Sun Kai seemed to have set down some heavy burden. He stretched out languidly, then leaned back against the cold stone steps.
"Go back... and accept the punishment, I guess." His tone was flat, as if he were talking about someone else.
Yang Ning's heart tightened. "Is it because... of those undercover agents who were captured before? Is the Cult going to hold you responsible?"
Sun Kai didn't answer directly. He only crooked a finger at Yang Ning.
"What?"
"Lend me a light."
Yang Ning pulled the cheap plastic lighter from his pocket and handed it over.
"You never gave back the one you borrowed last time."
Sun Kai took the lighter and chuckled softly. "I can give back anything else—money, even my life... but not this lighter."
He put the nearly burned-down incense stick back between his lips. He cupped one hand around it, then flicked the lighter with the other.
Yang Ning glanced over. The dancing flame cast a warm, golden glow across Sun Kai's rough palm. He noticed that the hand holding the lighter was trembling slightly.
Sun Kai took a long, hard drag, as if drawing all his emotions into his lungs before exhaling them with the fragrant smoke. He caught sight of the worry Yang Ning couldn't hide, and instead flashed him a smile. "Don't worry. I've been lying low in the Sword Sect for over two hundred years. Maybe I haven't earned merit, but I've certainly put in the hard work. The New Cult Leader's order is for me to return to my hometown... and 'retire in comfort.' Hey, it's not a bad ending."
He tapped the incense ash against the edge of the stone step, his tone taking on a rare lightness. "You know me. I've had enough of all the trouble in