Rear Hall · Quiet Chamber
A calming Yao incense burned softly within the chamber, thin curls of smoke drifting lazily through the air.
Ling Shuo stepped inside with the support of an attendant. His footing was still unsteady, but the murky darkness that had once clouded his eyes—corrupted by demonic energy—had completely vanished, leaving behind only clarity.
"Brother!"
Lingdang's eyes reddened instantly as she rushed forward. Her small hands trembled as she cupped his face, examining him again and again.
"You're really alright…?"
"I'm alright." Ling Shuo looked at his sister—now thinner, more fragile—and gently stroked her hair. His voice was hoarse from long silence.
"Tang'er… it's enough that you're still alive. As for our home… I failed to protect it."
He let out a quiet sigh, then stepped away from the attendant's support. Turning toward Youqing and the others, he bowed deeply, already bending his knees to kneel.
"Thank you all for risking your lives… so that my sister and I might meet again—"
Before he could kneel, Luo Ye stepped forward in a flash. His arm, solid as iron, caught Ling Shuo firmly by the shoulder and lifted him back up.
"It's nothing. It's what we should do," Luo Ye said bluntly, though his tone carried unmistakable sincerity.
"Yeah, don't kneel." Sang Qi leaned lazily against the doorway, arms crossed, a teasing grin curling at his lips.
"Luo Ye here has a small heart—he can't handle such a grand bow from his future brother-in-law."
"Br—brother-in-law?" Ling Shuo blinked, confused, his gaze darting between them.
Lingdang's face instantly flushed bright red, color rushing from her neck to her ears. She stomped her foot in embarrassment.
"Sang Qi! What nonsense are you saying?! What brother-in-law?!"
"Future brother-in-law," Cangyuan added calmly, wiping down his short blade as if commenting on the weather.
The room froze.
Ling Shuo stood stunned for a long moment. His gaze shifted between Luo Ye's awkward expression and his sister's blushing face. Though still recovering, his mind was sharp; something dawned on him—but propriety held him back from asking directly.
"You all—!" Lingdang turned away, clutching her sleeve tightly, wishing she could vanish into the floor.
Luo Ye coughed awkwardly. For once, a hint of discomfort flickered across his face, though he forced himself to remain composed.
"They speak nonsense as usual. Brother Ling, pay them no mind."
"Oh? That's not quite right." Sang Qi raised a brow, his smile turning sly.
"We're just helping you sort out family titles in advance. Wouldn't want anyone addressing the wrong person after the wedding—that would be improper."
Ling Shuo watched them—the companions who had faced life and death together. The shock in his expression softened, giving way to a bittersweet smile.
"I see… If that day truly comes, then as her elder brother, I will certainly make sure Tang'er is well cared for."
Luo Ye stiffened, suddenly at a loss for words.
At that moment—
"Enough."
A clear, cool voice cut through the room with quiet authority.
Youqing set down the medicine bowl in her hands.
Her tone was not loud, yet it carried an undeniable presence that stilled the room instantly. Even Sang Qi fell silent.
Her gaze lingered briefly on Ling Shuo before she spoke, gentle yet commanding.
"You have only just awakened. Your soul channels are unstable—you should not stand for long. Sit."
After the attendants helped Ling Shuo take his seat, she continued,
"That you and your sister survived… is not only because your fates allowed it, but because others walked a blade's edge on your behalf."
"As for your family…"
Her tone cooled slightly, gaining weight.
"Your vengeance and your debts are not yet settled. But remember—only by living can you claim the right to settle them."
Ling Shuo trembled, then lowered his head deeply, fists tightening on his knees.
"…I understand."
Lingdang looked at Youqing. Though her eyes still shimmered with tears, something new had taken root within them—
resolve.
Outside the chamber, wind stirred the curtains.
The long night that had lasted a century had ended—
yet the gears of fate in the Yao Realm, tempered by blood and fire, had begun to turn once more.
Si Moheng spoke calmly, his tone steady.
"What are your plans for the future, Young Lord Ling?"
Ling Shuo paused briefly before lifting his head.
"I will return to Xiling City," he said firmly. "I will rebuild what remains and restore it."
His voice was not loud—but each word carried weight, as though forged through countless reflections.
Si Moheng nodded slightly.
"Xiling City has been gravely damaged. Rebuilding it will not be easy."
"All the more reason I cannot retreat," Ling Shuo replied.
"Xiling is the root of the Ling family—and the last refuge for the displaced people. Even if only ruins remain, I will rebuild it, piece by piece."
The room fell silent.
This was no youthful declaration—it was the resolve of someone who had survived destruction and still chose to bear responsibility.
"It will require immense resources," Tutan said, recalling the devastation he had seen. "Not something that can be done overnight."
"Financial support can be handled by the Li family," Li Furong said immediately, without hesitation.
"I can petition the Yao Palace for manpower," Li Yan added steadily. "And construction… is my expertise."
Lin Lie had already begun calculating.
"I can redesign the city layout—make construction more efficient and reduce labor strain."
"Food is on me." Luo Ye grinned.
"People need to eat before they can work."
"I'll handle water channels," Cangyuan added lazily.
"A city without water won't last, no matter how well it's built."
One by one, they spoke—until the very framework of Xiling's reconstruction had already taken shape.
Sang Qi blinked, looking from face to face, then spread his hands.
"So you've all assigned yourselves work… what am I supposed to do? Sit and watch, or go grind herbs in a corner?"
The tension in the room broke at once.
Ling Shuo was deeply moved. He clasped his fists and bowed to them all.
"My deepest thanks. I will never forget this kindness. If there is ever a need for me—anything at all—I will not refuse."
Li Furong stepped forward, her tone gentle but sincere.
"There is no need for such formality. Xiling is Lingdang's home—and she is like a sister to me. Helping each other is only natural."
Si Moheng gave a decisive nod.
"This matter cannot be delayed. We return to the Yao Palace at once and report to the Crown Prince."
"Go ahead and begin arrangements," Youqing said calmly.
"I have something to discuss with the Manor Lord."
The others withdrew.
But Si Moheng did not release her hand. Instead, he held it more firmly.
"I'll stay with you."
Youqing paused, then smiled faintly.
"Alright."
Quiet Chamber
After the others left, only the soft sound of mountain wind remained.
Yan Yi gestured for attendants to serve tea and pastries before taking his seat.
"Imperial Daughter, please speak freely."
Youqing nodded and drew a small object from her sleeve—
a pocket watch.
She placed it gently on the table, its metal surface reflecting a soft glow.
"My duty as the Saintess of the Yao Realm… is complete," she said quietly but firmly.
"The Heart of Yao Spirit has been entrusted to the Crown Prince. This watch… should be returned to its rightful place."
Yan Yi's gaze fell upon it, his expression shifting subtly—as though an old, buried memory had resurfaced.
After a moment, he spoke.
"Imperial Daughter… have you ever thought of seeing your parents from the other world again?"
Youqing froze.
"What do you mean?" Her breathing faltered.
"…Can I still see them?"
Yan Yi's voice grew more solemn.
"This watch is no ordinary object."
"It is a medium… that connects to another world."
Youqing stood motionless.
"The encounter between you and this watch in that world was no coincidence," he continued.
"The one who guided you back here… was the former Manor Lord Ye."
Her heart tightened sharply.
"He returned to the Hidden Manor," Yan Yi said slowly.
"But you… were led to where the Yao Walkers emerge, set upon a different path by fate."
The chamber filled with the quiet scent of tea.
The watch lay on the table, as though waiting for a choice yet unspoken.
Youqing's expression dimmed slightly.
"But… I cannot see," she said softly.
"Even if I return… I would not be able to see them."
Her voice trembled faintly, though she tried to remain composed.
"I don't know when my sight will return."
Si Moheng felt the chill in her fingers and tightened his grip, silently reminding her—
she was not alone.
Youqing took a breath and turned toward Yan Yi.
"If you are able to travel between worlds… could you go see them for me?"
Her voice was gentle, sincere.
"Please tell them I am well. That I have found my birth parents… and that I am grateful for the years they raised me."
"If possible…"
her voice trembled slightly, yet remained steady,
"I would like to prepare gifts to repay them."
Yan Yi bowed deeply.
"I will not fail this request."
Youqing hesitated, then asked softly,
"If… when I recover, I wish to see them—just from afar, without disturbing them… would you help me?"
Yan Yi nodded carefully.
"As long as it does not violate the laws of heaven and earth… it can be done."
Youqing's face brightened instantly.
"That's wonderful… Moheng, I can see them again."
Si Moheng turned to Yan Yi, though his gaze never left her.
"Then… may I accompany her?"
Yan Yi hesitated.
"I… am not certain yet. I will need to study the matter further. I have only recently taken this position."
Si Moheng waved a hand lightly.
"I only wish to accompany Qing'er—to see the place where she grew up. Manor Lord need not feel burdened."
Yan Yi stared at him, momentarily speechless.
The feared war god of the Yao Realm… now stood here with eyes softened by warmth.
Si Moheng glanced down at Youqing, noticing the faint fatigue in her expression. The coldness in his eyes melted instantly into concern.
"She is not fully recovered. She should not exert herself."
Then he looked back at Yan Yi and gave a slight nod.
"I will take her to rest. Excuse us."
With that, he gently drew her into his arms, shielding her from the cold draft as they walked toward the quiet path leading to her former quarters.
Within his embrace, Youqing heard his earlier words echo—
I only wish to accompany Qing'er.
Her heart trembled.
Yan Yi watched their retreating figures and, after a long pause, sighed.
"The war god of the Yao Realm… has finally become a man beneath this girl's skirts."
Snow fell silently upon the tranquil manor.
Si Moheng walked slowly, each step steady—
as though he meant to walk beside her, and make up for every year he had once been absent.