The Faces of This Chapter:
Yena: Protagonist | Calm, determined, empathetic.
Miao Miao: Yena's friend| a flower spirit | Cute, playful, clever, nurturing.
Jin Yue: Companion of Yena and Miao Miao | Practical, steady, witty, and resourceful.
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The three walked in silence for a while, the quiet stretching between them. After a few moments, Jin Yue hailed a passing carriage, and they climbed in without a word.
A few minutes into the ride, Miao Miao let out a dramatic sigh. "Ugh, it's suffocating in here."
Yena and Jin Yue turned to look at her.
"You seemed a little too distant back there," she said, eyes narrowing at Jin Yue. "With that Su lady."
"Su Wanyin," Jin Yue corrected, his voice quiet.
Miao Miao leaned forward, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "Hmm. I feel there's something between you two."
Jin Yue, flustered, glanced at Yena, who was looking away, her expression unreadable. "Don't start brewing stories," he said quickly. "She's like a little sister to me. We've known each other for a long time."
"So... childhood sweethearts?" Miao Miao grinned.
Jin Yue sighed. "You really are something else."
"Come on, tell me! The way she looked at you—it didn't feel all that sisterly. Right, Yena?"
Yena blinked, startled to be pulled into the conversation. "Huh? I didn't really notice anything..."
"Hmph. You're always clueless about this kind of stuff. If not, you'd have said something four years ago—" Miao Miao suddenly stopped herself, biting her lip.
Yena turned to look out the window, while Jin Yue studied them silently.
Trying to recover, Miao Miao said lightly, "I mean, she's like that. Now tell me more about you and Su Wanyin."
"You won't stop until you get the full story, will you?" Jin Yue muttered.
"Obviously not."
He exhaled. "Su Wanyin and I have known each other for over fifteen years. Our families were close, so we practically grew up together. She's always been a bit clumsy, reckless… always getting into trouble... Back when others mocked me—for not joining a sect, for being weak, she never cared about any of that. She used to sneak out to drag me off to play. I looked out for her, and she supported me in her own chaotic way. That's all."
Miao Miao nodded slowly, then quipped, "So… childhood sweethearts."
Jin Yue groaned. "Were you even listening? I literally just said—"
"Alright, alright!" she giggled. "What can I expect from a handsome Huliyan? You've clearly got quite the female fan following."
Jin Yue shrugged helplessly. "I guess... I can't exactly tell them off."
"Enjoying the attention, aren't you?" Miao Miao teased.
Jin Yue sighed in defeat. "Glad you're so persistent about your theories."
Yena, who had been listening quietly, finally chimed in, a smile tugging at her lips. "She is. But your popularity is quite something. Maybe we should use that face to our advantage."
Miao Miao snickered. "Exactly my thought."
Jin Yue narrowed his eyes playfully. "You too? Fine—go ahead and make full use of this rare, stunningly handsome face."
Laughter burst between them, easy and warm, as the carriage rolled through the last stretch of the journey.
Eventually, it came to a gentle stop near the edge of Huliya's mainland. Jin Yue stepped down first, paid the driver, and began unloading their modest luggage. Then he turned, offering his hand.
Miao Miao took it with a teasing grin. "Always the gentleman."
"Ingrained habit," Jin Yue said in a low but teasing tone. "My secret to winning hearts."
She rolled her eyes, with a snort, while Yena stepped down on her own, amusement tugging at her lips.
As the carriage left, they began walking again, following Jin Yue's lead.
"We have to walk from here. This is where mainland Huliya ends," Jin Yue explained. "By my estimate, we can reach Tianlong in four to five days if we stay persistent."
Miao Miao gasped. "Four to five?! Are you serious? My head is already spinning."
She reached into her bag, pulled out a bottle, and chugged the water down in one go before sighing dramatically.
Jin Yue glanced at her and smirked. "Then I have a better option, you know."
Yena and Miao Miao turned to him as he pulled out a folded map from his satchel.
"We can take a shorter route to Tianlong."
Miao Miao heaved a relieved sigh. "You should've said that earlier! I was tired just from hearing you."
Yena, more thoughtfully, asked, "What is this shorter route of yours?"
Jin Yue unfolded the map and studied it carefully. Yena and Miao Miao leaned in on either side, following the path his finger traced.
Miao Miao suddenly stepped back, pointing at him. "Hey, you're not serious, are you?"
Jin Yue nodded. "Look, this is the only way. Since Yena's health isn't stable, we can't use our powers to travel. This is our best option."
Miao Miao frowned. "Are you confident? Or do you want us to get lost and vanish forever?"
Yena spoke up before he could answer. "Let's take the route." She offered a calm smile to Miao Miao, trying to reassure her.
Miao Miao hesitated, tugging at her sleeve. "Even though I like forests... this feels off. We almost got lost last time, remember?"
"But we made it out," Jin Yue said confidently. "I know my way around."
Miao Miao raised a brow. "You sure you can manage this one too? This isn't a Huliyan forest, you know."
Yena smiled gently. "It's okay, Miao Miao. We'll find the way together. We have to get there as soon as possible."
"But... alright..." she clearly understood what Yena was implying.
Yena patted her back gently. "With your skills, I know we'll manage just fine."
Miao Miao smiled, leaning in to whisper, "But it's the Tianlok forest."
Yena responded in a low voice, "I know... and I believe in you." Then she turned to Jin Yue and added, "You know, our Miao Miao is quite the expert when it comes to flora and forests. I'm counting on both of you."
Seeing Miao Miao's mood lighten, Jin Yue smiled. "Then let's go."
After a full day of travel—crossing bridges, passing lakes, small villages, and quiet sects—as the sun began to set, they stopped at a peaceful village.
"The forest is just a few kilometers from here. We'll enter it tomorrow. The sun is setting, and we need to refill our supplies before we go," Jin Yue said.
Miao Miao sighed. "Agreed. Let's find shelter before my legs give out."
A kind family offered them a place to stay for the night.
Yena looked around the cozy home. "People here are so welcoming."
Jin Yue nodded. "They are. Even though these villages come under Huliyan jurisdiction, I've never been here before."
The house owner brought water, handing them glasses. "You must be tired."
Miao Miao chugged hers instantly. "Yeah." Then, politely, "Could I have one more glass?"
The man chuckled and went to the kitchen to fetch another.
His wife smiled at them. "You're all so beautiful. No wonder you're from the Huliyan mainland."
Yena smiled back. "Thank you. You have such a graceful presence yourself."
"Don't be so polite," the woman said, clearly pleased. "It's rare to see people from the mainland here. This isn't exactly a place most would visit."
"I don't think so," Jin Yue replied warmly. "This place is beautiful—nature is alive, the people are kind. It's a hidden gem."
The woman gave a soft laugh. "You're sweet with your words. What I meant was... villages like ours don't match the grand image people have of Huliya. We don't have the festivals, the grandeur—so we're often overlooked."
Her husband returned and gently handed the second glass to Miao Miao, interrupting softly, "It's alright, dear. No need to say such things in front of these young ones."
His wife chuckled lightly and stood. "Yes, yes, you're right. You've all come a long way. Let me know if you need anything. I'll show you to your rooms after I prepare dinner."
She retreated to the kitchen, and her husband stayed to chat with them.
Soon, the house was filled with the aroma of freshly cooked food. They shared a warm meal with the family, then thanked them and retired to their rooms for the night.
---------------------------------------------------
By morning, the family had packed food and water for their journey. The trio bowed in gratitude, then resumed their travels.
By afternoon, they reached the forest where the real journey begins.
Yena glanced at Miao Miao, who was tilting her head, visibly confused.
"Don't overthink it," Yena said with a smile.
Despite their exhaustion, they pressed onward into the forest.
"This is weird," Miao Miao murmured.
"What is?" Yena asked, scanning the surroundings.
"There's energy here, but it's… faint. Nothing like Huliya's."
"That's because Huliyan forests are rich with mysticals of varying powers," Jin Yue explained. "This one's at the border—likely untouched, with fewer mysticals."
He turned to her. "You sure have a sharp sense. Can your primordial spirit help you to detect these things?"
"To some extent," Miao Miao replied with a soft smile, thinking [Of course it can. I am a spirit.]
"That's rare," Jin Yue remarked. "Even with a flower spirit, that kind of sensitivity isn't common."
Yena, sensing where the conversation might go, interjected with a smile. "She's gifted. Anyway, let's look for a spot to rest soon."
Jin Yue nodded. "You're right. The sun will set soon. Better not take any risks, even in a calm forest like this."
As twilight descended, they found a small lake and set up camp nearby.
"I'll fetch something to eat," Jin Yue offered.
"Okay, but don't go overboard—we still have food," Miao Miao said.
"Don't worry, Little Miao Miao."
"Who's worrying?! And don't call me that!" She glared at him and turned her gaze towards Yena, who was carefully scanning the area.
"Then come with us," Jin Yue offered casually.
"I would—really—but someone has to guard the luggage," she replied, clearly using it as an excuse to avoid extra work.
Jin Yue smirked. "Ah, of course. Very noble of you. Who knows when a wild rabbit or a sneaky fox might try to run off with our things."
Miao Miao shot him a look and turned away with a pout. "You never know."
Yena laughed. "Alright, you rest. We'll go."
Miao Miao smiled brightly at her words, watching them leave.
While Jin Yue gathered firewood, Yena moved through the forest in search of fruit.
As he picked up twigs, Jin Yue noticed a striking flower bush nearby. He approached it, gently plucking a few blossoms and arranging them into a small bouquet. A soft smile tugged at his lips as he admired the delicate bundle—already imagining Yena's reaction when he handed it to her.
So engrossed in the moment, he failed to notice the silent threat lurking behind him.
"I think we should leave now," Yena called out from a few steps away.
Startled, Jin Yue quickly hid the bouquet behind his back and turned to her with a cheerful nod. "Yeah, I've gathered enough wood to last the night."
He was still grinning, oblivious to the danger just behind him as he stood with his back to the tree.
…Then, with a swift flick of her wrist, Yena turned and hurled her knife—straight toward Jin Yue.