The midday sun spilled across the Han estate courtyard, gilding the air with warmth as Shen LiuYan moved through her stances with sharp precision. Her breath was steady, movements practiced —
yet faint ripples of instability danced along her spiritual energy, like threads fraying at the edge of a storm.
General Han stood atop the outer veranda, gazing down at LiuYan as she practiced her stances beneath the plum tree. He observed silently, arms crossed, eyes narrowed beneath his thick eyebrows.
Her movements were sharp — too sharp for her age — but lacked the subtle rhythm that came with the flow of Qi.
He stepped down towards her, arms crossed behind his back, boots clicking softly on the stone tiles.
"LiuYan," he called out, his voice low and thunder-toned.
She froze mid-step, turned, and bowed with discipline.
"Master"
she answered, respectfully, but not without an edge of guarded pride.
"You rely on your strength alone. That's impressive – But very dangerous."
he said, approaching.
"Your flow is too tense. You hold your power too tight. That might shield you now, but it will break you later."
She LiuYan paused, lowering her stances slightly.
"Then what should I do, master"
General Han walked towards her, towering her above. He looked at her like a father guiding his child through her first steps.
"Power isn't something you chain; it's something you should guide. Let it move with you, not against you. Try to communicate with you spiritual power as it's your companion. Let it help you strike."
LiuYan frowned. "A companion? That means I have to let it flow" She murmured under her breathe.
"But if I let go, won't it run wild"
"It might" general Han nodded.
"But that's how you learn to trust it. Discipline is not control, its harmony. You can't tame a river by building a wall; it might help for some time but won't last long- You shape its course with the land around it. "
LiuYan looked down at her hands, fingers tighten slightly.
"I don't know how to do it"
General Han knelt beside her. "You will know- stating from tomorrow, you will train at the training ground, with your brothers and fellow soldiers. One's spiritual power must grow with people. If alone, you will harden. Together, you will sharpen"
Shen LiuYan looked up at her master, a man with steel persona but treats her like her own father. Her eyes flickered with something unreadable.
Then slowly, she nodded.
"Good" General Han said, rising. "Now, go and start your studies. Martial strength may shield your body, my child – But wisdom shields your spirit and character. Your blade can wait, but books can't."
Shen LiuYan saluted to him respectfully and turned to leave when,
"Also, take your big brothers with you. Those brats are always slacking off"
In the evening, after completing her studies with her older brothers, Shen LiuYan was helping her older brothers with fulfilling their usual evening tasks in the side courtyard. The warmth of the day had already faded into dusky glow.
The younger brother, Han Yueming: the mischievous, dragged a sack of fresh firewood to the kitchen while the oldest brother, Han Jiutian, fetched buckets of water from a nearby well. Shen LiuYan who was kneeling beside a low table, was gently scrubbing vegetables in a steel basin. Her small hands were quick and silent.
"So you're also going to join us in the training grounds tomorrow." Yueming asked, dropping the firewood sack to the floor with an exaggerated grunt.
Shen LiuYan nodded her head slightly.
"Master told me that I rely on my physical strength too much. "
"Pffft," the younger brother muttered, rinsing his hands. "I have seen father telling the same thing to everyone, before they learn to punch harder."
"What are two chitchatting about?" Han Jiutian joined the conversation too, after completing his task.
"A-Yan, have you ever heard about the forest behind the Northern wall?" Yueming whispered, lowering his voice and glancing around as if he is telling She LiuYan about something forbidden.
She LiuYan blinked. "The one behind the training grounds?"
"Hey, Father told us not to go there. It's very dangerous." Han Jiutian added, voice brimming with caution.
"Come on, big brother, don't be a kid." He told his older brother, then turned to LiuYan and said,
" They say it's haunted. But the last time I went there I saw something. There were red leaves even in the winter. It was already freezing but I clearly heard the sound of running water, like a stream that hums. "
Then he pointed towards Jiutian and said "He said that it was just wind, but I think it's a hidden place. A secret place"
Shen LiuYan looked thoughtful for a moment, and then turned curious.
"Maybe, I will go see it myself"
Yueming's grin widened. "Don't get eaten by tree spirits."
"Only if they catch me" LiuYan replied dryly.
They laughed, just as Madam Han's voice called them to dinner from the main hall- a voice always warm, never harsh.
And beyond the Northern walls the forest waited.
Silent, Breathing, Watching