Liu Jinyuan sat alone in his room, looking lonely and fragile. No one had ever seen him like this.
Although he was a weak scholar and a graceful gentleman, Liu Jinyuan always carried himself with composure, presenting the best version of himself to others. Yet this vulnerable side, perhaps, could only be revealed when he was alone.
In his mind, the image of his cousin Yueru crying replayed again and again. Alex had said he and Yueru were the most suitable match, but his uncle had rejected the idea outright.
Those words struck him like a heavy blow.
He had finally gathered his courage, journeying all the way to Suzhou to ask for her hand in marriage—yet he was refused before he even had the chance to speak. His uncle's reasoning made clear why he had no intention of marrying his daughter to him.
From his uncle's standpoint, he could not deny that the logic was sound.
"Official career, martial arts…" Liu Jinyuan whispered faintly.
As the son of a minister, he had studied diligently for ten years, born into privilege and raised with the expectation of service. His future seemed carved into stone.
Crowned as the top scorer in the imperial examination, his path had always been smooth and secure. He had never imagined straying from it.
But tonight, Liu Jinyuan faced a choice he had never considered:
He could continue along his destined path, becoming an official and serving the people, but in doing so, he would forever lose any hope of a life with Yueru.
Or—he could abandon that predetermined path, cast aside the safety of his official career, and fight for his cousin, becoming the husband she deserved.
"I will never marry again. Never in this life…"
Her tears filled his thoughts, and with them came a piercing ache in his heart. Slowly, his expression hardened with resolve.
…
Elsewhere, Alex sat in his room, just as unsettled. The day had veered far beyond his expectations.
His goal had been simple: to prevent Li Xiaoyao and Lin Yueru from clashing. If he could intercept him before the challenge, that would have been ideal.
But with so many eyes on the arena, Alex had only spotted Li Xiaoyao when he leapt onto the stage.
Even so, Alex still believed his choice had been right. He had stopped Li Xiaoyao, and if a fight had broken out, it would have been with him, not Yueru.
By all rights, the rules of the competition should have made it clear—only duels with the organizer counted. Lin Tiannan had been entirely unreasonable.
Alex told himself his actions were justified, his intentions good—yet somehow everything had spiraled into disaster.
Was he truly wrong? Could it be that actions taken in the name of helping others did not always bring happiness?
His thoughts drifted to parents who forced their children into endless lessons, classes, and "opportunities," insisting it was for their own good, while only burdening them with a heavy yoke from childhood.
But did it truly make those children happy?
"It seems… some things are better left to fate. People are not pieces on a board, and I cannot decide their destinies at will…" Alex whispered at last, sighing into the silence.
Knock, knock, knock.
Just as his mind settled into weary contemplation, a sudden knock came at the door.
At that moment, Liu Jinyuan's gentle voice came from outside:
"Master Alex, are you there?"
Alex was taken aback when he opened the door. Liu Jinyuan still carried his usual elegance, but his face was pale, his energy drained, and his spirit clearly shaken.
"Master Alex, I remember you once said you were willing to teach me martial arts. Does that still hold true?" He didn't bother with formalities this time, speaking directly and to the point.
"Of course it does," Alex replied, not at all surprised. In truth, he had half-expected this moment to come. His answer was firm.
With a heavy thud, Liu Jinyuan suddenly dropped to his knees. Without hesitation, he pressed his forehead to the ground in a solemn bow and declared:
"Disciple Liu Jinyuan pays his respects to Master!"
The gesture startled Alex.
His hand instinctively reached out to pull Liu Jinyuan up, but halfway there he stopped, hesitated, and let it fall back to his side.
Becoming a disciple was no small act. A teacher was held in the highest regard, second only to the heavens, one's parents, and one's ruler. Since Liu Jinyuan had made the decision and carried out the ritual, and Alex had already agreed to teach him, there was no reason to break the formality.
And yet, Alex couldn't shake the strange feeling—it was unusual to accept a disciple who was so close to him in age.
…
Elsewhere, Lin Tiannan sat alone with a cup of wine in his hand, sighing heavily. The events of the day weighed on him.
His purpose for holding the tournament had been simple: to find a strong match for his daughter, and perhaps also a worthy successor to carry the responsibilities of the Lin family stronghold.
To be fair, Alex hadn't directly challenged his daughter in the arena, and Lin Tiannan knew that forcing a marriage on such terms broke the rules of fair contest.
Yet martial power defined much of the world, and Lin Tiannan wasn't willing to let such an extraordinary young man slip away.
His instincts had proven right. Alex's strength surpassed his own. He cared nothing for the wealth of the Lin family or the prestige of becoming its heir. He wasn't swayed by beauty, by authority, or by riches.
Few could resist such temptations, yet Alex remained unmoved. Though Lin Tiannan was pleased by the proof of his own judgment, he also felt a sting of helplessness.
"If Alex's skills were just a little less, things might have been perfect," he muttered to himself. "If I could bind him to this place, in time I would surely convince him—by patience, by reason, or by force. What a pity… what a waste.
"Oh well. Some things cannot be forced."
With a long sigh, he set down the wine glass and walked slowly toward Alex's quarters.
When he reached the door, he noticed it stood ajar. Inside, to his shock, he saw Liu Jinyuan kneeling on the ground before Alex, bowing with all the solemnity of a sworn disciple.
"Jinyuan! What on earth are you doing?!" Lin Tiannan shouted, stunned at the sight.
A man on knees such a gesture was never made lightly.
"Uncle," Liu Jinyuan answered, his voice steady though his face was tight with emotion, "I wish to become Master Alex's student and learn his martial arts. I will train with all my strength. I swear, I will make myself worthy of my cousin!"