Crimson

Xie Shenhong’s entire body stiffened.

In truth, his relationship with Duanmu Yun had yet to fully mend.

Although it was his other self who had initially quarreled with Duanmu Yun, the responsibility was undeniably his.

Regarding the matter of Sima Le, he had indeed wished to resolve it as his true self.

He longed to prove himself.

Yet, his performance had been utterly disgraceful… Had Lyte not been there, he would have been utterly ruined.

And the outcome?

Sima Le had died before he could confess anything.

The imperial spy remained uncaught.

Moreover, he had endangered Lyte, who had been worried about protecting him.

The only semblance of success was the further restoration of power to the Hai Zhu doll.

Ultimately, however, that was an external object, something that did not truly belong to him.

In essence, he had only proven himself to be a good-for-nothing, reliant on others to accomplish anything.

He truly had no face to meet Duanmu Yun.

For the past two days, he had thus only interacted with Duanmu Yun while transformed into Xie Hai Zhu.

“Nothing, don’t worry, I’ll be fine in a moment…”

He lowered his head, avoiding her gaze, while simultaneously reaching for his golden pocket watch.

He had no idea what his other self had done or said to Duanmu Yun.

Yet, the initiative rested with him.

He could flee—

“Shenhong, can you tell me what happened?”

A familiar fragrance wafted into his nostrils.

A gentle voice, imbued with concern, reached his ears.

Snapping back to reality, Xie Shenhong found himself embraced tightly.

“I…”

This scene was not unfamiliar to Xie Shenhong.

In the past, whenever they quarreled, and he fretted over how to mend their relationship,

Duanmu Yun would always be the first to act, approaching him as if nothing untoward had happened… It always made him feel like a fool for agonizing over the situation.

No, he truly was a fool.

Between loved ones, if one was willing to humble themselves and abandon pointless pride, no conflict was truly irreconcilable.

He was simply too bound by formalities and grand principles, forcing Duanmu Yun to lower herself time and again… He was utterly selfish.

“Sister Yun, I’m fine.”

Furthermore, his attempts at bravado, which he foolishly believed could deceive her, were always seen through.

Duanmu Yun tightened her embrace.

“Shenhong, it’s alright. If you don’t want to, you don’t have to.”

Xie Shenhong’s heart involuntarily trembled.

This wasn’t mere polite talk, nor was it a calculated retreat to advance later.

If he genuinely didn’t want to do something, Duanmu Yun would never force him.

Yes, the kingdom might perish if it lost Saintess Hai Zhu.

Yes, Duanmu Yun revered the former Hai Zhu, to the extent of seeing her in objects, and might even have viewed him as a replacement.

Yet, this was never Duanmu Yun’s reason to sacrifice him.

Thus, in his previous life, even when facing a noble death, Duanmu Yun had not produced the golden pocket watch, nor had she demanded anything of him.

She had merely urged him to live well.

Duanmu Yun was precisely such a person.

A beloved family member who, when he could no longer bear the pain of reality, would encourage him and tell him there was no shame in fleeing.

Therefore, he could not flee.

“Sister Yun, how could I be unwilling? Becoming a powerful and respected person has always been my goal.”

“Shenhong, don’t force yourself…”

“I’m just a little nervous; I’ll be fine very soon.” Xie Shenhong said, his voice as calm as he could make it.

“That’s good then…” Duanmu Yun’s taut body finally relaxed as she stroked his head. “I’ll be right there with you later, so don’t worry.”

Xie Shenhong refrained from voicing his preference for her absence, nodding gently before stepping out of her embrace.

Then he saw it.

Unlike Dongfang Qinglong, Duanmu Yun’s eyes held only him.

His weak and incompetent self.

His undeserving self.

****

The Saintess’s procession concluded smoothly.

Xie Shenhong returned to school.

Of the entire event… he retained no memory whatsoever.

He had no idea what his other self had done, forced to search for recorded videos online.

As he watched, he realized his worries were unfounded.

His calm and powerful other self would never make a mistake in such a trivial matter.

Rather—

‘Would it be better if ‘I’ were also you?’

He was a soul who had transmigrated.

He had replaced the original Xie Shenhong’s soul.

Being replaced by a superior alternate personality was only fitting…

“Shenhong, sorry to keep you waiting!”

Lyte’s sudden voice startled him, but he quickly adjusted his despondent mood, turning around with a smile.

“Lyte, welcome back.”

‘No, that was too formal.’

Indeed, Lyte furrowed his brow slightly, not because he found Xie Shenhong overly affected, but because he sensed his low spirits.

“Shenhong, what’s wrong?”

“I just think Saintess Hai Zhu is truly amazing. She’s so powerful, and so many people trust her…” Xie Shenhong turned his head towards his phone, allowing Lyte to see the video playing on it.

This time, Xie Shenhong chose to use a partial truth to dispel Lyte’s other suspicions.

The cost, however, was that with words like these, even a fool could discern his envy.

“Shenhong, there’s no need to compare yourself to Saintess Hai Zhu. You’ve already done well enough.”

“I know, but I can’t help but feel envious.” Xie Shenhong forced a bitter smile. “Don’t tell me you’ve never fantasized like this.”

“Not exactly. Even I have wished to become as powerful as Saintess Hai Zhu…”

‘Then I could better alleviate Saintess Hai Zhu’s worries,’ Xie Shenhong read this unspoken message on Lyte’s face.

“But that’s just a fantasy in the end; reality is different… No, rather, in reality, one must constantly strive to get closer to their goals.” Lyte stated solemnly.

‘So strong, so full of fighting spirit…’ Xie Shenhong couldn’t help but inwardly marvel.

But Lyte certainly possessed the qualifications for such ambition.

Unlike him, a magicless individual.

“Shenhong, don’t be discouraged just because you’re magicless.”

“I know. That’s why I’m here… Let’s start training. Today, we’re simulating various scenarios where I’ll be paired with you, right?”

Although the official announcement would be at tomorrow morning’s initiation ceremony, Xie Shenhong joining Lyte’s squad was already a foregone conclusion.

Undoubtedly, this was another result of Duanmu Yun’s behind-the-scenes maneuvering… Yet, considering that joining another squad would only bring more trouble, Xie Shenhong had not refused.

Besides—

“Yes, please guide me in the future.”

Lyte was one of the rare few whose eyes were solely on him, displaying an expectant look.

‘At the very least, I must reciprocate this sentiment,’ Xie Shenhong thought.

As for being greatly encouraged by it?

Not really.

Lyte’s expectation stemmed solely from his ignorance of Xie Shenhong’s ability to transform into Hai Zhu.

No comparison, no harm.

For some reason, as he thought this, the faces of Sima Le and Xie Shen’ai suddenly flashed in Xie Shenhong’s mind.

“Just as the rumors say, you have post-war psychological syndrome.”

“Don’t come near… Who are you?”

Silently gazing at the crimson twin pistols in his hand, Xie Shenhong shook his head.

It couldn’t be.

It must be a mere coincidence.

Crimson Hawk was a real entity.

And he was about to become their captain.

‘Once tomorrow arrived, this doubt would be dispelled.’

Xie Shenhong thought with anticipation.

Anticipating it as one would grasp a final, desperate straw.