Walking Between Lies and Truth (II)

Thus, Liu Ziyun was temporarily removed from Sōsuke Aizen's close attention.

But Liu Ziyun knew that true "decoupling" was still far off.

In the days that followed, he could feel—there were always faint gazes cast upon him from all corners around the Fourth Division. Sometimes they were spies disguised as residents of Rukongai, sometimes they were informants posing as members of the division, and sometimes he couldn't even pinpoint the source, only feeling the subtle unease of being "watched."

But for Liu Ziyun, none of these matters.

Because aside from training, he always stayed in the Fourth Division and never went out. His life was as regular as a precise machine—he would appear in the Medical Room on time in the morning to handle paperwork; he would patrol the wards in the afternoon to treat the injured soldiers; he would return to his dormitory in the evening, and then enter the Underground Training Ground late at night to practice his Reiatsu control.

He doesn't participate in any social activities, doesn't talk much with anyone, and even politely declines invitations from colleagues. He's like a true "veteran" immersed in his work and self-cultivation, uninterested in anything outside of himself.

This situation, ironically, caused the monitors to gradually lose interest.

What's so noteworthy about someone who shows no abnormalities, someone who always stays in their post, someone who doesn't even have the skills of Captain-level?

Gradually, those faint glances began to decrease.

First, the scouts on the perimeter withdrew, then the informants who had infiltrated the team were transferred away, and finally, even the occasional "sense of being watched" that made him instinctively alert disappeared.

Sōsuke Aizen finally gave up on paying attention to him completely.

A few days later, in the Fourth Division Captain's Office.

When Liu Ziyun was summoned by Retsu Unohana, he already had a vague idea of what was going on.

Sure enough, when he entered the Captain's Office, Retsu Unohana was sitting at the tea table with a mission document spread out in front of her. Her expression was calm, but there was a rare hint of hesitation in her eyes.

"There's a mission that needs backup," Retsu Unohana said bluntly, "But I'm still undecided about whether to send you."

Liu Ziyun sat down opposite her, picked up his teacup but didn't drink. "Do you need to go to Rukongai? If it's a mission that requires leaving the Fourth Division..."

He paused, his tone becoming serious. "I hope you don't send me. Find some team leaders or other Seated Officers instead."

Retsu Unohana looked at him, a question in her eyes, "Why? Haven't you been fading from the spotlight lately?"

Liu Ziyun gently shook his head. "Recently, Aizen's men have been watching me around the Fourth Division. Although they have withdrawn now, no one can guarantee that they won't come back."

His voice was calm, yet carried a deep sense of vigilance. "If I go to Rukongai on a mission and happen to pique his interest, leading to some kind of experiment or test... it would cause additional casualties. That wouldn't be worth it."

Retsu Unohana's eyes narrowed slightly. "He's already got his eye on you? When did this start?"

Liu Ziyun nodded. "Some time ago, he activated the Kyouka Suigetsu ability and ran to the Fourth Division wearing Black Cloak. Because of the Black Cloak, I pretended not to notice."

He paused, then continued, "That night, he also appeared on my way back to the dormitory, testing me with the matter of Hirako and the others."

Retsu Unohana frowned. "How did you handle it?"

A faint smile appeared on Liu Ziyun's lips, "I used the Hirako and the others wanted to poach me from the Fourth Division, and that my Reiatsu had dropped and my potential had been exhausted because I saved them, to tell them that I had broken ties with Hirako."

He looked at Retsu Unohana and said seriously, "Captain, if someone tests you, just answer using this approach."

Retsu Unohana was silent for a moment, then gently shook her head. "This reason... isn't very good."

Liu Ziyun smiled and said, "Yes, but it's good this way."

His tone carried a deep certainty. "Because I used to be cheerful and kind. But after Hirako and the others, I've always stayed in the Fourth Division, rarely interacting with my teammates, just doing what was required of me."

He paused, then added, "It fits the character perfectly."

Retsu Unohana looked at him, a complex emotion in her eyes. "It must have been so hard for you. To maintain this facade for over a century. It must have been very difficult."

Liu Ziyun remained silent for a moment.

Then, he chuckled softly. There was no bitterness, no self-pity in that smile, only a calm, almost resigned acceptance. "There's no other way. If I want to avoid trouble... if I want to build a harem, I can't afford to be targeted by those treacherous forces."

His tone was so relaxed, as if he were telling a joke, "Once this whole thing is over, I can finally live my own life freely."

Retsu Unohana raised an eyebrow. "So, how exactly do you plan to live your life?"

A longing expression appeared on Liu Ziyun's face. "See the Captain Kyōraku? He just likes to flirt with girls. As for me..."

His smile widened, even taking on a hint of... lewdness. "I want to give the girls a home."

Retsu Unohana's expression became subtle. "Really? Your girls... won't they kill you?"

Liu Ziyun's smile became even more exaggerated, even carrying a hint of smug lewdness. "How could that be? The girls will definitely get along well. Otherwise..."

He chuckled, "I'll use family discipline then."

Looking at his lewd expression, Retsu Unohana's expression changed from subtle to icy.

Her voice was as cold as a thousand-year-old glacier. "Get out. I don't want to see you, you sleazy bastard, again."

Liu Ziyun was taken aback, clearly not expecting her to suddenly change her expression. "Um... why are you suddenly angry?"

He tried to explain, "I'm telling you, at that time you would definitely..."

"Roll."

Retsu Unohana interrupted him, her usually calm eyes now narrowing into dangerous slits. "Otherwise, I might not be able to resist killing you."