The snowfall had stopped, but the ground was still blanketed in snow. It hadn't melted—a warning that worse might be on the way.
The next day.
"I need to send a letter to Master Gu to inform him that we're both together, Childe Zhong," Wen Lu said.
Jinxiao sat beside his bed, lost in thought.
"It's only been a day, yet it feels like we haven't done anything," he muttered, gazing out the window. "Look at him… how can he smile like that?"
Outside, Guanlin was playing kites with the two children, Ā-Chen and Ā-Ning.
"Ā-Chen, you don't need to grip the kite so tightly. You have to let it fly freely," Guanlin instructed, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Gēge Lin, look! Mine's higher!" Ning shouted, laughing.
"That's nice, just don't let it fly too far, okay?" Guanlin replied, casting a glance at Yuanli in the distance and giving her a faint smile.
"Childe Zhong," Wen Lu said, turning back to him, "I remember Bro Lin saying he doesn't know how to use a sword. Should I teach him some basics?"
Jinxiao sighed and glanced out at Guanlin again. "I don't know. Do what you want," he replied, laying back down on his bed.
Wen Lu grinned and dashed outside.
"Bro Lin!" he shouted, running over.
"Do you want to learn how to use a sword?" Wen Lu asked.
Guanlin paused, searching for the right words. "For what?" he asked.
"In case danger comes for you in the future," Wen Lu replied.
Guanlin looked down at the sword hanging by his side, thinking.
"I think I'm fine just carrying it with me," he said with a smile.
"Eh? Are you sure?" Wen Lu asked, frowning.
Guanlin nodded.
"Okay, okay. I'll go try to find someone who can send messages," Wen Lu said as he walked off.
"Where are you going?" Yuanli asked, suddenly appearing behind him.
"Probably to town. I need someone who sends messages," Wen Lu replied.
"The snowfall may have stopped, but that doesn't mean the town is open now. It's hard to travel in a cold weather like this," Yuanli warned.
Then she turned around and placed her fingers in her mouth. Guanlin and Wen Lu looked at each other, confused.
"What is she doing?" Guanlin murmured.
Wen Lu shrugged.
She whistled. A moment later, a bird flew down and landed gracefully on her fingers.
"This is a messenger bird," she said. "We use them to send messages to other people. They are only located here, so when people receive the message, they know it's from Silent Hill."
"Really?" Wen Lu asked, eyes widening.
"Just attach your letter to its claws. It'll know who and where to deliver the message to," Yuanli replied.
"Perfect!" Wen Lu exclaimed, gently taking the bird from her arm and hurrying inside to Jinxiao's room.
"Childe Zhong, look! A messenger bird! It'll send our message to Young Leader Zhao!" Wen Lu beamed.
"Good. Now they won't have to worry," Jinxiao said, sounding indifferent.
"Childe Zhong, cheer up. We've got this." Wen Lu smiled, sitting down and grabbing paper and a brush.
Outside, Guanlin approached Yuanli again.
"Song Yuanli," he called. "Do you have any more of those birds?"
"Yes. There are many," Yuanli said. She whistled again, and another bird landed on her hand.
"Sending a message to your parents?" she asked.
Guanlin nodded.
"Go ahead. I'll take the kids inside to rest," she said, handing him the bird.
Guanlin rushed to his room and quickly scribbled a message:
"Niáng, I'm okay here. I hope you are too. Please stop worrying about me. I know Uncle Li is taking good care of you and Xinyu. I'll be back soon. I already have the first cure and I'm on my way to the next one. Please bear it for me."
He rolled up the letter and tied it with thread.
Outside, he ran into Wen Lu again.
"Wrote a letter too?" Wen Lu asked, smiling.
"Yeah. I don't want my mother to worry," Guanlin replied.
"Okay! Let's send them together," Wen Lu said.
"San—"
"Èr—"
"Yī!"
Together, they released their birds into the air. Guanlin watched in awe. "That was so cool."
"By the way, how's Jinxiao?" he asked.
"He's fine. Just resting. The room's hot—he's lying in bed," Wen Lu replied.
Guanlin walked to Jinxiao's room and gently opened the door, closing it behind him.
"How are you feeling?" Guanlin asked quietly.
"Hot," Jinxiao said, eyes fixed on the ceiling.
"Well, better than the feeling of suffering," Guanlin replied, sitting by the charcoal heater and fanning it.
"Stop. It's already too hot in here," Jinxiao said.
"Oh, sorry." Guanlin shook, immediately dropping the fan.
"What do you know about suffering?" Jinxiao asked suddenly. "Have you felt it?"
The words hit Guanlin hard. He looked at his sword, and Jinxiao followed his gaze.
"I have... I have felt it once," Guanlin said. "And I don't want to feel it again. My father—he was lying there, lifeless, in front of me. I searched the Jade Gong with assassins, hoping to find him. But he never appeared. That was suffering... and it hurts."
"I never knew my parents as a child, I didn't even get to see their faces," Jinxiao said softly. "But I didn't suffer growing up, though I wouldn't consider my training for years suffering by a little bit."
"We were raised differently. But now... now you know what suffering feels like," Guanlin replied.
"Is your wrist fine now?" Jinxiao asked, sounding worried.
"It is," Guanlin nodded. "Are you feeling cold?"
"It's too hot in here. I can't even breathe," Jinxiao said, closing his eyes.
"You have to bear with it. We have no other choice," Guanlin said.
"Once I recover from this poison, I'll kill Xue Wuren with my own hands," Jinxiao growled.
It's strange, Guanlin thought. The same man poisoned my mother... but I don't feel angry at all.
"He'll meet his end soon. Young Leader Zhao is probably planning something as we speak," Guanlin said aloud.
"Without me," Jinxiao muttered.
"Just focus on getting better. You talk too much." Guanlin stood, ready to leave.
Suddenly, Jinxiao collapsed.
Guanlin heard the thud and spun around. "Zhong Jinxiao!" he shouted, rushing to his side.
"Wen Lu! Song Yuanli!" he cried. "Hang in there, Jinxiao!"
Wen Lu burst into the room, eyes wide in panic. "Bro Lin!"
"Get Yuanli, now!" Guanlin ordered. Wen Lu dashed off.
"Lai Lin... it hurts... so much," Jinxiao gasped, trembling in Guanlin's arms.
"I know, I know. Just hold on—"
Yuanli arrived, kneeling beside them. "Wen Lu, support him from the side!" she ordered.
She slid a needle from her robe and stuck it into Jinxiao's back, pulling at the energy within. She winced.
"This is tough!" she groaned.
"Just do it fast!" Wen Lu yelled, trying to comfort Jinxiao.
Yuanli inserted another needle and pulled again—this time, a surge of energy erupted from his body. Then, Jinxiao went limp.
"Childe!" Wen Lu cried.
Yuanli looked more shocked than anyone. It was as if she'd felt something she couldn't explain.
"He's asleep. Lay him on the bed," she instructed.
Wen Lu carried Jinxiao over and gently set him down. Yuanli stood, catching her breath, her face pale.
"What just happened?" Wen Lu asked.
"I don't know. The energy I pulled from him... it's not normal," Yuanli replied.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm not familiar with it. It's not something I've encountered before."
"But the room is hot—why did he have an attack?" Guanlin asked.
"That's what's strange. His body temperature is high, but the poison reacted. Something is interfering with it... making it worse."
"What do we do now?" Wen Lu asked, voice trembling.
"Nothing. All we can do is gather the remaining cures and hope it works," Yuanli said.
Wen Lu was sweating from anxiety. Guanlin felt the same.
"Five days left until the mighty bear emerges from its cave," Guanlin said quietly. "It's our only chance."
"Let him rest. Let's go," Yuanli said. They took one last look at Jinxiao before leaving the room.
------------
TWO DAYS LATER
Shen Yao rushed into Zhao Lianyu's study, holding a letter. He bowed and handed it over.
"Young Leader Zhao, this letter came from Wen Lu."
"Huailin, read it," Lianyu said.
Huailin nodded and took the letter, reading aloud:
"Leader Zhao, everything is fine. They are now in Silent Hill, resting at a doctor's home while searching for the second cure."
"Who is this doctor?" Zhao Lianyu asked.
"There's no name, nothing specific. But don't worry—they're safe," Huailin said with a smile.
"Good," Lianyu said.
Huailin turned to leave, then stopped.
"It seems Xue Wuren hasn't shown up again."
"If he does, we'll act fast," Huailin assured. "I'll go train the assassins now. Excuse me." He bowed and left.
------------------
Zhongyin Palace
Outside the bathing tavern, Wen Yin was about to pull out his last robe when suddenly, He Xicheng appeared behind the entrance
"Oh! I—I'm so sorry, Young Leader Wen!" Xicheng blurted, instantly bowing low. "I was just passing by! I had no intention—I didn't mean—please forgive me!"
Wen Yin let out a soft chuckle. "Relax. It's not a big deal. We're both men, aren't we?" He smirked slightly. "Wanna join me bathe?"
Xicheng's eyes widened as he shook his head rapidly. "N-No, thank you! Please enjoy your bath... alone."
He fled the room, his face burning red. Outside, he slapped his cheeks lightly. "What am I doing...?"
Later that day...
"Young Leader Wen," Xicheng bowed again, clearly flustered. "About earlier... I swear I didn't mean to intrude."
Wen Yin chuckled again, shaking his head as he sipped his tea. "It's perfectly fine," he said lightly. "But I am curious—what were you even doing in that part of the palace? How did you get in?"
Xicheng looked down, his fingers fidgeting. "I was just... exploring," he admitted. "Trying to get familiar with the palace layout. I didn't realize I wandered somewhere off-limits. I truly didn't mean to cause any embarrassment. Please, punish me if you must."
"He Xicheng," Wen Yin said with a lazy smile, "I told you, it's fine. We're both men. What's so shameful about seeing a little skin?" His tone turned mischievous as he loosened his robe slightly. "Want a second look?"
"No—no, no thank you!" Xicheng waved his hands frantically, backing away. "Young Leader Wen, pardon me—I'll be going now!"
And with that, he disappeared down the corridor, still visibly mortified.