Lai Guanlin's POV
I jolted awake, heart racing and lungs gasping for air. My throat burned like a sunbaked riverbed, dry and aching. Beads of sweat clung to my skin, dripping from my forehead down to my collarbones. My chest heaved as I tried to gather myself up.
This... was my room.
I was home.
Without wasting a second, I flung the blanket aside and scrambled out of bed, stumbling slightly on my feet. The unease in my chest hadn't faded. I rushed outside—and there they were.
Uncle Li and the doctor. Standing quietly outside, their lips unreadable.
I let out a shaky breath of relief, my body sagging. My vision swam for a second, but I steadied myself and approached.
"Uncle Li. Divine doctor," I called out, trying to keep my voice steady. "How is my mother?"
Uncle Li turned, a warm, tired smile spreading across his face. He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"Guanlin, you're finally awake," he said gently. "You can rest easy now—your mother is safe. Truly. The poison has been removed from her body. She's resting now, inside my house. You did well to find the right cures."
My eyes welled up, and a smile broke through the tightness in my chest. I dropped to my knees before the doctor, overwhelmed with gratitude.
"Thank you... thank you for saving my mother. I don't know how to repay you. Please, just name your price, and I swear—I'll return it, no matter what."
The doctor swiftly reached out and took my hand, guiding me up with unexpected strength.
"You owe me nothing," he said with a calm smile. "Li Huan and I go way back. He's done more for me than I could ever repay. Helping his family... is the least I can do."
I turned to Uncle Li and gave a deep, respectful bow.
"Uncle Li... I don't even know what I would've done without you, youve been always there for us to help."
He chuckled, his palm gently tapping my back. "No need for all that. Xiaoyou is like a sister to me. And you and Xinyu, are like my own nephew. Family doesn't keep score."
I stood and wiped my eyes with the back of my sleeve. "Can I see her?"
"Of course," the doctor said with a nod. "But keep your voice low. She's deeply exhausted from the detoxification. Her body's healing, but her spirit needs time to rest."
"I understand," I said quietly. "I just... need to see her with my own eyes."
And with that, I turned and made my way toward the house, my heart lighter than it had been in days.
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Jade Palace – Shadow Sect Training Grounds
From a high platform, Zhao Lianyu and Zhong Jinxiao stood watching the assassins below move in perfect synchronicity under Gu Huailin's orders.
The clang of blades. The stomp of boots. The breath of silence in discipline.
"I'll be heading to Zhongyin this afternoon with Huailin," Jinxiao said, his tone even but low as his eyes followed the trainees' movements. "There's an outsider that Wen Yin allowed in too easily. I intend to look into it too."
Lianyu didn't glance at him. "Go."
There was a brief pause. Then Jinxiao added, more carefully, "I'm also... visiting someone."
Now Lianyu's eyes shifted to his son with subtle suspicion. "Someone? Since when did you start making friends?"
Jinxiao let out a small, dry chuckle. "So I'm not allowed to have friends now?"
Lianyu sighed through his nose. "Fine. Just tell me who he is, so I won't be left wondering where my son's wandered off to."
Jinxiao turned to him. "His name is Lai Guanlin."
At once, something flickered in Lianyu's gaze.
"L...Lai Guanlin?" he repeated, the name clearly unsettling him.
Jinxiao nodded slowly. "His father was once one of our own. An assassin. Do you know him?"
"Of course I remember him," Lianyu muttered, voice dropping. "Lai Jiangli was among my finest. Back then, you were just a child, and Huailin was still your instructor. But after the Qi Clan's ambush... Jiangli didn't survive and perished an unimaginable death.."
Jinxiao's expression darkened slightly. So that's why the surname sounded so familiar...
"And this Guanlin?" Lianyu asked, looking squarely at him now. "Why are you visiting him?"
"We met in Yuzhong. He was on the same journey as me—searching for the four cures to save his mother from poisoning."
Lianyu went quiet, then gave a short nod. "Very well. You may go."
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Later that day in Zhongyin Palace – Golden Hall
Wen Yin stood silently before the sword placed on his desk—He Xicheng's sword that Wen Yin gave him. The man himself stood nearby, straight-backed, solemn.
"You're really leaving the palace?" Wen Yin asked, his voice barely a whisper, but laced with cold undertones.
Xicheng gave a slow nod, then stepped forward and placed the sword more firmly on the table. "I don't think I'm suited to stand beside you anymore. All I do... is bring you trouble."
Then he bowed deeply.
Wen Yin's lips tightened. He watched the man he once trusted lower himself like a criminal.
"I'm sorry," Wen Yin said after a breath. "For what I did that night... I crossed a line I shouldn't have done that to you."
"If you truly want to leave," he added, "I won't stop you. But... where will you go?"
Xicheng hesitated, turning his face away. "Anywhere that isn't here."
The moment hung thick—until the door slammed open.
Gu Huailin entered, followed closely by Zhong Jinxiao.
Wen Yin's eyes widened, and he sprang forward.
"Dàgē!" he called out, a wide smile breaking on his face as he hurried toward Jinxiao. "You're back! Are you alright? I heard about what happened—"
"And do you think I haven't heard what you've done?" Jinxiao cut in, raising an eyebrow. "You let in an outsider. And made him your right-hand man."
His eyes narrowed as he looked past Wen Yin's shoulder and spotted He Xicheng.
"That's him?" he asked.
Wen Yin nodded slowly. "Yes. But he hasn't done anything wrong, Dàgē."
He Xicheng took a step forward and bowed. "Mister, my name is He Xicheng. I realize I've raised suspicion among the Golden Palace... and I don't wish to cause any more chaos. I will leave the Golden Palace immediately."
"Calling me 'mister' is rude," Jinxiao said coolly. "My name is Zhong Jinxiao. Leader of the Shadow Sect of Luoyu."
He Xicheng immediately dropped to his knees. "Sect Leader Zhong, forgive me. I was ignorant of your status."
Wen Yin stepped between them. "Dàgē, please don't be too harsh. He didn't know. And he's not a threat."
Jinxiao's gaze stayed cold. "Then is he leaving or not?"
He Xicheng straightened, then turned to Wen Yin for the last time. His voice was low but resolute. "It was an honor to serve by your side, Young Leader Wen. But from now on, if fate leads me back to you... I won't resist if you strike me down."
With that, he left the hall, the doors closing behind him like a final breath.
Wen Yin stood there, fists clenched and brows furrowed. His lips trembled into a pout.
Jinxiao rolled his eyes. "Wen Zhiyi, You brat!" he snapped, suddenly reaching over and pinching Wen Yin's ear.
"Ow! Dàgē, it hurts!" Wen Yin yelped, flinching.
Jinxiao released him with a tired sigh. "Why must you always be so careless?"
"He wasn't dangerous," Wen Yin muttered, rubbing his ear. "He was just... misunderstood just because he was an outsider."
Jinxiao scowled. "You have proof of that?"
Wen Yin looked down at the floor in silence.
Gu Huailin finally spoke, arms crossed. "Well, now that he's gone, let's observe. If the Golden Palace remains peaceful, then we know he was guilty. If something still goes wrong… then maybe he was innocent, and we just let go of the wrong person."
Jinxiao exhaled, brushing aside the weight of the moment. "We only came to check the situation. Now that he's gone, we'll leave too."
Huailin stepped forward. "Childe Zhong, I'll be visiting Huding after this and check on Clan Leader Meng. Want to come?"
Jinxiao shook his head. "No. I have somewhere else I need to be."
"Then I'll be on my way," Huailin said, bowing to Jinxiao, and then to Wen Yin. "Young Leader Wen."
As Huailin left, Jinxiao gave one last disappointed look at Wen Yin before walking out of the hall.
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Later that Day
Zhong Jinxiao moved through the bustling streets of Zhongyin, the sky beginning to darken into a soft twilight. He asked every passerby with firm yet respectful urgency.
"Excuse me, do you know where the Lai Mansion is?" he asked a merchant.
The man shook his head. "Sorry, I don't."
Again and again, he received no answers, until he spotted someone familiar—Li Wei—purchasing vegetables from a vendor nearby.
"Excuse me, do you know where the Lai Mansion is?" Jinxiao stepped forward.
Li Wei turned around, slightly wary. "You... you're an assassin from the Shadow Sect. Why are you looking for the Lai Mansion?"
Jinxiao swallowed and answered calmly, "I have a friend there. His name is Lai Guanlin. Do you know him?"
Li Wei's eyes widened. "Lai Guanlin? You're friends with him?"
Jinxiao gave a small nod. "We met in Yuzhong while looking for the same cures. I heard his mother was poisoned and wanted to check on them."
Li Wei softened. "I see... I'm actually a close friend of his. I'll take you there. I'm Li Wei by the way."
They walked together through the winding paths of Zhongyin. After several minutes, they arrived before a modest, peaceful residence nestled among bamboo trees.
"Here we are," Li Wei said, opening the gate. "Please, come in."
Jinxiao stepped into the house, staying near the entrance, his eyes scanning the humble interior. He felt strangely out of place in this warmth.
"Please wait here. I'll call him," Li Wei said before hurrying off.
Not long after, a young girl stepped out into the room, her eyes locking on the unfamiliar guest.
"Who are you?" she asked, her voice sharp but curious.
Jinxiao softened his expression. "I'm a friend of Lai Guanlin. Are you his sister?"
"I'm Lai Xinyu," she said proudly. "And who are you?"
Jinxiao smiled. "You're just as pretty as your brother."
"Ā-Yu, who are you talking to?" a familiar voice called from within.
Then, Lai Guanlin emerged. "Ā-Yu, I told you not to—" He froze. His breath hitched as he saw who was standing by the door.
"Childe Zhong?" Guanlin's voice was uncertain, yet warm.
Li Wei returned from the hall, confused. "I couldn't find him—oh, he's already here."
"Childe?" Li Wei blinked. "Wait... you're the son of Young Lord Zhao Lianyu?"
Guanlin turned quickly. "Li Wei, go prepare some tea for our guest."
Li Wei quicklly nodded and left.
Guanlin approached with a smile tinged with surprise. "What are you doing here?"
Jinxiao clasped his hands behind his back. "Just wanted to see how your mother is doing."
"Come, let's sit outside. The air is cooler now." Guanlin led him to the back garden where a small table and stools rested beneath a willow tree.
They both sat, the sky bleeding into deeper indigo shades.
"So, did the cure work?" Jinxiao asked gently.
Guanlin smiled, eyes warm with relief. "It did. She's resting now. The detox was painful it even made me pass out, but she's safe now."
"I'm glad." Jinxiao nodded. "And you? How have you been holding up?"
Li Wei soon returned with a tray of tea, setting it down with care. "I'll be in the kitchen cooking dinner. Call me if you need anything." With that he left.
Guanlin poured Jinxiao a cup of tea. "I've been... fine. Calmer now that she's better. But I do miss Song Yuanli and Wen Lu."
Jinxiao leaned in slightly. "Wen Lu's busy training in the Shadow Sect. As for Yuanli, I'm not sure. Has she written anything to you?"
"No..." Guanlin replied, his expression low. "Oh, but I remember now! She told me to go to Guangzhen."
Jinxiao's brow lifted. "Guangzhen? Why?"
"She said I should visit the Heaven Sect," Guanlin said. "Strange things have been happening to my sword—it moves on its own when I'm in danger. She said Heaven's Wind martial arts might explain it."
"That's far below the Golden palace. Are you sure you want to go alone?" Jinxiao asked, concerned.
Guanlin sipped his tea before answering. "It's the only way to find out."
"Then I'm coming with you," Jinxiao said firmly.
Guanlin blinked. "What? You're the Sect Leader. You have responsibilities."
"Gu Huailin can handle it. What if something happens to you out there?"
Guanlin gave a playful smile. "Since when did you start worrying about me?"
Jinxiao looked away, hiding the faintest tint of red in his cheeks. "Just let me come with you."
Guanlin chuckled. "Alright. But what about your father? Will he even allow it?"
"He knew your father—Lai Jiangli. If I explain the reason, he might understand why I'm leaving."
Guanlin tilted his head toward the stars just beginning to flicker above. "Then we leave in two days. I'll have to talk to my mother and Uncle Li about this."
Jinxiao stood, brushing invisible dust from his robes. "Good. I'll be back here in two days then."
"Don't you want to stay for dinner?" Guanlin offered.
Jinxiao gave a small, grateful smile. "No... but thank you. My father's probably wondering where I am."
With a gentle push of his foot, Jinxiao launched into the air, his robes fluttering like a ghost in moonlight, vanishing into the night wind.
Guanlin watched as he flew, the stars from the sky reflected into his eyes.
"What was that all about?" Li Wei asked from behind with a teasing smile.
Startled, Guanlin turned to him. "Is the food ready? I'll help you." He said, standing up.