The sun had barely risen over the distant mountains, casting soft golden rays across the palace of the Northern Bei Kingdom.
The air was cool, crisp with the lingering chill of early morning, and a soft mist clung to the cobblestone streets.
Zhang Yuan, Ming Yuelin, and Xue Hua walked down the large stairs leaving the palace and made their way toward the carriage.
Zhang Yuan glanced at Ming Yuelin and spoke "From now on.. you will have to train hard, no slacking off anymore."
Giggling, Ming Yuelin hugged his arm "Yes, my dear Master..."
Zhang Yuan just shook his head helplessly and Ming Yuelin turned to look at Xue Hua "See.. Junior Sister, you said you don't like ornaments but you are still wearing the hair pin Master bought for you."
Hearing her tease, a faint blush crept on Xue Hua's cheeks and she raised her hand touching the silver hairpin on her head "It is because something master bought me... not wearing it will be disrespect to him."
"Ohhh..."
Jin Wei and Chen Zin also followed behind them as Chen Zin clutched her fist "You dumb Master.. train me more from now on, I want to beat that bitch the next time I meet her."
With a chuckle, Jin Wei nodded her head "Having a rival is great, you finally get the enthusiasm to train harder."
Meanwhile, up in the stairs, Long Xian looked at his daughter and smiled heartedly "Yue'er.. stay safe there... You are in good hands right now."
"Don't slack off on your training and follow your Master's orders."
Long Yue bowed her head "Yes father..."
With a nod, Long Xian spoke "Don't worry dear... I will surely investigate who awakened your bloodline and made you tolerate hell for the past months."
"I will crush them with my own hands."
Hearing this, Long Yue smiled and spoke "be careful father... then I am leaving."
"Hm... Come and meet me when you are free. father will always be waiting for you at our Dynasty palace."
Long Yue's eyes softened and she nodded her head "Yes Father."
His white hair, usually tied back, now framed his face in soft waves, the breeze pushing strands away from his serene features.
The delicate lines of his face seemed even more perfect in the soft light, and Jin Wei felt a warmth spread through her chest just from looking at him.
Her lips parted slightly as she whispered softly under her breath, "Senior Yuan..."
Her voice was barely audible, and the words weren't meant for anyone to hear. She simply couldn't stop the thoughts that swirled in her mind.
As her eyes traced the contours of his face... the strong brow, the high cheekbones, the softness of his lips... she felt her heart flutter, a strange sensation she wasn't used to feeling.
'What is this feeling?' she wondered, her gaze lingering on him. 'Just looking at him... soothes me.'
But then a soft sigh escaped her lips 'From today onwards... I can't see him anymore.'
As she looked at him, a faint idea crossed her mind 'Why can't I just become... Senior Yuan's disciple.'
'He is more talented than me in swordsmanship... so he can actually help me improve my Sword Intent.'
However, she glanced at Chen Zin who was sleeping beside her as she lay her head on her shoulder.
'No... I can't,' Jin Wei thought with a soft frown. 'I already have my own disciple. How can I call myself a master if I seek another as my teacher?'
'Why do I have this bad premonition?' she thought, her chest tightening with anxiety. 'If I leave today... I feel like I won't meet him again. Like he'll forget about me.'
Her heartbeat rose and her gaze trembled as she looked at him, a sudden panic rising within her.
'What... what is this feeling?' Jin Wei wondered, her throat tightening as she fought to keep her composure. 'Why does my heart ache just thinking about him forgetting me?'
She had never felt so vulnerable, so unsure of herself.
And yet, in the depths of her heart, she couldn't shake the thought that if she let go now, she might lose something precious forever.
She raised her gaze again to look at his face 'Senior Yuan...'
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I hope you guys liked this chapter!