Chapter 166: A Matter of Trust
Jian Feng stood in my path, his green robes pristine against the frost-covered ground. The soft glow of dawn lit his face, making his expression seem carved from stone. He didn’t say anything at first, just held my gaze with that infuriating calm that only someone confident in their authority could manage.
“Move,” I said, my voice sharp, barely holding back the anger bubbling under my skin. I clenched my fists, nails biting into my palms. “I don’t have time for this.”
Jian Feng didn’t flinch. “And what do you intend to do?”
“Get Windy,” I snapped. “What else?”
His lips thinned, and he folded his arms, his posture blocking the path as effectively as any gate. “And then what? March into the forest alone, without a plan, against an unknown threat? Do you have any idea what’s out there?”
“I don’t care!” The words came out louder than I intended. “Windy’s out there, Jian Feng. Alone. Hurt, maybe worse. I’m not going to sit here while—”
“You will.” His voice cut through mine like a blade, low and firm, with no room for argument. “Because your recklessness will cost more than just yourself. Do you think this is about your pet alone?”
I bristled at his wording. Windy wasn't just a pet. He was my friend. A companion that I treasured. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means you have responsibilities that extend beyond your personal attachments,” he said evenly. “Your role as an alchemist is invaluable, Kai. Not just to the village but to the Verdant Lotus Sect and the Whispering Wind Sect. You asked for our help to protect this place, to secure its future. Now you’re willing to throw that away because you’re too emotional to see the bigger picture?”