Whispers of the Jade Lotus
Chapter 6
Lan Yueming collapses to one knee, exhausted. Wei Lianfeng immediately kneels beside him.
Wei Lianfeng
You really don’t know how to take it easy, do you?
Lan Yueming
This isn’t the time for lectures.
Wei Lianfeng
No, but it’s the perfect time to tell you something.
Lan Yueming looks at him, confused. Wei Lianfeng hesitates, then speaks softly.
Wei Lianfeng
For someone so infuriatingly stoic, you’re surprisingly hard to ignore. And not just because of your sword skills.
Lan Yueming’s eyes widen slightly. Before he can respond, Wei Lianfeng stands and offers a hand to help him up.
Wei Lianfeng
Come on. We’re not done yet.
For the first time, Lan Yueming accepts his hand, their fingers briefly intertwining.
Outside the Cave
As they emerge from the cave, dawn breaks over the mountains. Wei Lianfeng stretches, clearly relieved.
Wei Lianfeng
Ah, fresh air! Remind me never to follow you into another cursed cave again.
Lan Yueming
You always have the option to leave.
Wei Lianfeng
And miss all this fun? Not a chance.
Lan Yueming glances at Wei Lianfeng, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Lan Yueming
You’re insufferable.
Wei Lianfeng
And yet, here I am, saving your life and making your day brighter.
The subtle warmth in their exchange suggests a growing bond, though neither is quite ready to acknowledge it openly.
After the intense battle in the cave, Lan Yueming and Wei Lianfeng stop in a bustling town known for its annual Lantern Festival. The streets are alive with color, laughter, and the scent of freshly prepared food. The festival is said to bring light to even the darkest hearts.
Wei Lianfeng
Now this is what I’m talking about! Food, music, lights—doesn’t this beat haunted caves and creepy masked cultivators?
Lan Yueming
We didn’t come here to celebrate. This town could be the next target. Stay focused.
Wei Lianfeng
Focused, sure. But we’re still people, Lan Yueming. Even cultivators need a break.
He grabs a skewer of grilled meat from a vendor and offers one to Lan Yueming, who hesitates.
Wei Lianfeng
Come on. Live a little.
Lan Yueming reluctantly accepts, biting into the skewer. His reserved demeanor softens slightly as he enjoys the taste.
Wei Lianfeng
(Grinning)
See? You’re human after all.
Lan Yueming
This doesn’t change our mission.
As they walk through the festival, they notice a group of street performers drawing a crowd. Among them is a child struggling to keep up with the choreography. The other performers sneer at him.
Performer
You’re ruining the act! Get out of here.
The boy stumbles, falling into the dirt. Wei Lianfeng immediately steps forward, crouching to the boy’s level.
Wei Lianfeng
Hey, don’t listen to them. You’re doing great.
The boy sniffles, looking up at him.
Wei Lianfeng
Of course. Here, let me show you a trick.
He pulls out a talisman and whispers to it, creating a small, glowing butterfly that flutters around the boy. The crowd gasps in delight.
Lan Yueming watches from a distance, his usually stoic expression softening as he sees the kindness in Wei Lianfeng’s actions. For the first time, he notices not just Wei Lianfeng’s humor but the warmth behind it.
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