A few hours after their arrival, Lin Wei knocked on Wǎn Lù’s chamber door.

  [Lin Wei]: "Sister Wǎn Lù? [Knock, knock] Sister?!"

  Inside, Wǎn Lù was lost in a deep, restless slumber.

  (Wǎn Lù's Dream)

  The sterile quiet of her room dissolved into the stark stone of a familiar throne hall. Standing before her was Jian Zhi, a mocking half-smile on his lips.

  [Jian Zhi]: "Hey there, ‘Your Highness.’ How can you sleep so soundly in another man’s kingdom?" He took a slow, deliberate step forward.

  [Wǎn Lù]: "You! What are you doing in my chamber? Why are you everywhere? Stay back, or I’ll kill you!"

  [Jian Zhi]: "[A low, humorless laugh] You? Kill me? Look at you—a chicken trying to hunt a dragon."

  [Wǎn Lù]: "You dead-eyed bastard!!"

  In the dream, rage overrode sense. A sword materialized in her hand. She launched herself at him, aiming for his throat. The movement was violent, jarring—

  *Thud.*

  Wǎn Lù rolled off the bed and landed on the floor, the dream shattering into the cold reality of dawn-lit boards. She lay there for a moment, heart hammering.

  Wǎn Lù’s Internal Monologue: Aish… damn it all. A dream? Why is he invading my sleep? I have to peel back his layers before he gets into my mind completely.

  [Lin Wei]: "[Knock, knock] Sister? What was that noise? Are you alright?"

  [Wǎn Lù]: "I—I’m fine. Just a moment." *I have to get him out of my head.* She opened the door to find Lin Wei’s face pinched with concern.

  [Lin Wei]: "Are you still tired? Do you need more rest?"

  [Wǎn Lù]: "[Forcing a bright smile] No, I’m perfectly well. Just a short nap to maintain my health. May I wash my face before we go?" Lin Wei nodded, waiting patiently. Once refreshed, the two women set out for the military base.

  [Wǎn Lù]: "Why the military base and not the medical hall?"

  [Lin Wei]: "My uncle is stationed there. If we ask him to prepare a space for a treatment camp, he will. Also, soldiers sustain injuries frequently from their intense training. We can treat them and the civilians together."

  Wǎn Lù nodded, absorbing the logic. As they entered the base, a synchronised roar like thunder erupted—the sound of a hundred soldiers moving as one, practicing a series of brutal, efficient movements.

  *Wǎn Lù’s Internal Monologue:* What manner of fighting is that? It bears no resemblance to traditional forms. Every motion is stripped down, calculated for maximum damage… designed purely for killing. This land… it constantly demands I adapt to its harsh, pragmatic truths.

  [Lin Wei]: "Uncle Zhào!!"

  She called out, spotting him across the yard. Captain Zhào turned, and his stern commander’s face instantly melted into a beacon of pure, familial joy.

  [Captain Zhào]: "Lin Wei! When did you arrive? Have you eaten? Did you come alone? That brat didn’t come with you, did he?" The questions tumbled out in an excited stream.

  [Lin Wei]: "Uncle, one at a time! You’re asking too much at once."

  [Captain Zhào]: "Hahaha, my apologies. Take your time."

  [Lin Wei]: "Alright. I’ve eaten. I didn’t come alone—I brought someone important. And don’t call him a brat; he’s busy with his work in his study."

  [Captain Zhào]: "That boy… when will he ever rest? I’ll knock some sense into him later. Who is this important person? And what do you need?"

  [Lin Wei]: "Uncle, don’t pretend you’re tough enough to scold *him*. [She gestures to Wǎn Lù] This is Miss Wǎn Lù. She’s a new assistant at the Medical Hall and my crucial partner. I’ve come to run a treatment camp to heal everyone with a new technique."

  [Wǎn Lù]: "Greetings, Captain. I am Wǎn Lù." She offered a gentle, polite smile.

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  Captain Zhào’s eyes widened. "Whoa… did you recruit an assistant from the heavens? Why is a celestial beauty here? No, no—don’t misunderstand, I’m not flirting! Just stating a fact." He chuckled awkwardly. "Lin Wei, you said she’s important. Is she… engaged to the King? He’s the only one who pulls off insane miracles like this."

  A wave of annoyance and anger washed over Wǎn Lù’s face.

  *Wǎn Lù’s Internal Monologue:* What is *wrong* with this old man? Why does everyone keep pairing me with that dead-eyed tyrant? *Me?* With *him*? The thought is… revolting. Unthinkable.

  [Lin Wei]: "No, no! She is *not* the King’s fiancée. She is helping me with the treatment camp. Rein in that wild imagination of yours, old man."

  [Captain Zhào]: "My apologies for my bluntness. You may use the chamber in the east wing for your camp." Wǎn Lù gave a curt nod and walked away with Lin Wei, eager to escape.

  As they left, Captain Zhào stroked his chin, murmuring to himself, "Her energy… it feels strangely calming. Almost familiar. Something’s off. Just who is she?"

  Inside the prepared chamber, Lin Wei began mixing a mild sedative while Wǎn Lù closed her eyes, centring herself for the work ahead. Their first patient entered—a young soldier with a badly broken arm. Lin Wei guided him to sit, then Wǎn Lù secured the door, ensuring their secret would remain intact.

  [Lin Wei]: "Drink this. Then, please blindfold yourself. The treatment method is… proprietary."

  The soldier complied, drinking the herbal draft and tying the cloth over his eyes before lying back. Wǎn Lù took a deep, steadying breath. This was the first official test. She focused, and a sphere of soft, celestial fire—more like condensed moonlight than flame—coalesced in her palms. She split the sphere, stretching it into a log of gentle, radiant energy. Carefully, she wrapped this luminous band around the soldier’s shattered arm.

  The fire licked at his skin but caused no burn, only a profound, penetrating warmth. The soldier’s tense expression smoothed into one of deep comfort. As the light faded, Lin Wei roused him.

  [Soldier]: "Lady Lin Wei… my arm. It felt like a warm embrace. The pain… It’s gone. Thank you."

  [Lin Wei]: "Thank *her*, not me. She is the one who healed you. And remember—never doubt the hand that feeds you, understand?"

  The soldier left, his face alight with gratitude. Lin Wei leaned close to Wǎn Lù, her voice a proud whisper. "You did perfectly, sister. Let’s keep this up."

  They repeated the process ten more times. With the final patient dismissed, Wǎn Lù slumped into a chair, exhaustion etched into her features.

  [Wǎn Lù]: "Alright… that’s enough. I’m spent."

  [Lin Wei]: "It seems your current limit is eleven. If we practice daily, your capacity will grow. Training refills your energy and expands its vessel."

  [Wǎn Lù]: "[A weary sigh] You know about cultivation principles too? Let’s eat first. Then… we go to the mountain."

  After a meal that restored her vigor, Wǎn Lù felt a renewed sense of purpose. *It’s time. I will find your origin, Mr Mountain Devil.*

  The two began their ascent. The mountain air was clean and crisp, the breeze a silent symphony through the leaves, a gentle, warm embrace that belied the mountain’s fearsome name.

  [Lin Wei]: "It’s been a while since I came this way. This area was considered lethally dangerous… until the first time I came here."

  [Wǎn Lù]: "When was that? How did it become safe?"

  [Lin Wei]: "A year ago. I came here to die. I had been sold to a nobleman, my mother was killed by my drunken father… I had no reason to live. I hoped the devil inhabiting this place would end me. But… the devil was gentler than any human in the district. He saved me."

  [Wǎn Lù]: "Wait. When you say you were ‘liberated and saved by your brother’… you were talking about… the *King*?"

  Lin Wei met her gaze and gave a single, calm nod.

  [Lin Wei]: "Yes. I was talking about King Jian Zhi. He is my brother."

  Wǎn Lù’s jaw went slack. The shock was a physical blow.

  *Wǎn Lù’s Internal Monologue:* From the very first day we met, she was trying to pair me with *him*? Jian Zhi… ‘Unyielding Will.’ A fitting name for a tyrant, but… is he even a tyrant? Have I judged him solely by the force of his presence, blind to the effects and results of his actions? Aish, Wǎn Lù… how can I hold my head up with this shame? No—don’t jump to conclusions. I need to know his ultimate motive. I must confirm whether he is a true tyrant or… a benevolent monster. A necessary beast.

  They walked on in heavy silence, the tension between them louder than any words. Then, Wǎn Lù saw it. A massive, ancient tree, its trunk grotesquely hollowed out. She approached, and her breath seized.

  The interior of the hollow was stained with dark, ancient blood splatter. The wood around it was shattered inward in a precise, repeating pattern of fist-sized impacts. The sheer volume of blood and the depth of the hollow spoke of terrifying, repetitive violence.

  *Wǎn Lù’s Internal Monologue:* Wh-what is this? Blood spatter? Punch marks? Did he do this? But this much blood… this depth of destruction… it couldn’t have been made by a bare fist. Could it?

  [Wǎn Lù]: Her voice was barely a whisper. "Lin Wei… how old is he? Your brother. How long was he here?"

  [Lin Wei]: "He is twenty now. He lived here for seven years. Until I showed up… and he descended from the mountain."

  [Wǎn Lù]: "Seven years? So he descended at nineteen… and ascended at twelve? What made a child climb this mountain? Where were his parents?"

  [Lin Wei]: "He doesn’t have parents, sister. He just has me. And Uncle Zhào. And Grandfather. And Uncle Lǐ Róng, Aunt Xuè Lán… and the people."

  *Wǎn Lù’s Internal Monologue:* An orphan. He found his own foster family. Wǎn Lù… you have truly messed up. A wave of profound regret washed over her. I feel… sorry for that boy. How did he survive here for seven years? This is no normal wilderness—it’s infested with wolves, bears, panthers. Just who are you, Jian Zhi? How did you survive? And what finally made you leave?

  Overwhelmed, she sat on a rock, head in her hands, frustration and pity warring within her. Then, cutting through the silence, came the sound that answered her last question—a long, chilling, and demonic chorus that rolled down the slopes.

  The howls of the Devil’s Mountain wolves. They had caught the scent of strangers.