The moment they stepped out of the cave, all four of them drew a simultaneous sigh of relief. Morning light had now spread across the entire sky. The cold breeze brushed against their faces, making them feel as though they had escaped the darkness and returned to the world of the living. Yet their minds remained troubled.
Rongwei sheathed his sword. His breathing was still uneven.
"What was that? That man… those corpses… that ancient book… Everything disappeared in an instant, as though it had all been a dream."
"It wasn't a dream," Fengli replied. "Everything was real. And that's what makes it even more dangerous."
Rongwei looked at Fengli. "You saw it too, didn't you? That ancient book… it was with Master Xiu and the Prince in Shenmei. Then how did it end up here?"
Fengli glanced at Lixuan.
Lixuan remained silent, his gaze fixed on the distant mountains. His hand was clenched into a fist.
"Master Xiu," Rongwei said quietly. "Was that book with you? How did that red-eyed man take it away?"
Lixuan slowly exhaled.
"That book… it never belonged to me. It belonged to that man. And the moment he declared it was his, it appeared in his hand on its own. As though the book itself had chosen him."
"But it was in Shenmei," Fengli said. "No one brought it here. Then how…"
"That's exactly what I can't understand," Lixuan replied. "Was it truly the same book? Or was it merely an illusion? Because if it was the original, how did it travel from Shenmei to this place?"
Zhichen had not spoken a single word. He stood a little distance away, staring at the entrance of the cave. His expression was calm, but something was clearly occupying his thoughts.
Rongwei turned towards him.
"Your Highness, please say something. What do you think?"
Zhichen finally spoke.
"That book was real."
Everyone turned towards him.
"How can you be so certain?" Fengli asked.
"Because I saw recognition in that man's eyes—the kind of recognition that only a true owner possesses. And because… the book chose to return to him. If it had been an illusion, it wouldn't have possessed such power."
Lixuan looked at Zhichen.
"Then what happened? How did the book travel from Shenmei to here?"
"Perhaps it was never in Shenmei to begin with. Perhaps it had always been here. And the part we brought out of the temple… was only another fragment of the same book."
Rongwei scratched his head.
"So, does that mean we have nothing left now? The book is gone, that man has disappeared, and those corpses are hanging from the ceiling again?"
"For now, yes," Lixuan replied. "But we have already read those verses, and we remember what that man told us. We need to speak with Xiangu. And Elder Yunshen as well."
Fengli nodded.
"I will accompany you to Shenmei."
Zhichen turned towards them.
"First, we return to Shenmei. We'll decide what to do next after that."
---
Shenmei Clan
The journey back to Shenmei was quiet. All four had become lost in their own thoughts. The scene inside the cave kept replaying in their minds.
The man dressed in white and red. His crimson eyes.
And that ancient book—the very sight of which had left Lixuan breathless.
As soon as they reached the palace entrance, a servant informed them that Chief Xiangu was in his chambers and wished to meet them.
The four headed straight towards Xiangu's chambers.
The door was open. Xiangu was seated at his desk, with the pages of the ancient book spread out before him. He had been studying them earlier. The moment he noticed their arrival, he put down his brush.
"Come in. Sit down."
Everyone took their seats.
Xiangu first looked towards Lixuan.
"What happened? What did you find inside the cave?"
Lixuan glanced at Zhichen. Zhichen gave a slight nod.
Taking a deep breath, Lixuan began recounting everything—the darkness inside the cave, the drops of blood, the hanging corpses, how they had come to life, and finally, the man dressed in white and red who had stopped every single corpse with nothing more than a gesture.
Xiangu's brows gradually furrowed as he listened.
"And then?" Xiangu asked.
Lixuan paused and looked towards Zhichen.
Zhichen continued, "Then he claimed that the temple belonged to him. He also said that the ancient book was his and that he had written it."
Xiangu's expression grew serious.
"And what happened after that?"
"Then… the book appeared in his hand. It was the very same book we had taken from the temple and kept safely in Shenmei. Yet it was suddenly in that man's possession. And then he disappeared."
Xiangu immediately stood up. For the first time, uneasiness was visible in his eyes.
"That book… the one you brought back… it was here in the palace. What happened to it?"
Lixuan replied, "It isn't there anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"We checked just now. The book is no longer here."
Xiangu placed a hand against his forehead.
"Then that means… the book really did return to that man. Just as he claimed, it chose to go back to its master."
Rongwei asked, "Chief, who was that man?"
Xiangu remained silent for a few moments before finally speaking.
"That man… perhaps he is the very person Elder Yunshen used to tell us about. The true guardian of the Eastern Divine Temple. And the author of that ancient book."
Fengli frowned.
"But how can someone be that old? How is he still alive?"
Xiangu slowly closed his eyes.
"Some people never truly die. They simply continue living alongside the responsibility they carry. And his eyes… those crimson eyes… are proof that he has misused his power. Or perhaps… someone turned him into what he is today."
Lixuan glanced at Zhichen. Zhichen's gaze remained fixed on Xiangu. He knew that Xiangu wanted to say something more, but the Chief had fallen silent.
"Tomorrow morning," Xiangu finally said, "I will speak with Elder Yunshen. Until then, all of you should rest. It has been a long journey."
Everyone stood up.
Before leaving, Zhichen glanced once more at Xiangu. Xiangu met his gaze and gave him a slight nod, as though silently telling him that they would speak later.
Lixuan and Zhichen left the chambers together.
As they walked through the corridor, Lixuan quietly said, "Xiangu is hiding something."
Zhichen nodded.
"Hmm."
"Do you know what it is?"
Zhichen stopped and looked at Lixuan.
"No. But we'll find out."
The two continued towards their chambers.
Night was falling. The palace was quiet, but their minds were anything but peaceful.
---
Under the Moonlight
It was night. The full moon shone brightly in the sky, while a gentle breeze swept across the palace rooftop.
Lixuan and Zhichen sat there together, just as they had on many previous nights—in silence, in each other's company.
Lixuan rested his hand on the stone railing. His fingers slid across its cold surface. Suddenly, he felt a slight sting.
"Hiss…"
He lifted his hand and looked at it. A small cut had appeared on his palm, leaving behind a thin line of blood.
"There must be a sharp edge on this railing," he murmured.
Zhichen glanced at him. Without saying a word, he took Lixuan's hand in his own.
There was a small wound on his palm. Zhichen's fingers hovered over it. Slowly, a soft blue light emerged from his fingertips and spread across Lixuan's palm.
Within moments, the wound had healed, and the blood had dried.
Lixuan looked at his hand.
"Your power… comes in quite handy sometimes."
Zhichen said nothing. He held Lixuan's palm for another brief moment before finally letting go.
Just then, they heard footsteps approaching from behind.
Both turned around at the same time.
Xiangu stood at the rooftop entrance. His gaze first fell upon Zhichen, then shifted towards Lixuan. His expression was as calm as ever, but there was something unusual in his eyes.
"So, both of you are here."
"Brother?" Zhichen stood up. "What happened?"
Xiangu slowly approached them. Moonlight fell across his face. His gaze briefly settled on Lixuan's palm—the wound that had already healed. Then his eyes shifted towards Zhichen.
"Zhichen, where is your sword?"
Zhichen answered without hesitation.
"I have it with me, Brother."
Xiangu studied his eyes for a few moments before speaking again.
"Show me."
Zhichen reached for his waist, grasped the hilt of his sword and drew it halfway out of its sheath.
The blade gleamed beneath the moonlight.
Xiangu's gaze remained fixed on it.
It was indeed the same sword.
Yuehan.
Its blue blade bore the symbol of the moon and the wave.
"Is this your sword?" Xiangu asked.
Zhichen nodded.
"Yes. This is my Yuehan."
Xiangu remained silent for a few moments.
The scene he had witnessed at the training grounds kept replaying in his mind—Lichen holding a sword. The same blue blade. The same symbol.
He had seen it with his own eyes.
And now Zhichen had the very same sword in his possession.
How could it exist in two places at once?
"What's wrong, Brother?" Zhichen asked. "Why do you keep asking about my sword?"
Xiangu slowly exhaled.
"Nothing. It's just…"
Zhichen returned his sword to its sheath.
"You seem troubled."
"Hmm. Perhaps a little."
Lixuan listened to their conversation but said nothing. He knew Xiangu was hiding something. And Zhichen… Zhichen had no idea what was happening.
Xiangu looked at Zhichen one last time.
"Tomorrow morning, we'll speak with Elder Yunshen. Perhaps then we'll find answers to some of our questions. Until then… take care of yourself."
With that, Xiangu left the rooftop. The sound of his footsteps gradually faded into the distance.
Lixuan looked at Zhichen.
"Your sword… it was with you."
"Hmm."
"Then why did Xiangu keep asking about it?"
Zhichen gazed at the moon.
"I don't know. Perhaps he misunderstood something."
Lixuan said nothing, but an uneasy feeling lingered in his heart. He had a strange sense that something was happening beyond their knowledge—something hidden from both of them.
And whatever it was, it would soon come to light.
---
Qingyu Clan
It was night.
The palace corridors of Qingyu were dark and cold. The flames of the torches flickered against the walls, casting moving shadows. Outside, the wind blew fiercely, as though something was about to happen that very night.
Moren slowly made his way towards his father's chambers.
There was no urgency in his footsteps, nor any trace of fear. Only an unusual, chilling calmness.
In his hand was a small black fragment—the third piece of Yin Mo Ji.
It pulsed faintly, as though something inside it was breathing.
When he reached the door, he stopped. After a few moments, he pushed it open and entered.
Inside, Mo Yan sat upon his throne with his eyes closed. Before him, the flames of the torches flickered gently.
The moment Moren stepped inside, Mo Yan opened his eyes. His gaze immediately fell upon his son.
"Moren."
There was anger in his voice, but an even greater coldness.
Moren lowered his head.
"Father."
Mo Yan rose from his throne. His eyes began turning red.
"Where have you been all this time? Do you have any idea how many soldiers I sent after you? How many villages I burned? How many people I had killed?"
Moren said nothing.
Mo Yan stepped closer. His eyes had now turned completely crimson.
"Where were you? Answer me!"
Moren slowly extended his hand. The black fragment resting inside his clenched fist began to glow faintly.
Mo Yan's gaze fell upon it. His eyes paused for a moment.
"The third fragment of Yin Mo Ji," Moren said calmly. "I have it."
Mo Yan immediately reached out his hand.
"Give it to me."
Moren kept his fist closed.
"First, you must listen to what I have to say."
Mo Yan's brows furrowed.
"What?"
"I want something in return."
Mo Yan lowered his hand. Both anger and surprise appeared in his eyes.
"What could you possibly want? You already have everything. Status, power, an army, this palace. What more could you need?"
Moren raised his eyes and looked directly at his father. His gaze was cold, yet there was an unusual depth within it.
"I don't have everything. What have you ever given me, Father? Nothing but responsibilities. Nothing but orders. Nothing but fear."
Mo Yan fell silent. His eyes narrowed slightly.
Moren continued, "I am giving you the third fragment of Yin Mo Ji. As for what I want in return… I won't tell you just yet. When the time comes, I will let you know."
With that, he placed the black fragment in Mo Yan's hand.
The moment it touched his palm, the fragment began to pulse.
Without saying anything further, Moren turned to leave.
"Moren!"
Mo Yan's voice echoed throughout the chamber.
"The moment you walk away, understand that you will have lost the last bit of respect you have in my eyes."
Moren stopped.
He did not turn around. Instead, he replied quietly, "You never respected me in the first place, Father. So there's nothing for me to lose."
With those words, he walked out of the chamber.
Mo Yan continued staring at the fragment pulsing in his hand. His fingers tightened around it. His eyes turned crimson, and only one name escaped his lips.
"Moren."
Suddenly, a smile appeared on Mo Yan's face.
It was a cold smile, but there was something else hidden within it—a hunger for victory, a thirst that had remained buried for years.
He looked at the third fragment in his hand. Then he reached inside his robes and took out the other two fragments.
All three fragments began floating before him.
Black, smoky and purple light swirled around them.
Slowly, Mo Yan brought the three fragments together.
The moment they touched, a blinding flash of light erupted.
The entire chamber was flooded with its radiance. All the torches went out at once. The walls trembled, and a terrifying gust of wind swept through the room.
Then, the three fragments merged into one.
A complete black stone—Yin Mo Ji—now rested in Mo Yan's hand.
Purple and black light pulsed from within it, like the beating of a heart.
As though the stone itself were alive.
Mo Yan lifted it onto his palm. His eyes had turned completely red, and the smile on his lips had grown even deeper.
"Now, I am the most powerful being in this world," he murmured. "Only me. No one can defeat me."
He clenched his fist.
The light of Yin Mo Ji continued spreading beyond his hand, as though its power had seeped into every part of his body.
"And now…" He raised his head. "The entire world will await my arrival."
Then he burst into loud laughter.
His laughter echoed throughout the chamber as shadows danced across the walls.
The torches suddenly lit up again, their flames burning brighter than before—as though they, too, were being fuelled by Mo Yan's power.
---
Shenmei Clan — The Following Morning
The first rays of sunlight fell upon the palace courtyard.
Birds began chirping, and the cool breeze brushed against the leaves of the trees. Slowly, the palace began to awaken.
The servants busied themselves with their daily duties.
In the courtyard, Rongwei was already practising with his sword. His movements were swift, but an unusual restlessness occupied his mind that morning.
Lichen sat quietly in her place. A bandage covered her eyes, and her hands rested in her lap.
Yet her fingers kept returning to her wrist, as though she were trying to sense something.
Just then, Lixuan and Zhichen entered the courtyard.
Their faces still carried the exhaustion of the previous night, but their eyes remained alert.
The moment Rongwei noticed them, he stopped his sword practice.
"Master Xiu, Your Highness, both of you together so early in the morning?"
Lixuan gave him such a look that Rongwei immediately fell silent.
Xiangu also arrived shortly afterwards. He was holding the pages of the ancient book he had been studying.
Looking at everyone, he said, "There will be a meeting in Elder Yunshen's chambers this morning. All of you should be prepared."
Zhichen nodded.
"Yes, Brother."
Lichen slowly raised her head.
"Chief, may I come too?"
Xiangu looked at her and considered it for a few moments.
Then he gently replied, "Not yet. We need to discuss a few things among ourselves first. When the time comes, you will be told everything as well."
Lichen lowered her head. Her fingers came to rest against her wrist.
The palace clock struck seven in the morning.
Everyone began leaving their places, but the same question lingered on every face.
What would Elder Yunshen reveal today?
---
The Meeting
Everyone was seated in the meeting hall.
Elder Yunshen had taken his place. His expression was calm, but his eyes held a profound depth, as though he were about to reveal something that had remained hidden for centuries.
Xiangu sat to his right, while Zhichen occupied the seat on his left.
Lixuan, Rongwei and Fengli were also present.
Silence filled the chamber. The only sound was the faint crackling of the torches.
Yunshen slowly opened his eyes and looked at everyone.
"What you witnessed last night," he began, "was nothing new. Everything you saw is part of a mystery that has existed for centuries."
Fengli asked, "Elder, who was that man? The one with the red eyes who stopped us inside the cave?"
Yunshen remained silent for a few moments before replying.
"That man… is not an enemy. He is the guardian of the Eastern Divine Temple and the ancient book you brought back from there."
Lixuan frowned.
"A guardian? But he tried to stop us. His eyes were red, and he was standing among those corpses."
Yunshen gave a slight nod.
"The corpses were already there. That man controls them, but he does not kill them. He merely puts them to rest. And he tried to stop you because he did not want you entering that chamber before you were ready."
Zhichen spoke up.
"But you were the one who sent us to the temple."
"Yes. Because I knew that a part of the ancient book was hidden there. However, I had no idea that he would be there as well. The guardian."
Rongwei asked, "Then… he isn't evil?"
Yunshen replied quietly, "Evil? He is the guardian of a power that protects this world from destruction. He stands alone among hundreds of thousands of corpses, all to ensure that the ancient book never falls into the wrong hands. He cannot be called evil. He is simply… alone."
Fengli spoke again.
"But he took the book back."
Yunshen nodded.
"Because the book belongs to him. He wrote it, and he wishes to keep it with himself until the right time arrives. He is not our enemy, Xiu. He is a curse. For centuries, he has been protecting that temple and the cave. His crimson eyes are proof that he has devoted his entire power to this duty."
Zhichen asked, "And what about those verses? The ones he recited?"
Yunshen remained silent for a moment.
Then he slowly replied, "Those verses were about you two. And about a third person who is still unaware of her own identity. But I cannot reveal anything more just yet. For now, you only need to understand that the guardian is not our enemy. And the book he took back is safe."
Lixuan glanced at Zhichen.
Zhichen's eyes remained fixed on Yunshen. He said nothing, but the image of that red-eyed man continued to linger in his mind—his cold smile, his deep voice, and the way he stood all alone.
"Then what should we do next?" Fengli asked.
Yunshen replied, "First, we must find out where all three fragments of Yin Mo Ji are now. We know the location of two of them—they are with Mo Yan. The third… remains a mystery."
Everyone fell silent.
None of them knew that the third fragment had been in Moren's possession, or that he had handed it over to Mo Yan just last night.
Yunshen continued, "Until then, we must keep our clans prepared. And Xiu, Zhichen—you both must learn to exercise greater control over your powers. That is our only path forward."
The meeting came to an end.
Everyone slowly began to rise, but the same questions lingered on every face.
Where was the third fragment?
And was that guardian truly on their side?
Lixuan looked at Zhichen. Zhichen gave him a slight nod, as though silently assuring him that everything would be all right.
But would it really be?
Only time would tell.
The Mystery of Yuehan
As soon as they left the meeting hall, Zhichen began walking alongside his brother.
Sunlight had now spread throughout the corridors.
While heading towards another chamber, Xiangu gestured for Zhichen to stop.
"Zhichen, I need to talk to you about something."
Zhichen stopped.
"Yes, Brother?"
Xiangu glanced around. The corridor was empty.
Then he lowered his voice.
"It's about Lichen… and your sword."
Zhichen's brows drew together slightly.
"What do you mean?"
Xiangu remained silent for a few moments before speaking.
"Yesterday morning, I saw Lichen at the training grounds. Her eyes were covered with a bandage, but she was holding a sword in her hands."
He paused.
"Your sword. Yuehan."
Zhichen immediately glanced towards his waist and touched the hilt of his sword. It was still there.
He looked back at Xiangu.
"Brother, what are you saying? My sword is with me. You saw it yourself last night."
Xiangu nodded.
"Yes. You showed it to me last night, and it was indeed with you. But that morning, I saw the very same sword in Lichen's hands. The same Yuehan. The same blue blade. The same symbol of the moon and the wave."
Zhichen remained silent for a few moments.
His expression was calm, but something inside him had begun to stir.
"How is that possible? There is only one Yuehan, and it is with me."
"That's exactly what I cannot understand. But I saw it with my own eyes, Zhichen. The sword was in Lichen's hands, and its blade was glowing blue. The light was just like yours."
Zhichen drew his sword from its sheath.
The moonlight was gone now, replaced by the bright morning sunlight. Yet the blue gleam along Yuehan's blade was still clearly visible.
He held it firmly in his hand.
It was exactly the same.
Its weight, its grip, its power—everything was unchanged.
"I don't understand," Zhichen murmured.
Xiangu placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Neither do I. But we must find an answer. And perhaps… that answer lies within Lichen herself."
Zhichen looked into Xiangu's eyes.
"What are you trying to say?"
Xiangu spoke slowly.
"That sword only appears in the hands of its rightful master. If it was in Lichen's hands… then there can only be one explanation. She possesses the same power that you do. Or perhaps… she carries a part of your very own power within her."
Zhichen remained silent for a while.
He returned his sword to its sheath. His eyes now held that familiar depth—the expression that appeared whenever he found himself close to uncovering a mystery.
"I need to speak with Lichen," he said quietly.
Xiangu nodded.
"Yes. But not yet. First, we must understand what is happening. And for that, we will need Elder Yunshen's help."
Zhichen said nothing.
His gaze drifted towards the corridor leading to the training grounds.
The very place where Lichen had practised with a sword that morning.
That sword…
Perhaps it was his.
Or perhaps… it was something else entirely.