Quinn gazed at the boy silently. "So you are saying that you are Prince Li Zhenyu, Emperor Li Shengtian's second son?" He asked him, almost quietly as if not surprised.
"Yes, that is what I said," Zhenyu replied. "So..." He paused, his lips curling into a faint grin. "You should bow and show some respect."
Quinn shot him a sharp gaze. "I, Quinn, I don't bow to mere humans. Unless..." He paused, his gaze stern and cold. "Unless you are a god."
The prince froze at Quinn's words, his grin stiffening. For the first time since he had spoken, uncertainty flickered in his eyes.
"You dare—" Zhenyu began, but Quinn cut him off with a cold chuckle.
"Dare?" Quinn leaned forward slightly, his dark gaze pressing down like a shadow. "I just saved your life. If not for me, your body would already be in pieces at the feet of those demons. Prince or not, titles mean nothing to me."
Zhenyu's throat bobbed as he swallowed. His arrogance faltered, though not entirely gone. He crossed his arms and looked away, feigning composure. "Still, I am of the Imperial Family. When my father learns of this, he will—"
"He will what?" Quinn asked quietly, his voice like ice. "Come here himself? March into the abyssal land just for his wayward son? Don't fool yourself, prince. Out here, your name won't shield you."
Zhenyu clenched his jaw, unable to meet Quinn's eyes. The silence stretched until finally, he muttered, "Then… what do you intend to do with me?"
Quinn straightened, his expression unreadable. "Nothing. I didn't save you for reward or loyalty. I saved you because I felt like it. That's all."
The words struck Zhenyu harder than he expected. He had grown up surrounded by people who bowed, schemed, and sought favor, never someone who dismissed him so easily.
For a brief moment, his arrogance gave way to curiosity. He studied Quinn's calm, unyielding face. 'Who is this boy… and why does he carry such power?'
But Quinn had already turned away, glancing back toward the cave where Zi was kneeling.
"You're free to leave or not, prince," Quinn said over his shoulder. "But if you think your title makes you above me… you'll quickly regret it."
The prince sighed. "Nevermind. You're the first to speak arrogantly to me but it doesn't matter, you saved my life so I won't hold it against you."
Quinn scoffed but didn't say a word.
Zhenyu smiled. Arrogant people... He kind of fancied them. "From the looks of it, you seem younger than me but only a little. What is someone like you doing in a place like this?" He asked, looking around. He knew quite well where they were but he could not understand why two young siblings would be here of all places. "If my memory serves me right, this is the abyssal land, a place not even the immortals and demons dare to thread. What are you doing here with your sister?"
"That is something I can not reply," Quinn replied flatly. "It is none of your business."
Zhenyu sighed. "I do not have the intention of making you talk but I do have a suggestion, something you'll like."
"What is that?" Quinn asked, tilting his head.
Zhenyu smirked faintly. "I want you to work for me, in return, I will give you and your sister a place to stay in the capital, you both won't have to worry about anything else."
Quinn's expression did not change, though a shadow flickered in his eyes. "Work for you?" His voice carried a chill.
"Yes," Zhenyu said smoothly, as though it were the most natural offer in the world. "With your strength, you could rise above the masses. I could make you a commander, perhaps even grant you a title under the Imperial Family. You and your sister would never have to linger in this cursed land again. Food, wealth, protection… all of it could be yours."
Zi, who had been listening quietly from behind, lifted her gaze at his words. For a moment, something unreadable flickered in her eyes, but she remained silent.
Quinn chuckled lowly, the sound carrying a weight that pressed against Zhenyu's chest. "So… you would have me bend my knee to you. A prince who couldn't even protect himself."
Zhenyu's smirk faltered, his pride pricked. "Careful with your words."
"No," Quinn cut in sharply, his eyes dark as an abyss. "You be careful with yours. You think titles can buy me? That I would abandon my freedom and tie myself to a golden chain just because you offer it? You mistake me, prince."
Zhenyu's jaw tightened. He wanted to argue, to assert his superiority, but when he met Quinn's gaze, his words died. That oppressive aura again—it was as if he stood before something far beyond mortal measure.
For a long silence, the two stared at one another, neither yielding.
Finally, Zhenyu exhaled, forcing a thin smile. "Very well but Quinn, don't think for just yourself. You are not alone so you can't make decisions that suits you, look at her..." He paused as they both glanced at Zi outside the cave. "Your sister is still too young to be exposed to the cruelty of this world. You should think for her before thinking for yourself. You may not want to be 'caged' as you call it but your sister deserves to live in a good place, not a place like here. And mind you, you can not always protect her."
Quinn's gaze darkened at Zhenyu's words. Slowly, he turned his head toward the prince, his expression cold enough to freeze the air.
"Careful," Quinn said, his voice low and steady. "Don't ever use my sister as a bargaining chip. Not even in words."
Zhenyu met his gaze and, for once, didn't smirk. He held his ground, even though his heartbeat quickened beneath that suffocating aura. "I'm not threatening you," he replied firmly. "I'm stating a truth you refuse to acknowledge. Strength or not, you are only one person. The world will not bend for you. One day, she will face the cruelty you try to shield her from. When that day comes, will you still insist on pride over security?"
Quinn didn't answer immediately. His jaw tightened, his hands curling slightly at his sides. He knew Zhenyu's words carried weight but it was precisely because of that weight that he hated hearing them.
"I don't expect you to give me an answer immediately, you can think about it but you have only this night to do so. I'll be heading back to the capital tomorrow," Zhenyu said.