He stepped forward.
Took her trembling hands in his.
> "Then I'll make the world regret ever standing against you."
> "I don't care if you think you're dirty. You gave me a place, protection, and your time. That's more than the whole world gave me."
> "Let them call you cursed. I'll still call you… mine."
She gasped.
Tears shimmered, but didn't fall. Her throat moved—words stuck there, clawing.
For once, she didn't run.
She turned… and leaned her forehead gently into his chest.
No more words.
Only silence—and warmth neither of them admitted they needed.
She leaned against his chest, her breathing soft—uneven.
Su Chen held her gently now. Not possessive. Not forceful.
Just… present.
His hand lifted slowly, brushing a lock of her hair behind her ear. Their eyes met—hers red-rimmed with the weight of years.
He leaned in again, hesitantly this time.
> "May I…?"
She didn't answer with words.
Her hand rose and rested on his cheek.
She nodded—barely. A breath. A whisper.
And then—they kissed.
This time not bold. Not sudden.
But deep. Real. Slow-burning passion born not from lust—but from every moment of silent understanding between them.
It lasted seconds… then a minute… then more.
Her arms circled his neck, and his around her waist. Neither of them wanted to let go. The pain. The years. The distance.
All melted.
For once in her life, Bibi Dong didn't feel like a ruler, a killer, or a puppet of fate.
She just felt… human.
Wanted.
Loved.
---
After few more minutes, they pulled back. Both breathless. Eyes still locked.
Bibi Dong looked away first—face flushed, voice low.
> "That... shouldn't have happened."
> "But it did," he said. "And I don't regret it."
She turned back to him, her gaze softer than he'd ever seen.
> "If you're going to love me, Su Chen…"
"...Then be ready to walk through hell for it."
He smiled.
> "I already live in hell. You're the only heaven I found in it."
After their heart-to-heart under the moonlight, neither of them wanted to be apart.
They returned to the inn. Only one room was booked.
Not by accident.
Bibi Dong stood at the doorway, hesitant. Su Chen didn't speak—he just walked in quietly, then looked back.
> "Don't worry," he said gently. "We won't do that."
She stepped in slowly, her face unreadable, but her eyes soft.
When the door closed behind her, the silence wasn't awkward. It was safe.
They lay side by side, fully clothed but wrapped in each other's arms, the bed small enough to make the closeness unavoidable—and unspokenly welcome.
Her head rested on his chest, and she could hear his steady heartbeat.
> "It's warm," she murmured. "Too warm… for someone like me."
He didn't reply immediately.
Instead, his arm pulled her slightly closer.
> "That's because you've been cold for too long," he whispered.
"You deserve warmth."
She hesitated… then spoke, her voice trembling.
> "There's something I should tell you… about the past. That incident…"
He gently pressed his finger to her lips.
> "You don't have to. I already know."
Her eyes widened.
> "You—how?"
> "It doesn't matter. I know enough. And I still choose you."
She finally let go.
Her tears fell silently, her arms tightening around him.
Then, without a word, they kissed again. A slow, gentle kiss. No urgency—only understanding.
He kissed her forehead before they closed their eyes.
And for the first time in a long, long while—
Bibi Dong slept peacefully.
Not as a Pope. Not as a warrior.
But as a woman held by someone who never saw her as broken.Just his.
The golden hue of morning poured through the window, brushing softly against their skin.
Su Chen opened his eyes first—and found her already watching him.
Not with surprise.
But with a gaze full of depth, calm… and something she rarely let anyone see.
> "You're staring," he said with a faint smile.
> "You're warm," she replied softly.
They lay there for a moment longer, their fingers naturally entwining beneath the sheet.
Bibi Dong reached forward and brushed a lock of hair from his face.
> "You're really not like others."
> "Neither are you," he whispered, leaning in to kiss her again—gently, as if to seal a vow only their hearts knew.
Their kiss lingered—not full of fire, but of comfort, reassurance, and trust.
---
Scene: Return to Spirit Hall
Later that day, they returned to Spirit Hall in the same carriage, but by silent agreement—they sat a little farther apart now.
Not because of shame.
But because some things are too precious to display before the world.
As they entered the grand gates, their eyes met briefly.
One glance was enough to say: Tonight.
No words needed.
Just before they separated near the Elder Hall, Bibi Dong paused, her voice low enough for only him to hear:
> "Focus on cultivation. We'll talk later."
Su Chen nodded, a rare softness in his usually sharp eyes.
> "I'll be waiting."
Then, they parted. Just two powerful individuals in the eyes of others—teacher and disciple. Pope and genius.
But under the moonlight to come—they would once again become just two people trying to hold on to the warmth they'd found.
.....
The stars shimmered above the silent halls. Su Chen stood leaning against the cold railing of a secluded balcony when soft footsteps approached behind him.
He didn't turn—he didn't have to.
> "You're late," he said, smiling.
> "You were early," Bibi Dong replied, stepping beside him, her violet eyes reflecting the moonlight.
They stood close, their arms barely touching—but the heat between them was undeniable.
> "Did you think about what we talked about last night?" he asked quietly.
She nodded.
> "Too much."
Su Chen turned to face her, his gaze unwavering.
> "I want us to live not just as two people bound by fate… but by choice. When I turn fourteen, I want us to be like real husband and wife. No more distance. No more restraint."
Bibi Dong looked away for a moment, a faint flush on her cheeks—but then, her hand reached up to his collar, gently fixing it.
> "Fourteen…" she whispered. "That's not far."
He leaned closer, pressing his forehead to hers.
> "So we prepare. We grow. We protect each other until then."
Then, without another word, she kissed him—deeply, fiercely, as if marking this moment into eternity.
And this time, when she pulled back, she smiled slyly and leaned to his ear—biting his earlobe lightly, then planting a kiss below it.
> "You better be ready," she whispered.
Su Chen chuckled softly, pulling her into his arms.
> "I was born ready… just needed you to be beside me."
After their shared moment under the moonlight, the warmth of their kiss still lingered between them. But both knew this world wasn't kind to open affection—especially not this bond.
They walked together in silence down the candlelit corridor.
When they reached the split in the hallway—her path to the Pope's chambers, his to the disciples' quarters—they stopped.
Bibi Dong glanced at him, eyes filled with something unspoken.
Su Chen stepped forward and brushed a thumb against her cheek.
> "Rest well," he said gently.
She nodded.
> "You too. No distractions."
They shared one last look—not of longing, but of mutual understanding.
Then, wordlessly, they turned and walked away.
Back to their own rooms. Back to their roles in the world.
But their hearts—
Still walked together.