"Elder Liang," Mu Chen yelled," his chest rising and falling as he gathered his breath, his voice low and strained. Sweat clung to his forehead and his robe clung to his back as he ran all the way to the temple.
The senior turned slowly, his aged face covered in long shadows from the incense hall's light. He appeared calm, aloof, and smart, much like the monk he was. Beneath his thin beard, a gentle smile appeared. "Oh, Mu Chen. What is bothering you?
Mu Chen paused. He fidgeted with his hands by his sides. "There's just something wrong with me. I've been seeing stuff lately. experiencing odd sensations. As in, powers. Not your typical ones."
Elder Liang chuckled softly and moved in his direction. He touched Mu Chen's shoulder with a rough palm, the steadying gesture. "Child, powers do exist. But they can take many different shapes. Although there are multiple paths in the world, we monks walk with the grace of the Buddha.
Mu Chen furrows his brows. Something he couldn't identify seemed to be awakening inside him, as his chest felt constricted. "But why me? Why would I possess any abilities at all?"
The elder's smile turned to contemplation. He cast a sharp, inquisitive glance at Mu Chen. "Maybe what you've forgotten is remembered by your blood. More than simply stories are passed down from certain forebears. Perhaps there is a Qilin or something older in your line. The myth's blood flows silently, yet it never stops."
Uncertain of what to make of it all, Mu Chen nodded hesitantly. "I suppose... I get it. Thank you Elder Liang."
The elderly monk started to walk away then stopped. There was a flash of something unreadable in his eyes as he looked back. "Come. I have something I would want to show you."
Mu Chen silently followed him into the temple courtyard through the archway. Incense and the soft rustle of sweeping brooms filled the air. As he walked in, the pupils had gathered, turning their heads.
One of them exclaimed, "Brother Mu is here!" with joy.
A young girl raced toward him and pulled him forward, her tiny hands encircling his fingers. "Can you assist me lift these cartons, Brother Mu?"
He let her lead him with a soft grin. "Xiaolan, what's all this for?"
She brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "A new boy has arrived. His parents have departed, and he has been by himself. I wanted to give my toys to him. They might help him feel better."
Mu Chen's grin dimmed. Her simple kindness broke his heart. "I see."
Together, they moved across the courtyard after lifting the crates. The boy was curled up next to a stone pot, his little body trembling with grief, when they arrived at the far corner. He didn't raise his head.
Without hesitation, Mu Chen dropped the boxes and knelt next to him. He moved in closer, putting his arms around the youngster and silently holding him. He remained silent for a while. He simply remained there, protecting and grounding him.
"I understand," Mu Chen muttered, his voice hardly audible. "I understand what it's like to lose the people you care about."
The boy's sobs continued to stain Mu Chen's robes. He held him nevertheless.
Xiaolan shifted nervously behind him. "Elder Liang advised us not to disturb him while he sobs."
Mu Chen's brows knitted as he turned his head. "What made him say that?"
She looked at the floor and bit her lip. "I heard him mention that the boy has something inside of him, therefore that's why. Something out of the ordinary. Devil's might. According to the soldiers who murdered his parents, the boy exuded a sinister aura at the time."
Mu Chen's eyes became gloomy. He looked back at the boy, who shuddered in his embrace. "This was done to him by soldiers?"
Slowly, Xiaolan nodded. "Mm."
MuChen tightened his jaw. As though to shield the youngster from the memory itself, he tightened his hold on him. His fingers brushed the back of his head as he rocked him softly.
"He didn't beg for whatever power he had," Mu Chen remarked softly. "This wasn't fair to him."
With the weight of loss and something else—something ancient, something evocative—the courtyard appeared to come to a halt.
And Mu Chen felt the first thread of purpose tighten around his chest, even though he didn't fully comprehend it yet.
"Mu Chen."
He pivoted. Elder Liang was standing close to the courtyard's edge, observing him. His expression was grave, and simply... heavy, not angry.
Xiaolan pointed and said, "Brother Mu. I believe you are being called by Elder Liang."
Mu Chen looked down at the boy who was seated beside him. Since coming here, the child had not spoken much. He still had swollen eyes. At no point had his shoulders relaxed.
"Okay, I'll be back shortly. What is your name?
The boy hesitated a moment before looking up. "Ling Tian."
Mu Chen gave a nod. "Okay, Ling Tian. I won't be here long.
After giving the boy a quick pat on the shoulder, he got up and approached Elder Liang.
They went silently together. No idle chatter.. Just the sound of their footsteps and the wind passing through the open hall.
After a minute, Elder Liang stopped and turned toward a wooden door.
"I need to ask you something serious," he said, his tone was low. "And I need you to promise." Mu Chen narrowed his eyes. "Promise what?"
"That no matter what happens, you keep this thing away from the king," Elder Liang said. "If they get their hands on it, we're finished."
Mu Chen glanced toward the shelf nearby. "What is it?"
"A scroll," Liang said. "One that's better off forgotten. But now... it has to be moved." He slid the door open and stepped inside. The room was dim. Nothing fancy, but a few shelves, a mat, and some incense. Elder Liang approached a low table, knelt, and extended his hand beneath it. Slowly, he took out a cloth-wrapped object and unwrapped it.
Despite its age, the scroll appeared to be in good condition. But there was a peculiarity about it. As soon as the covering was removed, Mu Chen sensed a change in the air.
Elder Liang extended it.
"Grab it."
Mu Chen took a step forward and took it with both hands. There was a pulse beneath his skin the instant he touched it. He felt a strange pressure in his chest. Although he didn't comprehend it, he was aware that this scroll wasn't typical.
Elder Liang observed him.
He whispered, "I hoped it would react to you." "There's a cause."
The door slammed before Mu Chen could inquire what he meant.
Open behind them.
Breathless, a young follower burst in. "Elder Liang—the troops of the king. They are present. They're requesting you."
Elder Liang's face lost its color. He glanced at the scroll, then at Mu Chen.
"Take it. Now. Head for the rear."
"How about you?"
"I'll remain. I'll take care of them.
"No—"
"Time is of the essence!" Elder Liang's voice was sharp as he snapped. He walked over to the wall, tapped a button, and a panel behind a painting slid open.
After a final moment of hesitation, Mu Chen nodded, cradled the scroll against his chest, and dashed down the secret passageway. And the door shut behind him.
Elder Liang turned back to the doorway that was open.
He inhaled deeply, and he walked away.