After learning what had happened after his death in his past life, Chen Zoe's spirit was completely shattered. He had once been ready to risk everything just to be with Yuzhen and their son, Yuan. But now, the thought of failing again—and bringing them nothing but sorrow—held him back.
That day, he didn't realize how long he cried before finally collapsing from exhaustion.Rui, unaware of what had happened, stayed by his side the entire time, quietly comforting him.
For days, Zoe refused to leave his room.He immersed himself in painting, as if it were the only thing keeping him from falling apart. When he finally finished, a faint smile appeared on his face… only to slowly fade away.
The painting showed Yuzhen and Yuan sitting peacefully in front of their home. Behind them stretched a field of blooming flowers, with a gentle river flowing past. It felt like a dream that would never be fulfilled.
Chen Zoe simply did it because he didn't want to forget their faces with the passing time.
His fingers lightly brushed over Yuan's figure in the painting, and his heart ached.For Yuzhen, the cruelest sacrifice he had made… was the life of their own son.
For the first time, Chen Zoe realized something. The curse chasing him wasn't death but the memories...
Entering the room, Rui spoke, his eyes lingering on the painting. "I never thought you had such talent. Who are they?"
"My reason to live," Zoe replied softly.
Rui frowned, not fully understanding, and looked at him, confused.
"Once I finish everything I need to do," Zoe continued, his voice distant, "I want to go to a place like this. Somewhere warm… peaceful…" He paused for a moment. "Maybe then… I am free from all the shackles..."
There was a quiet determination in his tone—as if he had already made a decision. But it doesn't feel good at all.
"Finish… shackles... what exactly are you talking about?" Rui asked cautiously.
Zoe glanced at him. "I was thinking… maybe I should entrust you to someone capable."
He didn't say the name, but clearly mentioning Bai Lu. In this life, at least, he wanted them to live freely and without burden.
Rui immediately frowned. "Why are you talking like an old man? I can take care of myself. Why would I need someone else?"
Zoe let out a faint, indulgent smile. "Of course… my Rui is capable."
He didn't continue the topic.
Having lost his dreams, Zoe was left only with responsibilities—threads that bound him to this world and stopped him from making reckless choices.
Too many lives were now connected to his.
Rui, Bai Lu, Chen Zeon, Zhihao…
More than anything, he wanted to see them live well. Especially Rui… and Bai Lu.
Years passed just like that…
Chen Zoe turned twenty-five. Just as in his past life, in a short span of time, both he and Xi Shen earned the title of Master, while Rui became the sect's junior physician.
For the new admissions into the Chen Long Sect, notices were spread across Long Wei Peak and the surrounding regions, attracting a large number of applicants.
The day of selection arrived.
"This year's crowd is even bigger than last time," Rui said, scanning the sea of hopeful faces with excitement. "I wonder who will become my senior's disciple."
"I wonder who the unlucky one will be…" one of his friends muttered with a smirk.
Rui shot him an annoyed look. "Are you trying to start a fight? The one chosen by my senior is the luckiest person here. Tell me, who wouldn't want to become his first disciple? After the sect leader, my senior is the best."
"Oh, please," the other scoffed. "Are your eyes just for decoration? Senior Shen is far better than your senior."
Rui's expression darkened, but the man continued without hesitation.
"Sure, Senior Zoe might be stronger—like some kind of monster—but Senior Shen is approachable. Unlike that cold-blooded person you admire."
Rui clenched his fists, struggling to respond.
"And let's not forget," the man added, "Senior Zoe refuses to take disciples, claiming no one is worthy. Who does he think he is?"
Rui fell silent.
How could he even begin to explain?
Zoe's identity as the sect leader's son already made people keep their distance. On top of that, the scar on his face gave him a naturally intimidating, almost villainous appearance.
And recently…
After receiving a request from a nearby village to eliminate a man-eating tiger, Chen Zoe personally went on the hunt.
He returned not long after—calm and uninjured—carrying the severed head of the very beast that several disciples had failed to capture. Since then, a name began to spread throughout the sect— the wild beast of Chen Long sect.
He couldn't understand it. His senior had only stepped forward to help where others couldn't… so why did people look at him with fear— and even hold resentment toward him?
As for the disciple issue… How was Rui supposed to tell them that his senior simply didn't want disciples because he was too lazy to deal with the responsibility?
"I heard Junior Ling applied this time too," his friend said, changing the topic.
"She's fifteen now. That's normal," Rui replied. Then, after a pause, he added, "I just hope Master Ming takes her in."
His friend blinked in surprise. "Why do you hate her so much?"
He was genuinely confused. Master Ming was known as one of the strictest in the sect—becoming his disciple was practically signing away your freedom.
"So she'll stop pestering my senior," Rui said immediately.
"What does that have to do with you?"
"What does it have to do with me?" Rui snapped. "Whenever she shows up, my senior uses me as a shield and pushes me straight into her path. Do you have any idea how terrifying she is?"
His friend laughed. "By the way… where is your senior? He's not here."
"Huh?"
Rui quickly looked toward the gathering of masters—but Zoe was nowhere to be seen.
"I'll be right back."
Without waiting, Rui hurried toward Zoe's residence. He already had a rough idea of where his senior might be—but he still paused for a moment before confirming it for himself.
And sure enough…
While the entire sect was busy with the selection, his senior was peacefully taking a nap— completely unconcerned with the world.