CHAPTER 7 — Echoes from the Windward Forge
Jason Wu followed Xueyin back to her pavilion, though "followed" wasn't the right word—she practically dragged him by the sleeve while giving him the silent, angry stare of a worried mother hawk. The lights of the Xueyin Commerce Pavilion glowed warmly behind them, but the distant echo of the assassin's threat lingered in Jason's chest.
Inside, Xueyin finally let out a breath she had been holding. "Sit," she commanded.
Jason blinked. "Am I a patient or a criminal?"
"A patient," Longwu Sword answered. "But with the intelligence of a criminal."
Jason ignored the sword and sat. Xueyin crouched in front of him, gently examining his arms and shoulders. Her touch was soft, careful, almost painfully gentle after the violence of earlier.
"You're lucky," she murmured. "If those shadow blades were just a bit stronger, you'd—"
Jason smiled lightly. "You'd miss me?"
Xueyin froze, then cleared her throat loudly. "I would be obliged to notify your sect. That's all."
Longwu Sword giggled. "She cares. I approve. She's far too good for you, but still—I approve."
Jason whispered sharply, "Stop talking, you metal gossip."
Xueyin looked up. "What?"
"Nothing. My sword is… opinionated."
She sighed. "I've heard. The rumors about Longwu Sword are… intense."
Jason raised an eyebrow. "Rumors?"
Xueyin nodded. "That it was forged between dimensions. That it contains an ancient consciousness. That it devours evil qi. That it chooses its wielder. That it's picky and rude."
Longwu Sword puffed proudly, "Yes. Yes. True. Absolutely. I deny nothing."
Jason coughed. "It… talks a lot."
"Then you two are similar," she said without thinking.
Both froze.
Xueyin quickly turned away, cheeks slightly flushed. "A-anyway! Tell me everything. What happened? Who attacked you?"
Jason described the assassin, his fake identity, the corrupted qi, and the strange claim that Elder Wan had collapsed. Xueyin listened intently, hands folded, brows furrowing deeper with every detail.
"That armor…" she muttered. "Red-vein patterns. Qi corruption… That sounds like someone from the Void Corridor Cult."
Jason frowned. "Void Corridor Cult?"
"It's an organization that shouldn't exist," she said. "A forbidden group that uses void energy for cultivation. All members go mad eventually. And they hate anyone with awakened spiritual weapons—especially swords."
Longwu Sword hummed darkly. "We have history."
Jason blinked. "History?"
"A long and unpleasant one," the sword replied. "If they've resurfaced, it means something dangerous is approaching. Something tied to your fate."
"Great," Jason sighed. "More people trying to kill me."
Xueyin stood. "We need to warn your sect."
Jason nodded. "I'll go first thing in the morning."
But Xueyin shook her head. "No. You're injured. And someone wants you isolated. That man led you north on purpose. If he had backup, you might not be here now."
Jason grinned. "But I'm here. Because I'm pretty amazing."
Longwu Sword corrected him, "Because I saved you."
Jason glared. "We save each other."
The sword coughed. "Hm. Debatable."
Xueyin covered her mouth to hide a small laugh. "Jason… be serious."
He looked at her gently. "I am."
She suddenly grew quiet. "You're… different from most. Most men with your talent would be arrogant, reckless, selfish. But you're… genuine."
Jason scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Well, I try not to be a jerk. At least on weekdays."
The tension broke. Xueyin shook her head, exasperated yet smiling.
Then her expression hardened again. "Listen to me. The Void Corridor Cult does nothing without purpose. They don't test random disciples. If they tested you… then someone important has noticed you."
Jason felt a chill. "Noticed… me?"
"Yes." Xueyin stepped closer. "And they're afraid."
Jason didn't know why, but her words lit a spark in his chest. Fear mixed with a strange sense of responsibility.
Longwu Sword whispered, "Boy… your destiny is beginning."
Before he could respond, a loud knock echoed through the pavilion doors.
BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.
Xueyin stiffened. "Who would come at this hour…?"
Jason stood immediately, hand ready on Longwu Sword.
The knocking repeated—stronger, more urgent.
Xueyin called, "Who's there?"
A voice answered—deep, steady, familiar.
"Jason Wu. Open the door. I come from the Windward Forge Sect."
Jason's eyes widened. "Elder Han?"
Xueyin grabbed his wrist. "Don't open it yet."
Longwu Sword whispered, "Good. Caution suits you. Most assassins imitate the voices of elders."
Jason moved to the door slowly. "Elder Han, if it's really you… tell me what you yelled at me on my first year at the sect."
A brief silence.
Then Elder Han growled, "I said, 'If you trip one more time on the training field, I'll tie your legs together and make you run laps like a headless chicken.'"
Jason's face turned red. "Okay—yeah—that's him."
He opened the door.
Elder Han stood tall, his beard wild, his expression grim. Behind him were two disciples carrying sealed scrolls with emergency talismans.
"Jason," Elder Han said heavily. "Come. Elder Wan has fallen into a coma. And before he collapsed… he said your name."
Jason felt the air leave his chest.
"What…? Why me?"
Elder Han shook his head. "We don't know. But the sect needs you. Now."
Xueyin stepped forward. "Then I'm coming too."
Elder Han hesitated. "This is sect business—"
"She's coming," Jason said firmly.
Longwu Sword added, "She's smarter than all of you combined. Bring her."
Elder Han sighed. "Very well. But be prepared. Whatever is happening… it started tonight."
Jason tightened his grip on Longwu Sword.
The path ahead was no longer simply training or opportunity.
It was danger.
Destiny.
And war.