The sky is heavy with dark clouds.
The water lay still beneath the pavilions that rose upon its surface. Vermilion pillars stood firm, their reflections trembling softly in the clear depths below
A few lotus flowers drifted lazily, moving with the quiet rhythm of the water itself.
Curved roofs layered above, stretching outward like wings caught mid-rest.
Wooden walkways, painted in soft red and lined with delicate railings, wove across the pond, connecting each pavilion that stood over the water.
I sat on the polished wooden floor of one pavilion. One leg stretched straight, the other bent in a relaxed arc, as I leaned against the wooden rail behind me, head tilted upward.
Allowing the railing itself to serve as my pillow as I gazed quietly above.
A low table lay before me. Upon it rested a white teapot, and beside it is two small teacups—one overturned, the other filled with green tea.
"You're awake," I remarked, slowly lowering my head to look at him.
A walnut seed rolled idly between my fingers.
The hairpins threaded with black ornamental ribbon in my hair touched the water's surface before swaying through the air, the beads dangling as I move.
His broad figure stood firmly on the wooden walkway between the pavilions. Only a black inner robe clung to his lower body; his upper body bore no covering.
White silk was draped around his shoulders and torso, concealing the wound, yet his strength and presence were undeniable.
"Where am I?" he asks, voice calm yet edged with a faint unease, as I tossed the walnut into the air and caught it with quiet precision, repeating the motion
"Inner Court Residence," I answered plainly
My eyes fell upon his wound.
I remember clearly that somehow; I managed to persuade Zhen to headed straight back to the Sect… keeping the details of the fight to myself.
But —oddly
—I found myself returning to the forest that very night.
While the disciples slept deeply, I sneaked out, stepping carefully along the glazed roof tiles.
Reason… no idea.
When I reached the place where I had left him, I saw him struggling, weak in the weight of my binding seal pressing him down. Sweat coated his body,
Yet when his eyes met mine, his gaze remained sharp.
I immediately lifted the seal and the veil—but the moment I did, he collapsed from weakness. He quickly steadied himself, leaning on one hand to support himself up.
"I meant no harm," I murmured.
I stepped closer to help, anchoring his shoulder against me for support. He didn't resist, letting me guide him as I carried him here to Inner Court Residence.
A sudden raindrop fell, its soft patter pulls me back from my wandering thoughts.
At the center of the walkway, he stood unmoving, letting the rain cascade over him without the slightest reaction.
"Enough with the hostility, hmm?" I chuckled, tossing him a walnut. He caught it instantly.
"Come—have a seat and join me for some tea…"
I adjusted my posture as I sat, then lifted a teacup filled with tea and took a slow, unhurried sip.
Raindrops fell upon the water's surface, each one sending soft ripples across the still pond. Some rebounded onto the wooden dock, while others landed upon the lotus blossoms, quivering like fragile pearls.
The rain drenched him slowly.
"I told you… I mean no harm." He seemed hesitant at first, lingering where he stood. But eventually, he began to move slowly making his way toward the pavilion.
I watched as he lowered himself into a seat across from me. Only the low table between us kept our distance.
"Tea?" I offered, and his gaze briefly flickered down to the teacup before returning to me.
"Why… did you help me?" I paused mid-sip; the warmth of the tea was still at my lips.
"No… reason at all," I admitted, then quietly continued drinking.
"You don't even know me," he said.
"…Then care to tell me your name, as a return for my little gesture?" I set down the teacup and let my elbow rest lazily on the low table, chin in my hand, not minding my proper etiquette at all.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
The rain drummed softly on the pavilion roof, mingling with the distant rustle of the trees leaves.
"…Kaidi" he said, finally, voice low.
"What brings you to the mountains?" I asked, letting my gaze travel over him. "Seems… something happened."
"I was ambushed by bandits." A gust of wind blew through the pavilion, swaying our hair.
"While I was traveling, I crossed the Willow Bridge and passed along the eastern trade road, heading toward the central capital… a group of bandits attacked me along the way." he explained.
I lowered my eyes to my teacup, tracing its rim absentmindedly as raindrops bounced on the pond beyond the pavilion.
"I managed to escape while putting up a fight. That's how I ended up at Frost Summit—which, by fortune, leads directly to Chen Sect."
"Hmm…" I tapped my finger against the rim of my teacup. "…That's strange"
I could feel his gaze on me.
"The eastern trade road?" I repeated lightly, tilting my head as if considering his words. "Rumor has it that a group of bandits have taken up strongholds in the area, that is precisely why it's under strict military watch. Travelers are being turned away unless they carry a passage seal"
"And seem…" My eyes swept over him—from head to torso
"…You have none"
The rain-scented breeze drift across the pavilion.
"I loss the Pass seal during escape"
""Is that so..." I study him with thinly veiled amusement.
"Considering Willow Bridge has been in ruins since the last month after the flood. No one has passed through there since." He didn't respond, yet I could feel the tension circulating between us,
His silence was all the confirmation I needed.
So, I was right.
He wasn't heading for the capital at all—
I stood from my seat and walked to the edge of the railing,
"…I won't press you any further" extending my hand outside the pavilion to feel the chill of the rain. "…You may stay in the Inner Court… and leave once you've fully recovered."
He remained silent for a moment before speaking. "And… what are your terms for letting me stay here?"
Lanterns hanging from the edge of the pavilion swayed gently in the wind,
"Your technique and martial skill, I want to learn it"
I answered without bothering to look at him, my attention fixed on the raindrops splashing into my hand, feeling the cold chill seep through my fingers.
A small smile tugged at my lips before I glanced over my shoulder
"Oh… one more thing…"
"…there's was no flood last month, nor a ruined bridge, by the way."
--
"What's that?" I asked, eyeing him suspiciously as he held out a small type of seed.
"Try it," he said, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips.
We both stand on the wooden bridge arched gently over the pond, its rails carved with intricate patterns Beneath, the water lay still, lotus flowers whose pale pink petals floated like drifting clouds.
Koi fish glide lazily between the lily pads.
I narrowed my eyes at him, still wary.
"Come on," Zhen insisted, extending his hand toward me. "Just try it."
A few disciples passed by, while others lingered along the sides of the hallways, glancing at us curiously.
The rain had passed yet moist still clung to the courtyard stones as I left the Inner Court, leaving Kaidi behind. He hadn't spoken after I presented my terms, and I decided to let him dwell on them for a while.
I have a General Assembly to attend.
I cannot afford to be punished for ditching it once more.
He plucked one and peeled back its shell. Without hesitation, he popped it into his mouth and chewed, as if daring me to react. I blinked, taken aback.
Slowly, I picked up a seed, peeled it, and tasted it myself. It was …. Bitter
I spat it out immediately, glaring at him sharply. "You—"
He just laughed.
Annoyed, I swung my leg and kicked at his foot, but he managed to dodge it—so I shoved him instead.
He had been leaning against the bridge railing, and with his balance thrown off, he started to topple. I smirked, watching him fall… until, at the last moment, he grabbed my sleeve and dragged me with him.
We both plunged into the pond with a splash.
Instinctively, the koi fish scattered, vanished beneath the water
Our robe Soaked. I surfaced and saw Zhen; water lilies stuck atop his head like a crown.
"Bastard," I spat, as he casually removed the lily pad from his head.
The disciples were staring. Some had stopped mid-step on the bridge to look at us,
I flicked a splash of water at Zhen, then turned my back to him and attempted to climb onto the platform at the edge of the pond,
Just as I was about to climb onto the platform, two white-clad feet blocked my way.
I froze
…then slowly tilting my head upward.
A blade rested in his right hand; the white ribbon tied to its hilt swaying gently in the breeze.
My black-and-purple robe clung to my soaked frame, yet it flowed around cross the surface of the pond. Even the ribbon in my hair floated freely, drifting with the water as I hovered.
The koi fish, instinctively diving for cover, sending tiny whirlpools rippling across the lilies
Yugo's gaze locked onto mine, his expression stern.
He watches me in silence, his sharp eyes fixed on mine as I tilted my head slightly, meeting his gaze from above.