Chapter 833: A hug

The control room was humming with the ark’s propulsion systems as the ask cut through the black expanse of space in high speed.

Zhao Tian stood before the central console with one hand resting on the railing as he gazed outward.

The soft

hiss

of the sliding door broke his thoughts, and he turned slightly to look at Rei Wuyin entering the control room with a steaming cup of tea in her hand.

Zhao Tian’s lips curved faintly "Ruyin."

Her gaze met his briefly before she offered a polite nod. "Mister Tian."

He chuckled dryly and accepted the tea she extended toward him "It just feels strange when you call me that," he said, giving her a sidelong glance.

"You can just call me by my name."

Her lips curved in a small smile, "Tian..." she murmured, as if testing how it felt to speak his name without formality.

"That’s much better," he said with an approving nod before lifting the cup to his lips.

The rich, faintly floral aroma of the tea reached him before the warmth touched his tongue.

He sipped slowly, savoring the taste.

She stood a step away, watching him with a thoughtful expression that seemed caught between curiosity and hesitation.

Finally she spoke "I’ve already had a good conversation with Sect Master Ji Shuang. She has agreed to accommodate me within the Jade Eclipse Sect."

He looked at her over the rim of the cup, then lowered it with a faint smile "That’s good."

She looked at him and spoke hesitantly "Tian, I... I want to ask you something. Something I’ve been wondering about since Azure Star."

He tilted his head slightly, "Go ahead."

"Back then... when the battle happened... the details about the Paragon’s death weren’t made public. Not completely. People only know fragments, and most of it is speculation."

"But I was there and I saw the skies change... I saw the heavens themselves appear. And yet, no one ever explained what truly happened."

For a moment, Zhao Tian didn’t answer and his gaze drifted past her to the star-filled void outside.

Then, with a soft, almost casual laugh, he replied, "Nothing much happened."

He shifted the cup in his hand, the tea’s steam curling between them "Maybe the heavens appeared because I killed a Paragon. It’s rare, after all."

"Paragons are called ’Celestarchs of Heaven.’ They’re said to be commanded by the previous Heavenly One themself. That’s the title they carry... and the weight that comes with it."

Wei Ruyin’s eyes widened slightly and a flicker of understanding passed through her eyes "So the heavens appeared to... acknowledge it?" she asked slowly.

"Maybe," he said with a small shrug, as though it was a matter too far removed to dwell on.

"The moment was brief. They appeared... then vanished. That was all."

Wei Ruyin’s fingers tightened slightly against the fabric of her sleeve, her gaze lowering for a brief moment before she exhaled softly "...I see."

Zhao Tian gazed at her for a moment and his eyes drifted to the pendant on her neck ’Shuang’er said the pendant she is wearing is a powerful artifact. I wonder what it does.’

Taking another sip of his tea he asked "The pendant on your neck... seems like a valuable thing."

Weu Ruyin’s body stiffened for a moment, but with a calm smile she shook her head. "I... don’t know; it is from my late mother."

He slowly nodded his head "Hmm, treasure it then."

With a nod, she corrected the pendant on her neck and bowed her head "I will be taking my leave then."

She turned back and left the room, leaving him alone.

Zhao Tian looked at her back for a moment as she left and then turned his attention back to the tea.

...

Stepping into the kitchen, Zhao Tian caught the faint aroma of stir-fried vegetables mingled with the warmth of freshly steamed rice.

His gaze settled on Yan Zijin, her graceful figure slightly bent forward as she stirred the wok as the soft sway of her hair caught the dim golden light from the overhead lanterns.

A faint smile appeared on his lips and he approached her before slipping his arms around her slender waist from behind.

"Master," he murmured near her ear.

Yan Zijin’s body tensed for a moment before relaxing completely in his embrace.

Her shoulders softened, and she let out a small breath "You are getting better. I didn’t even sense your presence just now."

Zhao Tian chuckled against her shoulder "Maybe you’re just so relaxed around me you let your guard down."

She gave a faint, noncommittal hum but didn’t push him away, continuing to stir the vegetables. The soft sizzle of the wok filled the silence between them.

Glancing at the plates and bowls set on the counter, he tilted his head curiously "Didn’t you eat earlier? Don’t tell me you’re hungry again?"

Her head inclined slightly, just enough to show she was listening "Hm. I was. So I came here to prepare my food,"

Zhao Tian’s lips curved into a teasing smile "If you eat too much, Master, you’ll get fat."

He muttered before pinching her waist gently.

She elbowed him on the abdomen and replied "You immoral disciple, Is this how you tease your Master? And for your information, I won’t get fat."

He only laughed quietly and tightened his embrace, pressing her back gently against him.

A few minutes passed like that and she glanced at him over her shoulder, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"What’s wrong? You’re awfully quiet. Usually, you would either be trying to molest me or say something inappropriate."

His lips twitched, but there was no cheeky comeback this time.

He shook his head faintly and his voice dropped to a low, almost wistful tone "No, it’s just... being here with you like this... it reminds me of Yao Jing."

H-Huh? Yan Zijin’s hand paused mid-stir before she slowly set the spatula down, her gaze softening.

She turned in his arms just enough to look at him fully, but he turned his gaze away.

Her lips parted slightly as if to say something, but instead she raised her hand and her fingertips brushed against his cheek in a tender, almost motherly gesture.

"You idiot disciple," she murmured, a faint sigh slipping through her lips.

She leaned forward and hugged him in her arms.

His body stiffened, but then he let out a sigh and hugged her back "Master..."

She patted his back "Yeah... your Master, I am here. Don’t worry."

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