From the Perspective of Zhuge Yu Jin
The branches of the blazing tree flickered with living embers, each fruit pulsing like a suspended heart of fire. The reddish glow reflected in the eyes of four well-dressed youths, their embroidered robes exuding the unmistakable scent of hereditary arrogance.
Before the silence could stretch further, the quickest among them stepped forward, bowing slightly to the young man leading the group.
— Congratulations, Young Master Duo, on obtaining such a rare treasure of heaven and earth.
The words were like sparks thrown on dry straw. Immediately, the other two followed suit, fearing to lose the chance to flatter him.
— Indeed, what a blessing from the heavens to fall into the hands of Young Master Duo!
— Such grand fortune! It could only be destined for someone of your caliber.
Young Master Duo raised his chin, satisfied with his companions' reverence. Laughter burst from his lips without restraint, spreading like light smoke.
— Thank you, thank you! — he said, touching his own chest with false humility. — Ah, so many fruits… surely each of you will receive some.
The three flushed immediately, lowering their heads in agreement.
— Young Master Duo is generous! — they said in unison, their voices dripping with flattery.
It was then, in the middle of this performance of courtesy and greed, that the first flatterer noticed. His eyes, once fixed on the fruits, slid a little further ahead — and found an unmoving figure, seated beneath the tree.
Zhuge Yu Jin.
There he was, as if he were merely part of the scenery: legs firmly on the ground, back straight, his breathing so calm it almost blended with that of the forest itself. But his eyes… his eyes were open. And they were watching.
The young man swallowed dryly.
An intruder? No… someone was already here before us.
Discomfort ran down his face, though he tried to mask it. His voice, now less firm, slipped out in a whisper directed to the group:
— Young Master Duo… there is someone… beneath the tree.
— It is of no concern — said Young Master Duo, eyes gleaming with arrogance. — Simply kill him.
The words fell naturally, as if he were asking them to sweep dust from the floor.
The three followers did not hesitate. Swords clattered from their scabbards, their steps firm and eager as they surrounded Yu Jin.
Until that moment, Yu Jin had remained motionless, as if he were nothing more than a forgotten shadow beneath the blazing tree. He had listened to the entire conversation calmly, as one who watches a cheap play. His eyes, however, turned one last time to the crimson fruits flickering above his head.
He did not know their names. To him, they were merely spheres of suspended fire. But the voice of the elder within the Subtle Pearl had already told him:
— They serve only cultivators at the Body Refinement stage. For you, they are nothing but shiny trinkets.
Yu Jin had never approached the tree out of desire for the fruits. The guardian that had lain there — the colossal serpent — had not been slain out of ambition. He had simply felt that he should sit and meditate in that place. An intuition that had sprung from the depths of his being. And in the end, he was right: it was there that his Martial Soul awakened in purple flames.
If those youths wanted the fruits, let them take them. Not even the serpent's corpse held any value to him. But… they hadn't asked.
They had simply decided to kill him.
Yu Jin turned his gaze from the tree and fixed it on their leader.
— Are you sure you want to kill me without even asking anything? — he said, his voice calm, almost lazy.
Young Master Duo laughed loudly, baring his teeth.
— What use do I have for the words of a corpse?
Yu Jin heard every syllable. His expression did not change, but within, a decision settled like molten iron.
— Very well — he murmured. — So be it.
— Enough! Take him! — shouted Young Master Duo.
The three rushed forward like obedient wolves. The gleam of their blades reflected in Yu Jin's eyes, but he did not retreat. His hand merely slid slowly to the hilt of his saber.
The instant they were a step away, the blade flashed.
A dry, metallic sound rang through the air.
Three heads rolled to the ground almost at once, their eyes still wide, unable to comprehend what had happened.
Silence spread like smoke.
Yu Jin remained still, his saber still dripping. His eyes, however, wandered into a memory — the first time blood had stained his hands.
The road was narrow, flanked by twisted trees and dry grass. Three filthy, foul-smelling men had leapt from the thicket, armed with knives and rusted iron spears.
— Leave the bag, boy — they said, their voices heavy with disdain. — If you want to live, hand it over quickly.
That day, Yu Jin already carried the saber, but the weight of the blade seemed heavier than his arms could bear. Not from lack of strength — but from the idea of using it.
When he reacted, it was instinct. A swift cut, a red line opening across one man's shoulder. Blood spurted, and the man recoiled, screaming. The other two, stunned, dragged him back into the woods.
Yu Jin could have chased them. He did not. Deep down, he still believed sparing lives was always the right path.
Two days later, while passing through a small village, he found the truth.
A body lay stretched before a hut. A young villager, no older than himself, lifeless, his face pale, his eyes empty. The marks of violence were evident, the dried tears of a desperate family even more so.
The descriptions of the culprits were unmistakable: the same bandits Yu Jin had spared.
That night, Yu Jin understood.
Not carrying the weight of blood… meant delivering it into the hands of the innocent.
The next time bandits attacked him, he did not hesitate. The saber fell like thunder, and there were no survivors.
From then on, Yu Jin no longer feared blood. If he had to choose between the weight on his conscience or the mourning of innocents… he preferred to carry the stain himself.
The present returned. Three corpses lay at the foot of the blazing tree.
Yu Jin slowly raised his gaze to Young Master Duo, who now stared at the scene wide-eyed, his previous confidence flickering like a candle in the wind.
The silence that followed the fall of the three heads was suffocating. The metallic stench of fresh blood mixed with the burning scent of the flaming fruits, and the forest seemed to watch, stunned, at what remained of the small entourage.
Young Master Duo staggered back two steps, his body trembling, his eyes wide. The arrogant smile had vanished, replaced by raw terror.
Yu Jin took his first step toward him.
The dry crunch of his boot crushing dead leaves made the young man's heart race.
— St-stay back! — the youth shouted, his voice breaking. — I am from the Duo Clan, of the capital!
Yu Jin did not stop. His stride was firm, constant, as if each movement was inevitable, as if destiny was already written.
— Listen! — Duo's voice rose a pitch, almost shrill. — If you spare me, I can reward you! Gold, spirit stones, cultivation techniques… whatever you want!
Yu Jin's saber reflected the reddish light of the fruits. The gleam cut through the night, indifferent.
— Women! — Young Master Duo continued, desperate, trying to fill the silence. — I can give you as many as you want! Beautiful, obedient… even daughters of the clan's servants!
Another step. The sound of the saber sliding against the scabbard echoed like distant thunder.
— You… you don't know what you're doing! — Duo gasped, sweat dripping down his forehead. — The Duo Clan is respected in the capital. If you kill me, they'll hunt you to the ends of the empire!
Yu Jin did not respond. He did not even blink.
— Think carefully! — the youth stammered, struggling to maintain composure. — Spare me, and you'll have a powerful ally in the capital! I can make you a personal guardian of the clan, grant you position, fame, riches… anything you desire!
Yu Jin's face showed nothing. Neither fury, nor pity. Only the void of someone who had already chosen.
— I… I am the heir of one of the main branches! — Duo now begged, nearly sobbing. — If you kill me, you'll be digging your own grave!
Yu Jin's silence weighed more than any threat.
One last step placed him before the youth. Young Master Duo fell to his knees, trembling hands raised in supplication.
— Don't… don't do this… I'll give you everything, everything!
The blade gleamed.
The strike was dry, precise. The saber pierced the young man's chest, impaling his heart. Air escaped his lungs in a hoarse groan, mingled with the blood flowing from his lips.
Yu Jin leaned slightly, his eyes fixed on the dying youth, and spoke softly:
— Unfortunately… your clan isn't here to save you.
The young Master Duo's body shuddered one last time before collapsing sideways, eyes frozen in disbelief.
Yu Jin slowly withdrew the blade, letting the blood drip down its edge. There was no triumph in his expression, only the cold acknowledgment of a truth: those who spilled blood without asking deserved no mercy.
Even if there were consequences, who would know? The forest was too vast, too wild, for tracks to be followed. Here, the corpses would become food for beasts; in a few nights, nothing would remain but scattered bones.
Yu Jin wiped the saber against the stained fabric of his enemy and sheathed it with a firm gesture. Without looking back, he resumed walking.
In the distance, beyond the dark treetops, loomed the outline of the Capital of the White Flame Empire. Towers, walls, and rooftops breathing light beneath the gray horizon.
Yu Jin gazed at that sight, and for a moment, the purple glow of his martial soul seemed to reflect in his eyes.
This is my destiny.
And with slow, steady steps, he left the forest behind.