"Baicheng?"

Fei Qianchi called out. The man was awfully distracted today. He was staring off into space. Fei Qianchi had already been calling out his name for a while.

Baicheng looked back, "Did you say something?"

"Are you alright? You've been zoning out for a while now." Fei Qianchi asked. The man was awfully distracted today.

Fei Qianchi had returned just this morning. Zhu Longwang had to stay a while longer so Fei Qianchi returned by himself. As soon as he got back, he met up with Baicheng. He didn't expect that the man would be so out of it.

"Oh... I'm alright. Actually, Qianchi, I have to leave for a while." Baicheng still had a light smile on his face. "There are some matters that I have to resolve."

Fei Qianchi's eyes warmed, glittering with emotions. "Is that so? Then you should go. I don't want to take up too much of your time. I know that you have your own personal problems to solve." Fei Qianchi softly replied.

Baicheng smiled, his face warming. He stretched out a hand, softly caressing Fei Qianchi's cheek as the man leaned in. "I'll be back. I don't know how long it will take but I'll be back."

Fei Qianchi nodded his head. "I know." He knew that Baicheng would come back soon. Their relationship was now deeper and although they haven't done anything, Baicheng was more open to skin-ship now.

"I will be back. For sure. I just don't know how much will change by the time I come back." The man smiled, his eyes glinting mysteriously.

Fei Qianchi looked at the man opposite of him. Those eyes made him restless, but he wasn't startled at all. Deep down, it even felt like something was soothing him.

"Come back soon." Fei Qianchi smiled as he whispered.

"Of course." Baicheng replied. "How can I bear to leave without settling things?" The man smiled, looking as gentlemanly as always.

Fei Qianchi watched carefully. Even though he was worried, it felt like his body worked against his own mind now.

-

Soon, Baicheng left. As Fei Qianchi walked around Taohua peak, there was a small smile on his face.

There was a small purr in the air as a white figure ran on the ground. Fei Qianchi stuck out his hand. "Xiao Bai!"

The white cat was as arrogant as before. Licking his paws, he leaned into Fei Qianchi's arm. Fei Qianchi could only shake his head as he walked further into the peak. Zhu Longwang should be here somewhere. He just didn't know where he was precisely.

Baicheng had left for a while now. Two weeks had passed. With every passing day, Fei Qianchi felt a deeper fear setting in him. He had never been gone for so long before. Fei Qianchi basically stuck to the man's side most of the time. It was rare that Baicheng was not by his side. The longest they had gone without seeing one another was one week and even then, Fei Qianchi couldn't hear to stay away for long.

Fei Qianchi didn't know why, but ever since that day he passed out, Fei Qianchi found it hard to separate from Baicheng. There was just an intense longing in his heart whenever he separated from Baicheng. He didn't understand why, he merely thought that his feelings for the man was too strong.

Stepping deeper into the peak, Fei Qianchi gently rubbed the white cat in his arms. He smiled to himself. Truthfully, he really did love Baicheng. Knowing that the man was his savior, he knew that he could trust him. And, although it was weird how intense his feelings were for the man, Fei Qianchi only thought of it as normal.

There was an unsettling feeling in his heart though. Before Baicheng had left, the man was a little strange. His mood was obviously darker, a dark glance within his eyes. Sometimes, the man had a grim expression on his face and it would only disappear once Fei Qianchi called for him.

Dismissing this, Fei Qianchi tried to find Zhu Longwang.

"Qianchi, you surely do love him, don't you?"

"Of course, is that strange?"

The sudden voice in his head did not make Fei Qianchi nervous. He could even visualize the man speaking to him with that grin on his face.

"Falling too deeply in love won't do you any good."

Fei Qianchi furrowed his brows, "You told me to trust him. You said to love him. You even told me to beware of Zhu Longwang."

"Of course. Those words still stand. But, I don't know about him now. Can't you see that something is strange?"

Fei Qianchi felt his head pulse. There was a sore ache running through his head. A different voice rung in his ears.

"Run... care... safe."

And then it stopped. Fei Qianchi's hands froze, freezing as he patted Xiao Bai, the white cat that sat in his arm.

"What was that?" It was a different voice. Colder. Fei Qianchi felt like he recognized that voice but he also couldn't recall it exactly. That voice sounded familiar, yet he had no clue whose voice it belonged to.

"Oh, that? Don't worry. It's just another pesky person on this side. He's good at disobeying my words so I had to come teach him a lesson in person. Still, be careful. And shall something ever happen, I will always be here for you."

Fei Qianchi was going to ask again but his mind suddenly went blank. What was he going to ask? He couldn't recall it anymore...

"Remember, be wary of everyone. The only person you can trust is yourself. You will never know what others are thinking."

This voice was smooth, yet also sly.

Fei Qianchi felt the words echo in his head. The man no other spoke after that. Fei Qianchi tilted his head as he walked along the path.

He was going to ask about something but he couldn't put his hands on what it was anymore. It happened too often now. Fei Qianchi would forget about something that he was supposed to remember. Whenever this happened, Fei Qianchi would lose focus but still continue on with his life.

It had happened before. But just like what happened a moment ago, Fei Qianchi wouldn't remember anything at all.

Fei Qianchi blinked a few more times. What was he supposed to remember?

When nothing came out after a long time of thinking, Fei Qianchi no longer lingered on it as he finally arrived before the pier.

This was where Zhu Longwang normally sat and carved but today he wasn't here. Fei Qianchi actually came here to give the hairpin to Zhu Longwang. He had finished carving it and even added other details to it. The burning red jade looked like fire. After all, it was made from a phoenix's flames hence its name.

"Where could he be?" Fei Qianchi wondered out loud. In his hand, Xiao Bai moved, his paw gently hitting Fei Qianchi's arm.

At that moment, there was a ripple in the air. Fei Qianchi flinched as he turned back, to where Zhu Longwang stood with his brows furrowed in surprise and worry.

"Qianchi, did you hear yet?" Zhu Longwang's voice was scattered, rising and falling. There were beads of sweat upon his beautiful face, his purple eyes narrow.

"About what?" Fei Qianchi asked, confused by the commotion.

Zhu Longwang opened his mouth and then closed it, as if he couldn't get the words out. Finally, he whispered, "Baicheng sent back news."

"Baicheng?" Fei Qianchi's eyes lit up. Was this not good? Why was Zhu Longwang so worried?

"He...he said that he is preparing to marry someone." Zhu Longwang's voice shook.

Fei Qianchi froze, the smile on his lips vanishing at once as the words settled. What? Preparing to marry someone? His face became darker, turning cold in that instant.

"Stop lying." Fei Qianchi rebuked angrily. His eyes flared and even Xiao Bai flinched, the cat standing up and running out of his arms.

Zhu Longwang looked hurt by Fei Qianchi's tone. The man flinched, biting his lips. "I'm not lying, Qianchi. Baicheng... he has already sought for a wedding date."

Fei Qianchi breathed heavily. Marry? Baicheng, his savior, the man who said that he loved him?! Fei Qianchi felt a rush of anger take over him, a dark energy running through his body. No! Impossible. There must be something wrong.

"The bride is Hong Meiwan, the daughter of a famous merchant in Louyang." Zhu Longwang slowly said.

Fei Qianchi felt his sight blur. No... the man said that he loved him. He even promised him. This was the man who saved him, was it not? Wasn't this the man who saved him two times, the man who gave him that pendant? This was the man that he had searched for for centuries... what went wrong?

"I need to go." Fei Qianchi's face was dark. There was a strong hint of anger and sadness within his eyes.

But Zhu Longwang stopped him, "You can't go. No matter what, the man is already engaged, Qianchi. Even if you go, there is nothing that you can do."

Fei Qianchi was losing control of himself. His heart screamed in pain and now that Zhu Longwang was stopping him, he was even more angry. His blue eyes lit in anger, scowling as he spat out, "Do not stop me, Longwang!" He screamed, lifting his hand as a burst of light flew from it, flying towards Zhu Longwang.

Zhu Longwang was shocked, moving back as he took out his sword to block the attack. Sanfeng shone, the blue sword deflecting the attack.

"Qianchi!" Zhu Longwang screamed out as Fei Qianchi rushed towards him with Baihe in his hand.

"I told you to not trust him. What did you think? That he truly loved you? Humans are all the same, immortal or not. Love is fickle, power is the true strength. Qianchi, why were you fooled so easily?"

Shut up! Fei Qianchi could hear the loud and mocking voice in his head, clouding his mind. He couldn't think straight. He could only feel a strong betrayal, a strong hatred bursting in his heart. It took over him, washing away his consciousness.

His heart pulsed in pain, betrayal and heartbreak setting in. No... the man couldn't have lied... this was the man that he searched for for centuries, the sole reason why Fei Qianchi continued to live for so long. He had continued to live because he wanted to repay his debt.

"I can give you all the power that you need. Just listen to me."

"Qianchi, stop!" Zhu Longwang shouted.

Fei Qianchi could hear him, but his veins screamed in anger. Baihe moved fast, flickering. It didn't take long. Soon, a long line ran down the left side of Zhu Longwang's face, running down his cheek. A trickle of blood ran down from his face, and Fei Qianchi finally snapped out, flinching backwards.

A hairpin fell to the ground, cracking, the Jade shattering.

Fei Qianchi stood in shock. What happened? But without a moment to spare, his body flickered and disappeared. He needed to meet Baicheng first. This could wait.

Fei Qianchi didn't stop to look at Zhu Longwang. Louyang. That was where Fei Qianchi first met Baicheng. An aching pain ran through his head, making him stumble as his body reappeared in the bustling streets.

His blue eyes looked around, white hair messy. The voices flooded his ears.

"Lady Hong is finally going to get married!"

"I heard that they were engaged from young. Only that the groom went missing, hence, Lady Hong patiently waited for him."

Hearing this, Fei Qianchi felt his stomach quiver in pain. Engaged? Since when? Then, what exactly was his role?

The streets were decorated in red, red cloth lining the many buildings. It was clear how influential the bride's family was. This was only the engagement. The wedding was not even held yet.

Fei Qianchi looked around, searching for the man. He followed the cloths of red, taking him to the gates of a large mansion.

Fei Qianchi stood, not knowing what was happening to him. Was this pain, betrayal, or anger? What was it exactly? He didn't know, but something raged and roar within him.

It didn't take long for Baicheng to appear. The man was dressed in a golden robe, a gentle smile on his lips with his eyes bright. Holding his hand, a beautiful woman stood.

The woman was truly a beauty. With red plump lips and sharp eyes, her hair was as black as the night. Her eyes were brown, shining brightly as she looked at Baicheng. The woman had a small oval face, her skin was pale. She was tall for a woman, but standing next to Baicheng, she truly fitted him.

Fei Qianchi clenched his hand. What did he come here for? Was he hoping for the man who saved him to choose him?

In that instant, Hong Meiwan looked up. Seeing Fei Qianchi, her eyes darkened. Her smile tightened, but she still held on tightly to Baicheng.

Baicheng also looked up. Seeing Fei Qianchi, there was no emotion in his eyes.

Seeing this, Fei Qianchi felt a stabbing pain within him. The man's eyes were so cold. He was never like this. That man would always smile towards him, yet, he now stood so far away with a cold glance.

Hong Meiwan sneered, her red lips pulled back as she slowly walked forward with Baicheng by her side. The woman was beautiful dressed in red, she was fearless. With slow graceful steps, she stood a meter away from Fei Qianchi.

"Who are you? I have no recollection inviting you to this engagement party?" Hong Meiwan's voice was sharp. Her eyes flared, biting with no mercy.

Fei Qianchi staggered. He hoped... he was wishing for Baicheng to look at him, to tell him that it was just a cruel joke. But the man's eyes remained cold. He opened his mouth, but nothing would come out.

Seeing this, Hong Meiwan scoffed. "Are you not going to say anything? Baicheng, is this the man you were talking about." She directed her eyes to Baicheng, her tone gentler.

"He is." Baicheng merely replied. He didn't say anything more, but his eyes became warmer as he looked at Hong Meiwan.

Once more, Fei Qianchi felt a stabbing pain in his heart. No... why?

Hearing this, Hong Meiwan cocked her brow. "I am Hong Meiwan, Baicheng's future wife. The two of us have been engaged since young, it is only normal that we should marry. What gives you the right to step into our house when you were simply the other person in this relationship?" She dragged Baicheng closer to her, as if proclaiming that he was her's.

Fei Qianchi clenched his fist, biting his lip as he suppressed his tears. Hong Meiwan's words stabbed him because he knew that it was true. If the two were engaged since young, then he was simply the other person, the one who had tried to steal Baicheng.

"You said that you love me. You said that you would wait for the day we stand across one another. You saved me, you gave me so much hope for our future. Yet now, you are already engaged? You are preparing to marry?" Fei Qianchi stammered out in pain. He questioned the man. His eyes held countless questions within them.

And yet, the man only smiled. Baicheng looked at Fei Qianchi with no emotion. "Love? Someone like you, how can I love you in this life!? Fei Qianchi, you killed all your family members when you were just a child. An evil and cruel, unloving person like you, I would be insane if I truly loved you."

Fei Qianchi blinked in shock. Cruel? Evil? Before, Baicheng had said that it was only an act of revenge. The man said that he had no faults. Yet, that man now cursed him, that man now told him that he was unloving.

"You said that it was only revenge! You said that I was not wrong in my actions. I told you everything in my life. I told you everything because I thought that like me, your feelings were true. I told you the deepest and darkest secrets of my life because I trusted and loved you. Back then, you assured me that you would always love me. When did you change?" Fei Qianchi screamed. His blue eyes were red, his lips trembling as he shouted.

"Change? He never changed. Don't you understand? He was only fooling you. Fei Qianchi, just who do you think you are? Do you think that the world belongs to you? So what if you are a genius. It means nothing at all. It will never change the fact that you have severed countless lives." Hong Meiwan spoke. Her voice was filled with ridicule, eyes looking at Fei Qianchi with haughtiness in them.

Baicheng smiled at Hong Meiwan's words, as if he was encouraging her to continue.

Fei Qianchi felt his vision cloud, tears threatening to fall from his eyes. His white hair was messy, his tidy robe had creases on them now. The man did not look the same anymore.

"Go back. It was fun while it lasted, but I already have a betroth. We will be getting married soon. She and I were engaged since young, we were just separated for a long time. I had fun spending time with you, but now that everything has come to this point, there's no need to continue." Baicheng was cruel, his words stabbing and cold, cutting off all ties with Fei Qianchi. Hong Meiwan's smile got even bigger, eyes warm as Baicheng caressed her cheek.

Fei Qianchi watched in silence. His head pounded with pain, his heart felt like someone had stabbed and ripped it to shreds. What was this? Was this a cruel joke? Was this Heaven's way of punishing him for the lives he severed when he was younger?

It was only revenge. Fei Qianchi merely avenged himself and his mother. And yet, others still ridiculed him, the world still laughed at him in the end, calling him evil.

Evil? Was this what evil meant? Was this what everyone described as evil?

Fei Qianchi watched as Hong Meiwan and Baicheng gave him one final glance before they walked away, side by side as they entered the gates and it closed, shutting Fei Qianchi away.

Fei Qianchi looked at the gates in silence, his tears not falling. His head was pulsing with pain.

"These people have lied to you. Come, follow me and I shall show you just how evil people can be. There is no one you can trust. Everyone will lie to get what they want, they will betray for the things they wish for. Follow me and I shall grant you all your wishes."

Fei Qianchi's eyes flickered...

.

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