Bonds of Darkness: Swordmen's Redemption

Chapter Four: Whispers of Possibility

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Chapter Image Source: Pixiv Artist "Minty0"/ Pixiv Art Code "111259245"

-Dan Feng's POV-

After concluding a meeting with the elders of the Xianzhou Alliance, Dan Feng found himself wandering along one of the ancient bridges of the Exalting Sanctum. The place was renowned for its breathtaking view of the cosmos, where stars above shimmered like a sea of diamonds, casting a soft, ethereal light on the bridge.

In his solitude, Dan Feng's thoughts drifted back to a time when he and Y/N, his dearest friend, would often stand on this very bridge, watching the sky and stars in reverent silence. Theirs was a simple yet profound friendship, built on shared moments of tranquility and unwavering camaraderie.

Y/N, a warrior of unparalleled strength, would lean against the railing, his colossal greatsword at his side as if on standby for any challenge the universe might present. It was during these quiet nights that the true essence of their friendship shone brightest. Y/N saw Dan Feng not as the High Elder of Vidyadhara, a position of great power, but as a man of worth—a comrade whose contributions to their home were immeasurable.

"Dan Feng, titles and positions are just labels," Y/N had once said, his voice carrying the weight of wisdom. "What matters is the worth that resides in one's heart."

As Dan Feng gazed at the stars, he couldn't help but miss his friend's steadfast presence. The burden of leadership weighed heavily on his shoulders, and he longed for the simplicity of those nights when he and Y/N would stand together in quiet contemplation, sharing the vastness of the cosmos and the warmth of their friendship.

-Timeskip-

In the days that followed, Dan Feng couldn't shake the feeling that Y/N's absence had left a void that could never be filled. The alliance viewed him as a man of power, and he bore the responsibilities of the High Elder with grace and determination. But the loss of his dearest friend had left a lasting mark.

As he attended meetings, brokered alliances, and navigated the intricate web of alliance politics, Dan Feng often found himself yearning for Y/N's straightforward perspective. Y/N had been a man of action, a warrior who faced challenges head-on, unburdened by the weight of titles or prestige.

Dan Feng's thoughts wandered during a particularly heated council session. "Y/N, you always saw beyond titles. You saw the worth in people."

Y/N had seen Dan Feng not as a man of power, but as an equal—a comrade who contributed to their home in ways that transcended authority.

"High Elder, your authority should not be questioned!" Councilor Lin protested during the council session.

"Titles may define roles, but they don't define worth," Dan Feng replied calmly, emphasizing unity over discord. "Each voice here matters."

In the quiet moments that followed the council session, Dan Feng looked up at the stars once more, a silent conversation with his absent friend.

"Y/N, your legacy lives on in me," he whispered to the cosmos, "and I'll carry it with honor."

-Timeskip-

Dan Feng, immersed in the intricate politics of the Xianzhou Alliance, observed the shifting currents of power and ideology among its members. The "Abundance" Path, a philosophical school followed by many within the alliance, celebrated values such as selflessness, altruism, and the healing of the wounded, whether in body or spirit.

As he navigated the complex web of alliances and interests, a daring thought began to form in Dan Feng's mind—a thought that, for a moment, defied the boundaries of rationality. What if, he wondered, the principles of abundance and selflessness could be harnessed to bring back Y/N, his dear friend who had sacrificed everything for their universe?