The journey back to his residence was unusually quiet.
Yuchen walked slowly along the stone path, his hands clasped behind his back. Beside him, Shen Wei followed faithfully as always, yet neither of them spoke a single word.
The events of the day lingered heavily in the air.
The death of Elder Luo had shaken the entire sect.
Even now, Yuchen could still hear the cries of Elder Luo's family echoing in his ears. The grief in their voices felt like invisible needles piercing his heart again and again.
How could this happen?
That question refused to leave his mind.
There were no wounds.
No signs of struggle.
No traces of spiritual attacks.
Nothing.
An elder of the Heng Ming Sect had simply died.
Just like that.
And this was not the first death.
Three elders had already lost their lives.
Yet the culprit remained hidden in the shadows.
As they reached the residence, Shen Wei finally opened his mouth.
"Young Master..."
Yuchen raised a hand gently.
"I want to be alone."
Shen Wei immediately lowered his head.
"Yes, Young Master."
Without another word, Yuchen entered his room and closed the door.
The moment the door shut behind him, silence filled the room.
Xiaoyu sat on the edge of the bed.
For the first time since arriving in this world, she felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness.
When she first transmigrated into Yuchen's body, everything felt like a story.
A comic.
A fictional world.
Even the dangers felt distant.
But today was different.
Today she had seen real pain.
Real grief.
Real suffering.
The tears of Elder Luo's family were not drawings on a page.
They were real.
The elder was dead.
His family would never see him again.
Xiaoyu slowly lowered her head.
Her hands tightened into fists.
"No."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"I have to find them."
Her eyes slowly lifted.
"I don't care who they are."
"I don't care how powerful they are."
"I will find the culprit."
No matter what.
The determination in her eyes grew stronger than ever before.
Outside, the night slowly passed.
Morning arrived.
Unfortunately, so did the rumors.
Throughout the sect, whispers spread like wildfire.
Disciples gathered in courtyards.
Training grounds.
Hallways.
Tea pavilions.
Everywhere people talked.
"Another elder died."
"Three elders already."
"What exactly is the Sect Master doing?"
"I heard there are still no clues."
"If Senior Brother Tianyu was the Sect Master, would things have become this bad?"
"Definitely not."
"Senior Brother Tianyu is a genius."
"He would have solved it already."
"At the very least, he would have found some evidence."
"Exactly."
"The current Sect Master is too young."
The discussions became louder and louder.
Some spoke openly.
Some whispered.
But regardless of how they said it, the meaning remained the same.
Many people had started losing confidence in Yuchen.
By evening, Shen Wei was sitting beneath a large tree near one of the outer courtyards.
For once, the usually energetic servant was enjoying a rare moment of peace.
The gentle breeze brushed against the leaves overhead.
Everything seemed calm.
Until he heard voices nearby.
"...The Sect Master is not capable enough."
"If it were Senior Brother Tianyu, things would be different."
"Three elders have died already."
"What has the Sect Master accomplished?"
The more Shen Wei listened, the darker his expression became.
His fists slowly tightened.
His face turned red with anger.
Finally, he stood up.
"What did you just say?"
The disciples froze.
Their faces instantly turned pale.
Shen Wei strode toward them.
"Repeat it."
The disciples trembled.
None of them dared meet his eyes.
"Why are you silent now?"
"You people know nothing."
"Do you think being Sect Master is easy?"
"Do you think my Young Master sleeps every night?"
"You think he isn't trying?"
"You think he doesn't care?"
The disciples were too frightened to respond.
The moment Shen Wei took another step forward, they scattered in every direction like startled rabbits.
Shen Wei stood there fuming.
"Ridiculous."
He crossed his arms.
"No one understands Young Master."
His anger did not disappear.
Instead, it grew stronger.
His Young Master had been carrying the pressure of the entire sect.
Yet these people only knew how to complain.
As Shen Wei continued grumbling to himself, a familiar voice suddenly called out.
"Brother Shen Wei."
He turned around.
A young man was approaching from another path.
One hand carried a basket filled with snacks.
The other held a small wine flask.
It was Zichen.
Yuchen's younger brother.
"Young Master Zichen."
Shen Wei bowed.
Zichen smiled lightly.
"I heard what happened."
His gaze shifted toward the direction the disciples had fled.
Shen Wei immediately understood.
His expression darkened once more.
"Those idiots were speaking nonsense."
Zichen sighed softly.
"I know."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Both of them understood how difficult things had become.
Eventually, Zichen lifted the basket.
"I was going to visit Brother Yuchen."
Shen Wei's eyes brightened.
"Then let's go together."
The two headed toward Yuchen's residence.
Soon, they arrived.
When Yuchen saw them enter carrying food, he raised an eyebrow.
"What is this?"
Zichen immediately grinned.
"A rescue mission."
"A rescue mission?"
"Of course."
Zichen placed the basket on the table.
"I heard the Sect Master has become so busy that he forgot how to smile."
Yuchen almost laughed.
Shen Wei nodded seriously.
"That is true."
Yuchen stared at him.
"You too?"
"Yes."
The room suddenly became much lighter.
For the next hour, Zichen deliberately told stories from their childhood.
Some were embarrassing.
Some were completely ridiculous.
Even Shen Wei occasionally added details.
Several times, Yuchen nearly choked from laughter.
The heavy atmosphere that had followed him since Elder Luo's death gradually began to fade.
When the mood finally became calmer, Zichen's expression softened.
"Brother."
Yuchen looked at him.
Zichen hesitated before speaking.
"I know about the rumors."
The smile on Yuchen's face disappeared.
"I thought so."
"They are wrong."
Yuchen remained silent.
Zichen continued.
"Yes, Tianyu is talented."
"He is intelligent."
"He is a genius."
"Everyone knows that."
"But that does not make you inferior."
Yuchen looked at him quietly.
"You are intelligent too."
"You are capable too."
"And most importantly..."
Zichen smiled.
"You were chosen."
Yuchen's eyes widened slightly.
"Our father was not someone who made careless decisions."
"He was the Sect Master."
"He understood people better than anyone."
"If he chose you instead of Tianyu, instead of me, then there was a reason."
"A reason only he could see."
Zichen leaned forward.
"So stop doubting yourself."
"Do not let the rumors become your burden."
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Then Shen Wei suddenly stepped forward.
Both brothers turned toward him.
The servant looked unusually nervous.
He scratched his head awkwardly.
"I am not very good with words."
Zichen laughed.
"That is obvious."
Shen Wei ignored him.
He looked directly at Yuchen.
"Young Master."
"You are the best person I have ever seen."
Yuchen blinked.
Shen Wei continued stubbornly.
"You are kind."
"You work harder than everyone."
"You care about people."
"I do not know much."
"But I know one thing."
He straightened his back proudly.
"You are the best Sect Master."
The room fell silent.
Even Zichen seemed surprised.
Shen Wei's ears turned red.
Clearly, saying all of that had required tremendous courage.
Yet every word was sincere.
Yuchen looked at the two people standing before him.
One was his younger brother.
The other was his most loyal servant.
Both believed in him.
Both stood beside him.
For the first time in days, the pressure weighing on his shoulders felt lighter.
A warm feeling spread through his chest.
Xiaoyu could not help smiling.
Perhaps she was not alone after all.
That night, after everyone had left, Yuchen sat quietly by the window.
Moonlight poured into the room.
The entire residence was silent.
His gaze drifted toward the stars.
Slowly, his expression became firm.
The hesitation inside him disappeared.
The uncertainty vanished.
In its place stood determination.
No matter how difficult it became.
No matter how dangerous the truth was.
He would uncover it.
He would find the culprit.
Even if he had to become the real Yuchen.
Even if he had to completely immerse himself in this world.
Even if he had to abandon the mindset of an outsider forever.
Xiaoyu slowly closed her eyes.
When she opened them again, they were filled with resolve.
This was no longer merely a story.
This was her reality now.
And she would see it through to the very end.