Amid deep mountains, inside an ancient cave heavy with the scent of smoke and fire, nine years of very strict training had come to an end today. Torches flickered along the stone walls, and in their red glow, Lixuan stood silently.
He was no longer the same child. His breathing was steady, his body held controlled power, and there was a deep darkness in his eyes.
From the end of the cave, soft footsteps echoed.
He immediately bowed.
His mother had arrived.
Her red clothes looked even more beautiful in the torchlight—like the form of fire itself.
Lixuan knelt down.
"Mother, my training is complete. Now it is time to return."
He bent down and touched her feet.
She placed her hand on his head.
"The child who entered this cave seventeen years ago… leaves today having learned everything."
Both remained silent for a few moments.
Then Lixuan spoke softly,
"You should come too, mother… now everything will be fine."
She looked at him.
There was love in her eyes… but also a deep चिंता.
"Not yet, Lixuan."
"Why… mother?"
She replied slowly,
"Your journey lies outside… but my responsibility is still bound to this cave. Every power has a bond… and mine cannot be broken yet."
Then she traced a red mark on his wrist with her finger. It began to glow faintly.
"When the time comes… this will bring you back to me."
The wind swirled strongly inside the cave.
Lixuan looked at her one last time… then turned and walked toward the dark tunnel.
He didn't know…
His steps were slowly moving toward the very direction where fate had preserved old connections for him.
An unknown thread was pulling him toward someone… someone his own.
And very soon, his journey was about to reach a turning point—where everything would change.
Lichen was standing at that very turning point.
At the threshold of the blood-stained house, she slowly stepped inside.
The wooden floor creaked softly—as if it recognized her footsteps.
The air was heavy.
The silence… strange.
Then a sharp smell filled her nose.
She immediately said,
"Blood…"
Her fingers tightened around the basket.
Suddenly, a voice pierced through the deep silence,
"You've come, Lichen…"
She froze.
Her heart started pounding loudly.
"I've been waiting… just for you…"
The voice was unfamiliar… yet carried a shadow of deep recognition.
Lichen stepped back.
"Who are you?"
Moren slowly approached her.
His footsteps were calm yet heavy, and in his hand, the third fragment of Yin Mo Ji shimmered.
He stopped right in front of her and said in a low voice,
"We met 8 years ago… remember, Lichen?"
The moment she heard those words—
her bracelet flared up.
And instantly, memories flashed through her mind like lightning—
"I will come back…"
The same smell of blood…
The same cold voice…
And a little girl trembling in the darkness…
A faint sound escaped Lichen's lips…
She froze for a moment…
But the next second, fear brought her feet back to life.
She turned and ran toward the door.
But just as she tried to cross the threshold—
BANG!
The door slammed shut on its own.
The air grew heavier.
She stopped.
Her breathing rapid… hands trembling…
Behind her, Moren's voice echoed,
"Don't try to run…"
His steps slowly moved toward her again.
"Now that you've come back… how could you even think of leaving so easily?"
He kept coming closer…
So close that only a hand's distance remained between them.
Lichen's breathing grew faster.
She wanted to step back…
but the wall and door blocked her.
Trembling, she pushed him hard—
but her hand hit directly against his chest.
That moment…
their distance became even smaller.
She panicked.
Her balance broke.
Stepping back, she hit the door.
At that instant—
her bracelet touched it.
And the next second…
the closed door opened on its own.
Cold air rushed inside.
Lichen didn't waste even a moment.
She turned and ran.
Her steps stumbled…
but fear didn't let her stop.
While running, her waistband slipped and fell to the ground.
Moren was about to chase her—
when suddenly, a sharp strike came from above.
Clang!
The clash of swords echoed.
Zhichen had arrived.
A battle broke out instantly between them.
Fast movements. Heavy strikes. Waves of power swirling in the air.
But Moren wasn't planning to stay long.
After blocking a strong attack, he stepped back—
and vanished like smoke.
Zhichen tightened his grip on his sword and said in anger,
"Moren… I won't spare you!"
Then his gaze fell on the ground.
Something was lying there.
He bent down and picked it up—
It was Lichen's waistband.
Holding it in his hand, he said softly,
"Someone was definitely here…"
The air fell silent again.
And the story moved toward a new turn.
Lichen was running.
Breathing fast. Heart pounding wildly.
From behind, Meilian saw her leaving.
But Lichen didn't stop for even a second.
She ran straight toward the forest.
As she moved ahead, her foot struck a thick branch and her hand hit a stone.
Pain shot through her hand—
but she didn't stop.
She steadied herself and kept running.
In the dark, dense forest—
she couldn't see anything…
yet her every step was fast.
Each breath heavy.
The night grew deeper.
The darkness thickened.
She ran forward—
each step chasing her freedom.
Suddenly—
she collided with someone and fell.
"Aah…"
"Sorry…"
A deep, calm voice spoke,
"Child… I wasn't paying attention."
Lichen quickly stood up,
"Who are you?"
She asked cautiously, fear in her voice.
"I am Lixuan," he replied softly.
She tried to step back—
but Lixuan said calmly yet firmly,
"Stop… I won't harm you."
Fear and caution both awakened inside her.
She stayed still.
Hands forward—ready to run anytime.
For a moment, both remained silent.
The night had grown deeper.
Then she asked,
"What are you doing in the forest at this hour?"
Lixuan replied calmly,
"I'm going home."
Her heart eased slightly…
but her mind remained alert.
"Why are you stopping me? You know I can't even see…"
He looked at her carefully… then smiled faintly,
"You can't see… yet you made it this far…"
He paused.
"Did you steal something…? And now you're running?"
Her heart raced.
Her fingers trembled slightly—
but she told the truth,
"No… I'm just running…"
Understanding appeared on Lixuan's face.
"But still… running alone in such a forest isn't right."
He was about to say something more—
when suddenly, a sharp ancient voice echoed,
"Lichen…! Lichen…!"
Her heart pounded faster.
Her breath grew heavy.
She said in panic,
"Save me… they'll take me away…"
Lixuan looked at her…
thought for a moment…
then said,
"Alright… I'll help you."
He blew a sharp whistle.
The moment the sound echoed—
Baolin and Meilian, who were approaching from a distance—
suddenly fainted.
Lichen was shocked,
"What did you do?"
Lixuan smiled slightly,
"The sound made them unconscious… they won't wake up till morning."
She was even more surprised,
"I can whistle too… but mine doesn't make people faint…"
Then she hesitated and asked,
"Are you some kind of prince? Do you have magical powers?"
Lixuan went silent for a moment…
as if he was thinking about her words…
Then without answering, he started walking.
"Come… I'll take you across the forest."
They walked together for a while.
Then he asked,
"Why did you run away from home?"
She stayed silent for a moment…
then said softly,
"They weren't my parents… they were going to sell me…"
Her voice was quiet…
but filled with truth.
"So I ran away… I want to find my real parents…"
He tried to understand her…
then said,
"How will you recognize them? You can't even see…"
Then added,
"The forest ends here. You should go from here. Our paths separate now."
She gathered courage,
"Take me with you… I won't trouble you… I'll work…"
He refused.
But in that very moment—
Lichen suddenly fainted.
Lixuan immediately caught Lichen as she fainted.
The moment he held her, his eyes fell on her hands—
small wounds, old scars… as if pain had been hidden for a long time.
Without saying anything, he gently lifted her and headed straight toward the Shenmai Tribe—
because it was the closest.
Inside the tribe, there was silence everywhere.
The night had deepened.
People were asleep… and even the palace was completely quiet.
Then Lixuan noticed an old man sitting outside—
calmly, as if waiting for someone.
Lixuan went up to him,
"Do you know any healer?"
The old man smiled faintly,
"I am one… tell me, what happened?"
Without wasting time, Lixuan explained everything.
The old man nodded and said,
"Bring her inside."
As soon as they went in, he carefully treated Lichen's wounds—
cleaning them, applying medicine…
handling every चोट with patience and care.
Then he said softly,
"This girl is very frightened… that's why she fainted. She will be fine by morning."
He gave Lixuan a room to stay.
As a gesture of thanks, Lixuan gave him a silver coin.
While leaving, the old man smiled and said,
"Your daughter resembles you…"
Lixuan paused for a moment.
He was shocked…
but said nothing.
The old man left.
Silence filled the place again.
Lixuan murmured to himself,
"How can she look like me… I don't even know her…"
After thinking for a while, he went to his room.
Next Morning
The first light of morning slowly spread across the tribe.
Lixuan woke up and stepped outside.
His eyes fell on Lichen—she was still in deep sleep.
He didn't wake her.
Quietly, he walked outside.
The old man was there again,
"Come, have some tea…"
But Lixuan refused.
The old man hesitated slightly and asked,
"Has your daughter been blind since childhood?"
Lixuan got slightly uneasy,
"She is not my daughter… I found her in the forest."
Then he changed the topic,
"Why is there so much crowd here today?"
The old man took a deep breath,
"A whole family was murdered in a village across the forest… all tribes are gathering here today."
Just then, a sound came from inside.
Lixuan immediately rushed in.
He saw—Lichen standing there, having dropped a pot of water.
"Are you okay?" he asked quickly.
Lichen replied nervously,
"Yes… I'm sorry, it fell by mistake…"
"It's fine," Lixuan said calmly.
Then he added,
"You can stay here… but I have to leave now."
Lichen immediately said,
"Take me with you… I have no one in this world…"
Hearing this, Lixuan's heart softened a little.
After thinking for a moment, he said,
"Alright… but on one condition."
"You will call me Guruji."
Lichen was surprised,
"Why?"
"Because we have to stay hidden here."
Then he said,
"I'll bring new clothes for you… these are in bad condition."
As soon as Lixuan left—
Lichen's bracelet began to glow softly.
This time…
for the first time…
she didn't feel sad.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
Earlier, whenever it glowed, she would feel sad…
but today, for the first time, she felt happy.
After a while, Lixuan returned.
"Here… change your clothes."
Lichen went inside…
and came out after wearing the new clothes.
Then Lixuan handed her a face veil,
"Wear this."
"Why?" she asked.
Lixuan said in a deep voice,
"So that no one recognizes us… we are going to the palace."
Then he covered half of his own face.
"Stay quiet there… speak only when I tell you."
Lichen nodded.
Palace Gate Scene
Both reached the palace gate.
But the soldiers stopped them and said,
"No entry today. There is an important सभा. Come tomorrow."
Lixuan stepped forward and said in a slightly firm voice,
"Look, we have come from far away… and we are skilled musicians."
The soldier looked at them for a moment, then said,
"Wait… I'll ask the chief."
🏯 Inside the Assembly
Inside the hall, Xiangu and his father Yunshen were seated at the front.
On their right stood Zhichen—calm yet alert as always.
Around them sat leaders and elders from different tribes.
The soldier bowed and said,
"Chief, some musicians have arrived outside. They say they have come for some purpose."
Xiangu thought for a moment,
"We already have musicians…"
Just then, the chief of Zhilan tribe, Liyuan, spoke,
"Chief Xiangu, if someone comes to our door during an important time… it is considered auspicious. We should not refuse them."
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Then Xiangu nodded,
"Alright… let them in."
The soldier went outside and returned shortly,
"You both have been called inside."
Lixuan nodded slightly and walked forward with Lichen.
On the way, Lichen whispered,
"Guruji… why did you say we are musicians?"
Lixuan replied without stopping,
"Because musicians are always allowed in assemblies… no one stops them."
Lichen asked again,
"What if they ask us to perform?"
Lixuan smiled slightly,
"They won't today… something important is going to be discussed."
✨ Entry into the Hall
They entered the hall slowly.
Both bowed respectfully.
Lixuan stepped forward and said,
"My name is Xiu…"
He hid his real identity.
"And this is my disciple, Lichen… we have come from far away."
Xiangu replied calmly,
"You may stay in our guest quarters."
Just then, an elder named Chenyu asked sharply,
"Why have you covered your faces?"
For a moment, both went silent.
All eyes turned toward them.
But the next moment—
Lichen answered calmly,
"Because we come from far away… in our tradition, we only show our faces to family."
Murmurs spread across the hall.
Chenyu asked again,
"Have you been blind since childhood?"
Lixuan glanced at Lichen—
as if wondering what she would say.
But she answered firmly,
"Yes… I have been blind since childhood. But it is not a problem. I can do everything."
There was no fear in her voice.
No shame.
Only quiet courage.
Many elders exchanged looks—
as if they saw something different in her.
Lixuan stood silently—
but his eyes remained fixed on her,
as if he was truly understanding her for the first time.
Amid the crowd, Zhichen's gaze suddenly fell on them.
His eyes narrowed—
as if trying to recognize Lixuan.
But his gaze lingered longer on Lichen.
Lixuan felt the weight of that gaze—
but remained calm.
Zhichen lowered his head slightly—
but suspicion still remained in his eyes.
In that silent hall…
two people—
without speaking—
were watching each other.
And from that very moment…
a new story had begun.