Ancient Fragment #24

  Beware the shining moon—when its light falls, her power surges beyond restraint.

  -

  A patch of dark crimson grass bent low into the earth as three pairs of boots stepped over it. The blades did not rise again.

  They had left the cave behind and crossed the broken stone corridors of the ruins. Now they moved through the forest, where the air was thick with the scent of sap and blood.

  Screeech!

  The sharp cry of Cinderclaw Eagles echoed high above. Their massive wings cut through the night sky beneath the three pale moons. A violent rip followed as talons tore apart a struggling boar midair. A rain of gore fell from the heavens. Intestines and hot blood slammed into the forest floor not far from the trio.

  Long Tianyu shuddered.

  That could have been me in the Soul Lake…

  For a moment, the image of the Fire Centipede’s mangled corpse disappearing resurfaced in his mind. He forced it down, burying it together with things he didn't want to think about.

  He walked at Hua Qingqing’s left side, his Twin Shadow Sword resting firmly in his grip. Bai Qing guarded her right, her Celestial Moon Sword glowing softly in the moonlight. The three formed a tight formation as they pushed through overgrown crimson foliage that swallowed the ancient ruins whole.

  The three moons still hung high. Since Long Tianyu had returned from the Soul Lake, not much time had passed.

  They asked multiple times if Hua Qingqing was fine to leave the forest which she said she was. However, they could see it. The faint fatigue in her eyes. The slow blinks. The deeper breaths she tried to hide.

  “Are you sure you’re fine?” Long Tianyu asked quietly.

  “For the eighth time, I’m okay!” Hua Qingqing snapped, though her voice lacked some of its usual sharpness.

  Long Tianyu glanced around at the hollow base of a massive tree trunk, its interior burned black and empty.

  “Wife, we can hide in that tree trunk if you want. It would just be very warm.”

  He grinned, trying to lighten the suffocating tension that hung between distant roars and the shrill cries overhead.

  Slap.

  “Ouch! Damn your body cultivation.”

  Hua Qingqing shook her stinging hand after smacking the back of his head. Despite her qi level being far ahead of his, he was stronger in his body cultivation.

  Bai Qing rolled her eyes.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  Are they really husband and wife? Sister Qingqing has never called him husband before.

  Long Tianyu grumbled and led the way through more dense foliage.

  Hours passed.

  A few demonic beasts had tried attacking but had been slaughtered by the Twin Shadow Blade or Celestial Moon Sword.

  The trees gradually shifted. Crimson bark gave way to towering red pines whose needles moved slightly in the wind.

  They had crossed into the Red Pine Forest.

  Long Tianyu rolled together the map in his hand.

  “Qingqing, I think we can find our way back from here. Can you put this inside the storage bag?”

  ''Mm, it should be fine.'' She grabbed it and put it inside. She looked over to Bai Qing ''Sister Qing, where will you go from here?''

  Bai Qing’s expression dimmed slightly.

  “I have to return to the sect,” she said softly. “I must report to Sect Master… and return the belongings to the families...”

  Her voice trembled at the end.

  Silence settled between them.

  “Okay. We understand.”

  Long Tianyu stepped forward and extended his hand.

  Bai Qing stared at it as if it were a strange artifact.

  He cleared his throat. “Oh. Sorry about this. I’m Long Tianyu. And this is my future wife, Hua Qingqing.”

  She smacked his hand away.

  “I already know you didn’t give me your real name, you fool.”

  She turned aside, pretending to be offended.

  Hua Qingqing stepped forward gently. ''We're sorry Sister Qing for not trusting you.. it's just.. we're in a very special situation right now and we had to be careful.''

  Bai Qing waved her hand dismissively.

  “It’s fine. As a fellow Qing, I understand why.” She narrowed her eyes at Long Tianyu and pointed a finger at him. “But what about this guy? He had so many chances to tell me. And he chose not to.”

  “I was busy!” Long Tianyu protested.

  Her finger jabbed closer to his face.

  “Big Sister Qingqing, you must be careful not to be deceived by this kind of man.”

  Hua Qingqing laughed and smiled.

  This Bai Qing does have some character to her after all.

  “Fine, fine. Whatever.” Long Tianyu threw up his hands in surrender. Then he turned to Hua Qingqing. “Qingqing, can you give me your storage pouch?”

  She blinked in confusion but handed it over.

  Long Tianyu faced Bai Qing ''Give me your hand, I'll show you who is true to their words.''

  Suspicious but curious, Bai Qing extended her palm.

  Long Tianyu infused his qi into the storage pouch.

  A Soul-Mending Pill dropped into her hand.

  Then four Crimson Gold Flowers.

  Then two Scarlet Soul Orchids.

  The treasures gleamed softly beneath the moonlight.

  “This…” Bai Qing’s eyes widened as she stared at the treasures resting in her palm. She looked up at him, stunned.

  Long Tianyu’s smile faded into a mocking scowl.

  “What? Did you think I wouldn’t repay you? You took care of my wife.”

  He snorted lightly.

  Hua Qingqing watched from the side, warmth in her gaze. Those treasures should have been his alone. Yet he did not hesitate.

  “Take them, Sister Qing,” she said gently. “Before he changes his mind.”

  Bai Qing’s lips curved into a sweet smile. A faint blush colored her cheeks as she stored the items away.

  “Thank you…”

  Long Tianyu laughed loudly. The tension in his shoulders finally eased. They were no longer in the cavern. No longer in the Crimson Heart. The Red Pine Forest too peaceful.

  ''We should be heading back now. Are you sure you don't want to come with us, you could rest for the night at a place we know.''

  Bai Qing shook her head.

  “No. I must return immediately. The sect members must be worried.”

  Hua Qingqing stepped forward and smiled softly.

  “I hope we see each other again, Sister Qing.”

  “Mm. Me too.” Bai Qing reached into her sleeve and tossed a small white token toward them. A blue sigil shimmered at its center. “You are always welcome at White Moon Sect. Show them this.”

  Long Tianyu caught the token and examined it briefly before storing it away.

  “Be careful on your way back,” he said.

  Bai Qing lifted a hand in farewell.

  Then she turned and walked north, her blue robes with the White Moon insignia on her back gradually blending into the moonlit forest as she headed toward White Moon Sect.

  -

  End of chapter 24 - Departing