Fated | Fangs Of Fortune [ZhuYi]

Chapter 14 : I, Swear To The Heavens

Zhuo Yichen stirred awake, his body sluggish and his mind foggy. The first thing he registered was the warmth on his forehead, and when his vision cleared, he found Zhu Yan's face far too close for comfort. Zhu Yan's fingers, glowing scarlet, pressed lightly against his skin, transferring an unsettling energy into his body. The warmth coursed through his veins like liquid fire, chasing away the poison's chill.

With a start, Yichen slapped Zhu Yan's hand away. "What are you doing?"

Zhu Yan blinked, his playful smirk absent, replaced by a flicker of regret. "I was too late" he murmured, sitting back. "The poison spread farther than I expected. I'm sorry."

Yichen glared at him, his voice low and biting. "I wasn't expecting you."

Reluctant to even look at him, Yichen pushed himself to his feet. His body still throbbing from the lingering effects of thr arrow's poison. His hands instinctively darted to his sword resting nearby. The Cloud Light Sword's hilt crystal caught his attention—it glowed an eerie midnight blue instead of its usual azure hue.

His fingers brushed the sword hilt as he looked back at Zhu Yan suspiciously. "Why does it always shine midnight blue whenever you're around?"

Zhu Yan tilted his head, his smirk returning. "The sword's for protecting, Zhuo Daren. It's not made for the intention of killing. And since your hatred for me is so intense, it darkens when I'm close." He tapped his chest dramatically. "I'm flattered, really. Your feelings run deep."

Yichen narrowed his eyes, gripping the sword tighter. "Don't flatter yourself. I'd use it on you if I didn't need to save Wen Xiao."

Zhu Yan raised an eyebrow, genuinely curious. "Why not? Go on. A little stab between the ribs never hurt anyone. Except, you know, me."

"Shut up" Yichen growled, his voice sharp but his hand fell away from the sword.

Zhu Yan reached out again, his fingers glowing faintly as if to continue his healing. Yichen pushed him away roughly, his strength weaker than he intended. "Don't touch me. I don't need your help."

"You do need it but fine, Mr. Righteous. Bleed out, see if I care." Zhu Yan leaned back, his tone teasing. "Although, considering I already saved your life, you're being rather ungrateful"

"Ungrateful?" Yichen spat, his voice rising with anger. "Do you even know how I feel, being here and talking to you instead of avenging my brother and my father?" His hands clenched into fists. "Every second I'm not driving my sword through your heart is a second I feel I'm failing them."

For once, Zhu Yan didn't respond immediately. The smirk faltered, replaced by something quieter, though it lasted only a moment. He shrugged theatrically. "Sure, sure. I'm a big bad demon. Go on, tell me more about how terrible I am."

Yichen's eyes burned with fury. "You are terrible. And I'm only holding back because of Wen Xiao. She's dying, day by day because of her broken Baize Token. If saving her means putting up with you, then so be it. But don't think for a second that I'll ever forgive you for what you've done."

Zhu Yan's smile became lopsided, a faint shadow of sorrow in his eyes. "I don't seek forgiveness, Zhuo Daren. You hate me so much." I'm glad He leaned closer, resting his chin on his hand with exaggerated laziness. "But you know what? Hate's a pretty strong motivator. It's almost... touching. I'm starting to feel special."

Yichen glared at him, his breath heavy. The poison in his veins made him dizzy, but he refused to show weakness. Still, he couldn't deny the faint relief he felt from Zhu Yan's earlier energy transfer. His body wasn't fine. Far from it but it was better than before.