There's a Homewrecker

Kaname Tōsen stood blankly at the cave entrance, and this was the scene he perceived.

Aizen stood in front of the experimental table, recording data.

Wang Xun stood beside him, holding a document in his hand, and was speaking in a low voice.

The two worked together seamlessly, as if they had been collaborating for a long time.

Kaname Tōsen paused slightly in his steps.

That position used to belong to him.

Every time Aizen conducted an experiment, he was the one assisting him.

Organize the data, record the results, and assist in the analysis.

He's been doing all of this work.

But why is Wang Xun standing there now?

Aizen noticed that Kaname Tōsen enter and turned his head to look at him.

"Yes, you've come at the perfect time. Wang Xun just helped me optimize a spell node; come and take a look at this new solution."

Kaname Tōsen silently stepped forward and took the document from Wang Xun.

He took the data, ran his fingers over it, and his face remained expressionless.

But his hands clenched slightly.

"It's really good."

His voice was calm, devoid of any emotion.

Aizen nodded and continued adjusting the Hōgyoku.

Wang Xun stood to the side, his gaze lingering on Kaname Tōsen for a moment before looking away.

He could sense that Kaname Tōsen's emotions were somewhat fluctuating.

A moment later, Kaname Tōsen handed the documents he had brought to Aizen.

"Lord Aizen, I have compiled the data from the previous experiment."

Aizen took the document from him, flipped through a few pages, and nodded.

"Well done."

He closed the file and turned his gaze to Wang Xun beside him.

"Perfect timing. Wang Xun has a deep understanding of the Kaidō and his own insights into Reiatsu guidance techniques."

"In the next experiment, we'll involve him as well, to share some of the work."

Kaname Tōsen's body stiffened slightly.

His ears perked up slightly, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Lord Aizen, you mean you want him to participate in the experiment?"

Aizen didn't look up, continuing to flip through the documents.

Is there a problem?

Kaname Tōsen silent.

His lips moved, as if he wanted to say something, but he didn't know where to begin.

He's been doing those jobs all along.

Prepare materials, assist in experiments, and organize data.

He did it for so long that he took it for granted.

Now, Aizen is going to assign these tasks to someone who has just joined the team.

Kaname Tōsen's fingers clenched slightly.

"Lord Aizen."

Kaname Tōsen's voice sounded somewhat hoarse.

"He just joined and isn't familiar with the experimental procedures yet. Will letting him handle the experimental content now...?"

Aizen looked up and glanced at him.

"Wang Xun's expertise in the Kaidō is profound enough, and he also has some insights into the structure of the soul. Moreover, the experiments require manpower; you can't handle it all by yourself."

Kaname Tōsen silent.

He wanted to say something more, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.

Because he knew that Aizen was telling the truth.

As the experiment progressed faster and faster, and the amount of data that needed to be processed increased, he was indeed feeling overwhelmed.

But that doesn't mean he's willing to let Wang Xun share the burden.

But Aizen had already spoken, and he couldn't refute him anymore.

Kaname Tōsen a deep breath to suppress the complex emotions in his heart.

"Your subordinate understands."

Aizen nodded and continued flipping through the documents.

Kaname Tōsen stood still and did not leave.

Wang Xun to the side, was engraving something on the technique base plate with his head down, occasionally asking Aizen a few questions.

The two were so close that it felt almost blinding to him.

"The Fifth Seat Tōsen."

Wang Xun's voice suddenly rang out, Kaname Tōsen finally came to her senses.

"There are some parts of the Reiatsu circuits at these nodes that I'm not quite sure about. Could you please explain them to me?"

Kaname Tōsen taken aback for a moment.

He hadn't expected Wang Xun to take the initiative to ask him for advice.

After a moment of silence, he stepped forward.

"Where?"

Wang Xun pointed to several markings on the technique base plate.

Kaname Tōsen sensed the direction of those Reiatsu circuits, his brow furrowing slightly.

Then he reached out and gently ran his fingertips across the base of the technique.

Wang Xun's eyes flashed with a hint of understanding.

"I see, thank you."

Kaname Tōsen withdrew his hand without saying a word.

He stood beside the lab bench, listening to the rustling sound of Wang Xun continuing to carve, and a complex emotion welled up in his heart.

Time passed quickly after that.

Wang Xun checked the time; it was time to leave.

After bidding farewell to Aizen, Wang Xun rose and left.

Not long after Wang Xun left, Kaname Tōsen no longer contain his restless emotions and looked at Aizen again.

"Grown ups."

Aizen was sitting at his desk organizing documents when he looked up at him.

Kaname Tōsen paused for a moment, then spoke.

"That Wang Xun, he's only just arrived, how can you trust him so much?"

Aizen put down the documents in his hand and looked at Kaname Tōsen.

"What's wrong? Is there something amiss?"

Kaname Tōsen's brows furrowed slightly.

"You're letting him participate in the core experiments and access the data from the Hōgyoku, won't that...?"

I know what you're worried about.

Aizen's tone was calm, as if he were stating a perfectly ordinary fact.

"His expertise in Kaidō surpasses both yours and mine. He quickly grasps the analysis of experimental data and the optimization of surgical procedures."

"You saw it too."

Kaname Tōsen silent.

He knew Aizen was right.

"But.."

He was about to say something more, but Aizen raised his hand to interrupt him.

"Yes, you've always been the person I trust most, and that will never change."

Aizen's voice was gentle, yet carried an undeniable certainty.

"Wang Xun has his special uses, and people who can help us with scientific research are not so easy to find."

He stood up, walked up to Kaname Tōsen, and patted him on the shoulder.

"No need to worry, Wang Xun's presence will allow us to move faster, which won't harm our plans."

Kaname Tōsen silent for a long time.

Then, he lowered his head.

"Understood."

He turned and walked towards the door.

He suddenly stopped when he reached the door.

"Grown ups."

Are you really not worried at all?

Aizen looked at him, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

"Yes, someone with secrets is easier to control."

Aizen turned around and walked back to his desk.

What he hides is his weakness.

"As long as I don't expose him, he will become increasingly cautious every day."

"Everything is under my control."

Aizen's voice was calm, yet carried a chilling certainty.

Kaname Tōsen stopped talking, turned around and walked out.

Aizen's voice came from behind.

"You can investigate him, monitor him, but don't do anything unnecessary."

Kaname Tōsen paused slightly in his steps.

"Yes.

The door closed behind them.

The cave was dark, with only the spirit stones on the walls emitting a faint glow.

Kaname Tōsen stood there, motionless.

Aizen's words kept replaying in his mind.

Kaname Tōsen clenched his fists.

He didn't know where the source of his frustration came from.

Was I jealous of Wang Xun, or was I blaming myself?

Or, both.

He took a deep breath and strode forward.

At the end of the cave, night was deep.