“Hey, lieutenant! Wait up.”

  Li Yi turned at the voice behind her, already halfway toward her personal camp. She arched an eyebrow as Lu Yin jogged up to her, a bit breathless.

  “Huh? What do you need, Yang?”

  Lu Yin chuckled. “I’m Yin. Not Yang.”

  Li Yi smirked. “Right. My bad. You twins confuse me.”

  “I apologize for keeping you from your rest, Lieutenant. But there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

  “No need to be so formal, Yin. Just call me Yi. So, what’s on your mind?”

  Lu Yin hesitated for a brief moment before answering. “It’s about the task the general gave us.”

  “Ahh, I see—creating your own fighting style?” She let out a short laugh. “Lushan’s finally taking on students, and he starts with something like that. That’s just like him.”

  “Was it difficult for you?”

  Li Yi’s expression turned thoughtful. “Very. It took me a long time to find balance. As a doctor, my job is to save lives. As a fighter, I take them. Trying to separate those two things was... the most challenging thing imaginable.”

  Lu Yin’s gaze lingered on the flames of a nearby fire before he spoke again. “That’s why I wanted to talk to you, Yi. Watching your fight today... the way you never struck to harm. I don’t know why, but it resonated with me.”

  Li Yi raised a brow. “Really? I know I’m amazing, but most young fighters hate my style. They call it too passive. Weak.”

  “Passive? No. I think it’s a beautiful concept in fighting. And from what I saw, it was far from weak. I’ll leave it to Yang to be wild and strong.”

  Li Yi snorted, a small smirk tugging at her lips. “Yeah, if you were both like him, I don’t think I could take it.” She sighed. “Come on, let’s sit. I’m exhausted from today.”

  The two of them settled around the fire, the orange glow flickering against their faces.

  Lu Yin leaned forward, his curiosity evident. “So… how did you do it? Separate the two I mean?”

  Li Yi chuckled, “I didn’t.”

  He blinked. “What?”

  “I couldn’t. It was impossible,” she admitted. “So instead, I did something better.”

  “What was that?”

  She leaned back on her palms, gazing at the sky. “I made them one, I took what I love and what I’ve always known and combined them into a single path.”

  Li Yi nodded slowly. “And what you love is being a doctor?”

  Li Yi exhaled softly “No.” She turned her head to look at him. “What I love is saving lives. What I love is seeing the people I help reunite with their loved ones again.”

  Lu Yin was silent for a moment, letting her words sink in. Then he smiled faintly. “You're incredible, Yi, I’ve never thought about anything like that before. All I’ve ever known is fighting alongside my brother—fighting for one goal, one purpose. But if that’s taken away… I don’t know what else I have.”

  Li Yi scoffed, rolling her eyes before giving him a light punch to the shoulder.

  “Hey, don’t get all gloomy on me now.

  Lu Yin rubbed his shoulder, chuckling. “Didn’t expect that.”

  “Listen,” she continued, her voice softer this time. “There was a time I didn’t know my purpose either. It’s okay not to.”

  He looked at Li Yi, seeing her in a new light. “When did you figure it out?”

  Li Yi’s usual teasing smirk faded. A quiet, distant sadness flickered in her eyes, like a shadow passing over the firelight.

  “There was a moment when saving someone’s life was the only thing I wanted,” she murmured. “But I couldn’t. No matter what I did, I couldn’t”

  Lu Yin felt the weight in her words. There was no need to ask who or what happened. He could see it in her expression.

  So instead, he did something else.

  He reached out and lightly punched her shoulder in return.

  Li Yi blinked in surprise.

  “Hey, you told me not to get gloomy,” Lu Yin said with a small smile. “I’ve learned that we can’t blame ourselves for thing’s we can’t control. Whatever happened, it wasn’t your fault.”

  Li Yi stared at him for a moment before laughing. “Are you the mentor, or am I?”

  Lu Yin shrugged. “Maybe both?”

  Li Yi shook her head in amusement. Then, she stood up, stretching her arms. “It’s getting late, and if I wake up tired, I’m letting out all my grumpiness on you.”

  She offered Yin a hand. “But listen, if ever need advice—or just someone to talk to—come to me anytime. In fact, you can consider me like your older sister from now on.”

  Lu Yin looked at her, surprised, before smiling as he took her hand.

  “Thank you, Yi. You’ve already helped more than you know.”

  On the other side of camp, two figures were drenched in sweat, locked in an intense contest.

  Shi Siming let out a booming laugh. “Give it up Yang! You’ll never beat me in a battle of grit.”

  Lu Yang panting but refusing to break, shot back, “You wish! I could do this all night— quitting isn’t in my vocabulary!”

  How did they end up like this?

  Let's rewind a little.

  After Li and Lu Yin left, Lu Yang and Shi Siming remained behind, still caught up in the energy of the parring match.

  “Did you see that kick, Lu Yang? Shi Siming whistled, shaking his head in admiration. “Li Yi didn’t see that one coming.”

  “She was completely caught off guard!” Lu Yang agreed, eyes still gleaming from the fight. “How did you think of that in the moment?”

  Shi Siming grinned, “Think?” He scoffed. “In battle, thinking slows you down. Sometimes you just got to let your body take over.”

  Lu Yang’s expression lit up. “That’s exactly what I try to tell Yin! Thinking too much never suited me. Fighting’s all about overpowering the opponent.”

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Shi Siming nodded approvingly. “I agree. But how you overpower your opponent is critical. Mindless offense will get you nowhere. That’s where the fighting style comes in.”

  Lu Yang groaned. “Yeah, yeah, I know… but I can’t waste time overthinking this. If I do, I’ll fall behind.” He paused before asking, “How did you figure out your style, Siming?”

  Shi Siming let out a nostalgic sigh. “Through constant battle. For as long as I can remember, I’ve fought on the battlefield alongside the general.”

  Then, he smirked, shaking his head. “He’s also the reason I use so many weapons.”

  Lu Yang raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

  Shi Siming stretched his arms. “I could never beat the general with a sword—so I tried a spear. I could never beat him with a spear—so I tried daggers. I could...”

  Lu Yang interrupted and joked, “Damn… I think you should probably just stop fighting him.”

  Shi Siming roared with laughter. “Hah! You’re not wrong! But thanks to that, I discovered something. I love weapons. Each one feels different, fights differently. Learning them, mastering them… it became my passion.”

  Lu Yang crossed his arms. “So that’s how you developed your fighting style…”

  Shi Siming nodded. “That’s right! So, what do you enjoy most about fighting young Yang? Maybe that’ll help you figure out your own path.”

  Lu Yang’s answer came instantly—"Winning!”

  Shi Siming blinked. “…Hah. I should’ve guessed.”

  Lu Yang grinned. “There’s no feeling better than completely overwhelming your opponent. That moment where your strength crushes theirs? Nothing beats it!”

  Shi Siming rubbed his chin. “Hoo boy… you’re going to struggle with this one.”

  He scratched his head, thinking of way to help. Then, mischievous grin crossed his face.

  “How about this?” Shi Siming cracked his knuckles. “If your brain won’t figure it out, let’s leave it your body. When I’m stuck on something, getting the heart pumping is the best solution.”

  Lu Yang’s eyes glowed with excitement. “What are you suggesting?”

  “A test of grit, strength, and endurance!” Shi Siming flexed his muscles. “We’ll do my favorite workout—pushups. Whoever drops first, loses.”

  Lu Yang smirked, rolling his shoulder. “Hmph! No way I’m losing to you, Siming!”

  One by one, their arms moved in perfect rhythm.

  Seconds turned to minutes. Minutes turned to half an hour. Neither of them had any intention of stopping.

  Shi Siming, still grinning, called out, “Give it up, Yang! You’re at your limit!”

  Lu Yang gritted his teeth. “Tch—you wish! I could do this all night!”

  But even as he said it, his arms were trembling. It felt like he was holding up the entire earth.

  Damn… this guy’s an animal. How long does he plan on going?!

  Then, a thought flashed through Lu Yang’s mind.

  A beast.

  A predator, hunting its prey.

  Shi Siming’s strength—his unrelenting attacks—reminded Lu Yang of something wild, something unstoppable.

  His eyes widened.

  “Shi Siming! I think I figured it out!”

  Shi Siming blinked mid-push-up. “Huh? What?! Really?!”

  Lu Yang grinned widely. “I know how I want to fight. Like an animal. Like a predator closing in on its prey.”

  Shi Siming, still mid-push-up, stared at him. What in the world does he mean?

  But rather than question it, he played it off as if this was his plan all along.

  “See? I told you! This is the perfect way to clear your mind!”

  Lu Yang sat up, his energy renewed. “You’re an incredible teacher, Shi Siming! If I need help, can I come to you again?”

  Shi Siming puffed out his chest. “Of course! Leave it to the head lieutenant!”

  Lu Yang beamed. But in that moment—he lost focus.

  His exhausted arms gave out beneath him.

  THUMP!

  Lu Yang hit the ground face-first.

  Shi Siming burst into laughter. “Hahaha! And that’s another victory for me tonight!”

  Lu Yang groaned into the dirt. “Damn it! But at least it figured out my answer…”

  Shi Siming grinned. “That’s the spirit, kid. Now get some rest. I have a feeling the general’s training is going to be hell tomorrow.”

  Lu Yang smirked, rolling over onto his back and staring up at the night sky.

  He had taken his first step toward finding his own path.

  “Why are you all sweaty Yang, what’d you get into now? Lu Yin asked as his brother returned, drenched and breathing hard.

  “I didn’t do anything,” Lu Yang grinned. “Just a little extra training with the head lieutenant.”

  Lu Yin raised an eyebrow. “Training with the head lieutenant, huh? I still can’t believe we’re part of the general’s main squad. On the first day, no less.”

  “That’s all thanks to your big brother.” Lu Yang’s grin faded into something more serious. “I told you we’d rise to glory. We have to.”

  Lu Yin’s expression darkened. “Do you really think we’ll find out who did it? All we know is that he was a high-ranking soldier present that day…”

  Lu Yang clenched his fists. “You said it yourself brother, this is just the first day. Look how far we’ve come. We’ll find him. No matter what.”

  “And when we do?”

  Lu Yang’s voice dropped to a growl. “Then I’ll make him pay.”

  Lu Yin didn’t respond at first. He stared into the campfire, lost in thought. “We can’t think like that—not yet. If that soldier was even half as strong as the general… we wouldn’t stand a chance right now.”

  “I know. That’s why we have to get stronger.”

  There was a pause before Lu Yang leaned forward. “Speaking of that… have you figured it out yet? Your fighting style?”

  “Not fully,” Lu Yin admitted. “But… I have a clearer picture now. After watching and talking with Li Yi, something clicked. Her ability to redirect and disarm… It reminded me that fighting doesn’t always have to be about brute force.”

  Lu Yang tilted his head. “So, what—you’re going to become a wall like Li Yi?”

  “Not quite. For our goals, I’ll need more than defense. But… I realized something.” Lu Yin looked at his palm “If I’m going to fight… I want my style to be controlled. Precise. Lethal—if necessary.”

  Lu Yang blinked, caught off guard. “Lethal, huh? That’s a first coming from you.”

  Lu Yin gave a sad smile. “It’s not what I want. But I’ve realized that the path we’re on… mercy might not always be an option.”

  Lu Yang was quiet for a moment, before brightening. “Well, I’ve figured mine out too.”

  “Oh?”

  “I want to fight like a predator. Calm… but explosive. Relentless, like a tiger hunting its prey. Patient, but also eager to strike. Dangerous. Feared.” He raised a fist, grinning. “Can’t you picture it? Me, cutting through enemies like a force of nature.”

  Lu Yin laughed “You sound like a madman.”

  “Come on Yin! I’m serious!”

  “I know. And it fits you. Honestly, I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with.”

  “I can’t wait! The two of us? We’ll be unstoppable.” Lu Yang’s voice swelled with excitement. “I can already hear the stories—Yin and Yang: The Twin Blades of Legend.”

  He paused, the smile slowly fading.

  “…Just like the stories Mom used to tell.”

  The fire between them crackled quietly as the memory settled.

  “I miss her Yin.”

  “I do too, brother.”

  For a while, they said nothing—just sat in the flow of the fire, the pain shared in silence.

  Then Lu Yin broke it. “Yang... Can I ask you a deep question?”

  “You? Asking something deep? Of course.” Lu Yang smirked. “What is it?”

  “When all this over—when we find the one who killed her…what do you want to do with your life?”

  Lu Yang blinked “Really, you’ve been in deep thought about that?”

  Lu Yin nodded. “I don’t know why, but… I’ve been asking myself that a lot.”

  “It’s simple.”

  Lu Yin blinked, “Simple? How is something like that simple?”

  Lu Yang stared up at the stars. “You’ve always had the vision, the plans, the reason we keep moving forward. Me?” He paused, his voice softer than usual. “I don’t need all that. I just need to make sure you get where you’re going. That’s enough.”

  Lu Yin turned to look at him, caught off guard.

  “You mean… that’s really all you want?”

  Lu Yang chuckled, but it wasn’t loud— it was small, warm. “I don’t think I ever told you this, but when we lost everything… when he had nothing left… it was you who kept me going. Not revenge. You. So, I decided back then—if you ever found something worth chasing, I’d follow you through hell to see it done.”

  Lu Yin opened his mouth, but no words came. Emotion catching his throat.

  Lu Yang smiled faintly. “You’re my brother, Yin. I don’t need anything more than that.”

  Lu Yin swallowed hard, blinking back the sting behind his eyes. “I see… I guess I thought it was a difficult question."

  “Nah,” Lu Yang said with a yawn. “Maybe I’m the smart one after all.”

  “Yea, that must be the exhaustion talking. Let’s get some sleep. I can’t even imagine what you’ll get us into next.”

  “Whatever is it, it’ll be worth it.” Lu Yang said, laying down with a wide yawn. “You’ll see.”

  Lu Yang’s hand brushed against the pouch at his side—inside it, a small cloth. Embroidered on the corner: a faded emblem.

  A phoenix wreathed in flame.

  The same symbol worn by the man who killed her.

  Just you wait, Lu Yang clenched his fist and finally closed his eyes.

  Lu Yang’s breathing had already settled into a deep, familiar rhythm—loud, steady, carefree.

  Lu Yin lay beside him, eyes open, watching the flicker of the stars beyond the tent’s flap.

  Almost without thinking, his hand slipped beneath his cloak and rested on the slim bamboo flute tucked securely at his side. The smooth surface was cool against his fingers, grounding him—like it always had.

  He used to play for Yang when nightmares kept them both awake, his music soft enough to carry them back to sleep. But now… he played only in solitude, when no one was listening.

  He didn’t know why the melodies came so easily, or why they stirred something so deep inside him. Only that they felt like a part of him—like an echo of something forgotten.

  Maybe, one day, the songs would help him remember who he really was.

  “Following me huh?” he whispered under his breath. “You’d really throw your life into the fire just because I said so?”

  He stared upward, his voice only a breath.

  “You’ve always protected me, always believed in me. You’d chase my dreams to the ends of the world without ever asking for one of your own?”

  He paused. The silence grew heavier, not with sadness, but purpose.

  “If you’re going to follow me… then I swear. I’ll find something worth following. Something that doesn’t just bring us strength or vengeance. And I’ll make sure the name Lu Yang is etched forever in history as a result.”

  He closed his eyes.

  “For everything you’ve done for me… I’ll make sure to return the favor.”

  And with that promise quiet and buried in his heart, Lu Yin finally drifted to sleep—this brother’s steady snores the last sound he heard.