I alone am the Honoured One!

The grand Mourning Pavilion of the Imperial Capital stood bathed in the morning light and dark banners lined the palace walls.

A sea of cultivators, soldiers, royals, and civilians dressed in ceremonial dark robes filled the plaza.

The scent of burning incense lingered in the air, carried by the gentle breeze.

Gongs tolled in slow rhythm.

Zhao Tian stood at the front, his black ceremonial robe fluttering faintly in the wind.

His face was composed, but his eyes held a respectful gravity as he looked ahead at the altar where rows of names had been etched into crystal slabs, honoring the brave souls who had fallen protecting the seal of the Rui Clan.

Beside him Ji Shuang was standing.

Yan Zijin and Rui Yuying flanked her side, both standing silently.

Rui Lian stood beside Rui Yuying and in the far front, Rui Guzhi was standing, looking at the ceremony.

Rui Lian briefly glanced at Zhao Tian and sighed in her heart.

She stole small glances at him and her lips gently pressed into a line as if holding back her words 'Junior Brother...'

A hush fell across the crowd as Long Xuan stepped on the ceremonial platform.

He took his place before the people and looked at the people before turning to look at the names etched behind him.

After a long silence, he spoke "Today, we stand not as clans or sects. Not as nobles or commoners. But as one people... bound by the memory of those who stood in the darkness so we might see the dawn."

The wind stirred the ceremonial banners as he paused.

"Generations of people gave their lives in secret, holding back a calamity that could have swallowed our world whole. They bore the burden of silence, of pain, of isolation… and yet, they endured. For us."

Long Xuan turned slightly, casting a glance toward Rui Yuying, then to Rui Guzhi, and Rui Lian and then he glanced at the Rui Clan members.

"The Rui Clan held the seal, alone in their suffering. Their sacrifice is now ours to remember and ours to honor. The names before you are not just history. They are the reason our empire still stands."

A murmur of agreement spread quietly through the crowd.

"Let this day be remembered as the Day of Eternal Vigil. For the fallen. For the brave who chose duty over life."

His eyes found Zhao Tian for a moment, then moved past without naming him "And let us never forget… sometimes, salvation comes from the most unexpected of places."

"That one young man stood against the Paragon and risked his life for us."

"Let's not forget that brave warrior too..."

With that, Long Xuan raised his hand and a flame ignited before the altar and drifted upward into the sky.

As it rose, thousands bowed their heads in unison in respect.

...

Zhao Tian lay on the bed with his arms folded behind his head as he looked at the ceiling.

A soft creak echoed as the bathroom door opened, letting out a wave of warm, fragrant steam.

Yan Zijin stepped into the room with a white towel wrapped snugly around her body and another coiled atop her head.

Droplets of water trailed down her collarbone as they followed the contours of her skin.

She glanced at Zhao Tian and raised an eyebrow "I'm surprised you didn't barge in to 'molest' your master as usual."

Zhao Tian turned his head with a lazy smile on his lips. "Were you expecting me to?"

"Tch." She turned toward the mirror, pretending to scoff, though a faint blush crept to her cheeks "No way. Pervert."

She dabbed at her damp hair with the towel, occasionally sneaking glances at his reflection through the mirror.

"So?" she asked, drying her hair more slowly now. "What's the real reason you're here?"

Zhao Tian stepped toward her, "Nothing much. Just thought I'd spend some time with my beautiful master... and claim my reward for winning our bet."

Yan Zijin blinked "The bet…?"

Then she remembered what she promised him if he truly managed to kill the Paragon.

Her lips parted slightly, but before she could say anything, Zhao Tian's arms slipped gently around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder.

"I kept my word," he murmured against her skin. "Now I'm here for what you owe me."

She tensed for a heartbeat, before letting out a slow breath "You're shameless."

Hearing this, he chuckled "Maybe you shouldn't joke about these stuff..."

Their eyes met in the mirror.

Slowly, Zhao Tian reached for the edge of the towel around her, and she didn't move.

"Don't forget, this is the second time you are molesting me..."

Zhao Tian's lips curved into a faint smile as the towel slipped down her shoulders and pooled at her feet.

"How is this molesting, Master, when you are agreeing to let me touch you..."

As he spoke, his fingers glided up from her waist and gently cupped her breasts, making her body tense slightly.

Her breath hitched as his hands squeezed her breasts and his fingers applied just enough pressure to elicit a soft gasp.

"Hnn..." Yan Zijin's composure wavered, and her body melted into his touch despite herself, her skin flushing faintly under the warmth of the steam and the heat of his hands.

Her eyes fluttered, half-lidded, as she trembled under the sensation and her lips parted in a quiet exhale.

Zhao Tian's thumbs brushed over her nipples, teasing them and then he pinched one gently.

"Why are you touching there…" she retorted.

Zhao Tian's smile widened, "It's also part of your breasts."

He squeezed her breasts again, and his hands kneaded gently as he rolled her nipples between his fingers.

She raised her hand and gently elbowed him on the stomach "This is the last time you do this."

Hearing this, he chuckled and gave another squeeze to her breast, feeling the softness "Sure..."

Looking into her eyes in the mirror, he muttered "Do you know which is my favoruite mole in your whole body?"

She blinked in surprise "My mole?"

Zhao Tian let out a chuckle and asked "Did you forget already? When we were stuck in rupture and you were butt naked beside me... I counted each mole on your body, Master."

The blush on Yan Zijin's face deepened and she lowered her head, biting her lip "... So, which one is it?"

He grabbed her left breast and raised it up to show the mole on the curve of the underboob in the mirror "This one is just beautiful... don't you agree?"

She looked at the way his hand was holding her breast and noticed the small mole there "You are ridiculous."

His smile softened and he gave a strong squeeze, his fingers molding into her soft flesh making her gasp.

"T-Tian..." Her voice trembled, caught between protest and pleasure and her eyes fluttered as she leaned slightly into his touch.

His fingers drew circles along her breasts as he murmured "Also master, I am thinking of leaving the star, since our work is done here."

"And Sect Master also can't stay here forever..."

Upon hearing this, her gaze lowered and saw his fingers playing with her nipples "That's true too... you shameless disciple."

Zhao Tian nodded, his lips curving into a faint smile as he continued squeezing her breasts, his fingers kneading with a gentle insistence.

"Are you... finished?"

After getting enough satisfied squeezes, he let her go and lowered his hand to give her ass a playful grab "Yeah..."

"Enough of that." She swatted his hand away and took the towel from her head "Then help me dry my hair... be useful."

With a chuckle, he nodded "Yes, Master."

He gently gathered her long white hair and the damp strands were cool against his fingers.

He began to dry her hair with careful motions, the towel soaking up the moisture as he worked through the silvery strands.

Her eyes were half-closed and a contented hum escaped her lips as she leaned slightly into his touch.

"You're not completely useless," she murmured as she glanced at him over her shoulder.

Zhao Tian couldn't help but chuckle "High praise, Master."

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I hope you guys liked this chapter!