That attitude kept making Qiu Wuji feel that Chu Tiange must have figured something out. Although his cultivation was not yet up to the task, a protagonist was still a protagonist.
Even though Chu Ge had cut off his romantic prospects, he still projected himself deeply into Chu Tiange when writing other aspects of him. That emotional investment and bond were extraordinary. Chu Tiange's awareness of the Heavenly Dao's existence might even surpass Little Flame's.
Of course, he couldn't possibly compare to me!
By the same token, if Yan Qianlie, Xie Jiuxiao, Dabei, or the others "rebelled," Chu Ge would be very displeased, and had even flown into rages over it, but he would not go so far as to feel heartbroken. If Chu Tiange also "rebelled," Chu Ge would presumably be truly hurt.
Moreover, given Chu Tiange's importance to this world, they had to be exceptionally careful in how they treated him. They could not simply storm Skyreach City as they had with Xie Jiuxiao. After all, even if Xie Jiuxiao died, they could patch the story to make it work. Not so with Chu Tiange... Chu Ge had once wanted to achieve a true ensemble novel, one where he could even deal the protagonist a tragic blow if he wished, but reality was harsh. His skill had not reached that level. At the very least, Chu Tiange and Qiu Wuji could not die.
And so Chu Ge had simply hidden himself away to observe, unwilling to face Chu Tiange directly lest he give him the feeling of encountering "the most familiar stranger," creating trouble where there had been none.
As for Qiu Wuji, her job was to probe and observe, and judge what Chu Tiange was thinking.
So far... things seemed to be all right?
Just as with