The sun had just begun to dip, casting golden hues across the mountaintop as Shen Yueli tiptoed through the high grass, a bundle of trouble clutched tightly to her chest— her daughter, warm and snuggly, but already radiating more spiritual energy than a fire- breathing dragon.
" Why is she glowing again?" Yueli muttered, narrowing her eyes as a pinkish aura swirled around the baby.
" You're three days old. Chill."
Di Yan, tall and composed with his signature silver hair fluttering like a moonlit banner in the wind, emerged from the tree line holding a steaming pot. " Her energy is stabilizing. It's normal."
" She levitated her crib, Di Yan," Yueli shot back. " Normal for who? The reincarnated goddess of mischief?"
He chuckled and sauntered over, the corner of his mouth twitching as he met her glare. " You just described yourself."
" Oh, don't flatter me while I'm angry,"
she grumbled— but her lips twitched too.
Crack
Asharp echo snapped through the air.
Both parents froze.
" Stay here," Di Yan ordered, setting the pot down gently. His expression sharpened into that warrior's stillness as he vanished into a blur of silver and wind.
Yueli rolled her eyes. " As if I ever listen,"
she whispered. She handed the baby to the spirit wolf up nearby, which let out an indignant yip but curled around the child protectively. " Watch her, Fluffball."
Then she vanished after Di Yan, silent as a ghost in red.
She moved like silk in wind— low, precise— until she tripped on a root and face-planted with a muffled umph.
" Why are you like this?" she hissed at the ground, pushing herself up and stalking forward again.
She caught up to Di Yan mid-fight— he was engaged with two cloaked intruders, blades clashing with sparks, silver flames licking the edges of his chain whip. The third one crept behind him, dagger drawn.
Yueli didn't hesitate. She launched forward, her own dagger slicing through the air, knocking the ambusher off balance.
Di Yan turned just in time, sweeping his whip to pin the man's ankle and slam him into a tree.
" Didn't I say stay put?" he said, panting, amused and annoyed at once.
" Didn't I ignore you as usual?" she huffed, brushing dirt off her robe.
But before they could catch their breath
—
Fwoooom.
A portal shimmered open above them,
crackling with unstable magic.
Di Yan's brows furrowed. " That's not ours."
Out came a rush of petals— cherry blossoms, oddly enough— followed by a tall woman in golden robes and a scowl that could curdle milk.
" Sister," she sneered at Yueli. " Or should I say traitor?"
Yueli blinked. " Oh great. It's you."
" Who the hell is that?" Di Yan asked,
stepping forward protectively.
" My annoying half- sister. Drama queen.
Obsessed with eyeliner and revenge."
" I heard that," the woman snapped. " You stole my title."
" I didn't steal anything. You just sucked at the trials."
" You seduced the examiner!"
" I seduced no one!" Yueli snapped, then paused. "… Okay, maybe just a little…"
The sisters lunged at each other like it was a sport.
Di Yan groaned and sat on a log,
watching lightning, insults, and magical kicks fly across the clearing. " Do all family reunions come with this much hair-pulling?"
One of the injured intruders groaned beside him.
" Shut up, you attacked us."
Yueli leapt into the air, flipped over her sister, landed on her shoulders, and shoved her head into the dirt with unholy precision.
Di Yan winced. " Ow."
After a few minutes, Yueli emerged victorious— disheveled, hair wild, but victorious. She tossed her half-sister over her shoulder like a sack of rice.
" She's grounded," she said simply.
Di Yan stared at her, stunned and slightly aroused. " You're terrifying."
" I know." She winked.
As they returned to camp, their daughter was floating above the wolf pup now,
gurgling with delight.
" She's flying again," Yueli deadpanned.
Di Yan sighed, gently pulling the baby into his arms. " She's our child. Chaos is her birthright."
The baby hiccupped — and released a small burst of fire into the air, shaped like a heart.
They stared at it.
"… Okay, that was cute," Yueli admitted.
Later That Night
The half-sister was tied up, grumbling against a spirit toad that kept hopping on her head.
The baby finally fell asleep, floating above her soft glowing nest.
Yueli leaned against Di Yan's side, her cheek pressed to his chest. " She's going to break the sky one day."
Di Yan kissed her hair. " Then we'll teach her how to build a new one."
" Romantic," she whispered. " Still want to kill your old self sometimes?"
" All the time."
" Same."
They laughed.
Then a distant boom rattled the mountains.
Yueli groaned. " No."
" Yes," Di Yan confirmed, already rising.
She dragged herself to her feet. " This baby better grow up and bring us tea in bed every morning."
" Oh, she'll fly it in on a cloud platter."
They ran toward the sound— together— blades drawn, hearts steady.
And behind them, their child yawned,
sleepily waving a hand.
Unknowingly, she opened a tiny rift in space.
A mini dragon made of starlight flopped through, landed on the spirit wolf's head, and fell asleep.
The pup whined.
The world titled just a little.
And thus, peace… sweet, spicy
chaos- peace… continued.