Fukun Xueyuan had fully surrendered to the sweet and beautiful embrace of the evening. Clouds drifted lazily across the sky, and leaves descended softly from the towering trees, painting the ground in autumn hues. In a flat, secluded clearing surrounded by a dense thicket, Han Wuang Shi was walking. Moving alone, his slow gait was steady and upright. His eyes remained fixed solely on the path ahead. His calm, cold face looked like a stone frozen in time, untouched by the shifting environment. The forest seemed to be sitting in deep meditation.

  As he walked, Wuang Shi reached a lake where the trees grew even thicker. There was no sound only an absolute, heavy silence. Wuang Shi placed his outer robes against a tree and stepped into the lake. The freezing waters of the lake failed to break his rigid, stoic posture. He sat down in the water, crossing his legs in a meditative pose.

  Suddenly, the water began to swirl with crimson. Within moments, the clear water around him turned blood-red. The blood was seeping from a gruesome wound on Wuang Shi's back. His back was covered in numerous lash marks from a whip, raw and bleeding. Yet, despite the pain, not a single expression flickered across his face. It was as if a hunter, after a lifetime of chasing others, had begun to hunt his own soul.

  However, this emptiness and desolation were not everywhere. Elsewhere, a different scene was unfolding.

  Gu Zong, who had become alert moments ago due to a faint sound, peeked out of his window. He saw no one. The courtyard was empty; even the lotus pond looked peaceful. But then, he spotted a shadow near the wall. His eyes sharpened, and his face tautened. With calculated precision, he leaped out of the window. His measured steps left no trace of sound as he approached the wall. He pulled a small dagger from his robes a blade so sharp it seemed capable of slicing the wind itself.

  Suddenly, a masked figure emerged before him. Reacting instinctively, Gu Zong lunged with his dagger, but the masked person quickly pulled down the cloth covering their face. Gu Zong’s eyes widened in shock. Standing before him was none other than Hui Chi.

  A short while later...

  Near the table by the closed window, a flickering candle filled the room with a warm glow. In this mountainous region, the evening felt as deep as the dead of night. The room was fragrant and cozy. On the table, alongside the pouch of fox nuts, another pouch lay open, filled with peanuts.

  Sitting by the low wooden table, Hui Chi had her face bunched up in a pout, looking like a sulky child. Gu Zong stood before her, staring her down. After a brief silence, Gu Zong’s playful voice echoed in the room. He scolded her in his usual mischievous manner:

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  "You came all this way just to give me these peanuts? Huh? Seriously, Hui Chi!!?"

  Hui Chi puffed out her cheeks again and spoke like a persistent child.

  "Master...! Why didn't you meet me before leaving? Do you know how much I missed you? That’s why I came here to see you. But I brought these peanuts for you! I spent the whole night shelling them... just for you, Master."

  Seeing Hui Chi’s small, endearing gestures and her childlike face, a soft smile spread across Gu Zong’s face. He reached into the pouch, took a handful of peanuts, and sat down to eat. However, his tone turned slightly serious as he asked:

  "How did you get inside?"

  Hearing this, sweat broke out on Hui Chi’s forehead. She clasped her hands together tightly. Her eyes widened slightly, but she maintained her innocent demeanor.

  "Aaa... well, Master, you taught me the art of hiding in shadows yourself. I just used that! And oh, Master, Senior Sister has sent this letter for you."

  With a wide, beaming smile, Hui Chi pulled a small piece of paper from her robes and placed it on the table. Gu Zong glanced at the letter; instantly, his eyes welled up, and a radiant smile transformed his entire face. Seeing this, even Hui Chi’s eyes seemed to laugh. She said:

  "Master, Senior Sister misses you very much. I must go now. I just wanted to meet you and give you these things."

  Hui Chi stood up quietly and covered her face again. Like a gust of wind, her form vanished from the room. Behind her, only the swaying white curtains and the silence of the room remained.

  Gu Zong’s cold hands gently picked up the letter and opened it. As he read the message, not just his lips but his entire being seemed to smile. It was as if spring had suddenly bloomed on a withered tree. The letter read:

  "Zao. I hope you have reached there safely. Gu Zong, everything has become so quiet since you left. Even Grandfather has become silent. But I didn't write this letter to tell you that. I want to tell you that we have also received an invitation from Fukun Xueyuan. Both of us will be arriving there very soon. Until then, take care of yourself, Zao. We will meet soon. — Jun Wan"

  Somehow, the room felt more vibrant than a bustling market. Even the candlelight seemed brighter. Gu Zong, sitting in a relaxed state, placed the letter gently on the table and closed his eyes. He picked up a few fox nuts and began to eat with a peaceful, contented expression.

  Outside, the stars and the moon adorned the black sky. It was nearly the fourth watch of the night. Walking with an unwavering, steady gait, Han Wuang Shi re-entered through the main gate of Fukun Xueyuan. Carrying a stony aura, he walked toward his room. His eyes were like empty wells, holding nothing. His footsteps were like walking on water no trace, no sound.

  When he opened the door to his quarters, the room was overflowing with books. His desk looked like a mountain of scrolls. Ink-stones, brushes, and blank papers were scattered everywhere. It looked less like a bedroom and more like a private library.

  Han Wuang Shi sat at the desk. He took a brush in his hand and began to draw a figure on a blank sheet of paper. His fingers worked on the form for a long time. Finally, when he lifted his hand and set the brush down, a beautiful image had been captured on the paper: A solitary white swan sitting in a lotus pond.