The wide hall smelled faintly of incense, its wooden beams darkened by years of smoke and prayers. At the center, Master Mo Xiang sat upright, his robes heavy, his eyes sharp as he looked upon the young cultivators before him. To his side, Mo Yuming stood, arms folded, her gaze flitting between her brother and Yuxi.
The general of Mo Xiang's men bowed low, his voice edged with concern.
"Master, Qin Yuxi has been handling missions alone, venturing into spirit-infested areas without waiting for our support."
Mo Xiang's expression did not waver. He turned his piercing eyes to Yuxi. "Is this true?"
Yuxi stood tall, calm as ever, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Yes. It is true."
A murmur rippled among the men in the hall. Yuming tilted her head slightly, brows furrowing as she studied him.
Yuxi continued, his tone even but resolute.
"I do not disregard the strength of your men, Master. But I will not put them in danger without reason. I ensured their safety by placing them in areas where only Ye's soldiers roam—no spirits, no overwhelming threat. That is where they are useful and can fight effectively."
Mo Xiang narrowed his eyes. "And you? Where did you go?"
Yuxi straightened, his gaze unwavering.
"To where the danger lies. The forests, the ravines, the abandoned villages—those overrun with spirits. That is where my efforts are needed most."
With a flick of his sleeve, a faint blue light spread in the air, and several captured spirit cores materialized, shimmering with residual energy. Gasps echoed from the men present.
"These are the spirits I have already subdued." His tone was factual, not boastful.
Yuming's lips parted slightly in surprise. She had known Yuxi to be reckless at times, but this—this was something else. Still, something tugged at her thoughts. He's not telling everything. She could feel it in the way his eyes avoided hers for just a moment, the way his words stopped short of full truth.
Mo Xiang leaned back, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "You tread a dangerous path, Qin Yuxi. To separate yourself from the men, to take the burden alone… even if your reasons are sound, remember this—arrogance has slain more cultivators than blades."
"Yes, Master Mo." Yuxi bowed, his voice firm, obedient in tone but unbending in spirit.
The meeting ended, and Yuxi stepped out into the open air. The market streets were still lively, lanterns swaying in the evening breeze, vendors calling out their wares.
Yuming trailed after him, her pace quick, her eyes sharp as she matched his stride.
"Yuxi," she said firmly, her voice low so only he could hear. "It's Mei'yin, isn't it? She's been helping you."
Yuxi's steps slowed. For a moment, he didn't answer. But Yuming's piercing gaze left him no room to evade. Finally, he gave a short nod.
"…Yes."
Yuming's lips pressed into a thin line, both exasperated and unsurprised. "I knew it. She's reckless, but she doesn't vanish for days without reason. And don't think you can hide it—half the market already talks about you two wandering together."
Yuxi sighed faintly, his calm expression never breaking. "Even if I didn't confirm it, you would have known anyway."
Before Yuming could reply, a familiar mischievous voice chimed in from behind a fruit stall.
"Talking about me again?"
Both turned, and there was Mei'yin—cheeks flushed from sneaking around, a playful grin on her lips as she balanced an apple in her hand like a prize she'd just stolen.
"Mei'yin!" Yuming exclaimed, half relieved, half annoyed. "Don't tell me you sneaked out again—"
"Of course I did," Mei cut her off, tilting her head innocently. "You didn't expect me to just sit quietly in Baoli Zong forever, did you?"
Yuming leaned closer to the pair, a sly grin on her face. "Well then… I'll leave you two lovebirds alone." She winked before turning to go. "Don't get caught sneaking around, Mei! And Yuxi—try not to let her drag you into trouble."
With that, she waved playfully and disappeared into the crowd.
The moment she was gone, Mei'yin spun toward Yuxi, eyes narrowing in mock suspicion.
"You didn't tell them, right? That I'm helping you?"
Yuxi shook his head slowly. "No. I promised."
Relieved, Mei grinned wide, tugging at his sleeve as they wandered toward the food stalls. "Good. Because if Xiao and Lingxi ever find out, I'll really be in trouble."
They stopped at a corner stall, settling at a small wooden table with bowls of steaming noodles. Yuxi ate in silence, steady and focused as always. Mei, however, couldn't sit still—her eyes darting around, curious at every passerby.
An old lady approached their table, her face creased with age but her smile warm. She leaned on her cane and studied them with interest.
"Young ones," she said kindly. "I see you together often here in Moya. Are you perhaps… married?"
Before Yuxi could even breathe, Mei'yin clasped her hands sweetly and beamed.
"Yes, we are."
Yuxi froze, chopsticks mid-air.
The old woman's eyes widened with delight. "Oh! Then that child I saw before must be yours?"
Mei nodded eagerly, lying without a blink. "Yes. That's our son."
Yuxi slowly set his chopsticks down, closing his eyes briefly in silent defeat.
"And," Mei added dramatically, resting a hand on her stomach with a cheeky grin, "I'm actually pregnant with our second one."
Yuxi nearly choked on his tea, coughing hard as Mei patted his back with mock concern.
"Careful, husband," she teased loudly, leaning closer. "You have to stay healthy for the children."
The old lady clapped her hands together with joy. "Ah, such a devoted young couple! Truly blessed!"
As the woman shuffled away, Mei broke into giggles, her mischievous eyes sparkling.
Yuxi shot her a long, flat look—the kind that held no anger, only resignation. "…A-Yin."
She leaned on her elbow, smirking. "What? You're already used to it."
Yuxi exhaled, returning to his food with quiet patience. "One day, someone will take your lies seriously."
"Good," Mei said with a grin. "Then maybe they'll stop asking questions."
Fengming Hall
The vast hall of Fengming was filled with the faint echo of wind chimes, the signature of the Feng Clan. The four masters sat in solemn council, their heirs waiting outside the chamber.
Master Lei spoke first, bowing slightly.
"The mountains of Yunhai are clear. No trace of spirits remains. My son may safely return to Baoli Zong to continue his studies."
Master Jian followed, his tone steady.
"The same can be said for Luoyang. Harmony has been restored. No disturbances linger."
Master Yue inclined his head.
"Qingju Pavilion and the surrounding valleys are free of corruption. My warriors has ensured balance is maintained."
Then, all eyes turned to Mo Xiang, seated with his usual composed air. His voice carried the weight of unspoken concern.
"Moya… is another matter. Though the worst has passed and both spirits and Ye's men have been driven back, the land remains unsettled. The spirits gather still, as though drawn to the shadows. The cleansing is not yet complete."
A hush followed. The implication was clear: The other Young Masters could return to Baoli Zong—but Qin Yuxi could not. His mission was not finished.
Yuxi stepped forward, his expression calm but unwavering.
"I chose to remain behind. My purpose is to ensure our men fight only enemies of flesh, not wandering spirits beyond their strength. I have focused on the regions most heavily haunted."
He unrolled a scroll, releasing a faint shimmer of energy—captured spirits bound within.
"These I have taken myself. They are proof of the danger still lingering." The silence in the hall grew heavy after Yuxi presented the captured spirits.
Master Feng Lei broke the silence first, his deep voice steady.
"The Yunhai, Luoyang, and Lantian regions are clear. But Moya…" He glanced at the sealed spirits before turning to Yuxi. "It remains tainted. You've done well to thin their numbers, but the work isn't finished. Until Moya is stable, your duty lies there."
Master Bai Yue folded his hands behind his back, his tone sharp yet measured.
"Balance must be restored. Leaving the task incomplete will only allow Ye's shadows to rise again. We trust you will not falter, Qin Yuxi."
Master Qin Jian's gaze lingered longer, softer, carrying both the weight of expectation and quiet concern for his son.
"Stay vigilant. Do not underestimate either spirits or men. Harmony is delicate—once broken, it is harder to restore."
Finally, Master Mo Xiang leaned forward, eyes narrowing slightly.
"You work alone. That is dangerous. I hope you understand that if you fall, Moya will fall with you. Make sure your judgment is as sharp as your blade."
The hall settled into silence once more, the verdict clear.
Yuxi bowed deeply.
"I will not fail."
With that, the council dismissed. The heirs filed out, their footsteps echoing through the vast chamber. When the heavy doors shut behind him, Yuxi drew a quiet breath—then stepped out into the open air.
The crisp morning air of Baoli Zong was filled with the fluttering of banners, their silk threads catching the light. Disciples bustled through the courtyards, but Mei'yin was the most animated of them all. She skipped down the stone steps, humming to herself, her mischievous grin wider than usual.
For days she had been restless, complaining about how Baoli Zong was "too quiet" and "too full of rules." But today—today was different.
Her eyes lit up when she caught sight of familiar figures entering the gates.
"Finally!" she blurted out, clasping her hands together. "Baoli Zong isn't just for girls anymore!"
At the front of the group strode Feng Yangguang, his confident gait impossible to miss. He glanced around with his usual mix of sharp awareness and casual charm, his presence already drawing whispers from the passing disciples. Behind him came other young men from the clans, sent back to continue their studies now that their regions had been declared safe.
Mei'yin practically bounced forward, her dark eyes sparkling with mischief.
" Brother! You took your time. Did you forget your little sister was suffering here surrounded by boring lessons and serious faces?"
Yangguang raised a brow at her dramatics, but the corner of his lips tugged into a smirk.
"Suffering? More like causing trouble, knowing you."
Mei'yin only laughed, looping her arm around his as if to parade him in front of everyone.
"Maybe—but at least now Baoli Zong will finally be fun!"
Xiao froze mid-step. For a heartbeat, her composure cracked—her lips parting, her eyes softening. Then, she walked forward, her calm voice carrying a warmth rarely heard.
"Yang… three months. You've grown thinner."
She reached out, brushing a stray leaf from his shoulder, a small but telling gesture.
Beside her, Lingxi's face lit up completely, unable to hide her relief. She quickly grabbed his arm, her usual teasing replaced with sincerity.
"Finally! Every single day we wondered if you were safe."
Xiao gave a small nod, her gaze steady but full of unspoken affection.
" Rest first. You've done more than enough."
For once, both sisters—one calm and composed, the other openly emotional—stood united in their happiness.
Yangguang gave them both a gentle smile, the weariness in his eyes softened by their concern.
"I shouldn't have made you worry so much."
He chuckled softly before turning to Xiao, whose calm expression didn't fool him. Her eyes betrayed how deeply she had worried.
"Sister Xiao… I'm home now. Don't look at me as if I'll vanish again tomorrow."
Days passed, and Mei'yin began to notice that Yuxi had not returned like the other heirs. Every class, every meal, her eyes would drift toward the gates—expecting him, only to be disappointed. Finally, unable to contain her curiosity, she went to find Qin Yijun, Yuxi's older brother.
She caught him near the practice grounds, speaking with a few fellow disciples. With her usual boldness, she marched up and blurted,
"Brother Yijun, where is Yuxi? Why hasn't he come back yet? Everyone else is here."
Yijun turned, brows slightly raised at her directness. His tone was calm but carried a weight that made her chest tighten.
"Yuxi stayed in Moya. The spirits there haven't been fully cleared. While the rest of us returned, he insisted on finishing the task. That place is dangerous, Mei'yin… you should know that better than anyone."
Mei'yin's lips pressed together, her playful spark dimming. She gave a small nod, but her mind was already racing.
That night, long after the lamps of Baoli Zong had been extinguished and silence filled the halls, she sat in her room staring at the paper lantern by her desk. The thought of Yuxi fighting alone in Moya refused to leave her.
With a quick decision, she scribbled another note, leaving it tucked beneath Xiao's scrolls:
"Don't wait up. I'll be back soon. – Mei'yin ʘ‿ʘ"
And with that, she slipped out into the night, the cool wind at her back, heart beating with both excitement and worry. Once again, Mei'yin was headed to Moya.
Yangguang's brows knitted as he held Mei'yin's note tighter.
"Back soon? Where did Mei'yin even go this time?"
Lingxi and Xiao exchanged a look. Xiao let out a sigh before answering. "She went to Moya again."
Yangguang's eyes widened.
"Moya? Again? For what?"
Lingxi shook her head, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.
"That's the thing. We don't even know the real reason. Every time she gets caught, she just says she's having fun there. That's all we've got."
Yangguang dragged a hand over his face in frustration.
"If Father and Mother knew this…" He trailed off, his voice heavy.
Xiao gave a small, weary shrug. "No. Don't tell them. Not a word. They'd forbid her completely. I tried punishing her before. Not physically, but enough to make her realize what she's risking. But even so, she sneaks out again. Over and over. I've gotten used to it."
Yangguang's lips tightened.
"Used to it? That's not the same as accepting it. She's our youngest sister. If something happens—"
Xiao interrupted, hes tone sharper than usual.
"That's why we keep this between us. We watch her quietly, and we make sure nothing happens. But we don't tell Father and Mother. Not yet."
The three siblings stood in silence, the weight of their decision settling between them. Mei'yin's mischievous spirit had always been part of her charm, but now, it was also becoming their secret burden.