Deep Night
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Hua Zhaoxue tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. The image kept replaying in her mind—that young man whose elegance seemed to captivate the very elements, their glow refusing to leave his form.
"Tian You… just who are you…"
During their first meeting, a brilliant silver light had erupted from Tian You’s body, accompanied by the miraculous sight of withered trees bursting into bloom. Though utterly astonished, Hua Zhaoxue’s attention had been captivated mostly by his striking features. Even throughout the day after he regained consciousness, she found herself quietly pondering her own unsettled emotions.
Only tonight, beneath the pale crescent moon and flowing water, did that same silver light reappear around Tian You… And only then did Hua Zhaoxue recall—no element on the entire Qisheng Continent manifested in silver! Not even the Sacred Attribute, the continent’s so-called premier element exclusive to the Qisheng Empire, shone with golden light rivaling the radiant silver glow surrounding Tian You.
Only now did she realize how little she truly knew about Tian You.
A sharp unease tightened in her chest. That dance under the crescent moon—the youth shimmering with moonlit silver—had left her confused, yet stirred within her a feeling she’d never known before…
Then, a faint unfamiliar scent from the bed caught her attention. Unlike her own floral fragrance, this aroma was deeply soothing. A blush slowly crept across her cheeks. Under its gentle comfort, unease softened into shyness. Trembling slightly, she reached for a corner of the thin quilt, lifted it gently… steeling herself against dizzying embarrassment, she slowly brought her delicate, high-bridged nose closer…
---
Meanwhile, Tian You’s mind was equally restless. Sitting cross-legged on his new wooden bed, he stared blankly at his hands. Just then, that soft mist quietly returned to his thoughts, gently veiling his consciousness and slowly wiping away the lingering traces of that tender moment.
Silent. Still.
---
Before dawn the next day, a burly man carrying a heavy sword frantically whipped his carriage horses, racing toward the courtyard where Hua Zhaoxue stayed.
Nie Wangqing burned with anxiety. Last night, while returning with the children, he’d overheard passersby mention the Li family. At those words, his heart skipped. He settled the children and listened closely.
When he heard Hua Zhaoxue had openly clashed with Li Bai, the Li family’s young master, relief flickered—Li Bai, though respected in Huanan, was merely an ordinary man from an ordinary house. No threat to Hua Zhaoxue, a Qi Cultivator.
But then the next words shot his heart straight to his throat.
One passerby said, “Hey, did you see that towering yellow light from the Li estate yesterday?”
“I did! Spectacular! And about half an hour later—boom! An explosion!”
“Think the Li family produced a Faithweaver?!”
“Doubt it… Never heard of any notable young lady from them…”
Yellow light?! An explosion?!
The rest blurred. Those two details alone sent chills down his spine.
He wasn’t a Faithweaver—couldn’t sense Qi Energy fluctuations to verify truth. But rumors held grains of truth… and this one traced straight back to Li Bai, who’d just clashed with Hua Zhaoxue.
He couldn’t stay.
*Zhaoxue must leave Huanan. Now.*
His gaze—thick with turmoil—met the children’s wide, innocent eyes. Fists clenched tight, nails biting deep into his palms.
But he had no choice. He’d come to Huanan for her. Only her.
Swallowing the ache in his chest, he took the children to the money exchange. Withdrew everything. Divided the coins. Kept a small portion. Converted most silver ingots into banknotes. Secured them. Returned.
He left the exquisitely delicate little girl waiting outside while settling the others into bed. Stepping out, his heart heavy with conflict.
The girl looked up with bright, lively eyes. “Uncle Nie… are you going out to handle something?”
Nie Wangqing forced a strained smile. “Mm… you all wait here at Uncle Nie’s house… I’ll just… handle a matter…” His voice trembled at the end. He pressed the banknotes into her small hands.
She stared at them, confusion in her wide eyes. “Uncle Nie… will you be gone long?”
“…Mm… a long time…”
“Mm! I’ll take good care of everything while you’re away!”
Nie Wangqing’s broad shoulders trembled. His shaking hand rose, gently stroking her smooth black hair. His heart felt as if sliced by a knife.
