"What? You’re going into seclusion?!"

In a private room of the coffee shop, with soft music playing in the background, Li Qinghe was holding her coffee cup. She nearly choked when she heard this.

"You came to find me first thing in the morning just to tell me this?"

"Yes, I’m going into seclusion."

Li Zixuan sat across the table, stirring a sugar cube into her coffee with her eyes lowered. "I might be gone for a long time," she said firmly. "Since I won’t be by Senior Brother’s side, I’ll have to trouble you, Sister Qinghe, to look after him as much as you can."

The duration of her seclusion was uncertain.

It could be several weeks, or even six months to a year.

’Senior Brother won’t have me around.’

’If anything unexpected happens, it’s good to have my cousin help him out.’

"This..."

Li Qinghe pondered for a moment. "Helping that... Master... Qin is no problem, of course. But Zixuan, why the sudden decision to go into seclusion?"

She put down her coffee cup and advised earnestly,

"I know you’ve entered the Innate Realm, but this is far too hasty. Isn’t it a bit rash? You should stabilize your foundation a little more."

"It’s not rash. The timing is perfect."

Li Zixuan shook her head. "After that Beast Tide, I saw just how weak I am. Sister Qinghe, don’t try to persuade me anymore. My mind is made up."

As she spoke, her voice grew heavier.

"If I had the strength of the Venerable Realm that day, how could I have let our teacher fight all alone? If I could have gone up there to support him, maybe he wouldn’t have had to self-detonate."

"Hiss..."

Hearing this, Li Qinghe sucked in a breath, her brows furrowing.

"What about your Senior Brother? What did he say? He must have had some reaction to something this big, right?"

"Don’t worry, Sister Qinghe. I’ve already asked Senior Brother about it."

Li Zixuan recalled Qin Yang’s words and said softly, "He supports my seclusion, but on one condition: I must ensure my own safety and focus wholeheartedly on my cultivation before I can begin."

"..."

Li Qinghe fell into a conflicted silence, looking at Li Zixuan’s determined expression.

’This is bad,’ she thought.

’This is really bad!’

’My cousin’s stubborn streak is showing!’

’Not even the clan elders could talk her out of it now.’

Back when Li Zixuan decided to practice the sword, she committed to it for life without a single regret or hint of change.

’That’s my silly cousin for you...’

’What would her reaction be if she found out her master isn’t dead?’

At this thought, Li Qinghe hesitated, then cautiously hinted,

"Zixuan, have you ever considered... that Grandmaster isn’t actually dead? With his heaven-defying abilities, maybe he had some other way to escape, you know?"

"Other ways?"

Li Zixuan pouted at her words. "Sister Qinghe, I know what you mean..."

"Huh?!"

’She gets it already?!’

Seeing this, Li Qinghe’s heart leaped with joy!

’My hint actually worked that easily?!’

’This is great!’

’I thought I’d have to spend a lot more time dropping hints, but now that Li Zixuan understands, it saves me the trouble.’

’I never would’ve thought!’

’This silly girl finally saw the light!’

However,

before she could even celebrate,

she heard Li Zixuan continue,

"You’re sad about Teacher’s death too, aren’t you?! But Sister Qinghe, people have to move on. You can’t lie to yourself. Even Senior Brother has moved past it. You should step out of the shadows soon, too."

Li Zixuan looked at Li Qinghe with concern, feeling a strange sense of pity for her.

She knew, of course,

that her cousin had always been a huge fangirl of the Jianghai Sword God!

But now,

how long had it been since she joined the sect?

And yet she hadn’t even met the Jianghai Sword God once!

’To yearn for something and never attain it... so full of regret.’

"Sigh."

Li Zixuan sighed. "Sister Qinghe, you should move on soon, too."

"I... That’s not what I meant," Li Qinghe said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. She smoothed down her short hair and said helplessly, "Forget it."

At this point, Li Qinghe understood.

’It seems Qin Yang has no intention of telling my cousin the truth.’

’He must have his reasons.’

’In that case,’

’I shouldn’t get involved either.’

"Okay, Sister Qinghe, you don’t have to comfort me anymore."

Li Zixuan nodded, holding Li Qinghe’s hand gently. "I know you’re also devastated by Teacher’s death. I’ve known you best since we were kids. You always put on a brave face when things get tough, but you’re actually suffering inside."

Then she added softly, "You’ve probably been crying in secret these past few days, haven’t you...?"

"..."

Li Qinghe was silent, feeling incredibly conflicted.

’My cousin is being so thoroughly deceived. It’s tragic.’

’But if I say something...’

’I’m afraid I’ll just cause trouble for Grandmaster and Master!’

’But keeping it to myself is agonizing.’

"Forget it."

Li Qinghe lowered her head and sipped her coffee, sighing internally. ’Since Grandmaster is doing this, he must have his reasons... If I expose it and accidentally ruin his plan...’

’What if I get kicked out of the sect?’

’My grand plan to raise my seniority hasn’t even succeeded yet!!’

’I won’t say a thing! Not a word!’

"Are you alright, Sister Qinghe?"

Li Zixuan saw the strange look on Li Qinghe’s face and assumed she was worried about her. "Don’t worry, Sister Qinghe," she said softly. "You don’t need to worry about me."

"I’ve been in good shape these past few days. My breakthroughs have been smooth sailing, and I’ve already overcome several hurdles."

"When I emerge from seclusion, you’ll definitely see a different me!"

"Uh, alright then."

Li Qinghe lowered her head and sipped her coffee, not daring to meet her cousin’s eyes. Feeling a bit guilty, she said,

"Well then, Junior Aunt, I wish you luck. I’ll be respectfully waiting for the day you emerge."

...

...

「The next day.」

「Early in the morning.」

「The Library.」

After the Beast Tide, life was returning to the city. The coastal metropolis was bustling with noise again, and the number of people returning to work at the library was gradually increasing.

The line to grab a seat snaked out the door like a long dragon.

"Not bad."

Qin Yang twirled his employee ID card in his hand, enjoying the feast for the eyes that was the passing black and white stockings. He leisurely made his way to the time clock and clocked in.

Along the way, he saw many familiar colleagues.

"Morning, Qin Yang!"

"I think he was one of the ones who stayed behind, right?"

"Tough life he’s got. He actually dared to stay during the Beast Tide!"

"I heard when the Beast Tide came, it was just him and the Steward in the whole library. Even the damn security guards ran off!"

"..."

The sounds of hushed discussion reached him.

Qin Yang just smiled calmly, showing no reaction, and continued on his way to work with Xiaobai.

Ever since he stayed behind during the Beast Tide,

his reputation in the library had grown once again.

Still, he had to work his shift as usual.

Just then,

"Qin Yang!"

A familiar voice called out.

Qin Yang turned around abruptly and saw the Steward chasing after him, panting heavily with his hands on his knees, looking completely exhausted.

"Wait up, kid! What’s the hurry?"

The Steward wiped his sweat. "I’m getting old. Almost couldn’t catch up to you."

"Just getting ready for work."

Qin Yang bluffed instinctively, glancing around. "There are more patrons today, so I need to prepare in advance. Otherwise, it’ll be a hassle later."

"Good."

The Steward straightened up and nodded in satisfaction, patting Qin Yang’s chest. "This earnest attitude of yours is what I admire. I mentioned giving you a promotion after the Beast Tide, remember?"

"Hm?"

Qin Yang paused, surprised. "Steward, you managed to arrange it?"

This was completely unexpected.

’Well, I’ll be!’

’The empty promises actually came true.’

’This Steward is a man of his word!’

"Hmph, now you’re getting excited," the Steward chided with a smile. "In light of your performance staying at the library during the Beast Tide, I’ve already reported to the leadership and decided to give you a promotion and a raise."

"Thank you, Steward!"

Qin Yang was delighted. "What’s the position? Warehouse inspector for Area 1?"

"No, higher than that."

The Steward shook his head, pointed to his own employee badge, and smiled.

"Steward."

"Starting today, you’re the new Steward of the library. Work hard and don’t disappoint my expectations."

"...I’m the Steward?"

Qin Yang looked at him hesitantly. "If I’m taking your position, where are you off to?"

"Forget about these old bones of mine."

The Steward waved his hand, clutching his chest with lingering fear. "I’m too old, can’t keep up anymore... Besides, after this Beast Tide, I’ve come to understand something."

He looked at Qin Yang and sighed. "This world belongs to you young people. It’s time for this old relic to go home and hold his grandkids."

"I understand."

Hearing this, Qin Yang felt a wave of emotion.

The Beast Tide’s assault on the city was over, but for ordinary people, the psychological aftershocks were unimaginable—the threat of being on the brink of death. Conservatively speaking, psychologists must be making a fortune right now.

This was the life of an ordinary person.

At this thought, Qin Yang looked at the Steward before him and offered one last blessing. "I wish you a happy retirement. You can leave the work to me without any worries."

"Alright. Call me if you have any problems at work."

The Steward made a phone gesture with his hand, gave a few more instructions, and then turned and left the library.

...

"Congratulations, Master! Another promotion!!!"

Xiaobai rubbed against Qin Yang’s leg, seizing the opportunity to suck up. "Master works so hard every day, and it finally paid off! Sooner or later, you’ll be the Director!"

"Alright, I’m in a good mood today."

Qin Yang picked up Xiaobai, settled her in his arms, and ruffled the fur on her head.

"I’ll let you lick the Heart of Law for another half an hour."

"Oh yeah!"

...

「Evening.」

As night began to fall over Jianghai, the neon lights on the streets flickered to life.

「Jianghai Airport.」

WHOOSH~

Red and blue signal lights crisscrossed on the ground as several flights took off and landed. On the tarmac, a flight from the Imperial Capital touched down...

Passengers disembarked from the boarding gate, their breath misting in the cold air as they stood by the roadside waiting for the airport bus.

A middle-aged man disembarked silently among the crowd. Dressed in brocade robes with an otherworldly aura, he stuck out like a sore thumb, drawing quite a few stares.

The most peculiar thing about him,

was the large bow strapped to his back.

The body of the bow was carved with profound patterns that seemed to writhe and intertwine like living serpents, pulsing with spiritual energy.

"Finally in Jianghai."

The middle-aged man felt the gazes of those around him but paid them no mind. He simply broke away from the crowd and walked toward the nearest open area.

A moment later, his figure flickered. He tore through the void and appeared high in the sky, gazing down at the distant city lights.

"The Jianghai Arrow God?"

"Who could it be?"

Liu Wushuang raised an eyebrow. He unslung the Profound Bow from his back and ran two fingers across it, a flicker of anger in his heart.

"To think I was forced to take the fall for some damn reason... Don’t let me find you! I’ll never let you get away with it!"