As dawn breaks, the gentle chirping of birds pierces the quiet, ushering in the morning. Dew beads along tangled roots, slipping from the lush green leaves above. A cold breeze drifts through the air, weaving with the thin, lingering fog.
Inside the cavern, wisps of smoke curled gently from Li Haoran's freshly prepared meals, drifting toward the vacant lounge stone beside Yue Chan, who still lay asleep at this hour.
Soon, the lingering aroma roused Yue Chan from her sleep. Unable to resist, she blinked awake and spotted the feast piled atop the lounge stone. Slowly, she pushed herself up and drifted toward the food. Her mouth watered in anticipation, and she swallowed hard, overcome by hunger.
"You're awake!"
The familiar voice shattered her silence. Instinctively, she turned and saw the looming figure approaching.
"Master, I made breakfast for you. Try it—you'll love it," Li Haoran said, a smile playing at his lips as he carried a woven basket brimming with fruit. He paused beside her, his gaze soft and unreadable.
Yue Chan didn't answer; she simply watched him in quiet amusement. Li Haoran felt a strange sensation creep up his neck, his ears tinging red. At a loss for words, he quickly averted his gaze and cleared his throat, pretending not to notice.
After a brief pause, Yue Chan finally spoke.
"Why did you prepare so much food? There are only two of us here."
Li Haoran pressed his lips together, unable to answer. But Yue Chan didn't scold him; instead, she offered a gentle, delicate smile.
"Why aren't you answering me?" she asked again, her gaze soft but insistent. Without warning, she grabbed his wrist and led him to the lounge stone. "Sit," she commanded, arranging various delicacies on a jade plate.
It was just the two of them, wrapped in silence—strange gazes and unspoken emotions lingering in the air. Finally, Yue Chan sat beside him, savoring the quiet moment together.
Two hours later, Yue Chan and Li Haoran made their way toward the town, moving discreetly. This time, Yue Chan had abandoned her usual attire. She wore a simple white robe, her hair fastened with a single jade hairpin, and a white veil concealed her face.
As they walked through the town, no one could have guessed she was the Supreme Warrior they all admired. Beside her, Li Haoran nearly collided with commoners, his eyes fixed on her rather than the road. Yue Chan noticed but didn't react, maintaining an air of indifference. Yet behind the veil, her lips curved ever so slightly, betraying her amusement. Only the sound of their footsteps filled the air, reminiscent of old times.
After an hour's journey, they arrived at the town's most renowned bookhouse. Two young men greeted them at the entrance, bowing respectfully and inviting them inside.
Once settled in the center of the bookhouse, Yue Chan's eyes carefully scanned every corner. The spacious, two-story building was thoughtfully organized: the ground floor housed all kinds of literature and arts—calligraphy, philosophy—while the upper floor was dedicated to history, renowned authors, and cultural works.
After a moment, she glanced at Li Haoran and gave him a quiet nod. He didn't hesitate—he already knew their purpose.
They went to the second floor and began searching for historical books and clues.
Fifteen minutes passed with no sign of the book they sought. Li Haoran suggested that Yue Chan remain seated while he took charge of the search.
But the book was elusive—remarkably hard to find.
Yue Chan rubbed her temples and glanced up at Li Haoran, who hovered beside her. His tall, lean frame and sharply defined features were so striking, she nearly forgot to blink.
"Master? Are we still going to keep looking?" he asked.
The question startled her, sending a slight jolt through her seat. Yue Chan simply knit her brows in silence, her glassy eyes blinking modestly.
"Yes, we keep going," she replied flatly. Li Haoran nodded silently and returned to his search.
For a moment, the place grew quiet. Only the gentle breeze rustling the curtains, the soft thud of footsteps on wooden floors, and the occasional flip of book pages broke the silence. Yue Chan paused, lifting her head as her eyes darted around the room. She quietly observed her surroundings and the people passing by.
A soft sigh escaped her lips, and she leaned in like a bored cat, eyes drifting toward the ceiling as her mind wandered.
Does my master's word truly mean something? How am I supposed to find a historical record from a thousand years ago?
Her thoughts lingered, unspoken.
Just then, Li Haoran appeared at her side again. Yue Chan quickly straightened, composing herself. He looked at her, puzzled. "Master? Is something wrong?"
Yue Chan shook her head, her cold gaze locked on him. Without a word, she stood and walked away. Li Haoran remained, puzzled, before following her without hesitation.
Downstairs, Yue Chan strode toward the literature section, where novels were neatly arranged on the shelves. She traced her fingers along the spines, scanning each title. At the end of the row, an old storybook sat alone in a vacant spot.
She picked it up and flipped through the pages. The novel felt ancient—just how old, she wondered? Examining the front cover, she read the title: The Love Story of the Hidden Demon Lord and The Concealed Divine Healer.
Instinctively, her brows knitted as she gently traced the nearly faded title with her fingertips.
Strange. Of all the books here, why does this old one draw me in?
"Master!"
The familiar voice called out—her first and only disciple, Li Haoran. His call snapped her from her thoughts, and she turned slowly, the old book clutched in her hands. Li Haoran's brows furrowed as he looked at her, curiosity on his face.
"I thought we were searching for clues, not picking up hobbies," Li Haoran teased with a soft snort.
Yue Chan sighed, ignoring his remark and keeping her gaze on the book. "It's my first time taking an interest in this kind of story. Don't mind it," she said, handing the book to him. "Keep it."
As the wei hour approached, they sat together in a quiet corner, still searching for clues. History books stacked high on the study table.
"Master, should we keep going?" Li Haoran asked, hope flickering in his eyes. Yue Chan closed the last book and replied, "Yes."
Li Haoran's fingers froze mid-drum on the tabletop, and he looked at her as if he'd just lost a game. She noticed, but simply leaned in and glanced around. "We haven't checked the information desk yet. We should ask an attendant."
Just as Li Haoran was about to rise, a sudden commotion erupted. Ten men stormed in, wielding deadly weapons. Though their robes were ragged, like beggars, they were no ordinary vagrants—these were the infamous bandits who struck fear throughout the town.
Panic swept the bookhouse as commoners scrambled for safety; even the servants and staff cowered in terror.
One man strode up to the desk and slammed his fist down. The attendants and staff hiding beneath whimpered in fear.
"Where's the money? Give me all the silver, taels—everything you've got, or I'll end you right here!" the man bellowed, his voice echoing through the hall. The other bandits scattered, some chasing after terrified women.
At the center of the chaos, two figures remained still. Yue Chan sat calmly, watching as the turmoil escalated. Li Haoran did not flinch; instead, he stepped closer, ready to protect her.
As expected, three bandits closed in, sneering as if they had cornered easy prey. A shaky sigh escaped Li Haoran as he instinctively stepped in front of Yue Chan, hands raised protectively. But Yue Chan paid them no mind; her only concern was the old book she held tightly.
Li Haoran turned to her. "Master, stay here. I've got this." She gave him an approving nod and settled back at the study table. Unbeknownst to Li Haoran, two male attendants were cowering in fear beneath the table. Yue Chan noticed them and glanced down, meeting their terrified eyes—their silent plea for safety unmistakable.
With a single, reassuring look, Yue Chan understood their desperation.
As Li Haoran stepped forward, chaos erupted throughout the bookhouse. He didn't dare reveal his true powers against mere human bandits, relying instead on his formidable combat skills.
Under the table, the two attendants watched in awe. Their fear faded, replaced by excitement as they began to cheer him on, as if witnessing a spectacle in an arena.
From a distance, Yue Chan observed Li Haoran's prowess in hand-to-hand combat. No powers were needed—just pure strength, resilience, and agility. Behind her veil, her lips curved in a rare smile, both surprised and amused.
Suddenly, the two attendants fell silent as two looming figures approached Yue Chan. Beneath the table, fear returned, leaving them trembling as the bandits drew near, their expressions dark and menacing.
One attendant was yanked out by a bandit, who grabbed him roughly by the collar.
"Please, have mercy!" the attendant pleaded.
"Mercy?" the bandit snarled. "You dare mock us by enjoying the sight of our men being beaten?" His voice was harsh, and the attendant squeezed his eyes shut in terror.
"I wouldn't dare… please…" the attendant gasped, his words cut off as the bandit tightened his grip, nearly choking him. Watching the man struggle for air, the bandit let out a cruel laugh.
"Go on—die!" he sneered, laughing wickedly. But his ruthlessness was short-lived. Suddenly, his eyes rolled back from an unexpected blow to the head. He released the attendant and crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Unbeknownst to the bandit, Yue Chan had been watching him with open disdain. The scene was unbearable—she detested nothing more than seeing innocent lives tortured. As the bandit nearly choked the attendant unconscious, Yue Chan didn't hesitate.
She handed the old book to the other attendant under the table, instructing him to keep it safe. He agreed instantly. Once the book was secure, Yue Chan placed her hand atop the table, then sprang up, legs swinging in a powerful kick. In a single move, she knocked the bandit out cold.
As the scene unfolded, the two attendants looked up at her in disbelief. They blinked, at a loss for words. Their curiosity was piqued by the thin white veil concealing her face. Though they could barely glimpse her features, their instincts agreed on one thing: beneath that veil was a woman whose remarkable strength matched her exceptional presence.
Judging by her appearance, frame, and temperament, it was clear—this was not a woman to be underestimated. She seemed almost otherworldly, beyond the reach of ordinary men.
After knocking out the bandit, Yue Chan looked down at the unconscious man. Only one word escaped her lips: "Pathetic."