The sky had yet to brighten, mist hanging thick over the eastern ridgeline. A sharp blade of sword energy sliced through the fog, followed by the thunderous gallop of hooves—signaling the arrival of a new storm.
Outside the village gate, Diệp Vân Sơ had been waiting since dawn. Inside a modest straw hut, Lăng Tiêu sat cross-legged, still pale, silently regulating his breath. Beside him, little An was asleep, brows furrowed, seemingly locked in a troubled dream.
A figure descended from the sky—clad in white robes, a jade-inlaid longsword on his back. This was Trịnh Nhược Tâm, the foremost disciple of Heaven's Heart Pavilion, one of the Seven Righteous Sects.
1. A Fated Encounter
Trịnh Nhược Tâm swept his cold gaze over Diệp Vân Sơ, then stared toward the small hut behind her.
"Is Lăng Tiêu in there? Hand him over."
His voice was calm, yet each word carried a sword's edge. Diệp Vân Sơ narrowed her eyes, her fingers brushing the hilt of her wooden sword.
"He is severely wounded. Have you come to heal the sick—or to pass judgment?"
"Lăng Tiêu interfered with our mission to apprehend a demonic anomaly. He is sheltering a child tainted with ancient remnants. Such behavior is no different from the demonic path!"
She bit her lip, voice colder.
"He saved lives, not took them. Right and wrong lie in the heart, not in the name of a sect."
"Justice?" Trịnh Nhược Tâm scoffed, drawing his sword slightly. "I am of Heaven's Heart Pavilion. My sword defines justice."
2. Lăng Tiêu Emerges
A low voice came from the hut:
"If your justice depends on the blade alone, how is it any different from tyranny?"
The door creaked open. Lăng Tiêu stepped out slowly, still wounded, his breath shallow—but his gaze burned bright.
"Trịnh brother, did we not once debate the Dao atop Mount Vân Thủy? You said then: the true path is never chained by law nor fame."
Trịnh Nhược Tâm flinched.
"You…"
"You claim righteousness. So did I, once. But if righteousness now means chasing children to death—then I must ask: what is righteousness?"
3. Accusations and Counterarguments
Trịnh Nhược Tâm's eyes flared.
"You hide a boy tainted by ancient remnants, likely carrying the blood of forbidden clans. Do you not see the calamity he could cause?"
Lăng Tiêu walked forward, step by step:
"So we condemn a child for being born wrong? Should the innocent pay for sins they never committed?"
"He is a seed of destruction!"
"Destruction is born of fear, not fate. Your heart wavers. If so, is your path still righteous?"
The air tensed like a drawn bow. Trịnh Nhược Tâm faltered—Lăng Tiêu had drawn no weapon, but his words struck like swords, slicing through doubt.
4. A Silent Plea
Suddenly, little An stirred. Half-awake, he gripped Lăng Tiêu's hand tightly.
"Master... don't go. I'm scared…"
Lăng Tiêu gently squeezed back, then turned to Trịnh Nhược Tâm.
"He calls me Master. If a master cannot protect his disciple—then who can?"
"Will you defy Heaven's Heart Pavilion for him?"
"I don't follow paths. I follow people."
5. A Temporary Ending
Trịnh Nhược Tâm's grip tightened, then with a grunt, he sheathed his blade.
"Fine. I spare you—for now. But should our sect declare you traitor, not even heaven can save you."
He turned and vanished into the mist, leaving behind a silence more deafening than thunder.