Part Two
That night, Lian appeared at his courtyard gate.
"You restrained yourself," she said.
"Yes."
"You could have won."
"That was not the objective."
"You are making this harder for them."
"I am making it harder for everyone."
"Especially yourself."
Silence stretched.
Lantern light cast long shadows against stone walls.
"If they isolate you further," she said quietly, "I may not be permitted to visit."
"That is a risk."
"You accept it too easily."
"I do not accept it," he replied. "I account for it."
Her expression shifted.
"You are changing."
"No," he said softly.
"I am clarifying."
She turned slightly away.
"You believe Heaven is waiting for you to choose."
"Yes."
"And if it is not?"
"Then I will still choose."
The words were calm.
Unshaken.
For the first time, she saw it clearly—
He was not challenging Heaven.
He was preparing to stand without it.