The morning sun spilled across the courtyard in soft gold, warming the cold stones beneath Feiyin's feet and reflecting on the frozen pond. Baiyu had curled herself into a neat coil in the sunlight, her scales catching the light like polished pearls. She was already half-asleep, her breaths slow and even, while Meimei crouched beside her with the determined focus only a toddler could have.
"Feifei! Look!" Meimei whispered with a giggle, her chubby hands busy tucking tiny blossoms between Baiyu's coils. The flowers bobbed with each breath the serpent took, a crown of colors across pale scales.
Feiyin knelt beside her, chuckling. "She's going to wake up wondering if she's become part of the garden."
Meimei giggled, clearly proud of her work. "Baibai so pwetty now... like pwinshess"
"Then you're the royal stylist," Feiyin teased, gently ruffling her hair. Her laugh rang bright, unburdened, and it softened something inside him. The knowledge that he could now refine runic products sat quietly in his chest, no longer a goal gnawing at the edges of his focus. It freed him to be here, now- to spend a whole day as just her Feifei.
They stayed in the courtyard until Baiyu finally drifted into full sleep, draped in flowers. Meimei tugged at Feiyin's sleeve, her bright amethyst eyes full of joy. "Pway with me!"
"Alright," he said with mock gravity. "What's first, little commander?"
From then on, the day became a patchwork of simple joys. They played with her wooden animal toys beneath the shade of the veranda, Feiyin making exaggerated voices that sent her into fits of laughter. They moved to the pond, after Feiyin melted the frozen surface and warmed it so she could touch it without feeling cold, and where she splashed at the edge, shrieking happily as warm droplets glittered in the sun. He let her "win" their playful water flick battles, her triumphant grin enough reward.
In the garden, they chased each other between rows of herbs, Meimei's tiny legs pumping hard to keep up. She stumbled into him more than once, and he'd catch her easily, lifting her high until she squealed with delight.
By the time the sun dipped low, she was swaying on her feet, exhaustion pulling at her eyes. At dinner, she leaned against his side, murmuring half-formed words until her drowsy little voice suddenly whispered, "I wuv you, Feifei," the words slurred with sleep. The sound struck a deep chord in his heart, his chest tightening as warmth spread through him. He smiled, eyes glistening, and bent his head to murmur back, "I love you too, little princess."
She gave a faint, content hum before finally giving up and falling asleep in his lap, a small smile still on her face. In that quiet moment, he felt a fierce gladness for having such simple, precious moments with his family- and a renewed determination to protect them, no matter the cost.
After tucking Meimei into bed, Feiyin joined his parents in the main hall. Mei Liao wasted no time. "You spoil her," she said with a knowing smile.
"She's my sister," Feiyin replied, unbothered. "She deserves it."
"Just don't let her think she can boss you around forever," Cai Feng added, though his eyes were warm.
They talked late into the night, Mei Liao teasing him about his overly serious demeanor, Cai Feng asking quietly about his cultivation. Feiyin kept his answers light; today wasn't for heavy matters.
At dawn the next day, he rose quietly. Baiyu stayed behind to keep Meimei company. Feiyin made his way to the Red Lotus Mercenary quarter, handing over his quota of alchemical products without ceremony.
As he left, intent on finding Ruan and Qingling, he caught sight of Ba Shanyue in the distance, his posture tense, eyes fixed on a communication jade in his hand. The man's expression was unusually grim, but before Feiyin could approach, Shanyue moved away.
Feiyin found Ruan and Qingling soon after. "I'll be out for a short while," he told them casually, leaving his true purpose unspoken. He wanted this surprise- his runic products refinement- to be revealed only when it was complete.
Leaving the city on foot, he stretched his senses wide as he walked at a steady pace. After a while, when the city was left far behind and he was certain no one followed, he surged forward.
Prismatic essence qi cloaked his body, the added strength of three new elements- especially lightning- turning his speed into something feral and breathtaking. The ground blurred into a rushing smear of color beneath him, yet even at such blistering speed his eyes read the terrain ahead with crisp, unwavering detail. Every stone, ripple of grass, and bend in the path registered instantly- his mind and reflexes flowing in perfect synchrony with his body. He no longer needed to lean constantly on his spiritual sense to pre-read the path; his natural perception could keep pace with his velocity.
The wind roared in his ears, tearing at his clothes, as he wove through dips and rises without hesitation. Even on snow-dusted ground, his explosive strides left barely a whisper of trace, each step cushioned by the essence qi platform he formed beneath the balls of his feet. The platform caught and redirected his momentum with precision, its size narrowed for tight, efficient force, before releasing another burst in perfect resonance with his oscillation sense. It was not yet flawless- his recent step into the yin refining realm meant the form of his essence qi was still maturing- but already it let him skim the surface with minimal disturbance. Again and again, the rhythm thrummed through his bones, until a sharp, thunderous crack split the morning air- he had shattered the sound barrier once more, his form streaking across the horizon like a spear of living light.
Feiyin's chosen destination was the Five Fingers Mountain Range- a chain of jagged peaks jutting upward like a colossal hand clawing at the sky. He had studied the surrounding lands carefully and settled on this range for its isolation and lack of valuable resources, meaning few would bother to come here. Known only to harbor tiered beasts and no coveted treasures, it offered the peace he needed. Nestled between the southeast and northeast, its northern reach meant winter's bite would keep even the local beasts sluggish or in hibernation. Here, he could find a small cave or carve one himself, set concealment and energy-hiding arrays, and refine his runic product without fear of drawing attention.