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Yin Hanjiang is a faithful servant. He does all that Wenren È asks of him, unquestioning. And it’s easy to do, for the most part.
He would topple entire sects, drain oceans, and decimate mountains for Wenren È, but that was never asked of Yin Hanjiang. Wenren È could easily do those things himself, and faster. There were times he wished the Venerable would ask him to do these things, to put his sword to use once more.
His life was full and his heart fulfilled getting to serve Wenren È for the rest of his days, letting his affections burn low and out of sight. It was easy, when Wenren È never trifled with romantic affairs.
Wenren È never showed interest in anyone. Not his right hand, the infamous beauty Shu Yanyan nor any of the martial artists he clashed with. His Venerable’s eyes never strayed toward women or men, he never got distracted by the beauty of others. Wenren È was only concerned with his own cultivation growth, and that worked for their whole… situation.
All was well.
Or, Yin Hanjiang thought all was well- until Yin Hanjiang saw Wenren È leaving and he did not command Yin Hanjiang to follow. If it were a mission, then he would always be loyally by Wenren È’s side.
Yin Hanjiang would never disobey the Venerable, but- it seemed more important to take cover and watch from afar to make sure he was safe. Wenren È was the target of every bothersome righteous sect in the cultivation world; he shouldn’t be walking around without an entourage.
Yin Hanjiang wasn’t sure what to think at first, when it became clear Wenren È was making his way to the nearest town. That was the only reason he could keep up with his lord’s outstanding speed.
He kept a long distance between the two of them, following in shadows as Wenren È entered the town market, leisurely strolling.
But if this was a normal outing, Yin Hanjiang would’ve been brought along.
His suspicions are proven correct when Wenren È doesn’t stop by any stalls, but instead enters a tea shop and orders a pot of tea. For two.
Wenren È sat for a while, completely at ease and slowly drinking his tea. But then- a willowy figure entered the shop as well and her eyes lit up upon seeing Wenren È.
And she sat down across from him without a moment's hesitation. Instead of punishing her audacity like Wenren È should’ve, he poured her a cup of tea, which she accepted.
Why was Wenren È drinking tea with a woman?
Why did Wenren È smile at her like he was familiar with her?
Why didn’t Yin Hanjiang recognize her?
Who was she?
Yin Hanjiang saw red, but clenched his fists and tried grounding himself. He’d learn nothing if he revealed himself now. He stayed hidden, spying on the couple from a distance.
Things grew worse when Wenren È presented a box, handing it over to the stranger. She smiled demurely, hiding her face behind her fan, and accepted the gift.
A gift!
Wenren È never gave women random gifts for no reason! And yet, he Yin Hanjiang was, watching that very phenomenon occur.
Wenren È was not a man who enjoyed frivolities like wasting his time drinking tea to chat with strangers, no, he focused on fighting and growing stronger over anything else. Matters of the heart were a bothersome distraction.
But that meant, perhaps, that Wenren È did not understand the matters of the heart. If- if love were to suddenly hit him, he’d be defenseless against its powers! What else could this be, but his lord helplessly in love?
And what else could this be- but a date!
Yin Hanjiang was chugging vinegar now, glaring at the woman in contempt.
How dare this nobody woman think she was worthy of the Demon Lord of the Xuanyuan Sect! She hadn’t been there like Yin Hanjiang, back when Wenren È was still establishing himself in the cultivation world, she hadn’t bled like he had bled. If she faced half the tribulations Yin Hanjiang had, her feeble affections would’ve cracked!
Or even worse- Yin Hanjiang was familiar with, while not the details, the methods Shu Yanyan cultivated with- perhaps this was another fox crouched in the underbrush, waiting to drain Wenren È dry! She was using him, surely, catching the Venerable with her feminine wiles to seduce him! How insidious!
… Maybe Yin Hanjiang has squandered his chance, being content with the scraps he had. He had always been content to be the one Wenren È clearly trusted the most and always kept by his side. It felt like no one could ever come between them and cleave their bond.
Who was Yin Hanjiang, to feel possessive over Wenren È? He should be obedient as he always has been, that’s how Wenren È has always liked him. Yin Hanjiang has clearly failed his lord if he couldn’t tell that Wenren È’s heart was so swiftly and masterfully stolen, right under Yin Hanjiang’s nose while he was somehow caught unaware.
He thought he knew everything about Wenren È. He was a sham.
But Yin Hanjiang could not accept this disgrace!
The answer felt simple: He should kill the woman.
Yes, Wenren È already said many times in the past that as powerful demonic cultivators, they shouldn’t waste their time with diplomacy or morals. If there was an obstacle, destroy it, and if there was a person in your way- kill them.
Wenren È appreciated pragmatic people the best. If Yin Hanjiang acted with the sect’s and Wenren È’s own well-being in mind, he wouldn’t fault Yin Hanjiang for killing someone.
Wenren È had never minded before, but- was that line different for someone he loved?
Yin Hanjiang had been saved by Wenren È, and he’s spent his entire life trying to pay back that impossible debt.
Wenren È has been benevolent to even let someone like him stay by his side. Yin Hanjinag has always had Wenren È’s confidence, but what would he do if he suddenly lost it?
What would Yin Hanjinag do if Wenren È came to despise him for a perceived treachery?
Or worse- if Wenren È suddenly looked upon him like another useless ant?
If this woman held Wenren È’s heart in her hands, perhaps he should treat her with the same absolute loyalty. If she were precious to his lord, if her very existence made Wenren È happier… then Yin Hanjiang should protect his happiness. If Wenren È commanded it, then the very mountains he would level for his lord, he’d level instead for this woman. She’d earn his loyalty, only through the proxy of Wenren È.
Yin Hanjiang watched with shadowy eyes as Wenren È and the woman discussed things too quietly for him to overhear in the crowd, finishing up their tea. She then stood up, thanked him, and left.
He was relieved to finally see her leave Wenren È’s presence, but he also felt indignant. Their- their date hadn’t even lasted half an incense stick’s worth of time! Why, he should follow her and-
“Yin Hanjiang, come over,” Wenren È’s voice sent a strange chill down his back, and his heart started to race.
... Of course he’d been caught. There was no way someone like him could keep his presence fully masked from a Mahayana cultivator like Wenren È.
Yin Hanjiang stepped out from behind his hiding spot and walked over to stand by Wenren È. He’d never disobey an order, even while he was caught red-handed.
“Sit.”
Yin Hanjiang sat down immediately. It’s what was commanded of him, after all. There was no other option.
“So,” Wenren È says, relaxed, “did you find anything interesting on your trip out?”
“No.”
Yin Hanjiang would not call that woman interesting, more like an eyesore. He felt his eyes turning red again just thinking about her, and glanced down the road she had disappeared down.
Wenren È shakes his head, “If you’re thinking of sneaking after her- don’t. She’s second level Void Boundary and could squish you like a bug. That is, if her poison didn’t get to you first.”
“... This lady was a poison master?”
“Yes.”
Yin Hanjiang wanted to inquire, but didn’t dare. Wenren È could see the question burning in his eye anyway and humored his poor subordinate.
“Why meet up with someone so troublesome, then? Her teacher simply helped out the Xuanyuan sect many years back and called back on my debt. It would’ve been bad for my karma to treat her with suspicion and coldness.”
“The box, then…?”
“Some flower that, in its purest form, can be used for medicines. But dried and grounded in powder, good for poisons. It’s terribly fragile to light, so it has to be kept in a special container.”
Business... the date was just a business meeting? And his lord saw it best to go alone, to not offend the lady, and that's why Yin Hanjiang was left behind? It could all make sense.
“If I may, could I ask what her name was?” Yin Hanjiang asks.
Wenren È stared at him blankly, and if Yin Hanjiang were any weaker of a man he’d break out sweating from nerves.
“I can’t recall, does it matter?” Wenren È said after a bout of silence.
Yin Hanjiang felt relief equivalent to a prisoner about to be beheaded suddenly declared innocent of all crimes. He could’ve sighed out in relief and collapsed right then and there. Wenren È didn't even care to remember what the lady's name was, there was no way he was interested in her.
Amidst his relief, Yin Hanjiang stayed perfectly composed. But a small knot of tension unwounded from his gut.
Yin Hanjiang shook his head. No, that woman didn’t matter. None of them mattered, of course Wenren È hasn’t fallen in love.
Everything was going to be okay, and everything was going to stay exactly the same. Nothing was going to change.