The day Yang Wei's coming-of-age ceremony began, the city grew more crowded than ever. Noble families from every corner of the nation arrived in lavish carriages, their banners fluttering proudly in the wind. As the center of attention, Yang Wei was endlessly busy—so much so that he had not seen Yang Luoya even once since their last meeting.
Yang Luoya sat before a bronze mirror while Bai Qian stood behind him, carefully combing his hair. The reflection was calm and composed, yet Bai Qian's expression was tense.
"Young Master…" Bai Qian hesitated. "Are you truly certain about this decision? After today, the entire nation may turn against you."
"I am," Yang Luoya replied quietly, eyes fixed on his reflection. "This is the only way to stop the rebellion."
The man in the mirror looked different.
The usual sharp, intimidating presence was gone. In its place stood someone refined, almost gentle. Bai Qian draped a dark crimson robe over Yang Luoya's shoulders, its color striking against his pitch-black garments. As the final touch, he tied Yang Luoya's hair into a neat ponytail.
"Whatever happens after this," Bai Qian said solemnly, "I swear I will protect you."
Yang Luoya met his gaze through the mirror and exhaled.
"I am not as weak as you think."
He reached into the pouch at his waist and withdrew two crimson pearls—brilliant, ruby-like, faintly glowing. Wu Zhen had given them to him three years ago. According to the original plot, they were dropped by a blood entity and known as the Second Omen. Yet even with the kirin's help, Yang Luoya had never uncovered their true purpose.
His eyes widened slightly.
…I haven't seen the kirin since leaving the Four Peak Sect.
"Is it bound to that place?" he wondered. "Unable to leave…?"
"I'll return these pearls to Wu Zhen," he decided. "They serve no purpose for me. And if they truly come from the Second Omen, keeping them may only invite disaster."
He returned the pearls to his pouch.
.
.
.
"How much longer until we arrive?" Bai Zhi complained from inside the carriage.
Xu Yanran, seated beside him, glanced outside calmly. "Not long. I can already see the palace.", Xu Yanran replied calmly, she always looks refined.
"You complain every hour, why dont you just sit back and wait patiently?" Wu Zhen scolded. "You should know how far this place is from the Four Peak Sect."
Jing Lei, sitting beside Wu Zhen, produced several pastries wrapped in white cloth. "Senior seemed to like the cakes from the city yesterday, so I bought more, maybe this will help senior to enjoy the ride for a bit"
Bai Zhi's eyes lit up. "Junior, you're very thoughtful. I'll make sure your life in the sect goes smoothly in the future." He eagerly accepted the pastries.
Wu Zhen frowned. "What about me?"
"Didn't you say you dislike sweets, Senior Wu?" Jing Lei replied politely. "You didn't take any confections and even offered senior Bai your sweets"
Wu Zhen clicked his tongue and turned toward the window. "You could've at least offered…"
Soon, the carriage arrived at the palace. Lanterns illuminated the roads, ornaments shimmered everywhere—the entire area steeped in grandeur.
All carriages stopped at the front gate—except theirs. It continued forward, heading straight toward Yang Luoya's lakeside pavilion.
"Huh?" Bai Zhi leaned out the window. "Aren't we supposed to get down here?"
"We were personally invited by Senior Yang Luo," Xu Yanran replied gracefully. "We're allowed to bypass the formalities."
"We're meeting Senior Yang Luo?" Bai Zhi's eyes sparkled. His admiration for Yang Luoya was no secret—and often made Yang Wei uncomfortable.
"Sit properly, dont you know its dangerous?" Wu Zhen snapped. "Do you want to get attacked by bandits?"
"This is a city," Bai Zhi muttered. "Not a forest. its safe here, many guards guarding around the city, many people"
"Senior Bai," Jing Lei added gently, "Senior Wu is right. Even Senior Yang Luo would agree."
Bai Zhi pouted but complied he cant refuse anything about Yang Luoya since he's his idol.
The carriage stopped before the lakeside pavilion.
"This place is bigger than I imagined," Bai Zhi murmured. A tranquil lake lay at the center of the garden, elegant yet undeniably luxurious.
Xu Yanran stepped down with composed grace—unsurprised, as expected of a princess of the Xu Empire. Wu Zhen remained calm, having visited before. Jing Lei also descended quietly.
"You don't seem surprised," Wu Zhen remarked.
"My parents are merchants," Jing Lei replied. "We often deal with nobles. Though this is far grander… it's not entirely unfamiliar."
"Why are you all standing outside?"
Yang Luoya stepped out, fully prepared, Bai Qian following behind him.
He looked different.
Usually sharp and intimidating—now elegant, refined, almost unreal. His hair tied in ponytail blown by wind as if adding more beauty to him. His red robe covering his shoulder and back, he looks soft and ethereal.
Bai Zhi's eyes lit up after seeing the senior he admired—then froze. His smile faltered, shock flashing across his face. Bai Zhi that always cheerful and full of energy become nervous and hesitant.
Xu Yanran noticed immediately. "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"N-no… I'm fine," Bai Zhi replied stiffly.
For the first time, hesitation clouded his expression. Bai Zhi eyes that always glimmering when see Yang Luoya, suddenly become cloudy and conflicted. Bai Zhi chattery attitude also gone.
"I've prepared rooms for you," Yang Luoya said calmly. "There are still a few hours before the ceremony. Please take a rest first... Bai Qian will guide you."
Bai Qian bowed. "Please follow me."
Xu Yanran, Jing Lei, and Wu Zhen moved ahead, passing Yang Luoya. Bai Zhi followed—but his steps faltered briefly as he passed Bai Qian.
No one noticed.
No one—except them.
For a fleeting moment, his gaze met Bai Qian's. His eyes sharp, not with malice, but something deeper.
Something unspoken passed between them—sharp, silent, and unsettling. Something nostalgic but none of them want to remember it. As if time stopped as their gaze meet.
Then he looked away.
The moment shattered.
Neither of them spoke.
Neither of them turned back.