Chapter 32 — Hidden Hearts
The dawn wind carried the scent of pine and rain as Ye Tianlan and Mei left Longxuan City behind.
The road stretched before them — winding through emerald hills, streams whispering beside it, and morning mist curling like ghosts around their steps.
For most travelers, it was a peaceful morning.
For them, it was the calm before another storm.
Mei walked a few steps ahead, humming a cheerful tune and balancing on a fallen log. "You know," she said, stretching her arms, "we should celebrate. I fooled a hundred guards, you stole secret orders, and we both escaped without dying. That deserves at least some cake."
Tianlan glanced at her, his voice calm as ever. "You talk too much for someone who almost got caught because she was laughing mid-disguise."
She turned and pointed dramatically at him. "That was strategy! My laughter threw them off."
He raised an eyebrow. "Your 'strategy' sounded like choking on air."
Mei puffed her cheeks, clearly offended. "Hmph. Just wait, next time you'll be the distraction."
"I prefer surviving."
"Cold-hearted ice statue," she muttered.
The Road North
As the day warmed, they reached a stretch of forest that thickened into towering trees. The sunlight filtered through the leaves in golden beams, and small spirit beasts darted between the roots.
Tianlan paused for a moment, sensing the flow of qi in the air. It was gentle but pure — the kind of energy that cultivators used to stabilize their cores.
He sat cross-legged beside a stream. "We rest here," he said.
Mei tilted her head. "You're going to cultivate again? Didn't you just level up to Spirit Realm Core Formation?"
He nodded. "A foundation isn't built in one night. The core must be tempered, refined — or it'll collapse when faced with real battle."
"Blah blah… boring cultivation talk," she said, plopping down beside him. "Fine, I'll keep watch."
But as he closed his eyes and his breathing steadied, Mei's expression softened.
For all her teasing, she knew what that calm face hid — the pain of loss, the weight of vengeance, and the fire that never went out.
She whispered quietly, "One day, you'll find peace too, you stubborn fool."
Then she leaned back on a rock and began to whistle softly.
The Interruption
Hours passed.
Just when the forest had grown quiet, Mei's ears twitched — the faint rustle of footsteps, too careful to be animals.
She turned, her pupils narrowing. "Tianlan," she said under her breath, "we've got company."
He didn't open his eyes. "How many?"
"Five," she replied, standing up slowly. "Weak spiritual presence, probably bounty hunters."
He opened his eyes then, calm and sharp. "Let them come."
Moments later, the bushes parted.
Five men in leather armor stepped out, their blades glinting. The leader, a scarred cultivator with a silver talisman around his neck, smirked.
"Lucky day," he said. "Two travelers, one masked man. Guess the rumors were right."
Mei groaned. "Ugh, bounty hunters. Can't they just chase bandits for once?"
Ye Tianlan stood, his hand resting lightly on his sword hilt. "You should walk away."
The man sneered. "For a hundred gold and a promotion? Not a chance."
Mei's tone turned singsong. "You should listen to him. He doesn't repeat warnings."
The bounty hunter laughed — right before Ye Tianlan vanished.
A single breath later, a cold wind swept through the trees.
By the time the men realized he had moved, three of them were already unconscious, their weapons scattered. The leader stumbled back, eyes wide as he barely deflected a strike that came from nowhere.
"Wha—what are you—?!"
Tianlan appeared behind him, blade resting on his shoulder.
"A shadow you should have feared."
The man froze, sweat dripping down his face.
"P-please— I was just following orders—!"
"Then follow this one," Tianlan said, lowering his sword. "Leave. Forget you ever saw me."
The man dropped his weapon and ran, dragging the others with him.
Aftermath
When the forest fell silent again, Mei grinned. "You really know how to make an impression."
"I don't want one," Tianlan replied, wiping his blade clean. "The less they remember, the longer we stay invisible."
She tilted her head. "You're not as invisible as you think. You know that, right?"
He looked at her. "Meaning?"
Mei's tone softened. "Every time you fight, every time you protect someone… even if you hide your name, your heart still shines through. People notice light, Tianlan — even when it hides in darkness."
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then, faintly "You sound wiser when you're not talking nonsense."
She grinned. "And you sound less scary when you're pretending not to feel."
He glanced away, but a quiet smile tugged at his lips. "Let's move."
The Northern Path
They continued north as the sun began to set.
Ahead lay the great mountain range dividing the Azure Dragon Realm and the Vermilion Flame Realm — a place of ancient war and forbidden ruins. Rumors spoke of flame-forging sects and fallen immortals whose treasures still burned beneath the ash.
Mei looked up at the red sky. "So… more ruins, more danger, more running?"
"More answers," Tianlan said quietly. "And perhaps, more enemies."
She groaned. "Wonderful. I love being chased."
He gave her a dry look. "You could leave."
She smirked. "And miss your brooding face every morning? Never."
He sighed. "I truly am cursed."
They both laughed softly as the evening wind picked up — two silhouettes walking side by side toward the burning horizon.