Han Yu froze, hidden in the shadows.
Through the open window, he could see her clearly.
Li i sat alone at her desk, a small oil lamp flickering weakly beside her.
She was writing sothing slowly in a thick, worn book.
Her movents were sluggish, weighed down by sothing heavier than fatigue.
Han Yu’s breath caught in his throat when he heard her murmur to herself,
"Han Yu... you idiot... Why didn’t you wait...?"
She paused, her hand trembling slightly over the paper.
A soft sigh escaped her lips, carrying a sorrow that cut deeper than any sword.
"I was away... and you just... left," she whispered, blinking rapidly. "Died..."
Han Yu felt his chest tighten painfully.
She hadn’t forgotten.
She still rembered.
Even after nine months.
For a long mont, he stood there unmoving, his heart a chaotic ss.
’I was ready to disappear. Ready to abandon everything...’
’But if there’s even one person who rembers ...’
Han Yu clenched his fists.
He couldn’t just beco soone else.
He couldn’t erase who he was.
He would return.
He had to return.
But he had to be careful.
He couldn’t just walk back in and announce he was alive—not yet.
He needed a plan.
Watching Li i one last ti, he silently turned away, the small blue wisps swirling gently around him like loyal shadows.
Han Yu would co back.
Stronger. Smarter.
And he would claim the destiny that was stolen from him.
The next night, Han Yu moved silently under the cover of darkness.
He had spent the day resting and thinking carefully.I
’If I just investigate myself directly, I’ll get exposed... I don’t even have an identity token anymore.’
He needed another way—sothing indirect.
That’s when a mory stirred. Before heading out on that ill-fated mission, he had hidden away so gold and spirit stones in a small crevice behind his bed, just in case.He hadn’t wanted to risk carrying them into dangerous territory.
Han Yu returned to his old courtyard, making sure no one was watching, and carefully pried open the concealed spot.
There they were. A few spirit stones, a small pouch of gold coins—untouched.
He grinned slightly, relieved.
Tying a cloth securely around his face to conceal his identity, Han Yu donned his Shadow lding Robes once more, further blending into the night.
He moved quickly toward the outer edges of the sect, to a place few openly spoke about—the underground ring, the sa one where he had fought months ago.
The sa fighting ring with people surrounding it as well as the Noise Isolation array that was set up to prevent people from noticing. The atmosphere hadn’t changed—crowded, chaotic, filled with the scent of sweat, blood, and spirit wine.
He walked to the back area Taht was set up in a small building. The familiar, grimy entrance greeted him, and he slipped inside unnoticed.
He spotted one of the handlers near the side, a scruffy man with quick eyes and a greedy glint.
Walking up with slow, asured steps, Han Yu let his presence leak slightly—cold, dangerous, unapproachable.
The man straightened instantly, sensing trouble.
"I want information," Han Yu said, voice low and roughened to avoid recognition.
The handler eyed him warily. "On what?"
"On a disciple nad Han Yu."
The man blinked, clearly surprised."Han Yu...? That’s an old na. What’s a guy like you asking about him for?"
Han Yu’s eyes narrowed behind the cloth. "Answering questions with questions isn’t wise."
The man’s mouth snapped shut imdiately.
The aura surrounding this newcor was sharp—too sharp.
He felt like he was standing before a predator.
"O-Of course, senior," the man said hurriedly, thinking this was soone strong. "It’s just... it’s been months since anyone asked about that guy. Few did, mostly outer disciples or random folks, but after a while, everyone stopped caring."
Han Yu’s heart tightened, but his face showed nothing.
The man hesitated, then asked carefully, "Did you have a grudge with him too?"
Han Yu simply nodded coldly, giving no further explanation.
The handler seed satisfied enough. "Guess he really made too many enemies." The man uttered in a low voice.
"Two gold coins," he said, holding up two fingers nervously. "Old news anyway."
Han Yu flicked two gold coins at him without hesitation.
The man caught them and quickly leaned closer, speaking in a low voice, "Han Yu was reported dead on a mission. Fell into a ravine at Black Moss Ridge. They said a Core Condensation Realm beast appeared. Three disciples were reported dead, including him. The sect didn’t bother searching too deeply. Just said it was an accident."
Han Yu listened silently, committing every word to mory.
"No investigations?" he asked.
The man shook his head. "Nothing serious. So of his enemies were real happy about it, though. Rumors said so people wanted him dead, but no one cared enough to dig into it."
"Is this all or is there a detailed report?" Han Yu asked, not wanting to go off just so worlds.
"There is." The man said. "Do you want it too?" he asked.
"Yes. I paid for it so I’ll have it." Han Yu said firmly, making the man gulp.
He quickly went to a room in the back and returned with a scroll five minutes later.
"Here, there’s everything in it." The man handed it to Han Yu.
Han Yu turned away without a word, vanishing into the shadows, leaving the handler puzzled and sweating.
’Who was that guy? An elder? A hidden expert?’ The man wondered if he had just brushed against soone powerful... Soone more powerful than he should.
"Now that I think of it... I felt no qi fluctuations, as if he were a ghost.’ The man thought, trembling. "Just how strong was he?" The man realized if he didn’t sense it, they must be several levels above him.
Back in his courtyard, Han Yu sat down quietly, gathering his thoughts.
’So that’s how they covered it up... an ’accident.’
He clenched his fists. His death had been written off so easily.
But now he was back—and this ti, he would decide how the story ended.
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