Qi Ruhan's POV
I cloaked myself in thick black robes, a web of thread shielding half my face as I made my way out of Zhongyin, the misty wind tugging at my clothes like a warning. The path to Luoyu was long and treacherous, and I had to remain unseen.
The real mission begins now. I cannot afford to fail-not when her life is on the line.
If something happens to me, at least I passed the map to Young Leader Qi Huaisang. He knows what to do if I don't make it back. But still, the thought of them harming my sister makes my chest twist. I must succeed.
The morning sun began to rise, gilding the thick forest canopy with a pale orange hue. I took swift but careful steps, my ears on high alert for any sounds-a rustle, a branch snap, the breath of a spy. If I manage to secure the Jade Crystal and escape without being seen, then maybe... just maybe... my sister and I can run far away to Yueming. We could build a quiet life.
Even though we're still bound to the Qi Clan, Uncle Qi gave us a second chance. He protected us. I owe him more than I can repay.
Li Mansion
Sunlight crept through the gaps in the window as Xiaoyou slowly opened her eyes, the golden warmth brushing against her pale cheeks. She blinked, adjusting to the soft light, before trying to sit up.
Li Huan entered just then, a bowl of steaming soup in his hands. He gently placed it on the table beside her bed and carefully pulled the curtains open. When he saw her awake, his eyes widened with relief.
"Xiaoyou, you're finally awake," he said with a soft smile. "Drink some soup first, while it's still warm."
She sat up with some effort, her body still regaining its strength. "Where are Ā-Lin and Ā-Yu?" she asked, her voice faint.
"In the kitchen, they're eating breakfast," Li Huan replied as he picked up the bowl.
Xiaoyou exhaled in relief. "That's good... thank you, Li Huan, for everything you've done for us. I owe you so much."
Li Huan chuckled as he handed her the soup. "You owe me nothing, but I will say-you'll owe me if you don't drink this."
She let out a soft laugh and took the bowl from him.
"Drink slowly. You're still recovering," he said, standing up.
"I want to eat with the children," Xiaoyou said.
Li Huan turned, eyebrows raised. "Are you sure? Can you manage?"
Xiaoyou nodded, determination in her eyes. She swung her legs over the bed, her feet touching the wooden floor.
Li Huan quickly stepped forward and offered his arm. "Slowly now."
With his support, Xiaoyou rose to her feet. Her smile was faint, but it glowed with quiet strength.
"Li Huan, let me walk on my own," she said softly.
He hesitated but eventually let her go. She walked slowly toward the kitchen. When she saw the children gathered at the table, laughter and the clatter of utensils filling the air, tears welled in her eyes.
"Niáng?" Guanlin stood abruptly, eyes wide.
He rushed to her, wrapping his arms around her, Xinyu following close behind. "Ō-niáng! You're standing!" she cried joyfully.
Li Wei looked up, his mouth still full, before jumping to join the group hug.
"You're finally recovering, Ō-niáng," Guanlin whispered, eyes shimmering.
Xiaoyou stroked his hair gently. "Ā-Lin... it's all because of you. You and everyone else who never gave up on me."
Li Huan cleared his throat with a grin. "That's enough hugging. Let her sit and eat."
Guanlin helped her to a chair, beaming. "Ō-niáng, me and Ā-Wei cooked all this. You have to try everything!"
"I'm honored," Xiaoyou said, her voice full of affection. "I can't wait to taste all your cooking."
Guanlin quickly served her a piece of braised meat. "Try this one, I made it myself."
"Aunt Lai, try mine too! I helped stir-fry the greens!" Li Wei chimed in.
"Alright, alright, I'll taste everything," she laughed.
But Guanlin's smile faltered for a second. His gaze drifted to Li Huan, brows furrowed.
"What is it, Ā-Lin?" Xiaoyou asked gently.
Guanlin looked back at her with a reassuring smile. "Nothing. I'm just glad you're up."
Later that Day - In the Backyard
Li Huan and Guanlin stood in the garden, the breeze brushing through the leaves around them.
"Are you sure about this, Guanlin?" Li Huan asked quietly.
"I have to be. My father's sword... there's something strange about it. When I carried it during my journey, it moved on its own whenever I was in danger. All the memories I had with my father vanished in my head. I was just a boy when he died. But I want to understand him."
"How do you plan on telling your mother?"
Guanlin lowered his gaze. "That's what scares me. I don't want to leave again so soon and make her worry."
Li Huan placed a steady hand on his shoulder. "She trusts you, Guanlin. If you speak from the heart, she'll understand."
Guanlin nodded slowly. "I should tell her now. I'm leaving tomorrow."
"She's in the front yard," Li Huan said. "Go."
Front Yard
Xiaoyou stood quietly among rows of plants, the scent of fresh earth and blossoms surrounding her. The late morning sun filtered gently through the trees. She inhaled deeply.
"Niáng," Guanlin's voice called out.
She turned, smiling. "Ā-Lin. Out to smell the fresh air too?"
He didn't answer immediately, his eyes focused on the grass.
"Niáng... I'm leaving tomorrow."
Xiaoyou's smile faded. "Leaving? Where?"
"To Guangzhen," he said, eyes steady.
Her expression shifted in alarm. "Guangzhen? That's so far, Ā-Lin. Why would you go there?"
"When I held Diē's sword... strange things happened. It moved on its own when danger came near. A friend I met during the cure search said her father serves at Heaven Sect in Guangzhen. They might know what's going on about it."
Xiaoyou looked at him for a long moment. "And you want to travel that far? Alone?"
"I won't be alone," Guanlin said. "I'm going with a friend."
"Who?"
"He's from Shadow Sect. An assassin named Zhong Jinxiao. We met during the journey. We share the same mission." Guanlin reassured. "And maybe, I should consider becoming a cultivator too."
She sighed, brushing her hand gently through his hair. "A cultivator, now? You wish to walk that path? You're not a child anymore, Ā-Lin. Cultivation is dangerous."
"I know, but I need to do this. Not just to understand the sword, but to understand myself. I promise I'll be careful."
Xiaoyou's eyes softened, even as worry lingered behind them. "Alright. But promise me this-you will come back."
Guanlin nodded, smiling. "I promise, Niáng, I'll always come back."
She drew him close in a silent embrace, her hand trembling ever so slightly as it held him.
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Jade Gong Main Hall
Zhong Jinxiao stepped into the grand main hall, his black boots echoing faintly against the polished floors. At the far end of the room, Zhao Lianyu sat in silent concentration, brush in hand, gliding ink across a massive scroll of calligraphy.
"Uncle Zhao," Jinxiao said, bowing respectfully.
"What is it?" Lianyu asked, his eyes not lifting from the scroll.
"I'll be leaving tomorrow for the Heaven Sect in Guangzhen," Jinxiao said, his voice calm and composed, yet laced with quiet determination.
The brush halted. Lianyu finally looked up, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Heaven Sect? What business do you have there? They're not holding any formal training or classes right now-and even if they were, we'd receive advance notice and invitation."
"Still," Jinxiao replied, unfazed, "I want to go. I need to learn more about their cultivation."
Lianyu leaned back in his chair with a heavy sigh. "Zhong Jinxiao... You've been acting differently lately, you weren't like this before. You would always locked away in your room sharpening your blade, or throwing yourself into training and missions. What's truly going on in that head of yours?"
Jinxiao lowered his head. "Uncle Zhao, I'll be leaving tomorrow. Please allow me to go."
"Go, go, go," Lianyu waved his hand. "You're making my head ache. Just come back in one piece, will you?"
Jinxiao bowed once more and turned on his heel, his cloak trailing behind him as he exited.
After the door closed, Zhao Lianyu leaned forward with a sly grin. He returned to his calligraphy with renewed vigor.
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Jade Palace - Streets Outside
Meanwhile, Qi Ruhan stood silently in the shadows across the street from Jade Gong. His eyes narrowed under the hood of his cloak.
I need to think this through, he thought. If I strike too early, I'll lose everything. They must be more vulnerable. Only then will I make my move.
His eyes lingered for a moment longer before he turned and disappeared into the crowd, his cloak swaying behind him like a phantom.
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Golden Palace - Emperor's Inner Court
The golden rays of the afternoon sun poured through the tall windows of the imperial study. Emperor Zheng Zhayu sat with a scroll in hand, while his sons stood before him.
"Father, what was in the letter you sent to the three Clan Leaders?" Prince Xuyin asked, his eyes sharp and unreadable.
"Yes! We deserve to know too," Prince Xuyang chimed in with a dramatic pout, fanning his face lazily. "You made us deliver them, after all."
Zhayu sighed, folding the scroll in his lap. "Very well. The messages I sent are directives-to begin thinking of a way to rebuild the Magic Sect."
Xuyang groaned aloud. "Does that mean we'll have to go to class again?"
Xuyin glanced at him and rolled his eyes before turning to his father. "But Father, what's the true reason for this?"
Zhayu leaned forward, his tone more serious. "Xuyin, Xuyang, The kingdom is vulnerable. We only have the Shadow Sect left. And there are too many mages roaming free, using power they barely understand themselves. The Magic Sect brought balance and structure. We must restore that again."
"And when do you plan to rebuild it?" Xuyin asked.
"That decision lies with the three Clan Leaders, particularly Clan Leader Meng of Huding, as she once led the Magic Sect. I've given them a week to propose a plan. Then, we'll hold a council."
"That sounds like a solid strategy, Father," Xuyin nodded. "Maybe once the Magic Sect returns, the Qi Clan won't dare to trespass on our lands again."
"We've suffered enough," Zhayu said, his face darkening. "First the death of Clan Leader Meng Jiangnan, and now the theft of the Golden Palace map."
"Father, what are we going to do about all this?" Xuyin asked.
"I've already discussed matters with Zhao Lianyu. He has a plan... I only hope it works."
"But even if they have the map," Xuyang added, "they still need the imperial key. And the Jade Crystal can't fully function without the Scroll of Intimacy."
"Even so," Zhayu said gravely, "the Jade Crystal alone possesses terrifying power, powerful enough to bring eternal strength or absolute destruction. The Scroll of Intimacy is merely another barrier of protection."
Xuyin clenched his fists. "Then we must protect the crystal at all costs. But Father, there's something else-we haven't seen Xue Wuren for two months."
"That man is a mystery, but we have to stay cautious at all times." Zhayu muttered. "A shadow in the dark. We must assume he's always watching, always scheming."
Xuyang furrowed his brows. "Where do you think he got those undead spirits that follow him? No one's ever wielded dark magic that way before."
Zhayu exhaled deeply. "Even I don't know. But it's a question we must answer before it's too late."