The cobbled street was filled with happy faces and the smell of freshly cooked bamboo sticks as the area came alive with celebration. Outside roadside stalls groups of friends gathered around little wooden tables, dipping buns into boiling bowls of stew and laughing. To attract a group of travelers to try his brew, a smiling innkeeper leaned out from his doorway and held out a handmade jug of liquor. Strangers appeared like old friends, united by the excitement of a festive evening, and the atmosphere was full of warmth and good cheer.
"Excuse me, mister, can I trouble you for a moment?" asked a man dressed in plain white long robes. His long black hair was tied neatly, and his calm face made him look like a wandering scholar. He approached a man selling colorful posters with strange symbols said to seal demons. The seller was short and sturdy, with a thick beard and a worn brown tunic. He wore a wide straw hat to block the sun and looked up with a friendly smile. "Of course, how can I help?" he asked. The man bowed slightly. "I am looking for the Bai Sect. Could you tell me the way?" The seller thought for a moment, then pointed down the road to the east. The two exchanged polite nods before parting ways, their conversation a small moment of calm in the lively, crowded street.
The courtyard of the Bai Sect was busy with quiet work. Maids in plain blue robes swept the stone paths and cleaned the hanging lanterns, moving quickly but gracefully. Nearby, a group of young disciples in white and silver uniforms practiced with their swords, their movements sharp and focused. The sound of clashing blades and steady shouts filled the air, blending with the calm rustle of leaves in the mountain breeze.
As the man approached the grand gates of the Bai Sect, two guards stepped forward to block his path. They were tall and imposing, dressed in silver armor with the sect's emblem etched on their chest plates. Each held a long spear, the tips gleaming in the sunlight. One of the guards, his expression firm but polite, raised a hand. "Halt. State your business," he said. The man, still calm, gave a slight bow. "I seek an audience with the elders of the Bai Sect," he replied. The second guard, a younger man with a sharp gaze, glanced at him suspiciously. "Do you have the token required to enter?" he asked. The man hesitated, his hand searching the folds of his robe, but he did not produce the item. The guards exchanged a quick look, their grips on their spears tightening. "Without a token, we cannot allow you inside," the elder guard said firmly.
Before the guards could turn that man away, a sweet voice called out from the direction of the courtyard. "Wait! Song An-ge!" A young girl hurried toward them, her light steps barely making a sound on the stone path. Bai Yun, dressed in a flowing white and pink robe, her hair tied back with a delicate ribbon, looked like a flower in full bloom. Her bright eyes sparkled with recognition as she smiled warmly at the man.
The guards immediately stepped aside, bowing slightly as she approached. "Ah Yun," Song An said, his voice softening as he returned her smile. "It's been a long time."
"You should have told me you were coming!" she said, a playful hint of scolding in her tone. Turning to the guards, she added firmly, "He is a guest of mine. Please let him through."
The guards nodded without question, moving aside to open the gates. Bai Yun beckoned to Song An. "Come, I'll take you to see the elders," she said cheerfully.
Song An followed her inside, his usual calm demeanor lightened by her presence. "You've grown, Ah Yun," he remarked, his tone carrying a hint of fondness. Bai Yun laughed softly, leading him deeper into the sect, their reunion drawing curious glances from the disciples nearby.
"Okay Ge, I will leave you here now. I have to practice my sword technique." Ah yun said politely and bowed to Song an while going back. Song An stepped into the grand main hall of the Bai Sect, the air inside cool and calm. The hall was spacious, with tall wooden pillars carved with intricate designs and lanterns casting a warm glow. At the far end, seated on raised platforms, were the elders of the sect, their presence commanding yet serene.
He walked forward with steady steps, stopping a respectful distance away. With a deep bow, he greeted them, his voice steady. "Song An greets the honored elders of the Bai Sect."
An older man with a dignified aura, Bai Huang, leaned forward slightly. His long white beard and piercing eyes gave him an air of wisdom. "Song An," Bai Huang said with a small smile, his voice calm and deep. "It has been a long time since we've seen you here."
Song An straightened but kept his humble posture. "It is an honor to be here again, Elder Bai." Bai Huang gestured to a seat nearby. "Come, sit. We have much to talk about," he said kindly.Song An nodded, his expression calm, and took the offered seat, ready to listen to the wisdom of the elders.
The elders of the Bai Sect sat in a semi-circle around Song An, their eyes fixed on him as he spoke. Bai Huang, with his long white beard and wise eyes, sat at the center, while Bai Xuanlu, the sect leader, watched him intently. She was a woman in her early 40s, her sharp features softening with a thoughtful expression. Beside her sat Bai Ming, a man with short graying hair and a calm demeanor, and Bai Jaxue, a younger elder whose stern face rarely showed emotion.
Song An hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "I have come because of a serious problem," he began, his voice low. "Something is threatening the balance of the land, and I need your help."
Bai Xuanlu leaned forward slightly, her gaze unwavering. "A serious problem?" she repeated, her voice calm but firm.
He nodded. "Yes, Elder Bai. It concerns the safety of many, and time is running out."
The room grew quieter as the weight of his words settled in. Bai Xuanlu's eyes flicked to the others, and without a word, she raised her hand commanding every one in the room except them four and Song an. The maids in the room bowed quickly and exited, sensing the gravity of the conversation. The doors closed behind them, leaving only the elders and Song An. The air in the room shifted, the atmosphere becoming tense as they prepared to hear the full extent of the problem.