Winter Palace — Inner Corridors
The servant bowed low.
— Young Master Lin, the Sect Leader has agreed to receive you.
Lin Xue looked up, his heart hammering against his ribs.
— Now?
— Yes.
He swallowed hard and followed the servant through the silent corridors. Every step felt heavier than the last. When he reached the massive doors, he took a deep breath and stepped inside.
Winter Palace — Sect Leader's Chambers
Lin Yao stood by a table, his back turned as he studied maps. He did not look up.
— Lin Xue. Speak.
Lin Xue clasped his fists in a formal salute.
— Sect Leader, I... I needed to speak with Ancestor Guo Zhen.
Lin Yao finally turned around, his expression unreadable.
— If it is important, you may tell me.
Lin Xue hesitated, his throat dry.
— It's about Elder Sai's disciples.
Lin Yao's eyes narrowed instantly.
— Continue.
— They are advancing too fast — Lin Xue blurted out. — One of them has already entered the Qi Absorption Realm.
Lin Yao's eyes widened—not with anger, but with pure shock.
— Qi Absorption? Already?
— Yes.
The Sect Leader fell silent for a moment, and then, slowly, a smile spread across his face.
— That is excellent news.
Lin Xue froze.
— Sect Leader... my grandfather was killed by someone at that very level.
Lin Yao's smile vanished.
The Sect Leader walked to the window, staring out at the distant peaks of the mountain.
— Lin Xue — he began, his voice low — I understand your pain.
He paused.
— But this Sect is on the brink of war. If I investigate Elder Sai's disciples now, I divide our strength. And if I am wrong, I lose the only ally who can save us.
He turned back, his gaze piercing.
— You are asking me to risk the entire Sect on a suspicion.
Lin Xue clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white.
— And what if it isn't just a suspicion?
Lin Yao closed his eyes.
— Then may the Heavens forgive me. But I cannot act now.
Lin Xue felt something snap inside him.
— I understand, Sect Leader.
He bowed stiffly and walked out. Lin Yao remained alone, watching the mountain, knowing deep down that he might have just made the wrong choice.
Hall of Ancestors — Meeting
Mu Chen slammed his hand onto the table.
— If the Flaming Battle Sect moves, it won't be for talk. It will be war.
— And are we ready? — another Elder asked.
— We have always been ready — Mu Jian replied with a cold smile.
Guo Zhen remained silent, his hand absentmindedly touching the bandage over his eye.
— The issue isn't just strength — Han Xun murmured. — It's time. If they realize how fast we are growing, they won't wait for us to be ready.
Lin Yao nodded.
— Reinforce the formations. Double the patrols. And keep the Core Disciples under close watch.
Guo Zhen finally spoke, his voice raspy.
— And the assassin?
Silence fell over the room. Everyone looked at him.
— The killer is still free — he continued. — Likely inside this very Sect. Are we going to ignore that during a war?
Mu Chen snorted. — One thing at a time, Guo Zhen.
Guo Zhen touched his bandage again.
— He took my eye and vanished as if he never existed.
He paused, his voice trembling with suppressed rage.
— I can't get that out of my head.
Han Xun nodded slowly. — Neither can I.
Lin Yao took a deep breath.
— After the war. I promise.
Guo Zhen didn't answer. He just looked back at the table, but his good eye gleamed with a dangerous, predatory light.
Mountain of the Four Tributaries
The wind blew cold.
Wang Tao was finishing the adjustments on a series of wires stretched between the trees. Talismans were wedged into the rocks—simple traps, but lethal. He heard footsteps and turned.
Lin Xue stood there, his eyes sunken, looking like a man who hadn't slept in days.
— Wang Tao.
— Lin Xue.
An unsettling silence stretched between them.
— I have one question — Lin Xue said.
— Speak.
— Was it you who killed my grandfather?
Wang Tao did not flinch. He didn't look away, he didn't hesitate, and he didn't offer an explanation.
— No.
The wind whistled between them. Lin Xue studied his face, searching for a lie, a flicker of guilt—anything. But Wang Tao showed him nothing but a hollow calm.
— I wanted to believe that — Lin Xue finally whispered.
Wang Tao didn't respond. Lin Xue let out a humorless laugh.
— You were my rival. Now... I don't know what we are.
He turned to leave, but stopped. Without looking back, he added:
— I hope I don't have to find out the truth the hard way.
Then, he vanished into the trees.
Wang Tao stood still, watching him descend the mountain.
After a long moment, he returned to his traps. His hands moved with cold, mechanical precision. But for a split second, they trembled.
Just for a second.
Nobody saw it.