The torch flame was flickering slowly. The sword had already been lowered, but the tension between the two was still alive.
Zhichen looked at Xiu with a slow, sharp gaze, then directly asked,
"Where did you go so late at night?"
Xiu slightly lowered his head and sheathed his sword.
"A guest is allowed to walk around at night, isn't he?"
His voice was calm.
Zhichen replied,
"When there is a murder case to solve in the palace, every step matters."
Xiu said softly,
"So you were counting my steps?"
Zhichen fell silent for a moment.
"I only know this much," he said in a cold voice,
"that when I was near the guest residence, you were not there."
A light silence spread.
The wind began to blow faster.
Xiu directly answered,
"I had just gone outside."
"For what?"
"Some things are not necessary to tell everyone."
Zhichen's gaze fixed on his mask.
"Or perhaps you are hiding something."
Xiu's fingers stiffened for a moment.
"Every person has a reason to hide their face," he said softly.
Zhichen took a slight step forward.
"Then I hope, when the truth comes out... your face will come forward too."
For a few moments, both simply sensed each other's presence.
Then Zhichen turned away.
Xiu remained standing there.
A few moments later, he took a slow breath and turned toward the part of the palace where the guest residence was.
The night had grown deeper.
His footsteps were calm, but this time they carried not haste, but determination.
Reaching the door of the guest residence, he did not knock lightly, but simply opened the door slowly.
The soft sound of the door opening echoed through the room.
Inside, Lichen was sitting upright on her bed, as if she had not slept at all.
She immediately turned her head toward the direction of the door.
"Who is it?" she asked in a calm yet alert voice.
Xiu paused for a moment, then softly said,
"It's me... Lixuan."
There was silence for a few moments.
Then a slight relief appeared on Lichen's lips.
"Oh, Guruji... it's you?"
There was comfort in her voice, but beneath that comfort was hidden unease.
Lixuan entered the room.
The faint torchlight fell upon his mask, but his eyes remained fixed on Lichen.
Lixuan watched her for a few moments, then his voice became slightly stern,
"Didn't I tell you not to go outside? Then why did you go?"
Lichen became slightly nervous.
"I heard a sound..."
"A sound?" Lixuan cut her off midway.
"It is not necessary to chase after every sound."
Showing restrained anger, he said,
"This place is not safe, and you went outside alone at night."
Lichen softly said,
"I just wanted to see... just..."
This time Lixuan's voice became even stricter.
Silence filled the room.
Clenching his teeth, he said,
"I wish I had never kept you with me."
The moment these words came out, it was as if the air itself stopped.
Lichen became completely silent for a moment.
Then tears began filling her eyes.
Her breaths started trembling lightly.
"Guruji..." her voice broke.
Tears slowly fell from her eyes.
Lixuan looked away, as if he did not want to witness that sight.
"Stop crying." he said angrily, but there was a slight strain in his voice.
"Be quiet now."
Lichen pressed her lips tightly together, but a faint sob echoed through the room.
Lixuan closed his eyes for a moment, then without saying anything else, he turned and walked toward his bed.
He lay down, but his eyes remained open.
And in the room, on one side were suppressed tears, and on the other, suppressed regret.
At that same hour of the night, in the grand assembly hall located at the center of the Qingyu clan, the torch flames were burning brightly.
Behind them stood a tall throne made of black stone, and seated upon it was Moyan.
His eyes were cold, but within them burned determination.
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed at the hall doors.
A soldier stopped before him with a bow.
"Chief..." he said with his head lowered,
"There is still no sign of Moren."
A faint silence spread through the camp.
"We searched for him in every direction," the soldier continued,
"but he still has not been found."
Moyan's fingers slowly began tapping against the armrest of the throne.
"Find him."
His voice was low, but within it was hidden an order.
"He has the third fragment."
The soldier lowered his head.
Moyan's eyes flashed for a moment.
"If someone has snatched that fragment from him..." he said softly,
"or destroyed it..."
His voice turned even colder.
"Then ruling this world will become difficult for me."
The torch flame suddenly flickered violently, as if even the night had sensed those words.
"Go."
The soldier immediately left.
Now he was alone, but his thoughts were not.
His gaze fixed into the distant darkness.
"Moren..." he softly spoke the name,
"you cannot run away."
Morning had arrived.
Soft rays of first sunlight were descending into the courtyard of Shenmei Palace.
The silence of the night was slowly breaking.
Inside the guest residence room, Lixuan's eyes slowly opened.
For a few moments, he stared straight at the ceiling, as if the events of the night were still echoing in his mind.
Then suddenly his gaze fixed on the bed opposite him.
It was empty.
Lixuan immediately sat upright.
"Lichen?"
No answer.
For a moment, his heart began beating faster.
He looked around.
There was no sign of her presence in the room.
For a moment, last night's words echoed in his mind—
"I wish I had never kept you with me."
His fingers slowly tightened.
"Did I scold her too much..."
He immediately got out of bed.
As he moved toward the door, his gaze fell upon the mask placed nearby.
He paused for a moment.
Then without thinking, he picked up the mask and wore it on his face, as if hiding his worries behind it as well.
The door opened.
The cool morning air was blowing outside.
His eyes darted around.
"Lichen!"
This time his voice was louder.
No answer.
His footsteps quickly moved toward the stairs.
"I told her not to..." he thought to himself,
"if she really left..."
His face was stern, but hidden within his eyes was a different kind of fear.
He stepped out of the guest residence into the courtyard.
And now he had gone out to search for her.
Lixuan quickly headed toward the main court of the palace.
A few ministers and soldiers were present in the court.
Xiangu sat upon the throne.
Lixuan stepped forward and gave a slight bow in greeting.
"Chief..." his voice was calm, but his inner restlessness could not be hidden,
"My disciple Lichen is missing. Have you seen her anywhere?"
A faint silence spread through the court.
"I have searched the entire palace," he continued,
"but she was nowhere to be found."
Xiangu looked at him carefully, as if he could sense the fear hidden behind his voice.
Then he said calmly,
"Perhaps you have not checked the garden behind."
Lixuan's gaze lifted slightly.
"The garden?"
Xiangu smiled faintly and said,
"Yes. Many people go there in the morning. You should look there."
Then he softly added,
"If you find her, then both of you come here."
Lixuan lowered his head and turned away without delay.
The back garden was peaceful.
The morning sunlight was filtering softly through the leaves of the trees and falling below.
The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers.
Lixuan's footsteps slowed down.
Then near the pond, he felt a familiar presence.
Lichen was sitting there.
She was bent down on her knees.
Her fingers were slowly touching the water.
The soft splash of water brought a smile to her face.
She was feeling the flowers placed nearby with her hands.
Touching their petals as if understanding their form.
Sometimes she placed them on the water, and when the ripples moved the flowers, she softly suppressed a laugh.
As if she could not see... but could feel everything.
Lixuan stood there for a few moments. The storm that had been raging inside him since morning slowly began to calm down.
"Lichen…" there was neither strength nor anger in his voice.
Lichen's ears became alert at the faint sound. She turned her face in that direction.
"Guruji?" then she said with a slight smile, "You're here?"
Lixuan slowly walked toward her.
"You should have told me before leaving," he said, trying to remain calm.
Lichen replied as she sat up straight, "You were sleeping, so I didn't wake you."
Lixuan remained silent for a few moments. Then he said softly, "Do you know how scared I was…"
He suddenly stopped, as if the words had slipped out by mistake.
Lichen immediately asked, "What? Please continue."
Lixuan looked away.
"It's nothing."
A mischievous smile appeared on Lichen's lips.
"Oho…" she said while suppressing a light laugh, "Were you scared that I had gone somewhere?"
And she burst into laughter.
Lixuan slightly furrowed his brows.
"Stop it. I wasn't scared, understand?"
Lichen's laughter slowly calmed down.
Composing himself, Lixuan said, "We have to go to the court. Xiangu has summoned us."
Lichen slightly lowered her head and asked, "Why?"
Lixuan replied directly, "I don't know. But we should go."
He extended his hand.
"Come."
Lichen slowly extended her hand and held Lixuan's fingers.
Her grip was gentle, but the trust in it was clearly felt.
Lixuan paused for a moment.
Then, without saying anything, he firmly held her hand.
"Come," he said softly.
The two walked side by side toward the court.
Today, the court was more crowded than usual.
Chiefs of all the tribes and their people were present there.
Everyone was going to return to their respective tribes today, so final discussions were taking place.
A faint noise, quiet conversations, and royal silence in between.
Just then, two familiar shadows appeared at the entrance of the court.
Lixuan, whom everyone here knew as xiu, and Lichen with him.
As soon as they entered, many eyes turned toward them.
One of those gazes belonged to Zhichen.
He was staring directly at Lixuan, as if trying to understand something.
Lixuan felt his gaze, but gave no reaction.
He was calm, self-controlled.
Both of them stepped forward and stopped in the center of the court.
Xiangu, seated on the throne, looked at them.
His voice was steady.
"By the way, you are very skilled musicians…"
The court fell completely silent.
"But we know nothing about you."
His gaze was fixed directly on Lixuan.
"Can you tell us where you are from?"
This question echoed through the court.
For a moment, even the air seemed to stop.
Lixuan's grip tightened slightly.
Lichen felt the slight tension in his fingers.
Both of them understood—this was not an ordinary question.
This was an investigation.
Zhichen's gaze had now grown even deeper.
A brief silence spread.
Then Lichen took a light breath.
She lifted her face forward.
"We…" there was a slight tremor in her voice, but also courage, "We are from the north."
A low murmur rose again in the court.
But Xiangu's gaze still remained fixed on them.
Just then, sudden commotion broke out at the court entrance.
A soldier rushed inside, breathing heavily.
"Chief!" he said while bowing, "Recently, many children have been getting kidnapped from nearby villages… and today, two children have also disappeared from here."
The court fell completely silent.
People's conversations stopped immediately.
Xiangu instantly rose from the throne.
"Why were we not informed of this earlier?"
There was strictness in his voice.
The soldier bowed and said, "Chief, we just received this news."
At that moment, Zhichen stepped forward.
"Brother," he said in a serious tone, "if you permit, I would like to investigate this matter."
The court's gazes turned toward him.
Xiangu thought for a few moments, then nodded.
"Go. And find out the truth."
Zhichen bowed in acceptance.
Then Lixuan, who was xiu to everyone here, stepped forward.
"Chief," he said in a calm but firm voice, "if you permit, I would also like to go with him."
Many people looked at him in surprise.
Xiangu's gaze settled on him.
"You?"
Lixuan replied without hesitation, "Recently, there are no festivals anywhere. We will not be performing music, so there is no particular reason for me to stay here."
Then he paused slightly and said, "And besides… I know how to fight."
A faint whisper spread through the court.
Zhichen looked at him for a moment, as if evaluating him.
Xiangu looked at xiu deeply, then slowly said, "Alright, you may go as well."
As soon as she heard this, Lichen immediately said, "Guruji, I will come too."
Lixuan looked at her.
"Stay quiet for a while," he said in a soft but controlled tone.
After telling Lichen to stay quiet, seriousness filled the court once again.
Then Zhichen looked at Xiangu again.
"Brother," he said in a calm but steady tone, "I want to go alone for this investigation."
A slight stir spread through the court.
Xiangu's brows narrowed slightly.
"Zhichen," there was an elder brother's authority in his voice, "you cannot go alone."
He stepped forward.
"Besides, having someone accompany you is always appropriate."
Then he added in a stern voice, "I do not want any more arguments on this."
Zhichen remained silent for a few moments.
His gaze slowly shifted to Lixuan, that is, xiu, as if weighing him.
Then he looked at his brother.
"Alright, brother."
Xiangu nodded in satisfaction.
"You may leave tonight itself. Delay in departure is not appropriate."
Hearing this, the other tribal chiefs present in the court also stood up.
"If children are being kidnapped here," one senior chief said, "then the same could happen in our tribes as well. Therefore, we should also return immediately."
Then the senior Zhiyun of the Yuzhen tribe said, "Now please grant us permission to leave."
And then, one after another, all the chiefs and elders began moving outside with their soldiers.
The court slowly began to empty.
Lixuan and Lichen also came outside.
Evening light was beginning to fade in the courtyard.
Lixuan's gaze fixed on a familiar face standing at a distance—and his eyes filled with tears.
"Mingzhao…" he said in his mind.
For a few moments, their eyes met, but the very next moment Lixuan turned his face away.
There were some unspoken words in Mingzhao's eyes, but he too quietly turned and walked away.
Lixuan felt a slight uneasiness.
"Guruji, I will come too."
Lixuan immediately replied, "No, you will not come."
His tone was firm this time.
"There may be danger there."
Lichen immediately said, "No Guruji, I will come too."
She stepped one step closer.
"Besides, you'll be there too, right?"
Lixuan became slightly stern and said, "I told you, you will not come."
But Lichen did not move from her place.
"I will come."
There was stubbornness in her voice… and trust too.
Silence remained between them for a few moments.
Then Lixuan took a deep breath.
"Alright," he said, slightly lowering his head, "you are very stubborn."
A slight smile appeared on Lichen's lips.
Night had completely fallen.
The sky was dark, with only the faint moonlight falling upon the palace walls.
Zhichen was walking toward the palace's main gate with his brother Xiangu.
Both of them stopped at the gate.
Just then, the sound of footsteps came from behind.
Lixuan and Lichen with him.
Xiangu looked at Lichen.
"Lichen, are you going too?"
Without hesitation, Lichen said, "Yes. Wherever my Guruji goes, I will go too."
Xiangu's gaze slowly shifted toward xiu.
His face was steady, but his tone was deep.
"The three of you take care of yourselves. Stay alert on the way."
Lixuan bowed his head and said, "Yes."
And then the three of them left the palace.
After a while, they had reached the edge of the forest.
Dense tree cover, the rustling of leaves in the air, and the sound of nocturnal birds somewhere far away.
Lichen softly asked, "Guruji, where are we going?"
Lixuan replied calmly, "I don't know either."
Then with a slight smile, he said, "There is someone else with us too, so you can ask them."
Zhichen gave no response to their conversation.
He continued walking ahead silently.
But the argument between Lixuan and Lichen showed no sign of stopping.
"I told you that you should not have come with us," Lixuan said in a soft but stern voice.
"But why?" Lichen replied immediately. "Now I'm already here, aren't I?"
Just then, the sound of someone running quickly came from nearby.
Zhichen immediately stopped.
"Stay quiet," he said softly. "There is someone here."
Lixuan said with slight sarcasm, "You see someone everywhere."
"I think he is right," Lichen interrupted. "I also heard footsteps."
The very next moment, a sword flashed from the darkness.
It came straight toward Zhichen.
"Careful!" Lixuan shouted.
But Zhichen swiftly countered it.
Sparks flew from the clash of swords.
In a single moment, Zhichen grabbed the person and held his throat from behind.
Lixuan immediately stepped forward.
"Who are you?" he asked in a stern voice. "How dare you attack us?"
The young man, breathing heavily, said, "I am not an enemy. I am just an ordinary person."
Lichen immediately said, "No ordinary person can be this skilled with a sword."
He calmed down slightly.
"My apologies. My name is Rongwei."
Zhichen's grip slowly loosened.
Catching his breath, Rongwei said, "I belong to this tribe, but I lived far away with my grandmother for many years. I only returned a few days ago."
Lowering his gaze, he said, "I heard that many children from our tribe have been kidnapped, so I was patrolling the forest at night."
Then he looked at them.
"When I saw all of you, I thought you were those people. That is why I attacked. Please forgive me."
Lichen then asked, "Even so, how do you know how to use a sword?"
Rongwei softly replied, "My grandfather was once a commander of a tribe. He was the one who taught me swordsmanship."
His voice became slightly heavy.
"But now he is no longer alive."
Then he bowed again and said, "I apologize to you once again."
Zhichen slowly removed his grip from Rongwei's neck.
Rongwei took a deep breath and stood upright.
Zhichen asked in a calm but deep voice, "If you are telling the truth… then did you see anything strange in the forest?"
Rongwei did not answer immediately.
Then he slowly said,
"Yes…"
Three nights ago, I went to a hill across that forest, where usually no one goes.
Lixuan raised his brows and asked, "Which hill are you talking about?"
Rongwei replied directly, "Chandrakoot Hill."
Lixuan's face became slightly serious. "Oh, you're talking about that hill?"
Rongwei nodded. "There, I found traces of blood… and also some small footprints."
For a moment, silence spread through the forest.
Zhichen thought for a while, then said in a calm voice, "Alright. You may go now."
Rongwei stepped forward. "If you permit, then I would like to come along as well."
Lixuan and Zhichen were just about to refuse when—
"Yes, alright." Lichen said in between.
Both of them looked at her at the same time.
"Quiet." Lixuan said in a soft but stern voice. "Do you know him?"
Lichen puffed her cheeks slightly, but said nothing.
Rongwei said politely, "Please do not misunderstand me. I want to help you. The journey to Chandrakoot Hill is very difficult. The paths are twisted and uneven, and in some places there are steep climbs as well."
He bowed slightly and said, "And if you permit, I will also serve you."
Zhichen looked toward Lixuan.
Lixuan let out a light sigh. The night was growing deeper, and the name of Chandrakoot Hill was filling the air with a strange chill.
Lixuan and Zhichen looked at each other. After remaining silent for a few moments, both agreed to let Rongwei stay with them.
Lixuan looked at him sharply and said, "Remember this, if you try even the slightest trickery, not even a trace of you will be found by your family."
Rongwei immediately lowered his head. "I will remain loyal to the three of you. Please trust me."
Lixuan nodded. "Alright. You and Lichen both walk ahead."
Lichen immediately made a face and said, "Why should I walk ahead? I'll walk here."
Lixuan became slightly stern and said, "Do as I said. Understood? I am your guru, and a guru's orders are to be obeyed."
Lichen made an annoyed face and began walking ahead with Rongwei.
From behind, Lixuan said softly, "A guru has no respect at all. This girl doesn't even listen."
Zhichen smiled slightly, and then both began walking behind them.
While walking, Rongwei softly asked Lichen, "Where are you from? And why have you hidden your faces?"
Lichen laughed. "He is my Guruji, his name is Xiu. And we have hidden our faces because we are very beautiful, in case our faces get ruined."
She started laughing at her own words.
Rongwei hesitantly asked, "You cannot see?"
Lichen said in a soft and slightly mysterious voice, "Yes, I cannot see… but I can see ghosts."
Rongwei immediately got frightened. "Really?"
Lichen said directly, "Yes. One of them is standing right behind you."
Rongwei immediately turned back. "Where?!"
Lichen burst into laughter.
At that moment, Lixuan's voice came, "Lichen, stay quiet. You are very mischievous."
Suddenly, Zhichen stopped. For a moment, a strange shadow passed over his face, as if some old memory had touched him.
Lixuan, that is xiu, asked him, "What happened? Are you alright?"
Zhichen took a light breath and replied, "Yes, I'm fine."
Just then, their eyes fell on a house ahead, where a lantern was lit.
Everyone stopped at once.
Lichen asked with curiosity, "What happened? Why did everyone stop? Is there some problem?"
Zhichen softly said, "There is a house ahead."
Lichen immediately replied, "So what? If there are humans, then of course there will be houses too."
Lixuan gave her a sharp look. "You've been talking a bit too much these days. If you don't keep your mouth shut, I'll send you back."
Lichen let out a slight "hmm" sound, but fell silent.
Then Rongwei softly said, "If all of you wish, we can ask to stay here tonight. It's already quite late anyway."
Lixuan looked around, then said, "Alright. But why would anyone let us stay?"
Lichen smiled. "Not all humans are like you, Guruji. Maybe they are good people."
Then she grabbed Rongwei's hand. "Come, let's go ask."
"Hey—" Lixuan wanted to say something, but by then Rongwei and Lichen had already run toward the house.
With a slight smile, Lixuan said, "This girl is truly very mischievous."
Zhichen asked, "You are her guru. Don't you teach her anything?"
Lixuan sighed. "I will have to pay attention to this. Because she troubles me the most."
Both of them also slowly started walking toward the house.
Rongwei and Lichen reached the door.
Rongwei called out,
"Is anyone home?"
There was silence for a few moments. Then the door slowly opened.
A woman came outside. There was slight caution in her eyes.
"Who are all of you? And what are you doing here?"
By then, Lixuan and Zhichen had also arrived there.
Standing straight, Zhichen said, "I am Zhichen, the younger prince of the Shenmei tribe. And this is xiu, my companion."
"Can we stay here tonight?"
As soon as she heard this, the woman immediately bowed.
"Prince… it is my fortune that you have come here. I will arrange food for you immediately. Please sit there in the courtyard."
And the woman went inside.
Lichen softly said, "Being a prince seems quite beneficial."
Lixuan glared at her, but this time said nothing.
All of them sat on the old wooden chairs placed in the courtyard. In the middle was a small round table, upon which the lantern's light was falling directly.
The night had grown even deeper.
Rongwei softly asked, "Does this woman live here alone?"
Lichen immediately sat up straight and said in a completely serious voice, "Yes. You know, she had a husband, but he didn't do any work, so she threw him out of the house. And she also had a son who became a ghost."
She paused slightly and leaned closer to Rongwei. "By the way, he is still standing right behind you."
Rongwei immediately straightened up. "What?!"
Just then, the door opened and the same woman came outside.
She placed food in front of everyone.
"Forgive me, in such a hurry I could only make simple food. Please accept this and be satisfied."
Zhichen said with a slight smile, "You have given us a place to stay and food, that itself is a great kindness."
Lixuan looked at the woman with a calm but deep gaze. "Do you live here alone?"
The woman remained silent for a few moments, then softly said, "Yes. My husband didn't do any work. I ended my relationship with him."
"I had a son… nineteen years old. He is no longer alive."
Her voice became slightly emotional.
"But sometimes I feel as if he is still here… as if he never really left."
Just then, a loud sound of utensils falling came from inside.
The woman said nervously, "Perhaps it's a cat. I'll go check."
She quickly went inside.
A strange silence spread through the courtyard.
Everyone slowly started looking toward Lichen.
Lichen raised her brows and asked, "What? Why are all of you silent?"
Then Rongwei said, "How do you know all this about that woman?"
Lichen replied, "I was just saying it randomly. I didn't know it was true."
Then cutting off the conversation, she said, "Guruji, if I also get kidnapped, will you come save me?"
At that moment, Lixuan said, "No, never. I would tell them to never bring her back."
Lichen immediately said, "Zhichen is better than you."
Lixuan looked at her. "Do you call elders by their names?"
Then Zhichen said, "Can you two never stay quiet?"
Everyone had finished eating. Only the faint lantern light remained in the courtyard.
Just then, a shadow moved on the wall ahead.
Rongwei immediately straightened up. "W-who is that?"
Lichen, who could not see, directly said, "Maybe the cat has grown bigger."
Lixuan immediately scolded her, "Stay quiet."
Just then, the door opened and the woman came outside. As soon as she arrived, the shadow disappeared.
The woman said in a calm voice, "My house is very small. There is only one room. I have arranged all your beds there. You can rest there."
Lixuan stood up and said, "Thank you."
Then he signaled everyone to go inside.
Everyone went inside.
The room was truly small. Four beds were spread out on the floor. There was a small window through which moonlight was entering.
After closing the door, Lixuan said in a low but urgent voice, "Something is definitely wrong. Stay alert all night."
Everyone nodded.
Lichen immediately lay down on her bed. "Alright, now I will stay alert in my dreams."
And within a few moments, she fell asleep.
Everyone kept staring at her.
Lixuan sighed. "Nothing affects this girl at all."
Zhichen softly said, "She was not like this in childhood. Ever since she has been with you, she has become like this."
Zhichen then sat in meditation again.
Rongwei let out a light breath, then said with a laugh, "Both of you are exactly alike."
Lixuan looked at him. "My disciple will naturally be like me. What problem does anyone have with that?"
Then Lixuan also sat down with his eyes closed.
After some time, Rongwei also fell asleep.
And then, that very night, in that small room, everyone became lost in their own thoughts.