The first rays of morning sunlight filtered through the dense trees of the forest, falling gently upon the ground. Lixuan and Zhichen were walking towards the forest with Bao Lin and Mei Lian. The night's moisture still clung to the leaves, and the air carried the earthy scent of damp soil.
Bao Lin walked ahead, holding an old wooden staff in his hand. Mei Lian followed closely behind him.
They were not walking hurriedly, but their eyes kept wandering around, as though they were afraid of the forest.
The path gradually led deeper into the woods. The trees grew denser, and the sunlight became increasingly faint.
Finally, Bao Lin stopped.
"That is it. This is the place."
Lixuan and Zhichen looked ahead.
Before them lay a small clearing. A little further ahead, a river flowed peacefully, its water deep and still. The sound of its gentle currents seemed almost as though it were whispering an ancient tale.
Lixuan's footsteps came to an abrupt halt. The colour slowly drained from his face.
"This... this is the place..." he murmured.
His eyes remained fixed on the river.
The same river. The same riverbank. The very place where his father had struck him in front of everyone. The place where everyone had brought him to the brink of death. The place where Zhichen had stepped between them and stopped his sword—and where drops of both their blood had fallen upon the ground.
Zhichen immediately caught Lixuan by the wrist.
"Stop."
Lixuan tried to pull his hand free.
"I have to go..."
"No." Zhichen's voice was calm, but his grip remained firm. "That is all in the past. You shouldn't go back there."
Lixuan's breathing grew faster. Tears gathered in his eyes.
"You don't understand, Zhichen. Everything began here. My father... in front of everyone..."
"I know." Zhichen turned him gently towards himself. "I was there that day. I was with you."
Lixuan lowered his head. His hands clenched into fists.
"And I... I left you behind."
"You didn't leave. You were forced away."
Lixuan said nothing.
He simply stood there. The river flowed peacefully, and the wind moved gently through the trees. Yet, between the two of them, memories buried for seventeen years had begun to awaken once more.
Bao Lin watched them for a moment.
"We told you that the girl was found here," Mei Lian said. "Right beside this river."
Zhichen turned towards them.
"Here?"
Bao Lin nodded.
"Yes. That night, the little girl was lying beside this very river. She was crying. And there was a plant near her—a plant with blue leaves. But when we picked her up, the plant disappeared. As though it had never existed."
Lixuan raised his head, surprise evident in his eyes.
"The plant disappeared?"
Mei Lian nodded.
"Yes. We saw it twice. Once when we first found the girl, and again when we picked her up. After that, it never appeared again."
Lixuan glanced at Zhichen. His eyes were lost in the same thoughts.
"We should examine the riverbank," Lixuan said.
Zhichen looked at him.
"Are you alright?"
Lixuan offered a faint smile.
"No. But we have to."
The two slowly made their way towards the riverbank. Bao Lin and Mei Lian remained standing behind them.
With every step Lixuan took towards that place, his heartbeat grew faster.
The same place. The same river. The same memories.
And perhaps, beneath this very ground, something had remained buried, waiting for them all these years.
Lixuan and Zhichen continued towards the riverbank. Bao Lin and Mei Lian stayed behind.
The river flowed peacefully, but the soil along its banks was still soft. Moisture lingered in the air.
Both men carefully examined their surroundings.
There was nothing.
No footprints, no traces, no plants, and no remnants of anything from the past. Only dry patches of earth, a few stones, and the endless forest stretching into the distance.
Lixuan looked around once more. Disappointment was evident on his face. Zhichen was searching for something as well, but they found nothing.
Lixuan turned towards Bao Lin.
"When did you find her? The girl?"
Mei Lian stepped forward and answered.
"Seventeen years ago. We were returning home at night when we heard someone crying. We picked her up and took her home."
Zhichen's eyes widened. He immediately looked at Lixuan.
"Seventeen years ago... That was also the year the war took place."
For a moment, Lixuan forgot to breathe.
His eyes remained fixed on Bao Lin. Then he slowly approached them. His expression had changed. There was a cold determination in his movements now—the kind that appeared whenever he wanted someone to tell him the truth.
"You are hiding something else," Lixuan said. His voice was calm, but there was a dangerous edge to it. "Tell me now. Otherwise, the consequences will be severe."
Bao Lin's face turned pale. Mei Lian took a step backwards.
"Whatever we knew, we have already told you. We don't know anything else," Bao Lin replied nervously.
Lixuan tightened his grip around his sword.
"Wrong answer."
Zhichen immediately caught his hand.
"Stop. Killing them won't give us any answers."
Lixuan turned towards him. His eyes were burning with anger.
"They are lying, Zhichen. They know what happened that night."
Zhichen spoke quietly.
"Yes, they know something. But we shouldn't force the truth out of them through violence. We need answers."
Lixuan looked back at Bao Lin.
"You said there was a plant beside the girl. One with blue leaves. And it disappeared when you picked her up."
Bao Lin nodded.
"Yes."
"And was there a bracelet on the girl's wrist?"
Bao Lin nodded again.
"Yes. She had a bracelet. It had always been there. We even tried removing it several times, but it wouldn't come off."
Lixuan narrowed his eyes.
"Anything else? Did you notice anything unusual?"
Bao Lin fell silent. Mei Lian lowered her head.
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
Then Mei Lian finally said in a low voice, "That night... when we picked her up, the bracelet on her wrist was glowing faintly. It lasted only for a moment. Then everything became quiet."
Lixuan and Zhichen exchanged a glance.
Their eyes reflected the same thought they had both been considering.
That girl... was Lichen.
And that bracelet... was the very same one she still wore around her wrist. The bracelet that occasionally began to glow. The bracelet that had stopped the dragon. The bracelet that had protected Lichen.
Lixuan looked directly into Bao Lin's eyes. His gaze was so sharp that Bao Lin immediately lowered his head. Mei Lian took another step backwards.
"Remember this," Lixuan said slowly. His voice carried a coldness that seemed to cut straight to the bone. "If I discover that you have hidden anything else from me... I will end your lives without hesitation. Don't forget that."
Bao Lin's face grew even paler. His breathing became uneven, and he quickly nodded.
"No... We have told you the truth. We haven't hidden anything else."
Lixuan gave him one final piercing look before turning towards Zhichen.
Zhichen spoke quietly.
"Let's go. We won't find anything else here."
Lixuan nodded.
He looked towards the riverbank one last time.
The same place. The same memories. And the same pain that remained as fresh as it had been seventeen years ago.
The two began walking back. Bao Lin and Mei Lian followed behind them.
Nobody spoke.
Only the silence of the forest and the gentle sound of the flowing river accompanied their footsteps.
Lixuan's mind remained occupied with the same thoughts.
The war seventeen years ago. And that very night, a little girl had been found at the same place.
Something about it reminded him of something important, but he couldn't understand what it was.
There was an unfamiliar feeling within him—as though his connection with that girl was far deeper and older than he could imagine.
Yet the truth remained unknown to both of them.
And perhaps... the time to uncover it had not yet arrived.
First, they needed to understand why Lichen was connected to their lives in such an unusual way. And what did the sword, the bracelet, and the blue and black lights truly mean?
---
Lixuan and Zhichen left the forest and began making their way back towards Shenmei.
Morning had already passed, and the sun had climbed higher into the sky. The road was quiet. Apart from their footsteps, the only sound was the rustling of the wind.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Then Zhichen called softly.
"Lixuan."
Without stopping, Lixuan replied, "Hmm?"
"That day... when you were in my arms..."
Zhichen's voice was quiet, but there was a certain depth to it.
"You said that you wanted to stay with me even in your next life."
Lixuan stopped walking.
His entire body became still for a moment. His eyes settled on Zhichen, but his lips remained parted without producing a single word.
The wind passed silently between them.
Lixuan slowly lowered his gaze.
"Did I... really say that?"
Zhichen nodded.
"Yes. When your breathing was growing weaker, you held my hand and told me that you wanted to stay with me in your next life."
Lixuan's breathing grew uneven. His fists tightened as he tried to recall that moment.
The pain. The helplessness. And Zhichen's eyes—which, even then, had been looking at no one but him.
"I... I don't remember," Lixuan whispered.
There was an unfamiliar vulnerability in his voice.
Zhichen looked at him.
"I do. I remember every single word."
A deep silence settled between them.
Neither Lixuan nor Zhichen spoke. They simply looked into each other's eyes, as though the truth hidden behind those words had finally reached their hearts.
After a moment, Lixuan smiled faintly.
"But now I'm here. In this very life."
A slight smile appeared on Zhichen's lips as well.
"Yes. In this very life."
They resumed walking.
But the silence between them was no longer the same. It no longer felt heavy. Instead, it carried a quiet sense of familiarity—a feeling neither of them could fully express in words, yet both could understand.
---
Shenmei Clan
Evening had fallen over Shenmei Palace.
Inside a quiet chamber, the light of the torches danced upon the walls. Xiangu and Yunshen sat facing each other. Silence filled the room.
Yunshen slowly closed his eyes. His expression was calm, but the exhaustion beneath his eyes was unmistakable.
Xiangu continued watching him, as though he wanted to say something but couldn't find the right words.
Finally, Xiangu broke the silence.
"Father, what you said in the assembly yesterday... Was that truly the guardian?"
Yunshen opened his eyes.
"Yes, Xiangu. He is the guardian of that temple. He has protected it for centuries. He is also the one who wrote the ancient book."
Xiangu frowned slightly.
"But you never told us about him."
"Because there was no need to. None of this was supposed to happen. But now the time has come. Whatever happens from this point onwards, you must be prepared for it."
Xiangu remained silent for a few moments.
"Zhichen and Xiu have gone to Qingshui Village."
Yunshen gave a slight nod.
"I know."
"Will they find anything there?"
Yunshen answered slowly.
"What has been written will come to pass. But what they will find, I do not know. Neither do they. Everything now rests in their own hands."
Xiangu clenched his fist.
"Father, I saw something at the training grounds yesterday."
Yunshen turned towards him.
"What?"
Xiangu spoke slowly.
"Lichen was holding a sword. It had a blue blade, with the symbol of a crescent moon and a wave engraved upon it."
Yunshen's eyebrows drew together slightly.
"Yuehan."
Xiangu nodded.
"Yes. That very sword. But it was supposed to be with Zhichen. I saw it with him myself last night."
Yunshen remained silent for a moment, his eyes sinking into deep thought.
"How is that possible?"
Xiangu replied, "That is exactly what I want to know, Father. That sword only appears in the hands of its rightful owner. If it was in Lichen's hands... does that mean she possesses the same power as Zhichen?"
Yunshen lowered his head slightly.
"It is possible. But we still know too little. We must not rush to conclusions."
Xiangu asked, "Then what should we do?"
Yunshen answered quietly.
"Wait. Once Zhichen returns, we will sit together and discuss everything. Whatever is happening now is beyond our control. And perhaps... the time has come for us to face the truth."
The silence inside the chamber grew deeper.
The flames of the torches flickered gently, while the wind outside began to grow stronger.
Yet both men were occupied by the same questions.
Who was Lichen? And why had Zhichen's sword accepted her as its owner?
---
It was night when Lixuan and Zhichen finally returned to Shenmei.
The palace was quiet. Everyone had already gone to sleep.
Without speaking to anyone, the two headed directly towards their respective chambers. Their exhaustion was evident, but their minds were filled with far more questions than fatigue.
Lixuan opened the door to his chamber and sat down on the bed.
He removed his mask and placed it aside. Closing his eyes, he tried to sleep, but sleep refused to come.
The same river. The same place. The same memories.
And Zhichen's words—
You wanted to stay with me even in your next life.
Lixuan squeezed his eyes shut.
His heart was beating faster.
Meanwhile, Zhichen stood beside the window in his own chamber. Moonlight fell across his face.
He was remembering the moment by the river. Lixuan's eyes, his silence, and the strange attraction that existed between them.
He gently touched the hilt of his sword.
Yuehan.
And then he remembered Lichen holding that very same sword.
Two Yuehans. One power.
---
The Following Morning
Everyone had gathered in the assembly hall.
Senior Yunshen sat in his designated seat. Xiangu was seated to his right, while Zhichen sat to his left. Lixuan and Rongwei were also present.
Silence filled the hall. Every face was serious.
Yunshen spoke slowly.
"Now, tell us. What did you discover in Qingshui Village?"
Zhichen glanced at Lixuan. Lixuan gave a slight nod.
Turning towards everyone, Zhichen began explaining.
"Bao Lin and Mei Lian told us that they found the girl in the forest seventeen years ago. They picked her up, and there was a plant nearby. It had blue leaves."
Xiangu frowned.
"A plant?"
Zhichen nodded.
"Yes. But the moment they picked up the girl, the plant disappeared. As though it had never existed."
Rongwei asked, "Did they tell you anything else? Nothing more?"
Zhichen shook his head.
"That was all. And the place where they found her... was the same place where the war took place seventeen years ago."
A heavy silence settled over the hall.
"The same place..." Xiangu murmured. "The place where Lixuan was killed."
Zhichen said nothing. He merely lowered his head slightly.
Lixuan's eyes remained fixed on the ground, and his fist tightened.
Yunshen spoke slowly.
"Seventeen years ago. The same place. And that very night, a little girl was found there. All of this... must mean something."
Rongwei asked, "But what? What was that plant? And what does that girl, Lichen, have to do with all of this?"
Yunshen closed his eyes.
"That is exactly what we need to understand. And perhaps... the answer lies within Lichen herself."
Everyone fell silent.
The only sound was the faint crackling of the torches.
The same questions lingered on every face.
Who was Lichen? And what had happened that night, seventeen years ago, in that forest beside the river—something that continued to change everyone's lives even now?
---
After the assembly ended, Lixuan headed straight towards Lichen's chamber.
The palace corridors were quiet. Morning sunlight streamed through the windows.
He opened the door.
Lichen was sitting on her bed, a blindfold covering her eyes. Her hands rested in her lap, and her fingers were gently tracing the bracelet around her wrist.
As soon as the door opened, she lifted her face.
"Master?" A faint smile appeared in her voice. "You're back?"
Lixuan entered and closed the door behind him.
"Yes. I'm back."
Lichen turned her face towards him.
"Where did you go? You weren't here since morning. The Prince wasn't here either."
Lixuan replied quietly, "I had some work to do. I went outside."
Lichen remained silent for a moment before speaking again.
"You sound tired, Master."
Lixuan smiled faintly.
"How can you tell?"
"Your breathing. And your footsteps. When you're tired, your steps become slower."
Lixuan lowered his head slightly.
He knew Lichen was blind, yet her ability to sense the smallest changes was sharper than that of many people who could see.
"Would you like me to bring you some water?" Lichen asked.
"No. I'm fine. I just came to see you."
A faint smile spread across Lichen's lips.
"You came just to see me? That's a first."
Lixuan turned his face away.
"You ask too many questions."
"And you hide too many things."
Lixuan glanced at her for a moment.
The girl sitting before him was the same girl he had found in the forest. The one he had brought back with him. The one he had made his disciple. The one who had gradually become an important part of his life.
And now, that very girl might be the greatest mystery of his existence.
"Lichen," Lixuan said quietly. "What do you remember about your childhood?"
Lichen remained silent for a few moments. Her fingers stopped moving over her bracelet.
"Only... darkness. And the blindfold. And those people."
"Nothing else?"
"That's all, Master. Sometimes I wonder who I really am. But I never find an answer. I only know that I'm with you. And that's enough for me."
For a moment, Lixuan forgot to breathe.
He slowly reached out and placed his hand upon her head.
"I'm here, aren't I? I'll stay by your side."
Lichen smiled and lowered her head slightly.
"Yes, Master."
For that brief moment, a strange sense of peace settled within Lixuan.
Yet, beneath that peace, there was also an unfamiliar uneasiness.
He knew the truth about Lichen would soon come to light.
And perhaps... that truth would change both their lives.
Lichen slowly raised her face. Her eyes remained hidden beneath the blindfold, but there was an unusual determination in her expression.
"Master, will you teach me how to wield a sword?"
Lixuan looked at her, slightly surprised.
"A sword?"
Lichen nodded.
"Yes. I... I want to learn how to fight. I don't want to remain weak. Yesterday, when all of you went to the cave, I went to the training grounds. I picked up a sword, and... I felt that I could do it."
Lixuan remained silent for a few moments.
His gaze fell upon her blindfold.
The girl who couldn't see wanted to learn how to wield a sword.
There was a fire within her. A determination that refused to fade.
"Alright," Lixuan finally said. "I'll teach you."
A bright smile spread across Lichen's face.
"Really?"
"Yes. Starting tomorrow morning. At the training grounds."
Lichen quickly nodded.
"I'll be ready, Master."
Lixuan placed his hand on her head.
"But there's one condition."
"What is it?"
"If you get tired, you must tell me. And if you get injured, you must tell me immediately. Don't try to act brave."
Lichen smiled and lowered her head.
"Yes, Master."
Lixuan gave her one final look before leaving the chamber.
As he walked through the corridor, he thought about how tomorrow would mark a new beginning.
Lichen would no longer remain merely his disciple.
She would begin her journey towards becoming a warrior.
And perhaps... her power had already begun to awaken.
She simply didn't know it yet.
Lixuan adjusted his mask and headed towards his own chamber.
Lichen's training would begin the following morning, and he would personally teach her how to wield a sword.
That girl... who might be connected to the very powers that belonged to him and Zhichen.
---
As Lixuan walked through the corridor, he suddenly ran in rongwei.
Rongwei was holding a small fruit in his hand, just about to put it into his mouth.
The moment he noticed Lixuan, his eyes widened.
"Master Xiu? You're here? At this hour? And why do you look so lost in thought?"
Lixuan shot him an annoyed look.
"Rongwei, move aside. I need to go to my chamber."
Instead of moving, Rongwei took another step forward, blocking his way.
"Your chamber? So early? And after being missing since morning? Come on, tell me something! How was Qingshui Village? Did you find anything? Anything about Lichen?"
Lixuan frowned.
"You heard everything in the assembly."
"Yes, I did. But I only heard half the story. Where were you and the Prince all night? What did you do in the forest? You're definitely hiding something."
Lixuan tightened his grip around his sword.
"Rongwei, if you say one more word..."
Rongwei immediately took two steps backwards.
"Hey, hey! Why are you getting angry? I was just thinking that you and the Prince spent the entire night together, in the forest, beneath the moonlight..."
Lixuan's eyes turned red with anger.
"RONGWEI!"
Rongwei burst into laughter and quickly ran behind Xiangu, who had just appeared at the turn of the corridor.
Peeking from behind Xiangu's shoulder, Rongwei cried out,
"Chief, save me! Master Xiu is trying to kill me!"
Xiangu first glanced at Rongwei and then at Lixuan. A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Rongwei, what did you say this time?"
Rongwei put on an innocent expression.
"I only said that he and the Prince spent the entire night together. That's all. It's the truth, isn't it?"
Lixuan took a step forward.
"Xiangu, would you mind telling him to move aside?"
Xiangu raised a hand in front of Rongwei.
"Xiu, forgive him. He's still a child."
Rongwei immediately protested.
"A child? Me?"
Without even looking back, Xiangu replied,
"Yes, you. Now be quiet."
Rongwei closed his mouth, but the mischief in his eyes was impossible to hide.
Lixuan took a deep breath.
"Fine. I'm going to my chamber."
Just as he turned to leave, Rongwei spoke softly.
"Master Xiu, the moon was beautiful last night, wasn't it?"
Lixuan's footsteps stopped.
He turned around.
Rongwei was still hiding behind Xiangu, smiling mischievously.
"Rongwei..." Lixuan's voice was dangerously low.
Rongwei quickly grabbed Xiangu's arm.
"Chief! Save me!"
Xiangu pressed a hand against his forehead.
"You two... enough already."
Rongwei's laughter echoed throughout the corridor.
Lixuan shook his head and walked away without another word.
But there was a faint smile on his lips too, one he tried his best to hide.
Only Xiangu and Rongwei remained in the corridor.
Lixuan had already disappeared towards his chamber.
Rongwei was still smiling as though he had just achieved some great victory.
Xiangu looked at him.
"Why do you always do this?"
"Do what?"
"Tease Xiu. He barely speaks as it is, and you keep finding ways to irritate him."
Rongwei spread his arms.
"Chief, if I don't tease him, he'll lock himself inside his chamber and spend all his time thinking. At least because of me, he gets angry sometimes. And if he gets angry, that means he's alive."
Xiangu shook his head slightly.
"Your way of thinking is unusual."
"Not unusual. Correct."
Xiangu began walking forward, and Rongwei followed beside him.
Their footsteps echoed softly through the corridor.
"Rongwei," Xiangu said after a moment. "What do you think about Xiu?"
Rongwei thought for a moment before answering.
"He hides a lot of things. And people who hide so much usually carry pain they don't want anyone else to know about."
Xiangu stopped walking and looked at him.
"When did you start thinking about such things?"
Rongwei smiled faintly.
"Chief, I don't joke around all the time. Sometimes, I think too."
Xiangu remained silent for a moment before speaking.
"You're right. Xiu has many things he's hiding. And perhaps... the truth will come out soon."
Rongwei asked, "Do you know something?"
Xiangu let out a long breath.
"Only that whatever is happening is beyond our control. All we can do is wait."
Rongwei nodded.
"Wait. Yes. I know how to wait too."
Xiangu glanced at him and smiled faintly for the first time.
"You? Wait? You lose your patience within moments."
Rongwei puffed out his chest.
"Chief, you misunderstand me. I'm very patient."
"Since when?"
"From now on."
Both of them burst into laughter.
Their laughter filled the quiet corridor.
For that moment, a strange warmth settled between them. No words, no responsibilities—just two people sharing a peaceful moment together.
The Following Morning — Training Grounds
Soft sunlight spread across the training grounds. The morning air was cool.
Lixuan and Lichen stood in the middle of the grounds. Lixuan held a wooden practice sword, while Lichen held an ordinary sword.
Zhichen and Rongwei sat a little distance away, watching them.
Lixuan carefully taught Lichen how to hold her sword.
"Keep your feet firmly planted on the ground. Don't loosen your grip. Always keep the tip of your sword pointed forward."
Lichen listened attentively.
Behind her blindfold was only darkness, but her grip on the sword was gradually becoming stronger.
"And remember, pay attention to your breathing. A sword moves with your breath," Lixuan instructed.
Lichen nodded.
She raised her sword and swung it through the air. Her movements were already better than before.
Lixuan corrected her posture a few more times, and then they began practising together.
Suddenly, a faint voice reached Lichen's ears.
It wasn't clear. It sounded almost like someone whispering through the wind.
"Your own... have found you..."
Lichen's hands froze for a moment.
Her breathing grew faster.
"What?"
The voice came again, even more distant and indistinct this time. It sounded as though someone was speaking from far away.
Some words were clear, while others were impossible to understand.
"Your own..."
Lichen tilted her head slightly, trying to hear the voice more clearly.
Her attention drifted away from the training.
The sword slipped slightly in her hand.
And in the next instant, its blade struck her left arm.
"Ahh..."
Blood began to flow from the wound. At first, only a little, but soon it became heavier. The blade had cut deeply into her arm.
Lichen immediately clutched her injured arm. Her breathing grew rapid, and warm blood began dripping from her fingers.
Lixuan and Zhichen rushed towards her at the same time.
"Lichen!"
Lixuan caught her arm while Zhichen stepped closer to examine the wound.
And at that very moment, an unfamiliar pang of pain crossed both their faces.
It felt as though they had been injured themselves.
Lixuan clutched his chest. Zhichen closed his eyes.
Pain.
It was faint, but unmistakable.
As though Lichen's pain had travelled through their own bodies.
Rongwei noticed what had happened from a distance and immediately rushed towards them.
"What happened? Is Lichen alright?"
Lichen spoke weakly.
"It's just... a small injury."
But Lixuan and Zhichen both knew that this was no ordinary injury.
Something else was happening.
A mysterious bond was connecting all of them, and that bond was slowly beginning to reveal itself.
Lixuan used his spiritual power to heal the wound on Lichen's arm. Zhichen also released h
is blue light, helping stop the bleeding.
Lichen gradually felt better.
But the uneasiness within the two men only grew stronger.
That voice.
That pain.
That connection.
Something was linking all of them together.
And perhaps... the truth would soon be revealed to everyone.