The scythe connected—except it didn't.
Lin felt a strange sensation as the weapon passed through him, followed by the silhouette itself. He staggered forward with his arms still raised and slowly opened one eye.
"Huh?" He glanced down at his arms, half-expecting to see them detached or dripping with blood. Instead, they were completely unharmed.
Turning around, he saw the silhouette now standing behind him as its scythe dissolved into shadow. The glowing red eyes dimmed slightly as the figure seemed to solidify again. It tilted its head once more as if studying him.
"It's a spirit," Lin realized while exhaling a shaky breath. "Of course, it's a spirit. Why wouldn't it be a spirit? Because that's just my luck."
The oppressive energy began to fade, and Lin felt the tension in his body ease slightly. "You gave me a heart attack, you know that?" he pointed an accusatory finger at the spirit.
The figure didn't respond. Instead, its form flickered briefly before it vanished into the mist.
Lin slumped to the ground with shaky legs. "Great," he let out a long sigh of relief. "First I get no answers from Mom, and now I'm almost decapitated by a spooky shadow with a scythe. Just another day in the life of Lin Raosheng."
He stayed there for a moment, catching his breath, before finally pushing himself to his feet. He retrieved his broom from where it had fallen and shook his head.
"Next time, I'm bringing backup," he muttered. "Or at least a bigger broom."
With one last glance at the burial site, Lin turned and made his way back to the sect.
---
Lin Raosheng strolled through the well-paved stone paths leading to the inner court disciples' area with the Lotus Red Root tucked carefully into his robes.
The evening sky cast a warm orange glow over the Clear Heavens Sect, painting the towering pagodas and winding corridors in hues of gold and crimson.
The scent of blooming spiritual flowers filled the air as cultivated qi resonated from the powerful disciples who trained within the inner courtyards.
As Lin approached Yue's courtyard, the soft rustling of leaves and the rhythmic whisper of a sword cutting through the air made him pause. He leaned against the stone archway leading into the courtyard and peered inside.
Yue was practicing her Lotus Sword Techniques, and the sight left Lin momentarily speechless.
Dressed in elegant white robes embroidered with delicate lotus patterns, Yue moved with an ethereal grace that seemed almost out of this world.
Her long black hair flowed behind her like silk, framing her serene face as she stepped through each movement flawlessly.
Her slender and elegant sword gleamed under the dimming sunlight as it danced through the air like a brush painting a masterpiece. Petals of qi bloomed around her with every step, swirling and shimmering with soft, radiant light.
Lin watched, transfixed, as Yue executed a series of elegant slashes as each moved blended with the next like petals drifting on the wind. The way she moved—it was as if the entire world existed solely to complement her dance.
"Wow," Lin muttered under his breath as his forgotten broom dangled at his side. "If flowers had swords, they'd probably still be jealous of her."
Yue executed a last graceful spin as her blade swung through the air before coming to a halt. With a soft exhale, the radiant qi dispersed like mist in the wind. She turned toward the archway and her amber eyes immediately locked onto Lin's frozen form.
"Lin," she called with a smile. "Are you planning to just stand there gawking, or do you have something for me?"
Lin cleared his throat and quickly composed himself as he straightened. "I wasn't gawking. I was… uh, just making sure the courtyard doesn't suddenly get invaded by rogue flower petals. It's a very serious job, you know."
Yue chuckled while wiping her brow with the sleeve of her robe. "I appreciate your diligent service, Master of Petal Defense. Now, do you have the Lotus Red Root?"
Lin pulled it out from his robes with a flourish. "Ah, behold! The legendary Lotus Red Root was procured at great personal risk and cost—namely, braving the treacherous winds of White Feather Town and the vicious beasts of the forest. And by beasts, I mean the mosquitoes, which were very persistent."
Yue laughed softly before taking the root from him with gentle hands. "Thank you, Lin. I knew I could count on you."
Lin leaned in slightly, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "Just don't tell anyone I was helpful. It might ruin my reputation."
Yue shook her head as amusement danced in her eyes. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me."
He lingered for a moment, watching as she carefully examined the root with a satisfied nod. Unlike the other inner court disciples, Yue never carried an air of arrogance or superiority.
Despite being one of the sect's youngest prodigies, she was always kind, always patient. It was one of the reasons Lin liked her—aside from the fact that she actually laughed at his jokes.
"So," Lin placed his hands on his hips. "How much trouble would I be in if I borrowed your sword for, say, five minutes? Strictly for sweeping purposes, of course."
Yue smirked. "I think you'd find it more suited for slicing through troublesome disciples than dust, Lin."
"Tempting," he mused. "But alas, I must decline. My broom and I have an unbreakable bond."
Yue smiled before tucking the Lotus Red Root away. "You're something else."
"And yet, still charming," Lin began to step backward. "Well, duty calls. These sect floors won't clean themselves, and if they did, I'd be out of a job."
Yue gave him a small wave. "Be careful, Lin."
He paused for a second, then grinned. "Careful is my middle name. Right after Handsome."
Yue waved at him as he turned and made his way back toward the outer sect.
"Maybe one day," he whispered to himself, "I'll be more than just the broom guy."
...
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