""
(Seasons pass. Mochen and Yue Ying train under Grandpa Li's guidance. They spar in the fields, test herbs by moonlight, and sharpen their skills with every challenge.)
(Morning training—Mochen dodges an incoming attack, but Yue Ying sweeps his leg, sending him tumbling onto the ground.)
[Yue Ying] (laughing, hands on hips)
You're too slow, Mochen!
[Mochen] (groaning, rubbing his back)
And you talk too much!
(Grandpa Li sips his tea from the porch, shaking his head.)
[Grandpa Li] (muttering to himself)
Raising these two is harder than raising an entire flock of chickens…
(Later that evening—Mochen and Yue Ying crush herbs under the stars. The scent of fresh leaves fills the air.)
[Mochen] (softly, reminiscing)
My father used to teach me how to track animals… listen to the wind.
(Yue Ying leans in, curiosity in her eyes.)
[Yue Ying]
What else?
(Mochen hesitates, then shakes his head.)
[Mochen]
That's all I remember.
(A beat of silence. Then, Yue Ying speaks—her voice light, but firm.)
[Yue Ying] (smiling)
Then we'll make new memories. Better ones.
(Mochen looks at her—then, for the first time, truly believes it.)
---
"A Night Under the Stars"
(A quiet night. Mochen sits on the porch, staring at the moon. A cool breeze stirs the trees.)
(Footsteps approach.)
[Yue Ying] (casual, teasing)
Can we sit, oh brooding warrior?
[Mochen] (smirks, scooting over)
If you must.
(She plops down beside him. Grandpa Li joins a moment later, stretching his legs with a sigh.)
(For a moment, silence is enough. Then…)
[Yue Ying] (nudging Mochen)
You look way too serious. Thinking about becoming the strongest warrior in the world?
[Mochen] (rolling eyes)
And what if I am?
(Grandpa Li chuckles, watching them with amused eyes. Then, his tone shifts—gentle, but firm.)
[Grandpa Li]
My son. My daughter. There's something I must tell you.
(They straighten, sensing the change in his voice.)
[Yue Ying] (serious now)
What is it?
(Grandpa Li exhales deeply, his gaze steady.)
[Grandpa Li]
I want to send you two on a journey.
(Mochen and Yue Ying tense. The idea of leaving their home—their home—feels heavy. But deep inside, they understand. Growth means stepping into the unknown.)
(A long silence. Then, Mochen nods, determination flickering in his eyes.)
[Mochen] (firmly)
We'll go.
[Yue Ying] (grinning, stretching her arms)
Guess we're about to become legends, huh?
(Grandpa Li chuckles, shaking his head fondly.)
[Grandpa Li]
Just try not to destroy anything along the way.
(Yue Ying winks. Mochen exhales, looking up at the sky one last time before the journey begins…)