The city of Lianmu shrank behind them with every step, its familiar rooftops and weather-worn gates slowly swallowed by the morning mist.
No disguises this time. No caravans or shadows to blend into. Tian Shen walked the open road with his head held high, the serpent-lotus seal still tingling on his shoulder beneath the fabric.
Beside him, Feng Yin adjusted the strap of her travel pack, glancing sideways.
"You sure about this?"
"About not hiding anymore?"
Tian Shen asked, a slight smile tugging at his lips.
"Yeah."
Her eyes narrowed.
"We've drawn attention. Someone was watching, someone unfathomable. You sensed it too, didn't you?"
"I did."
He tightened the grip on his sword's hilt.
"But if we keep running, we'll never grow strong enough to face what's coming. If we want to survive the storm, we need to step into it."
Feng Yin exhaled through her nose, long and slow.
"So. No more back alleys and hidden inns."
"No more smallness," Tian Shen said.
