The moon hung low over the cursed river, its pale light casting long shadows across the land. Lin Yu stood motionless, sword lowered, as the leader of the Black Lotus Sect staggered backward, eyes wide with disbelief. The sect leader, a man who had spent his life wielding dark power and commanding fear, now looked small and vulnerable.
"Why...?" the leader croaked, his voice hoarse from exertion and shock. "Why spare me? You could've killed me. You had the power…"
Lin Yu remained silent for a moment, his chest still heaving from the battle. His hand clenched and unclenched around the hilt of his sword as the serpent's energy continued to thrash inside him, hungry for violence, demanding blood. But he fought it down, his will stronger than the beast within.
"I'm not like you," Lin Yu finally said, his voice quiet but firm. "I won't let this power turn me into a monster."
The leader let out a bitter laugh, his body trembling from exhaustion. "A monster? That's exactly what you are, boy. You think sparing me makes you noble? You've already embraced the serpent. It's only a matter of time before it consumes you, and when it does, you'll be worse than me."
Lin Yu's gaze hardened, but he said nothing. He knew the danger of Xiangliu's power better than anyone, but he wasn't going to let this man's words shake him. He wasn't going to let the serpent define him.
The sect leader slumped to the ground, his body giving out as the last of his strength faded. Lin Yu could see the fear in his eyes now, fear that had been masked by arrogance only moments ago. The talisman the leader had wielded so confidently lay shattered beside him, its dark energy dissipating into the night.
"You should leave," Lin Yu said coldly, turning his back on the fallen man. "Before I change my mind."
The leader of the Black Lotus Sect glared up at him, hatred burning in his eyes. "You'll regret this, Lin Yu. The sects won't stop coming for you. They'll never stop. And next time, you won't be so lucky."
Lin Yu didn't respond. He was already walking away, his footsteps steady, carrying him back toward the forest. His heart still raced, and the serpent's power simmered just beneath the surface, but he forced himself to focus on each step, keeping the whispers at bay.
Power… absolute power… you could have it all, the serpent's voice slithered through his thoughts, seductive and relentless. Why resist? We are one now. You've already accepted me. Let me guide you. Let me show you the true path.
Lin Yu pressed his hand against the glowing mark on his wrist, feeling its heat through his sleeve. It pulsed with life, with Xiangliu's essence, a constant reminder that the serpent was still inside him, watching, waiting. He had accepted the serpent's power, yes, but not its will. That was the battle he would have to fight every day.
As he entered the tree line, the sounds of the river faded, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the distant call of nocturnal creatures. The cool breeze helped calm his racing heart, though the weight of his decision still hung heavy over him. He had defeated the Black Lotus Sect's assassins and resisted the serpent's bloodlust—for now. But how long could he continue this way? How long before the power inside him became too much to control?
The village wasn't far now. He could see the faint glow of lanterns in the distance, nestled safely in the valley below. His thoughts turned to his master. Would his master have answers? The old man had always been cryptic, warning him of dangers but never telling him the full truth. Why had he never revealed the true nature of Lin Yu's bloodline? Did he know about the serpent all along?
Before Lin Yu could consider these questions further, a voice called out from the trees.
"You fought well back there."
Lin Yu's hand instinctively went to his sword as he turned toward the sound. From the shadows, the same woman from before emerged, her black robes fluttering slightly in the wind. Her veil had been removed this time, revealing sharp, elegant features. Her eyes were cold and unreadable, but there was a glint of curiosity in them.
"You again," Lin Yu said, narrowing his eyes. "Who are you? And how do you know so much about me?"
The woman smiled faintly. "I told you before, who I am doesn't matter. What matters is that you're still alive."
Lin Yu tensed, his sword hand itching. This woman had appeared twice now, always when danger was near, and she seemed to know more about him than she let on. He didn't trust her, not yet.
"You're not with the Black Lotus Sect," Lin Yu said slowly, watching her carefully. "So why are you here? What do you want?"
The woman's smile faded, replaced by a more serious expression. "You're right. I have no ties to that sect. My goals are… different. But we both know the danger you're in, Lin Yu. The power you've inherited will make you a target for every sect in the land. They'll either want to kill you or control you. The question is, what are you going to do about it?"
Lin Yu's jaw tightened. He had asked himself the same question a thousand times since learning the truth of his bloodline. What was he supposed to do? Run and hide? Fight them all? Try to control the power on his own?
"I'll do what I have to," Lin Yu replied, his voice firm. "I won't let anyone control me."
The woman nodded, as if she had expected that answer. "Good. You'll need that resolve in the days ahead. But resolve alone won't be enough. If you want to survive and if you want to master Xiangliu's power, you'll need allies."
Lin Yu frowned. "Allies? And what, you expect me to trust you?"
The woman's gaze was unwavering. "Trust is earned. But I'm offering you something the sects never will—a chance to control your own fate. Xiangliu's power is dangerous, yes, but it's also a gift. A gift that could reshape the world, if used properly."
Lin Yu shook his head. "I've heard that before. People keep telling me about the power I have, but they don't understand. It's not a gift—it's a curse."
"Only if you let it be," the woman countered. She stepped closer, her tone softening. "You've resisted the serpent's influence so far, but you're barely scratching the surface of what you can do. Imagine what you could accomplish if you learned to harness it fully. Imagine what the world could become."
Lin Yu clenched his fists. The temptation was there, of course. The power he had felt during the battle was like nothing he had ever experienced before. But that power came with a cost, a cost he wasn't sure he was willing to pay.
"And what do you get out of this?" Lin Yu asked, his voice wary. "Why are you helping me?"
The woman's expression darkened slightly, though her eyes remained focused on his. "Let's just say I have my reasons. Reasons that align with your survival. But if you don't want my help, I won't force it. Just know this—whether you like it or not, the sects are coming for you. And when they do, you'll need more than just strength to face them."
Lin Yu was silent, his mind racing. Everything the woman said was true—he knew the sects wouldn't stop until they had him. And despite his victory tonight, he had barely survived. The serpent's power had saved him, but he couldn't rely on it without understanding it.
The woman's offer hung in the air between them, and for a moment, Lin Yu considered accepting it. But something still didn't sit right with him. She was hiding something—he could feel it.
"I'll think about it," Lin Yu said finally, his tone guarded. "But I won't be anyone's pawn."
The woman nodded, her expression unreadable. "Fair enough. Just know that when the time comes, you'll need to make a choice. Power like Xiangliu's doesn't wait."
With that, she turned and disappeared into the forest, leaving Lin Yu alone once more.
Lin Yu watched the shadows swallow her, his thoughts conflicted. She was right about one thing—the sects were coming, and he needed to be ready. But what she had said about the power being a gift… that was harder to accept. The serpent was no gift. It was a curse, one that could destroy him if he wasn't careful.
But as he made his way back toward the village, Lin Yu couldn't shake the feeling that, whether he liked it or not, the choice would soon be out of his hands.