1 Week Ago
"Xue Zicang, where are you?!!" Wuren's voice cracked with pain, tears lining his eyes. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there..."
"Master, we will find him soon enough," a man said from behind, calm but sympathetic.
"How?!" Wuren shouted. "HOW?! I'm wanted in the Golden Palace! I command undead! How do I possibly search for him like this?!" He collapsed to the ground, defeated.
"We may be undead," the man replied, stepping forward, "but you gave us life again. We owe that life to you."
Wuren steadied his breath, eyes distant. "We'll stay hidden for now. I know what's coming. I sealed it long ago, but today... today it will unseal itself."
Silent Hill – Present
"Zhong Jinxiao! You're not doing it right!"
"Pick up your sword again!"
"I didn't raise a coward, Zhong Jinxiao!"
Jinxiao jolted awake, drenched in sweat as he try to catch his breath.
"Childe Zhong!" Wen Lu stood quickly, startled.
"Wen Lu... get me some water," Jinxiao murmured, sitting up.
"Are you alright?" Wen Lu asked, concern growing.
"I'm fine. Just go."
Wen Lu nodded and rushed out, closing the door. Jinxiao took some deep breaths, worrying about what's coming next. He despise the situation he is in now, making it much worse.
Jinxiao stared down at his leg. With cautious hands, he unwrapped the bandage. As the last layer fell away, his eyes widened.
His leg looked untouched. Healthy. No discoloration, no signs of poison. Normal.
He sank to the floor, heart pounding.
The door burst open. Yuanli rushed in.
"Another attack?" she asked, hurrying over.
"Is... is this normal?" he stammered, gesturing to his leg. "This is where the poison struck. Why does it look healed?"
Yuanli examined the leg, her eyes narrowing. "Was it truly Xue Wuren who poisoned you?"
Jinxiao shook his head. "No... it was one of his men. A dart. Not Wuren himself. I assumed it was also poisoned because they looked undead."
"Then we don't know for sure if it was poison."
"But the attacks, the pain... why am I still getting them?"
Yuanli sat back, conflicted. "When I drew your energy recently, something shifted. I felt stronger. Also, you're body temperature was low, you weren't cold. Maybe it's connected. Maybe... you're not poisoned."
"So it was all a lie?" Jinxiao whispered. "That doctor... Uncle Zhao... were they lying too?"
Yuanli nodded slowly. "When my mother was poisoned, her veins turned black. She was dying around the cold. You... you show none of that."
Jinxiao stood abruptly, reaching for his sword. "I need to return to the Golden Palace now. They need me."
"And leave Guanlin to face the journey alone?" Yuanli's voice sharpened.
He froze. "I'll help him get the bear fur tomorrow... then we'll go."
"Is that how badly you want to kill Wuren? You'd abandon someone from your own land? Is that what real noble Childe would do" Yuanli's voice sharpened.
His hands trembled. "If one or two lives must be sacrificed to save many... then I will."
Just then, Guanlin and Wen Lu burst into the room.
"Jinxiao! Is he having another attack, Yuanli?" Guanlin rushed forward.
Jinxiao quickly adjusted his robe to hide his leg.
"Childe, Here's your water," Wen Lu rushed over and offered, handing it over.
"He's fine," Yuanli said firmly. "Guanlin, come with me outside. Let Wen Lu care for him."
Guanlin hesitated, then looked at Jinxiao. "You okay?"
Jinxiao nodded, not even taking a glance at him. Guanlin followed Yuanli outside.
"Look after Ā-Chen and Ā-Ning for me. I'm going to speak with my father," Yuanli said over her shoulder.
"Alright..."
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"Childe Zhong, what happened?" Wen Lu asked softly.
"We're returning to the Golden Palace tomorrow. We're needed."
Wen Lu blinked. "What? What do you mean, Childe? But the cure—your poisoned—"
"I'm not poisoned."
Jinxiao lifted his robe to his leg. Wen Lu gasped. "It looks healed..."
"The dart wasn't from Wuren. I don't know why they said I was poisoned, but I'll find out. We'll help Guanlin slay the bear. Then we leave."
"But Childe, we can't abandon him out there! He's one of us. He doesn't even know how to fight—he'll be alone!" Wen Lu protested.
"Would you save one life if it meant risking thousands?!" Jinxiao snapped.
"Childe... if you leave him now, he'll be heartbroken. He trusts you, he trust us. What will he think of us assassins if we do that? What will he think of his father?" Wen Lu asked, pleading.
"You'll return with me no matter what. The Palace needs us."
"I'll go with Guanlin, accompany him till he gathers all the cure" Wen Lu said quietly. "I'm not needed at the Palace."
"If you go with him... consider yourself withdrawn from the Shadow Sect."
Wen Lu flinched. "Childe Zhong, you've changed. You weren't like this before."
"Wuren is a threat, Wen Lu. The Qi clan will see this as an opportunity to attack, If the Qi Clan takes the Jade Crystal, we're all doomed. Can't you understand we're being cornered right now Wen Lu?!" Jinxiao shouted, snapping.
Wen Lu lowered his eyes, slowly standing up.
"Don't tell Guanlin. Let him find out tomorrow." Jinxiao said.
He left the room, face tight with emotion.
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"Diē, I've decided. I'm going with them to the Hill tomorrow," Yuanli said.
"Yuanli! Are you mad?! It's dangerous!"
"It won't be, there are assassins accompanying us, we will be fine." Yuanli reassured.
"Even so! You're not goung Ā-li!"
"I'm a healer, Diē. If someone gets hurt, I can help. And I owe them a lot. I've waste their time, this is my repayment."
"Doesn't letting them stay here, feeding them enough for a repayment?" Lanjin shouted, tapping his hands on his table
"Can a shelter and food remove poison?" Yuanli asked.
Lanjin snapped, slamming his hand on his table. "How dare you talk to me like that, Yuanli!"
"I'm sorry diē, I should've watched my words."
Lanjin sighed, sitting back down. "You're just like your mother, Ā-li. Stubborn. And look where it got her. I don't want to lose you too because of that."
"Ive made my decision, Send Ā-Chen and Ā-Ning to our grandparents while I'm gone or when we're both gone. I'll be fine."
Turning around, she transformed into a butterfly and slipped out the window.
Realizing she will accompany Guanlin alone. Hiding the fact that The assassins will depart tomorrow at the hill to not make his father worry.
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"Ā-Chen, Ā-Ning... gēge is leaving tomorrow. I won't be here to care for you."
"Where are you going gēge Lin?" Song Ning asked.
"Something really urgent and important." Guanlin smiled.
"Will you visit again, gēge?" Song Chen asked.
Guanlin chuckled, pinching his cheek. "I'll think about it."
The door opened. Yuanli stepped in. "You should rest. I'll look after them."
"Alright. Tomorrow's the day," Guanlin said while yawning, leaving the room immediately.
Outside, he found Wen Lu standing alone in the snow.
"Wen Lu? Still up?"
Wen Lu looked at him, then suddenly rushed over and hugged him tightly.
"W-what's wrong?"
"Just remember, you'll always be my bro, Bro Lin."
Guanlin laughed. "Of course I am. Why're you crying like a kid?"
"You can do this... even if you have to do it alone. We'll meet again at the Palace."
Guanlin wiped his head. "Okay, okay. You're being weird. Let's sleep. We need energy."
From his window in the distance, Jinxiao watched in silence.