## Chapter 16: The Weight of Power
The village was eerily silent in the aftermath of the battle. The rain had slowed to a drizzle, the sky still dark and heavy with clouds. Lin Yu stood in the middle of the battlefield, his sword dangling loosely in his hand, his body trembling with exhaustion. The cultists lay scattered around him, their bodies broken, the ground beneath them slick with blood and rainwater.
He could still feel the faint echo of Xiangliu's power coursing through him, like the dying embers of a fire that had burned too hot. His heart pounded in his chest, his breath coming in short, ragged bursts as the reality of what had just happened sank in.
The villagers, Zhao Feng, and even Elder Wu had stopped what they were doing, their eyes fixed on him. He could feel their stares—some filled with awe, others with fear. They had seen what he had done. They had seen the raw, destructive power he had unleashed. Power that didn't belong to him, but to Xiangliu.
For a moment, Lin Yu stood frozen, unsure of what to do, unsure of how to explain what had just happened. The serpent's power had been overwhelming, more than anything he had ever felt before. It had felt like a part of him, a force that had always been there, waiting for him to tap into it.
And he had.
**You see now, don't you?** Xiangliu's voice whispered in the back of his mind, cold and smooth. **This is what you were meant for. You are the serpent's heir. You were born to wield this power.**
Lin Yu shook his head, trying to push the voice away, but it lingered, a constant reminder of what he had done.
Elder Wu stepped forward, his face unreadable as he approached Lin Yu. He moved slowly, his gaze steady, but there was a heaviness to his steps. "Lin Yu," he said quietly, his voice cutting through the silence. "What happened back there?"
Lin Yu's mouth went dry, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword. How could he explain? How could he tell Elder Wu and the others that he had used the very power they were fighting against? That he had given in to Xiangliu, if only for a moment?
"I…" Lin Yu began, but the words stuck in his throat.
Elder Wu studied him, his gaze piercing but not unkind. "You used the serpent's power, didn't you?"
Lin Yu swallowed hard, his heart hammering in his chest. He could see the concern in Elder Wu's eyes, the silent question that hung between them. Would he admit it? Would he tell the truth?
"Yes," Lin Yu finally said, his voice barely a whisper. "I had to. There was no other way."
Zhao Feng, standing nearby with his dagger still in hand, looked at him with a mix of disbelief and concern. "Lin Yu… you used Xiangliu's power?"
Lin Yu nodded, unable to meet their eyes. "I didn't want to, but… there were too many of them. I was losing. If I hadn't used it, the village would've fallen."
The silence that followed was deafening. The villagers exchanged uneasy glances, their fear palpable. Some of them took small steps back, as if Lin Yu had suddenly become dangerous, a threat rather than a protector.
Elder Wu, however, didn't move. He remained calm, though his expression was grave. "You're right, Lin Yu. The village was in danger. And you did what you thought you had to do to save it."
Lin Yu's gaze snapped up to meet Elder Wu's. There was no anger in the old man's voice, no accusation. Just a quiet understanding.
"But you must understand something," Elder Wu continued, his voice firm. "Using Xiangliu's power is dangerous. You've opened a door that may be difficult to close. The serpent's influence will grow stronger now, and every time you use its power, it will tighten its grip on you."
Lin Yu's chest tightened. He had felt it—the pull of the serpent's power, the temptation to let it take over completely. Even now, after the battle was over, he could feel Xiangliu's presence inside him, lingering like a shadow.
"I know," Lin Yu said, his voice low. "I didn't want to use it, but I didn't have a choice."
Elder Wu sighed, his eyes softening. "There's always a choice, Lin Yu. But sometimes, the choices we are forced to make come with consequences we cannot foresee."
Zhao Feng stepped forward, his expression conflicted. "Lin Yu, we trust you. You saved the village. But… what if the next time, you can't control it? What if the serpent's power takes over?"
Lin Yu didn't have an answer. He had felt the power slipping out of his control, the way it had surged through him like a flood, overwhelming and unstoppable. If it hadn't been for the villagers and Zhao Feng arriving when they did, he wasn't sure how far he would have gone.
"I don't know," Lin Yu admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I'll find a way to control it. I won't let Xiangliu win."
Elder Wu nodded slowly. "You're strong, Lin Yu. Stronger than you realize. But you'll need more than strength to resist the serpent's influence. You'll need discipline, clarity of mind, and most of all, you'll need help."
Lin Yu looked at him, surprised. "Help? From who?"
"There are ancient techniques," Elder Wu explained, "rituals and teachings that were developed by those who once fought against the great serpents. Techniques that might help you contain Xiangliu's power without letting it consume you."
Lin Yu's heart quickened. "Where do we find these techniques?"
Elder Wu hesitated for a moment, his gaze drifting to the darkened horizon. "There is a monastery, deep in the Northern Mountains. It is said that the monks there guard ancient knowledge, knowledge that could help you. But it is not an easy path, Lin Yu. The journey will be long and dangerous. And even if we reach them, there is no guarantee they will help."
Lin Yu felt a flicker of hope, tempered by the weight of the task ahead. "If there's even a chance that they can help me control this power, I have to go."
Zhao Feng stepped forward, determination in his eyes. "You're not going alone. I'll go with you."
Lin Yu looked at him, grateful for his friend's loyalty. "Thank you."
Elder Wu smiled faintly, though there was a sadness in his expression. "We'll need to prepare for the journey. But know this, Lin Yu—once we set out, there will be no turning back. The Hand of Xiangliu will be searching for you, and they won't stop until they have what they want."
Lin Yu nodded, his resolve hardening. He knew the dangers that lay ahead, but he couldn't stay in the village any longer. The serpent's power was growing, and if he didn't find a way to control it, the next time he unleashed it, he might not be able to stop.
As the villagers began to clean up the remnants of the battle, Lin Yu stood at the edge of the village, his eyes fixed on the distant mountains. The storm had passed, but the air still felt heavy, charged with the tension of what was to come.
The journey to the Northern Mountains would be dangerous, but it was his only hope.
Lin Yu gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, the faint glow of Xiangliu's mark still pulsing beneath his skin. He had made his choice. He would find the monastery, learn the ancient techniques, and find a way to control the serpent's power.
But deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that every step he took brought him closer to Xiangliu's grasp.
And closer to a battle that would decide the fate of not just the village, but the entire world.