In the darkness of the cave, Moran's voice had grown even deeper, as if the darkness itself had merged into his voice. He was slowly walking toward Lichen.
Lichen's heart was pounding so fast that it felt as though even her breaths would abandon her. The sound of every footstep echoed in her ears.
"You tried to escape?" Moran said coldly.
His gaze fell on the broken ropes.
"And you even freed yourself..."
He had already come very close.
"But how?" Anger rose in his voice. "This was an enchanted binding. How did you break it?"
Lichen didn't even get the chance to answer.
In the very next moment, a sharp slash of a sword struck directly across her hand.
"Ahhh!"
Her scream echoed throughout the entire cave.
The pain was so sudden and deep that she couldn't even steady herself and collapsed onto the ground.
Her hand was trembling violently.
Warm blood flowed from her wrist and touched the cold stone floor.
Her breathing was breaking apart, yet she still tried to hold herself together.
Meanwhile, Lixuan, Zhichen, and Rongwei had reached very close to the waterfall.
The rushing water was crashing loudly against the rocks, so loudly that it was difficult to notice anything else around them.
"The cave should be somewhere here," Rongwei said anxiously.
Zhichen immediately looked at Lixuan.
"Xiu, talk to Lichen. What if she's in trouble?"
Lixuan cut him off before he could finish.
"I won't waste any more time."
There was a strange harshness in his voice.
Yet beneath that harshness, the fear and pain hidden inside could be clearly felt.
He extended his hand forward.
In the next moment, a blue light appeared in his palm.
The light gradually grew brighter and brighter.
As though his patience was finally breaking.
Without hesitation, he hurled the light toward the surrounding rocks.
But the power rebounded.
As if the mountain itself was blocking his path.
Zhichen's eyes narrowed.
"This isn't an ordinary place."
For a moment, their gazes met.
And without exchanging a single word, both of them understood everything.
The next instant, they used their powers together.
The air became heavy.
And the waterfall stopped in a single moment.
The falling water seemed to freeze in place.
Behind it, a hidden dark cave was revealed.
Rongwei was stunned.
"So this was the cave..."
Lixuan's gaze fixed directly on the dark opening.
His breathing had become slightly faster, but he immediately regained control of himself.
Zhichen said softly,
"It seems we've arrived at the right place."
Silence fell for a moment.
Then Lixuan quietly said,
"Thank you."
His voice was softer than usual.
And without thinking, he pulled Zhichen into a brief embrace.
Zhichen immediately stiffened.
His eyes widened slightly.
As if he had never expected such a thing.
Lixuan said nothing.
But in the very next moment, he quickly stepped back.
As though he himself had realized what he had just done.
"There is no time," he immediately said, steadying his voice. "We have to go inside."
Zhichen continued staring at him.
A strange feeling surfaced in his heart.
Something familiar...
But he immediately suppressed it.
"Let's go," he said simply.
Rongwei looked at both of them, but without saying anything, followed behind them.
The three of them began heading toward the dark cave.
And they had no idea that not only Lichen's rescue awaited them there, but also many hidden truths.
The three slowly advanced deeper into the cave.
But the farther they went, the larger the cave seemed to become.
Darkness everywhere.
Towering walls.
And echoing silence.
So vast that it was difficult to even estimate its size.
Rongwei said anxiously,
"How are we going to find Lichen? This place is huge."
Zhichen replied in a calm but firm voice,
"If we've made it this far, then we'll reach Lichen too."
There was confidence in his voice.
But deep inside his heart, a faint fear was beginning to rise as well.
The three continued forward.
Lixuan sensed the surroundings and said softly,
"So cold outside... and yet so warm inside..."
His eyes darkened.
"This place is truly strange."
As though he was trying to understand not just the cave, but the secret hidden behind it.
Meanwhile, in one corner of the cave, Lichen lay on the ground.
The pain in her hand had still not lessened.
Her breathing was uneven.
Silent tears flowed down her cheeks.
She kept trying to get up.
But every time, her body gave out beneath her.
At that moment, Moran crouched beside her.
His shadow completely covered her.
"You know?" he said in a slow, cold voice.
"Today, you have to die."
For a moment, Lichen's heart seemed to stop.
But she still gathered her courage.
"What will you gain by killing me?"
Her voice was breaking.
"I don't even know you."
Her breathing became even faster.
"I can't even see... so why are you doing this to me?"
Silence fell for a moment.
Then Moran burst out laughing.
His laughter was cold and terrifying.
"Because," he said softly, "I enjoy watching people die."
In the next instant, he suddenly grabbed the very hand that had been wounded by the sword.
A painful scream escaped Lichen.
The pain was so intense that her entire body trembled.
Her tears would not stop.
"Let go..." she said in a broken voice.
But Moran's grip only tightened.
His breathing grew heavier.
And then Lichen screamed at the top of her lungs—
"Master!"
Her voice echoed throughout the entire cave.
It bounced off the walls and grew deeper and deeper.
As if her entire soul was crying out for help.
In the darkness of the cave, Lichen's scream was still echoing.
"Master!"
Her voice spread everywhere as it rebounded from the walls.
The three of them were moving through the dark passage when suddenly Lixuan stopped.
As if his feet had frozen to the ground.
His breathing halted for a moment.
"Lichen..."
His voice was quiet, but the panic within it was unmistakable.
He immediately grabbed Zhichen's hand.
This time without thinking.
Without even trying to stop himself.
"I heard her voice," he said quickly.
"She called for me. Just now. This very moment."
Zhichen stared at him for a moment.
Then, without saying anything, he closed his eyes.
His face became calm.
But the air around him began to change.
As though he was concentrating all of his power into one point.
The silence of the cave deepened.
Only their breathing and the distant sound of dripping water could be heard.
Slowly, blurry images began forming in Zhichen's mind.
A narrow place...
Unnatural heat...
And a sharp wave of pain...
Then suddenly, a clear sense of recognition.
Zhichen immediately opened his eyes.
"She's here."
He took a deep breath.
"Not far from us."
There wasn't even the slightest doubt in his voice now.
"We have to hurry."
Lixuan didn't waste a single second.
The three of them rushed in that direction.
Meanwhile, Moran's expression suddenly changed.
As though he had sensed something.
He immediately released Lichen's hand.
"Hmm..."
he said quietly.
"So your master really has arrived."
A strange glint appeared in his eyes.
"Quite intelligent, isn't he?"
Then he smiled.
"But unfortunately... he won't survive either."
Suddenly, he grabbed Lichen's arm and forcibly pulled her to her feet.
Her entire body was still trembling from pain.
Then, three shadows emerged from the darkness ahead.
Lixuan.
Zhichen.
And Rongwei.
The moment Moran saw them, a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Oh..."
"So the three of you finally arrived."
His gaze swept across each of them.
Then he slightly bowed his head and asked,
"Which one of you is her master?"
The moment Lichen heard that, light returned to her face.
As though all her fear and pain disappeared in an instant.
"Master!"
There were both tears and joy in her voice.
"You came..."
She immediately ran toward him.
Forgetting every pain.
Breaking through every fear.
But in the next moment, Moran grabbed her by the waist and yanked her back.
Lichen screamed again.
"Let me go!"
"Master!"
Lixuan's eyes changed instantly.
Without thinking, he stepped forward.
But just as he took another step—
Moran's cold voice echoed throughout the cave.
"One more step..."
"...and I'll separate Lichen's head from her shoulders."
Silence.
Everything stopped in an instant.
Lixuan froze where he stood.
His fists clenched so tightly that the bones in his fingers turned white.
Zhichen immediately grabbed his arm and stopped him.
"Don't."
His voice was low but firm.
"You could put Lichen in danger."
The tension in the cave had become so heavy that even breathing felt difficult.
Taking a step forward, Lixuan said,
"Moran."
His voice was restrained.
Yet there was command within it.
"Let her go."
Moran let out a faint laugh.
"Let her go?"
he said softly.
"She has to die."
His grip around Lichen tightened even further.
"None of the three of you will be able to save her."
In the next moment, he raised his sword.
And placed it directly against Lichen's neck.
The cold blade brushed against her skin.
Lichen's entire body trembled.
"I'm sorry, Lichen."
Moran spoke quietly.
"But you have to die."
Lixuan's eyes turned red in an instant.
But he couldn't move.
The sword was slowly rising.
And then—
Suddenly!
Lichen's bracelet shone with such brilliance that the entire cave was flooded with light for a moment.
Moran's eyes couldn't withstand the radiance.
He immediately dropped his sword and staggered backward.
This was exactly the opportunity Zhichen had been waiting for.
He shot forward like lightning.
His strike landed directly on Moran.
Moran couldn't even react.
And was thrown violently backward.
Lixuan didn't waste even a single moment.
He ran straight to Lichen.
"Lichen!"
For the first time, unmistakable fear could be heard in his voice.
"I'm here."
"Nothing will happen to you now."
The moment Lichen heard his voice, she immediately leaned toward him and wrapped her arms tightly around him.
"Master..."
Her voice broke.
Tears streamed down endlessly.
"Master... I thought you wouldn't come..."
She cried uncontrollably.
As though all her fear, pain, and anxiety were finally pouring out.
Lixuan fell silent for a moment.
Then he gently placed a hand on her head.
"I will always come."
His voice was very soft.
Yet it carried such certainty that Lichen cried even harder.
Just then—
Moran stood up once again.
Anger burned in his eyes.
"That's enough."
He raised his sword.
And charged straight toward Lixuan.
Lichen immediately raised his sword and blocked Moran's attack.
Clang!
Sparks flew as the swords collided.
Using all her strength, she pushed Moran backward.
Lixuan immediately stepped in front of Lichen and moved her behind him.
His voice had become completely cold now.
"Stay behind me."
And without wasting even a single moment, he charged at Moran.
The sharp clash of swords echoed throughout the cave.
One strike after another.
One block after another.
Sparks flashed through the darkness.
But then Moran let out a faint laugh.
"So, you managed to save Lichen."
There was a strange poison hidden in his voice.
"But there are other children here too."
The three of them froze for a moment.
"What?" Rongwei blurted out.
Moran slowly smiled.
"To save this one life, you left the rest of the children behind to die."
His words pierced straight through their hearts.
"Now tell me..."
His smile grew even deeper.
"...how will you save them?"
For a moment, complete silence filled the cave.
A silence so deep that only the sound of breathing could be heard.
Moran slowly said,
"If you have the courage... then save them."
The next moment, his body slowly began turning into black smoke.
And then, before everyone's eyes, he disappeared.
As soon as Moran vanished, a deep silence settled over the cave.
But the very next moment, loud noises began echoing from outside.
As if many people were shouting at the same time.
As if a battle was taking place somewhere.
Rongwei immediately became alarmed.
"What's happening outside?"
he asked anxiously.
"We need to check quickly!"
Lixuan's attention immediately turned to Lichen.
"Lichen, are you alright?"
he asked worriedly.
Lichen's breathing was still heavy.
The wound on her hand was still hurting.
Just then, the noise outside grew even louder.
As if some great chaos had broken out.
"Let's go!"
Zhichen immediately said.
The three of them rushed outside without wasting any time.
Lichen followed behind them as well.
As soon as they stepped out of the cave...
The sight before them made everyone freeze for a moment.
Everywhere, there were controlled people standing.
Their eyes were completely black.
As if there was not the slightest trace of their own will left inside them.
And among them...
Several children were tied up.
Some were crying.
Some were trembling with fear.
Some were calling out for help.
Their faint screams echoed through the air.
Lixuan's expression changed instantly.
"When we arrived..."
he said slowly,
"...there was no one here."
He tightened his grip on his sword.
"So many people appeared in just a single moment..."
His voice became heavy.
"We have to save them somehow."
Then he looked at the people standing before them.
"But killing them won't be easy."
Zhichen understood what he meant.
"They're ordinary people."
For a moment, everyone fell silent.
Then Rongwei quietly said,
"And if we do nothing..."
His gaze fixed on the children.
"...then these children will die."
Zhichen took a deep breath.
Then he drew his sword.
"Then we have no choice but to fight."
Rongwei quietly said,
"I wish the Young Prince of Lianyu were still alive today..."
The regret in his voice was unmistakable.
"He would have cured them in an instant."
The moment they heard that, both Zhichen and Lixuan looked at him.
But Zhichen immediately looked away.
"This isn't the time to waste on the past."
Lixuan also said firmly,
"We need to fight now."
The next moment, all three drew their swords and charged toward the controlled people.
The sound of clashing blades echoed everywhere.
Rongwei struck one man with all his strength.
The man fell heavily to the ground.
But the very next moment, he stood up again.
Rongwei's eyes widened.
"What...?"
Zhichen also launched attack after attack.
But there wasn't even the slightest sign of pain on their faces.
As if they couldn't feel injuries at all.
As if they were merely puppets moving according to someone else's will.
Lixuan moved swiftly among them.
His sword flashed like lightning.
But every strike seemed ineffective.
The three of them were slowly beginning to understand that this was no ordinary battle.
Just then, one controlled person suddenly lunged at Lixuan from behind.
But before he could reach him—
Clang!
Zhichen stepped in.
He blocked the attack and shoved the man backward.
"Be careful!"
he said in a stern voice.
Lixuan only gave a slight nod.
But the situation was getting worse.
The more they fought, the more people kept advancing toward them.
They had no idea how to stop them.
Just then, Lichen slowly walked toward them.
Her steps were still slightly unsteady.
But she did not stop.
"Lichen!"
Lixuan immediately called out.
"Why did you come here? You should have stayed back!"
There was more concern than anger in his voice.
"It's dangerous here."
But by then, several controlled people had already started moving toward her.
Fast.
Without stopping.
As if they had only one target.
And the most terrifying thing—
Their swords had no effect on them at all.
The controlled people continued approaching.
Their footsteps were heavy.
But they did not stop.
Their empty eyes were fixed directly on Lichen.
Lichen gripped her sword tightly.
But her mind was elsewhere.
"I can cure them right now by whistling..."
For a moment, her fingers twitched slightly.
"But if I do that..."
Her gaze briefly shifted toward Zhichen.
"Then he will find out everything about me."
She immediately clenched her fist.
"No... not yet."
Just then, Zhichen's eyes lit up.
"Wait!"
he said quickly.
In an instant, a plan formed in his mind.
"Let's form a circle around the children!"
The three of them immediately understood.
Within moments, they positioned themselves around the children.
Like a protective barrier.
Lichen also came closer.
"Lichen."
Lixuan said in a low but firm voice,
"Stay behind me."
"Yes."
Lichen replied softly.
The battle began once again.
The controlled people charged toward them.
Swords clashed.
Bodies collided.
Cries echoed through the air.
Rongwei knocked one person down with all his strength.
But the man stood up again.
Zhichen pushed three people back at once.
But they showed no sign of stopping.
"Why won't they stop?!"
Rongwei shouted.
Clenching his teeth, Zhichen replied,
"This is all the power of Yinmozi."
His gaze remained fixed on them.
"Breaking this spell won't be easy."
Suddenly, Rongwei remembered something.
His eyes widened.
"The whistle!"
he shouted.
"When the Young Prince of Lianyu used to whistle, all of this would stop immediately!"
For a moment, Lichen's heart pounded violently.
Her breathing quickened.
But she said nothing.
Just then, a controlled person lunged directly at her.
"Lichen!"
Lixuan shouted.
But Lichen stepped slightly aside in an instant.
The person couldn't even touch her.
Her breathing became even faster.
"I see..."
she murmured.
"So a whistle can stop them..."
A thoughtful look appeared on her face.
"I'll try."
"Wait—!"
Zhichen was still speaking.
But before he could finish, Lichen had already whistled.
The sound spread through the air.
Everyone stopped and watched.
But...
Nothing happened.
The controlled people continued advancing exactly as before.
Zhichen immediately said,
"What are you doing?"
There was surprise in his voice.
"Only one person can do that."
Lichen fell silent.
She pressed her lips together.
"I'll try one more time."
This time her voice was quiet.
But there was a strange confidence in it.
She took a deep breath.
And then whistled again...
This time, the wind suddenly became fierce.
As if a storm had risen outside the cave.
The rocks began trembling slightly.
Dust started swirling through the air.
Everyone froze for a moment.
And then...
One by one, the controlled people began stopping.
Their footsteps froze where they stood.
The blackness in their eyes slowly became lifeless.
The very next moment, they all collapsed to the ground together.
As if someone had suddenly cut the strings controlling them.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The sound of falling bodies echoed everywhere.
Then...
Silence.
Only heavy breathing and the faint sound of the wind remained.
Rongwei spoke softly,
"How...?"
His voice was filled with complete shock.
Zhichen's gaze slowly settled on Lichen.
There was astonishment in his eyes...
And something else as well.
As if an old memory was slowly emerging from the fog.
Lichen stood silently.
But her heart was pounding so hard that she felt everyone could hear it.
For a moment, no one said anything.
As if time itself had stopped.
Zhichen's eyes remained fixed on her.
"How is this possible?"
The same question kept repeating in his mind.
But the more he thought about it, the more confused he became.
Then Lichen slightly lowered her head.
"What happened?"
she asked with genuine confusion.
"Did nothing happen?"
Then she innocently added,
"I'll whistle once more."
She was just about to whistle again when—
"Stop!"
Zhichen's voice suddenly rang out sharply.
Lichen immediately stopped.
Everyone's attention shifted to Zhichen.
Zhichen slowly walked toward her.
His eyes had grown deep.
As if he wanted to read every secret written on her face.
"How did you do that?"
he asked directly.
"Why did they all stop the moment you whistled?"
Lichen's throat went dry.
She tried to answer, but no words came out.
Zhichen took another step closer.
"You know, don't you..."
His voice was quiet now.
"Only one person could do this."
Rongwei stood completely silent.
His face had gone pale.
His eyes were wide.
As if he was still trying to understand what he had just witnessed.
"Yes..."
he said quietly.
"Only the Young Prince of Lianyu possessed this power."
The atmosphere became heavy once again.
Questions hung in the air.
And only one person had the answers to all of them.
Lichen.
But at that very moment, Lichen suddenly stepped forward and said,
"First, we should take these children back to their homes."
Her voice was calm.
But Lixuan could sense the panic hidden beneath it.
"We can discuss everything else later."
She didn't even give anyone a chance to respond.
Immediately bending down, she started untying the children's ropes.
One by one, all the children were freed.
Some clung to her while crying.
Some were still trembling with fear.
But gradually, their sobs began to fade.
Just then, Lixuan came over.
He gently took Lichen's hand.
"Let's go."
His voice was very soft.
Without saying anything, Lichen held his hand tightly.
As if that touch itself made her feel safe.
"Wait."
Zhichen's voice came from behind.
But Lixuan only turned around and said,
"We'll talk later."
His voice was calm.
But there was no room in it for questions.
Zhichen remained standing there.
His gaze stayed fixed on the two of them.
As if he had come incredibly close to a great truth...
Yet still could not quite reach it.
Rongwei glanced at Zhichen for a moment.
Then quietly moved forward while helping the children.
Everyone began heading back.
But this time, it wasn't only their footsteps that felt heavy.
A new secret was traveling with them.
And that secret would not remain hidden for much longer.
The road was long, but this time everyone was silent. Only the faint sound of footsteps and the children's quiet breathing could be heard.
Rongwei and Lichen walked side by side.
Rongwei's heart still had not calmed down.
He quietly asked,
"Lichen... how did you do that?"
There was both amazement and fear in his voice.
"This is no ordinary thing. Only one person could do it."
Lichen remained silent for a while.
Then she slightly turned her head and asked,
"Who was he?"
Rongwei took a deep breath, as if recalling an old story.
"Many years ago," he began softly, "there was a prince."
"He was different. His power was different too."
"People used to say that his strength was connected to darkness..."
But Rongwei's voice softened.
"Yet he had a very kind heart."
"He never did anything wrong to anyone..." Rongwei said softly. There was pain in his voice, as if he were reliving an old memory once again.
"And yet people misunderstood him... and killed him."
Lichen's steps slowed.
"What was his name?" she asked in a quiet voice.
This time, Zhichen answered. His voice was calm, but it carried a deep weight.
"Lixuan."
Lixuan.
The moment Lichen heard that name, she fell completely silent.
As if something strange had stirred inside her.
Lixuan...
It was the same name she had heard in her dream.
It was also the same name as her Master.
Her heart gradually began to beat faster.
But she said nothing.
She simply continued walking silently.
"I'll ask later..." she thought to herself.
Ahead of them, both Zhichen and Lixuan were lost in their own thoughts.
The same question was circling in both of their minds—
How did Lichen do that?
But perhaps their answers were not the same.
A short while later, they had all arrived at the Shenmei Clan.
The large gates opened, and all the children, Lixuan, Zhichen, Rongwei, and Lichen entered the main hall.
The hall was glowing brightly with light.
Xiangu sat upon the throne in the center, and beside him sat his father, Yunshen.
As soon as the children entered, Xiangu immediately stood up.
His gaze swept across everyone.
Then he took a deep breath.
"All of the children have been brought back safely," he said in a firm voice.
"Send them to their parents immediately."
Several soldiers stepped forward and slowly began leading the children away.
Some of them were still frightened, but now there was hope in their eyes.
Only Zhichen, Lixuan, Lichen, and Rongwei remained in the hall.
Xiangu's gaze settled on Rongwei.
"You are all brave," he said, "but who is this?"
Zhichen stepped forward.
"This is Rongwei. He helped us a great deal. He is also quite skilled in martial arts. Perhaps if he had not been there, we would not have been able to save the children."
Xiangu slowly nodded.
"Thank you, Rongwei."
Rongwei bowed respectfully.
Then Xiangu said with a faint smile,
"It is quite late. Let us all have a meal together."
A short while later, everyone was seated for dinner.
The atmosphere was calm.
But deep inside, everyone's mind was filled with questions.
Then Yunshen looked directly at Zhichen.
"Zhichen," he asked in a serious tone, "there wasn't any danger, was there? Who was the one that kidnapped the children?"
Zhichen's expression hardened.
"Moran," he said quietly.
"He possessed the third fragment of Yin Mo ji. Using its power, he had placed many people under his control. And his strength was far from ordinary. Even after being struck, those people would not fall."
For a moment, silence filled the hall.
Xiangu leaned slightly forward.
"Then how did you defeat him?"
This time Rongwei immediately spoke up.
"It was all because of Lichen—"
Lichen's gaze instantly locked onto him.
The tension hidden in her eyes was obvious.
If he tells the truth...
Before Rongwei could finish, Zhichen interrupted him.
"Yes," he said calmly.
"Lichen poured waterfall water on them. Perhaps that was the reason the control over them broke."
Rongwei fell silent for a moment.
But he said nothing.
Without thinking too much about it, Yunshen nodded.
"Very well. Begin eating."
Everyone started their meal.
But this time, the silence had become even deeper.
Xiangu remained quiet.
Yet for a moment, his gaze stopped on Zhichen...
Then on Lichen...
And then on Lixuan.
He had already understood—
Zhichen was lying.
But in front of his father, he could not ask anything.
Everyone quietly finished their meal.
The atmosphere in the hall remained calm, but questions continued to rise in everyone's mind.
Slowly, everyone got up and began leaving.
Then Xiangu looked toward Rongwei and said,
"Rongwei, it is quite late. You may stay here tonight."
He pointed toward a direction with his hand.
"The guest residence is nearby. Xiu will show you the way."
Rongwei bowed and said,
"Thank you, Chief."
Xiangu gave a slight nod and then left.
After that, Lixuan, Lichen, and Rongwei began walking toward the guest residence.
The cool night wind was blowing.
Everyone was silent.
"Wait."
Suddenly, Zhichen's voice came from behind them.
The three stopped.
Zhichen slowly walked toward them.
His gaze fixed directly on Lichen.
"Now tell me, Lichen."
"How did you free all of them from the control?"
His voice was calm, but the question hidden within it was impossible to miss.
"Even inside the cave, light came out of your bracelet. It was so bright that even Moran couldn't withstand it."
For a moment, silence fell.
"Who are you?"
Before Lichen could answer, Lixuan spoke up.
"You are making too much out of this."
His voice was cold.
"Perhaps it was simply a coincidence. Nothing more."
He turned and started to leave.
At that moment, Zhichen grabbed his wrist.
"Wait, Xiu."
This time, his voice had become slightly sharper.
"What are you hiding?"
For a moment, the air grew heavy.
Lixuan said quietly,
"Rongwei, take Lichen to the guest residence."
Rongwei immediately nodded.
But Lichen refused.
"I won't go."
This time Lixuan's voice became stern.
"This is my order, Lichen."
Lichen fell silent.
Then she slowly walked away with Rongwei.
But before leaving, she turned back once.
Her heart felt restless.
Now only Zhichen and Lixuan remained there.
"Now tell me," Zhichen said again.
"Who are you?"
"How was that whistle played? Only one person could do that."
Lixuan answered directly.
"I don't know."
"But now that everything has been resolved, why are you making such a big issue out of it?"
The moment Zhichen heard that, his patience snapped.
He immediately grabbed Lixuan and slammed him against the wall.
His hand went straight to Lixuan's throat.
"Stop lying!"
he shouted angrily.
"You can't keep hiding for much longer."
"Show me your face!"
"Otherwise, I will remove your mask myself!"
But Lixuan did not back down either.
"Why are you doing this?" he said through clenched teeth.
"I am telling the truth."
Zhichen's eyes turned red.
"Only Lixuan could play that whistle!"
"Then how did Lichen play it?"
"She is your disciple, and you—"
"You know nothing?"
Lixuan's voice became even colder.
"Why do you keep bringing up his name again and again?"
"He is dead."
"What will you gain by remembering him?"
"So what if Lichen played the whistle?"
"Is it written anywhere that she cannot play it?"
The moment Zhichen heard that, his anger grew even stronger.
"How dare you say something like that about Lixuan?!"
Zhichen's voice trembled with anger.
His grip around Lixuan's throat tightened further. The suppressed pain and years of anger were clearly visible in his eyes.
Lixuan looked directly back at him.
"So what are you going to do about it?" he said in a cold voice.
"You still haven't been able to forget him."
"Be quiet!" Zhichen roared.
The air around him grew heavy.
It felt as though old memories and hidden secrets between them were colliding.
Then—
"Enough!"
A sharp and authoritative voice echoed out.
Both of them stopped at the same time.
Shiangu was standing there.
His gaze settled on both of them.
"What is going on between you two?" he asked in a serious tone.
"What kind of argument is this?"
Zhichen immediately stepped back and released Lixuan.
He lowered his gaze.
"We were just... practicing an art."
Lixuan quickly supported the excuse as well.
"Yes."
Then, without saying anything else, he turned around.
"I'll take my leave now."
And without stopping, he headed toward the Guest Residence.
Zhichen was about to leave as well when Shiangu stopped him.
"Zhichen."
Zhichen's footsteps halted.
He slowly turned around.
"Yes, Brother?"
Shiangu's voice was calm, but very deep.
"Why were you lying?"
Zhichen froze for a moment.
"Why are you hiding the truth?"
"What lie?" he immediately asked.
Shiangu spoke softly,
"During the meal, when Rongwei was saying something, you interrupted him."
He looked directly into Zhichen's eyes.
"You know, you are very bad at lying."
"You cannot hide a lie."
Zhichen fell silent.
He had no answer.
Shiangu took a slow breath.
"There is something..."
His voice softened.
"There is something you do not want to tell me."
"Then that's fine."
"I will not force you."
After saying that, he left.
Zhichen stood there for quite some time.
His fists slowly tightened.
Only one question echoed through his mind.
"Xiu... who are you?"
The night had grown even deeper.
Moonlight was streaming into the Guest Residence through the windows.
Lixuan slowly stepped into the room.
He saw Rongwei sitting in a corner, reading an old book.
Lixuan softly asked,
"What are you reading?"
Rongwei raised his head.
"My grandfather gave me this book."
He said with a faint smile.
"It talks about love, faith, and death."
After a brief pause, he continued,
"It says that even after death, someone continues waiting for someone else."
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Lixuan quietly asked,
"Has Lichen fallen asleep?"
Rongwei nodded.
"She fell asleep as soon as she arrived."
Lixuan remained silent for a few moments.
Then he slowly said,
"Rongwei... will you do something for me?"
Rongwei immediately sat up straight.
"Yes, Master. What is it?"
Lixuan's voice changed slightly.
As though he was removing a burden from his heart.
"I don't know her."
"Nor is she my disciple."
"I simply found her... and since then, she has been with me."
The moment Rongwei heard this, his eyes widened.
"You mean...?"
But before he could finish speaking, Lixuan continued,
"I want you to find out about her."
"Who her family is."
"Where she came from."
"Everything."
Then he added quietly,
"I found her in the forest near Shenmei."
"You can investigate the villages around that area."
"But remember..."
"Do not tell anyone that she is here."
Rongwei was still stunned.
Then he slowly asked,
"Then who are you, Master?"
Lixuan remained silent for a few moments.
Then he said,
"I can't tell you yet."
"But you must do this quickly."
Rongwei slowly lowered his head.
"Alright."
"I will leave first thing tomorrow morning."
Lixuan gave a slight nod.
A short while later, everyone returned to their respective rooms.
But Zhichen still had not gone to sleep.
Sitting alone in his chamber, he picked up a book.
The same book...
That Lixuan had given him when they completed their training.
He slowly opened it.
Then, with a faint smile, he said,
"Lixuan..."
"I know you're alive."
"And soon, we will meet."
He began reading.
And there was a strange coincidence.
It was the very same book that Rongwei had been reading.
One had been given to him by his grandfather.
And the other had been given to him by the person he cherished most.
As he continued reading, Zhichen's eyes slowly began to close.
And eventually, he fell asleep.
But fate did not permit him a peaceful rest.
Far away...
In the Qingyu Clan.
The darkness was deep.
Under the light of torches, a vast hall glowed brightly.
Moyan sat upon the throne.
There was a cold calculation in his eyes.
He looked toward his general.
"Have you learned anything about Moren?"
Hanju bowed.
"Chief, no clear information has been found yet."
"However, traces of Yinmoji's power were recently discovered on Chandrakoot Mountain."
"Perhaps Moren is alive."
Moyan's eyes sharpened.
"Then why has he not returned here?"
"What happened to him?"
Hanju softly asked,
"Chief, what should we do now?"
A cold smile slowly appeared on Moyan's lips.
"Attack the Yuzhen Clan."
For a moment, silence filled the hall.
Moyan slowly leaned forward.
"Now we will eliminate every clan one by one."
"The very first... will be the Yuzhen Clan."
His smile deepened.
"If the House of Learning no longer exists..."
"Then where will the examination be held?"
Then he burst into laughter.
A cold...
Terrifying laugh.
"Go."
"Prepare for war immediately."
Hanju immediately bowed.
"Yes, Chief."
And left the hall.
On one side, the truth was being hidden.
And on the other, the flames of war were rising.
Fate was slowly bringing everyone onto the same path.
And when those paths finally collided...
Not only secrets,
but the entire world would change.