Mixed Robes [FengQing]

Fenghuang, Come!

As Lian strode through the dense forest where her mission was stationed, she was determined. Maybe this could help her pass her first Heavenly Tribulation. Before she had gone on her journey, she had stopped by Puqi Shrine and visited Yulan's family. Hua Cheng had sensed that something was a little off about her mission, and secretly cast a qi masking spell just in case Lian was going on a mission a little close the the Ghost Realm. Yulan saw Lian out to the main road where Lian would go to her mission. Yulan was worrying about Lian a little too much, but Lian secretly enjoyed her concern. Then, Lian took off.

Lian felt like something was off about this forest. Sure, it had everything that an average forest would have, but the aura didn't feel right. She silently summoned Fenghuang, a golden willow vine whip shining in her hands. She looked around cautiously, and a ghost leaped out of a bush and lunged straight at her back. Luckily, she had insane instincts, so she turned around in time to intercept the ghost. As Fenghuang struck at the vengeful ghost, full of spiritual powers, it whistled in the air. Fenghuang hit the ghost with a crack, and the ghost shrieked as its soul was dispelled in an instant. Lian raised her brows and nodded. Not too bad, she thought. She continued to walk through the dense forest, her eyes flitting around.

Lian kept her composure and enhanced her senses. She controlled her breathing and made sure that her sword and bow were within reach. She owned a bow similar to Feng Xin's, summoning flaming arrows of potent spiritual power once the string was pulled back. Her version was built to fit her fighting style and body better, so she was entirely comfortable with using it. The body of the bow was carved with crimson cherry wood laced with gold and silver, forged with pure spiritual power to make it durable and strong. 

Lian's sword, more like a saber, strapped to her side was also similar to Mu Qing's saber. It had a body similar to a sword's, yet it was used like a saber and had small revisions to make its moves as close to a saber as possible. The hilt had shallow carvings of phoenixes and symbols of wind, laced with silver. The blade had a cold blue glow to it, and it always excited Lian when she drew it and sunlight reflected off of it. 

Now, Lian decided to make both weapons strapped to her disappear, deciding to summon them when she needed them. All that was on her was Fenghuang, shining in its golden glory. It suddenly hummed and jerked in the direction of the west, floating and tugging Lian in that direction.

"Fenghuang- What's even over there? Why are you so energetic for this- Ah!" Lian whispered, but then quietly cried out as Fenghuang dragged her to where it wanted her to go. Lian rolled her eyes and let Fenghuang drag her as far as it wanted to. Perhaps Fenghuang was leading her to the rest of the vengeful ghosts, which would make her job so much easier. Soon, Fenghuang stopped dragging her. They had come across footprints in the dirt, light yet tangible. Lian's brows knitted. Weren't these the light footprints of a Heavenly Official? What Heavenly Official would be so close to the Ghost Realm? Was Lian even in the Mortal Realm anymore? Lian was confused, yet she followed in the footsteps. She thought that it was probably not the smartest idea, but she couldn't find any ghosts nearby, so she technically had nothing better to do. 

As she walked along the footsteps, they seemed to be getting fresh with every step she took. Her brows knitted as she gripped Fenghuang. Fenghuang seemed to grow brighter with every meter she walked. Soon, the footprints became slightly disoriented as if the walker was stumbling. Lian continued to follow the footprints and came across a worn-down robe. It seemed like it used to be white, but it was weathered and covered with mud so much to the point where the past color was nearly impossible to figure out. Lian studied the robe for a few moments and used the hilt of Fenghuang to move it around. It looked like it was made of the highest quality silk, making any wealthy mortal become in debt if they bought such a thing. If so, could this be something belonging to a...

Lian shook her head. The only real former Heavenly Official she knew was Yin Yu, but he didn't wear too many expensive robes. Xie Lian wore the same robes every day, and although they were white, they weren't of the highest quality silk. Yin Yu could perhaps afford such a thing, but he mainly favored darker robes. Lian was at a loss as to who this could be. An active Heavenly Official could afford this, but none would let their robes become this weathered and dirty. A figure came to her mind, but she couldn't quite place her finger on it. 

Lian continued to walk, pondering in her smart mind. Who could this person be? Both of her fathers favored expensive black robes, and most of the Heavenly Officials she knew wore uniforms or their favorite colors. Quan Yizhen would just wear whatever his shixiong would gift him, and Pei Ming always wore the same thing as everyone else. Ling Wen was always cooped up in her temple, nose buried in more scrolls, so she didn't have much time to be sauntering about in the Ghost Realm. Ling Wen also favored black robes, so it was impossible that the person that Lian was looking for could be her. 

As Lian continued to follow the footprints and rack her brain for further details, she came across a staggering figure on the ground. The person was kneeling and clutching one of their hands, kneeling in the mud. Due to the sound of footsteps behind them, they turned around.

Lian saw a rather handsome face covered in grime, but the person had bright eyes. Lian looked the figure up and down and determined that they were male, and she squinted. The man on the ground's eyes widened, and he rushed to kowtow.

"Heavenly Official! Please spare me- I used to be a Heavenly Official too!" The man cried in a quiet voice. Lian lowered herself to the man and helped him sit up.

"You don't need to bow to me. I'm not a formal Heavenly Official yet, I'm trying to achieve my first Heavenly Tribulation," Lian said, helping the man up. They seemed to be confused.

"Then why... damn... You- you're the product of Nan Yang Jiangjun and Xuan Zhen Jiangjun, aren't you?" The man asked, surprised. "And I thought they hated each other! Turns out that they have affection for each other and even have a kid! How old are you?" The man continued, seemingly excited. Lian's eyebrows flew up.

"...Seventeen, my lord," Lian said politely. The man scratched his head. His eyes became glazed over as he reminisced about something.

"What is your name, my lord?" Lian asked. The man took in a shaky breath and sighed,

"You are so young. I assume you haven't heard of the story of the Young Lord Who Poured Wine, right?" The man replied sadly. Lian's eyes widened. The Young Lord Who Poured Wine? Isn't that the story of former Wind Master, Shi Qingxuan? Why would this man mention this story? Wait... Lian thought.

Unless this man was Shi Qingxuan himself?!