem."

His tone carried no malice.

To him, eliminating an enemy was as natural as removing a pebble from one's shoe.

Ren Jushang stopped walking.

He turned to face Yun Qingjiu.

"Listen carefully."

Yun Qingjiu immediately straightened his posture.

"I'm listening."

"You cannot kill people simply because they dislike me."

Yun Qingjiu frowned slightly.

"But if they intend to kill you—"

"That's different."

Ren Jushang interrupted gently.

"If someone truly threatens our lives, we'll defend ourselves."

He looked directly into Yun Qingjiu's golden eyes.

"But I don't want innocent people dying because of me."

Silence followed.

Yun Qingjiu lowered his head.

His silver hair slipped over his shoulders, hiding his expression.

"...Master dislikes killing."

"I've killed before."

Ren Jushang answered quietly.

"In my previous life."

"So much that I eventually stopped counting."

His voice became distant.

"I don't regret protecting myself."

"But I regret becoming someone who believed violence was the answer to everything."

Yun Qingjiu slowly raised his head.

He saw something in Ren Jushang's eyes that made his heart ache.

Loneliness.

Pain.

Regret.

Without thinking, he reached forward and gently held Ren Jushang's hand.

"I understand."

His voice was incredibly soft.

"I won't kill unless Master allows me."

Ren Jushang smiled faintly.

"You don't need my permission."

"I just want you to think first."

Yun Qingjiu nodded seriously.

"If Master wishes it..."

"I'll learn."

Deep inside his heart, however, another thought remained.

Anyone who truly harms Master...

Will still disappear.

He simply wouldn't let Ren Jushang witness it.

...

By the time they reached the courtyard, the moon had risen.

The residence was quiet.

A small lotus pond reflected the silver light of the night sky.

Fireflies drifted lazily through the garden.

Yun Qingjiu stopped walking.

His golden eyes widened slightly.

"So beautiful..."

Ren Jushang looked around.

"This place?"

"Mhm."

Yun Qingjiu smiled.

"It feels peaceful."

"In the Abyss..."

"There were no fireflies."

"There were no lotus flowers."

"There wasn't even a moon."

Ren Jushang looked at him with curiosity.

"What was the Abyss like?"

Yun Qingjiu became thoughtful.

"It was..."

"...silent."

"Very, very silent."

"I slept most of the time."

"When I woke up..."

"I waited."

"For what?"

Yun Qingjiu smiled gently.

"For Master."

Ren Jushang blinked.

"...Me?"

"I didn't know your name."

"I didn't know your face."

"But I knew..."

"My contractor would eventually find me."

Ren Jushang couldn't explain why those words made his chest tighten.

Even after living two lives...

No one had ever spoken about waiting for him.

No one...

Except Yun Qingjiu.

...

A servant entered the courtyard carrying several trays of food.

The young servant bowed deeply.

"Young Master."

"The Patriarch instructed the kitchen to prepare a feast."

Only then did Ren Jushang realise he hadn't eaten since morning.

"Leave it there."

"Yes, Young Master."

The servant cautiously placed the dishes upon the stone table.

Before leaving, he secretly stole a glance at Yun Qingjiu.

The silver-haired young man was staring curiously at the food.

Once the servant disappeared, Yun Qingjiu leaned closer.

"What are these?"

"Dinner."

"You...eat?"

Ren Jushang laughed softly.

"Humans usually do."

"I've never eaten."

Yun Qingjiu admitted.

"I don't need to."

Ren Jushang picked up a pair of chopsticks.

"Then today will be your first meal."

Yun Qingjiu tilted his head.

"My first?"

"Mhm."

He placed a small dumpling into Yun Qingjiu's bowl.

"Try it."

Yun Qingjiu carefully copied Ren Jushang's movements.

Awkwardly, he picked up the dumpling.

The chopsticks slipped.

The dumpling fell.

Again.

And again.

After the fifth attempt, Yun Qingjiu looked completely defeated.

"...Master."

"I've failed."

Ren Jushang couldn't hold back his laughter.

The mighty Sovereign of the Abyss...

Defeated by chopsticks.

"It's not a battle."

"It certainly feels like one."

Still smiling, Ren Jushang picked up another dumpling.

"Open your mouth."

Yun Qingjiu obediently leaned forward.

"Ah."

Ren Jushang fed him.

For a moment, everything became quiet.

Yun Qingjiu slowly chewed.

His eyes widened.

A brilliant smile spread across his face.

"It's delicious."

"So this..."

"...is food."

He looked at the table as though discovering a priceless treasure.

"I want to try everything."

Ren Jushang chuckled.

"Then we'll eat together."

For the next hour, laughter occasionally echoed through the quiet courtyard.

It was the first peaceful evening Ren Jushang had experienced in either of his lives.

As the moon climbed higher, Yun Qingjiu looked at him with gentle eyes.

"Master."

"Hm?"

"I'm very happy."

"So am I."

Neither of them noticed that, from the shadows outside the courtyard walls, a pair of crimson eyes silently watched them before disappearing into the darkness.

Far away, another game piece had begun to move.

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