The sun rose slowly, casting a warm golden hue over the Bai estate. Wuyin had always found mornings to be both peaceful and unsettling. On the one hand, they marked the start of a new day, full of possibilities. On the other hand, they often brought with them the reminder that the night had been filled with thoughts left unspoken, shadows lingering just out of sight.
Today, though, was different. The crisp air felt sharp, carrying with it the scent of blooming jasmine from the nearby gardens. Wuyin stood on the balcony of her room, overlooking the estate. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she surveyed the grounds. The estate was still, its beauty serene. It almost made her forget the storm that brewed beneath the surface.
"You seem lost in thought."
The voice came from behind her, pulling Wuyin from her musings. She turned to see Yujin standing in the doorway, dressed in simple yet elegant robes. There was a quiet grace to her movements, the kind that seemed to slow time itself when she entered a room.
"I was just thinking," Wuyin said, her tone soft but steady. "About the road ahead."
Yujin raised an eyebrow as she walked toward her, the slight crease between her brows betraying her concern. "You're thinking too much, aren't you?"
Wuyin gave a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Perhaps. But in the murim, overthinking can save your life."
Yujin stepped closer, her gaze searching Wuyin's face. "You've been like this since we talked last night. What's really bothering you?"
Wuyin's expression shifted, her gaze momentarily distant. "It's not just what's ahead. It's... everything that's already behind. The murim is like a web, Yujin. No matter how much we try to untangle it, we're always caught in its threads."
Yujin didn't speak at first, as if considering the weight of Wuyin's words. "And yet, you still choose to walk its path."
Wuyin looked at her then, the faintest flicker of something unreadable in her eyes. "Because it's the only path that leads me forward."
There was a silence between them, one that felt too heavy for the peaceful morning. Yujin studied her for a moment before nodding.
"Alright," she said softly, "but you don't have to do it alone. Not anymore."
Wuyin didn't respond at first. She turned her gaze back to the estate grounds, her fingers tightening around the railing. The thought of not being alone was something she had never fully considered. She had always relied on herself, trusted only herself. But there was something in Yujin's words, something that made the idea feel less like a weakness and more like a possibility.
"I've been traveling alone for a long time," Wuyin said finally, her voice low. "But there are times, Yujin, when a person's past catches up with them. And when that happens, there's only so much one can do."
Yujin's eyes softened, and she stepped closer, her presence a quiet comfort. "Whatever your past is, Wuyin, you're here now. And that's what matters."
Wuyin met her gaze then, her dark eyes holding something—a flicker of something deeper than just acknowledgment. She had no intentions of letting anyone into her heart so easily, least of all Yujin. But the warmth of her words, the gentleness in her eyes, made something stir within her that she hadn't felt in a long time.
"It's not just the past," Wuyin continued, her voice quiet. "There's a reason I've kept moving forward without getting attached. The people in this world… they have a way of becoming distractions. Every person I've met, every bond I've formed… it's only ever been a matter of time before it all unravels. And I don't want to be caught in another unraveling."
Yujin's smile was faint, but it was there, a soft curve of understanding. "I think you underestimate the strength of the bonds we form, Wuyin. Some things don't unravel so easily."
Wuyin turned away, her eyes narrowing as she gazed out over the landscape again. Her thoughts were conflicted, but she couldn't shake the quiet pull she felt when Yujin was near. It was the same feeling that had drawn her closer when they had first met, the unspoken connection that seemed to link them together.
For the first time in a long while, Wuyin allowed herself to entertain the idea of companionship. Of not being alone. But she was still wary. There was a part of her that couldn't ignore the inevitable danger that came with being close to anyone in this world.
"Don't worry about me," Wuyin said, her tone firm but not unkind. "I know what I'm doing. I always do."
Yujin regarded her with a knowing look, but said nothing more. Instead, she turned toward the door and glanced back with a teasing smile. "Well, since you're so determined to do things on your own, I won't keep you."
Before Wuyin could respond, Yujin was already gone, leaving her with a lingering warmth in the quiet of the morning.
---
As the day wore on, Wuyin spent most of her time within the estate, going over the details of the plan with Yujin's trusted subordinates. There were preparations to be made, alliances to solidify, and enemies to outmaneuver. She didn't mind the busywork; it kept her mind from wandering into uncomfortable places.
By the time the sun began to dip below the horizon, Wuyin found herself alone again, standing in the courtyard just outside the main house. She was lost in thought, her mind running over the next steps of their plan, when a familiar face appeared in the distance.
It was Mo Cheng, the burly figure of her left-hand warrior, who approached with a purposeful stride. His presence always felt like an anchor in the chaos of their world.
"Lin Wuyin," he greeted her with his usual stoic expression. "We have a problem."
Wuyin's brow furrowed slightly, and she straightened, instinctively preparing for whatever news he had to deliver. "What's happened?"
"There's movement at the border," Mo Cheng continued, his voice low. "I don't know the details yet, but it's not just the usual patrols. Someone's looking for you."
Her heart skipped a beat, but her expression remained unchanged. "Who?"
Mo Cheng's gaze flickered for a moment. "Not sure. But it's not the kind of thing you ignore. We may need to make preparations for a confrontation."
Wuyin nodded, her thoughts immediately racing. The name that came to her mind was inevitable. "Zhao Ke," she murmured, her eyes narrowing. "He's a dead man walking."
---
The quiet storm had begun. And Wuyin, as always, was ready to face whatever came next.