The atmosphere by the campfire grew exceptionally heavy following the death of Lin Jin and the revelation regarding the Eldest Brother, Chu Yunning.
"The news Lin Jin risked his life to bring back cannot be wrong," Chu Fengning said, snapping the dry branch in his hand. As the second son of the Chu family, the fighting spirit and self-reproach in his eyes were nearly overflowing. "Eldest Brother was captured alive in that 'precision hunt' on the battlefield. He is very likely being held within the borders of the East. He is the firstborn of the Chu family, our own brother... No matter the cost, we must find a way to save him."
Crimson Nine (Chu Zhaoning) felt her fingertips turn white as she pressed against the hilt of her blade. In her memories and inherited emotions, Chu Yunning had always been a figure like both a brother and a father. This rescue mission was non-negotiable.
"We will save him, that is a certainty," Xiao Zhan's steady voice rang out. He added a handful of dry wood to the fire, the light reflecting in his eyes, which were calm to the point of being ruthless. "But we cannot rush in blindly. The East is a chaotic land where venomous sorcery and bizarre medical arts coexist, and the terrain is treacherous. They went to great lengths to design a plan to capture you and Eldest Brother alive; their underlying intention is certainly not simple."
He turned to Chu Fengning, his tone carrying the undeniable authority of a commander. "The East's actions could be for the Chu family's military strategies, or they could involve deeper power struggles within the imperial throne. With just the few of us—carrying injuries and the young Qi Hao—charging straight there would be suicide. I believe our most urgent task is to return to Zhanchuan first."
Crimson Nine nodded and picked up the analysis: "Xiao Zhan is right. Zhanchuan has our newly established base, and the Prince Zhan intelligence network needs time to penetrate the East. We need maps, we need antidotes, and more importantly, we need an elite force capable of winning a hard battle. Reckless advancement is a cardinal sin for an agent."
"Second Brother, Zhanchuan has our 'Zhanchuan Nine Fortresses'," Crimson Nine said, looking at Chu Fengning with a determined gaze. "Once we are back there, we will have the leverage to negotiate with the East and the resources to bring Eldest Brother back whole."
Blue Five (Si Jingyu) patted her chest, breaking the tension. "Exactly! Once we're back in Zhanchuan, I'll upgrade all your equipment. I don't care about Eastern sorcery; I'll just blast a path through!"
Chu Fengning looked at this group of comrades who had shared life and death, then at the sleeping Qi Hao in the carriage, and finally nodded slowly. "Fine... back to Zhanchuan first."
[Great Qi • Prince Zhan's Manor]
The night was silent, yet a corner of the manor glowed with a faint, warm light. Chu Yuning sat at his desk, his carving knife making a rhythmic, scratching sound. Fine wood shavings fell onto his fingertips as a piece of ordinary wood gradually took on a vivid shape under his movements.
Just then, light footsteps came from outside. Huo Xi stood at the door with a steaming tray, knocking softly. "Third Young Master, my mother sent me with late-night snacks. She said it's red bean and lotus seed soup she made herself."
Hearing this, Chu Yuning set down his knife and rose to open the door. "Huo Xi, thank Auntie Mei for me. It's the middle of the night; she shouldn't have to toil like this."
"It's only right. You and Master Shadow have been so busy with the manor's affairs lately that you often forget to eat," Huo Xi said as she brought the tray inside, her voice filled with genuine concern. "My mother hates to see it. She told me I must watch you finish it while it's hot."
Chu Yuning looked at the steaming sweet soup, a wave of warmth rising in his heart. Since their mother died when they were young, Auntie Mei had stayed by their side, treating them as her own. She was their mother's head maid who had later married his father's most trusted guard, Huo Yan. In the General's Manor, the two families were master and servant, but more like kin who shared life and death. Huo Xi had been Chu Zhaoning's personal maid since childhood; the two grew up like sisters, and Chu Yuning had always looked upon her with a brother's affection.
As Chu Yuning sipped the soup, its sweetness chasing away the bone-deep chill, Huo Xi was drawn to the delicate carvings on the desk.
"Oh, these fish are carved so exquisitely! They look like they're about to swim right off the table!" Huo Xi leaned in, pointing at the lifelike wooden figures. "Third Young Master, your skill is getting incredible." She knew he had loved wood carving since he was a child—sitting quietly in a corner, carving all his thoughts into the wood.
"These are a pair of 'Ever-Abiding Fish'," Chu Yuning said, his gaze turning distant. "One faces South, the other North, but their tail fins are forever connected. It's a prayer that in this chaotic world, no matter how far apart we are, our hearts will return to the same place."
"Ever-Abiding Fish..." Huo Xi whispered, her fingers tracing the smooth wooden fins. Her gaze drifted into space. Instinctively, the image of Shadow Blade—usually cold and silent but always protecting her in the shadows—surfaced in her mind. She lowered her head, quietly making a plan: she couldn't learn such intricate carving, but a simple wooden plaque with a name on it... that shouldn't be hard, right?
If she could carve Shadow Blade's name and keep it in a small pouch close to her heart—wouldn't it be like he was always with her? The thought made her so happy she couldn't hide it, letting out a little giggle despite Chu Yuning being right there.
Chu Yuning, seeing the girl's blushing face and silly smile, understood immediately. He raised an eyebrow and teased, "Oh? It seems our Huo Xi has met her sweetheart? That smile is even sweeter than this red bean soup."
"T-Third Young Master!" Huo Xi's face turned as red as a boiled shrimp. She gripped her clothes, stomping her foot in embarrassment. "P-please don't mock me..."
Seeing she was about to sink into the floor, Chu Yuning stopped teasing, his eyes softening. Huo Xi hesitated before whispering a plea, "Master... since you're so good at carving, could you... teach me how to make a simple wooden tag? It doesn't need to be fancy, just enough to engrave a name."
"That's easy enough," Chu Yuning laughed. He pulled a drawer and took out two pieces of high-quality, sturdy redwood. "Come, I'll show you how to choose the material and sand it down. Engraving the name isn't the hard part; the hard part is the intention. You have to carve each stroke steadily for the name to last."
As he demonstrated with a steady hand, his heart wandered to Blue Five (Si Jingyu) in Southern Tang. In this chaotic world, everyone had their own way of placing their hopes. Some carved fish, others carved names.
He watched Huo Xi clumsily grip the knife, making her first mark on the redwood. "Keep your heart still and your hand steady," he guided softly. "Think of that person as you carve. Every stroke is like speaking to them. Wood is hard, but if your heart is soft, it will follow your will."
Huo Xi bit her lip, more serious than ever before. Beads of sweat formed on her nose, glistening in the lamplight. The scent of redwood mixed with the sound of the blade against fiber. She thought of Shadow Blade standing in the snow, his eyes tired but firm. She recited his name in her heart as the knife moved.
Chu Yuning looked at her with a faint smile of gratification. He then turned toward the cold moon outside the window, his expression sinking.
Jingyu, Zhaoning... you have been gone for over a month. You should have reached Southern Tang by now, he thought. I don't know if you've found the person you were looking for... but I hope you are safe and return soon.
His fingers tightened slightly. He looked back at the unfinished carving on the desk, his eyes softening with yearning.
Jingyu, my thoughts for you can only be placed here.