[Sacred Feather Residence]
Sang Qi looked down the corridor at the circle of exhausted people who still refused to leave. Finally, he drew a deep breath and spoke with firm authority.
"Everyone—go back to your rooms and rest."
He pointed toward the three generals.
"Garo, Lianyu, Tutan—especially you three. Stop standing outside my door making noise."
Tutan protested immediately.
"I'm not making noise—"
Lianyu added calmly, "Even your breathing is loud."
Tutan: "…."
Sang Qi shot them a sideways look. His tone, rare in its authority, left no room for argument.
"His Highness will not leave Sacred Feather Residence. I'll remain here to watch over Xingyu's condition. You all go rest—bathe, eat something hot. If your bodies collapse, who will protect her?"
Garo opened his mouth to argue but found himself cut off by Sang Qi's relentless reasoning.
"Tutan, Lianyu—you both just came out of the Soul Well. Your spiritual breath is unstable."
"And Garo—if that bruise on your temple isn't treated, tomorrow it'll swell like a steamed bun."
The three generals fell silent.
Sang Qi turned to the attendants.
"Prepare meals for them. Hot water. Hot soup. Clean themselves, eat properly, then sleep immediately."
"This is an order."
The three generals exchanged glances.
Tutan muttered quietly, "Sang Qi… somehow feels more like a commander than the three of us combined…"
Sang Qi raised an eyebrow. "What was that?"
Tutan snapped upright instantly.
"Nothing! Returning to our rooms! Immediately!"
At last, the Five Yao and the Three Generals dispersed.
The corridor fell quiet, leaving only the gentle glow of qingyao stone flowing through the halls.
Inside the chamber on the second floor of Sacred Feather Residence, Si Mo Heng still sat beside Youqing's bed.
He had not moved once.
Sang Qi worked in the outer room, preparing medicine and checking in occasionally.
Yet every time he looked in, Si Mo Heng was in the same position—one hand gripping hers, the other braced against his brow, as if he were barely holding himself together at the edge of darkness.
Night deepened.
All sounds slowly faded.
Until—
Youqing's fingers twitched slightly.
"Qing'er."
Sang Qi rushed inside immediately.
Si Mo Heng lifted his head at once, as if being pulled out of the abyss.
Youqing's lashes trembled.
Her breathing quickened.
Then—
she opened her eyes.
But the world was nothing but darkness.
No light.
No shadow.
No shapes.
Only endless black.
Youqing froze.
Her voice came softly.
"…What happened?"
"I can't see."
Sang Qi took her pulse, his expression tightening.
"Your soul channels are severely depleted… that's why you can't see right now."
Si Mo Heng's grip on her hand tightened instantly.
Youqing forced herself to remain calm. She closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again.
The world remained black.
Sang Qi explained quietly.
"It's the backlash from ferrying and guiding souls. This time… you pushed yourself too far. Your sight-breath is suppressed. It won't recover immediately."
Youqing sat quietly for a long moment.
In the darkness, her hand moved slightly, as if searching—then stopped.
She said softly,
"That's alright."
Si Mo Heng stiffened.
"Qing'er?"
Youqing lifted her unfocused gaze. Her voice cut through the silence like wind across a blade.
"If soul ferrying had no backlash… then who could stop those who wield such power?"
Sang Qi held his breath.
Her fingers curled faintly.
"If I could seize souls, guide them, control life and death without any cost…"
"Then how would I be any different from Ye Yi?"
Her voice was soft, yet piercingly clear.
"This kind of power… must carry a price. Otherwise…"
"…it becomes demonic."
Though she could not see, her expression was steadier than anyone else's.
Si Mo Heng's throat tightened.
Youqing continued quietly.
"The backlash reminds me: ferrying souls is not a weapon. It cannot be abused."
"Otherwise one day… I too would fall into Evernight."
Her breath trembled slightly.
Before the moment could deepen—
Si Mo Heng pulled her into his arms.
His grip was fierce, as if he could drag her back from the darkness itself.
"Qing'er…"
His voice broke.
"You will never become a demon. Never."
Youqing did not resist.
She simply rested in his embrace, breathing quietly in the dark—
as though she had found a narrow path between destruction and rebirth.
Sang Qi spoke calmly.
"This blindness is temporary. Once her soul-breath stabilizes, her sight will return."
Si Mo Heng held her hand, his forehead resting against her hair.
"It doesn't matter," he murmured.
"Whether you can see or not…"
"I'm here."
"If you reach out—I'll be here."
Youqing's fingers moved gently—
searching for him in the dark.
He caught her hand immediately.
She did not know where her unfocused eyes were directed, but she remained calm, as if entrusting the entire world to him.
"Mo Heng… thank you," she said softly.
Sang Qi looked at the prince's exhausted face and spoke carefully.
"Your Highness, Xingyu is awake now. Please go rest. If you continue like this, your body will collapse."
"You haven't slept at all? Go," Youqing added gently. "I'm fine."
Si Mo Heng was about to reply when soft footsteps interrupted.
"We'll take care of her. Your Highness need not worry."
Xie Wenyun stood at the doorway, her voice gentle yet firm.
She held a bundle of fresh fragrant blossoms cut from the morning garden.
Ding Yuxuan carried a small food box, steam drifting faintly from inside.
Li Furong held a set of clean washing supplies.
The moment the three entered, the quiet room seemed to warm.
Sang Qi exhaled in relief.
"You arrived at the perfect time."
Youqing tilted her head slightly at the sound.
Though the world remained dark, the tension in her brows softened.
"…Wenyun, Yuxuan, Furong?"
Her voice was quiet but filled with relief.
The three women answered softly.
Youqing smiled faintly.
"Thank you."
Ding Yuxuan opened the food box, letting warm steam escape.
"This is warm soup for you. It's still hot—I'll set it here first."
Li Furong busied herself arranging the washing items while muttering,
"At a time like this, what she needs is people around her—not His Highness sitting here all day without moving."
The three of them turned toward Si Mo Heng at the same time.
Their gaze carried equal parts reproach, concern—and a clear message written across their faces:
If you don't go rest, we will drag you out.
Si Mo Heng swallowed.
His gaze returned to Youqing. He still wanted to hold her hand.
Youqing said gently,
"Mo Heng… go rest. With so many ladies around me, you can relax."
He frowned slightly.
"But you—"
Ding Yuxuan interrupted calmly.
"Your Highness, since Lady Youqing cannot see right now, it's easier for us to care for her. If you remain here, she may feel uneasy."
Xie Wenyun added softly,
"And if Your Highness collapses, she will worry even if she's awake."
Li Furong stepped back and bowed slightly.
"Please rest, Your Highness."
The three women effectively blocked his path.
Even Sang Qi coughed lightly.
"Your Highness truly cannot keep pushing yourself."
Si Mo Heng fell silent for a long moment.
His gaze returned to Youqing.
Her pale face, though still weak, carried a faint warmth now that she had awakened.
Youqing raised her hand slightly, feeling through the air as if searching for him.
Si Mo Heng immediately took it.
In that touch he poured every ounce of reluctance in his heart.
"Qing'er…"
His voice was hoarse.
"I'll stay just outside. If you need me, I'll be here in one step."
Youqing smiled softly.
"Alright. When I call you, come back."
Only then did Si Mo Heng slowly release her hand.
Yet everyone could see—
each step he took toward the door felt like cutting away a piece of his own heart.
Just before the door closed, Ding Yuxuan whispered,
"Your Highness… don't worry."
Si Mo Heng did not turn around.
"If her breathing changes even slightly, I will hear it first."
Only then did the door finally close softly.
Inside the room remained only the fragrance of flowers, the warmth of soup, and the quiet sounds of the three women moving about.
Youqing sat quietly.
Though her world was black, she could feel—
she was not alone.
She could not see light.
But—
Wenyun's floral fragrance was light.
Yuxuan's warm soup was light.
Furong's gentle hands were light.
Darkness no longer frightened her.
Because she was surrounded by light.
She lifted her lips in a faint smile and whispered,
"…Thank you."