Evening fell slowly over Mui Town, darkness spreading through the narrow streets. The faint scent of incense returned, drifting through the air like something unseen.
Han Liang fell still, his gaze sweeping the empty paths.
"This town…" he murmured, "it doesn't feel right. It's not just people… something else is here."
The moon slipped through the clouds, casting a pale glow across the town.
Since losing sight of Yuan Yu, Han Liang had not stopped moving. Guilt pressed heavily on his chest, tightening with every passing moment.
I shouldn't have let him fall behind.
Every shadow, every distant step, every creaking door sharpened his senses. His breathing grew uneven, yet his focus only deepened.
"Gu Feng…" he whispered.
There was no answer.
The Second Commander returned, his expression firm.
"He's not at the inn."
For a moment, Han Liang's breath faltered. The silence between them deepened.
The Second Commander stepped closer, his voice low but steady.
"Don't lose control. If you do, we'll lose him for good. Regulate your breathing."
He paused briefly before adding,
"We haven't found a body. That means he's alive."
Han Liang closed his eyes for a moment, forcing his breathing to steady. The fear did not disappear—but it sharpened into focus.
Then—
a sound.
A faint, distant laugh.
A child's laughter.
Han Liang's eyes snapped open. Without hesitation, he moved toward the sound, his steps quick and precise. The Second Commander followed close behind.
The laughter echoed again, guiding them through the narrow streets like a trail.
"No matter what…" Han Liang muttered under his breath,
"I will find you."
The sound led him to a familiar place.
The fortune teller's door.
Han Liang knocked without hesitation. The door opened slowly, and the old woman stood there, her gaze calm yet piercing.
"At this hour," she said, "why have you come?"
"I lost my companion," Han Liang replied. "I can't find him."
The woman frowned slightly, studying him for a moment.
Her voice lowered.
"If you want to find him… go to Lii Lake."
Han Liang froze.
"Tonight, or at dawn. Wait there," she continued. "You heard nothing from me."
Her gaze sharpened.
"I only speak because that young man walks a path touched by light."
She paused, then added in a colder tone,
"Disappear without being seen. People vanish here… more often than you think."
The door began to close.
"Now go."
Han Liang did not hesitate. He turned and moved quickly through the streets, heading toward the lake.
The Second Commander followed, silent as ever.
Elsewhere—
Yuan Yu sat in darkness, his hands bound. The lingering scent still clung to him, draining his strength little by little.
From time to time, the men forced more of it upon him, ensuring he could not resist.
His vision blurred. His body felt heavy.
Outside, low voices continued—watching, waiting.
Yuan Yu lowered his head slightly, forcing himself to stay conscious.
He could not lose awareness.
Not now.