Next dawn broke pale over roof tiles slick with dew.
Yujin rose early, robes still carrying the faint warmth of last night's lamps.
But the words he hadn't said weighed heavier than sword or jade token.
Down in the courtyard, a few courtesans swept petals from cracked stone.
Among them, Xiao stood out...even bruised and tired, his posture held a fox-like grace.
The red ribbon at his wrist caught morning light, soft and bright, a stubborn splash of color against pale skin.
"Why do you keep wearing that?" Yujin asked, voice quieter than he meant.
Xiao glanced over, lips curving into something between amusement and defiance.
"Because someone else burned red once. And it made him free."
"Free?" Yujin echoed.
"Free enough to be hated and still laugh," Xiao answered, almost gently.
The words lodged sharp under Yujin's ribs.
"And you? Are you free?" he almost asked.
Instead, his gaze drifted lower, catching faint bruises blooming along Xiao's throat.
Xiao noticed the glance... and tilted his chin higher, daring him to speak.
"Don't look at me like that," he said, voice slipping into practiced teasing.
"If you pity me, keep it. I have wine enough to swallow it whole."
"I don't pity you," Yujin said, too fast.
Xiao's smile faltered for half a breath... but then returned, brittle and bright.
At dusk, Yujin stepped back outside the Pavilion.
Beyond stone steps, lanterns swayed in slow wind, throwing shadows that tangled together like lovers' whispers.
Inside, Xiao touched his bruised cheek lightly, gaze drifting to the small bamboo flute on a vendor's cart across the street.
"If I had that… maybe he'd stay. Maybe he'd listen."
But he had no coin left...or rather, no coin he dared keep.
"What am I to him?" Xiao wondered.
"Just another story he'll tell himself he didn't buy."
Beyond Gusu's mountain borders, rumors reached Cloud Recesses:
A masked figure vanished beyond Qishan; a dead man with an unmarked throat; faint demonic traces in the mist.
Lan juniors gathered in silent circles, eyes downcast as an elder's voice echoed:
"Do not be hasty. Darkness flees faster when chased blindly."
Back in Yinshi, night deepened, stars sharp against dark tiles.
And though neither spoke it aloud, in two separate rooms...behind silk screens and curtained walls... Xiao and Yujin each whispered the same unspoken vow:
"Just one more night. Let him come back."
[ End of Chapter 11 ]