Bai Yunxi had spent her entire life suppressing herself. She had endured enough.
He wouldn't allow it anymore.
If she was his, he would make sure she was truly happy.
His voice was barely above a whisper. "Fate, can you tell me anything that would make her happy?"
A indifferent voice answered in his mind.
"Don't treat me as an omnipotent being. My power has limits. Can't you figure it out yourself?"
Su Kang frowned. "Then what about her parents' remains? Can you locate them?"
"That will cost you some of your destiny," Fate replied. "It's better to find a divination expert for this."
Su Kang narrowed his eyes. "Would divination cultivators be able to do it?"
"Yes. It would be far more efficient than using my power."
He considered this. If he returned to the Qingyun Sect, he could find an elder skilled in divination. But that would take a long time. He didn't have time to wait.
"I can't afford delays. Use my destiny power."
A chill ran down his spine as an unknown force surged through him, momentarily clouding his mind.
Then, Fate spoke.
"Her father's remains still exist—only his left hand has survived. But… her mother is alive."
Su Kang's eyes sharpened. He had expected to retrieve bones—never had he imagined that one of her parents had survived.
"Where is she?"
The answer came swiftly. His mind calculated the distance—it would take six to seven days if he traveled personally.
"How much destiny do I have left?"
"Seven thousand. You lost a thousand just now."
A thousand—gone in an instant. A heavy price. But one he was willing to pay.
If he could give Bai Yunxi back even a fragment of what she had lost, it was worth it.
He placed a hand gently against her forehead and used dream art illusion. Her body relaxed as she sank into a deeper sleep.
Then, without hesitation, he lifted her body into the air and left the mansion.
From his storage ring, he summoned a third-level flight artifact. A sleek, exquisitely crafted flying boat unfolded before him.
It wasn't large—barely enough for one person—but it was fast. Faster than any he had used before.
Inside the small cabin, he laid down a bed and carefully placed Bai Yunxi upon it.
With a flick of his fingers, he sent a brief message to Su Manor.
As he activated the artifact, the boat surged into the sky, vanishing beyond the clouds.
....
Bai Yunxi slept for hours under the effects of the relaxation incense. When she stirred, her lashes trembled, and she slowly opened her eyes.
An unfamiliar ceiling and an unfamiliar room.
Panic surged in her chest. Before she could react, a voice cut through her rising fear.
"It's alright. You're safe."
Su Kang's gentle hand patted her head, fingers threading through her hair in a reassuring motion.
Her heart steadied, but confusion quickly replaced the panic. She turned to him, her gaze locking onto his.
"What's going on? Explain yourself."
Her voice carried a mix of wariness and unease as she sat up.
She trusted him, but her emotions had been in turmoil since yesterday. She was supposed to be the woman he pursued today, yet here she was—already caught in his web.
How was she supposed to survive the rest of the week?
"We're leaving on a journey," Su Kang said, his expression steady, unwavering. "I know it's sudden, but it's important."
He paused, then added, "There's someone waiting for you at the end of it."
Bai Yunxi swung her legs over the bed, intending to stand, but before she could move, his hand grasped hers.
She froze. Confusion flickered in her eyes.
"Please, stay here."
His voice was low, carrying something unfamiliar—pleading, vulnerable.
Her heartbeat quickened. Panic curled in her chest for reasons she couldn't understand. Instinctively, she tried to pull away, but his grip held firm.
"Don't react like that…" He let out a quiet, self-deprecating laugh. "You're making me feel like I'm doing something terribly wrong."
"Su Kang, let me go." Her voice trembled, a quiet plea. "We can talk later."
She wasn't ready for this conversation. Not now. Not when her heart was unsteady.
She just needed to escape—to process this later, when she had the strength to face it.
But her resistance changed nothing.
Su Kang grasped both of her hands, his unwavering voice filling the space between them.
"This conversation is inevitable. Whether today or a week from now."
She froze upon hearing this.
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes, forcing herself to calm down.
It's too late now.
When she opened them again, resignation had replaced her panic.
Su Kang's tone softened.
"You already know, don't you?" His voice was quiet, patient. "The person I spoke of..."
His words trailed off as she averted her gaze, her face flustered, her gaze lowering.
The thin layer of pretense between them had finally shattered.
"Su Kang… this isn't…" She struggled for words, but he gently shook his head, silencing her.
"I don't need an answer now," he murmured. "Just let me have this one week."
He exhaled, releasing her hands and leaning back slightly.
"I made things difficult for you, didn't I?" His lips curled into a faint, self-mocking smile.
"Instead of easing your burden, I feel like my actions have only added to it."
His gaze softened, sincere. "So I'll be honest now. And I want you to do the same."
"Are you still worried about Li Fang?"
She hesitated before nodding. "Yes… I am."
Su Kang took one of her hands again, warmth seeping into her fingers.
"You don't need to be." His voice was steady, reassuring. "I wouldn't leave him if I wasn't certain of his safety."
"This journey might be dangerous, but he'll be fine."
His grip tightened slightly. "If it would ease your mind, I'll swear a Heart Demon Oath."
Bai Yunxi's breath hitched.
A Heart Demon Oath—an unbreakable vow. If he failed to uphold it, his cultivation would be plagued by inner demons, crippling his future.
She closed her eyes, weighing everything she knew. Su Kang had always protected Li Fang, always supported him.
"…No." She exhaled. "You don't have to."
She met his gaze, her voice quieter now. "I trust you. I'll… try not to worry about his safety."
A faint smile touched his lips. "Good. That's all I ask."
Releasing her hands, he took out a prepared meal and set it before her.
"This will help calm your heart and mind. You're too tense right now. If you don't feel like eating, take these pills instead."
Her hands curled into fists. Her thoughts were tangled, her emotions a storm. She lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes.
Without another word, Su Kang left the room, stepping outside to give her time.
Sitting outside, he let out a quiet breath.
If she was going to torment herself over his confession for an entire week, then he might as well say it now.
She would be troubled today, perhaps even panicked—but by tomorrow, she would be a little better.
That was what he believed.
Inside the room, Bai Yunxi took the pills and let their calming effect settle over her. Yet her thoughts remained chaotic as she stared at the untouched meal before her.
He loves me.
And he had made it clear what this week would mean.
By the end of it, he would need an answer.
There was no escaping it now. He would be by her side, always within reach. She had nowhere to run.
She let out a heavy sigh.
"At least Li Fang is safe. That's one less thing to worry about."
Even though Li Fang had insisted he was only taking a brief look at the Central Plains, as a mother, she couldn't help but worry.
The world was unpredictable, dangers lurking in places one least expected.
But if Su Kang had been willing to swear a Heart Demon Oath on his safety, that alone spoke volumes.
Her son would be safe.
And in the end, that was all that truly mattered.
If anything were to happen to Li Fang, she wouldn't survive it either.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
"I just need to give him an answer at the end of this."
She was deeply grateful for Su Kang's support, for his unwavering protection of her son.
She was moved by it.
Perhaps, along the way, during their journey together, his feelings for her had deepened.
"I enjoyed being with him," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "But it has to end here."
His future shouldn't be tied to my past.
Her voice faded into silence.
She glanced down at her hands, a shadow passing through her eyes.
He needs to fly… and I…
Her thoughts trailed off, lost in the weight of everything left unsaid.