Perhaps I had nothing to gain anymore.

  I barely remember those days on the streets, begging to survive. One day, a stranger stopped, took me in, and brought me to his Martial Sect. That was how I became part of the Shen Sect.

  He gave me a name.

  Yuan

  I trained hard, trying to prove I deserved his kindness. Day and night, I swung my sword and cultivated, hoping effort would make up for what I lacked.

  But it didn’t. I had no special talent. I wasn’t the worst among the disciples, but I wasn’t good either. Just one more face in the crowd, fading with time.

  I became a Refiner at a fairly young age, while the rare prodigies did it a few years earlier.

  The Sect Leader barely noticed me anymore. I didn’t blame him. He had taken in many orphans, and I wasn’t one who stood out. Still, it hurt. I wanted him to see me. I wanted to be recognized, admired, remembered.

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  But that dream was never mine to claim.

  When I turned sixteen, the Sect Leader brought in another orphan. He often brought in new people.

  He asked me to guide her. I wasn’t the best teacher, but the better students were too valuable to spare.

  We spent a lot of time together. Slowly, we grew close. After a few years, we finally admitted how we felt.

  She asked me to leave with her, to start a new life far from the Sect.

  So I did.

  By then, I had let go of my old dreams. I no longer wanted power or fame. I just wanted peace, with her by my side.

  We left the Sect and found a quiet village. We worked hard and built a small home. It was enough.

  It's been many years now. I work as a laborer. Life is simple, but it’s ours.

  Today felt like any other. I was walking home after a long day, thinking about dinner.

  When I reached the house, I knocked. No answer.

  I waited, then pushed the door open. It wasn’t locked.

  The room was dark. She always lit the lantern by this time. I wondered what had happened.

  "Are you sleeping already, dear?"

  I walked inside.

  My foot hit something.

  Frowning, I reached for the lantern near the door.

  I hardened my fingers with some Qi and rubbed them to create a spark.

  The flame flickered to life.

  And I froze.

  She lay on the floor, still and silent, blood soaking into the wood around her.

  I didn’t know what to do.

  Cry? Scream? Collapse?

  I could only stand there.

  And watch.

  Perhaps I have nothing left to lose anymore.