First, they tactically retreated to their home base.
Then.
It began with a pouch of snacks.
Yu Xuan, now five years old and entirely too clever for his age, sat on his bed stuffing dried peach slices and and beast meat borrowed(stolen) from the clan's kitchen into a tiny cloth satchel. It was a secret mission. A vital one.
He didn't know how long they'd be gone, and food — like friendship and weapons — was essential.
On the other side of the room, Yu Lingluo stood proudly with her small sword strapped to her back, two hidden daggers in her boots, and a fan tucked into her belt 'for aesthetic balance'. She looked ready for a light skirmish.
"Do you need that many weapons?" Yu Xuan asked, eyebrows raised.
"You never know," Lingluo replied, tightening her belt. "Last time, I ran into a rabbit that kicked me straight in the chin."
"…So this is a revenge mission."
"It's training," she said loftily. "For the path of the sword."
Yu Xuan muttered something about delusions and overcompensation, but in truth, he was a little excited.
This would be his first venture beyond the core clan grounds. Outside the guarded courtyards and polished jade floors lay something wild and untamed.
The Back Mountain.
Only Yu Lingluo had been there once before — during a failed attempt to chase a flying goat with multicolored horns. The experience had been… educational. And since she'd returned covered in mud, leaves, and high self-confidence, she now saw herself as the perfect guide.
The two snuck out — or at least believed they had.
Unbeknownst to them, several Elders watched from afar with narrowed eyes and suppressed smiles.
"Should we stop them?" one asked.
Another stroked his beard. "Let them go. This'll be good for their growth."
"And for entertainment."
With a chorus of wise nods, they turned back to their tea.
Meanwhile, our two 'stealthy' adventurers crept past the side wall of the eastern garden, scaled a moderately dramatic rock, and tiptoed onto the winding path that led to the back mountain's outer ridge.
They had officially left home.
Or so they believed.
And they felt the calling of adventure.
***
The path into the back mountain was a winding trail of root-covered dirt, patches of glowing moss, and floating spirit stones. The deeper they walked, the more the air shimmered with spiritual energy — like the whole forest was quietly awake, watching.
"This place is… weird," Yu Xuan said, staring at a tree that was bending slightly away from them, despite there being no wind. And yes, the tree was bending.
"It's just shy," Lingluo said confidently.
Yu Xuan didn't question it — mainly because the tree sneezed and launched a puff of pollen at him.
They reached a clearing surrounded by spiritual peach trees that bloomed all year round. A few rocks hovered lazily a few inches above the ground, wrapped in faint auras. Birds chirped musical notes, and insects seemed to hum in harmony.
"So," Yu Lingluo said, hands on her hips. "Time for sword training."
"Didn't we come here for adventure?" Yu Xuan asked.
"Yes. Sword training is the adventure."
She drew her sword, posing dramatically. "Watch closely, Xuan'er. This move is called the—uh—Moonlight Dragon Cut!"
Then she swung the blade… tripped slightly on a root… recovered like a pro, and finished with a swing.
Yu Xuan clapped politely. "Truly awe-inspiring. I could almost see the dragon."
"You're mocking me."
"Not at all. Please continue, O Sword Saint of Shaky Steps."
They sparred — or rather, pretended to.
Yu Lingluo swung her sword dramatically through the air, twirling and posing more than actually attacking. It was clear she was only demonstrating how cool her moves were.
"Watch this move! Sword of the Twisting Moon Petal!" she shouted, swinging her sword and sending petals flying — but not much else.
Yu Xuan giggled, dodging with exaggerated rolls and dives, throwing in a few sound effects for good measure.
But then — inspiration struck.
As she lunged forward with an overly theatrical sweep of her sword, Yu Xuan's eyes flicked to a pebble near her foot.
He concentrated.
Just a nudge… nothing too obvious…
The pebble twitched, then zipped forward — barely brushing her shoe.
"Whoa—!"
Lingluo stumbled with a surprised squeak and landed in a bush, her sword sticking into the ground like a defeated enemy flag.
Yu Xuan froze. Did it work?
He looked at the pebble. Then his hand. Then back at the bush.
He smothered a grin.
I actually used it… I really did it!
[Telekinesis Activated.]
A faint golden shimmer blinked in the corner of his vision.
He tried not to laugh too hard.
From the bush came a grumble. "That was the ground's fault. It moved."
"Definitely," Yu Xuan said innocently, offering her a hand. "Maybe the dirt's practicing swordsmanship too."
She narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously but took his hand anyway.
"You're lucky I wasn't really using my sword."
"Of course," Yu Xuan said quickly, nodding like a chicken. "This young master would have been sliced in half instantly."
She puffed up proudly. "Exactly!"
He helped brush leaves off her shoulders, hiding his grin the whole time.
It wasn't a real fight.
But for Yu Xuan…
It was his first victory.
And it felt amazing.
Later, while practicing his skill again, Yu Xuan lifted a smooth, oddly rounded rock.
It blinked.
"…Sister."
"Yeah?"
"This rock is looking at me."
Turned out, it was a camouflaged turtle with a mild grudge now. Yu Xuan released it immediately and apologized. The turtle gave him a slow, disappointed nod before vanishing into the underbrush.
Then, they stumbled upon a glowing mushroom patch, luminous fungi growing in perfect rings.
Yu Lingluo crouched immediately. "I want to eat one."
"No."
"But they sparkle!"
"That's what poisoned mushrooms want you to think."
With great reluctance, she let the mushrooms live.
As the sun began to dip lower, casting amber light through the trees, the siblings lay down on a warm rock, catching their breath.
"This is fun," Yu Lingluo said softly. "We should do this more."
"Let's not jinx it," Yu Xuan replied. "Knowing us, we'll get eaten by a sentient puddle in five minutes."
Just then, a flash of movement caught their eyes — a fox, with nine tails, its fur like white fire. It stood still for a moment on a distant ridge, watching them.
Then it vanished.
They looked at each other.
"Did you see that?"
"I think we're hallucinating."
"Either that, or this just turned into a real quest."
They stood up, dusted themselves off, and resumed walking — chatting about mossy rocks, rabbit revenge, and whether floating logs counted as boats.
Somewhere along the trail, Yu Xuan glanced at a patch of fallen branches and suddenly had an idea.
"…Hey, sister. Want to build a raft?"
And so, with childlike confidence and questionable craftsmanship, they began their next great invention.
And from the shadows, two curious golden foxy eyes watched them.
Silently. Intently.
Waiting.