P.S. The first part of the work takes place in the past. The second part is present. Mind that.
The white-haired young man quickly noticed the censor who finally arrived at the Midnight Rangers base. He was much taller than Geshu Lin and his position also held more authority over the poor general who was assigned to his position by the capital. Despite his blindness, beneath those white lifeless eyes there was immense wisdom and power that made everyone instantly go at awe once he arrived. And unfortunately, Geshu Lin wasn't an exception as he's been watching over Qiuyuan for a long time, taking every chance for even a short discussion on military matters or small talk about the weather despite all. And today he once again saw the man who arrived at the base and yet stayed outside, checking on the soldiers who were also pleased to see such an intimidating, yet caring figure at Jinzhou. Finally, Geshu Lin actually made his move and moved downstairs, a spark appearing in his eyes as he walked towards Qiuyuan.
— Xiansheng Qiuyuan, I've gathered more intel on the situation with the Tacet Discord on both Norfall Barrens and Desorock Highland. Would you like to hear it? I've also brought your favorite tea. — spoke the young man rather enthusiastically, standing straight in front of the censor.
— Of course. Please, meet me at your office after you're done with the preparations. — the man replied.
Qiuyuan quickly wandered away, not even saying another word as he seemed to be deep in thought and not even minding the fact that such a minor figure even tried to find his favorite tea or arranged a one on one meeting with him. To him it didn't seem like any kind of special treatment but mere politeness for he never really thought about the fact that people could actually treat him differently or even have feelings for him. At least not the generals or else.
— ..If you don't kill me, sooner or later I'll wipe all of you out. You hounds of those corrupt officials and those damned Tacet Discord you vowed to execute..! — spoke Geshu Lin, nearly barking like a mad dog.
Qiuyuan didn't flinch a bit, his hand still resting on the hilt of his sword as he listened to the man in front of him. And yet, despite all these harsh words, there was something terribly familiar in him. Those faint frequencies that were yet to decay and still stayed around, the ones he felt in Geshu Lin just when he met him for the first time. To the world the former general of the Midnight Rangers may have changed, but to him he was still the same.. Even if it was hidden deep inside him.
— ... You've grown much more than I expected. And yet you still keep the same scent when I first met you. Whether it's only in your head or your heart, I'll be taking them both. — answered the censor, merely taking a step forward.
He didn't need such brute strength or show of power to actually overtake the general in front of him as he blocked several incoming slashes with ease, perfectly feeling where each frequency was about to appear and moving a bit just in time to dodge another hit before he moved backwards and heard Geshu Lin almost roaring like some wild beast. Indeed, the same passion for battle stayed inside him and yet directed not in the right way, not the way it could help people and actually save tens of soldiers instead of merely forcing them to meet their own death as they protected their homeland.
Yet another incoming blow and Qiuyuan seemed to move like the wind itself, suddenly unsheating his sword and making just a few moves before he heard a wet noise and finally sensed the familiar scent of iron, his sword slashed around Geshu Lin's still beating heard almost perfectly before he pressed it against his neck. His free hand grabbed the general's head and threw it back, pressing him against his shoulder and not letting him move before he landed the final slash, beheading Geshu Lin completely and managing to not hit the hair.
The rest of the limp body dropped to the ground nearly instantly. Qiuyuan grabbed the head by the hair, lifting it up and inhaling the iron scent of the blood dripping on the ground. Sheathing his sword, he finally used his other hand to lift up the bangs from Geshu Lin's forehead and planted a gentle kiss on top of the skin that was quickly turning cold before carefully arranging them back and closing the man's eyes. He felt the same frequency he encountered when they met for the first time and had the same warmth spreading all across his body. Although it may have been a fainting reverberation of the corpse, it was the very last time Qiuyuan actually felt love from someone managed to reciprocate it before he left the body to rot and dragged Geshu Lin's sword and head back to the capital of Huanglong, Mingting.
