The journey of General Wu Jianhong had come to an end—
As he finally returned home.
The gates of the Wu Mansion opened wide.
Servants lined up on both sides.
The moment he stepped inside—
Lady Wu Caixia hurried forward.
Her eyes filled with relief.
"You are finally back," she said.
Her voice carried both happiness and concern.
General Wu looked at her.
A rare softness appeared in his expression.
"I am back."
Lady Wu stepped closer.
"You should have returned earlier," she said.
"I was worried."
General Wu gave a faint nod.
"I know."
There was a brief silence.
Then Lady Wu asked—
"Where is Jinhai?"
The question made the atmosphere slightly heavier.
General Wu answered calmly—
"She is on her way to Mount Luzun."
Lady Wu's expression changed.
"That dangerous place?"
Her voice held worry again.
General Wu looked at her seriously.
"She has her own path."
He paused.
"And she is not alone."
Lady Wu took a slow breath.
Still uneasy—
But she understood.
"I just want her to be safe," she said quietly.
General Wu nodded.
"So do I."
The two of them stood together—
Thinking of their daughter.
Far away from home.
Inside the Imperial Palace—
Behind closed doors—
A plan had begun.
Crown Prince Hei Long stood in a dimly lit chamber.
Only a few trusted men were present.
Among them—
Qiu Minyu.
The atmosphere was tense.
Secretive.
"No one must know," Hei Long said.
His voice was low.
Cold.
Qiu Minyu nodded.
"It will remain hidden."
Hei Long walked slowly across the room.
"Everything is already in motion."
He stopped.
Then added—
"We only need the right moment."
One of the men stepped forward.
"And when that moment comes?"
Hei Long's eyes darkened.
"We act."
Silence followed.
No one questioned him.
No one doubted him.
The plan remained unspoken.
But its shadow had already begun to spread.
Far away—
At the peak of Mount Luzun—
The air was different.
Heavy.
Filled with an ancient presence.
Wu Jinhai and Qiao Yu Zhen finally arrived.
After a long and difficult journey—
They stood before a quiet stone courtyard.
Mist surrounded the area.
The place felt almost unreal.
"This must be it," Wu Jinhai said softly.
Qiao Yu Zhen nodded.
But before they could step forward—
A voice echoed.
"Not everyone is allowed here."
Both of them turned.
An old man stood there.
The Ancient Doctor.
His gaze was sharp.
Measuring them.
Wu Jinhai stepped forward politely.
"We came for the herb—Zhi Xingyuan."
The Ancient Doctor did not react.
"Many come for it," he said.
"None take it."
Qiao Yu Zhen spoke calmly—
"We do not intend to leave empty-handed."
The old man looked at him.
Then at Wu Jinhai.
"You think you are worthy?"
Wu Jinhai did not hesitate.
"We must be."
Her voice was firm.
The Ancient Doctor's eyes narrowed slightly.
Then he said—
"Then prove it."
Silence followed.
Wu Jinhai and Qiao Yu Zhen exchanged a glance.
The test had begun.
The trial was not easy.
It tested more than skill.
It tested patience.
Trust.
And resolve.
Wu Jinhai used her knowledge of medicine—
Answering every question without hesitation.
Her focus never broke.
Qiao Yu Zhen stood beside her—
Calm and steady.
Whenever the challenge shifted—
He was there.
Protecting.
Supporting.
At one moment—
The test pushed them to their limit.
The path ahead seemed unclear.
But neither of them stepped back.
They moved forward.
Together.
Time passed—
Though it was hard to tell how much.
Finally—
The Ancient Doctor raised his hand.
"Enough."
Silence fell instantly.
Wu Jinhai took a slow breath.
Qiao Yu Zhen remained still.
The old man looked at them carefully.
Then—
For the first time—
A faint smile appeared.
"You have passed."
Wu Jinhai's eyes widened slightly.
Qiao Yu Zhen relaxed just a little.
The Ancient Doctor turned.
"Follow me."
They did not hesitate.
Inside—
Hidden within the mountain—
The herb was kept.
Zhi Xingyuan.
A rare and powerful plant—
Known to restore life force and heal even the deepest poison.
It glowed faintly.
As if alive.
Wu Jinhai stepped closer.
Her eyes filled with relief.
"This is it…"
The Ancient Doctor looked at her.
"Use it wisely."
Wu Jinhai bowed her head.
"I will."
He then handed it to her.
The moment felt heavy.
Important.
Their journey had not been in vain.
Outside—
The wind moved gently across the mountain peak.
Wu Jinhai held the herb carefully.
Qiao Yu Zhen stood beside her.
"We did it," she said softly.
Qiao Yu Zhen looked at her.
"Yes."
A simple answer.
But filled with meaning.
Their mission—
Was one step closer to completion.
.....