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Xiulan wrapped her arms around Mei Chen’s waist and pulled her close. Frost crystallized across the garden, coating nearby plants in ice patterns. The sweet scent of peach blossoms mixed with the sharp bite of winter air.

"It’s true. I killed them." The words fell from Xiulan’s lips like stones into still water.

Ren Chun’s sword remained steady, sunlight glinting off the polished steel. "You won’t even deny it?"

"They tortured Mei Chen." Xiulan tightened her grip as arctic wind whipped toward Ren Chun, carrying Mei Chen’s threatening hiss.

"My sisters helped Madam Zhang." The memory of finding Mei Chen’s broken body flashed through Xiulan’s mind. "They did their best to torture me."

"Lower your blade, Chun." Feng Yu approached, amber eyes alert. "This situation needs understanding, not violence."

"Understanding?" Ren Chun scoffed. "She murdered her own family!"

"After they tried to murder me first." Xiulan hugged Mei Chen’s frost-covered shoulder. "They poisoned my food. Lin Jin attacked me unprovoked in Mother’s courtyard. I defended myself, which only made them more determined."

Cold anger crept into her voice. "Father’s corruption let Madam Zhang take Mei Chen. They murdered an official, torturing him to death. They did the same to Mei Chen. The only reason she’s here now is because of a cultivation pill’s peculiar effects. Everything spiraled beyond control."

Frost crackled across the stone path as Mei Chen shuddered against her.

"It’s a violent end—not black and white." Feng Yu raised her hands. "House Chao’s army approaches. We need unity, not division. Would you doom Zhao Lian and Zhang Wei? The Chao family only wants to profit from Lin Family’s loss."

Ren Chun’s sword wavered. "You’re defending a kinslayer?"

"I’m defending someone who protected the innocent." Steel entered Feng Yu’s tone. "Would you rather she let Mei Chen die?"

The garden fell silent except for the soft crackle of spreading frost.

"Even so, Mei Chen is already dead!" Ren Chun jabbed his sword toward the frost-covered garden. "How can you pretend she’s not when she’s a wrathful spirit right in front of us? She’s unnatural—or do you think this frost is normal?"

Xiulan traced the crystalline patterns spreading across nearby stones. Master Qingfeng’s words echoed in her mind. "The Treasure Pavilion Master himself approved this. He helped revive her."

Feng Yu nodded in agreement.

"Mei Chen’s spiritual core remained intact after death." The technical details flowed easier than emotional explanations. "The meridian opening pill preserved her consciousness. She has retained her original personality and memories… just with some... adjustments."

"He will be creating safety seal for her." Feng Yu added. "The only danger right now is you provoking her."

Xiulan leaned in and whispered to Mei Chen, "It’s okay. Calm down." The frost retreated as she stroked Mei Chen’s hair. "Master Qingfeng wouldn’t have released her otherwise. He’s too cautious for that."

Ren Chun stared at them, sword tip wavering.

Feng Yu stepped toward Xiulan and Mei Chen positioning herself between them and Ren Chun. "Even if you slayed Xiulan, it would just doom the manor. Or do you think you can actually fight Mei Chen without casualties? Did you jump to golden core and keep it hidden?"

"No, but—"

Feng Yu drew her saber and pointed at him. "So then your ’justice’ means everyone’s death for some misguided belief that the world is black and white!"

Lines creased Ren Chun’s brow as he adjusted his stance. "You might have matched me before, but you can’t challenge me now."

"Blind justice." Feng Yu spat the words. "I despise nothing more. Such righteousness killed my mother. Fools like you who can’t see past their own rigid beliefs disgust me."

Ren Chun retreated a step, sword tip lowering toward the frost-covered ground.

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A flash of red caught Xiulan’s attention as Feng Yu pulled out a pill. The same fire pill they’d purchased from the Treasure Pavilion earlier.

"What are you doing?" Xiulan watched qi ripple around the pill’s surface.

"Not everyone lacks the wit of this brainless monkey cultivator!" Feng Yu tossed the massive fire pill into her mouth and swallowed.

"You’re insane!" Ren Chun stumbled back another step.

Feng Yu lifted her chin. "And not everyone possesses your pathetic lack of talent!"

Xiulan yanked Mei Chen backward as transparent flames erupted around Feng Yu. The sudden heat pressed against Xiulan’s skin while Feng Yu’s hair whipped upward in a violent thermal updraft.

"You absolute idiot!" Ren Chun shouted.

Waves of scorching qi rolled outward flash steaming the frosted garden.

Mei Chen buzzed with supernatural energy in Xiulan’s arms. A translucent blue shield materialized before them, deflecting the intense waves of heat.

Ren Chun lifted his arm to shield his face. His sleeve smoldered at the edges as nearby plants withered and browned. The sweet scent of icy peach blossoms transformed into acrid smoke.

The air crackled with a series of thunderous pops. Qi vibrations pulsed through Xiulan’s meridians like ripples in a pond. She’s opening her meridians just like that?

The flames surrounding Feng Yu contracted inward, compressing into her body. She planted her feet wider and raised her sword despite her heavy breathing.

Xiulan’s eyes widened as she sensed the change in Feng Yu’s qi signature. The energy settled into an organized thrum—she had advanced from body refinement to qi gathering in an instant. She had already cleared the body refining steps before they met?

Ren Chun stared at Feng Yu, his sword forgotten at his side.

Heat rippled through the garden as Feng Yu advanced on Ren Chun. "Want to test your strength against mine now?"

Ren Chun turned away. "I wouldn’t have attacked, regardless. I promised Lady Lian." He lowered his blade. "I just needed to seek understanding."

"Well, you freaked Mei Chen out, idiot," Xiulan muttered.

A sharp crack split the air as Feng Yu swung her saber. Heat waves distorted the space around her, each exhale releasing shimmering ripples of superheated qi. "A sword drawn should never be sheathed without drawing blood."

"Ha..." Ren Chun lifted his blade. The steel flashed as he drew it across his forearm. Blood welled from the shallow cut before he wiped the blade clean and sheathed it.

"That doesn’t mean cut yourself, idiot." Xiulan rolled her eyes at his literal interpretation.

Mei Chen buzzed with supernatural energy. "I think he’s supposed to be a friend, but I don’t like him. He threatened Xiulan for nothing!"

The heat surrounding Feng Yu subsided as she put away her weapon and moved to pat Mei Chen’s shoulder. "I agree." She looked at Xiulan with a frown. "Though I’m shocked that arrogant young master you blasted accidentally found the real culprit."

Xiulan couldn’t prevent a wince. "The bounty is presumably still active. This knowledge becoming common would be... problematic. I need those same hunters working for me, not against us."

"This really isn’t an honorable battle..." Ren Chun shook his head.

"Are you still going on about that?" Feng Yu’s qi flared hot enough to singe the grass beneath her feet.

Mei Chen squeaked and bounced. "Too hot! Too hot!" She patted frantically at Feng Yu’s arms, leaving trails of frost across the fabric. Steam rose where ice met residual heat.

Feng Yu drew a deep breath and the scorching qi subsided. She reached out to ruffle Mei Chen’s hair. "Better?"

Ren Chun planted his feet. "I’ll stay and lead the manor’s defense." His gaze locked onto Xiulan. "Even if Fairy Feng ignores it, even if you had your reasons, even if I look past it—nothing will wash away the karma of killing your father and sisters."

The words struck deep, but Xiulan kept her expression neutral. Before she could respond, her mother emerged from behind a row of scorched bushes, followed by panicked servants who scattered to stomp out smoldering patches of grass.

Zhao Lian clutched an ornate lacquered box to her chest. "What happened here?"

"Ren Chun threatened Xiulan!"

"I was seeking answers—"

"I was putting an idiot in his—"

"Mother, I can explain—"

The overlapping voices echoed across the garden. Lian blinked at the cacophony. "Nevermind." She stepped toward Xiulan. The box’s gold inlay caught the sunlight as she lifted the lid, revealing a jade seal nestled on white silk. A bronze gilded scroll was nestled beside it.

"Do what needs to be done." Mother closed the box with a soft click.

Mei Chen darted forward to accept the container, then extended it toward Xiulan with both hands.

"You can hold it for me, Mei Chen."

Mei Chen hugged the box close. A pleased hum vibrated through the air.

Zhao Lian’s gaze drifted from the scorched grass, and then to the main pavilion. "Focus on your cultivation, Xiulan. Your future lies there now." Pain threaded through her words. "Despite my best efforts... your brother does not forgive easily."