The Central Martial Exhibition grounds were still buzzing with stories about the "Legendary Rock-Sitting Technique." Li Tian, of course, was already back at the Eastern Cloud Sect, sipping tea like the world's chaos wasn't his problem.
At least, not until Mei Lin barged into his courtyard.
"You," she said, pointing a finger at him as though accusing a criminal. "I need a witness."
Li Tian didn't even look up. "For… what? A crime? A duel? An unfortunate haircut?"
"A duel," she said, ignoring the last part. "I'm challenging Senior Disciple Yao again. I need someone to testify if he cheats."
Li Tian frowned. "Why me?"
"Because you don't take sides."
"That's because I don't care," he said.
"Exactly! You're perfect."
She had a point, but Li Tian also knew Mei Lin had a knack for dragging people into trouble like a whirlpool drags boats. Still… tea could wait. He followed her to the sparring grounds.
Senior Disciple Yao was already there, smirking like he'd been practicing in front of a mirror. Next to him stood Wei Chen, arms crossed, watching Mei Lin with an expression that was… not exactly neutral.
Li Tian's eyes narrowed slightly. He'd noticed this before — Wei Chen wasn't just "around" Mei Lin. He was always around her.
The duel started. Mei Lin launched into a flurry of strikes, each move precise, efficient. Yao responded with showy flourishes that wasted energy but looked impressive to the crowd.
Wei Chen's gaze never left Mei Lin. Every time she took a risk, he tensed. When she landed a hit, his lips twitched like he wanted to cheer.
Li Tian filed this away. Not because he cared about romance — but because the dynamics between people often led to trouble, and he liked to predict trouble so he could avoid it.
Mid-match, Yao tried a cheap move — using his sleeve to flick sand into Mei Lin's eyes.
"I saw that," Li Tian said immediately.
The crowd gasped. Wei Chen's eyes snapped to Li Tian, almost like he'd been worried nobody else would notice.
Mei Lin wiped her eyes and grinned. "Thanks, witness."
Five minutes later, she had Yao flat on his back, gasping for breath.
After the duel, Mei Lin bounded over, flushed from the fight. "See? That's why I needed you. Honest testimony."
Wei Chen joined them, his usual reserved tone a little softer. "You fought well."
Mei Lin smiled, brushing stray hair from her face. "Thanks. You should've seen his face when he realized the sand trick failed."
Li Tian, standing slightly behind them, caught the small glance they exchanged — a wordless connection built from shared battles.
He sipped his tea from the flask he'd brought. "You two make a good team."
They both turned to him. Mei Lin laughed. Wei Chen didn't.
Over the next week, Li Tian noticed things.
Wei Chen stopping by Mei Lin's training spot with extra water. Mei Lin saving a seat for Wei Chen during meals. The way they sometimes trained together without speaking much, like they didn't need to.
To outsiders, it probably looked like friendship. To Li Tian, it looked like a slow build toward something else. Not that it was his business. As long as they didn't try to rope him into couple-related chaos, he was fine.
But chaos had a way of finding him.
It came in the form of a rumor.
Apparently, someone had seen Li Tian walking with Mei Lin after her duel and assumed they were close. The rumor grew overnight: Li Tian, the "Silent Death," had a childhood friend, and she was the only one immune to his crushing aura.
When Li Tian overheard this, he nearly choked on his rice. "Immune? What is she, an antidote?"
Unfortunately, the rumor reached Wei Chen.
The next day, Wei Chen approached him in the courtyard.
"Li Tian," he said carefully, "you and Mei Lin… you're just friends?"
Li Tian blinked. "We're not even that. She drags me places and I follow sometimes."
Wei Chen gave a slow nod, as if confirming something important. "Good."
That was the end of it. Or so Li Tian thought.
That evening, Mei Lin stopped by again.
"Hey, are you free tomorrow?"
"No."
"You didn't even ask what for!"
"That's because it doesn't matter."
She rolled her eyes. "Wei Chen and I are going to the market in town. I thought you could come. You know… to keep the peace in case anyone from another sect starts something."
Li Tian studied her face. She wasn't blushing — but there was a certain brightness in her eyes when she mentioned Wei Chen.
He shrugged. "Fine. But I'm not carrying bags."
The market trip was exactly what Li Tian expected: Mei Lin haggling aggressively, Wei Chen quietly steering her away from shady merchants, and Li Tian sipping tea at every stall that sold it.
At one point, a group of rival sect disciples blocked their path. Li Tian sighed internally, already picturing the headache.
One of them sneered. "So this is the legendary Li Tian. And here we thought you'd be taller."
Li Tian said nothing, just looked at him.
The man's face drained of color. "I… I have an urgent appointment elsewhere!" His friends scrambled after him.
Mei Lin grinned. "See? That's why I bring you along."
Wei Chen chuckled under his breath, but his gaze stayed warm on her.
As they left the market, Li Tian walked a few steps behind, watching the two of them laugh about some vendor's ridiculous sales pitch.
It was clear now — whatever spark was there, it was between them, not him. And that suited him perfectly. He had no interest in romance; his path was about doing as little as possible while somehow gaining more power.
Still, he couldn't help thinking: maybe having them distracted by each other meant fewer chances of them dragging him into their mess.
He sipped his tea. Yes… this could work out.