Inside the Imperial Palace, in a quiet and heavily guarded chamber, Emperor Xuan Wu Hei sat across from Empress Nuwa. The atmosphere between them was calm, yet filled with unspoken understanding. Neither of them rushed to speak, as if both already knew what the other was thinking.
The Emperor finally broke the silence. "The court is moving in shadows."
Empress Nuwa looked at him steadily. "It always has."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "Not like this."
She did not deny it. Instead, she said calmly, "You already know who is planning what."
The Emperor did not respond immediately.
"I do," he said after a moment.
Empress Nuwa leaned slightly forward. "And yet, you are still watching."
Her tone was sharp, but controlled.
The Emperor's gaze turned cold. "Sometimes, it is better to watch before acting."
A brief silence followed.
"The matter of the heir cannot wait forever," Empress Nuwa said.
The Emperor looked at her. "You favor Hei Zheng."
It was not a question.
She did not deny it. "He is capable."
"And Hei Long?"
Empress Nuwa paused slightly. "He is strong. But strength alone is not enough."
The Emperor leaned back. "That is exactly the problem."
Both of them fell silent again.
They already knew the situation inside the court.
The hidden movements.
The plans.
The ambitions.
Everything was clear to them.
But neither of them had acted yet.
"Things will soon change," the Emperor said quietly.
Empress Nuwa nodded. "They already have."
Far from the palace—
At the border of the empire—
The wind blew strongly across the open land.
Rows of soldiers stood in formation.
The atmosphere was tense, but disciplined.
At the front—
Prince Hei Zheng stood in armor.
His expression was calm.
Focused.
Beside him stood General Wu Jianhong.
Both of them looked ahead at the distant horizon.
"The situation is stable for now," General Wu said.
Hei Zheng nodded. "For now."
His voice was steady.
"But we cannot lower our guard."
General Wu agreed. "The enemy has been quiet."
Hei Zheng's eyes sharpened slightly. "That is what concerns me."
Silence followed.
The soldiers remained still.
Waiting.
Watching.
Hei Zheng stood firm.
As a commander.
As a prince.
Ready for whatever was to come.
On the road toward Mount Zhaoshen—
The journey continued.
After hours of travel, the group finally reached a small tea stall by the roadside.
It was simple.
Quiet.
A place for travelers to rest.
Wu Jinhai stepped down from the horse. "We should stop for a while."
The others agreed.
They sat around a wooden table.
The owner quickly brought tea.
Steam rose gently from the cups.
Wu Jinhai picked up her cup and took a small sip.
Then her gaze shifted.
Toward Moyan Jue.
She studied him for a moment.
"You still have not told me," she said.
Moyan Jue looked at her.
"Told you what?"
"Who you are."
Her voice was calm.
But direct.
Mo Xiaoqi, sitting nearby, remained silent.
Moyan Jue gave a faint smile.
"I already told you."
"A traveler."
Wu Jinhai raised an eyebrow slightly. "That is not an answer."
Moyan Jue did not seem bothered.
"It is enough."
Wu Jinhai leaned back slightly. "Then where are you going?"
Moyan Jue replied without hesitation, "The same place as you."
"Mount Luzun?"
"Yes."
Wu Jinhai watched him carefully.
"You are not ordinary."
Moyan Jue met her gaze. "Neither are you."
A brief silence followed.
Their conversation remained calm.
But observant.
Careful.
Across the table—
Qiao Yu Zhen sat quietly.
But his expression had changed.
He watched the two of them.
His grip on the teacup tightened slightly.
"You seem very interested in him," he said suddenly.
His voice was calm.
But something in it had changed.
Wu Jinhai turned to look at him. "I am asking questions."
Qiao Yu Zhen replied, "You do not ask me that many."
The words came out before he could stop them.
Silence fell on the table.
Mo Xiaoqi glanced between them.
Saying nothing.
Wu Jinhai looked at Qiao Yu Zhen carefully.
Then she asked—
"Then who is he to you?"
The question was simple.
But direct.
Qiao Yu Zhen froze slightly.
For a moment—
He had no answer.
Moyan Jue watched quietly.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
But he said nothing.
Qiao Yu Zhen finally looked away.
"…No one," he said.
His voice was calm again.
But quieter.
Wu Jinhai studied him for a moment longer.
Then she picked up her tea again.
"Then there is no problem."
The tension slowly faded.
But not completely.
The air between them had changed.
Slightly.
Quietly.
Unnoticed by others—
But not by them.
After a while, Wu Jinhai stood up. "We should continue."
The others followed.
They left the tea stall behind.
And continued their journey.
.....