Heaven’s Shadow

That day, out of curiosity, Su Qingjun decided to try the grilled loach. Unfortunately, she didn’t find it to be as delicious as Lu Chen had described. After a few bites with a slight frown, she put down the unappealing-looking dish, which seemed to lack the tantalizing flavor he mentioned.

“It doesn’t seem to suit my taste. I don’t find it particularly delicious,” Su Qingjun said apologetically to Lu Chen.

Lu Chen smiled, took another piece of grilled loach, and after a few bites, he spat it out on the ground. “Hmm, it seems you’re right. It really isn’t that good.”

Su Qingjun laughed, “Maybe it’s because you brought it all the way from Kunwu City up to the mountain. It’s traveled a long distance, cooled down, and isn’t very fresh anymore. Perhaps it would taste better if we had it fresh and hot.”

Lu Chen shook his head. “It’s not that. I remember eating this occasionally as a child; even if it was from the night before, I’d still drool over it. The grilled loach hasn’t changed; I have.”

For a moment, there was a silence on the cliff edge of Feiyan Terrace. Neither of them spoke, and from afar, the sound of Ah Tu’s barking could be heard, as if it had caught something in the woods and was making a fuss.

After a while, Su Qingjun smiled and said to Lu Chen, “Actually, isn’t this a good thing? You’ve improved; it’s not like you want to go back to the hard times of your childhood, right?”

Lu Chen smiled and nodded, “You’re right. It’s an improvement.”

He packed up the snacks and smiled at Su Qingjun, “I thought I could introduce you to something new and maybe even amuse you, but I ended up messing it up. How embarrassing.”

Su Qingjun quickly said, “No, no, actually… I’m quite happy because I’ve never tried or even seen these things before.” She seemed to be lost in thought as she spoke.

※※※

Late at night, Feiyan Terrace was silent.

Su Qingjun had long since returned to her cave dwelling. At this moment, the stone wall was illuminated by moonlight, reflecting a cold, clear glow. Lu Chen’s wooden hut was on the other side of Feiyan Terrace, closer to the edge of the cliff and the forest. The moonlight poured into the open window, bathing the room in a soft glow.

In the deep of night, Lu Chen was still awake.

Ah Tu lay at his feet, curled up and fast asleep. Since that severe injury, whenever Ah Tu slept and Lu Chen was nearby, it would always snuggle close to him.

Lu Chen had tried several times to move it off the bed, but Ah Tu stubbornly returned each time. Eventually, Lu Chen gave up and let it be.

The night was cold, and the moonlight was clear. Lu Chen lay with his hands behind his head, his bright eyes staring at the moonlit night outside the window.

It seemed that he was always like this—if he didn’t sleep, he was unusually alert in the dark of night.

The bright moon hung high in the sky, reflected deep in his pupils like the moon’s shadow floating in a dark sea, faintly changing with a mysterious light. Lu Chen looked at the moon, noting that it was no longer a perfect full moon but slightly thinner.

He mentally calculated the time and then murmured to himself, “Twenty-four days left.”

In twenty-four days, the next full moon would arrive.

On that day, in the mysterious forest, he had found a hidden symbol beneath the bark, marked with a secret code understood by very few in this world.

A meeting under the full moon.

That was the simplest meaning.

It was an invitation from the depths of darkness. Lu Chen had understood and received it, unsure of what it might bring—good or ill, fortune or disaster. All he could do was wait, and he hadn’t even told Lao Ma about it.

What would happen on the next full moon night?

He silently watched the moon, and after a while, suddenly got up and closed the window.

※※※

On this day, He Yi descended the mountain and went directly to Kunwu City, where he found He Gang’s residence.

The two brothers talked for a while, and He Gang recounted his recent efforts to track down Zhu Sha, ending with a hint of embarrassment, “Big brother, I’m really useless. I’ve spent so much time and effort, but I still haven’t found anyone suspicious.”

He Yi didn’t seem angry. He shook his head, saying, “You shouldn’t worry too much about it; this is normal. The Three Realms Demon Sect has been at odds with our righteous sects for years, having been hunted and besieged countless times. If they didn’t have some underhanded tricks, they would’ve been wiped out by our righteous predecessors long ago. It’s not your fault if you can’t find them.”

He Gang glanced at him cautiously and asked, “Big brother, does that mean you have found something elsewhere? I’m just worried that if we take too long, your master and the sect leader might become impatient.”

He Yi said, “Don’t worry about that. I’ve already discussed this with our masters. Anyone capable of orchestrating such a major event must hold a high position within the demon sect and possess considerable cultivation skills. Therefore, it’s only natural that they’re well hidden, and finding them in a short time is extremely difficult. Both of them understand this and are subtly trying to lure the culprit out again.”

“I’d love to catch that scoundrel!” He Gang said vehemently.

He Yi smiled, “Don’t worry. The Kunlun Sect has thousands of years of heritage; we won’t let these villains have their way. Sooner or later, we’ll catch them. When that time comes, I’ll plead with our masters on your behalf. With this merit, they might let you rejoin the Kunlun Sect.”

He Gang’s body shook with joy, and he stood up abruptly, exclaiming, “Really? Big brother, is that true?”

He Yi sighed, “You’re my only brother; why would I lie to you?”

He Gang was overjoyed, nodding vigorously, seemingly at a loss for words. It was evident how much the Kunlun Sect meant to him.

Since childhood, He Gang had followed his brother into the Kunlun Sect. Kunlun Mountain was his home, with no other place holding as much significance. That was why, after the accident, when he was expelled from the sect, He Gang had been devastated and nearly succumbed to despair.

Fortunately, he had his beloved elder brother, He Yi, in this world.

He Yi then chatted with He Gang a bit longer, advising him to be careful in Kunwu City and to avoid causing trouble, at least until the matter was resolved.

He Gang agreed readily, recounting his experiences in Kunwu City, focusing particularly on the upheaval in the Su family. He spoke disparagingly of Su Qingjun, implying she was not a suitable match due to her fickle nature. As for Lu Chen, whom he considered an insignificant servant disciple, He Gang didn’t even bother mentioning his name, not wanting to sully his brother’s ears.

After hearing this, He Yi shook his head, “Although I’m not very familiar with Su Qingjun, I don’t think she’s that kind of person.”

He Gang quickly replied, “But big brother, I saw it with my own eyes…”

He Yi interrupted, shaking his head, “You didn’t see anything; it was just Su Qingjun visiting her family. I understand the situation now. But for us, Su Qingjun is just a passerby; we don’t need to ingratiate ourselves with the Su family, but we also shouldn’t provoke them. Understand?”

He Gang was silent for a moment, then nodded, “Alright.”

He Yi looked at his brother and softened his tone, “Xiaogang, I know you’re always thinking of my well-being, but you don’t need to worry so much. You and I are the closest people to each other in this world. To be honest, you’re the only person I truly trust with my life. I’ll handle everything else; just focus on taking care of yourself, okay?”

He Gang nodded, “Yes, I understand, big brother. Don’t worry.”

He Yi smiled and patted He Gang’s shoulder, “When you return to Kunlun, we brothers will accomplish great things together. The future is long, and who knows? We might even lead Kunlun someday, right?”

He Gang laughed and nodded repeatedly, his eyes showing a mix of excitement and anticipation for the future.

※※※

He Yi left quietly. To avoid attracting attention, he even changed into different clothes, covering his face, and left in the opposite direction from He Gang’s house.

After he walked away, a seemingly simple and honest-looking cart puller emerged from a corner of the long street behind him. The man’s eyes, empty and somewhat lost, glanced in the direction He Yi had gone, then turned and walked in another direction.

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea later, the man returned to the same spot with another person. He first pointed to He Gang’s house, then to the street where He Yi had left, speaking a few words in a low voice.

The person standing beside him was a fat man.

Lao Ma.

Lao Ma looked at the bustling street, waved his hand lightly, and the unremarkable cart puller disappeared into the crowd, like a drop of water in the sea.

Lao Ma pursed his lips, turning his gaze toward the house, his expression seemingly calm yet faintly cold. After a moment, he smiled, but it was a cold smile. (To be continued.)