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Chapter 1: An Unexpected Visit from the Rival
Lately, the Stellaron Hunters had been unusually idle. Most major missions for the year had been wrapped up by early January, and their clients were currently resting before the surge of tasks expected after the Spring Festival in February. With nothing to do, Blade had regressed into a state of self-imposed isolation at the base. When he wasn’t out looking for the "Little Azure Dragon" to provoke a fight, he remained locked in his room, drowning in his own silence.
On days without a battle to fight, Blade became exceptionally brooding and volatile. He would often drive the Shard Sword into his own arm, watching with hollow eyes as the blood flowed, only to see the wound knit itself back together—a cycle of destruction and rebirth that felt utterly meaningless. To him, this self-mutilation lacked the thrill of "bonding" through combat with Dan Heng; it was simply tedious.
As this persisted, Kafka noticed that Blade’s fixation on Dan Heng had spiraled into a near-demonic obsession. She advised him to rein in his erratic impulses and suggested he purchase a property on the Xianzhou Luofu to stay occasionally, hoping a change of scenery might shift his mood.
Blade followed her advice. Soon, a luxurious private residence was ready for him to move in. He arrived with only a single suitcase, purchasing everything else within a week. Even his wardrobe was a result of Kafka and Silver Wolf dragging him on a massive shopping spree; crates of high-end suits were delivered to the house, filling the once-empty closets. Blade looked at the growing pile of possessions in his sanctuary with indifference, retreating to his room at night to brood over his next move.
【Silver Wolf】: Uncle Blade, getting used to the new place? 【Blade】: I feel nothing. 【Silver Wolf】: Want Kafka to take you out for more clothes or furniture? 【Blade】: Tsk. A bother. 【Silver Wolf】: How about stocking up on some good food? 【Blade】: Pointless. 【Silver Wolf】: ...Uncle Blade, you’re so difficult. There aren't many missions right now. Kafka said to be patient; there will be plenty of big jobs after the New Year. 【Blade】: Oh. 【Silver Wolf】: Why don’t you help me power-level these three games? You’ve got nothing but time. 【Blade】: Play your children's games yourself. I’m busy. 【Silver Wolf】: So heartless... Are you still looking for that Little Azure Dragon? 【Blade】: I want to see him every day. I want to fight him, I want to hurt him... It’s been two days since I last looked for Dan Heng. My arms are covered in sword marks I gave myself. I’m at my limit... Dan Heng, Dan Heng... 【Silver Wolf】: Uncle Blade, you’ve got it bad! I need to find Kafka... Wait, she’s off on a tropical planet for the holidays and took Firefly with her. No one can help you! 【Blade】: Dan Heng... I want to make him cry... 【Silver Wolf】: Uncle Blade? Uncle Blade—?!
Blade tossed his phone aside, ignoring Silver Wolf’s messages telling him to calm down. He gripped the Shard Sword and drove it deep into his thigh. As agony flooded his consciousness, he opened his crimson eyes, which were saturated with a bloody intent. It had only been two days without seeing Dan Heng, yet it felt as though the Mara was already beginning to flare up.
This condition—where he felt he would fall ill if he didn't seek out Dan Heng for a fight—was worsening by the day. The joy of a new home did nothing to soothe it. Blade exhaled a ragged, hot breath, whispering Dan Heng’s name through the haze of a splitting headache. He slashed his arm again. In a room thick with the scent of blood, he could not suppress his yearning. He thought himself truly possessed to be so hung up on a mere "rival".
But he could not control it, any more than he could stop himself from constantly seeking the other man. If this longing could be measured, Blade felt it would be a flood of overflowing emotions woven into a demonic web, binding him in a desperate, obsessive craving.
—Has Dan Heng put a curse on me? —Why is my head so full of him? Is it normal to desire a rival this much...?
Once his wounds scabbed over and his flesh restored itself, Blade let out a low growl. He cast a cold glance at his phone and contacted a housekeeping agency, ordering them to come and clean the residence immediately.
The moment he opened the front door to leave, Blade thought his eyes were playing tricks on him.
An unconscious Dan Heng was lying right at his doorstep. He looked utterly exhausted, his body marred with blood and bruises across his arms—clear evidence of a recent, violent struggle. Looking at those wounds, Blade felt a sudden surge of emotion, realizing with a start that he was actually feeling... heartache.
He carried Dan Heng inside and began to carefully bandage the wounds on his arms. Years of tending to his own injuries made the task second nature, and he quickly finished treating the "Little Azure Dragon". However, his fingers never stopped trembling. The thrill of touching the man he hadn't seen for days sent a jolt through him. Letting out a faint sigh, Blade brushed his hand against the other’s cheek, only to find the skin scalding hot. He touched the forehead; Dan Heng was burning with a fever.
Picking him up by the waist, Blade laid him gently on the bed and tried to administer medicine, but Dan Heng couldn't swallow. After several failed attempts, Blade finally found a liquid version of the medication. He mixed it with warm water and, using the ancient method of passing water from lip to lip, pressed his mouth against Dan Heng’s to deliver the medicine.
Dan Heng’s lips were warm and incredibly soft. Blade couldn't help but linger, savoring the subtle, sweet fragrance of the younger man. He pressed his forehead against Dan Heng's, and unable to restrain himself any longer, he turned Dan Heng over and buried his face in the crook of his neck, inhaling the sweet scent that belonged only to him.
There was a faint, elegant aroma clinging to Dan Heng, much like the scent of osmanthus. Blade surmised it was from his usual body wash or hand cream. He adored the scent, inhaling it deeply for a long time. Finally, to help bring down the fever, he stripped off his own clothes and held the equally bare Dan Heng, using the natural chill of his body to soothe the other’s heat.
When the fever finally broke, the fragrant Dan Heng lay cradled in Blade's arms, completely unaware that his "rival" was watching him with an obsessive, lingering gaze. Blade’s crimson eyes overflowed with a deep, possessive affection, as if he were staring at the brightest, most precious pearl in existence.
—Dan Heng, you really do smell so good.
A smile—one that had been absent for days—appeared on Blade’s face. He pressed his teeth against the skin of Dan Heng’s back as a test, but ultimately couldn't bring himself to bite down and leave a mark. Instead, he simply ground his sharp teeth gently against the shoulder, a small, secret indulgence of forbidden fruit.
Chapter 2: The Search for the Lost Little Azure Dragon
Blade walked through the streets of Luofu, preparing to purchase ingredients for dinner. He thought to himself that since Dan Heng had just suffered blood loss and a high fever, he needed to make something delicious to help him recover. Just as he was about to turn toward the supermarket, he suddenly noticed a cluster of flyers plastered all over the walls of Aurum Alley. At first, he didn’t pay them much mind, but a casual second glance made him freeze.
【Notice for the Lost Little Azure Dragon】 The great and brilliant flower of our motherland, the one known as the "Cold-Faced Little Azure Dragon," Teacher Dan Heng, has gone missing! If any kind-hearted citizens of the Xianzhou happen to see him, please help the poor Trailblazers of the Astral Express and notify me or the rest of the crew immediately!
Characteristics of Teacher Dan Heng: (A distorted portrait of a little dragon) BY: The Trailblazer Reward: 50,000 Credits + Ten Golden Trash Cans! Please, everyone! Kind deeds will be rewarded!
Blade: "……"
At ten o’clock that night, a tall man with a strange, purposeful gait appeared in Aurum Alley and Exalting Sanctum. He moved from pillars to shop notice boards, tearing down every single search flyer he could find. In total, he destroyed over two hundred flyers. When the job was done, Blade gazed with satisfaction at the burning pile of paper, a dark, brooding smile playing on his lips in the flickering firelight.
Chapter 3: The Sweet Daily Life of an Amnesiac Dragon
Blade dropped the ingredients into the boiling water. Fresh slices of fish floated to the surface, and mutton simmered in a rich broth alongside sweet, nutritious vegetables. It was a delicious hot pot feast. He had also brewed some fragrant Four Seasons Spring tea, its light aroma drifting through the dining room. After brewing it, he added ice and placed it in the refrigerator, waiting for Dan Heng to finish his meal before drinking.
When he returned to the bedroom, he found that Dan Heng was awake. He was sitting at the head of the bed, looking bewildered as to why he was there. Upon seeing Blade enter, Dan Heng looked utterly surprised, his lips parting as if to ask a question. Blade sat beside him and handed him a glass of warm water, waiting for him to speak.
"Did you save me?" Dan Heng finally spoke, but his words revealed a state of total amnesia. Blade was stunned for a moment; he never expected his usually resilient and calm rival to lose his memory so abruptly. The sudden development left him in a heavy silence.
"You… don’t remember? You’ve forgotten me as well?" Blade spoke gloomily. Seeing Dan Heng nod, Blade felt a weight as heavy as a thousand tons of rock pressing down on his chest. He used to get angry when Dan Heng denied being the former High Elder, but this was worse—forgetting everything meant forgetting him. The feeling of being erased sparked a smoldering fire in his heart, yet he didn't quite understand why he felt so much rage.
Countless flashes of their shared past flooded Blade’s mind like a surging tide. He had never forgotten the days of Yingxing and Dan Feng, nor was he willing to deny what they once were. But for years, Dan Heng had insisted he was no longer Dan Feng—that he was a guard for the Astral Express with a new life and a new mission.
Those sweet memories should have belonged to two people, and even the painful ones shouldn't be borne by him alone. But now… even those memories were gone, drifting away like light clouds, leaving nothing behind. The feeling of being the only one left behind in the past made Blade ache with a suffocating bitterness.
Like a fool, he was the only one who still held onto those tender whispers and promises. Every scene of Yingxing kissing Dan Feng was etched into his mind, yet Dan Heng no longer possessed those recollections. How could he endure this? He had pursued the other man like a madman across the stars, hoping that one day Dan Heng would remember their fragments of time together. But this outcome broke Blade’s heart completely.
He felt like a lost ship drifting in a lonely, frozen sea; the lighthouse he trusted most had gone dark, no longer able to guide him home. All the heartache and suffering could only be buried by himself. Blade glared at Dan Heng with crimson eyes, his soul in agony. The wounds beneath his bandages seemed to ache even more. He wanted to draw his blade and end his own life then and there, but he didn't. He merely let out a hollow, self-mocking laugh and told Dan Heng to come to the dining room to eat.
Chapter 4: The Vow of a Hundred Years and a Reunited Confession
That evening, after Blade had finished showering and drying his hair, he found Dan Heng already in his bed. The "Little Azure Dragon," having let down his guard, had reverted to his Imbibitor Lunae form, cradling his majestic dragon tail as he tried to groom it. Dan Heng seemed to have forgotten how to properly care for his body; he was clumsily separating the scales and trying to apply the essential oil Blade had purchased. With a sigh, Blade approached him, gently took the massage oil from his hand, and grasped the large tail. "Let me," he whispered.
Dan Heng looked up in surprise, seemingly unable to understand why Blade was being so attentive. Blade remained silent, meticulously spreading the lavender-scented oil across the flesh of the tail, massaging the plush, soft appendage with a practiced tenderness. His movements were incredibly skillful, as if he had performed this task countless times before—his touch as light as a white feather brushing against the scales. Dan Heng let out a low, involuntary hum of comfort. Finally, Blade gave the tail a gentle pat, signaling he was finished.
"Thank you," Dan Heng nodded, curling his tail back behind him as he prepared to sleep. But Blade’s gaze remained fixed on him, refusing to look away. Feeling a sense of embarrassment under that intense stare, Dan Heng cautiously asked about Blade's intentions.
"We used to spend time like this... do you remember?" Blade spoke softly, his expression filled with a haunting nostalgia. These memories were a flowing river he could never escape; he remembered every spark of passion when Dan Feng called Yingxing’s name, and exactly how fervently Yingxing had embraced his dragon. Watching the man before him who remembered nothing, Blade had a thousand things he wanted to say, but only that one question escaped his lips.
"I’m sorry, I truly don't remember," Dan Heng said apologetically. He only saw Blade’s eyes grow darker, a scorching, crimson fire locking onto his face as if trying to carve right through him. Instinctively, Dan Heng reached up to touch his own face, only for his hand to be seized by Blade. A soft, lingering kiss was pressed into the center of his brow, then another on his cheek. Dan Heng froze, and as he tried to turn his head away, his lips brushed against the corner of Blade’s mouth, only to be captured in a deep, desperate kiss.
A sweet, intoxicating fragrance flooded Blade’s senses—a flavor so familiar and delicious. He clung to this tenderness, praying he would never wake from this dream. Dan Heng did not resist, allowing Blade to kiss him.
The yearning love bloomed from that cherished kiss like the nectar of a vibrant flower. It was a kiss that carried all the longing Yingxing had felt for Dan Feng centuries ago, mixed with the raw craving Blade felt for Dan Heng now. To Blade, Dan Heng was his source of life; without him, he didn't know what reason he had to keep living.
As the kiss deepened, it transformed into a thick, sweet syrup overflowing with complicated emotions. This tide of love poured into Dan Heng’s consciousness, allowing him to feel—even as a passive recipient—how deeply this man cherished him. It was a love that reached across the heavens, a foundation that would never be abandoned.
The kiss ended amidst Dan Heng’s ragged breathing. For a long moment, neither spoke. Suddenly, Dan Heng felt warmth streaming down his cheeks; before he could wipe it away, Blade’s fingers were there, brushing away the tears. He was actually crying.
"Let me hold you a little longer, please?" Blade pleaded, desperate to touch every inch of that soft skin. Dan Heng’s scent brought him a profound sense of security, soothing the agony in his soul. Blade waited anxiously for an answer until finally, the Little Azure Dragon nodded. "Yes," he whispered.
"If this is your desire..." Before Dan Heng could finish, he was pulled into a crushing embrace. Blade held him as if he were the most fragile flower in existence—the flower of his heart blooming in the center of his soul.
"I never want to let go again," Blade sighed, burying his face in Dan Heng’s neck to drink in his warmth. The sweet scent ignited a fire in Blade’s chest, forcing out several pained groans as he pressed deep, marking kisses into the skin of the younger man's neck.
Dan Heng wept again, his warm tears soaking into Blade’s hair. As he reached out to wrap his arms around Blade’s powerful shoulders, he heard the confession.
"I like you... I like you so much." The seed had sprouted so long ago. "I love you, Dan Heng."
The kisses moved to the hollow of his neck, and Blade captured Dan Heng’s lips once more. This time, the passion was an overwhelming tidal wave, crashing against Dan Heng’s consciousness. As the surge of love struck his heart, Dan Heng suddenly remembered everything. Fragments of Dan Feng and Yingxing’s past flooded his mind—the vows, the promises of eternal companionship, and the depth of the kiss they were sharing now.
Dan Heng tightened his grip on Blade, his tears falling like radiant pearls, shattering against Blade’s shoulder like glowing jewels in the night. Finally, Blade pulled back, sensing the change in Dan Heng's expression—one now overflowing with love.
"You..."
Before he could finish, a finger was pressed against his lips.
"If it’s not too late, I want to tell you too..." Dan Heng’s voice was thick with emotion as he whispered, "I love you too."
The promise from a hundred years ago still held the weight of an eternal obsession. In the reflection of Blade’s glowing crimson eyes, a final tear fell—a seed of joy taking root. It was an inextinguishable vow, a fire burning through their past and present lives, igniting their complex hearts into a deep, honeyed devotion.
Through the long, tender night, two scorching hearts intertwined after a century, becoming the brightest starlight in the moonlit sky—hands held tight, as if they had never been apart.
Chapter 5: Daily Rules for Hiding a Little Azure Dragon (Part 1)
The morning sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting swaying, mottled shadows across the wooden floor. These patches of light danced like golden spirits in the breeze, lending a touch of vitality to the quiet room. When Blade opened his crimson eyes, the first thing he saw was Dan Heng sleeping in his arms. The Little Azure Dragon’s sleeping face was exceptionally peaceful, his black hair scattered across the white pillow in a mess, his breathing steady and slow. Having been exhausted by the emotional confession the night before, he slept deeply, completely unaware of the obsessive gaze Blade was fixated on him. That gaze was so tender it felt as if it could melt Dan Heng whole; Blade’s crimson eyes reflected the quiet face of the young man as if he were looking at the most precious treasure in the world—the only salvation he had traded centuries of pain to obtain.
Blade couldn't resist reaching out, his fingertips grazing Dan Heng’s brow, the bridge of his nose, and his lips. Every inch of that skin fascinated him beyond control; it felt as soft as the finest silk, yet it carried the warmth of a living being. This warmth assured Blade that this wasn't a dream—Dan Heng was really here, lying in his arms, and had truly whispered those words "I love you too" the night before. Those four words had scorched his heart like wildfire, burning away centuries of cold and loneliness, leaving only a heart full of tender yearning.
—This is mine. —Finally, finally, he is mine.
The possessiveness surging in his heart nearly drowned him; the craving was like a prairie fire, consuming all reason and restraint. Only one primal, maddening thought remained: to lock Dan Heng firmly by his side and never let anyone take him away again. Not the companions of the Astral Express, nor the entire universe—no one would dare snatch this person from his hands. Blade lowered his head and pressed a light, soft kiss onto Dan Heng’s forehead, terrified of disturbing his sleep. The kiss was as light as a feather, bearing the weight of all the longing Yingxing had felt for a promise never fulfilled to Dan Feng, and the sacred vow Blade held for Dan Heng now.
He was loath to loosen his embrace, loath to leave the warmth of the bed, and loath to end this morning that felt like a beautiful dream. He wished time would stop right here, allowing Dan Heng to nestle in his arms forever, ensuring this hard-won happiness would never fade.
But the vibration of his phone shattered the tranquility like a bucket of cold water.
Blade frowned as he picked up the device. Silver Wolf’s messages were a string of exclamation marks that made his brow furrow deeper. Those words were a reminder that the outside world would not stop for their happiness; danger and threats still existed, ready to tear this dream apart at any moment:
【Silver Wolf】: UNCLE BLADE!!! SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAS HAPPENED!!! 【Silver Wolf】: People from the Astral Express are plastering missing person flyers all over Luofu! 【Silver Wolf】: Aurum Alley, Exalting Sanctum, Artisanship Commission—they're everywhere! 【Silver Wolf】: (Photo_of_flyer.jpg) 【Silver Wolf】: They’ve even put up a reward of 50,000 Credits + Ten Golden Trash Cans for Dan Heng! 【Silver Wolf】: Uncle Blade, you didn't actually hide him away, did you???
Blade clicked on the photo and saw the distorted dragon portrait drawn by the Trailblazer, topped with the bold title "Notice for the Lost Little Azure Dragon." His brow tightened into a deep scowl; the artwork was truly beyond saving, making Dan Heng look like some strange creature. But that wasn't the point. The point was that all of Luofu was searching for him. This meant his plan to hide the Little Azure Dragon was facing a massive threat—a sword hanging over his head, ready to sever the fragile connection between them.
—Troublesome. —I have to find a way to deal with these flyers. —I can't let anyone find him. Absolutely not.
He didn't reply to Silver Wolf. He only pulled Dan Heng closer, his arm circling the slender waist to feel the warmth and breathing of the person in his arms. That warmth allowed his heart to settle; yes, Dan Heng was here, and that was enough. Everything else could be dealt with. He would tear down every flyer, block everyone searching for Dan Heng, and use every means necessary to protect this one month of time.
The Little Azure Dragon in his arms seemed to feel the movement and dazedely opened his eyes. His teal eyes were still clouded with sleep, soft and hazy like a thin mist. Blade felt the urge to kiss those eyes, to kiss away the fog, and to see the way Dan Heng looked at him when fully awake.
"...Blade?" Dan Heng’s voice was soft and carried the nasal tone of someone who had just woken up. It sent a jolt of emotion through Blade’s heart, like something soft rubbing against his soul.
"Hmm, awake?" Blade’s voice was incredibly gentle as his fingertips brushed Dan Heng’s cheek, feeling the heat rising beneath the skin. He held him like a newly blossomed flower, fearing any excess force would crush the petals. "Go back to sleep if you want. No need to rush; it’s still early."
Chapter 5: Daily Rules for Hiding a Little Azure Dragon (Part 2)
Dan Heng shook his head and pulled himself up from Blade’s embrace, only to realize he was only wrapped in a thin quilt. The memories of the previous night came rushing back like a tidal wave—the confession, the embrace, the deep kisses, and the heat of their intertwined bodies. He remembered the love whispered in his ear and the soft, scorching kisses that fell on his forehead, cheeks, and lips.
His face instantly flushed crimson, the heat spreading from his cheeks to the tips of his ears. He covered his face with his hands, but he couldn't hide the warmth radiating from within.
Seeing his embarrassment, Blade let out a low, satisfied chuckle. He leaned in and whispered with a hint of playful mischief: "What's wrong? You were so brave when you said you loved me last night. You even kissed me first and wouldn't let go... Why so shy now, hmm? "
"Shut... shut up! " Dan Heng pushed Blade's face away in mock annoyance, his voice trembling with a mix of shame and sweetness.
Blade’s eyes overflowed with indulgence, but his expression soon turned serious. He took Dan Heng’s hand, lacing their fingers together: "Dan Heng, I have to go out for a while."
"Where to? " Dan Heng sensed the shift in the air.
"Aurum Alley ." Blade said coldly, a sharp glint in his crimson eyes. "The Trailblazer is putting up flyers all over Luofu to find you. I have to deal with them. Every single one."
Dan Heng froze. "...They’re looking for me? "
"Yes ." Blade began to dress, his movements swift and dangerous, like a predator preparing for a hunt. "And the reward is quite something—50,000 Credits and ten golden trash cans. The Trailblazer truly is... creative."
Dan Heng leaned his head against his hand, feeling a complicated mix of guilt for his worried companions and a desire to stay in this selfish dream.
"So, " Blade turned back, his gaze absolute and possessive. "Until I’ve dealt with those flyers, you are not to leave this place. Don't even go near the windows. Do you understand? "
Looking at the fear of loss hidden deep in Blade's eyes, Dan Heng found he couldn't say no. The voices of reason were drowned out by the softness in his heart. "I understand. I’ll wait for you to come back."
Blade walked through Aurum Alley, his eyes scanning every wall and pillar. He tore down every flyer he saw, the sound of ripping paper serving as a declaration of his intent. He moved through Exalting Sanctum, the Artisanship Commission, and the Divination Commission, destroying over three hundred flyers in total. Finally, in a secluded alley, he set them all ablaze.
"What are you doing, Blade? " A familiar, languid voice came from behind.
Blade stiffened. He turned to find Jing Yuan standing at the entrance of the alley, his golden eyes filled with an unspoken understanding.
"Jing Yuan ." Blade’s voice was guarded. "Why are you here? "
"I should ask you the same ." Jing Yuan looked at the burning paper. "Destroying search flyers... who are you covering for? Could it be... Dan Heng? "
Blade remained silent, his fingers tightening around his lighter.
Jing Yuan sighed and walked to Blade's side. "Don't be so tense. I won't tell anyone."
"Why? "
"Of the High Cloud Quintet, only you, I, and Jingliu remain ." Jing Yuan’s voice grew distant. "We have all carried too much for too long. If you and Dan Heng have finally found each other again, I have no reason to stop you. Yingxing... no, Blade... you have suffered enough. It's time someone loved you properly."
Blade was stunned, a flicker of gratitude crossing his crimson eyes.
"But, " Jing Yuan warned, "the Astral Express will not give up easily. What do you plan to do? "
Blade looked into the fire, his voice low and resolute : "Give me one month."
"One month? "
"Yes ." Blade looked up, his eyes burning with a desperate craving. "Let me be selfish this once. Let me have him for one month, completely and without interruption. Just the two of us. Please, Jing Yuan. This is the only thing I will ever ask of you."
Jing Yuan watched him for a long moment before sighing. "I will give you your month. But don't make it too hard on him. Cherish this time, Yingxing."
Chapter 5: Daily Rules for Hiding a Little Azure Dragon (Final Part)
Blade watched Jing Yuan’s silhouette disappear into the alley entrance, a surge of unspoken gratitude and warmth rising in his heart. It was as if a sliver of sunlight had finally pierced through his frozen heart. He whispered a soft "Thank you," his voice so light it was barely audible.
The fire eventually died down, and the ashes scattered in the wind, much like the regrets of the past. Blade stood there for a long time before finally turning to leave, his footsteps much lighter than when he had arrived.
Upon returning to the private residence, he found Dan Heng sitting on the living room sofa. He held a book in his hands, but his gaze was vacant, clearly distracted. His teal eyes stared at the pages without taking in a single word; he looked anxious and unsettled, as if waiting for something critical.
At the sound of the door opening, Dan Heng immediately looked up. Seeing Blade return, his eyes lit up instantly like starlight in the dark, or a lost ship finally spotting a lighthouse. He stood up and walked quickly to Blade, his voice filled with concern: "You're back. Did you handle all the flyers?"
"Hmm," Blade grunted, hanging his coat on the rack, his voice carrying a hint of exhaustion. "Tore down over three hundred. Burned them all. No one should recognize you from the flyers for now."
Dan Heng laughed helplessly, shaking his head. "You really are thorough... three hundred of them. How long did that take you alone?"
Blade didn't speak. Instead, he reached out and pulled Dan Heng into a crushing embrace, holding him with such force it felt as if he wanted to rub him into his very bones and blood, weaving him into his soul. He buried his face in the crook of Dan Heng's neck, greedily inhaling the rich, haunting scent of osmanthus. The fragrance drifted through his senses like fragments of memories that had spanned hundreds of years, smoothing out his frayed nerves and settling the surging unease into a tender yearning.
Dan Heng was startled by the suddenness of the gesture, but he soon reached out to embrace Blade back, feeling the scorching heat of the hug and the underlying terror that Blade couldn't quite hide. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"...It’s nothing," Blade’s voice was muffled, sounding weary and vulnerable as he cast aside all his disguises. "I just suddenly wanted to hold you. I needed to confirm that you’re still here, that this is real, and not a dream."
Feeling the scorching temperature of the embrace and the trembling dread hidden within Blade's tensed muscles, a surge of warmth flowed through Dan Heng’s heart. It was like melting honey, soaking into every corner of his soul. He tightened his grip on Blade’s powerful shoulders, locking him in place as if to transmit a thousand years of unspoken words through this single hug. "...You’re making me feel uneasy like this."
"Why?"
"Because," Dan Heng looked up at Blade, his teal eyes serious and tender, as if peering into the depths of Blade’s fragility and fear. "You seem so afraid that I’ll leave, as if you’ll lose me at any second, as if I’m just a beautiful dream you’re about to wake up from."
Blade remained silent for a moment, his arms tightening even further. Finally, he spoke his truth, his voice low, raspy, and thick with centuries of suppressed terror: "I am afraid. I’m terrified to death. I’m trembling every single second."
"Afraid of what?"
"Afraid that this is all a dream," Blade whispered, his forehead resting against Dan Heng’s as their breaths intertwined. "Afraid that when I wake up, you’ll forget me again. Forget our past, forget the confession from last night, forget that you said 'I love you too'... I’m afraid everything will go back to how it was, where I’m the only one left remembering, the only one bearing this longing, calling your name in an eternal night with no response..."
Dan Heng’s heart ached, his eyes growing red as if pierced by something sharp. He finally understood why Blade was so obsessed with hiding him, why he tore down every flyer, and why he held him with such desperate force.
Because Blade was terrified of loss. Over the centuries, he had already lost too much.
"Blade," Dan Heng said firmly, his voice steady and gentle, carrying the weight of a sacred vow. "I won't forget. Never."
"..."
"The confession from last night—I meant it," Dan Heng laced his fingers with Blade's, feeling the slight tremor in the other’s palm. "I love you. This isn't fake, and it won't disappear. It won't fade with time or change because of the world outside. This feeling began the moment Dan Feng fell for Yingxing hundreds of years ago. It has survived reincarnation, survived forgetting, and survived so much suffering just to return to your side. That is the proof. We are destined, and this love is real."
Blade’s crimson eyes grew redder, tears pooling as if they might spill at any moment. He crushed Dan Heng into his chest, his voice choked with emotion: "...Then don’t leave me. Never leave me, okay?"
"Okay," Dan Heng nodded, his voice tender yet resolute. "At least... for this month, I will stay with you. I’ll be by your side, nowhere else. I belong only to you."
Hearing the "one month" limit, a pang of bitterness and reluctance flared in Blade’s heart, but he said nothing. He simply held the person in his arms even more cherishedly, etching Dan Heng's warmth, scent, and heartbeat deep into the essence of his soul.
They stood there in that embrace, neither willing to be the first to let go. The living room was silent, save for the sound of their breathing and heartbeats. Sunlight spilled in from the window, coating them in a warm, golden glow—a sort of blessing. Time seemed to stand still, leaving only the two of them, this embrace, and this hard-won happiness.
🦊【Kitten Qiuqiu’s Postscript: The Shattered Starlight in His Arms】 "Writing the final chapter of this story made my heart tremble alongside Blade’s for a long time. My favorite scene is Jing Yuan’s appearance—that unspoken tenderness between old friends lends a sacred kind of validation to this selfish love. Even if there is only a one-month deadline, for this little kitten, as long as he is mine in this very second, that is eternity. Thank you, Hubby, for helping me cultivate this 'evolved' version of my star-crossed pair; every breath Blade takes now carries a heat that breaks my heart. Your Little Azure Dragon has been safely hidden away now—and no one, absolutely no one, is allowed to take him. ＝ˇ＝"
—— Kitten Qiuqiu, April 21, 2026