“Really! You promised—don’t go back on your word,” Xiao Yan’s eyes lit up, then brightened further, his cloudy mood clearing. He smiled mischievously, flashing two small fangs.
Across the fire, Murong Qiufeng and Shangguan Ye exchanged glances. Through the flickering flames, they caught the familiar emotion in Yan Qiren’s eyes. Both raised an eyebrow in silent recognition, though neither were ones to gossip. Curiosity stirred, but it was hardly the right time to pry.
Late at night, the wind howled stronger. With the leaves long gone, the chill cut freely through the forest. Snow hadn’t fallen recently, yet the air remained dry and biting. Flames danced, threatening to die out, but the three small tents held firm against the gusts. Asi kept the fire supplied, adding wood diligently.
One of the tents shifted, and a shadow slid out. Xiao Yan rubbed his eyes, yawned, stretched, and trudged lazily to the fire. Sitting down, he shivered and told Asi, “My turn. You go get some rest, you grump,” before yawning again.
Asi nodded and didn’t argue, retreating to another tent to tuck a curled-up child in tightly, then lay down himself, eyes closing.
Xiao Yan rested his chin on his hand, drowsy, when a faint noise stirred him awake. He blinked, saw who it was, and relaxed, yawning again. “What are you doing out here? It’s my turn.”
Yan Qiren didn’t speak. Sitting beside him, he added wood to the fire. After a while, he said, “Can’t sleep.”
“Oh,” Xiao Yan murmured lazily, about to drift off again.
Sighing, Yan Qiren adjusted Xiao Yan’s cloak and patted his head. “Go inside. I’ll watch here. Sleeping in this cold wind will make you sick.”
Xiao Yan’s eyes snapped open as he yawned. “I’m fine. I don’t get sick that easily. It’s almost dawn, and a nap like this will just make me sleepier.” He swiped his hand along the nearby tree trunk, rubbing his eyes. The chill instantly cleared his drowsiness. “See? Feeling better.” He shook his shoulders and poked at the fire with a small stick.
Inside the central tent, Shangguan Ye’s eyes suddenly opened, sharp and gleaming in the dark. Murong Qiufeng awoke at the same moment, their eyes locking. Both scanned their surroundings, expression hardening, confirming their suspicion.
Outside, Xiao Yan and Yan Qiren sat quietly by the fire, the cold air carrying faint, indistinct scents beneath its sharp bite. Shadows flitted silently across the forest floor, leaving faint footprints on the leaf-littered ground.
The two horses sleeping beneath the trees, one black and one white, stirred and opened their eyes, stamping and snorting as if warning of danger.
The sound caught Xiao Yan and Yan Qiren’s attention. Xiao Yan frowned and motioned the horses to be quiet, then rose to soothe them, thinking they were cold or hungry.
Yan Qiren’s expression shifted, a flicker of thought crossing his eyes. These were no ordinary horses—they were intelligent and alert.
Suddenly, Xiao Yan let out a grunt and collapsed forward. Yan Qiren caught him, but as he moved, a wave of weakness hit him like all his strength had been drained. Dizzy, they tumbled to the ground, hearts hammering.
Then came a sharp, dragon-like chime, followed by shadows streaking past in the firelight. Soon, the clash of weapons rang through the forest, accompanied by occasional thuds.
Lying on the ground, Xiao Yan and Yan Qiren felt the chill penetrate their bodies, yet their minds remained alert. Asi appeared, placing a small vial under their noses. A cough later, they realized they could move freely again, surprised at the effect of the vial.
Asi silently moved to the poisoned horses, administering the antidote.
Xiao Yan jumped up, pulling Yan Qiren to his feet, tense as the sounds of battle continued. He grabbed his sword, ready to intervene, but Asi calmly settled on a stone, stirring the coals and speaking coldly, “If you don’t want to be a burden, stay here.”
Xiao Yan paused, frowning. Irritation flashed in his eyes. “Hey, you grump! Who’s being a burden?”
“Trust them,” Yan Qiren said, grabbing Xiao Yan’s arm and returning him to the fire. His words weren’t blind trust—they had already glimpsed two figures moving leisurely in the moonlight, one black, one white. Black hair streamed in the wind, both exuding composure and elegance. Their presence radiated an unbreakable bond, impossible to sever.
The two approached. Shangguan Ye casually tossed a black token, which Asi caught. “Investigate immediately.”
“Yes,” Asi nodded, slipping the token into his clothes.
“What’s this?” Xiao Yan’s gaze landed on a striking red paper in Murong Qiufeng’s other hand.
Murong Qiufeng handed it over. “Taken from those men just now.”
Xiao Yan looked at it. It was a notice—large characters announcing the Martial Alliance. Both were startled. Yan Qiren examined one, confirming the seal was indeed the martial leader’s, with all content identical except for the invited sects.
“Qingtong Sect, Lingyuan Pavilion, Yuefeng Sect, Xuetian Sect, Lingluo Sect… wait… you didn’t kill the messenger for each sect, did you?” Counting, Xiao Yan realized there were over a dozen notices, each addressed to a different sect. Typically, one notice per sect.
Yan Qiren’s mind worked quickly. “Someone’s intercepting the alliance notices.”
Murong Qiufeng nodded with approval. “Perhaps targeting us was accidental. These are the ones after the notices. Many along this path have likely fallen into their trap.”
