The morning sun rose slowly over the palace.
Golden light spread across the Imperial grounds, touching the tall walls and quiet courtyards.
Inside one of the chambers—
The Crown Prince, Hei Long, stood beside a window. His expression was calm, but his eyes showed determination.
Behind him, seated gracefully, was Consort Lady Zhou Yinzhen.
She watched her son carefully.
"You came early today," she said.
Hei Long turned slightly. "Mother."
There was a brief silence.
Then he spoke directly.
"I wish to proceed with the marriage."
Consort Zhou Yinzhen's eyes narrowed slightly. "With Qiu Ying'er?"
"Yes."
His answer was firm.
She studied his face. "You sound certain."
"I am," he replied.
She stood up slowly, walking toward him.
"This marriage is not simple," she said. "You understand that."
Hei Long met her gaze. "I do."
"The Grand Chancellor's family is powerful," she continued. "This union will strengthen your position."
Another pause.
"But power," she added softly, "always comes with a cost."
Hei Long did not hesitate. "I am prepared."
Consort Zhou Yinzhen looked at him for a long moment.
Then she gave a faint smile.
"You have grown," she said.
But her eyes—
Still held concern.
"Very well," she said quietly. "If this is your decision… then I will not stop you."
Hei Long lowered his head slightly. "Thank you, Mother."
The morning light continued to shine—
But within the palace, decisions were already shaping the future.
Far from the palace—
By a quiet riverside—
Qiao Yu Zhen sat alone.
The water flowed gently, reflecting the sky above.
He looked at the surface, his expression calm, but his thoughts far away.
Memories slowly returned.
A small house.
Soft laughter.
Warm sunlight.
"I will catch you!"
A younger voice echoed in his mind.
He saw himself—
Running.
Laughing.
His small feet moving quickly as he tried to escape.
Behind him—
Yeluo Zhen chased after him.
"Stop running!" his father called, though his voice carried amusement.
"I won't!" the young Yu Zhen laughed.
Ahead—
Xuanji Yin stood, watching them.
Her expression was calm, but her eyes were gentle.
"You will fall," she said softly.
But the child only laughed more.
"I won't fall!"
He ran toward her—
And then stumbled.
Before he could hit the ground—
Strong arms caught him.
Yeluo Zhen lifted him up easily.
"I told you to stop," he said, though he was smiling.
The child laughed, reaching toward his mother.
"Mother!"
Xuanji Yin stepped closer, gently brushing his hair back.
"You never listen," she said.
"But he is happy," Yeluo Zhen replied.
She looked at both of them.
And for a brief moment—
There was peace.
The memory faded.
The sound of the river returned.
Qiao Yu Zhen lowered his gaze.
"That time…" he whispered softly.
His hand tightened slightly.
"…will never come back."
A quiet silence followed.
Then—
He stood up slowly.
The past was gone.
But something inside him remained.
Unresolved.
Not far from the river—
Wu Jinhai walked along the path.
Wei Zhenyu followed beside her.
The road was quiet, surrounded by trees and soft wind.
"Miss," Wei Zhenyu said, "we should reach the next town by evening."
Wu Jinhai nodded slightly. "We will continue forward."
Her voice was calm again.
Steady.
But suddenly—
The air changed.
The wind stopped.
A strange darkness spread across the path.
Wei Zhenyu's expression sharpened. "Something is wrong."
Wu Jinhai stopped walking.
Her eyes moved forward.
Then—
A figure appeared.
Out of the shadows.
Wuming.
His presence was cold and heavy, like a blade hidden in darkness.
His eyes were emotionless.
"You should not have come this far," he said.
His voice was low.
Dangerous.
Wei Zhenyu stepped in front of Wu Jinhai. "Who are you?"
Wuming did not answer.
His gaze was fixed on Wu Jinhai.
Wu Jinhai stepped forward slightly.
"How can a mere mortal fight with a demon?" she said calmly.
There was no fear in her voice.
Only awareness.
Wuming tilted his head slightly.
"Then do not try," he replied.
In the next moment—
He moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
Wei Zhenyu barely reacted before being pushed aside.
Wu Jinhai blocked the attack, but the force sent her back.
Her feet slid against the ground.
Her expression tightened.
"He is not human," Wei Zhenyu said, struggling to stand.
Wuming raised his hand again.
Dark energy gathered.
Wu Jinhai steadied herself.
Even knowing the difference in strength—
She did not step back.
"I will not fall here," she said quietly.
Just as Wuming was about to strike—
A voice cut through the air.
"Then you won't."
Wuming's movement stopped.
Another figure stepped forward.
Qiao Yu Zhen.
He stood calmly, his eyes focused.
Wu Jinhai looked at him in surprise.
"You—"
Qiao Yu Zhen did not look at her.
His gaze was fixed on Wuming.
"You should leave," he said.
Wuming studied him.
For the first time—
There was a slight pause.
"You are not ordinary," Wuming said.
Qiao Yu Zhen did not reply.
The air grew tense.
Then—
They moved.
The clash was sudden.
Fast.
Powerful.
Wu Jinhai watched closely.
"This strength…" she murmured.
It was not normal.
Not human.
Wuming attacked again, shadows moving like blades.
Qiao Yu Zhen blocked and countered, his movements controlled and precise.
The ground cracked slightly beneath them.
Wei Zhenyu stared in shock. "Who… is he?"
Wu Jinhai did not answer.
Her eyes stayed on the fight.
After a final exchange—
Wuming stepped back.
His gaze lingered on Qiao Yu Zhen.
Then—
Without another word—
He disappeared into the shadows.
Silence returned.
The wind began to move again.
Qiao Yu Zhen stood still for a moment.
Then he turned slightly.
Wu Jinhai looked at him.
This time, she stepped forward.
"Who are you?" she asked.
Her voice was calm, but her eyes were sharp.
Qiao Yu Zhen looked at her.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Then he answered—
"I am just someone passing by," he said.
His tone was simple.
But it did not fully answer her question.
Wu Jinhai studied him carefully. "That was not the strength of an ordinary person."
Qiao Yu Zhen did not deny it.
But he also did not explain further.
Instead, he said quietly, "You should not stay here. It is not safe."
Wei Zhenyu stepped closer. "We can manage—"
"No," Qiao Yu Zhen said calmly.
His gaze shifted slightly, serious now.
"That was only one of them."
Silence fell.
Wu Jinhai understood what he meant.
She looked at him for a moment longer.
Then he spoke.
"…Then I will send you home."
His voice was steady.
Then she nodded.
"Alright."
Wei Zhenyu looked between them, a little surprised, but said nothing.
Qiao Yu Zhen stepped forward.
Wu Jinhai walked beside him.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The path ahead was quiet.
But something had changed.
This time—
she did not walk away.
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