Ashes Of The Phoenix: The Crimson Pact

The Nine Gates Sect had never seen such color.

By mid-morning, the entire sect was transformed. Crimson lanterns floated in the air like fire spirits, golden paper talismans fluttered from the trees, and long silk banners waved in the wind with Li Feng's name written in calligraphy.

The disciples whispered excitedly.

"Is it really true? The Young Master agreed to a banquet?"

"He's never allowed one before. Not even for his ascension."

"I heard the Elder insisted. Something about keeping up appearances."

Shen Yun stood at the edge of the courtyard, blinking at the chaos. He had never seen the Nine Gates Sect this... alive.

The kitchens bustled, disciples rushed past with trays of dumplings and fruit wine, and a musician plucked at a guqin under the pavilion, tuning it carefully.

He turned just as someone threw a dark blue robe into his arms.

"Put that on," Wei Lan said, walking past.

Shen Yun stared. "What?"

"You can't go looking like a mourning crow. This is a celebration. Wear something that doesn't scream 'I ran through a forest for two days.'"

Shen Yun looked down at himself. His clothes weren't that bad. A little worn, maybe. Maybe a little forest-colored.

Still, he ducked behind a screen and changed.

The robe was soft, clearly expensive. A deep, dusk-blue with silver embroidery along the edges. A phoenix stitched into the hem — coincidence or not, he wasn't sure.

He struggled with the sash for several minutes before Wei Lan sighed and walked over to fix it.

"You're hopeless."

"You're bossy."

"You're welcome."

Later, Shen Yun tried to help the kitchen staff, only to spill an entire jar of five-spice powder onto the stove.

"Ah—!"

A small explosion of scent puffed into the air.

Shen Yun sneezed three times in a row, flailing with a cloth to clean it.

The older disciples laughed.

"At least the food will have personality now," someone joked.

One of the head cooks handed Shen Yun a dumpling as a peace offering. He bit into it and burned his tongue, but the warmth settled in his chest.

It was nice. Familiar.

Like home, a little.

By sunset, the banquet was ready. The other sect leaders had also come to join the banquet of the Nine Gates Sect and to wish Li Feng on his birthday. But between them..there was a certain someone too. The leader of Shadow serpent sect Xie Wuchen. He was sitting among them too. And no one saw their sect as harmful so it was normal for him to attend it too. After all he was invited.

Tables were arranged in a crescent around the main pavilion. Incense burned gently in tall porcelain stands, and fire petals floated in the decorative pond, glowing faintly with spiritual energy.

Everyone waited.

Then, Li Feng entered.

He wore deep crimson robes embroidered with golden flames. His hair was tied high with a dark metal clasp shaped like a dragon's claw. He walked like someone born of storms, calm and commanding.

The courtyard fell into complete silence.

Even the wind seemed to pause.

Shen Yun, sitting near the middle, blinked.

...He's kind of pretty.

Then he looked away quickly, cheeks warming.

Li Feng took his seat at the head of the table. A servant poured him wine. The elders raised their cups.

"To the Iron Flame of Nine Gates," the head elder said. "May your fire never fade."

Li Feng raised his cup in reply but said nothing.

The music started — soft strings and wind flutes. Dancers stepped into the center of the courtyard, dressed in flowing red and gold, moving like fire.

Food arrived — platters of glazed duck, steamed lotus buns, sweet rice wine, fruits carved into flowers.

Shen Yun didn't know what to do with half the things on his plate. He picked up a delicate dumpling with two fingers and stared at it like it might explode.

But in the end the food looked too good to resist. So he started eating along with everyone.

Li Feng picked up a sweet tasting the delicacy of it. He blinked once as if the sweet has satisfied his taste.

He looked around seeing the sect so lively. And for the first time in a while he also felt something close...something which wasn't regular for him.. warmth. He felt warmth in his heart..He was happy.

Then, suddenly a voice came..

Shēngrì kuàilè {Happy Birthday} to the young sect leader Li Feng. I hope your fire always remain like this.

The voice belong to Xie Wuchen. He was raising his cup. Toasting,wishing Li Feng a happy birthday.

Li Feng raised his cup too. Then the leaders from other sect one by one raised their cups wishing him birthday.

Xie Wuchen sat back on his seat. His eyes wandered in hall as if they were searching something...or someone?

Then his eyes landed on Shen Yun..And somehow the flicker of the mark on his wrist was noticed by Xie Wuchen.

So..it's him ? He smirked subtly sipping his wine which went unnoticed by everyone.

The whole hall was bustling with chatters.

Li Feng was having delicacies. A group of beautiful girls were performing in the hall. But Li feng eyes didn't watched them..they were busy watching Shen Yun. His every move. But why was in the middle of the whole crowd his eyes are watching him? Why they always look for him?

He didn't knew or perhaps didn't wanted to acknowledge it..

Meanwhile , Shen Yun who was busy drinking wine didn't notice anything else ..it was a strong wine. Even li feng who had such a good alcohol tolerance was feeling light headed. But Shen Yun? He drank it as if the wine was water. Why wasn't he feeling drunk? Perhaps it was because this wasn't enough to make him drunk. After all he was the holder of phoenix mark on his wrist. The fire was building within inside him. So it wasn't enough. Shen Yun chuckled a bit looking around seeing drunk sect leaders.

Drunk Wei Lan. Most of all drunk Li Feng.

He stood up from his seat going to Li Feng. He bent down to Li Feng level whose head was now resting on the table in front. It was the first ever time Shen Yun has seen Li Feng like this..defenseless. Everytime else? He's always guarded. Shen Yun smiled to himself. Then he helped Li feng stand up.

"Li feng let me take you to your room. You need rest" Shen Yun spoke.

Li feng couldn't do anything except he gave him a lousy nod.

Li feng stumbled on the way but Shen Yun supported his figure. Shen Yun was now strong enough to at least support a person figure.

They entered the room. It was the first time Shen Yun was seeing li feng room. It was massive. Silk bedsheets on bed. Expensive incense sticks burning. The room filled with the elegant smell.

Shen Yun helped Li feng getting on bed. He knelt beside the bed sitting on floor. He looked at li feng face. It was.... beautiful. His hand automatically went to Li feng cheek brushing it gently and softly.

"You're too good to be true.." Shen Yun mumbled.

Shen Yun just sat and stared at Li Feng. And for the first time it hit him...has he actually fallen for the sect leader!? No..no it was just because li feng had help him..it was because he..he protected him right? Nothing else it was just gratitude..right? But why his heart was bearing fast right now? He didn't had answers for it..but he just knew now he wants..to be with li feng...always..

He sat there for a long time before he spoke again..

"Li feng..I will make you fall for me too because you're mine" he spoke holding li feng cheek who was already on bed sleeping.

This is the first time Shen Yun has ever shown a sign of possessiveness. Why he felt this was? It was unknown to him too. It was a new feeling.

Shen Yun slowly got even closer to Li feng their face almost touching. Just then it happened Shen Yun pressed his lips on Li Feng..it was just for a moment before he pulled away quickly realising what he had just done. He stood up and left Li feng room hurriedly.

Meanwhile, Li feng who was still asleep was unknown to all this..

What will happen next? Will Shen Yun will truly make li feng fall for him? Or will he still just be betrayed in the end? Well let's see that in the next chapter..till then take care!