Chapter Text
“Jiejie,” Rongrong said as she entered Huguang Pavilion. “We’ve received another report that Shi Ji was sighted in the east. However, by the time our spies got there, she was gone.”
Honghong nodded. Shi Ji had been spotted several times already, yet she always managed to escape them. Honghong suspected Shi Ji was planning something big to happen soon or else the latter would have gone to ground after Mutian. “You and Elder should strengthen the wards around Peace Village. I fear Shi Ji will attack Tushan.”
Honghong’s next words were stopped when she caught sight of a black butterfly coming towards her. It was a message from Lai. She held out her hand for the butterfly to perch on, frowning as she listened to the latest news on Yaya.
As soon as the butterfly flew away, Rongrong asked, “What’s wrong?”
Honghong met Rongrong’s worried gaze and answered, “Yaya lost her magic.”
Rongrong’s eyes widened. “Lost? What do you mean?”
“Her magic is blocked and she can’t access it. Lai said she’s basically like a human.”
Rongrong covered her mouth, a light gasp escaping her.
Of the three sisters, Yaya loved to boast in her strength. To no longer have her magic must have been a real blow to their sister.
“Have you heard of anything like this before? And do you know if there is any way to fix it?” Honghong asked.
Rongrong tapped a finger against her chin, searching through her memory. “I’ve never heard of losing your magic. But neither have I heard anyone surviving their primordial spirit being shattered like er jie.” She frowned. “I’ll ask Cui Yuling if she has any ideas.”
“I’ll tell A’Lai to keep Yaya there. From his message, that seems to be what he wants to do anyways.” Honghong sighed. “With Shi Ji looking to attack Tushan, Yaya would be in danger here without her magic.” She looked up at Rongrong. “Will your disciple be staying here?”
“Yan Rushan has agreed to stay for now. So will Lord Samayoa.”
“Good,” Honghong said. “We need to prepare for Shi Ji.”
Yaya sat cross-legged on the stone slab in the open cavern with her eyes closed. Sunlight streamed through the opening at the top and warmed her. She could feel the spiritual energy of heaven and earth circulating in her body but that was it. Her magic was blocked, just out of reach from accessing it. Her brow furrowed as she kept trying to push the heaven and spirit energy towards whatever was blocking her magic but it wasn’t obeying her will. It only flowed through her meridians.
She had been at it for hours, trying to reach the cold magic she had cultivated for centuries, to feel her magic pulse through her veins once more. Yet it remained elusive. Each failed attempt brought a fresh wave of despair, a painful reminder of her loss. It was as if the very essence of her being had been taken away, leaving only an empty, hollow space inside.
A warm hand covered hers and she opened her eyes to meet Lai’s worried brown gaze.
"Yaya," he said softly, cupping her face. "You need to rest."
She looked up at him, her eyes burning and puffy. "I can't, A’Lai," she whispered, her voice barely a hoarse croak. "It’s not there anymore. I have to get it back."
He pulled her close, pushing her head against his shoulder and resting his chin against her head. "You're not alone," he assured her, his voice steady and calm. "We'll find a way to get it back. I'll help you."
For a moment, she allowed herself to lean into his comfort, soaking in his calmness that soothed her frazzled mentality. "I don't know if I'll ever be able to access my magic again." Hopelessness colored her tone and she slumped against him. She couldn't shake the feeling that the darkness was closing in, and she was running out of time.
Lai leaned back and lifted her head with a gentle finger to meet his gaze, his eyes filled with quiet understanding. "You will, Yaya. You’ll find a way, and you won’t stop until you do. Magic or not, you're still the strongest person I know. But no matter what happens, I’ll always be with you.” He leaned down and he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You should get some rest. You may think of something after resting.”
She nodded against his chest, exhaustion weighing on her, and her eyes slid closed within just a few moments.
Lai gently laid Yaya back on the stone and covered her with a blanket. Without her magic, she felt temperature much more keenly. His heart ached watching her wear herself out trying to gain her magic back.
He heard a whisper from the entrance and he looked up, spotting his sister, Liu Er Mihou, waving for him to come out. Brow furrowing, he tucked Yaya in before leaving, exiting the cave and out into the clearing with a small house and several fruit orchards.
“What is it, er jie?” he asked when he caught up to Mihou.
She nodded at the cave and asked, “How is she doing?”
He sighed. “Not well. I just got her down for a few minutes. She’s been at it almost nonstop since Fu Hua told us.”
She clapped a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “I’m sorry; I know it’s hard.”
He shook his head. “Not as hard as it is for Yaya. Anyways, is that the only thing you wanted to speak to me about, er jie?”
“No, just a couple of other things and then I’ll let you get back to sao zi. Honghong has asked us to keep Yaya here. They’re preparing for Shi Ji’s attacks now and it’s not safe for Yaya.”
Lai blew out a breath. “Good. I figured she would say that. And what’s the second thing?”
“Shi Ji and Guoguo were spotted at the Cliffs near the East Sea. We lost both of them but Guoguo was last seen heading in the direction of Heaven Sect Pass.”
He stiffened and looked at her sharply. “Strengthen the barriers around Aolai.”
“Already did, didi. And I sent the report to Honghong.” She looked at the cave. “What do you plan to do?”
Lai was torn. Heaven Sect Pass was the start and end point of the circle that he drew. Because of that, it was the entrance and exit of the circle, though only one group had ever tried to leave the Inside and they paid the price. It was also the weakest point of the circle so Guoguo’s direction was alarming. But with Yaya in such a fragile state mentally and physically, he was afraid to leave her. Never had he wanted to abandon his duty as Lord of the Six Realms more than he did at that moment. But he couldn’t. He clenched his fists.
“I’ll go. But I need to talk to Yaya before I leave.” He looked at his sister. “Will you—”
“I’ll protect her and Aolai.”
He gave a nod and turned back to enter the cave. He took a seat by Yaya, taking her hand in his and gently brushing a strand of hair off her face. He really didn’t want to leave. Jin Chen Xi had known his deepest desire: to be with Yaya with no other responsibilities. But that was just a fantasy.
He held her hand against his cheek and closed his eyes, enjoying the last few moments of peace and wishing they could last forever.
Yaya opened her eyes and looked down. Lai’s arm pillowed his head as he slept soundly by her side, her hand trapped in his. She carefully turned on her side to face him and traced his features with her gaze. She knew he was leaving soon, and she couldn’t go with him. She had never felt so useless. A tear squeezed from her eye and she quickly wiped it away. Despair clawed at her, trying to drag her down, but she couldn’t let it show. If she did, Lai wouldn’t want to go but he had to. She couldn’t hold him back.
She noticed his eyes fluttering and she quickly plastered a smile before they opened. She watched his eyes focus on her before a soft smile spread across his face.
“You’re awake?”
Yaya hummed yes.
They fell silent, their hands intwined. She could see him thinking about how to tell her. It was a testament of how much their relationship had grown that she could read him so well. “You have to go…don’t you?”
Lai’s eyes snapped to hers. “You already know?”
Her lips quirked up in a sad smile. “I overheard you and Mihou.”
He fell silent. “I’m sorry.” He cupped her face, his thumb caressing her cheek. “Guoguo was spotted heading towards Heaven Sect Pass.” His brow furrowed. “I’m afraid the barrier’s his objective.”
She covered his hand with hers. “I know. I’ll stay here. Just promise me you’ll be careful, okay?” His last battle with Guoguo had ended with him dying. She didn’t want him to go by himself but knew, as she was now, she would only be an obstacle. Her eyes burned but she blinked rapidly and swallowed the lump in her throat. “When are you leaving?”
Regret crossed his face as he answered, “Soon.” He flipped her hand over and pressed a small, thin stick into her palm that he had stolen from her so long ago. “I’ll leave this Dinghai Rod with you. If you need me, I will come.”
Her fingers curled around the wood, her nails biting into her skin, and she forced her lips in a trembling smile. She wanted him to stand against the enemy with no worries in his heart, so she would make sure she wouldn’t need him. In the vast Six Realms, many creatures could need him but not her.
Guoguo watched his step as he climbed the rocks of the Cliffs. He had received a message earlier from one of his men to meet. After Beishan, he had created an intelligence network of sorts, gathering as much information about the Spirit Alliance and Yiqi Alliance as possible. In addition, his people were able to gather more spirits to their cause, amassing an army for Shi Ji to call on. Spotting the slender snake spirit, he approached the man.
“I thought I told you to not contact me until Shi Ji is ready,” Guoguo said with a frown.
The man, Tian Peng, bent slightly at the waist. “My lord, I apologize but I thought you would want to know. Poison Boy has left Aolai but Tushan Yaya was not with him.”
Guoguo’s steps faltered and he looked sharply at Peng. “They weren’t together?”
Peng shook his head. “I’ve seen her with Liu Er Mihou and another man but not Poison Boy.”
Guoguo’s mind whirled. Yaya must have been injured in Mutian and was made to stay behind. He tapped his fingers against his arm. He liked Yaya. He had been injured by humans—part of his ploy to get into Tushan though only a shadow of the abuse he had gone through in the centuries he’d been in the Spirit-Master Kingdom. She was the only one in his life who had extended a helping hand with no ulterior motive. She gave him a name, bandaged his wounds, and taught him how to protect himself. She claimed him as hers to prevent him from being bullied, and for the first time, he felt something other than hate and anger.
However, Poison Boy entered the picture and ruined everything. True, he had been working with Shi Ji. But Yaya wouldn’t have known if it wasn’t for Lai. Now, they were enemies. If she didn’t know what she did now, he was certain Yaya would like him.
The idea of forgetting tugged at something in Guoguo’s mind. He followed the pull and recalled reading about a fox spell that tampered with memories but he had never learned it nor was he certain if it manipulated memories or actually made people forget. However, not many spirits could cast a strong enough spell on Tushan foxes to last. Shi Ji, though, perhaps might be able to.
“Keep an eye on Aolai,” Guoguo said. “I need to speak with someone.”