Bright Sword: Conquer the monk at the beginning and take down Zhou Weiguo

"Thank you, Yuzhu." Guo Qilin whispered, with a hint of sincere gratitude in his voice.

He Yuzhu smiled lightly, his eyes gentle: "It's good enough that you can understand what I say. Remember, you are the most important."

At that moment, Guo Qilin felt a warmth he had never felt before. He knew he wasn't alone on his journey, and no matter how many difficulties and challenges lay ahead, he had the strength to face them. He was not just the heir of Deyun Club, but a person with emotions and dreams. All the confusion and bewilderment of the past finally cleared up at that moment, and he began to believe that only by letting go of excessive burdens could he truly find his own direction.

As the night deepened, Guo Qilin stood in the courtyard, gazing at the starry sky. A sudden realization struck him. He no longer needed to bear all the pain for the sake of so-called responsibility. Instead, he needed to learn how to strike a balance between responsibility and self-worth. Only by letting go of his obsession with perfection could he live a better life.

At this moment, he finally understood that the applause and laughter were only fleeting brilliance, and what he needed was the peace and strength that came from within.

Guo Qilin stood at the stone table in the courtyard, the night breeze brushing against his face, bringing a touch of coolness. Gazing at the inky black sky in the distance, the unresolved confusions in his heart gradually welled up. He realized that his confusion wasn't simply about the future; a deeper fear stemmed from a fear of failure, a fear of paths he had never taken. He understood that this fear had always lurked deep within him, controlling his choices and swaying his decisions.

He suddenly turned and looked at He Yuzhu standing beside him, a hint of unease rising in his heart. He trusted He Yuzhu, but that trust sometimes brought an invisible pressure. Perhaps, on some level, he was reluctant to reveal his true self to her, especially in this relationship, where he was always bound by an invisible sense of responsibility. Every conversation with her was a game of the heart.

"You look a little off today." He Yuzhu seemed to sense his mood and spoke softly. She took a few steps closer, a look of gentle concern in her eyes.

"I'm fine, just a little tired." Guo Qilin shook his head gently, trying to hide his complex emotions. He didn't want her to worry too much, especially in front of her. He always tried to remain strong and calm. After all, he didn't want her to see his weak side.

"You're always like this, never wanting to make anyone worry about anything." He Yuzhu sighed softly, a hint of helplessness in his tone. "You sometimes make people feel like you don't need anyone and can only rely on yourself."

Guo Qilin fell silent, a complex wave of emotions welling up within him. He knew that his concealment of information from He Yuzhu wasn't entirely driven by self-respect or a desire for independence, but rather by his deep fear that she would witness his inner struggle and anxiety. Yet, perhaps it was precisely this very concealment that created a constant sense of distance between them, a feeling of inability to fully connect.

"Maybe," he said softly, his eyes wandering. "Sometimes I don't even know what I'm running away from."

He Yuzhu didn't say anything, just stared at him quietly. She knew Guo Qilin wasn't a simple person. He appeared calm and composed, but in reality, his inner conflict and pain were his true self. Countless times in the dead of night, He Yuzhu had imagined the struggles within him, wondering if one day he would truly open up and tell her the things he didn't want to face.

"If you're willing, tell me." He Yuzhu's voice was gentle but firm, and her eyes revealed a firm trust. "You don't have to bear all the pressure alone. At least here with me, you can relax."

Guo Qilin raised his head and gazed into He Yuzhu's eyes, a wave of unspeakable emotion welling up in his heart. Her eyes held no reproach or expectation, only pure concern and understanding. He suddenly felt as if he could let go of the burdens in his heart and reveal his true self to her.

"Actually, I don't exactly know what I'm afraid of," Guo Qilin whispered, a hint of vulnerability in his tone. "I just know that every time I stand on stage, I'm afraid I'll lose control, afraid I won't do well, and afraid the audience will be disappointed."

He Yuzhu listened quietly, her eyes softening. She didn't interrupt him, but let him continue. Guo Qilin's voice gradually deepened, his emotions becoming more complex. He began to recall his years at Deyun Club, his journey from a young, immature person to the stage he is today, bearing increasing expectations and responsibilities.

"I know my identity prevents me from giving up easily." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "But every time I face this pressure, I feel like I'm trapped in an invisible cage, unable to escape."

He Yuzhu couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. She knew Guo Qilin was under far more pressure than she had imagined. Behind every laugh, he might be suffering unspeakably. Perhaps he chose to endure it silently just to avoid worrying her.

"You don't have to bear all the burdens." He Yuzhu finally spoke, his voice firm. "You can rely on me, on everyone. You are not alone, ever."

Hearing these words, Guo Qilin felt a surge of warmth and emotion. He finally understood that he didn't need to shoulder everything alone, nor did he need to let all the responsibilities weigh him down. Perhaps he really should learn to rely on those around him and let go of those burdens he found unbearable.

"Thank you." Guo Qilin's voice was a little hoarse. He turned around and looked deeply into He Yuzhu's eyes. "Maybe I should really let go of those heavy responsibilities and stop demanding perfection in everything."

He Yuzhu smiled slightly, with a soft glint in his eyes: "What is perfection? Perfection is just an unattainable illusion. True strength comes from accepting one's own imperfections."

These words were like a key, unlocking Guo Qilin's heart. He finally understood that he didn't have to exhaust himself in the pursuit of perfection. Accepting one's own shortcomings is the true strength.

"I understand," Guo Qilin whispered, a determined glint in his eyes. "From today on, I will learn to let go."

He looked at He Yuzhu, and the long-lost sense of relief gradually returned to him. He knew that the road ahead would still be full of challenges, but at least he was no longer alone.

Guo Qilin and He Yuzhu stood under the night sky, as if all sounds had faded away, leaving only the delicate breaths between them. At that moment, Guo Qilin felt a sense of tranquility he had never experienced before. Both the wind and the silent night sky seemed to merge with the confusion in his heart, becoming softer and less suffocating.

"You will do better." He Yuzhu's voice broke the silence again, warm and firm.

"I know." Guo Qilin nodded gently, but a heavy burden still hung heavy in his heart. Although he knew he could rely on those around him, the loneliness he once felt still lingered like a shadow.

He Yuzhu looked at him, saying nothing more. Instead, she gently held his hand. She knew Guo Qilin didn't easily express his vulnerability, even to herself. His tenacity and inner complexity seemed like two opposing sides, intertwined and difficult to distinguish.

At that moment, she clearly sensed that Guo Qilin's inner strength wasn't as strong as his outward appearance suggested. The deep-seated pain and unresolved emotions kept him from feeling comfortable with himself. He was under too much pressure, his unspoken dreams and fears piling up, eventually becoming an unbearable burden.

Her fingers warmed slightly in his palm, as if trying to impart some warmth and strength. Guo Qilin felt the warmth spread from his palm to his limbs, as if it had ignited a fire in his gradually cooling heart.

"You don't have to be like this forever." He Yuzhu whispered, "You don't have to bear everything alone all the time. Be yourself, be your truest self, and don't let those disguises become a burden."

Guo Qilin's heart was touched, and he instinctively lowered his head, his vision blurring. He had grown accustomed to independence, to hiding all his pain and pressure within his own world. However, he knew he was not alone. He Yuzhu's presence offered him a unique warmth and support.

"Sometimes, I'm really scared," Guo Qilin said suddenly, his voice low and heavy. "I'm afraid I can't do it, afraid I'll fail. I'm afraid of showing my weakness in front of everyone."

He raised his head and stared into He Yuzhu's eyes, which were as clear as water without a trace of hypocrisy. She looked at him with eyes full of understanding and tolerance.

"I understand," she responded gently. "Everyone gets scared sometimes. Even the strongest people have moments of weakness. That doesn't mean you're incapable, and it doesn't mean you've failed."

Her voice was like a warm current, slowly flowing into Guo Qilin's heart. He closed his eyes, as if he had found a trace of comfort in her words.

"I really don't know if I can handle this responsibility," Guo Qilin muttered, his eyes filled with unspeakable pain and confusion. "On the one hand, I know I carry a lot of expectations, but on the other, I'm afraid of losing myself, losing that original purity and passion."

He Yuzhu didn't rush to answer. Instead, she stood silently beside him, gently holding his hand. She knew Guo Qilin was at a crossroads, the road ahead filled with uncertainty. He wasn't sure if he could continue to move forward under such pressure, if he could remain true to his original aspirations.