[I mean, of course, he'd be sorry, he literally almost killed Han Min! We can agree that Han Shun is not like God Han Ye and the rest, right? At least he knows how to sympathize and feel remorse.]

[Pupa: Hmm…]

Pupa scanned Han Shun from head to toe. Pupa would have to admit that Han Shun was either genuinely feeling remorseful, or he was a great actor.

[Pupa: I can't determine whether he is genuine or not. But let's give him the benefit of the doubt and believe him for now.]

[Yeah, I thought the same too. Let's just trust him for now.]

[Besides, honest, Han Shun is just so cute that I can't help but hug him close and baby him!]

"Well, if you regret hurting Han Min, all is forgiven. At least on my part, don't ever hurt a normal human, alright? You're not a mortal anymore after you obtained your golden core."

"Bai Gege, you promise not to be mad at me?" Han Shun asked. He hesitated because he felt that Bai Gege's apology was too quick.

"Han Shun, I can't be mad at you for a long time. Just promise me that you won't be a bad… uh… bad guy, okay?"

"Yes, Bai Gege!" Han Shun jumped and hugged Bai Shijue tightly. Bai Shijue caressed Han Shun's head in exchange. 

'See? Didn't I tell you that Bai Shijue won't see through your lies?' The mysterious man said in Han Shun's head. 'He will pardon you and even embrace you as long as you act nice. We both know that you can't feel remorse with anything unless it's related to Bai Gege, right?'

'You're what in another world called as… a sociopath, HAHAHAHAH!' 

'SHUT UP! As long as Bai Gege doesn't know about it, everything will be alright!' Han Shun retorted again. He got annoyed because this mysterious man in a black-golden robe kept on taunting him in his head. 

'Okay, okay, just make sure that you won't blow up your cover, HAHAHA!'

**

After apologizing to Bai Gege, Han Shun said, "I will apologize to Han Min, Bai Gege. But I want to apologize alone. I feel too ashamed if I'm being watched by you."

"Okay, I trust you. Don't hurt him."

Han Shun entered Han Min's room alone. He saw the teenage boy lying on the bed, still recovering from the wound even after Bai Gege used his forbidden technique.

Han Shun gritted his teeth. He was so angry that Han Min still acted as if he was in pain.

Han Shun closed his eyes for a split second after sensing that Bai Gege wasn't around to eavesdrop, then he dropped the pretense immediately. 

Han Shun sat beside Han Min, "Wake up, you little shit."

Han Min opened his eyes once he heard that vicious line. His face paled once more when he saw Young Master Han Shun sitting beside him. 

Han Shun's eyes were unforgiving as if he was holding a lot of anger. 

"Y—Young Master, I—"

"Drop the pretense. I know you're just as vicious as I am," Han Shun said, much to Han Min's confusion. He didn't understand why Young Master would accuse him of such a thing. 

"Y—Young Master, I don't know what you're talking about…."

Han Shun clenched his fist and warned for the last time, "Bai Gege used an advanced technique to heal you, so don't bother him anymore. Just do your job in here, and…." 

Han Shun leaned in and whispered, 'Don't even think about snatching him from me. If I saw you trying to act cute in front of him again, I will make sure you'll disappear from this world.'

Han Min gulped. He was so scared that he almost pissed himself. 

"Understand?" 

"Y—Yes, Young Master, I understand…." Han Min said. Despite not understanding why Young Master could be this vicious, his life was still the most important. He wanted to live and serve Master Bai in this residence.

"Good, don't ever tell Bai Gege about this, or you will suffer consequences."

Han Min nodded in response, much to Han Shun's satisfaction.

**

Bai Shijue checked the talisman he had just created in his room when Han Shun slid the door open.

"Bai Gege…"

Bai Shijue smiled at him, "How was it? Did you apologize?"

"Yes, Bai Gege. I apologized to him, and he pardoned me too…." Han Shun reported. "All is well, Bai Gege…."

"Good, now come here and help me sort out the talisman. We need it before we go to the Forest of Lost Mist," Bai Shijue said. 

Han Shun frowned. He approached Bai Gege and sat beside him. 

He saw Bai Gege had already prepared a lot of talismans, much to his wonder, "Gege, why are there so many?"

"Well, they're all talismans to lessen the pain. I will experience heaven's light as a punishment in the Forest of Lost Mist. These talismans would protect me. It would lessen the pain of heaven's tribulation," Bai Shijue said.

Han Shun's breath stiffened as he heard the explanation from Bai Gege. 

"Is this… the cost of using a forbidden technique in the mortal world?"

"Yes," Bai Shijue glanced at Han Shun, who seemed devastated. "Hey, don't be too harsh on yourself. We all make mistakes, and you happened to be under my tutelage. So I will take the responsibility."

"I'm sorry, Bai Gege…."

"It's fine, as long as you feel remorse about it," Bai Shijue said. 

Han Shun did feel sad right now, but that wasn't because he almost killed Han Min. 

He felt sad because he had to watch Bai Gege in pain.

Sensing the pain in Han Shun's face, Bai Shijue took a talisman out of the bunch and threw it in the air. The talisman exploded, summoning hundreds of cherry blossom petals in the room.

"Bai Gege, what's this?" Han Shun looked up, amazed by the beauty of those petals dancing in the air.

"It's just a small surprise I prepared for you. I wanted to show it to celebrate your return. But I guess it's not as cool anymore when we're already in this situation," Bai Shijue replied. "Han Shun, I'm sorry I can't give you a better welcoming— WHA!"

Han Shun suddenly hugged Bai Gege again. He threw his weight on Bai Gege, and they fell to the wooden floor. Han Shun stood on top of Bai Gege and smiled, "Bai Gege is so romantic, Han Shun is happy…."