Night had deepened.
The village chief had arranged guest rooms for all who joined the mission.
Li Xuan sat alone in one of them.
The room was unexpectedly well furnished for a village residence.
Wooden walls polished smooth.
A low bed beside the window.
An incense burner in one corner giving off a faint herbal fragrance.
Simple.
Yet comfortable.
Moonlight spilled through the half-open window,
casting pale silver across the floor.
But Li Xuan did not rest.
He sat at the bedside in silence.
His injuries still ached faintly.
Yet it was not pain that kept him awake.
His hand opened slowly.
A pale handkerchief rested in his palm.
Soft as silk.
Along one corner—
Silver-thread flowers.
And beside them—
A crescent moon.
Ling Yue's.
His fingers traced the embroidery lightly.
His gaze drifted toward the moon outside.
(Ling Yue…)
The name surfaced quietly in his thoughts.
After a long moment—
He rose.
Unable to sleep,
he stepped from the room.
The residence was quiet.
Most lights had already dimmed.
Only scattered lanterns remained lit along the corridors.
Their glow flickered in the night wind.
Li Xuan walked slowly through the silent courtyard.
One hand behind his back.
The other still holding the handkerchief.
Above—
A full moon hung high in the sky.
Its light bathed the residence in silver.
At the far side of the courtyard,
within the residence boundary,
lay a small pond.
Its waters were calm as glass,
reflecting the moon like a second sky.
Li Xuan slowed as he approached.
Then—
He stopped.
Someone was already there.
A figure stood beside the pond.
Silent.
Motionless.
Watching the moonlit water.
Li Xuan stepped toward the pond.
As he drew closer—
He recognized the figure.
It was the village chief's daughter.
She stood beside the water,
moonlight resting softly upon her robes.
The still pond reflected both the moon—
And her quiet silhouette.
Li Xuan walked forward and cupped his hands lightly.
"Miss."
A simple greeting.
She turned toward him.
Then gave a faint nod.
Her sharp eyes rested on him briefly.
"Why are you here at this hour?" she asked.
Her voice was calm.
Li Xuan looked toward the moonlit pond.
"I was unable to sleep."
The young woman studied him for a moment.
"Because of tomorrow's mission?"
Li Xuan was silent for a breath.
Then slowly shook his head.
"No…"
"It is something else."
"Though even I do not know what."
As he spoke—
His fingers unconsciously tightened around the handkerchief in his hand.
Her eyes flickered toward it,
then returned to him.
For a moment—
Neither spoke.
Then she asked,
"What is your name?"
Li Xuan looked at her.
"Li Xuan."
Then he added,
"And yours?"
She looked at him for a moment.
Then answered,
"Mu Yao."
Her voice was calm.
Gentle.
Yet carrying quiet pride.
Li Xuan repeated the name inwardly.
(Mu Yao…)
For a moment—
Only moonlight and the sound of water remained.
Then Mu Yao's gaze shifted toward the bandages beneath his robe.
"Your injuries…"
"How did they happen?"
Li Xuan gave a faint smile.
"Nothing much."
"A long story."
Then he looked at her.
"But what about you?"
"Your dantian…"
"It was damaged?"
At those words—
A faint shadow passed through Mu Yao's eyes.
She looked toward the pond.
Silent for a moment.
Then spoke.
"Yes."
"Someone mixed poison into my food."
"I was fortunate to survive."
"But my dantian was damaged."
The night breeze stirred her sleeves.
For a brief moment—
Her usual composure seemed thinner.
She lowered her gaze slightly.
"For me…"
"My cultivation is more important than my life."
"If I lose that…"
"I would rather not live."
As she spoke—
A single tear slipped quietly from the corner of her eye,
falling like dew beneath the moonlight.
Li Xuan stilled.
His expression changed faintly.
As if about to say something—
But before words could form—
Footsteps approached.
A maid hurried over from the corridor.
"Miss," she said softly,
"The night air is cold."
"It is not good for your condition."
"You should return inside."
Mu Yao's expression returned to calm.
As if that brief moment of weakness had never existed.
She gave a slight nod.
Then turned.
Without another word—
She left with her maid.
Her figure gradually disappeared into the lantern-lit corridor.
Li Xuan remained by the pond.
Silent.
Watching.
Until even their footsteps faded.
Only the moon remained reflected in the water.
Morning arrived.
The darkness of night faded beneath pale dawn.
Golden light spread slowly across the village,
touching rooftops,
stone paths,
and the courtyard of the chief's residence.
One by one—
The cultivators gathered.
Some carried swords across their backs.
Some wore light armor.
Others stood in silent meditation before departure.
The courtyard, quiet at dawn,
soon filled with restrained anticipation.
Li Xuan stood among them.
Calm.
Silent.
At the front—
The village chief stood upon the raised platform once more.
Several elders beside him.
He explained the route,
the hidden cave among ancient cliffs,
the dangerous beasts sighted nearby,
and the strange disturbances deeper inside.
No one knew what truly waited there.
Only that the hidden pill was believed to be within.
"Proceed carefully," the chief warned.
"This mission is not as simple as rumor suggests."
Many expressions grew more serious.
After the final instructions were given—
The expedition began.
Groups formed quickly.
Some moved in alliances.
Others departed alone.
One after another—
They left the courtyard,
heading toward the distant mountains.
Li Xuan stepped forward as well,
joining the stream of departing cultivators.
The mission—
Had begun.
Above—
From the highest floor of the residence,
behind half-open lattice windows—
Mu Yao stood silently watching.
Her green robes stirred faintly in the morning breeze.
Her sharp eyes followed the departing figures.
Then settled—
On Li Xuan.
For a brief moment—
Her gaze lingered.
Unreadable.
Quiet.
As his figure gradually disappeared beyond the gates,
her fingers tightened slightly against the window frame.
But she said nothing.
Only watched in silence.
Until the courtyard below emptied.
And the morning wind moved softly through the still residence.