The path home wound through a forest that glowed faintly beneath the dying sun. The cicadas had begun their soft chorus, their rhythm filling the silence between Li Xuan's slow, steady steps. Fallen leaves crunched under his sandals as a breeze carried the scent of pine and faint woodsmoke through the air. His body ached, but his thoughts drifted elsewhere—back to the courtyard, the echo of laughter, and the slap that still burned on his cheek.
He brushed his fingers across the mark, feeling the sting that refused to fade. A quiet sigh escaped him.
"I'll grow stronger," he murmured, the words barely audible beneath the whisper of the leaves.
By the time he reached the old stone bridge near the outskirts, the sky had dimmed into a deep blue. Lanterns flickered in the distance, their warm glow outlining the small house at the base of the hill. The wooden fence surrounding it was patched too many times to count, each repair telling a quiet story of struggle and persistence.
But tonight, something felt different.
The door was slightly open, and light spilled through the crack, uneven and flickering. Li Xuan's chest tightened. He stepped closer, pushing the door with a soft creak.
Inside, his aunt sat beside the small table, her hands trembling as she held a pouch that glinted faintly in the dim light. Her eyes were wide, uncertain, almost frightened.
"Li Xuan," she said, her voice cautious. "When did you… bring this money home?"
Li Xuan's gaze swept across the room. The shelves that once sagged under their meager belongings were replaced. The broken chair in the corner now stood whole. Even the roof had been patched with fresh timber.
He froze for a moment, eyes narrowing slightly. He didn't need to guess—he knew exactly who had done this.
Zhao Lin.
A quiet satisfaction flickered in his chest. That fool had actually followed his words. It was strange, almost amusing, that someone from the Zhao family would obey his instructions so easily especially without being bound by a spell or compulsion or was it . He still didn't believe that him ,a nine year old could scare the shit out of a grown man .
He turned to his aunt, offering a faint, tired smile. "Aunt, I didn't bring that money."
Her brow furrowed. "Then who—?"
"Someone who thinks too much of himself," he said softly, his tone calm, almost indifferent. "Don't worry. It's not stolen. Just… misplaced kindness."
She blinked, still puzzled by his composure.
"But Li Xuan, if someone did this for us, shouldn't we—"
"No," he interrupted gently. "Some debts aren't meant to be accepted."
He stepped closer to the table, resting his hand lightly on the pouch. "We'll keep it for now. Who knows it may come in handy someday,maybe get a new house before those old fools of the Zhao family come to claim what isn't theirs "
Li Mei hesitated, then nodded slowly, though her eyes still reflected quiet concern. "Well, come on then," she said softly, forcing a smile. "Let's go eat before it gets cold."
Li Xuan followed her outside to the small fire pit surrounded by two long tables and a single bench. The arrangement resembled a camp more than a dining space, a place they often used for dinner when the nights grew cool and the house too cramped for warmth. A small metallic pot rested above the flames, steam rising in gentle curls that carried the smell of simmering sauce and roasted herbs.
Even though they never had much, Aunt Li Mei always found a way to make their meals feel whole.
Li Xuan's stomach growled in protest—he hadn't eaten since morning. As a cultivator, he could endure hunger for days, but the aroma was unbearable.
Li Mei moved gracefully to the pot, holding a tray with three simple bowls. She lifted the lid, and a wave of rich, warm fragrance washed over them. Stirring the sauce lightly, she smiled with quiet pride before pouring generous portions into two bowls.
"Eat," she said, placing one before him then another,for a boy who hasn't reached adolescent stage yet ,he was eating way too much .
Li Xuan didn't hesitate. He began eating quickly, almost forgetting his composure. The sauce was thick tomatoes, ground herbs, and a paste of noodles. It wasn't fancy, but it was comforting and sweet
Li Mei chuckled softly as she set down her own bowl and chopsticks. She sat across from him, swirling her noodles slowly while watching him devour his food like a starving wolf.
"Is it good?" she asked.
Li Xuan simply nodded, reaching for another bowl. His face was smeared with red sauce, and when he noticed it, he laughed faintly before continuing to eat. He twirled the chopsticks in the bowl, catching a large bundle of noodles, and swallowed it in one go.
A small silence settled between them, broken only by the crackling fire and the faint chirping of night insects. Then, without warning, a strange chill brushed against his hand.
He froze.
A faint light shimmered beneath his sleeve, revealing a single feather glowing softly in his palm. It pulsed gently, the light reflecting against the fire like a fragment of moonlight, yet filled with strange life. The aura around it was familiar, hauntingly so.
Li Xuan's expression softened. "For the first time, you're actually calling me," he whispered, the words almost lost to the night.
Li Mei looked up from her pot. "Did you say something?"
He shook his head lightly. "Nothing, Aunt. I'm just full. I'll go wash up, then head to bed."
She raised an eyebrow, smiling knowingly. "You mean you'll sneak off to the forest again—watch the stars and cultivate by the lake, right?"
Li Xuan froze, caught off guard. He had always thought his nightly wanderings were unnoticed, but her tone told him otherwise. Still, there was no reproach in her voice—only quiet understanding.
"Don't worry," he said softly. "Just for a while. I'll be back soon."
She sighed. "And by 'soon,' you mean midnight."
Li Xuan couldn't help but smile. "Before you sleep," he promised. "Thanks for the food."
He turned and hurried toward the house before she could protest further,
Wait , you take your.....",Her words trailed off as the figure vanished into the house
He slipped through the back door and into the cool night.
Your bowl inside ",li mei said in a low whisper as if talking to herself .
She got up and picked up the two bowls li Xuan was eating from ,one was completely empty that even the stains of the sauce could barely be seen whereas the other still held some food in it . She placed them on a plate and matched inside towards the small kitchen.
The small forest behind their home wasn't vast—just a cluster of trees that had stood untouched for years. For generations, there hadn't been any sign of magical beasts, which in itself was strange. Only the presence of something far more powerful could drive away other creatures and leave the land quiet for so long.
Still it made the villagers live safely, there was no threat for her aunt at night maybe the Zhao family but he knew they wouldn't dare tarnish their reputation
The moon hung high, silver light washing over the path as Li Xuan made his way deeper between the trees. The air was cool, alive with the scent of dew and wild grass.
He glanced down at his palm. The faint glow from before had grown brighter, the energy flaring like a living flame. He frowned, confused, and stopped walking.
The glow surged suddenly. From his palm, a translucent feather rose, drifting upward before it dissolved into fragments of light that scattered like sparks in the air. They swirled before him, forming a spiral of glowing feathers that shimmered like a vortex of moonlit wind.
From within that swirling light, a soft voice echoed .
"Come in."
The forest fell silent. The flames in the distance flickered once and went still. Li Xuan stood motionless, the glow painting his face in silver hues.
Then, without hesitation, he stepped forward.