Chapter 126: Paths of Loyalty
The outskirts of Dawnriver Kingdom stretched into a rugged training field,
a patch of earth scarred by years of clashing steel and qi-infused strikes,
framed by sparse, gnarled trees swaying in the breeze,
the air carrying the faint, dry scent of grass and the metallic tang of exertion,
a place where the bonds of camaraderie had been tested and tempered under the open sky.
Lin Xuan stood near the field's edge, his black eyes faintly glowing with white pupils,
the Celestial Unity Crest on his back pulsing with the steady rhythm of his 6th Layer Profound Heavenly Realm strength,
his scarred hands resting at his sides, the weight of his recent decisions pressing against his mind,
the tower's cryptic hum urging him toward greater challenges, yet anchoring him to those he cherished.
His gaze settled on two familiar figures—Ji Yunjing and Bai Ningxue—
their presence a beacon from years of shared trials, their closeness a silent testament to their enduring bond.
Ji Yunjing, at the 8th Layer Profound Heavenly Realm, exuded a protective stance,
his broad shoulders squared, a longsword with a faint blue hue resting at his side, its edge gleaming with the promise of countless battles,
his dark hair tied back, his face etched with the resolve of a man who had stood firm through storms.
Beside him, Bai Ningxue, at the 7th Layer Profound Heavenly Realm, offered a gentle smile,
her white robes fluttering softly in the wind, a stark contrast to the trials reflected in her clear, sorrowful eyes,
her slender frame leaning slightly toward Ji, a quiet strength in her poise, their years together woven into every glance.
Lin Xuan approached, his boots crunching against the dry earth, his voice carrying a mix of hope and caution,
"Senior Brother Yunjing, Junior Sister Ningxue, it's good to see you both. It's been too long. I've been thinking—would you consider leaving Dawnriver for a Tier-2 kingdom like Azure Flame? A stronger sect there could push your cultivation beyond this Tier-3 limit. I'd ensure your safety and growth."
Ji Yunjing's expression hardened, his hand tightening on his sword hilt,
his voice firm and unyielding as he shook his head,
"I am loyal to Dawnriver until death, Junior Brother Lin. This land raised me, shaped me. Even if my cultivation stalls here, I won't abandon it. My purpose is tied to its soil."
Bai Ningxue nodded, her eyes glistening with a sad but resolute light,
her hand resting gently on Ji's arm, a silent support as she spoke,
"We've built lives here, Brother Lin Friends, memories… leaving feels like turning our backs on all that. But your concern honors us."
Lin Xuan fell silent, his mind turning inward, the weight of their choice settling in his chest,
a soft mutter escaped his lips, almost lost to the wind,
"So this is your path, your reason to live."
Everyone lives for a purpose—some for revenge, some to protect loved ones.
He straightened, his voice rising with a vow that carried across the field,
"I'll return one day and take you, and Dawnriver, with me to a greater place. You won't be left behind in this Tier-3 shadow. I promise you that."
Ji Yunjing's stern face softened, a rare smile breaking through,
"We'll hold you to that, brother. Stay strong out there."
Bai Ningxue's smile widened, her voice gentle, "Take care, Brother Lin. We'll be waiting, rooting for you."
The field grew quiet, the air heavy with the scent of grass and the unspoken emotions of their farewell,
Lin Xuan turned back toward the Liu Clan, his resolve hardening like tempered steel,
yet a pang of loss tugged at his heart, the diverging paths of loyalty and ambition pulling at his soul.
That evening, the Liu Clan garden glowed under the silver light of a crescent moon,
a serene expanse of stone paths and blooming jasmine, framed by trees swaying gently,
the air cool with the scent of night blooms and the rustle of leaves, a haven where Lin Xuan sought solace.
He sat on a bench, his thoughts lingering on Ji and Ningxue, their faces etched in his mind,
the weight of his promise a burden he carried with pride, yet a quiet ache for their safety gnawed at him.
Anika found him there, her raven hair swaying in the breeze, her presence a quiet comfort that eased the tension in his shoulders,
she sat beside him, her hand resting lightly on his, her touch warm against his calloused skin,
"You're troubled, Husband. I felt it too, once—loyalty to those I had to leave behind. It's a heavy thing to carry."
Lin Xuan met her gaze, his voice low and rough with emotion,
"They chose their path, Brother Yunjing with his duty, Junior Sister Ningxue with her heart. I respect it, but it stings to leave them in a place that might hold them back. I promised to return for them."
Anika squeezed his hand, her eyes warm with understanding,
"Their loyalty is their strength, as yours is to us. It's a noble pain, Husband. Share a memory of him with me? It might lighten your burden."
He nodded, his tone softening, "They stood by me in a raid once, Brother Yunjing taking a blow meant for me, Ningxue healing us under fire. Their courage… it's why I can't let them fade here."
Anika's expression grew tender, her voice a whisper of shared pain,
"My brother was like that. He'd carry me on his shoulders during storms, promising safety no matter the thunder. His courage guides me to you, Husband. Let it guide you too."
Lin Xuan's tension eased, a smile breaking through the shadows, his hand tightening around hers,
the garden growing quiet, the air lightening with the scent of jasmine and a fragile hope,
their bond deepening as he leaned closer, her empathy a shield against his doubts,
his resolve a flame burning brighter, their connection a bridge over the paths diverging before them.