Li Xian didn't think anymore.
There was no space left for hesitation.
No time for fear.
Only one thought remained—
Han.
His father had already left.
The western border—
Out of reach.
But Han—
Han was still in the academy.
"…I can still save him…"
That was enough.
Li Xian turned sharply, sprinting out of the palace without another word.
No explanation.
No goodbye.
No looking back.
Outside, he grabbed the nearest horse.
Swift. Restless.
He mounted it in one motion.
"…Move."
The horse shot forward.
Wind tore past him.
The world blurred.
Trees. Paths. Distant walls.
None of it mattered.
Only the destination.
The academy.
"…Han…"
His grip tightened on the reins.
Faster.
He pushed the horse harder.
Ignoring the strain.
Ignoring everything.
His thoughts raced faster than the wind.
He must still be there…
He has to be…
Because if Han wasn't—
Li Xian didn't even let the thought finish.
At the Academy
Everything looked… normal.
Too normal.
Students walked.
Voices echoed.
Training continued.
Nothing had changed.
But Li Xian didn't slow down.
He jumped off the horse the moment he reached the gates.
Landing hard.
And then—
He ran.
Through the courtyard.
Past the training grounds.
Ignoring every call, every glance.
"Han—!"
His voice broke through the noise.
"Han!!"
People turned.
Confused.
Startled.
But he didn't stop.
Not until—
"…Li Xian?"
A familiar voice.
He froze.
Slowly—
He turned.
Han stood there.
Alive.
Unharmed.
Watching him.
"…What are you doing?" Han asked, his tone calm.
But his eyes—
Were sharp.
Observing.
Li Xian stared at him for a moment.
Breathing hard.
Chest rising and falling rapidly.
Relief.
Sharp.
Sudden.
"…You're… here…"
The words came out quiet.
Like he couldn't believe it.
Han tilted his head slightly.
"…Where else would I be?"
But something was off.
And Han noticed it immediately.
"…What happened?" he asked.
His tone shifted.
Slightly more serious now.
Because the Li Xian standing in front of him—
Wasn't normal.
Wasn't playful.
Wasn't pretending anymore.
Li Xian's expression tightened.
"…We don't have time."
His voice was firm.
Urgent.
"…Han—"
A pause.
"…You need to listen to me."
Because this time—
This wasn't a game.
This was the moment everything could break.
Or be saved.