Evening mist coiled through the narrow path that led back to a small valley home. Lady An Lin—Yuan's birth mother—walked softly beneath the spirit pines, the wooden bucket in her hands sloshing gently with warm milk.
The tiger cub, Xiao Hu, had a strong appetite. He refused porridge and fruits, preferring only fresh milk warmed under morning sun or evening fire.
"That child is truly more beast than boy," she muttered with a smile.
But when she reached the training courtyard, her smile faded.
There—beneath the old soul tree—lay Lin Yuan and Xiao Hu, fast asleep. Lin Yuan's robe was wrapped protectively around the cub, who snored softly, his little claws twitching. Over them was draped a thick fur cloak lined with beast silk.
Sitting close by was Lady Mingyan, her golden eyes half-lidded, her robe fluttering with demonic grace. Her hand gently stroked Lin Yuan's hair.
Lady An stood frozen for a moment. So gentle. So natural. That's how a father would look after his son after training..
And then it hit her—not with jealousy, but with a bitter sort of acceptance.
Lin Yuan never mention his father… yet somehow he does not lack fatherly love. Because Mingyan—she has filled that space.
Mingyan looked up and offered a small nod. "You returned."
Lady An lowered her gaze and placed the milk bucket down beside the tree.
"I thought only my arms could carry them like this," she said, voice barely above a whisper. "But I see… perhaps it is enough that someone does."
She sat down slowly, glancing at the two boys sleeping.
Mingyan didn't respond at first. She simply brushed a fallen petal from Lin Yuan's forehead.
Then, as if sensing the weight in Lady An's heart, Mingyan spoke:
"He is loved by many. And that love will protect him when we are no longer able."
Lady An looked toward the far-off mountain where Lady Fengyan, the Golden Rock Bird Demoness, made her nest. A mighty demoness with wings of obsidian feather and a voice that could shatter stone. She lived in seclusion with her daughter, Qingxue, watching Lin Yuan only from afar.
And in the depth of a pocket realm, curled in coils of divine mist, lay Lady Baihua—the Heavenly Python Demoness—incubating her next egg. Her thought were with Lin Yuan even in her hibernation. She had left behind a talisman to protect him.
Suddenly, Mingyan broke the silence.
"Lady An… we must call a meeting with the others. We must decide what to do next with Lin Yuan's cultivation path."
Lady An blinked. "A meeting?"
"Yes," Mingyan said, her voice firm yet respectful. "He's beginning to awaken. He will soon reach the threshold of spirit refinement. If we delay, it might harm him."
Mingyan stood against Lin Yuan's position. The boy murmured faintly, his cheek pressed against her robe.
"Let him sleep in my lap tonight," she said. "He trained too hard. His soul touched the hunting realm. A false step could have a scar."
Lady An looked at her son, nestled calmly against the tiger demoness's knee, and then at the tiger cub who had curled up next to the milk bucket and begun to drink lazily.
"Take Xiao Hu," Mingyan added. "Feed him. He's already chewed a hole in Lin Yuan's sleeve."
Lady An gave a tired laugh. "That sounds like him."
She scooped up the little tiger cub and began feeding him with slow, practiced hands.
Mingyan gazed into the moonlight.
"Tomorrow, send the wind sparrows. Invite Lady Fengyan and Lady Baihua. We'll speak under the soul tree."
Lady An nodded. "It's time."