The Five-Year Pact

Morning light spilled across the official road through sparse clouds as two figures walked side by side.

Akes glanced at Linley beside him, a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth. "Come to think of it, this is the first time we've traveled far away together like this."

Linley nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "Back at the academy, even though we shared a dorm, we each had our own cultivation to attend to. After graduation, you went to the Yulan Empire, I returned to Wushan Town, and later I went to the Magical Beast Mountain Range... counting it up, we really haven't walked a path together like this."

"That's why this is a good opportunity." Akes stretched, his bones emitting a faint crackling sound. "It's the perfect time to have a good chat about our experiences over these past few years."

Akes laughed. "Bebe, you want to join the conversation too? It's a pity you can't speak yet. Wait until you reach the Saint-level."

Bebe waved his little claws in dissatisfaction, as if saying, "Just you wait, once I reach the Saint-level, I'll be the first one to bicker with you endlessly."

A flash of amusement crossed Linley's eyes, and he communicated to Bebe through their contract, "Don't be impatient. At your growth rate, the Saint-level isn't far off."

Only then did Bebe settle back onto Linley's shoulder, satisfied, his little eyes darting around to take in the scenery by the road. Occasionally, when a bird flew past, his eyes would brighten, but they would quickly close again in a lazy manner.

The two headed north, maintaining a steady, moderate pace. Although Linley was already a peak eighth-rank warrior, he could not fly, so he had to rely on his own two legs. Akes was in no rush either, simply accompanying Linley as they walked.

"Speaking of which," Akes said suddenly, "have you thought about how you're going to face Jenny this time?"

Linley's footsteps faltered for a moment before returning to normal. "What is there to think about? It was a five-year promise; I am simply here to fulfill it."

"You know that's not what I'm asking." Akes looked at Linley, his expression serious. "A girl has waited for you for five years. You can't possibly be blind to her feelings."

Linley was silent for a moment, then said slowly, "I am aware. But for her, I feel only gratitude, not romantic love."

"Gratitude?"

"Jenny is a good girl." Linley's voice grew increasingly calm. "Gentle, kind, and resilient. All these years, she has been waiting for me. I know that, and I am grateful. But..." He paused, a trace of helplessness in his voice. "Gratitude is not love. If I were to accept her out of gratitude, that would be the greatest injustice to her."

Akes nodded. "I understand. Matters of the heart cannot be forced. It's just..."

"Just what?"

"Just that you need to think clearly about how to tell her." Akes looked at Linley. "A girl's heart is more fragile than the defenses of a magical beast. If you are too direct, she won't be able to take it; if you are too tactful, she will continue to harbor illusions. This balance is very difficult to strike."

Linley gave a bitter smile. "I know. But it must be made clear."

"Furthermore," Linley looked up toward the distance, his gaze turning profound, "the path I am on now is too dangerous. The pursuit of the Radiant Church, the bitter cultivation in the Magical Beast Mountain Range—I don't know what I will have to face in the future. I cannot give her a stable life, nor can I give her the companionship she desires. She should find a man who can stay by her side and provide her with a sense of security, not someone like me who could lose his life at any moment."

Akes was silent for a while, then suddenly said, "Have you ever considered that perhaps she doesn't care about those things?"

"Whether she cares is her business; whether I can provide it is mine." Linley's voice was firm. "It is precisely because she doesn't care that I cannot let her be drawn into danger."

Akes smiled slightly. "You, sometimes you look cold, but you are actually softer-hearted than anyone. On the surface you are rejecting her, but in reality, you are protecting her."

Linley didn't speak, simply continuing to walk forward.

Bebe rubbed gently against his shoulder, as if comforting him. Although the little fellow couldn't speak, through their contract, he could feel the complex emotions in Linley's heart.

The two headed north for three full days.

During these three days, they traveled by day and rested in villages or roadside inns by night. Akes shared many things he had seen and heard in the Yulan Empire—the court struggles of the empire, the infighting among mercenary groups, and the various powerful individuals he had encountered. Linley, in turn, spoke of his experiences in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, the thrilling battles, and the peculiar magical beasts he had faced.

On the evening of the third day, the silhouette of Chier County City finally appeared in their field of vision.

"We're here." Linley stopped, looking at the familiar city.

The glow of the setting sun spilled over the city walls, plating the gray stone bricks in a layer of gold. Guards moved back and forth at the city gates, and while there weren't many pedestrians entering or leaving, an occasional carriage would pass by, kicking up a light cloud of dust.

"Let's go in." Akes patted him on the shoulder. "Regardless of the outcome, at least you came. The act of keeping the promise itself is a form of respect for her."

Linley nodded and stepped toward the city gate.

The streets of Chier County City were as bustling as ever, lined with shops and filled with the overlapping cries of vendors. A peddler selling candied haws walked past with a straw pole, a group of children gathered in front of a pancake stall, and the rhythmic clanging of a blacksmith's hammer echoed from a nearby shop.

But Linley had no heart to appreciate these familiar sights. He headed straight for the City Lord's castle, the residence of Keen and Jenny.

The castle was located in the center of Chier County City, a typical piece of noble architecture with gray stone walls, high towers, and two rows of guards at the entrance. These guards wore armor bearing the emblem of the Debs Family, swords at their waists, standing perfectly straight.

As soon as Linley and Akes approached, the guards at the gate looked over with vigilance. A young guard was about to step forward to question them when he caught sight of Linley's face and suddenly shouted in surprise:

"Lord Lei! It's Lord Lei who has returned!"

This shout immediately alerted the other guards. Several older guards gathered around, their faces filled with pleasant surprise.

"Lord Lei, you've finally returned! Miss Jenny has been talking about you every single day!"

"It's been five years, and Lord Lei hasn't changed a bit; he's still so young!"

"Quick, go report this to Young Master Keen and Miss Jenny!" The young guard ran quickly into the castle, shouting as he went, "Lord Lei is here! Lord Lei is here!"

Looking at these familiar faces, a warmth welled up in Linley's heart. When he had lived here years ago, these guards had all treated him well and had never made things difficult for him just because he was an outsider.

A moment later, the castle gates swung open, and Keen strode out.

"Brother Lei!" Keen's face was full of surprise. He rushed to Linley in a few strides and gave him a hug. "You finally came! These five years, my sister has been waiting for you every day, and I have been waiting for you too!"

Linley patted his back, feeling the stature of the youth who was now half a head taller than him, and felt a thousand emotions in his heart. "Keen, you've grown up."

The nineteen-year-old Keen was much more mature than he had been five years ago; his features were sharp, the childishness of his youth replaced by a sense of determination. His build was also much more robust, with broad shoulders and sturdy arms, clearly the result of much cultivation over the years.

Keen released Linley, smiled honestly, and his gaze fell on Akes. "And this is?"

"My brother, Akes." Linley introduced him. "He came with me. We were classmates at the Fenlai Kingdom Magic Academy, and he was my roommate."

Keen quickly bowed. "Greetings, Brother Akes! Please, come in, come in! I'll have the kitchen prepare a banquet immediately; we must celebrate properly today!"

As the three of them walked into the castle, Linley saw a figure standing in the courtyard.

Jenny.

At twenty-three, Jenny was more mature than she had been five years ago. She wore a water-blue dress, her long hair draped over her shoulders, and the naive innocence of her girlhood had faded from her features, replaced by a gentle, graceful temperament. Yet, her eyes remained as clear as they were five years ago, and at this moment, they were fixed unblinkingly upon Linley.

Linley noticed that her demeanor was much calmer than it had been five years prior; standing there, she possessed the elegant air of a noble lady. But upon closer inspection, one could see the inner turmoil in her slightly trembling fingers.

"Big Brother Lei." Her voice wavered slightly, though she tried hard to keep it steady.

Linley stopped in his tracks, looked at her, and said softly, "Jenny, I'm here."

As their eyes met, Jenny's eyes instantly turned red. But she quickly took a deep breath, suppressed the moisture in her eyes, and broke into a smile—a smile that bloomed like a flower in spring. "Come in. I had the kitchen prepare the dishes you like. I remembered you used to enjoy roasted lamb chops and beef stew, so I had them make both."

Akes followed behind, tactfully keeping his silence while sighing inwardly. This girl's feelings were plain to see at a glance. She remembered the dishes Linley liked, she remembered his habits; over these five years, she must have imagined this scene countless times.

The dinner was sumptuous, with the long table laden with a variety of dishes. The golden-roasted lamb chops were steaming, the tenderly stewed beef gave off an enticing aroma, and there were several delicate vegetable dishes and desserts.

Keen played the enthusiastic host, constantly refilling Linley and Akes's cups. He was clearly happy, talking much more than usual, asking Linley about his experiences over the past five years one moment, and asking Akes about life in the Yulan Empire the next.

Jenny sat opposite Linley, occasionally glancing up at him before quickly lowering her head again. She ate very slowly, mostly listening to them talk, a faint smile lingering on her lips throughout.

Akes ate his meal in silence, not wanting to disturb this rare moment of reunion. He noticed that although Jenny didn't say much, her gaze would always drift toward Linley involuntarily. In that gaze, there was joy, longing, and a trace of faint sorrow.

Bebe squatted on the table, hugging a fruit larger than his own head and munching on it happily, juice splattering everywhere, which made Keen burst into laughter.

"Bebe is still such a glutton!" Keen laughed.

Bebe glared at Keen with dissatisfaction, then buried his head back into his food, waving a small paw as if to say, "What does it have to do with you?"

After the meal, Keen tactfully pulled Akes away to the garden to admire the moon, leaving the space to Linley and Jenny.

The moonlight was like water, spilling over the stone table in the courtyard. Beside the table grew an osmanthus tree; it was the season for the flowers to bloom, and the air was filled with a faint, sweet fragrance.

Linley and Jenny sat opposite each other, silent for a long time.

In the distance, the chirping of insects made the night seem even quieter. Occasionally, a breeze would blow, causing the osmanthus flowers to drift down, landing on the stone table and in Jenny's hair.

"Big Brother Lei." Jenny spoke first, her voice very soft, as if she were afraid of disturbing something. "It's been five years. I've been waiting for you."

Linley looked at her, a complex surge of emotions rising in his heart. Under the moonlight, Jenny looked even more delicate than she had during the day, and his reflection was mirrored in her clear eyes. He knew that what he had to say next would hurt this kind-hearted girl, but he had to say it.

"Jenny, I..."

"Listen to me first." Jenny interrupted him, taking a deep breath as if steeling herself. "I know what you want to say. Big Brother Lei, I know you don't love me."

Linley was stunned.

Jenny smiled, a smile that held a hint of bitterness but was mostly filled with relief. She lowered her head, looking at the fallen osmanthus petals on the stone table, her voice gentle. "These past five years, I've thought a lot. Every time the night was deep and quiet, I would wonder if Big Brother Lei would come back, and what you would say to me if you did. Sometimes I would fall asleep while thinking, and sometimes I would think until the dawn broke."

She raised her head and continued, "Later, I realized that the way you look at me has never been the way one looks at a beloved. When you look at me, it's like looking at a younger sister, like looking at someone who needs protection, but not... not the way one looks at a sweetheart."

"Jenny..." Linley wanted to say something, but she raised a hand to stop him.

"You are good to me because of gratitude, and because I treat you like family." Jenny's voice choked slightly, but she struggled to maintain her smile. "I know all of this. Actually, I've known it for a long time, I just didn't want to admit it. But Big Brother Lei, I don't regret it."

Linley fell silent.

"I don't regret waiting for you for five years, and I don't regret liking you." Jenny looked up, tears shimmering in her eyes, but her gaze was exceptionally firm. "Liking someone is my own business. You don't need to respond, and you don't need to feel guilty. I just wanted you to know that no matter when, this will always be your home."

She paused, her voice growing even softer. "Besides, I haven't wasted these five years. After you left, I started practicing magic in earnest, and I am already a third-rank mage now. Keen has also grown up and is becoming more and more reliable."

Linley looked at her for a long time, then said softly, "Jenny, thank you."

This "thank you" contained too much. Thank you for her waiting, thank you for her understanding, and thank you for the warmth she had given him.

Jenny smiled, and this time, it was a truly relieved smile. She reached out to brush the osmanthus petals off the stone table, her movements elegant and composed.

"Big Brother Lei, will you come to see me again in the future?"

"I will." Linley nodded solemnly. "As long as I am alive, I will definitely come."

"That is enough." Jenny stood up and turned away, her voice sounding a bit ethereal. "It's getting late, you should get some rest. You have to be on your way tomorrow, right?"

"...Yes."

Jenny did not look back and walked quickly into the house. Under the moonlight, her silhouette appeared somewhat thin, but her stride was remarkably firm.

Linley sat alone in the courtyard, looking up at the moon in the sky, remaining motionless for a long time. The osmanthus flowers drifted down, landing on his shoulders and in his hair, but he did not notice.

In the garden, Akes and Keen were chatting intermittently.

"Big Brother Akes, do you think my sister and Big Brother Lei..." Keen looked worried, glancing toward the courtyard from time to time.

Akes patted his shoulder. "Don't worry about adult matters, kid. By the way, how has your training been these years? Looking at you, you must have put in quite a bit of effort, right?"

Keen's attention was diverted, and he began to enthusiastically recount his training insights. As he spoke, he even drew his sword to demonstrate a few moves, which actually looked quite decent.

Akes listened and offered a few comments, but the corner of his eye kept drifting toward the lonely figure in the courtyard. Under the moonlight, Linley looked like a statue, frozen in place.

The word "love" is the most difficult to decipher.

Akes sighed in his heart. He had seen too many people trapped by love—men and women, the strong and the weak—all of them suffering immensely. Jenny was like this, and wasn't Linley the same? The one who rejects others is not necessarily at ease in their own heart.