CHAPTER 74

  Unexpected Savior

  LUO FAN

  I stayed in the cabin for two days, meditating and gathering my strength. The dark core inside me, though quieter, still loomed like a shadow over my light core, keeping me on edge. It was a fragile truce, but it allowed me enough recovery to walk without collapsing. When I felt well enough to travel, I decided to take an alternate route to avoid my pursuers.

  The journey was uneventful, which was odd. I didn’t encounter any Nightfall Sect disciples or imperial soldiers. Their absence was suspicious, but I tried not to overthink it. My focus was on survival, not the mystery of my good fortune.

  After days of traveling through rough terrain, I stumbled upon a village nestled in a secluded valley. The sight of smoke rising from chimneys and the faint sound of laughter brought me a sliver of hope. Perhaps I could find food and shelter here, even if for just a night.

  As I entered the outskirts, my gaze caught on a familiar figure standing in the shadow of an old tree. My heart leaped.

  It was Abbot Mo.

  A wave of relief crashed over me, and before I could stop myself, I hurried toward him, lowering my head in a deep bow, struggling to contain my emotions.

  "Abbot Mo," I whispered, my voice unsteady. "I am so glad to see you."

  The sight of him eased the tension that had weighed on me for weeks. He stepped forward and rested a gentle hand on my back, his touch steady and reassuring. "I am here now," he said softly. "There is no need to fear. But I did warn you that leaving on your own was unwise."

  I lifted my gaze and gave a small nod. "Did the marquis' men come to the monastery?"

  "They did," he answered, "but as I told you, they found nothing."

  I let out a long sigh. “Then perhaps it was the right decision for me to leave after all.”

  Abbot Mo smiled faintly, but there was a trace of sadness in his expression. “Come,” he said, turning toward the village. “Let’s find somewhere to talk.”

  He led me to a weathered, almost dilapidated cabin on the edge of the village. The roof sagged in places, and the walls were patched with mismatched wooden planks, but it stood firm against the wind. Inside, the furnishings were sparse. It only had a single bed, a rickety table, and a small stove. It was humble but better than any shelter I’d seen in weeks.

  “Sit,” he said, gesturing to the bed.

  I sank onto the mattress, grateful for the rest. Abbot Mo poured tea from a simple clay pot into a single chipped cup and handed it to me.

  “What about you?” I asked. “Aren’t you having any?”

  He shook his head with a small smile. “I already had tea earlier. Unfortunately, I only have one cup, so we’ll have to take turns.”

  I couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation. Two cultivators, one of us once called the Divine Mage of Kan Empire and the other an abbot of a monastery, reduced to sharing a single cup in a forgotten corner of the world.

  I took a sip of the tea, its warmth spreading through my chest. It felt divine after weeks of cold water and bitter herbs. “Abbot Mo,” I began, taking another sip, “how did you end up here?”

  He sat beside me, his gaze thoughtful. “A few days after you left, I learned that Emperor Gao had dispatched members of the Nightfall Sect to block all exits out of Silang Empire. Knowing your condition, I couldn’t let you face them alone. I left the monastery and followed your trail. It took some time, but when I heard of your encounter with the disciples, I deduced that you’d end up in this village.”

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  “How did you know I’d come here?” I asked, curious.

  “This village is the only settlement within a hundred-mile radius,” he explained. “Based on the direction you were heading, all routes would eventually lead you here.”

  I nodded, impressed by his deduction. “If it’s that obvious, why haven’t my pursuers found me yet?”

  Abbot Mo’s expression turned serious. “That’s what puzzles me as well. Disciples of the Nightfall Sect aren’t fools. They should’ve reached this village ahead of me. When I arrived, I expected to find them waiting for you. But I saw no sign of them.”

  “Could it be that Emperor Gao has retracted his order?” I asked, though I doubted it even as I said the words.

  Abbot Mo shook his head firmly. “Highly unlikely. The marquis you mutilated is the emperor’s beloved cousin. He won’t stop until you’re captured.”

  “Then why…” My voice trailed off as a thought struck me. “Could someone be clearing the path for me?”

  He studied me carefully. “Do you have any idea who that might be?”

  I wanted to dismiss the idea, but one name kept surfacing in my mind.

  Ruan Yanjun.

  I frowned, shaking my head. It didn’t make sense. Why would he help me after selling me to Emperor Gao? If anything, he had every reason to have me captured and returned to the emperor to safeguard his own reputation.

  “I can’t think of anyone,” I lied, unwilling to voice my suspicion.

  Abbot Mo didn’t press further, but his thoughtful expression lingered. “Whoever it is, they’ve given you an opportunity to continue your journey. You must make the most of it.”

  I nodded, but unease gnawed at me. Someone was moving in the shadows, and whether they were a friend or foe remained a mystery.

  As I sat sipping the last of the tea, a thought surfaced in my mind. My uncle, Luo Boqin.

  It was entirely possible that he had sent his men to look for me, especially if word of my ordeal had reached him. Uncle Luo Boqin was not the type to leave anything to chance, especially when it came to protecting my life. Without me, the goal of the Silverblades would never be realized.

  Unlike most, Uncle Boqin had the resources and the strength to make things happen. His group included several high-level cultivators, my cousin Liang Yuan among them. If anyone had the means to clear the path for me, it was him.

  “I think I do,” I said after a moment of pondering, my voice tinged with a cautious hope. “But for his safety, I cannot reveal his name.”

  Abbot Mo gave a small smile and nodded. “Here’s the good news,” he said instead. “This village is already part of Wun Empire. You’ve successfully made it out of Silang Empire.”

  Relieved, I exhaled deeply, my shoulders loosening. “I’m glad.”

  “But,” he continued, his tone somber, “we must not become complacent. While Emperor Gao cannot openly send battalions into Wun Empire to hunt you down, his reach extends far. He may turn to mercenaries or rely on his connections within Wun. Wealth can buy a lot of silence and loyalty.”

  I nodded, the weight of his words settling heavily in my chest. “I understand. In that case, I must leave this village as soon as possible. My presence here only endangers the lives of these people.”

  “That’s true,” he agreed. “But this time, I’ll accompany you.”

  I looked at him in surprise. “Are you sure, Abbot Mo? Won’t this jeopardize your mission?”

  He gave me a reassuring smile. “I’ll accompany you until the river docks. The river marks the border between Xianru and Wun territories. Once you cross, you should be relatively safe. No one will expect you to travel back to the territory of the one who betrayed you, and returning to Silang Empire would be equally unthinkable. To anyone else, it would seem there’s only one logical path left—to travel west through Wun Empire and eventually reach Kan Empire, where Emperor Gao’s influence cannot reach.”

  I nodded slowly, his reasoning sound. “And after that? Where will you go, Abbot Mo?”

  “I’ll head to the capital of Wun Empire, Fuhai City,” he replied with quiet determination.

  “Fuhai City?” I repeated, surprised.

  He nodded. “While the city is renowned for its wealth and grandeur, there are still many who struggle to survive, barely eating a meal a day. My goal is to convince those willing to try their hand at farming. The Duke of Yuheng is seeking farmhands to cultivate his lands, and his terms are far more generous than those of other landowners.”

  “Is Abbot Mo referring to Duke Haoran?” I asked.

  His brow lifted slightly in curiosity. “Oh? You know him?”

  “I met him twice,” I said, hesitating before finishing. “When I was with…” My voice trailed off, refusing to give life to that name.

  Abbot Mo’s expression softened, his understanding clear. “I see,” he said, sparing me the need to elaborate. “Let’s set out at dawn, then. For now, stay in this cabin and avoid letting any of the villagers see you.”

  “Yes, Abbot Mo,” I agreed, grateful for his guidance.

  He gestured to the empty cup in my hand. “If you’re done with your tea, turn around and let me supplant you with my qi. Your dark core is rampaging incessantly, and it’s taking its toll on your body.”

  I didn’t need further encouragement. Setting the cup down, I turned and assumed the lotus position, straightening my spine as I focused on steadying my breath.

  For weeks, the imbalance of my cores had been an unrelenting torment. The dark core seemed to thrive on the chaos within me, while the light core struggled valiantly to keep it at bay. It was a battle that drained me of my strength and will.

  Abbot Mo placed his hands lightly on my back, and I felt a surge of light energy coursing through me. It was warm, like the sun piercing through storm clouds, dispelling the shadows that had been suffocating me.

  I exhaled a shuddering breath, tears of relief pricking my eyes.

  “You’ve endured a great deal,” Abbot Mo said softly. “Rest now. Tomorrow, we face the road once more.”

  I nodded, my gratitude too immense for words. As his energy worked to soothe the tempest within me, I allowed myself to hope that perhaps this journey would finally bring me the answers I sought.