The atmosphere was quiet. Crickets chirped. A light breeze was blowing. Mo Yan and Yu Sui sat together on the stairs of the inn. After a period of silence, Yu Sui, slightly melancholic, asked Mo Yan:
"Mo... I have become a devil. Perhaps I always was. Do you still trust me? Will you still stand by me?"
Saying this, Yu Sui became emotional. Tears flowed because the agony was immense. He wanted to be with a person who was as pure as the moon, while he himself was the King of Black Heaven.
Mo Yan looked at him with great love. And like a soft petal, he touched his cheek and wiped away his tears. There was immense affection in his touch. With all his love, he said:
"Yu... I have complete faith in you. And I promise you..."
He held his hand with such a gentle touch, as if he were touching a doll made of cotton.
"...that I will always be with you, by your side. This time, I will not let you go. You are not a devil, Yu. You are Yu Sui, only Yu Sui. And you always will be."
His eyes also filled with tears. But hearing his words, Yu Sui was completely stunned and looked at him intently. Because a small crack had appeared in the talisman tied to his forehead. Yu Sui knew the nature of this talisman very well; he instantly recognized the state of Mo Yan's heart that everything he was saying was true.
Yu Sui became so emotional hearing this that he embraced Mo Yan, weeping. And Mo Yan tried his best to soothe Yu Sui, to assure him that he had always been with him, that he always trusted him. Yu Sui was completely broken until this moment. Even though he had lost everything, he now had his most beloved person. So, he felt whole and peaceful. The agony he felt was for the time when Mo Yan's absence had cut him like a sword. But today, both of them could feel themselves with each other.
Yu Sui then pulled back and smiled. He stood up to leave, but Mo Yan quickly stood up too, worriedly asking:
"Where are you going?"
Yu Sui laughed and said to Mo Yan:
"Don't worry, Mo. I am going to get some water. There is a river nearby. You can come along if you want."
Mo Yan, smiling, started walking behind him. He truly feared that Yu Sui would leave him again. He was terrified that Yu Sui might vanish once more.
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As they walked, Yu Sui deliberately began to tease Mo Yan, mocking him like he did in childhood.
"Dry Leaf... Mo Yan is a Dry Leaf. You remember, right, Mo Yan?"
Mo Yan smiled and nodded in agreement, happily walking behind him.
Then Yu Sui said, slightly shyly:
"My Dry Leaf has become very heavy and strong."
Mo Yan smiled at this too. He loved these small, childish actions of Yu Sui and always wanted to see them.
But suddenly, both of them stopped. Both their faces showed surprise. Because standing in their path were Shen Jichuan and the Ming Jing Men Sect officials, along with Rong Ke Chang, with their swords drawn.
Seeing this sudden arrival, Mo Yan stepped in front of Yu Sui. He glared at Shen Jichuan with dangerous eyes. Shen Jichuan already knew Mo Yan would do this, which is why he kept a watch on him and followed him here. Seeing Shen Jichuan's drawn sword, Mo Yan understood that this time, war was inevitable.
Shen Jichuan spoke from the front, as the talisman was still on Mo Yan's forehead:
"Mo Yan. You are repeating the same mistake again. This is your final warning. Step back and let us deal with that Devil."
Mo Yan then replied in a sharp tone; his voice echoed throughout the atmosphere. It was the first time he had spoken in a raised voice:
"Shut your mouth."
Hearing this, Shen Jichuan was enraged and shouted:
"Mo Yan! Enough! You are crossing the line. Step back now, or it won't end well!"
Yu Sui, however, listened to all this silently. He gripped his sword tightly. He was trying to calm himself. Because he could not tolerate anyone disrespecting Mo Yan, but his powers could also hurt Mo Yan. So, he had no other option but to try and calm himself. But he was just enduring it.
Then Mo Yan replied:
"You are right. Stepping back is the right decision."
Yu Sui was stunned to hear this. On the other hand, a smile appeared on Shen Jichuan's face.
But then Mo Yan continued:
"Stepping back is the only thing that can save you, Master. Withdraw your steps, or my sword will move forward."
The atmosphere suddenly became silent. And a crooked smile appeared on Yu Sui's face. He took a few steps back. Mo Yan felt this retreat. But Shen Jichuan had been completely defeated in the exchange. He shouted loudly:
"Mo Yan!!!! You will pay now. You have betrayed us once again!"
And just then, Mo Yan drew his sword, and the sword sliced through the air with a sharp sound as it was pulled out. And at that very moment, the talisman tied to Mo Yan's forehead split into two halves.
Mo Yan charged forward with full force. And at the same moment, Yu Sui also drew his sword, but he knew he had to keep himself calm somehow. And he had faith in Mo Yan. Because it was impossible to defeat Mo Yan in a fight.
And it happened just so. One strike, and throats were neatly sliced. Swords clashed. Rong Ke Chang and Shen Jichuan were attacking Mo Yan simultaneously. But the tip of their swords could not even touch Mo Yan's robes. Mo Yan was so skilled in swordsmanship that every strike Shen Jichuan and Rong Ke Chang made was failing. And Yu Sui was just watching them with furious eyes and complete concentration. If anyone's sword touched Mo Yan even once, who knows what would happen to them.
Just then, Shen Jichuan realized that Mo Yan could never be defeated this way. Because if Mo Yan got a chance, their necks could be severed in a single move. He immediately signaled to Rong Ke Chang. And Rong Ke Chang formed a hand seal, and a talisman appeared and stuck to Mo Yan's back. And Mo Yan fell to the ground.

