After their walk back, Yichen took a moment to apologize to his team for his fleeting emotional moment. He understood that he had, albeit briefly, deviated from being the capable leader they expected, yet he felt reassured that no one would judge him harshly. Into their minds, it was more beneficial for him to have the occasional slip than to never show any vulnerability. They had all been concerned that he was too focused on fulfilling the expectations placed upon him, which made him overlook the important experience of being young and enjoying life, rather than being solely dedicated to work.
"What did you learn from Zhu Yan before your slip?" Yun Guang calmly asked Yichen. The lighthearted teasing had come to an end; it was time to return to serious matters.
"I can confirm that Zhu Yan's seal is real, and I've also confirmed that a significant event took place in the past, but he is unable to talk about it. Someone has intentionally forced him to keep that information secret, ensuring it remains undiscovered. Given that the mountains where he is sealed have been haunted for generations, it's reasonable to assume that these hauntings exist to prevent anyone from finding Zhu Yan's mansion. I believe Zhu Yan has the answers to all our questions, but someone from the past has ensured we remain uninformed. This strengthens the theory that an organization dated deep into the past is involved in questionable dealings behind the scenes. How this organization is tied to the Chongwu Agency in modern times is the real mystery." Yichen paused as Bai Jiu handed him a tonic to help him regain his energy, which he took a sip of gladly.
"If Zhu Yan was sealed away because he could reveal something that was meant to stay hidden, we should examine what he told us before with even greater scrutiny. We also need to investigate our family history more thoroughly, because if that disaster occurred while the Zhuo family was acting as demon hunters, it's possible that part of our history was lost either due to the deaths of many members or because keeping it alive posed a danger to them," Wen Xiao expressed her own theories.
"I have already discussed this matter with the elders, emphasizing the significance of delving deeper into our family history. They informed me of a scroll that references a hidden location tied to our ancestors, which is of great importance in early genealogies. Unfortunately, the exact whereabouts of this place have been lost to time. No one can tell its location or what it might hide, and there's even doubt about its existence, because it's only mentioned in a single scroll with nothing else to back it up. This is why it has never been taken seriously." And Yun Guang understood why it was never given much thought before. If the family had a real treasure hidden, they would ensure it wasn't lost.
"Could it be the sword that Xiao Zhuo Ge mentioned previously?" Bai Jiu asked, but the casual nature of the mention left Yichen unsure of what could be hidden.
"Honestly, who can tell? The clue is too vague." Yichen replied.
"What about the monks on Mount Kunlun?" Sijing directed her question at Ying Lei more than Bai Jiu.
"The monks have an extensive library of scrolls that date back to ancient times, but many of the oldest ones are either too damaged or unreadable. There are scrolls that the monks have never managed to translate. They say those scrolls are written in the language of the heavens, which only gods or their descendants can understand. So far, no one in the mountains has been able to read the few that have survived the ages," Ying Lei explained.
"But the Zhuos are descendants of Bing Yi, right? He was a deity, so he can give it a try." Sijing countered, but Yichen shook his head.
"I once took a peek at one of those scrolls out of curiosity when I was nine, but I couldn't recognize the language. It looked like a collection of random symbols to me. They were nothing more than nonsense. I remember because I was quite disappointed at that time," Yichen admitted.
"Maybe there's a trick to reading them, like needing to awaken your divine side or something," Bai Jiu speculated.
"If that's the case, then you can forget it. Xiao Chen here is the Zhuo with the most spiritual power in the entire family. If he found it to be nonsense, then no one else will be able to read it. He is the closest to inheriting some form of divinity," Yun Guang stated with conviction.
"Or perhaps he simply wasn't meant to read it. Gods are more protective of their secrets than anyone else. If you aren't chosen or the timing isn't right, no matter how hard you try, you will discover nothing." Ying Lei had learned this lesson early in his life.
"Alright, so that's a dead end. What else did the elders say? There must be something out there that can guide us besides Zhu Yan," Wen Xiao inquired, hoping for more leads.
"Well, according to the elders, there are no records of our family being demon hunters in the past, although supernatural events may have obscured important details about our history. However, the Zhuo family had exceptional spiritual abilities, which kept them busy with ghost hunting for their survival. Still, the elders mentioned that our ancestors were always well-trained, and I think this could be the key we need. It suggests that we might have inherited skills from hunting real demons before we started dealing with ghosts. So, I am convinced that the hidden place is real, and it may be connected to Zhu Yan's mansion or even Xiao Chen's past life. Xiao Chen, your past self might possess as much knowledge as Zhu Yan. The only problem with that plan is that your retrocognition experience might not be triggered again." Yun Guang looked at Yichen, hoping he might have a way to provide them with more answers, even if it was by miracle.
Yichen could feel the intensity of everyone's gaze as he looked down, not out of a desire to escape their scrutiny, but because he was deep in thought about his earlier exchange with Zhu Yan, a conversation he had unfortunately cut short. Back then, he had confirmed that his past experiences were indeed real, and he had tried to determine whether this was merely a one-time event or if he had dealt with his past on multiple occasions. Zhu Yan's reply had been a definitive... yes.
Zhu Yan had mentioned noticing Yichen's odd behavior on a few occasions, to the extent that he believed Yichen might be someone entirely different. This revelation indicated that Yichen's retrocognition was no mere coincidence. If he was destined to return, he could delve into the mystery of that hidden place, whatever it may be, real or not, and discover what lay within. A smile spread across his face, because luck was still on his side.
"Actually, I don't think going back to the past is a problem for me at all. After I went to the past, there were a lot of questions spiraling in my head, and one of them was if my experience was a one-time thing. Luckily for me, I managed to ask Zhu Yan about it before... well, you know, and I actually got an answer. Guys, it wasn't just once. He didn't specify how many times he noticed me acting differently, but it was certainly more than once. The only challenge is that I have no idea how to consciously engage in that kind of retrocognition, and according to Zhu Yan, the past Zhuo Yichen was profoundly hurt during those events," Yichen confessed, which instantly raised concerns among the group.
"In that case, I am firmly against you even attempting it. As your healer, I cannot support the idea of you putting yourself in danger just to seek answers," Bai Jiu protested.
"Actually, I think Ying Lei may have hit on something significant earlier. It may not be something we can uncover at will, but rather something that reveals itself when the time is right. There is no way all of this is just pure coincidence." Sijing felt that there were simply too many connections to be natural. Her brother's meetings with those ghost hunters, their video trip to specifically the Guilin mountains, him walking straight into Zhu Yan's mansion, and Zhu Yan triggering Yichen's vision, for starters. It all felt more like fate than chance.
The others also began to put the pieces together—starting with Sijing's call to Yichen—and realized she was absolutely right. No one could deny that the situation was continuing to escalate, perhaps with a specific purpose. Something really bad had happened in the past that now seemed on the verge of repeating itself—a prospect that was deeply unsettling and terrifying.
"No matter if it's by fate or by our own choices, we still have to see our mission through. If that leads us to discover a hidden truth that could threaten everything we cherish, then perhaps fate sounds rather welcoming, as it opens paths that would have otherwise remained closed," Yichen stated, and his team agreed with him wholeheartedly.
"Are you planning to search for Zhu Yan in the astral plane to see if he can offer more clues?" Ying Lei asked Yichen, who blushed slightly as he glanced at Wen Xiao. He recalled her saying that Zhu Yan had left because that moment had mattered.
"I owe him a sincere apology. I was the one who almost went too far, so yes, I'll try to reach out to him later. For now, he might need some time to cool off and decide if he wants to keep meeting with me. Regardless, our investigation must continue, though I sincerely hope he comes back," Yichen admitted, realizing that losing Zhu Yan would be unfortunate for various reasons. Noticing his noticeably upset demeanor, Wen Xiao giggled, and Yun Guang grinned, while Ying Lei, Pei Sijing, and even Bai Jiu offered gentle smiles. However, just in case they misunderstood his previous comment, he quickly clarified it.
"Don't get me wrong—I don't suddenly find him irresistible or love sick. I simply realized that my first impression of him was biased. Even though he gave me reasons to distrust him from the start, and his true intentions are still unclear, the reality is that Zhu Yan assisted us while putting himself in danger without asking for anything in return. I have to admit that he had opportunities to harm us before or at least take advantage of me just moments ago, but he didn't. For that, he earns my respect and the benefit of the doubt until he proves otherwise. If anyone disagrees with my reasoning, now is the time to speak up. We are a team, but more importantly, we are family." Yichen told them gently as he looked at them. Yun Guang smiled wider.
"Ah, our Xiao Chen is growing up nicely..." he said with a nod of approval.
"Maybe Zhu Yan is just what he needed all this time..." Wen Xiao teased, making Yun Guang burst into laughter.
"I hear that... I told you guys, it's not like that," Yichen said, his face turning crimson.
"He's in denial..." Ying Lei couldn't help but add, trying to hold back laughter, unlike Yun Guang.
"He's obviously trying to convince himself that he had justifiable reasons to meet Zhu Yan," Sijing pointed out, and Yichen let out a resigned sigh.
"Alright, I give up. You can tease me as much as you like," Yichen said, bowing his head and rubbing his nose.
"Don't worry, Xiao Zhuo Ge, I truly believe your reasoning is valid, and what happened before was just... a bit of attraction, normal for a young man. Just be wary of falling for tricks. Even if he has earned your respect, he might still have ways to manipulate your feelings. Remember, you don't know him well enough yet," Bai Jiu warned, and Yichen drew Bai Jiu close, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.
"Thank you, Xiao Bai. I promise to be cautious. Respect doesn't mean I should trust him blindly, and he still has to earn that full trust," Yichen assured him, and Bai Jiu hugged him tightly, smiling against his chest, for Yichen was special to him, the one he admired the most, and he wished for nothing but his happiness.
"Aww... They're so adorable. Can I take a picture?" Wen Xiao asked with delight while taking her phone out.
"No!" Both Bai Jiu and Yichen shouted simultaneously. The rest burst into laughter.
Back in Japan, Yixuan was panting heavily while Ruilin channeled some of his spiritual energy to help stabilize him, giving them a moment to evaluate their next move. Once Yixuan felt a bit more composed, he shared with Ruilin his conversation with the stranger and why the demon's reaction to Zhu Yan's name had impacted him so badly. The response had been abrupt and unforeseen, completely catching Yixuan off guard.
"Xiao Xuan, we need to return. You require rest, and this place is truly not safe for us. Who knows what that demon is doing within the seal? For all I know, he could be in a frenzy, trying to break free to confront us, either for disturbing him or for mentioning a forbidden name," Ruilin remarked, glancing back at the trees.
"No, it's okay, he's not attempting to escape or harm us. His emotions aren't aimed at us but rather at Zhu Yan, at least for the most part. It seems I've inadvertently reopened an old wound that hasn't yet healed. Still, this demon does know Zhu Yan and most likely interacted with him regularly, because the feelings I picked up through the empathy link were not rooted in hatred. However, something significant must have occurred in the past, leaving such a strong impression on the stranger that it nearly overwhelmed me," Yixuan explained, closing his eyes, trying to grasp the meaning in the lingering emotions he got from him.
"Maybe they had a fight, and he's still upset about it? Demons are demons, after all. We only know them from old legends, which aren't exactly flattering," Ruilin remarked. However, Yixuan almost laughed, as that was far from what his brother had shared about Zhu Yan. In truth, Yixuan thought demons were much like humans, merely misjudged.
The feelings he experienced mirrored those of a human hurt by someone close meddling with something sacred. What affected him most was the sense of betrayal. He felt no hatred but sadness and mourning, possibly because the person who betrayed him had later died. Of course, that was just speculation at best, because emotions in humans were complex, but for demons, they were intensified tenfold.
"I can't tell exactly what happened just by reading the emotions alone. They were too fragmented and in some ways contradictory. To be sure, I'll have to talk to him again or call Xiao Chen and tell him to ask Zhu Yan about another demon being sealed. A demon who says that knows me, and for some reason it's waiting for me." Yixuan said as he thought that his brother could most likely give him the correct name to offer it to him. The one he was waiting to hear, and for some reason now he really wanted to give it to him properly.
"Xiao Xuan, I understand your passion for solving mysteries, but I believe it's time to contact your father and the rest of the team. What we've discovered here isn't just a tainted talisman. It's a sealed demon that can reach your mind. I know you believe he's harmless because somehow you can reach him back. But to me, he represents a danger to your well-being. Your safety is my top priority, not just as your friend, but as a ghost hunter," Ruilin expressed his worries to Yixuan, who smiled gently, appreciating his cousin's deep concern.
"Xiao Lin, you're completely justified in wanting to call for help, and father is indeed the best choice. However, my hesitation is not solely about unraveling the mystery; it's also a matter of safety. If there's a demon sealed in these mountains, what's to say there aren't more lurking elsewhere? What if the altered talismans are truly causing ghosts to become more aggressive and influencing people to commit crimes? If you call Father now, they'll rush here and halt their investigation, potentially overlooking crucial clues that could lead us to more answers. I know you're worried about me, but I promise you, for the most valuable treasure in my life, which is my brother, this demon poses no danger to me. He's trapped and can't escape, so let me speak with him one more time. If anything goes awry, you have my permission to knock me out with a spell and carry me down the mountain. I won't hold it against you," Yixuan stated, his serious gaze softening Ruilin's resolve, leading him to let out a sigh.
"Fine, you win this round, but if that seal wavers the wrong way even for a second, we're out of here, no debate," Ruilin relented, and Yixuan beamed with joy.
"We have a deal." Yixuan agreed.
"Alright, go ahead and call your Didi. I'll keep an eye on that seal while you chat, but please keep it brief. We're still in unfamiliar territory here," Rouilin cautioned, and Yixuan nodded in agreement. Without hesitation, Yixuan dialed his brother, feeling a wave of nostalgia wash over him, coupled with excitement at the prospect of sharing news. Soon, Yichen answered the call, with a lot of background noise that told him Yichen was not alone.
"Ge, what perfect timing! I'm so glad to hear your soothing voice because I'm stuck with a bunch of traitors here," Yichen grumbled, which brought a smile to Yixuan's face. At least it wasn't the usual "I miss you, Ge." His brother's immediate complaint indicated that Yun Guang or Wen Xiao, or perhaps both, were up to their usual teasing.
"They aren't traitors, Xiao Chen. They're essential to you, and I'm confident that at least Bai Jiu will defend your honor fiercely," Yixuan replied, and then he heard Bai Jiu's youthful laughter as he told Yichen in a high pitch to stop tickling him.
"He is my knight in shining armor..." Yichen exclaimed happily, and once again, Yixuan caught Yun Guang's voice in the background, clearly stating, "He is not; I am, you ungrateful cousin. No one appreciates a good guardian these days." This time, Yixuan couldn't help but laugh.
"Ge, please don't laugh. That's just been mean to your Didi..." Yichen whined, which only made him want to laugh even more, but he managed to hold it in.
"Your Ge would never be unkind to you, Xiao Chen, it's simply not in him. However, he can share some discoveries he's made that might put an end to the teasing. This is crucial, Xiao Chen. I've found a demon sealed away in Mount Takao, quite a distance from the main trail. This demon can connect with me mentally, similar to what you can do with Zhu Yan, based on what you've shared before, but he poses no threat. I accidentally established an empathy link with him, so I'm confident he's not dangerous, at least not to me. What's intriguing is that he recognizes Zhu Yan, and mentioning his name triggered a strong response from him. I'm not sure what their past relationship was, but it's clear they were familiar with each other. He also seems to have some knowledge of me. He called me by my name and claims he had been waiting for me for a long time... Given that both of them were part of the era when the entire Zhuo family were demon hunters, it's possible our paths have crossed as well." There was a moment of silence, and Yixuan could no longer hear the others bickering, which indicated that Yichen's change in expression from playful to serious had likely made them quiet down and listen to him more attentively now.
"Are you absolutely certain he poses no threat to you, Ge? I understand how level-headed you are, but demons can be quite cunning," Yixuan clucked upon hearing this.
"I recall advising you to exercise caution as well, yet you continue to meet with Zhu Yan, which I respect. I have faith in you, so I need you to do me a favor: ask Zhu Yan if he recognizes this peculiar demon. A name would be ideal, as he previously asked me to try to remember it. I know this might sound a bit silly, but I feel somewhat guilty for giving him Zhu Yan's name instead of trying to discover his real one. Maybe I'm not as good at communicating with demons as you are," Yixuan said playfully, but it reminded Yichen of his own troubles with Zhu Yan.
"Ah, Ge... I'm not as capable as you think. I did mess up with Zhu Yan too... a little. I was actually quite nervous about meeting him again, but you just provided me with the perfect opportunity, though I think our conversation may take a while. I can offer you a name, though. When I traveled to the past, Zhu Yan mentioned a friend called Li Lun. They seem to have a competitive relationship, so I'm sure they know each other quite well. There was another great demon, but Zhu Yan didn't mention his name, and I sensed he might be a bit more reserved regarding that one. If you can wait, I can try to confirm his identity for you, but Zhu Yan's seal might act up and cause him more harm..." Yichen's concern was evident, so Yixuan was glad that Yichen had gotten another name he could try without asking Zhu Yan. Yet, this time, for some reason, it felt right.
"That's alright, Xiao Chen. I believe the name you mentioned might be the one I'm seeking. I hope you manage to sort things out with Zhu Yan, and if asking about this demon might harm him, please refrain. I'll verify it myself. Take care, Xiao Chen, we'll have another conversation later." Yixuan said, observing Ruilin, who claimed to be keeping an eye on the barrier but seemed more intrigued by their chat. He smiled.
"You take care too, Ge, and if the name doesn't work I can..."
"It will, Xiao Chen, don't worry about it. Now go back to Zhu Yan and use me as an excuse if you need to. Be honest with him, and I'm sure he'll understand that you didn't mean to create any trouble." Yichen blushed, turning away from his giggling team.
"I will, Ge, I miss you..." Yixuan chuckled, knowing that if he didn't get it right away, it would surely come at the end. After telling his brother he missed him too, he ended the call.
In the mansion, Zhu Yan waited with patience for Yichen to make the next move to find him again in the astral plane. Their soulbond was still very much alive, albeit damaged, so he was aware that Yichen had interpreted his sudden retreat not as a rejection, but as a potential offense he caused, which he found quite funny. He would never be offended by Yichen's attempt to kiss him, no matter which version of him tried it, and the reason he had pulled away was not due to a lack of interest. A smile appeared on his lips.
The modern Yichen way of thinking was so adorable and innocent, even more so than in the past. So, he decided to wait and enjoy the idea of teasing him a little when he finally decides to come back.
AN: Ah, Zhu Yan, you certainly bounce back quickly. 🤭 Have your fun with the embarrassed Yichen in the next chapter. For those who are waiting for The Convergence update, I'm working on it, and as soon as it's finished, I will update it. Sorry for the wait, I just got a little discouraged. Hope you guys like this one, and until next time, take care.