I woke the next morning feeling… lighter.
As if something that had been weighing on my back for years had quietly fallen away in the night. Those rigid "laws" I had clung to, those invisible chains, were no longer there.
For the first time, I didn't feel bound.
I wanted to see the world.
To understand it with my own eyes.
To live… not by rules I was given, but by ones I would choose.
When I opened my eyes, I found them all gathered in front of me, Piao, Jun, Qian, and Grandma.
They were staring at me.
Not casually. Not warmly.
Seriously.
Almost… intensely.
I blinked, confused. "What…?"
They exchanged glances, as if silently urging one another to speak. Then Piao stepped forward.
"I heard…" she began gently, "that you don't have a name."
For a moment, I thought I saw disappointment in her eyes. That I was nothing more than a nameless child.
But suddenly, her entire face lit up.
"We've always wanted to name our child!" she said, her voice bright with excitement. "And since you don't have one… we want to name you."
I stared at her. "You… want to name me?"
"Of course," Grandma said warmly. "We're so happy we can give our child a name."
Something in my chest tightened.
"…Sure," I said quietly.
I didn't want to refuse them.
But the moment I agreed, their expressions changed, lighting up all at once.
Even Qian.
Then, just as suddenly, they turned serious again.
They leaned in, murmuring among themselves as if deciding something of great importance. Their voices overlapped, thoughtful, determined… until finally, they seemed to reach a conclusion.
They turned to me.
Smiling.
All at once. they spoke.
"Ming," Grandma said. "Because you are yet to grow."
"Anran," Piao added softly. "For peace… for a calm heart."
"Yong," Jun declared. "Because you are brave."
"Yuan," Qian said simply.
Silence followed.
Then, chaos.
They began arguing immediately, each defending their choice, none willing to yield.
I sat there, watching them, unsure whether to laugh or feel overwhelmed.
So many names.
And not one of them the same.
As my confusion became obvious, Grandma sighed gently.
"It's alright," she said. "We have time. There's no need to decide now."
Jun nodded. "For now… let's just call him Lue. Or young Lue."
Piao smiled, her eyes soft. "Lue… it's cute."
Heat rushed to my face. I turned away, embarrassed.
Jun, of course, noticed and began calling my name again and again, teasing me endlessly.
The room filled with laughter.
It was… warm.
Peaceful.
Beautiful.
And for a fleeting moment, I wished.
that it would stay like this forever.
But something flickered.
A sudden blur crossed my vision.
Flames.
Something burning.
Not this home… but somewhere else.
Somewhere I should recognize.
No--
not familiar.
Inevitable.
The thought made my chest tighten. I reached out, gripping the wall for support as the world tilted slightly beneath me.
A sharp ache pulsed through my head.
Qian noticed.
I felt his gaze on me....quiet, sharp.
But he said nothing.
And just like that… it passed.
Soon after, Grandma and Piao moved to prepare breakfast before heading to work.
We ate together.
Simple food.
Quiet conversation.
I helped Piao with the dishes, the rhythm of it strangely calming.
But then I noticed, Qian and Jun were heading outside.
Without thinking, I rushed after them.
"Lue?" Jun turned, surprised. "What is it?"
Qian only looked at me.
"I…" My voice trembled slightly. "Can I go with Qian? To his workplace?"
Qian's expression didn't change. "And why is that?"
I lowered my head respectfully. "I want to learn… how things work."
That wasn't the only reason.
There was something about him, something I couldn't name.
Strength.
Control.
A depth I didn't understand… but wanted to.
Jun crossed his arms, pretending to pout. "Oh? And what about me? Nothing to learn from me?"
I just stayed silent, unsure what to say. just "sorry"
Jun laughed it out. "Fine. Go, then."
Qian frowned slightly. "I didn't agree to this"
Jun stepped closer to him, lowering his voice.
I couldn't hear everything, just some fragments...
"…when we found him… covered in wounds…"
"…that sword… not ordinary…"
"…the Devil's Blade…"
Qian's voice turned sharp. "That blade?"
Jun's reply was quieter. "If I'm right… he needs protection."
A pause.
Then...
"Please," Jun said. "Guide him. Train him."
Silence followed.
Then Qian exhaled softly.
"…Fine. I'll do what I can."
They turned back to me.
"You can come," Qian said. "But don't cause trouble."
I nodded quickly, bowing. "Thank you"
"Call me Qian," he interrupted.
"…Qian," I repeated softly.
Just then, Piao came running toward us, holding a small box.
"Here," she said, handing it over. "Lunch. And Lue is going with you? Take care of him."
Qian gave a faint smirk. "Of course. I'm not like Junli."
"What did you say?!" Jun snapped, chasing after him.
Qian walked off faster, almost amused.
Piao laughed.
And I stood there for a moment.
watching them.
Feeling it.
This strange, fragile peace.
For now...
it was perfect.