A Truth Buried in the Past
Xiao Lian's fingers traced the worn edges of the ancient scroll, its parchment yellowed with age.
The scent of ink and dust filled the dimly lit archives. Shelves upon shelves of ancient records towered around her, holding centuries of knowledge—and secrets.
She had spent the last two nights sneaking into the restricted section, searching for answers.
Answers about the Crimson Feather Sect. Answers about herself.
SIS had already analyzed the jade token the masked man had left behind, but with no data available, it was as if the symbol had been erased from history.
But that was impossible. Everything left a trace. And if there was no trace… it meant someone had deliberately wiped it away.
Her gut told her that the answers lay within the sect's past. And she was right.
The Betrayal of the Crimson Feather Sect
Her gaze swept across the words inked onto the scroll.
>The Crimson Feather Sect was once part of the Fivefold Alliance, an unbreakable bond between five great sects, sworn to protect the balance of the martial world.
She inhaled sharply. An alliance? This was never taught in the sect's history. She read on.
> But one among them broke their oath. The betrayal was swift, merciless. In a single night, the alliance crumbled, and the Crimson Feather Sect was nearly wiped out.
Her hands clenched around the parchment.
A betrayal…No wonder this was hidden away.
The scroll never named the betrayer. But the fact that the Crimson Feather Sect had nearly been destroyed explained the sect master's secrecy. Perhaps it wasn't just shame. Perhaps there was still danger. A Hidden Connection? Xiao Lian's mind raced. Was this connected to her rebirth? To the masked stranger?
She flipped through the next scroll. The ink had faded, but one passage stood out.
> Some say the sect's downfall was no accident, that fate itself was manipulated that night.
Fate. Her breath hitched. The masked man's warning came rushing back. You weren't supposed to be reborn.
A chill ran down her spine. What if the betrayal wasn't just political? What if it was something far worse?
The pieces weren't fitting together yet, but one thing was clear, someone in this sect knew the truth. And Xiao Lian was going to find out who.
Footsteps in the Dark A faint shift in the air. Xiao Lian's instincts flared. Someone was here. She extinguished the candle and pressed her back against the shelves, controlling her breath. Soft footsteps approached. Steady. Unhurried.
She peered through the shadows, her heartbeat pounding in her ears. Then, A familiar voice.
"I thought I'd find you here."
A figure stepped into the faint moonlight filtering through the window. Ji Ren. His arms were crossed, his usual indifferent expression in place. But his eyes…They were sharper than usual.
He knew.
Xiao Lian stepped forward, feigning calm. "Strange place for a midnight stroll, don't you think?"
Ji Ren didn't smile. "I could say the same about you."
Her fingers twitched at her sides, ready to react if needed.
"Why are you here, Ji Ren?" she asked evenly. Her eyes scanning for every expression, good or bad, she needed something.
"Why are you?" he countered.
Silence stretched between them. Then he sighed, stepping closer. "Tell me, Xiao Lian. What exactly are you looking for?"
She met his gaze, unflinching. "The truth."
He studied her for a long moment. Then, to her surprise, he chuckled. A dry, humorless sound.
"You're bold," he admitted. "But reckless."
She frowned. "What do you mean?"
Ji Ren's gaze darkened. "If you dig too deep, you might not like what you find."
The burden of his words settled over her like a heavy shroud. Her pulse quickened.
Does he know?
She had never trusted Ji Ren completely, but…He hadn't reported her. Why? An Unspoken Warning.
Ji Ren glanced at the open scrolls. "The Fivefold Alliance," he murmured. "You're looking in the right place."
Xiao Lian stiffened. He knew. He knew.
Before she could speak, Ji Ren turned toward the exit. "Go back to your room, Xiao Lian. Stop digging."
Her grip tightened on the scroll. "I can't."
He paused, his back still to her. "Then you'd best be prepared for what comes next."
Then, without another word—He was gone.
Leaving behind more questions than answers.