Whispers of the Jade Lotus
chapter 2
A quiet mountain village, Yunxian Town, shrouded in an eerie mist. The moon is full, and faint whispers echo through the night. Lan Yueming arrives, his robes pristine, his sword gleaming in the moonlight. Moments later, Wei Lianfeng, dressed in worn black robes with a playful smirk, strolls in.
Lan Yueming
The village is unusually quiet. Something dark lingers here.
Wei Lianfeng
"Dark? Or maybe they're just hiding from your cold face. Cheer up, Lan Yueming. You might scare the ghosts away.
Lan Yueming
(ignoring him)
The spiritual energy here is imbalanced. Stay focused.
Wei Lianfeng
Focused? I am focused—on not dying of boredom. Let’s find the source of the problem quickly so I can get back to my wine.
Masters, please help us! The spirits are growing more violent. They’ve taken three people already!
Lan Yueming
(calmly)
Where did you last see them?
villager
In the woods by the old shrine. No one dares go there anymore.
Wei Lianfeng
Ah, a creepy shrine in the woods? Classic. Let’s go!
Lan Yueming
Hold on. We need to prepare. Spirits of this nature may require purification techniques, not reckless interference.
Wei Lianfeng
Purification techniques, huh? Alright, you purify. I’ll handle the interfering.
The air grows heavier as they approach. Blackened talismans hang from the shrine, pulsating with dark energy. The ground is littered with bones, and faint laughter echoes.
Lan Yueming
These talismans are cursed. Whoever placed them knew what they were doing.
Wei Lianfeng
Yeah, and whoever’s stuck here is definitely having a bad day. Let’s hurry before these spirits get crankier.
Wei Lianfeng casually pulls a charm from his pouch and throws it into the air. It glows briefly before a loud crack splits the silence, dispelling part of the mist.
Lan Yueming
What are you doing? That charm could’ve disrupted the balance further.
Wei Lianfeng
Relax. See? Less mist. You’re welcome.
Three vengeful spirits materialize, their eyes glowing red. One lunges toward Lan Yueming, who swiftly counters with a talisman and a precise sword strike.
Lan Yueming
Focus. They’re strong, but their energy is unstable.
Wei Lianfeng
(dodging)
Strong? Please. I’ve dealt with scarier things before breakfast.
He twirls his staff, throwing two dark talismans at the spirits. One explodes, temporarily banishing them.
Wei Lianfeng
See? Easy. You’re too uptight, Lan Yueming.
Lan Yueming
And you’re too careless. If you had miscalculated—
Wei Lianfeng
"But I didn’t. You’re welcome again.
The shrine suddenly trembles. A shadowy figure, far larger and more menacing than the spirits, steps out of the mist.
Lan Yueming
This isn’t an ordinary spirit. It’s a guardian corrupted by dark energy.
Wei Lianfeng
Great. A boss fight already? Let’s see what it’s got.
The guardian swings a massive claw. Lan Yueming deflects it with his sword, while Wei Lianfeng circles around, throwing talismans to weaken its defenses.
Lan Yueming
Stay behind me.
Wei Lianfeng
Behind you? Where’s the fun in that?
Lan Yueming’s precise strikes and Wei Lianfeng’s chaotic but effective tactics begin to wear the guardian down.
Lan Yueming
Its core is exposed. Now!
Wei Lianfeng
On it!" (He throws a final talisman, binding the guardian in place. Lan Yueming’s blade strikes true, purifying the corrupted energy.)
The guardian lets out a final roar before dissipating into light.
Wei Lianfeng
Well, that was fun. Maybe I should stick around you more often. You’re like trouble, but taller and quieter.
Lan Yueming
If by 'trouble,' you mean cleaning up your recklessness, then yes.
Wei Lianfeng
Admit it—you’d miss me if I weren’t here.
Lan Yueming
(walking away)
Let’s return to the village.
Wei Lianfeng
Aww, you’re no fun.
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