In the darkest night, even a ghost may find its way back to love. The bonds we forge transcend death itself, turning wrathful spirits into guardians of those they cherish. Yet we must remember that such transformationse with both blessing and curse, for the price of defying nature’sws is never small.


    —Master Bai Yue, Hand of Mortal Healing


    Master Qingfeng cleared his throat. "We must keep constant watch over her. Until we understand her behavior—she might harm others without meaning to."


    Xin adjusted her position as Mei Chen’s breathing slowed into the steady rhythm of sleep. The young maid curled against her chest, fingers twisted into the fabric of Xin’s robes.


    Xin nodded quietly. Being cautious was wise. Each of Mei Chen’s breaths tickled her corbone.


    "Is it wise to allow her any freedom?" Feng Yu asked. "Wrathful spirits are hunted down and destroyed for good reason. Even if she’s not acting like a monster now, she’s far from normal."


    Xin’s eyes widened as she stared at Feng Yu. What betrayal is this?


    She tightened her arms slightly around Mei Chen’s sleeping form. The protective gesture drew a contented sigh from the girl.


    "I’ve erected barriers around the Treasure Pavilion." Master Qingfeng straightened his robes. "She won’t be able to leave the grounds, but not all our staff possess sufficient cultivation to defend themselves."


    He fixed Xin with a stern look. "You’ll bear responsibility for her actions. If she turns malicious, we cannot allow her to remain free. If the worst was to happen, we’d need to return her to Karma."


    A lump formed in Xin’s throat. "We’ll watch her carefully."


    Feng Yu frowned at Xin, concern etching across her face.


    "Now, I must begin renovating this room." Master Qingfeng gestured at the frost-covered walls. "This has upied the forging chamber far too long."


    Xin winced at the thought of the damage. "The cost…"


    "Do not worry on that." Master Qingfeng waved off her concern. "You’ve paid your dues in full. I factored the possibility of such damage into our arrangement." He turned toward the central b. "You may go. I have work to do. We’ll discuss things tomorrow. Expect Ming Lihua to monitor the girl and situation."


    Ming Lihua… Merchandiser Ming?


    Xin cradled Mei Chen against her chest as she led the way out of the chamber. Feng Yu’s boots clicked behind them in a steady rhythm.


    "What was that?" Xin kept her voice low to avoid disturbing Mei Chen’s peaceful sleep.


    "What?" Feng Yu matched her hushed tone.


    "About Mei Chen."


    Feng Yu’s footsteps faltered. "I’ve never heard of a wrathful spirit that didn’t cause destruction on a wide scale. We need to be careful."


    "After everything—"


    "I understand how precious she is to you," Feng Yu cut in. "But being careful protects her too. Qingfeng’s intentions remain unclear now that your deal isplete. This could be another test. Mei Chen’s condition is unprecedented—he might decide to capture or destroy her. We don’t know how she’ll behave. Yes, she shows attachment, but I didn’t think her behavior was normal. Didn’t you notice the changes in her?"


    Xin’s breath caught in her throat. Of course she had noticed. Mei Chen whimpered and clutched tighter to her robes, small fingers twisting into the fabric.


    The weight of Feng Yu’s words was heavier all because they were true. She had focused so hard on the tree, instead of the forest.


    "I’m sorry, I’m—"


    "You’re exhausted and overwhelmed. I understand." Feng Yu stepped closer. "But I’m not your enemy. I want Mei Chen to seed too. We just need time to understand this. Like Qingfeng said, nothing like this exists in the entire kingdom."


    They reached the guest room. Xin pushed the door open with her shoulder, careful not to jostle her precious cargo.


    She headed toward the bed. "Time isn’t something we have the luxury of right now."


    She adjusted Mei Chen’s weight in her arms. "I need to check on Mother and Brother at the manor, see what damage the Chao attack caused." The words tumbled out faster with each breath. "We have to organize a resistance before their army arrives. I don’t even know if Cousin Min made it here, or if the provincial prefect sent orders."


    Moonlight filtered through the window, casting silver highlights across the floor. For the first time she realized just how long things had taken. The sun had been up when they had started.


    "Without a writ from Brother, I can’t raise an army—if there’s even anything left of the city guard to organize. The family armory in the city burned with everything else." Her chest tightened. "And we have no idea how many cultivators the Chao family ns to send."


    She turned to set Mei Chen down but stopped. The girl stared up at her with wide, alert eyes. The stress in Xin’s voice had stirred her from sleep.


    "Mei Chen?"


    Xin lowered her onto the edge of the bed. The mattress dipped beneath the girl’s slight weight.


    "Xin!" Mei Chen beamed up at her.


    Xin suppressed a frown. If Mei Chen could only repeat names, how could she protect her? The weight of responsibility pressed down—


    "Xin, everything will be okay." Mei Chen wrapped her arms around Xin’s legs from her seated position.


    The unexpected coherent response stunned Xin. She patted Mei Chen’s silky hair before settling onto the bed beside her. Across the room, Feng Yu knelt at the low table, organizing several scattered cups.


    "Do you remember what happened to you?" Xin kept her tone gentle.


    Mei Chen gripped Xin’s arm and shot a suspicious re at Feng Yu. "Someone tried to steal you."


    Xin’s jaw dropped. The usation hung in the air like frozen qi.


    "St-steal?" Feng Yu stammered.


    "I can smell her all over you!" Mei Chen lifted her own sleeve to her nose and inhaled deeply. Her eyes grew round. "I can smell her inside me too!"


    She snapped her attention back to Xin. "Was she inside of you?!"


    A deep crimson flush spread across Feng Yu’s cheeks.


    Xin’s cheeks heated as well, but it wasn’t hard to figure out. Unfortunate phrasing aside, Mei Chen could detect their qi signatures through scent somehow.


    "You can smell our qi? Our energy? Is that what you mean?" Xin asked.


    Mei Chen darted another suspicious nce at Feng Yu before nodding emphatically. "It’s a smell. She smells like cinnamon." Mei Chen turned to stare at Xin’s neck and then leaned in to take an akwardly deep sniff. "You smell like peach! But she’s there too…" Mei Chen looked down at her sleeve and sniffed her arm again.


    Feng Yu let out a weakugh. "I’ve been teaching Xin some cultivation techniques. And I helped with the array to revive you."


    "Techniques? Reviving?" Mei Chen’s brow furrowed as she tested the words.


    Xin drew a steadying breath. "You were hurt very badly, Mei Chen. You died." She squeezed the girl’s cold hand. "Your spirit is attached to your body, but technically you’re a… uh… ghost. And now we’re both immortals—cultivators who use qi."


    Mei Chen opened her mouth, then closed it. She lifted her pale hands in front of her face, turning them back and forth. "Oh..."


    Xin slipped her arm around Mei Chen and pulled her close. The gentle squeeze brought a bright smile to the girl’s pale face.


    "A lot has happened, and we need to be careful. Especially about not hurting anyone." Xin stroked Mei Chen’s hair. "Some people might use that against us."


    Mei Chen blinked up at her with wide eyes.


    "Do you under—"


    Mei Chen switched focus suddenly and sprang up from the bed. Her bare feet pattered across the wooden floor as she darted to the dressing table. She snatched up an ornate woodenb and rushed back.


    "Xin’s hair is a mess! I was sick too long!" Theb trembled in her eager grip.


    Xin released a slow breath. "Do you want tob my hair?"


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any urrences.


    Mei Chen nodded with such enthusiasm that her own brown locks bounced.


    The sound of gentleughter drew her attention. Feng Yu’s amused smirk was… annoying!


    "How about youb Feng Yu’s hair first?" Xin suggested. "It’s in even worse shape—someone tried to burn it all off."


    Mei Chen’s nose wrinkled as she peered at Feng Yu’s sandy brown hair. "Worse shape? Burned off?"


    Feng Yu’s smirk vanished, reced by wide-eyed shock.


    How’s that for turning the tables? Xin did not suppress her grin. "If you help Feng Yu first, you can take as many strokes as you want with mine after."


    Mei Chen clutched theb to her chest and turned to Feng Yu. "Can Ib your hair?"


    Feng Yu swallowed hard before nodding. "Of course." The stare she turned on Xin was a loaded ’are you ying with my life!?’


    Xin’sugh was melodic.


    Merchandiser Ming’s exaggerated smile set off warning bells in Xin’s mind as they stepped into the trade hall.


    The space felt intimatepared to Fershere’s sprawling pavilion, yet retained the same level meticulous organization. Shelves lined the walls in neat sections, each disying carefully arranged cultivation supplies. The familiaryout brought back memories of her earlier shopping trip for alchemy ingredients.


    "I need a fire pill." Feng Yu cast a sideways nce at Xin.


    Xin shook her head. "With the manor destroyed, I can’t craft one right now. We’re also pressed for time." Both turned expectantly toward Ming Lihua.


    Ming Lihua hummed a cheerful note. "A basic fire pill costs one hundred spirit stones."


    "Add it to our list." At that price point, she didn’t even pause to consider it.


    Feng Yu’s eyebrows lifted at the quick response.


    "The money belongs to both of us." Xin tapped the small spirit stone pouch in her robe’s hidden pocket. "You helped gather these, remember?"


    "Your generosity exceeds reasonable bounds." Feng Yu’s tone contained worry.


    Xin chuckled. "Your concern warms my heart."


    That treasure from theke valley put the scales in her favor, she’s right. Still, investing in Feng Yu’s strength served both their interests.


    "Show us your spiritual gear selection." Xin turned her attention to Ming Lihua.


    Ming swept her arm toward a section of the trade hall filled with rows of martial attire. Dozens of outfits lined the walls—everything from practicalbat gear to ornate Taoist robes and even official court dress. The subtle hum of protective enchantments resonated through the disys.


    "For your uing confrontations, I rmend something with enhanced physical protection." Ming Lihua walked to a specific disy and pulled out a ck and turquoise robe.


    Xin froze. The style, the cut, the subtle pattern along the hem—it mirrored her favorite outfit from the Lin manor down to thest detail. But the fabric gleamed with newness.


    "Did you have this made based on my old robes?" Xin narrowed her eyes at Ming Lihua.


    Ming Lihua studied the ceiling with exaggerated interest. "The fabric is spirit-infused silk. It’ll turn aside any mortal de and resist both acid and fire damage."


    The merchandiser’s obvious deflection confirmed Xin’s suspicions. Someone had been paying very close attention to her wardrobe choices weeks ago.


    "This would pair nicely with a red sash." Feng Yu ran her fingers along the fabric’s edge. "The contrast would be striking."


    Xin snapped her gaze to Feng Yu. "Are you trying to copy my style now?"


    Ming Lihua pulled a second robe from the rack—nearly identical to the first but adorned with delicate gold trim along the edges. The enchanted silk shimmered under the pavilion’s spirit stone lights. "Both are avable if you’re interested."


    "Is this some kind of setup?" Xin crossed her arms.


    Ming Lihua straightened the robes on their hangers. "Two hundred spirit stones each."


    The price made Xin wince. She’d already spent several hundred stones on supplies in Fershere, plus the fire pill now, and these robes would take another significant chunk from their funds. Still, the defensive enchantments woven into the fabric would prove invaluable. The protection against des and elemental damage alone justified the cost, especially with the wealth they’d acquired.


    She needed to avoid her tendency to love to hoard things. She wasn’t here to fill a sect treasury vault.


    "Add them to our list." Xin nodded.


    Ming Lihua hummed a cheerful tune while arranging the robes at the end of the rack forter packaging.


    "Weapons." Feng Yu fixed Xin with an appraising look. "Your current ones are inadequate. You need something that won’t shatter in your hands."


    "But I might lose it..." Xinughed weakly.


    Feng Yu’s stern stare brooked no argument.


    "Fine." Xin turned to Ming Lihua. "Show us your weapons."


    "Right this way." Ming Lihua gestured toward another section of the hall.


    Feng Yu strode toward the weapon racks with purpose, bypassing the standard swords and sabers. Her eyes locked onto a collection of spears. She lifted each one, testing the bnce. The metal sang through the air as she spun and thrust.


    Xin watched from beside Ming Lihua as Feng Yu’s attention shifted to an unusual weapon—a hybrid between a ive and naginata. The curved de gleamed with a polished sheen. Feng Yu extended it toward Xin.


    The weapon settled in her grip with surprising lightness. The bnce felt natural, almost extending her reach rather than weighing her down.


    "Perfect for channeling lightning." Feng Yu nodded with approval. "The metalposition will withstand intense heat without warping."


    Ming Lihua cleared her throat. "Severing Light—crafted by Treasure Pavilion Elder Lei Huoshan. Five hundred spirit stones."


    Xin almost dropped the weapon in shock. The amount was a lot. Yet something about the way it responded to her qi made her hesitate.


    "The de cuts through spiritual armor up to qi refining." Ming Lihua traced a finger along the gleaming edge. "The specialized alloy allows for substantial qi channeling without degradation."


    "We’ll take it." Feng Yu moved toward a disy of shorter des before Xin could protest.


    Xin shot Ming Lihua a resigned nod. Perhaps giving Feng Yu free rein over their purchases wasn’t the wisest choice. Still, the weapon’s capabilities aligned perfectly with her needs.


    They were going to war…


    Feng Yu lifted a pair of ornate daggers from their disy case. The des gleamed with five distinct patterns—earth brown swirls near the hilt, crimson me etchings along the spine, aqua ripples near the point, emerald leaf designs on the cross-guard, and silver geometric patterns woven throughout.


    "The craftsmanship suggests Skyward Institute work." Feng Yu traced the intricate patterns with her finger.


    Ming nodded. "They are. Three hundred stones for the set."


    Xin winced but… "I’ll take them as well."


    Ming Lihua ced a wooden box of simple iron darts on the counter. "These serve well as disposable weapons. One stone for the lot."


    That was much easier. She had a few ideas for them after fighting the assassins, too.


    Two sets of arm and shin guards caught Xin’s attention next. Spirit-infused metal tes connected by flexible leather straps promised additional protection without sacrificing mobility.


    Another four hundred stones…


    A full suit of armor dominated the far wall. The price tag made Xin’s eyes widen—enough spirit stones to bankrupt her. Maybe another time.


    Ming Lihua presented sheets of talisman paper marked with precise calligraphy. "Both offensive and defensive formations, pre-drawn by our resident array master. Ten stones each."


    A stack of jade-green pills followed. "Superior to standard healing medications," Ming Lihua exined. "Triple the potency ofmon remedies. Ten stones each as well."


    Xin paused at an elegant recurve bow. The weapon beckoned with possibility, but archery would demand time they didn’t have.


    "We’ll take six of each talisman type, and ten of the recovery pills." Xin stepped back from the disys. "That should do it. We’ll return if specific needs arise. Better to maintain our resources."


    "For hiring the bounty hunters?" Feng Yu raised an eyebrow.


    Ming Lihua perked up. "The Pavilion maintains extensive contacts. We could circte notice of employment opportunities. Given the bounty that drew them here continues to be unimed, many hunters might prefer guaranteed payment over uncertain prospects."


    "I’ll consider hiring hunters once we know more. Right now, we need this gear and to check the manor." Xin adjusted her grip on Severing Light, still marveling at its perfect bnce.


    "I’ll calcte your total." Ming Lihua reached for her abacus.


    "Wait." Xin set the weapon down with deliberate care.


    Ming Lihua’s eyebrow arched upward.


    "Dear Ming." Xin shed her sweetest smile. "Given our wonderful rtionship, my repeat business, and how I epted so many of your excellent suggestions... wouldn’t a twenty percent discount be appropriate?"


    Feng Yu pinched the bridge of her nose. "Are you trying to get thrown in jail again?"


    "Ten percent would be reasonable." Ming Lihua’s professional smile remained fixed.


    "But Ming..." Xin adopted her best wounded expression. "We get along so well. How about fifteen?"


    Ming Lihua’s lips twitched. "Twelve and a half percent."


    "Thirteen percent and round down to the nearest stone?" Xin leaned forward. "Half numbers bring bad luck, after all."


    "I’ve never heard such a superstition." Ming Lihua drummed her fingers on the counter.


    "Thirteen is an unlucky number..." Feng Yu muttered.


    "Again!?" Xin spun toward herpanion. "Whose side are you on?"


    "Again?" Feng Yu blinked in confusion.


    "Fine." Xin turned back to Ming. "Twelve and a half percent, rounded down to the nearest full stone."


    Ming Lihua bowed with a flourish. "I’ll calcte your total immediately."