Back in Zhongyin, Lai Xiayou stirred weakly in her bed, her breathing shallow. The candlelight flickered softly in the room, casting shadows over her pale face. Though her pain remained, a sliver of peace settled in her heart after receiving Guanlin's message. Her son was alive, still fighting. That was enough to keep her holding on.
"As you can see," the doctor said quietly, adjusting the herbal wraps around Xiayou's wrists, "she passes out every time we try this. And each time... it worsens her condition."
Li Huan clenched his fists, turning away to hide the tears stinging his eyes. His son had been gone for days—longer than expected. And every moment of delay seemed to tighten the grip of death around Xiayou's fragile body.
"Guanlin is the only one who can save her... What's keeping him so long?" he muttered, his voice barely audible as he sank into a nearby chair, trembling.
Outside, Xinyu's emotions overflowed. She burst from the doorway in tears, not thinking about where her legs were carrying her.
"Ā-Yu!" Li Wei called, running after her.
He caught up to her by the bamboo fence, wrapping his arms around her tightly. She struggled at first, but soon collapsed into his embrace.
"Your brother is strong," Li Wei whispered, brushing strands of hair away from her tear-streaked face. "He'll come back. I know he will."
She sobbed against his shoulder. "Why does it feel like he's so far away...?"
Li Wei raised his eyes to the sky, his thoughts screaming into the stars. Lai Guanlin... what's taking you so long?
-------
Silent Hill
Snow blanketed the mountain trails in thick layers, muffling their footsteps as they made their way deeper into the highlands. The sky was darkening, and the cold air pressed against their skin like sharp needles.
"Song Yuanli, are you really sure about this?" Song Lanjin asked, gazing at his daughter, concern etched into his weathered face.
Yuanli nodded silently, casting a fleeting glance at Jinxiao who stood a few paces away.
"Shíjiē, where are you going?" Ning cried out, holding tightly to Yuanli's robe.
Yuanli knelt to her younger sister, cupping her small cheeks. "Ā-Ning, I just have somewhere very important to go. I promise I'll come back."
"When?" asked Chen, trying to hide his trembling.
Yuanli chuckled softly. "Soon. Don't worry, I'll bring back something special."
She stood, bowing respectfully to her father. "Please take care of them."
Song Lanjin gave her a solemn nod. "Song Yuanli... be careful."
As she walked away, she turned to Jinxiao. "Childe Zhong... I know you won't let anything happen to them."
Jinxiao bowed in return. "Yes, Song Lanjin. I'll keep them safe."
"Ā-Chen, Ā-Ning, gēge will visit you soon!" Guanlin called, waving farewell to the children.
At the Hill
The forest thickened and the path steepened. The wind howled around them, and snow fell like glass shards. They ascended the slope in two pairs—Yuanli and Jinxiao behind, Guanlin and Wen Lu forging ahead.
"So, you really want to go through with this?" Yuanli asked, walking with her hands behind her back.
"I've said what I've said," Jinxiao replied without meeting her gaze. "You'll accompany Lai Guanlin alone won't you?"
"Of course you can probably tell. I'm not so selfish as to abandon him."
"And you think I am?"
"No. But I think you're afraid of what being needed means."
Jinxiao paused, glancing at her. "You don't know what I've seen, what I carry. Guanlin... he's capable. He doesn't need me at all."
"Childe, Just because someone can survive alone doesn't mean they should have to," Yuanli snapped. "Isn't that the same reason you will go back to Jade Gong? Do you think the assassins there can't survive without you? Do you think the same to Wen Lu? Will you leave him xause he's dependent enough"
His eyes hardened. "You don't understand, you don'tsee it from my perspective."
"Then make me understand!"
Before he could answer, the ground rumbled. A low roar echoed through the cliffs above. Yuanli's eyes widened.
"Avalanche!" Jinxiao shouted. "Everyone, behind the trees!"
Snow thundered down the hillside. Guanlin dove behind a tree with Wen Lu, shielding themselves. Yuanli transformed into a pink glowing butterfly, lifting into the sky.
Each snow fell hard, causing their bodies to tremble with the trees. When the snow settled, she descended, her expression grave.
"They're awake. There are three bears. Massive. They've come out of their cave."
"Do we have to kill them?" Guanlin asked, gripping his sword. "Can we just like cut some of their fur?"
"Their fur won't come off unless they're dead. Not even blades can cut it while they're alive." Yuanli explained.
"Let's move!" Jinxiao commanded.
Minutes later, they reached the summit, wind screaming around them. The bears stood tall, each over two meters, eyes glowing red with ancient magic.
"This is it," Guanlin whispered. "The second cure... it's right in front of us."
Wen Lu and Jinxiao drew their swords in the air, ready to fight.
Then, thhe bears roared, charging forward in their direction.
"AHHH! NIÁNG!" Guanlin screamed, diving behind a tree.
Jinxiao and Wen Lu launched into the air, swords drawn. Yuanli summoned talismans, summoning a swarm of glowing pink butterflies that blinded the bears.
Jinxiao and Wen Lu swooped down, but one bear swung its massive arm, striking them mid-air. They flew back, crashing into ground filled with snow.
"Jinxiao! Wen Lu!" Guanlin screamed.
Yuanli hovered above, butterflies whirling in a growing storm around the bears as they roared again. Their claws swinging back and forth.
"I'll distract them! Now!" She burst into butterflies once more, dancing around the bears. The hallucinations caused them to growl in confusion. Jinxiao and Wen Lu moved in quietly.
Then—
One bear roared violently, clawing through the butterflies. Yuanli reformed, falling to the ground with a cry.
"Yuanli!" Guanlin shouted, eyes wide.
"I'm okay! Just a scratch!" Yuanli reassured, hokding her shoulder tightly.
Guanlin trembled behind the tree, sweat dripping down his temple despite the cold. He stared at his sword. What do I do?
He could hear the battle, the wind, the growls. His legs refused to move.
No... they can handle it!
"Wen Lu! You go right! I'll go left!" Jinxiao shouted.
Wen Lu nodded, walking into that direction.
Wen Lu drew a talisman, trying to paralyze the bear, but its strength broke through.
"We clearly didn't think this through." Wen Lu joked.
Yuanli pressed medicine to her wound, her breath shaky. "They're too strong..."
Jinxiao darted in, scratching the bear's back. It roared louder, snow falling in clumps from the cliffs.
"Hurry! The mountain might collapse!" Wen Lu yelled.
Two bears retreated, but the wounded one glowed ominously. Jinxiao summoned enchanted ropes from his sleeves, binding it tightly.
"It's working!" Wen Lu shouted.
Guanlin watched, a flicker of hope lighting his face.
The bear fell into the ground as it struggled in tight rope around it's body.
Jinxiao and Wen Lu coming closer.
"I never realized it would take us much this time." Wen Lu joked again.
"Slay the bear now!" Yuanli screamed.
"What was that?" Wen Lu asked, unable to hear her scream due to the lound wind. "What did she say?"
"She said slay it now." Jinxiao repeated, his voice unsure.
"It will gre stronger when it's wounded!" Yuanli screamed again.
Realization struck, Jinxiao was about to pull his sword but it was too late.
The bear broke free, its body shining with energy. A shockwave blasted Jinxiao and Wen Lu backward.
Guanlin stumbled on his butt, sword in hand, as the bear turned toward him.
"No... don't come any closer..."
The bear's eyes gleamed, as it scratched it's calws on the ground. The others unable to stand up.
Then, the bear roared, charging towards Guanlin.
"GUANLIN!" Yuanli screamed.
Time slowed, not knowing what to do, Guanlin shut his eyes, sword raised on his left hand, then...
Silence.
When Guanlin opened his eyes in shocm, his sword was embedded in the bear's heart.
"Wh-what...? How did I...?"
The beast collapsed with a thud.
Guanlin crawled over, retreiving his sword.
Yuanli ran to his side. "Guanlin... you killed it."
"I... I didn't mean to..."
"Bro Lin! Way to go! You said you didn't know how to fight!" Wen Lu limped over.
Before Guanlin could answer, more roars echoed from inside the cave.
"More are coming! They now one of them is killed" Yuanli shouted. "We have to go! Now!"
Jinxiao slashed the fur off the bear and tucked it into his robe.
"Run!" Jinxiao screamed.
Wen Lu grabbed Guanlin and they fled, sprinting down the snowy hill.
Behind them, another avalanche began.
The summit vanished into a white storm as the reached the base of the hill.