The sun dipped low over the Tang Dynasty's capital, casting golden hue across the village ornate rooftops. The disciples arrived under the guise of noble prince, thier identities concealed beneath layers of silk and carefully crafted back stories.
Prime minister Zhao, a man of sharp eyes and sharper wit, welcomed them with measured hospitality." Honoured guests," he intoned." The Royal examination commences at dawn. May your minds be sharp and your hearts fast."
Among the arriving groups, Jian Wei and Mei Ling, Bai Lu were assigned quarters in the eastern wing of the palace. The trio settled in. Mei Ling and Jian Wei strolled through the Tang capital. The street shimmered with golden paper lantern and perfumed air.
" I can't shake the feeling we're being watched!" Mei Ling whispered. Jian Wei glanced over his shoulder, hands resting on his sword. " We always are ."
As they rounded the street, a strange sound reached them, gasping, chocking,the sound of someone being strangled. They rushed towards it. A figure, cloaked in tattered robes, hovered over a young man,his face pale, lips blue. The attacker turned sharply,no eyes, only sand where face should be, before disappearing in a whisper of dust.
Jian Wei stepped forward. The body lay still." He's dead." Mei Ling crouched,her fingers touching the ground." Sand everywhere." Then came the voices.
" Halt!"
Palace guards rounded the corner, blade raised. Their captain stepped forward."The prince _!"
"We didn't _" Mei Ling started.
"Seize them!" Steel clashed as guards encircled the couple.
In the distance, bells rang, signalling a death within the palace walls. At the palace, chaos erupted. A royal prince,one of the competitors,was dead. Suspicion bloomed fast.
" They were lovers" someone murmured.
"And that prince was their rival"
"They killed him out of jealousy!"
Mei Ling and Jian Wei were dragged before the Prime Minister." You were found at the scene," he said,his voice sharp as ice." What do you have to say?"
" We tried to save him," Jian Wei said calmly." But whatever killed him wasn't human."
" There are no shadows in Tang," the Prime Minister hissed." Only lies."
Meanwhile, back in their quarters.
Bai Lu sat alone. Her gaze lingered on the doorway Mei Ling and Jian Wei had exited earlier. She clenched her fists. She hated how easily they moved together, how naturally Mei Ling spoke his name. Her breathe trembled. She didn't understand this tightness in her chest ,but she didn't like it.
From the corner of the room, the shadows stired.
" You still hide, little sister."
The voice echoed like wind behind her eyes. Bai Lu's reflection in the lantern-glass flickered. For a split second,her pupils were not human. Then...normal again. She gasped, backing away from the wall. But the voice returned,softer.
"They've come. Just like we knew they would."
__
In the demon realm.
Master Mo traced symbols into dust. Bai Qi's Shadow curled like smoke beside him. " They've arrived at the palace." She whispered. " But one of them has already fallen."
Master Mo smirked." Good. Let suspicion tear them apart before we do." He turned towards the dust. In it , Bai Lu's figure trembled." She's begining to remember."