"That's the spell reacting. But whoever cast it… they're skilled. Dangerous."
Roa stood, brushing the dust from her robes. "Come. The temple ceremony is about to
"I don't know who, but this is powerful magic. Forbidden. And yet—there's something odd…"
Roa trailed off, her fingertips grazing the back of Yunxi's hand as if hoping to trace the lingering aura. Yunxi blinked slowly, her eyes unfocused, her memories hazy like fog across a mountain lake.
"Lady Yunxi, do you remember who you were with before you fainted?" Roa asked carefully, masking her urgency with calm.
Yunxi tilted her head. "I… I think I saw someone. A man. He… looked familiar, but I don't know. Everything is blank after that."
Roa frowned, eyes narrowing. "Not just any magic... this is meant to sever emotional ties. Someone wanted you to forget for a reason."
Yunxi winced, a sudden pang shooting through her chest. "Why does it hurt when I try to remember?"
"That's the spell reacting. But whoever cast it… they're skilled. Dangerous."
Roa stood, brushing the dust from her robes. "Come. The temple ceremony is about to
begin. If you remember anything—anything at all—you must tell me."
As they walked, hidden behind a large crimson pillar, a pair of eyes watched from the shadows.
"She still feels the pain," a voice whispered behind a dragon-etched fan.
"She's not ready," replied another, the speaker cloaked in silver.
Far away, in his darkened study, Chen stood by the window, his hand clenched. He had seen her from afar—lost, confused.
"She must forget me," he muttered. "For her sake… and mine."
But in the depth of his heart, something stirred. A warmth he couldn't seal away.
Yunxi sat beneath the blossoming plum tree in the courtyard, her fingers absently running across the edge of the jade compass Cheonsa had given her. Chen stood at a distance, watching her silently, a storm brewing behind his usually unreadable gaze.
"You truly don't remember who did that to you?" he asked, his voice low, almost hesitant.
Yunxi turned to look at him. "No… I don't. Everything after the temple is just… fog. But I know someone cast a spell on me. I can feel the gaps in my mind."
Chen looked away, guilt tightening his chest. "If you knew it was me… why didn't you say anything to Roa? Or Xiuming?"
She smiled faintly—sadly. "All doings have reasons, don't they, Prince Chen?"
His head snapped toward her. She had never called him that before, not like this—formal, distant, knowing.
"I don't need to remember everything to feel it," she continued. "I don't know why you erased it. But I won't expose you." Her voice dropped, steely. "On one condition."
Chen tensed.
"Promise me you won't do it again. If you do... I'll tell Roa everything."
His breath caught. "You would?"
She met his eyes, her gaze unwavering. "I will. You don't get to decide what I should or shouldn't carry."
He closed his eyes, the weight of her words sinking in.
"I promise."
"Good." She stood, brushing off her skirt. "Because we have a bigger problem. The shadow clan is moving again… and I think I saw something inside the temple before the spell."
Xiuming:
"And yet, when she's near… you find yourself again."
Chen clenched his fists.
Meanwhile, Yunxi stood alone beneath the old lantern tree in the garden, the magical compass Cheonsa gave her glowing faintly in her hand.
She looked up at the moon and whispered:
Yunxi:
"Who are you really, Prince Chen… and why does fate keep tying us together?"
Suddenly, a petal fluttered down — but it wasn't a petal. It was paper. Another message.
She opened it:
"The next test lies beneath the temple. When the moon bleeds red, the crystal flower will bloom."
As the moon cast a silver glow over the forest, Yunxi stood beneath a towering pine, her breath steady, her fingers mimicking the flow of wind through branches. Ever since the temple visit, she had felt something stirring inside her — not just the mysterious missions or hidden truths, but a need to be stronger. Strong enough to protect those around her… and herself.
She began training quietly, listening to the rhythms of nature — the rustle of leaves, the chirp of night crickets, the distant howl of wolves. Every night, she would sneak away from her quarters, dress in plain robes, and go deep into the woods to practice. Her moves were unrefined, but there was grace in her persistence, and heart in every movement.
One such night, unseen by her, Chen stood atop a rocky ledge not far away, arms folded. His sharp eyes followed her steps — not judging, but quietly watching. He had felt her presence drifting through the air like a soft current and followed it, only to find her moving beneath the moonlight with raw determination.
She was clumsy, her balance off at times, but he saw something else: resolve. Fire.
Chen's fingers tightened around his robe. He didn't speak. He didn't interfere. Instead, he watched silently, a strange emotion rising in him — pride? Concern? Or was it something
even he couldn't name?
He turned and vanished into the shadows, leaving only a faint shimmer behind.
The next night, a wooden practice sword was left leaning against the pine tree where Yunxi trained — no note, no sign of who had left it.
But Yunxi smiled when she saw it. Somehow… she knew.
The night was darker than usual. Even the moon seemed to hide behind thick clouds as the forest held its breath.
Chen had arrived at the usual clearing, expecting to glimpse Yunxi in her silent, graceful practice. But tonight, it was empty. The pine trees swayed nervously, and the air was thick with the scent of sulfur.
Suddenly — a sharp, unnatural shriek tore through the silence.
Without hesitation, Chen leapt into the forest depths, his boots barely brushing the ground. That's when he saw it — a shadowy figure cloaked in smoke, eyes glowing with demonic hunger. The demon snarled as Chen approached, revealing rows of jagged teeth.
"I've been waiting," the demon hissed, voice like rusted metal. "Your blood, Prince Chen. The cursed heart blood. It will awaken my power."
Chen's hand tightened around his hidden blade, but before he could strike, the demon raised his claw — and behind it appeared Yunxi, unconscious, bound by dark energy that coiled around her like snakes.
"Touch me," the demon smirked, "and she dies."
For a moment, Chen's mask cracked — his rage barely restrained. But he said nothing. Instead, he raised his palm, murmured an incantation under his breath, and suddenly a glowing sigil formed beneath them. Light erupted, and the forest seemed to vanish.
The three were pulled into a cave deep underground — one only Chen could access through forbidden magic. As the entrance sealed with a deafening slam, no sound could escape. No one could enter. This was his battlefield.
"I warned you," Chen's voice was low, deadly. His eyes gleamed with blue and red fire. "You shouldn't have touched her."
The demon lunged. Chen vanished in a flash, reappearing midair with his blade ablaze in dragonlight — the battle had begun. And in that cave, with the girl he wanted to protect more than anything, Chen would fight like hell.
The demon's claws dug deep into Chen's chest, its fangs buried at his neck, greedily sucking his cursed heart blood. Chen gritted his teeth, refusing to scream — but blood poured from his wounds, staining the rocky floor of the sealed cave.
Yunxi, lying barely conscious on the ground, was jolted awake by the scent of blood — his blood.
Her vision blurred as she saw the horrific scene: the demon latched onto Chen, who remained kneeling, unmoving, his sword dropped beside him.
"No…" she whispered, pain shooting through her body. "Chen…"
With a surge of will, she crawled forward, dragging herself across the cold, jagged stone. A sharp crack echoed — the demon flung her back with a shadow strike. Her side bled, but her eyes never left Chen.
Then, in a flash of fury, Chen roared — the markings on his skin blazed like fire. With a final burst of power, he captured the demon within a binding circle drawn from his own blood, sealing it in place. The creature screamed and disappeared into darkness.
Chen collapsed.
Yunxi rushed to him. He was barely breathing, his body torn and soaked in blood. He pressed a trembling talisman into her hand.
"Take this… go back," he whispered, barely audible. "Protect Roa. She… she must be safe."
"Why are you saying this?" Yunxi's voice cracked. "Why only her? Why are you always caring about her? What about me, Chen?! I—" Her voice broke, tears falling onto his chest. "I care about you too. I've been by your side too."
He looked up weakly, meeting her tear-streaked eyes. "Yunxi…"
"How do I save you?" she cried, gripping the talisman. "Tell me how!"
But Chen didn't answer — his eyes fluttered shut, his breath slowing. The talisman in her hand began to glow.
Yunxi clutched his bloodied hand, refusing to let go. "Don't leave," she whispered. "Not now. Not like this."
And outside the sealed cave, somewhere far above, the moon shone red.