Layla's eyes burned with jealousy as she stared at Lin Yue. Her fists clenched at her sides, voice sharp and filled with resentment.
"All of this is happening because of him," she snapped. "Because of Lin Yue."
She turned toward Feng Lihan, her tone turning urgent, almost desperate.
"Leave him, Feng Lihan. Just leave him for a few days. In a short time, you'll become the chief anyway. You are a Four-Star Wind Warrior—someone destined for greatness."
Her gaze flicked back to Lin Yue, filled with disdain.
"But who knows where he even comes from? Who knows which clan he belongs to? He just came and settled here like he owns the place. We don't know his background, his roots—nothing."
Layla's voice trembled with anger as she said again,
"All of this chaos… it's happening because of him, Lin Yue."
Each word felt like a blade.
Lin Yue stood silently, his chest tightening. Guilt seeped into his bones, heavy and suffocating. His fingers curled slowly, nails digging into his palm.
So even here…
Even in this world… I have to hear the same things again.
His thoughts echoed bitterly.
Wasn't it enough in my previous world?
Is it my fate to always be the burden… the reason everything goes wrong?
He lowered his eyes, swallowing the ache rising in his throat, as Layla's words continued to hang in the air like a curse—unspoken, yet impossible to escape
Feng Lihan's expression darkened the moment Layla finished speaking.
The air around them shifted, the wind that usually answered his call stirring uneasily at his feet. He took one step forward—slow, deliberate—but the pressure of his presence alone was enough to make Layla's voice falter.
"That's enough, Layla."
His voice was calm, but there was steel beneath it. No anger, no raised tone—only command.
Layla stiffened. "Feng Lihan, I'm only saying this for you—for the clan. You are about to become chief. People are watching you. This outsider—"
"Stop." He cut her off instantly.
Feng Lihan turned fully toward her now, his gaze sharp and unyielding. "Do not speak of Lin Yue like that again."
The wind rose suddenly, brushing against their clothes, whispering like a warning. Layla's eyes widened, but she forced herself to stand firm.
"He doesn't belong here," she insisted, though her voice had lost its earlier confidence. "We don't know where he came from. Everything started going wrong after he appeared—"
"That is not truth," Feng Lihan said flatly. "That is fear dressed as concern."
He glanced sideways at Lin Yue—only for a moment—but the look held something unmistakable: reassurance.
Then he faced Layla again.
"You say I am a Four-Star Wind Warrior," he continued. "You say I will become chief. Then listen carefully—because these are my words."
His tone lowered, carrying weight, authority forged through battles and blood.
"A chief does not abandon someone because others feel threatened. A chief does not blame the weak when chaos comes. And a chief does not allow jealousy to speak in the name of the clan."
Layla's fists trembled. "You're choosing him over us?"
Feng Lihan shook his head slowly. "No. I am choosing what is right."
He stepped closer, close enough that Layla had to look up at him.
"Lin Yue has harmed no one. He has followed our laws, respected our customs, and endured suspicion without complaint. If there is unrest, I will deal with it. If there is danger, I will face it."
His voice sharpened.
"But if anyone thinks they can pressure me by attacking the person beside me—then they misunderstand who I am."
The wind surged again, stronger now, spiraling briefly before settling. Layla took an unsteady step back.
Feng Lihan straightened and spoke the final words with absolute clarity.
"Lin Yue stays."
Silence fell.
Lin Yue stood frozen, heart pounding. He hadn't spoken a word, yet for the first time since arriving in this world, he felt something unfamiliar wrap around his chest—protection.
Feng Lihan turned slightly toward him, lowering his voice.
"You don't need to carry blame that isn't yours," he said quietly. "As long as I stand here, no one gets to decide your worth."
Lin Yue's eyes stung. He lowered his head, struggling to steady his breath.
And behind them, Layla realized something she hadn't expected—
This was not a temporary choice.