The thought didn't leave him.
Not during training.
Not during class.
Not even for a moment.
The chief knows.
Li Xian stood still for a while, staring ahead.
Among everyone in the academy—
There was only one person who might tell the truth.
The academy chief.
A man known for discipline.
For fairness.
For peace.
Li Xian had watched him for years.
And one thing was certain—
He wasn't someone who would lie without reason.
"…Then I'll ask him directly," Li Xian murmured.
Later that day—
He found Zhao Han near the training grounds.
As always.
"Hey," Li Xian called out, walking toward him.
Zhao Han glanced at him.
"…What is it?"
Li Xian stopped in front of him.
For once—
No teasing.
"I'm going to meet the chief," he said.
Zhao Han's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Why?"
"To ask about the past."
Silence.
Li Xian's gaze sharpened.
"He knows something. I'm sure of it."
Zhao Han didn't reply.
Li Xian let out a small breath.
"I can't keep chasing shadows like this."
A pause.
"I need answers."
Zhao Han looked at him for a moment.
Quiet.
Unreadable.
Then—
"…Do what you want," he said calmly.
Simple.
Cold.
As always.
But inside—
Something shifted.
He does have the right to know…
The thought came uninvited.
Zhao Han's gaze lowered slightly.
More than anyone.
His hand tightened faintly at his side.
Because the past—
Was no longer something distant.
It was already moving.
And if Li Xian stepped into it—
There would be no turning back.
Li Xian studied him for a second.
"…You're not going to stop me?"
Zhao Han looked back at him.
Calm.
Steady.
"No."
A short answer.
But it carried weight.
Li Xian let out a quiet breath.
"…Then I'll go."
He turned and walked away.
Zhao Han didn't move.
But his eyes followed him.
This might change everything.
And for the first time—
Zhao Han didn't know…
If he should stop it.
Or let it happen.