Chapter 43: Then Let It Be Carried Out

As the door swung open to the sound of "Welcome," Xiao Kaitian stepped inside and immediately saw Jiang Churan, seated on the tatami just behind the half-open door. She had clearly been drinking; her cheeks were flushed, her expression dazed, and she clutched the strap of her handbag with her left hand while fending off those around her with a feeble wave of her right. She was doing her best to refuse another drink.

Surrounding her were three young men—members of her research group—each holding a glass. One of them pressed a glass of blue cocktail toward her insistently. "Just one more, this Blue Hawaii isn't strong at all. Come on, Jiang, it's the group's farewell party tonight."

Jiang Churan's cheeks were crimson, tiny beads of sweat glistening on her nose. Her smile was already growing strained. In the corner sat Takeda Satoshi, sullenly fiddling with his glass, watching Jiang Churan surrounded but making no move to help her. Or rather, it seemed all of this was happening with his tacit approval.

Realizing this, Xiao Kaitian's expression grew cold. Without a word, lips pressed tight, he strode over to Jiang Churan. Perhaps it was the intimidating presence of his tall frame, but the students—lacking much experience—hesitated and shrank back at the sight of Xiao Kaitian, dressed in his trench coat.

It was Jiang Churan who turned and, seeing Xiao Kaitian's serious face, instantly broke into a smile. "What are you doing here?"

Xiao Kaitian bent down and scooped her up, ignoring the startled looks from the others. With a touch of aggrieved helplessness, he said, "If I hadn't come, would you have gotten yourself drunk?"

"I won't get drunk," Jiang Churan replied with a mischievous smile, though in truth her vision was already blurring. She let her head loll against Xiao Kaitian's chest. "Where's my bag…"

He took her bag and placed it in her hands. Pressed close against him, she carried a scent of alcohol mixed with her own fragrance; a few stray strands of her hair brushed his neck, sending a peculiar, tingling sensation up his skin.

"I can walk by myself," Jiang Churan protested softly, trying to assert that she wasn't drunk. After all, she was the "elder sister"—how could she lose her composure in front of her little brother?

"If I let go, you'll fall," Xiao Kaitian replied, rubbing his brow. There was no reasoning with someone half-drunk. He insisted firmly, "Let me take you home. Let's go."

"Who are you?" one of the students finally found his voice, crouching nervously as he mustered the courage to ask.

Xiao Kaitian ignored him, holding Jiang Churan close. His gaze swept over Takeda Satoshi, who returned his look with simmering intensity—a silent clash that sparked and swiftly faded.

As Xiao Kaitian carried Jiang Churan out, Takeda Satoshi watched their retreating backs, lips pressed tight. With a cold face, he grabbed his coat and headed for the door.

The Eastern Capital was a cosmopolitan metropolis, famed as the city that never sleeps. Even in the depths of winter, well past midnight, the streets bustled with people, some so drunk they staggered along unsteadily.

The figures of Xiao Kaitian and Jiang Churan soon vanished into the night. Takeda Satoshi lowered his eyes, his face clouded in the neon glow. He took out a cigarette and lit it, the smoke swirling around him.

Within the fading haze, a shadowy figure appeared at his side, voice low and respectful: "Young master, everything is arranged. Your orders…?"

Takeda paused, cigarette between his fingers. With his bangs obscuring the upper half of his face, his expression was unreadable. "Proceed as planned. But..."

"Don't frighten her."

"Understood." The figure slipped quietly backwards and melted into the darkness.

Meanwhile, Xiao Kaitian supported Jiang Churan as they strolled down the street. The izakaya was not far from her residence—about a ten-minute walk. Most local drinks were mild, but Jiang Churan's tolerance was low, and at the party she had been plied with several glasses. Now she was barely steady on her feet, clinging to Xiao Kaitian's strong arm. For a fleeting moment, she felt a surge of safety.

Half-conscious, she made no effort to resist the comfort, wishing only to lean on him and keep walking forever.

"Kaitian, tell me—have you become very strong?" she suddenly asked, slurring her words as she stopped and looked at him intently.

Beneath the streetlamp, their shadows merged. She waited for his reply, her flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes alight with hope.

"No matter how strong I become, I will always be your brother," Xiao Kaitian answered. He did not belong to this dimension, and Jiang Churan could not, as he had, seize the chance to ascend to a higher plane. There was only one possible outcome for them.

"I see." Her heart, so fervent moments before, cooled at his calm reply. She lowered her head. Xiao Kaitian was already engaged. What was she thinking? To remain siblings was already the best answer fate could give her—what more could she wish for?

"Then… about Father’s revenge…"

"I will take care of it," Xiao Kaitian assured her, patting her shoulder. "Leave it all to me." For some reason, this touched Jiang Churan deeply, and tears welled up and fell.

Xiao Kaitian could not understand why women cried; awkwardly, he held her as they continued on.

"Promise me, no matter what happens, you will come back safe. Please." A simple wish, a humble plea—she hoped he and the gods would hear.

"I promise."

A faint smile played at Xiao Kaitian's lips. He was not in the habit of making promises, but now, for the first time, he found the feeling surprisingly pleasant.

In the cold of winter, fallen leaves spun and drifted along the path where they walked. Like butterflies among flowers, Jiang Churan slowly closed her eyes, while Xiao Kaitian still wore a gentle smile—though his eyes were growing colder by the moment.

A leaf the size of a palm hovered above their heads, spiraling downwards. Xiao Kaitian glanced up at it. Almost at the same instant, the leaf was rent with a faint tearing sound and split into several pieces.

With a barely audible hiss, a glint of icy light shattered the leaf and flew straight toward Xiao Kaitian!

It was a needle, glimmering with a blue sheen, its poisoned intent unmistakable.

Xiao Kaitian shifted slightly; the needle shot past his ear and buried itself in the earth behind him. Unlike the oblivious Jiang Churan, he was instantly on guard.

But he didn't want to alarm her. The last time, fighting the two-headed serpent had been unavoidable. This time... his face turned to stone.

With a sharp, whistling sound, eight shuriken suddenly appeared, encircling him and Jiang Churan!