Despite being very tired, Shen could not sleep. Strange... or not strange, all things considered... the pain in his chest spread throughout his body, preventing him from relaxing and closing his eyes. And also thoughts. In his head, a complete chaos was going on from scraps of half-thought phrases, rushing in a circle in the skull.
Shen curled up in a ball on the bed, hiding his head under the covers. That little trifle that could still give him back his childhood illusion of security for a while. All is well under this blanket.
Shen felt a cold tear roll down the bridge of his nose and cheek. For the first time here, he was not crying in pain.
It was not only a resentment against Muan or the Lords, he understood why everything had turned upside down like that. It was resentment on the whole world, where he was invited to exist in this way. Even if he died already in his own world, he would rather be born again than remember everything and live in the body of another person, he... No.
He was madly delighted with this strange world. He loved the view from his peak, loved to fly on a sword and feel spiritual energy in his hands, reveled in the idea that people and spirits so clearly coexist in one world. He liked the idea that, thanks to the strength of the spirit, people are able to live forever, and that persistent cultivation opens up unlimited possibilities for a person ... Ultimately, he would not exchange all this for his boring reality.
He calmed down a little, thinking this way. In fact, he didn't want to escape from here. But... But this man... Shen took a deep breath. Maybe trying to fix his mistakes was a bad idea from the start? This seems to be impossible. He is not strong enough to overcome this hatred.
But, at least he knows the future of this person. Even if everything goes wrong and the protagonist hates him again, he knows the events leading up to his death. There is a chance to run far, far away, run away and...
[System notification], System said in a rather dry tone. [You can't escape the plot. Otherwise, if you try to dodge, ignore the plot, or hinder its development by escaping, you will die right there, no matter how many points you get.]
Shen curled his lips in an ironic grin.
«Is that how? Won't you even let me dream?»
[I'm just warning you about the possible consequences of your planned actions.]
Shen paused.
«System.»
[Yes?]
«I want to sleep.»
[So sleep.]
«I can't.»
The system did not respond for a while.
[I don't understand,] she then confessed.
Shen smiled.
«Sing me a song,» he invented. «Only certainly louder and in our language. For words to drown my thoughts.»
The system did not answer for a while, and Shen decided that she would ignore his request as usual, but then she sang a song about a saucepan in a cheerful, changed voice, translating it on the go.
"A little saucepan is boiling on the fire, a big saucepan is boiling on the floor, and the cat is «asleep in peace»..." Shen muttered when she was silent.
System sang the song a second time.
The morning of the Lord of the Cursed Peak began only after lunch, but still this time was not enough to digest everything that happened. Now, if no one had touched him for at least two more days, then he would have been able to react to everything more calmly and condescendingly. But he needs to deal with everything right now: go check Annis's condition, find out what Shian did with Letis Lis, and finally prove the innocence of the villainous Shen.
Once again dressed in his red outfit, Shen looked in the mirror, and he wanted to spit at the insolent grinning face. However, his lips curled in this defiant grin, and he could not give his face a calm expression, and his black eyes glittered feverishly. Shen even put his hand to his forehead, checking for a fever, but everything seemed to be in order. Probably, deep down, he wanted the person reflected in the mirror in front of him to not correspond to what was actually going on in his soul. Arrogant as usual. Defiant as usual.
Wounded as usual.
Shen turned away and quickly walked out of the room.
He walked out into the square in front of the castle and took a few steps forward before stopping abruptly. At the beginning of the bridge to the Peak of the Lurking Wind stood Muan, and in the first moment Shen really wanted to dive under the bench so that he would not notice him. But he had to suppress this unworthy and cowardly desire. In the end, it's Muan's fault that it happened... And yet Shen was worried that he had hit him. But he decided not to show it outwardly.
Overcoming himself, he took a few more decisive steps towards the bridge and stopped in front of the renowned swordsman, casting an attentive glance at him.
Muan looked alarmed and pale in front of him. Shen noticed that his hair, which had recently seemed completely white to him, had regained a dirty gray tint.
"Why does your hair change color?" instead of all possible beginnings of this conversation, Shen decided to ask. "You tried to whiten them, but they darkened? Or have you just not washed them for a long time?"
Muan responded to this string of questions with a deep sigh.
"Did you feel it?" he asked.
"What exactly?"
Muan touched his chest with his palm.
Shen frowned at him.
"Did it hurt?" he asked sympathetically.
"Didn't you yourself feel how it was?" Muan's face twisted. "Are you laughing at me?!"
"I don't understand."
"Don't understand?" asked the Lord of Peak of Glory, losing his temper more and more with each passing moment. "Don't understand?! Even now you don't understand?!"
Shen watched the enraged Muan in surprise. It was rare to see him lose his temper so much. He took a step towards him, still in an extremely unfavorable mood. Shen instinctively backed away.
"«Don't understand», right?" Muan asked, trying to calm down a little. "Don't want to know, rather. Afraid to admit?"
"What more do you want from me?!" Shen exploded. "Why did you come here??"
"I thought," step to Shen; step away from Muan, "you admit." Step. "Will understand." Step. "Stop denying the obvious." Step. "Will feel."
Shen leaned his back against the wall of his black castle. Muan, standing in front of him, placed his palm in the center of his chest.
"What do you feel?" he asked quietly.
Shen bewildered looked at him. He was completely confused by this strange behavior. Muan's hand burned even through clothing. Should he feel something else, or is this warmth enough?
Finally, he took a breath, calming his thoughts, and said:
"What do I feel? I can describe to you how I feel." he looked directly at Muan. "Pain. Disappointment. Fatigue. Regret. Sadness."
Muan stared at his face in silence.
"Do you think these are just words? Yes. Behind each of them is something that is not so easy to describe. And you better not know what exactly is going on in my heart. Take your hand and step away."
Muan dropped his hand and took a step back.
"This is..." his outburst of rage had passed, and now he looked somewhat confused.
"What? Is this not how I SHOULD feel?" Shen chuckled bitterly. "Or is it because I behave «wrong» again?"
He walked towards the bridge, pushing Muan aside. The most offensive thing about this whole situation was that, despite all his stupidity and this non-constructive dialogue, Shen really wanted to know about the well-being of Lord the Peak of Glory. But there was not the slightest opportunity to ask about it.
On the other hand, he seems to move quite briskly, nothing will happen to him.
Shen turned and gave him another long, searching look before turning away and continuing towards the bridge.
«No - one - apology.»
He never heard from Muan. He probably could even accept that the swordsman was bewildered by more cunning Lords and forced to take part in his containment. That would be very pissed off! But he would have preferred that option. But this muanous nit still didn't think he had anything to apologize for! And that!.. That was the worst thing.
"Shen! I meant something else! I wanted you to feel that we are connected. So that you finally believe in it!" the tone of this man sounded desperate for some reason.
Shen turned to look at him sharply.
"Feel? I really felt something. You showed me what the pain of betrayal is. Thank you... it's a very... strong feeling."
He turned around again and walked quickly away, no longer intending to continue this conversation.
Muan stared after his retreating figure for a long time.
«And what was I counting on?» thought Shen, walking towards the Peak of Milky Clouds. «To get empathy from this person? Maybe in private it seems that Muan began to relate better to the villainous Shen, but as soon as they get together with the rest, everything returns to normal. And Muan cannot even imagine that what is happening is not in the order of things!»
In the hospital at the Peak of the Milky Clouds, Shen was really not hindered, he was even shown respect, from which he had recently lost the habit. The disciple-cultivator greeted the Lord politely and escorted him to the chamber where Annis was resting.
"Her health has improved significantly," she told Shen on the way. "Lord Zag has ordered us to watch over her and give her a tonic, but no further intervention is required."
The disciple lifted the thin curtain and invited Shen to proceed inside, while she took her leave. He went into a small, bright room. Annis sat on a four-poster bed, alive and relatively healthy, only her neck was bandaged. But Shen was sure that the girl's spiritual strength would be enough to heal her wounds so that there would be no trace left.
Annis brightened when she saw the teacher come in, but immediately bowed her head in a courteous bow and muttered:
"The disciple thanks the teacher again for saving her."
"Do you feel okay?" Shen asked, stepping closer and stopping by the bed.
He glanced around the bedside table with a glass of water on it. Perhaps you should have brought something tasty? Although, maybe the girl still hurts to swallow.
Of course, Annis immediately assured that everything was fine with her. Shen chuckled, remarking casually that she still lacked feminine cunning. While some gentle young lady would exaggerate her minor inconveniences, Annis sternly, like a warrior, minimizes her suffering.
Although in the novel it was this feature of her that he liked. It was always pleasant to watch her, she was not annoying, unlike many other girls who come across on the path of the protagonist.
"Where is your mother? Did she come?"
"She hasn't returned from the southern meeting of women-cultivators yet."
Exactly! Shen finally understood why Annis became a participant in the events in this version, and in the original, she completely missed this arc. Of course, it was all because of him. In the original, Se Annis and Se Sial went to the southern meeting of women cultivators a week before the events, but now everything has turned upside down. Due to the fact that Annis went with him on assignments of the Meeting of the Lords, she missed this trip. That's all. A small nuance that almost cost her her life.
"Then if you need something, I can bring it."
"Thank you, teacher, don't worry. The healers at the Peak of Milky Clouds are very nice. I have everything I need."
"Okay." Shen gave her another close look. "Then rest and gain strength."
"Teacher..." Annis said, bowing her head.
"M?" about to leave Shen turned back to her.
"I have not been able to play for you twice already..."
Shen chuckled.
"So the moment was inappropriate. You still have so much time ahead of you. Don't worry about it. Someday you will play for me."
His mind's eye suddenly saw a picture of Annis sitting on an overgrown grave and playing the qin, shedding tears. Handsomely. And for the plot a great move.
«I hope to avoid this development of events!»
"Rest," he repeated, and quickly left the room.
The next item on the to-do list for today was a conversation with Letis Lis. To do this, it was necessary to meet with Shian and find out where he placed her. Shen regretted now that there are no mobile phones in this world. If only he would call now (or better, write a message), find out everything, and not have to see each other in person. But these are just dreams.
Therefore, he again headed for the Peak of the Lurking Wind.
Already approaching the administration building, he ran into Lord Ren. He froze in place, looking around in fright. Shen broke into a smile that would have passed for a grin, and was about to declare that he is the next day, and he is completely free, but Ren shouted:
"Witnesses, Lord Shen!! There are a lot of witnesses!!!"
Shen looked around dumbfounded. Here indeed were the disciples, hurrying about their business, but at the moment turned to the cry of the Lord.
Ren backed away and ran away.
This was not the kind of reaction Shen had hoped for, but that would do. He shrugged and walked towards the entrance to the administration building.
On the way to the office of the League Leader, Shen met Lord Zag. Seeing Lord the Black Lotus Peak, he stopped tensely and looked at him expectantly.
"Greeted Lord of the Peak of Milky Clouds," Shen said as if nothing had happened. "I have already visited Annis, your fame is deserved, and I am glad that thanks to my humble participation, she will expand her boundaries even more."
"Of course," Zag chuckled. "I will describe this case in my scientific works with utmost precision."
"Did you find out what kind of poison it was?"
"Not completely. I don't have enough time yet."
Shen bowed to continue on his way.
"And you deceived me with a dig."
"Are you sure?"
"Don't prevaricate! The senior cultivators have told me what happened in the assembly hall and how you got out by attacking Lord Muan."
Shen wasn't even surprised. «Another villainous deed in the piggy bank of the villainous Shen.»
Any. Any of his actions are reversed in this way! It's time to get used to it.
"Be more restrained next time, young man," said doctor Zag. "You have done serious damage to Lord Muan. I had to work hard to reduce the impact of your blow."
"Is that how it is?" Shen's eyes widened in amazement. "But it didn't seem to me that I was hitting with all my might... Why then?.."
"Perhaps because the blow was delivered with all the trickery? Why else didn't Lord Muan even try to defend himself? Didn't spend a single gram of spiritual energy to reduce the force of your blow."
Zag looked at Shen.
"Silent? Well, I have to go. This night has turned out to be extremely long for me."
Shen stayed where he was, contemplating the doctor's words. "Didn't he even try to block the punch? But he definitely had the opportunity to do it! And my attack was not unexpected for him, because he could not help but assume that I would strike back! Then why is... he so open? "
Shen looked around the empty corridor with a detached gaze and realized one thing:
"Screw him!! Why am I still thinking about it at all?! Let him say thank me for staying alive!"
The Black Lotus Peak Lord strode down the corridor, the floors of his scarlet clothes fluttering with sudden movements.
Approaching the office at the end of the corridor, Shen calmed down a little and knocked quite culturally, and then pushed open the door without waiting for an answer.
Shian stood at the window.
"Brother?" he exclaimed, turning to him, but making no attempt to run up and hug, as in the old days.
"Brother," Shen confirmed. "And this brother would like to know where Letis Lis is and what is going on in general."
Shian continued to look at him expectantly.
"Why are you silent?"
"I... confess I expected a much more violent reaction."
"A violent reaction to what?" Shen asked cautiously.
"For everything that happened. I thought that you would not only cripple Muan, but everyone in your path. And what will I get too. But you're acting suspiciously like nothing happened."
«Oh, I should have killed all of you?» angry, thought Shen. «Or throw a tantrum? Or what else can I do? I can take offense only at people to whom I at least show sympathy. You are all enemies of the Black Lotus Peak! And I will communicate with you without any pretensions. It's as if I'm not at all annoyed that I couldn't make friends with you.»
"What happened so terribly?" Shen chuckled. "A bunch of cowardly ignoramuses united in attempts to defame the honor of a noble strong man? What a trivial situation. The mongrels always unite and bark from afar if they are afraid to go one-on-one. If I was upset every time because of such manifestations of human weakness, I would just fit into a deep depression. So let's leave this topic. Better answer the question: where is Letis Lis?"
[+20 to the art of veiled insults!]
«It wasn't very veiled,» Shen objected.
[Do you want me to take it back?] System was offended.
«It's your thing,» Shen snorted at her.
[...]
"Letis Lis is in the dungeon at the Dew Incense Peak," Shian finally replied. "I have already announced to the Lords that it is she who is to blame for the deaths of the disciples."
"I don't see the queue to the Black Lotus Peak," Shen said. "Apparently, the poor Lords have repented so much of their slander against an innocent person that, out of shame, they are unable to budge. Well, understandable reaction. They need time to come up with excuses for themselves."
Shian looked at him in silence.
"You, as I understand it, also have nothing to apologize to me for," guessed Shen.
"I ..." Shian stopped short. He was silent for a long time, trying to find the words. And after a while, he chose these three words:
"I love you."
Shen studied his face closely.
"This is a very strange kind of love," he finally said, and left the office.