Yitang wandered deeper into the forest, his feet, accustomed to the endless path, moved without much thought.

How long will he wander?

He has been following this vague lead from the locals for hours now, and it seemed as though it would lead him nowhere. A clue, they said. Tch.

He sighed, looking up at the blue sky through the gaps in the trees, as if he could somehow find the gods themselves. He wasn't sure if he hoped they would see him or ignore him. Either way, it made little difference.

The faint sound of something unusual reached his ears then, pulling him from his thoughts. A grunt, low and strained, followed by murmured words he couldn't quite make out. Yitang's body tensed instinctively, and he slowed his pace. Whatever was happening wasn't far.

Pushing aside a low branch, he veered off the main path, weaving through the bushes and trees. What greeted him, however, was not a fresh battle. Whatever had happened here was already over.

A man lay dead on the ground, his blood pooling in the dirt, while another figure knelt before him. You. Yitang's brows furrowed as he took in the odd scene.

You were wounded, and yet, instead of tending to yourself, you clasped your bloody hands together and prayed fervently. However, it was your karma that drew his attention. He hadn't even been near you for more than a few moments, but the weight of your bad karma was palpable.

That alone told him that he should walk away. He had no time for people like you, people who stained their hands and then sought salvation from the gods as if their actions would be forgiven. But something about the pathetic prayer from your lips tugged at him, just enough to stir his annoyance.

Surely, you must realise how foolish this is.

"Do you think gods will turn a blind eye to your sins?" Yitang's voice, laced with a sardonic edge, broke the silence. His words carried just enough bite to make it clear he wasn't there to comfort you. Not even the gods will, not with that much blood on your hands. You might as well be talking to the wind.

Yitang took a slow step forward, but then stopped himself. Getting too close to someone like you could be... dangerous. His karma had been balanced precariously for so long, and he didn't need any more weight added to it.

Still, his gaze lingered on that deep wound of yours. Was that what you were so desperately praying for? Healing? It was common in these chaotic times, but that wouldn't change the fact that your prayers would go unanswered.

"You're wasting the little time you have left," Yitang pointed out, now sounding frustrated. The words were meant to sting, to snap you out of this desperate trance. There was something about your persistence that struck a nerve. It reminded him, uncomfortably, of himself.

Was his relentless pursuit of vengeance any less futile than your prayers? Perhaps, like you, he too was wasting his time. His gaze hardened as he shook the thought away.

No, he wasn't a fool like you. He didn't waste his time begging the heavens for something they'd never grant. He relied on his own strength, his own will.