Chapter — The Awakening of the Third Power
The first rays of dawn fell upon the palace of Shenmei. Birds chirped throughout the courtyard, their calls blending with the gentle rustling of leaves as the cool morning breeze occasionally swept through the trees. The palace servants had been busy since early morning. The assembly hall was being cleaned, cushions were being arranged for the guests, and torches were being lit.
Today was an important day.
The assembly hall gradually began to fill. Xiangu, the Chief of Shenmei, took his seat. To his right sat his father, Yunshen, the Elder of Shenmei. His expression was calm, but his eyes were deep and perceptive, as though he could see everything that had yet to be spoken. Zhichen sat to Xiangu's left, followed by Lixuan, who sat quietly beside Rongwei, his face concealed behind his mask. Lichen was there as well, seated in her designated place with her hands resting in her lap.
The first to enter was Fengli, the Chief of the Shenqi Clan. He bowed respectfully to Xiangu and Yunshen before taking his seat. His gaze lingered on Lixuan for a brief moment before moving away. It was as though he had been searching for something, but had failed to find it.
Once everyone had settled into their seats, Yunshen raised his hand. Silence immediately fell over the hall.
"Today's assembly concerns a matter of great importance," Yunshen began. His voice was calm, yet carried a certain depth. "Three days ago, my son Zhichen and the Royal Musician, Xiu, were sent to the Eastern Divine Temple. They returned yesterday, bringing something with them that may hold great significance for all of us."
Everyone's attention shifted towards Zhichen and Lixuan.
Xiangu spoke next. "Zhichen, tell everyone what happened at the temple."
Zhichen stood up. He glanced at Lixuan, as though silently telling him, I'll begin. You can continue after me.
Lixuan gave a slight nod.
"The Eastern Divine Temple is centuries old," Zhichen began. "On the first day, we heard strange sounds inside the temple's main hall. Whispers. It sounded as though someone was calling out to us. On the second day, we discovered black threads in one of the chambers. There was a locked door, and black threads had been wrapped around its lock, as though someone had sealed it from the outside rather than the inside."
Rongwei interrupted him. "Black threads? Wrapped around the lock?"
Zhichen nodded. "Yes. There were some words written on them in an ancient script."
"And then?" Fengli asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
"We opened the door," Zhichen replied. "There was a chamber inside. It was completely dark. A stone platform stood in the middle, and an ancient book rested upon it."
Zhichen paused and looked towards Lixuan.
Lixuan rose to his feet. He reached into the pouch at his waist and took out the ancient book. It was covered in red stains, yet remained intact, without a single piece missing.
Everyone's eyes settled upon it.
"This is the same book whose fragment we discovered in Shenmei's library," Lixuan explained. "We found its complete volume inside the temple. However... reaching it was not easy."
He gestured towards his throat. The marks were still there—faint lines, but clearly visible.
"There was a crack beneath a pillar. We climbed down through it and found a staircase. But the moment we descended, the stairs disappeared. Both of us fell straight into a dark chamber."
A murmur spread through the assembly hall. Fengli leaned forward, while Rongwei's eyes widened.
"The book was inside that chamber," Lixuan continued. "But it wasn't the only thing there. Drops of blood were falling from the ceiling. Red and warm, as though they had only just left someone's body. There were also strange figures inside—thin, withered, and hunched over. They had long claws on their hands. They attacked us."
"And then?" Fengli asked. His voice had grown considerably more serious.
"We killed them," Lixuan answered bluntly. "But before that, one of them managed to grab me by the throat. Its claws were poisoned."
For a moment, silence descended upon the assembly hall. Fengli's gaze was fixed on the marks around Lixuan's throat, while Rongwei's expression turned grave.
Lixuan opened the ancient book and turned a page. Then he read aloud:
"When two powers become one, only then shall the third remain protected.
When two hearts become one, only then shall the third bond be broken.
And when two paths converge, only then shall the third gate open."
A profound silence filled the hall.
Fengli spoke slowly. "Two powers... the third... What does this mean?"
Yunshen closed his eyes. After a moment, he spoke quietly.
"This is the same prophecy that was written centuries ago. Its meaning... has yet to be fulfilled."
"But what does it actually mean?" Fengli asked.
Zhichen answered, "The two powers represent light and darkness. The third is a power that maintains the balance between them. And that balance... resides within a person. Someone who has yet to recognise their own power."
Lichen shifted her hands slightly in her lap. Her expression remained calm, but something stirred deep within her. Something strange, something strangely familiar. It was as though she had heard those words before. Or perhaps... someone had once whispered them to her in a place of deep darkness, many years ago.
Rongwei scratched his head. "Then what are we supposed to do? Who is this third person? And where are they?"
Lixuan closed the book.
"This book is not complete. There is another part—a second fragment. And that..."
He looked towards Zhichen.
Zhichen finished his sentence. "It is in Qingyu."
Silence returned to the hall.
Fengli immediately stood up. "Qingyu? In Mo Yan's possession?"
Yunshen slowly nodded. "That is precisely what makes this so dangerous. If the second part of the book is in Qingyu, it may be hidden from Mo Yan's eyes. Or perhaps... he already knows about it and wants to ensure that we never find it."
"Then what should we do?" Fengli asked.
Yunshen looked towards Xiangu, who rose from his seat.
"First, we must discover what else is written in the book. For that, our scholars will have to work together. The script is ancient, and deciphering it will take time. Second, we need more information about Qingyu. Is the second part of the book safe there? Does Mo Yan know about it?"
"And third," Zhichen added, "we must understand how the two powers are supposed to unite. We also need to discover who the third person is."
Yunshen opened his eyes.
"Therefore, during today's assembly, I ask Fengli and everyone present to share whatever knowledge they possess. The time has come for us to work together and unravel this mystery."
Fengli immediately bowed his head. "The Shenqi Clan stands with you. We will do whatever is within our power."
Xiangu spoke firmly. "For the next few days, we will devote ourselves to studying and understanding the book. Until we obtain some concrete information, no one is to go towards Qingyu. That is an order."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
The assembly came to an end, and people gradually began to rise from their seats. Fengli glanced towards Lixuan, his gaze lingering on him for a long moment, as though he wanted to ask something. But in the end, he turned away without saying a word and left.
Rongwei approached Lixuan.
"Master Xiu, those figures you encountered at the temple... were they found only inside that temple?"
Lixuan looked at him. "Why do you ask?"
"Because similar figures have also been spotted near the borders of Shenqi. Thin, withered, and hunched over. They have been wandering outside villages under the cover of darkness."
Lixuan and Zhichen exchanged a glance.
"Inform Fengli," Lixuan said. "And Xiangu as well. This is not limited to the temple anymore."
Rongwei nodded and quickly followed Fengli.
Lichen rose from her seat. She brought her hands together in front of her and slowly made her way towards the assembly hall's exit. Her steps were calm, but her mind was occupied with countless thoughts.
Those lines...
"When two powers become one, only then shall the third remain protected."
The words continued to echo in her mind. She didn't know why, but she felt as though they had been spoken for her. But how could that be? What power did she possess? She was blind, an ordinary girl. Or perhaps... she wasn't as ordinary as she believed.
She lightly touched her wrist. There was something she didn't know. Something that had never been revealed to her.
Lixuan glanced towards Zhichen.
"It seems whatever was inside that temple is now coming out."
Zhichen replied calmly, "Hmm. Or perhaps it has been outside for a long time. We're only beginning to see it now."
Together, they stepped out of the assembly hall. The morning sunlight had grown stronger, yet a new darkness was slowly taking shape within their hearts.
The mystery of the ancient book. The danger of Qingyu. And the third power—still unaware of its own identity, perhaps even unaware of itself.
---
As soon as Fengli left the assembly hall, he quickened his pace and caught up with Rongwei. Rongwei had been looking for Xiangu, but the curiosity on Fengli's face was unmistakable.
"Rongwei, wait."
Rongwei stopped. "Yes, Chief Fengli?"
"Who exactly is Xiu? Where did that man come from?"
Rongwei shrugged. "He's a musician. A very good one. He's the Royal Musician of Shenmei now."
"That's all? His eyes... the way he walks... something about him seems familiar."
Rongwei thought for a moment before replying quietly.
"You're not the only one who feels that way. Sometimes, I also feel as though I've seen him somewhere before. But perhaps it's because his face is hidden behind that mask, making him seem so mysterious."
Fengli said nothing.
His eyes remained fixed on Lixuan's retreating figure in the distant courtyard. That mask. That composed way of walking. And those eyes—which he had only managed to see clearly once. Ever since then, he had felt that those eyes were trying to tell him something.
Something that he, and perhaps someone else from many years ago, had been waiting to hear.
"Come on, let's find Xiangu," Rongwei said. "The figures spotted near the Shenqi borders are important."
Fengli nodded, and the two headed towards Xiangu.
---
Meanwhile, Lixuan and Zhichen were making their way towards the courtyard. The morning sunlight had now spread across the entire courtyard, and a cool breeze drifted through the shade of the trees.
Lixuan glanced at Zhichen.
"Did you notice Fengli's eyes?"
"Hmm. He was trying to recognise you."
"Perhaps. Or maybe he was simply suspicious."
"What difference does it make?"
Lixuan stopped walking. Zhichen stopped beside him.
"It makes a difference because if Fengli recognises me, the others might recognise me too. And then they'll start asking questions that I've been avoiding for so long."
"What questions are you trying to avoid?"
Lixuan remained silent for a few moments before answering quietly.
"I don't know. Perhaps... I need a little more time. Until the mystery of the book is solved, I don't want to burden myself with another complication concerning my identity."
Zhichen said nothing. He knew that the silence behind Lixuan's words was not merely fear. It was also a sense of responsibility—a responsibility Lixuan had willingly placed upon his own shoulders.
Perhaps that was why he was so cautious. So distant. So determined to remain hidden behind his mask.
---
Lichen was making her way towards her chamber. The palace corridors were deserted. After the assembly, everyone had returned to their respective duties. Her footsteps were slow, as though she were spending more time thinking than walking.
Those words.
"When two powers become one, only then shall the third remain protected."
Why did the same words keep echoing in her mind? She had heard them for the first time today. Then why did it feel as though they had always existed somewhere within her, and someone had merely given them a voice today?
She opened the door to her chamber, stepped inside, and closed it behind her. Then she sat down on her bed.
"The third..." she whispered. "Who is the third?"
Her fingers brushed against her wrist.
The bracelet began to glow.
There was something she knew but refused to acknowledge. Something that had never been revealed to her. And perhaps... even her Master was hiding something from her.
---
Xiangu was in his chamber, with maps of Shenmei's border regions spread across the table before him. Fengli and Rongwei entered. Without wasting any time, Fengli began speaking.
"Chief, something strange is happening near the borders of Shenqi. Strange figures have been appearing outside the villages under the cover of darkness. They are withered and hunched over, just like the ones Xiu encountered at the temple."
Xiangu frowned. "Since when?"
"For the past few weeks. At first, we thought someone might have imagined it. But now several villagers have seen them with their own eyes. And last night... the head of one of the villages disappeared as well."
Rongwei stepped forward.
"Master Xiu told us that similar figures were present inside the temple. They attacked him and Zhichen, and their claws carried poison."
Xiangu immediately rose to his feet.
"This means those figures are not confined to the temple. They are coming out. Or perhaps... someone has sent them out."
Fengli asked, "Mo Yan?"
Xiangu shook his head slightly.
"It's possible. Or perhaps this is connected to the mystery written in the book. Do you remember? 'When two paths converge, only then shall the third gate open.' Perhaps those figures are guarding that very gate. Or perhaps... they are trying to prevent it from opening."
"Should we send more soldiers to the Shenqi borders?" Fengli asked.
Xiangu considered the matter for a few moments.
"Not yet. First, we must discover what those figures are, where they are coming from, and what they want. Xiu and Zhichen managed to cut them down at the temple, which means they crumble like dust. But the poison was real. That tells us their origin must have some kind of source. Somewhere from which they are emerging."
"Qingyu," Rongwei murmured.
Xiangu nodded.
"Or perhaps... the Eastern Divine Temple. It is possible that the chamber where Xiu and Zhichen found the book is also the place from which those creatures originated. And ever since the book was removed, they have begun appearing outside."
Fengli asked, "Then should we return the book?"
"No. The answers are in that book. We must read it. Until then, we will remain vigilant near the Shenqi borders. Fengli, order your soldiers to strengthen the night patrols. No one is to leave the villages alone after dark."
Fengli bowed his head. "Understood."
---
Evening had arrived.
Lixuan sat alone in the palace courtyard. The ancient book rested in his hands, but his eyes were not on its pages. Instead, he gazed towards the distant mountains. The sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of red.
Zhichen approached and sat beside him without saying a word.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Then Lixuan broke the silence.
"We'll have to go to the Shenqi borders tomorrow morning. We need to find out what those figures are."
"Hmm."
"And after that... Qingyu."
Zhichen turned towards him. Lixuan's gaze remained fixed on the distant mountains.
"We cannot move forward until we find the second part of the book. And it's in Qingyu. That means we'll have to get close to Mo Yan."
"Xiangu forbade it."
"I know."
Lixuan finally looked at him.
"But sometimes, breaking an order becomes necessary. You remember that, don't you?"
A faint smile appeared on Zhichen's lips.
"You've broken plenty of orders before."
"And you never even tried to stop me."
"Because you were never going to listen."
Lixuan burst into laughter.
For a brief moment, the setting sunlight illuminated his face. Gradually, the evening darkness spread throughout the courtyard.
The two remained seated together.
Tomorrow's worries lay ahead, but for now, there was peace.
---
Night had fallen over the palace. Everything was quiet, and everyone had retired to their chambers. But Fengli could not sleep.
He stood beside the window of his chamber, moonlight falling across his face.
His thoughts kept returning to the same person.
Xiu.
That mask. Those eyes. That voice.
Those eyes...
Fengli closed his eyes.
Suddenly, a memory surfaced. An incident from many years ago.
That night in Shenqi. Zhi Yan's attack. The blood of his parents. And the man who had saved him—the man who had stopped all the soldiers by blowing a whistle.
There had been a fire in that man's eyes.
The same fire he had seen in Xiu's eyes today.
"Lixuan..." Fengli whispered.
Could it really be true?
Was Xiu actually Lixuan?
He opened his eyes. The moonlight still reflected in them.
Tomorrow morning, he would speak to Xiangu in private. He would ask questions. And perhaps... he would finally get the chance to see his old friend once again.
---
Morning was approaching.
The coming day would bring new questions.
---
Fengli could not sleep. He had spent the entire night tossing and turning in his bed. The moonlight gradually shifted away from the window and crept across the wall.
Finally, before dawn, he rose from his bed.
He changed his clothes, fastened his sword to his waist, and headed straight towards Xiangu's chamber.
The palace was still quiet. The servants had not yet begun their duties, and the only sound echoing through the corridors was that of Fengli's footsteps.
When he reached Xiangu's chamber, he knocked.
"Come in."
Fengli opened the door.
Xiangu was seated at his desk, with several pages of the ancient book spread before him. He looked up, and upon seeing Fengli, placed his writing brush down.
"Fengli? So early?"
Fengli closed the door and took a seat opposite him. There was something in his eyes—not merely curiosity, but a strange restlessness as well.
"Chief, I haven't been able to sleep since last night."
Xiangu leaned back in his chair, resting his head against its back.
"What is it?"
"Xiu."
Xiangu's brows drew together slightly.
"Xiu? What happened to him?"
"Yesterday, during the assembly, when he was describing what happened at the temple... his eyes. His voice. Something about them reminded me of something. But I couldn't understand what."
Xiangu remained silent for a few moments.
"What did they remind you of?"
Fengli lowered his head.
"I don't know, Chief. It's just a strange feeling. As though I've seen him somewhere before. As though his eyes are trying to tell me something he cannot say aloud."
"Fengli, Xiu is a mysterious person. He hides his face and conceals his identity. Perhaps you see something familiar in his eyes, something you know but have yet to recognise."
"Do you know anything about him, Chief? Anything at all?"
Xiangu shook his head.
"All I know is that he is an excellent musician, and Zhichen trusts him. And when Zhichen places his trust in someone, I do the same. Beyond that, I know nothing."
Fengli bowed his head.
"Perhaps I'm just overthinking it."
"Perhaps. But listening to your heart is never wrong. Just... don't rush into anything. Everything has its own time."
Fengli stood up. Before leaving, he glanced towards Xiangu once more.
"Chief, there's something else. Last night, we discovered a cave near the Shenqi borders. Those figures—the same ones found at the temple—were seen entering that cave. Xiu suggested that we should investigate it tomorrow morning."
Xiangu nodded.
"Go. Whatever you find, report it to us. But be careful. That cave and those creatures... everything seems to be part of a much larger conspiracy."
Fengli bowed his head and left the chamber.
Light was beginning to spread through the corridors. Dawn had arrived.
Yet the same question remained in his heart.
Who are you, Xiu? And why do your eyes remind me of someone else?
Morning.
The courtyard of Shenmei.
Lixuan, Zhichen, and Rongwei were ready to leave. Their swords were fastened at their waists, and they carried only the essentials for the journey. Fengli had also arrived.
He looked at Lixuan for a long moment, but said nothing.
Just as they were about to leave the courtyard, the sound of footsteps came from behind them.
It was Lichen.
Her steps were quick—as quick as a blind girl could manage. She walked straight towards Lixuan and extended her hand, as though trying to stop him.
"Master."
Lixuan stopped and turned towards her.
"Lichen? What happened?"
"I'm coming too."
Lixuan frowned.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because that place isn't safe."
"I'm not afraid."
"I know. But you cannot fight, Lichen. What will happen if danger arises? What if those creatures attack us? What will you do? You cannot see, and you cannot fight. You'll only put your own life and the lives of others at risk."
Lichen's expression hardened. Her fingers moved towards her wrist.
"I can take care of myself."
"You can look after yourself, but you cannot fight. There will be a battle today. You will stay here."
"Master—"
"Lichen."
Anger had entered Lixuan's voice now. It was the kind of restrained anger that surfaced only when he was deeply worried about someone.
"I already told you. You're not coming. This is my final decision. You'll be safe here. Stay here."
Lichen stood silently for a few moments.
Her eyes were covered by a bandage, but if they had been visible, perhaps they would have been filled with tears. Or anger. Or both.
Without saying another word, she lowered her head and turned around. Then she began walking back towards the palace.
Her steps were slower now, as though she had accepted defeat.
Rongwei glanced at Lixuan.
"Master Xiu, weren't you a little too harsh? She only wanted to stay with you."
Lixuan said nothing.
He knew he had been right. But doing the right thing did not always make it feel any easier.
He glanced at Zhichen. Zhichen remained silent as well, only giving a slight nod. He understood that Lixuan had made that decision for Lichen's safety.
"Let's go," Lixuan finally said.
The four of them stepped out of the courtyard.
Back inside the palace, Lichen was making her way towards her chamber.
The corridor was deserted. Her steps were slow, and her shoulders were lowered. It was as though she had to gather all her strength just to take each step.
She opened the door to her chamber, stepped inside, and closed it behind her.
Then she sat down on her bed.
For a few moments, she remained completely still.
Gradually, words began to escape her lips.
"I'm blind."
Her voice was quiet and calm, as though she were speaking to no one but herself.
"I cannot see. I cannot fight. I cannot protect myself. I'm nothing but a burden. To Master... and to everyone."
Her fingers touched her wrist.
The bracelet was warm.
Very warm.
It felt as though something was awakening beneath her touch.
"Next time, I'll come with you... I said that. But how? What can I possibly do? I'm blind. I can't do anything."
Her breathing grew uneven, and something seemed to catch in her throat.
"When everyone else is fighting, I just stand in a corner. When everyone draws their swords, I can only stand still. I'm of no use to anyone. I'm just... just..."
Her voice broke.
She lay down on her bed.
Her eyes were still covered by the bandage, but tears began to stream from beneath it. Hot, silent tears.
For the first time in years, Lichen was crying.
Not for her parents. Not because of her blindness.
She was crying because she believed herself to be weak.
And nothing hurt her more than that.
"I want to do something..." she whispered. "I want to change myself. I cannot remain like this. I'm not weak. I cannot be weak."
Her voice had completely broken.
Only her uneven breathing remained, along with her tears and the warmth of the bracelet.
And at that very moment, something happened within her.
Something awakened.
Something stirred.
It was as though an unknown creature, asleep for years, was finally beginning to stir from its slumber.
The warmth of the bracelet spread from her wrist to her arms. Her breath caught.
Her eyes were closed, yet the darkness no longer felt the same.
Something was glowing within that darkness.
Blue and black.
Together, moving in a single rhythm.
Lichen opened her eyes.
Darkness lay before her, just as it always had.
But this time, something was different.
Something had changed.
Something that had never been there before.
And she had no idea that this was only the beginning.