Zhongyin Palace
He Xicheng wandered through the halls of Zhongyin Palace, his eyes glancing at every corridor and archway, taking in the grandeur as he tried to familiarize himself with the place.
Eventually, he stumbled upon the library. Intrigued, he stepped inside, quietly closing the door behind him. It was far larger inside than it appeared from the outside, stretching wide with towering shelves and ancient scrolls.
Setting his sword down on a nearby table, he wandered through the aisles, running his fingers along the dusty spines of books. One caught his attention.
"Jade Crystal?" he read aloud.
Opening the book, he skimmed through the pages, eyes scanning each line with curiosity.
The Jade Crystal is the main barrier that protects the three main lands in the Golden Palace: Zhongyin, Huding, and Luoyu. It was forged by Zheng Wenzhuang, the fourth emperor of the Golden Palace...
He flipped to another section.
The Jade Crystal is kept in the Jade Temple in Luoyo, under strict protection.
Xicheng frowned.
"Why does he want this? What's so special about it?" he muttered under his breath.
Suddenly, the door swung open.
Startled, Xicheng jerked his head toward the entrance, instinctively hiding the book behind his back.
"Xicheng?" Wen Yin stepped inside, eyes narrowing. "What are you doing here?"
"Uh... Young Leader Wen, I was just wandering around and found this library," Xicheng said, nervously.
Wen Yin walked closer, and in the rush, Xicheng dropped the book with a soft thud.
"What was that?" Wen Yin asked, peering past him.
"Oh-I must've dropped it by accident," Xicheng chuckled, bending down quickly.
He tried to place it back on the shelf, but Wen Yin grabbed it from his hands.
"Let me do it. You can't even reach the top shelf," Wen Yin smirked, now cornering him slightly against the shelf.
He chuckled softly and tapped Xicheng's nose.
"If you wanted to get familiar with the palace, you could've just said so. I'd be happy to give you a tour."
"Well... Young Leader Wen, you seemed busy. I didn't want to bother you," Xicheng replied, voice quiet.
"Busy?" Wen Yin sat down on a stool, laughing. "I don't really do much here. My father handles all the duties-he's just away right now."
"I assume he's the leader of the Wen Clan," Xicheng said, taking a cautious seat beside him.
"Yeah. Why else would I be called Young Leader?" Wen Yin smiled. "Come sit here." He patted the empty space next to him.
Reluctantly, Xicheng obeyed.
Wen Yin's gaze drifted over him. "You look even cuter up close."
Xicheng shifted uncomfortably, gripping the hem of his robe. "Do you have more to say, Young Leader Wen?"
Wen Yin simply shook his head.
Without another word, Xicheng stood abruptly and bowed. "Then I'll take my leave."
He turned to go, but paused as Wen Yin stood.
"You're my right-hand assistant," Wen Yin said. "You don't leave my side unless there's a valid reason."
"Yes, Young Leader Wen. I'm sorry if I've gone out too often without notice. I won't do it again," Xicheng said quickly, bowing once more.
"Good. Let's go."
"Go where?"
"To have a meal in my study. And from now on, always carry your sword wherever you go."
Silent Hill
"Does it still hurt?" Yuanli asked, wrapping fresh bandages around Jinxiao's chest.
"I don't know," Jinxiao muttered, voice dry and cold.
"Childe Zhong, maybe you should stay here," Wen Lu suggested, pouting. "We can go gather the cures ourselves."
Jinxiao sighed. "Wen Lu... I'm the reason we're in this mess. I should take responsibility."
Outside...
"Quick, Ā-Chen, grab some sticks! We're almost done with the snowman!" Guanlin laughed.
Song Chen ran to a nearby tree and snapped off a couple of sticks.
"Ā-Ning! It's almost finished!" Guanlin called.
"Gēge! It looks so pretty!" Song Ning clapped her hands.
"Here, Gēge!" Song Chen returned with the sticks.
"Great job, Ā-Chen." Guanlin grinned, pinching his cheek. "Now let's add these arms, and-done!"
"Wow!" Song Ning gasped. "So cute!"
"Alright, time to wash your hands now," Guanlin said, watching as the two kids ran off.
He smiled, a flicker of warmth in his chest. Xinyu... how are you doing now?
Suddenly-shhk!
A blade slashed through the wind behind him. He turned, heart pounding.
A sword pressed against his throat.
"AHHH! Please don't kill me! Who are you?!" Guanlin cried.
"I should be asking you that!" the man snarled.
Inside, hearing the commotion, Jinxiao, Wen Lu, and Yuanli jumped to their feet.
"Guanlin's in danger!" Wen Lu shouted.
"What?!" Jinxiao tried to rise but clutched his chest in pain.
"Stay here-we'll handle it," Yuanli said firmly.
"No! I'm fine-let me-" Jinxiao groaned.
Yuanli quickly placed two fingers on his forehead. In seconds, he slumped into unconsciousness.
Wen Lu dashed outside, sword drawn. "Who are you?!"
"Who are you people?!" the man shouted, eyes wild.
"Diē!" Yuanli suddenly cried.
"...Diē?" Wen Lu blinked.
Yuanli stepped in front of Guanlin. "Diē, I brought them here."
The man's gaze softened. He sheathed his sword.
"I caused them trouble. So I let them stay to repay them," Yuanli explained. "They're only here for the mighty bear's fur. One of them is poisoned... and so is his mother."
The man turned to Wen Lu and Guanlin. "One of them? Where's the other?"
"He's inside. The poison reacts terribly to the cold. He needs warmth."
"Reacts to cold? That poison-is it from..."
"Yes," Yuanli nodded. "From Xue Wuren."
She turned. "This is my father," she introduced gently.
"...Song Lanjin," he said. "Apologies for my actions. I didn't realize my daughter had brought guests. You may stay until the bear emerges. I'll even accompany you."
"That won't be necessary," Wen Lu said, bowing slightly. "We can handle it."
Lanjin eyed Wen Lu's uniform. "You're from the Golden Palace?"
"Yes," Wen Lu confirmed.
"Then I trust your skills," Lanjin nodded.
"I'll be the one to accompany them," Yuanli insisted. "It's my fault they've been delayed."
"Diēdiē!!" two small voices yelled.
Song Ning and Song Chen rushed forward, hugging their father's legs.
"I missed you both," Lanjin said softly, ruffling their heads.
Yuanli turned to Guanlin and Wen Lu. "You should check on Childe Zhong, pr go back to your taverns if you must. I'll handle my father."
Later - Lanjin's Study
"You want to go up the hill to fight bears?" Lanjin frowned.
"I caused them trouble. This is how I repay them," Yuanli replied. "Besides... it's Childe Zhong's request."
"Childe who?" Lanjin raised an eyebrow.
"Childe Zhong. Zhao Lianyu's adopted son."
Lanjin stood still. "That Childe Zhong? The cunning assassin? And he's poisoned by Xue Wuren?"
"Yes," Yuanli nodded.
"Why would Zhao send his poisoned son into the snow for medicine?" Lanjin asked in disbelief.
"We don't know. Neither do they."
Lanjin's face grew serious. "If anything happens to him, we're in grave danger! Yuanli, you are not going."
Feeling hesitant, she couldn't do anything but follow her dad's order
"...Yes, Diē."
----------
"Feeling better, Childe Zhong?" Wen Lu asked, fanning the charcoal to warm the room.
"A little," Jinxiao replied, staring at his bandaged leg. "Can't believe a single cut did this."
"I could say the same," Guanlin added.
"Oh-what about that man? Did he hurt you?" Jinxiao asked, concerned.
"No. He was Yuanli's father. Just startled, I guess," Guanlin replied.
"Two more days," Wen Lu said. "Then we leave."
The door opened. Yuanli entered, carrying a tray.
Wen Lu helped her shut the door quickly against the cold.
"Eat first," Yuanli said softly. "Tomorrow you'll need strength for the climb."
They gathered at the table. Guanlin reached out to help Jinxiao, but he refused.
"I'm okay. Don't bother."
The bowls were filled. Steam curled into the air. And for a while, they ate in silence, letting the warmth and food soothe their weary hearts.
"How's your father?" Wen Lu asked.
"Resting. He just got back and he's tired," Yuanli said.
"Ā-Chen and Ā-Ning?" Guanlin asked.
"Asleep." Yuanli replied. "Childe Zhong, once you finish eating, I'll apply a needle to your back," She added, setting down her chopsticks. "It'll dull the pain while you sleep, but you'll still feel it lingering."
"Alright," Jinxiao nodded, chewing quietly.
Guanlin reached over and placed a piece of meat into Jinxiao's bowl. "Eat a bit more. You need the strength."
"You too, Brother Lin," Wen Lu chimed in with a grin. "You're starting to look like you haven't eaten in days."
Guanlin smirked. "Is that your way of being nice?" He nudged the food tray closer. "I could finish this whole tray myself-I'm just being generous today."
"Yeah, yeah. Keep telling yourself that," Wen Lu shot back with a laugh.