CHAPTER 29: BECOMING THE SAINT

With the Sect Leader on the verge of collapse, her breath shallow and her limbs trembling—

Hei Long finally let out a quiet sigh.

The tension in his shoulders eased as he straightened, then stepped back with a casual grace that felt almost disrespectful given the state the Sect Leader was in.

"I think that’s enough for tonight," Hei Long said flatly, brushing imaginary dust from his robe:

"You were... weaker than I expected."

The words cut sharper than any blade.

The Sect Leader stiffened where she knelt, the shame boiling up in her chest like bile:

’Weaker than expected?’

Her hands instinctively moved to cover herself—part out of modesty, part out of humiliation—as she slowly forced herself to her feet.

Her legs shook beneath her weight.

Being called weak... it had been centuries since anyone had dared to utter such a thing to her face.

She bit down hard on her lip, tasting blood. "You’re finished, aren’t you? Then leave."

Hei Long gave a low, almost amused chuckle. "Before I do, there’s one more thing."

He took a slow step forward, his gaze heavy with something unreadable—confidence, amusement, or perhaps cruelty:

"I’ve decided... I will become the Saint of this sect. No need to thank me."

Then, without waiting for a yes, consent, or even acknowledgment, Hei Long turned and began walking toward the exit of the Main Hall.

"..." The Sect Leader’s lips parted, ready to bark out a refusal, to remind him that such a title was not his to claim.

But just as the words reached her throat—

Hei Long flashed a rock over his shoulder.

The sight of it made the Sect Leader’s heart drop.

Her voice caught...

The Sect Leader swallowed hard and lowered her head ever so slightly, giving a half-nod—an unspoken, reluctant concession.

"I’m glad you agree," Hei Long said without turning back.

And with that, he left the Sect Leader there—alone.

.

.

.

Returning to his residence, Hei Long noticed someone just about to enter the neighboring home.

Ji Yao stood at her doorstep, hand on the doorframe, her expression as blank and unreadable as ever as she noticed him.

She had a slight tilt of her head, paired with a faint narrowing of the eyes, suggesting a silent question.

One could almost imagine a floating question mark above her head.

Noting her subtle confusion—

Hei Long gave a casual wave and called out with a hint of amusement in his voice:

"Looks like we’ll be neighbors from now on. Treat me well."

"..." Ji Yao didn’t bother replying with words.

She simply offered a shallow nod before turning back to her door.

To her, it wasn’t worth asking questions this late at night.

Whatever Hei Long was doing here wasn’t her business.

Ji Yao was too tired to care, and even if she weren’t, she was never the type to pry.

With that, she quietly slipped inside and closed the door behind her.

Hei Long turned to enter his new abode—

A noise behind him caught his attention—soft at first, but growing louder with each footfall.

He paused and turned his head slightly, his eyes narrowing.

Two figures were approaching.

Then Lin Fan and Yue Yu appeared—

They walked side by side.

Lin Fan had his hands behind his back. His mouth curled up, and he rubbed his nose.

"...Hey Yue Yu," he began, voice laced with mischief:

"Why did the rogue cultivator bring a chicken into closed-door cultivation?"

Yue Yu stopped walking.

Her shoulders sank as if the heavens had just placed another stone on her back.

Slowly, she turned her head toward him, blinking.

Yue Yu’s voice came out like a groan wrapped in a cute pout:

"...Why?"

Lin Fan was already grinning:

"Because he heard it might help him lay a golden egg of enlightenment."

He burst out laughing, nearly doubling over as he slapped his thigh and clutched his chest like the joke was some ancient daoist revelation.

"A golden egg!" Lin Fan wheezed, tears forming at the corners of his eyes:

"Can you believe that?! Hah—imagine his face when he finds out he just raised a normal chicken!"

Yue Yu stared at him, expression frozen...

Then, in a forced effort to be polite—or perhaps just to spare herself further torture—she let out a stiff little laugh.

"...Haha... so funny..."

Yue Yu’s eyes slowly turned away, gaze fixed upward like she was questioning all her life decisions.

Lin Fan wiped his eyes, finally catching his breath, and turned toward her.

"Anyway... are we close to your home yet?" he asked, glancing sideways at her. His tone was casual, almost playful, but a small hint of concern lingered in his voice.

They’d been walking for quite some time now...

Not that Lin Fan was truly complaining—after all, spending more time with Yue Yu was hardly a punishment.

But even he had to admit it was starting to feel suspicious.

He raised an eyebrow as he watched her carefully.

She didn’t look lost. She looked... evasive.

Truthfully, Yue Yu had no intention of taking him to her real home.

She’d been leading him in circles...

Yue Yu didn’t want him to know where she actually lived.

’The Saint’s old place should do fine...’ she thought. ’No one’s used it...’

Suddenly—

Yue Yu’s steps suddenly halted.

Her eyes locked onto something—or rather, someone—up ahead.

Lin Fan paused as well. "What is it?"

Then he saw.

Standing just ahead, leaning lazily against the doorframe, was Hei Long.

He raised one hand in a casual wave, his usual unbothered smirk playing on his lips.

"Hey," Hei Long said simply.

Lin Fan blinked. His posture stiffened as he stared at the man:

"...You!? What are you doing here?!"

Hei Long tilted his head and scratched his chin like the question puzzled him.

"That’s a strange thing to ask..." He gave a faint shrug:

"This is my home."

Lin Fan’s mouth opened slightly, then shut again as his brain tried to catch up:

"Wait, what? You’re telling me this is where you live?"

"Mm." Hei Long pushed off the doorframe and walked a few steps closer:

"Yeah? Did you think I lived in a cave?"

"I mean..." Lin Fan narrowed his eyes. "This is the Saint’s home..."

Hei Long smiled wider:

"And I am the Saint."