Chapter 6: Unexpected reveal

The journey back to his mansion was swift. He navigated the snow-covered paths with precision, his grip on her secure yet gentle.

Inside the mansion, the warmth and luxury offered a stark contrast to the harsh cold she had been exposed to.

Lie Yan Shen carefully placed her on a bed in an elegantly decorated guest chamber.

The room was adorned with rich fabrics and soft lighting, designed to offer comfort and tranquility. He arranged the blankets around her, ensuring she was warm and secure.

Back to the present...

Rye Kai's heart raced as she took in the imposing figure before her. Lie Yan Shen's presence was commanding, and his gaze, cold and unyielding, seemed to pierce through her with a mix of curiosity and menace.

The room she was in was elegant and well-furnished, a stark contrast to the rugged terrain she had been on.

The warmth of the room felt foreign compared to the biting cold she had endured outside.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm despite the surge of anxiety. "How did I get here?" she managed to ask, her voice steady despite the pounding in her chest.

Lie Yan Shen's expression remained inscrutable. "You collapsed outside the cave. I found you and brought you here," he said, his voice smooth and controlled, though it carried an undercurrent of authority.

Rye Kai tried to sit up, but the effort made her head spin slightly. "Why did you help me?" she asked, her eyes locking onto his, searching for any hint of deception.

Lie Yan Shen's gaze softened just a fraction, though his demeanor remained as imposing as ever. "Even a villain can have a sense of responsibility. You were in distress, and it was in my interest to ensure you survived. Besides, I couldn't simply leave you out there to perish."

"A villain?" Rye Kai blurted out, "Why do you call yourself a villain?"

Lie Yan Shen raised an eyebrow and said, "That is what people call me."

"They don't even know that you exist?" Rye thought with a smug face.

The sincerity in his voice was unexpected and did little to alleviate her unease. Rye Kai was wary of him, having been told of his ruthless nature and ambitions. Yet, here he was, providing aid when she least expected it. "What is it that you want from me?" she asked, her tone guarded and amused.

Lie Yan Shen leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. "Nothing from you directly. But the fact that you're here now may have its own significance. Sometimes, fate puts us in the path of those we least expect."

Rye Kai raised her brows, still unsure of his intentions. "Fate, or strategy?"

He chuckled softly, a sound that seemed to carry both amusement and a hint of danger. "Perhaps a bit of both. I have my own plans, but I see no reason to hinder your recovery. It would be unwise to make any rash decisions while you are not at your best."

Rye Kai's mind raced as she considered his words. The heartache she had felt was still fresh in her memory, and she couldn't help but feel that there was more to this encounter than mere chance. She was weak for the time being, but it was easy for her to recover using magic.

"Thank you for your hospitality," she said, smiling, her eyes never leaving his. "But I need to understand more about why I am here and what happens next."

Lie Yan Shen's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he stood. "Rest and recover. We can discuss matters further when you are in better condition. For now, focus on regaining your strength. I'll have someone attend to your needs."

As Lie Yan Shen left the room, Rye Kai lay back against the soft pillows, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and unease. The warmth of the room felt soothing, but it did little to calm the storm of questions swirling in her mind.

Why had Lie Yan Shen saved her? This was a man known for his ruthless ambition and villainous reputation. His actions seemed incongruent with the cold, calculating persona she had come to know.

When she collapsed on the snow, her cloaking magic must have come undone, and that is how he had found her. "Was the pain that strong that I couldn't hold the magic while I was out?" she asked herself. "What could be the reason for the pain anyway?"

She replayed their conversation in her mind. He had spoken with a certain level of genuine concern, which was unexpected.

Was his aid an act of strategic advantage, or was there something more to his motives? Rye Kai's experience with people had taught her that actions often masked deeper intentions, and Lie Yan Shen's gesture was no exception.

Suddenly, a thought interrupted her mind. "How does he know the word 'villain'?" she said aloud. "No one in this damned world has invented it yet. Only Ai Ran and I knew about it and used it. So, how was he able to use it? When neither of us came in front of him all these years..."

A piece of memory flooded in. Years ago, Rye had accidentally lost the artifact, God's Eyes.

This artifact could see through walls, magic, and find anyone you could think of. It fell when she was visiting Lie Yan Shen when he was eight years old. She searched for so long until she had to give up.

"Don't tell me..." a frightening thought came to her. "That bastard..."

She quickly got out of bed, grabbed her red coat from the side table, and burst through the door, not even bothering to wear her boots.

She saw Lie Yan Shen walking away on the straight path away from the pavilion.

"Lie Yan Shen, you bastard!" she shouted at him, her voice echoing in the cold air. "How dare you?"

Lie Yan Shen slowly came to a halt and turned back to face Rye Kai. He had a slight smile on his face as his eyes locked with hers.

Yet, he did not budge from his place. Rye Kai noticed his smile and scoffed.

The guards were alerted, and they took out their weapons, ready to fight. Rye Kai walked toward Lie Yan Shen. Many skilled fighters surrounded her. "Out of my way," said Rye Kai as she let out a burst of energy and pushed the guards away.

Then, in front of her, came Lie Yan Shen's right-hand man. "You go no further," he said.

"Move out before I blast you to pieces, Wen Xue Wei," she narrowed her eyes.

Wen Xue Wei was surprised. How did this woman know his name? She has such great power. He had never seen the likes of her in all his life.

What is she? But she was coming for his master, and therefore, he could not let her live or harm his master.

Wen Xue Wei took out his sword and charged towards Rye Kai. He would do anything to protect his master.

Rye Kai exhaled deeply and looked at Xue Wei.

With a flick of her finger, she threw Xue Wei into the wall, immobilizing him completely. Lie Yan Shen just watched from afar.

"Look at that," said Rye Kai, scoffing. "The great Xue Wei was defeated with a flick of a finger. My dear, why are you so weak? You can't even protect your master."

"Your temper is horrifying as always," said Lie Yan Shen as he took a step forward.

"Darling, and you knew about us since the very beginning," said Rye, "that's even more surprising to my ears. You didn't give a hint that you knew."

"I have the memories of when I was inside my mother's womb," he said casually, "and I clearly remember the times when you and Ai Ran saved me and also sheltered me for two and a half years."

"Hold a minute, my guy," she stopped him from saying anything further. "What in the world? You're just telling me that like it's nothing?"

Yan Shen did nothing but shrugged at her question. "We should head back inside for further discussion," he said with a gentle yet calm smile. "There is a lot you must want to know."

"There is, actually," Rye Kai said, trying to control herself from hitting this man in front of her. "And you better explain, oh, and I will be calling Ai Ran for that."

Lie Yan Shen nodded, but before turning to lead her inside, he paused and looked back at the injured guards sprawled on the ground. "Before we go, I have one request," he said, his tone as calm as ever. "Heal them."

Rye Kai's glare could have cut through stone. "Why should I? They attacked me first."

"They were doing their duty," Lie Yan Shen replied, his voice firm but not unkind. "If you want answers, Rye Kai, you need to show some restraint. This isn't a battlefield, and these men don't deserve to suffer for doing their job."

For a moment, Rye Kai said nothing, her jaw clenched in irritation. She didn't like being told what to do, especially not by him. But she couldn't deny the truth in his words.

She looked over at the guards, some of whom were groaning in pain, and then at Wen Xue Wei, who remained unconscious against the wall where she had flung him.

"Fine," she snapped, stepping forward. With a wave of her hand, a warm, golden light enveloped the injured guards. Their wounds began to close, and the pain faded from their faces.

Xue Wei's breathing became steady as the light surrounded him, and moments later, his eyes fluttered open in confusion.

The guards slowly got to their feet, exchanging bewildered glances, while Xue Wei looked at her with a mix of awe and wariness. Rye Kai didn't meet their eyes, her focus still on Lie Yan Shen.

"There. Happy now?" she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Lie Yan Shen's lips curved into a slight smile. "Thank you," he said, before turning and walking towards the entrance of the mansion. "Now, let's go inside. There's much we need to discuss."

Rye Kai followed, the tension between them still palpable. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was stepping deeper into a web of intrigue and danger—one that Lie Yan Shen had been weaving long before she realized it.

But as much as she hated to admit it, she was in this now, and there was no turning back.