Heaven’s Shadow

Under the moonlight, the young girl sat on the windowsill of the wooden house with her feet dangling, one hand resting on the window frame and the other on her lap. The night breeze gently fluttered the edge of her garment. Occasionally, her feet would move slightly, playing with the wind, or perhaps just indulging in childish amusement.

A sudden, faint smile appeared on her lips, soft and warm, reminiscent of a ten-year-old girl’s natural expression.

The night was deep, and the moonlight was cold. For some reason, she still showed no intention of leaving.

She became unexpectedly quiet, neither asking Lu Chen about Ah Tu nor directing any harsh words at him. At that moment, Lu Chen had a peculiar feeling, as if Bai Lian were simply sitting there, playing for the sake of enjoyment.

Of course, Lu Chen could never truly see this girl as an ordinary ten-year-old. Given her previous display of ruthless and malicious methods, he felt that had his skills been slightly less refined, he might not have been able to see the moon tonight.

However, continuing to hold this stalemate didn’t seem like a solution. Bai Lian appeared to be completely unconcerned, but this was Lu Chen’s wooden house, and he intended to sleep tonight. With such a dangerously unpredictable girl sitting on the windowsill, no matter how brave Lu Chen was, he felt he couldn’t dare to close his eyes.

Therefore, Lu Chen thought it best to have a word with Bai Lian, considering it would be ideal if they could part ways and each return to their own place to rest. Just as he was about to speak, Bai Lian suddenly let out a low hum, and began softly singing a tune:

Crescent moon,

Reflects the silk of joy.

For whom do you dress?

Yī yā…

Time flows like water,

White hair, hurriedly.

Morning sees red makeup,

Evening is separated by a thousand mountains.

Yī yā…

The song was short and simple, with delicate lyrics. Sung by her, it carried a tinge of melancholy and solitude, as if a lonely woman was lost in deep thoughts, not quite reflecting the sentiment one would expect from her age.

Even though Lu Chen had long stopped seeing Bai Lian as a mere young girl, hearing this song still struck him with a sudden and inexplicable feeling.

The moonlight bathed Bai Lian’s beautiful face, giving her an ethereal and celestial aura. Her voice, like a melody from the heavens, was light and transparent, almost perfect, drawing one into the song and evoking the image of the wistful woman in the lyrics.

As the night deepened and the cold wind howled, her singing gradually faded and then ceased.

Lu Chen spoke suddenly, “Where did you learn this song?”

Bai Lian turned to look at him and asked, “Why do you want to know?”

After a pause, she then asked, “Did you think it was good? Did you like it?”

Lu Chen hesitated, then nodded, “It was indeed pleasant. Your voice is extraordinary. The song, when sung by you, has an otherworldly quality.”

“Ha!” Bai Lian giggled, suddenly very pleased, and said to herself, “I knew it. How could someone as talented as me not do something well? Even singing, I must sing it best!” ɌаNՕΒЕS̩

Lu Chen asked softly, “This song sounds a bit familiar, as if I’ve heard it before. Can you tell me more about it?”

Bai Lian smiled and said, “Nope.”

Lu Chen was taken aback, “Why not?”

Bai Lian replied, “Because I want to. I’ll do whatever I want, and if I don’t want to tell you, then I won’t!”

Lu Chen was speechless.

Seeing his reaction, Bai Lian seemed to take pleasure in it and said somewhat smugly, “Well, you’re quite lucky today. No one else has heard me sing. You’re the first, so you can consider yourself blessed!”

Lu Chen’s heart stirred. Looking at Bai Lian, he said, “I suppose I am quite fortunate. But since your singing is so pleasant, everyone would surely like to hear it. Why hasn’t anyone else heard it before?”

Bai Lian’s expression stiffened for a moment, her gaze lowering slightly. “No one wants to listen. They all want me to… well, they all want me to focus on my training and achieve great things.” 

Then, as if a weight had been lifted from her heart, her demeanor relaxed suddenly. She stretched her arms lazily, her face showing a languid, somewhat awkward expression, and said, “So, even though you’re not a good person and have your own schemes, it seems that you’re the only one who allows me to sing and be free. Isn’t that right, you rascal?”

Lu Chen, hearing her curse, was not angered. After watching her for a while, he suddenly shook his head and sighed, “What kind of life did you lead at such a young age…”

“Heh heh, just a few lies to fool you, and you took them seriously!” Bai Lian suddenly laughed, shaking her head at Lu Chen. “Look at you, with that silly expression. Were you trying to comfort me, or rescue me from my suffering?”

Lu Chen shrugged and remained silent.

Bai Lian hopped down from the windowsill and waved at Lu Chen, saying, “That dog has secrets I want to know, so I’ll definitely come back. Don’t think you can avoid me.” With that, she walked away with a light, bouncy step, her mood seeming to be significantly improved on this quiet, cold night.

Perhaps…?

**※※※**

With the date for the sect’s annual meeting approaching, there was a palpable sense of tension and solemnity throughout Kunlun Sect.

This meeting, an annual tradition handed down by ancestors, was a time to review the past year and look ahead. It involved evaluating various matters, including the redistribution of sect resources and materials, making it one of the most significant events in Kunlun Sect.

According to Kunlun’s regulations, cultivators at the Golden Core stage and above could attend the meeting, while those at the Nascent Soul stage and above were required to be present. Of course, the highest-ranking beings, like the Transcendence True Monarchs, had special privileges. However, in recent years, specifically since Master Xian Yue took over as the Sect Leader, Master Bai Chen had attended every annual meeting, while Master Tian Lan, busy with the True Immortal Alliance, had rarely returned to participate.

Such a significant event was naturally treated with utmost care. The main hall on Tian Kun Peak had been decorated in preparation, and other matters within the sect had quieted down to make way for this crucial time of the year.

Lu Chen continued to wait quietly for the full moon night to arrive. However, he was still puzzled about the mysterious infiltrator from the Devil Cult who was scheduled to appear on the same night as Kunlun’s most significant event. It seemed too coincidental.

Lu Chen didn’t believe in such coincidences. He felt there might be more complexities involved that he wasn’t aware of. For now, he knew nothing about the Devil Cult infiltrator and could only wait. Meanwhile, he was considering whether to leave the mountain and take Ah Tu away from Kunwu City.

At least, he could drop Ah Tu off in the forest outside the city.

No one knew of Lu Chen’s various calculations and plans. The Kunlun Sect was busy with its preparations, with Master Xian Yue overseeing everything. However, the various tasks and details were managed by Master Xian Yue’s junior, Zhuo Xian.

As a Golden Core cultivator, Bai Chen’s second disciple, and Master Xian Yue’s junior, Zhuo Xian had a prestigious reputation within Kunlun Sect. Most Nascent Soul cultivators held him in high regard.

Zhuo Xian was also a highly capable individual, adept at handling both major and minor matters with nearly flawless execution, earning the trust of Master Bai Chen and Master Xian Yue.

One day, on the snowy Winter Peak, Zhuo Xian, leaving his cave dwelling, noticed Bai Lian standing not far from the entrance to her cave, gazing into the distance in a daze.

Snowflakes drifted through the air, creating a breathtaking scene on Winter Peak. Bai Lian, dressed in a white mink coat, looked like an exquisite statue, beautiful beyond words.

However, given Zhuo Xian’s extensive experience, he was not overly surprised. He merely smiled and said, “Junior Sister, you’re up early.”

Bai Lian turned to him, her expression as cold as the snowflakes around them. Politely but with a touch of detachment, she greeted him, “Second Brother, good morning!”

Zhuo Xian nodded, “I’m going down the mountain today and might not return until evening. Be careful up here by yourself.”

Bai Lian responded, “I understand. Don’t worry, Second Brother.”

Zhuo Xian smiled and was about to leave when Bai Lian suddenly spoke again, “Second Brother, I have a question I’d like to ask.”

Zhuo Xian stopped and said, “Junior Sister, feel free to ask.”

Bai Lian inquired, “I’ve heard that recently there’s been quite an uproar down in the sect about a Devil Cult infiltrator who killed an innocent disciple?”

Zhuo Xian paused for a moment before nodding, “Indeed, it’s true. The deceased disciple was named He Changsheng. His ancestors were once Kunlun disciples, but their family fell into decline. He had seemed to want to make a comeback, but unfortunately, this tragedy occurred.”

Bai Lian frowned, “I think I’ve heard of the He family before, but I don’t recall much. How come we haven’t captured the Devil Cult members who committed these crimes?”

Zhuo Xian replied, “We’ve sent people to investigate, but those Devil Cult demons are cunning. We haven’t been able to find out much and, in fact, have faced additional issues.”

“He Yi?” Bai Lian asked, looking at him.

Zhuo Xian was slightly surprised but then recalled Bai Lian’s background and understood, “Yes, it’s him.”

“I’ve heard he’s not doing too well lately?” Bai Lian asked.

Zhuo Xian looked at Bai Lian with curiosity, as she rarely spoke so much. Nonetheless, he answered patiently, “Yes, he had some conflicts with the Su family in Kunwu City during his investigation and was recently taken back by his master for seclusion. However, in a way, he seems to have turned his misfortune into a blessing.”

Bai Lian was intrigued, “How so?”

Zhuo Xian explained, “It’s said that recently he conquered his inner demons with great effort, transforming his grief into immense power and breaking through to the Golden Core stage. Now he is at the same level as me.”

He smiled at Bai Lian and continued, “For someone his age, his future is truly boundless!”

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