An Immortal Love

Power

The next morning, as the first light of dawn filters through the trees, Lord HuO announces his departure. "I'll be keeping an ear out for news from the other side of the world," he says, his voice light and teasing. He glances at Yijun, a mischievous glint in his golden eyes. "I wish you luck," he adds with a wink.

Yijun blinks in confusion, opening his mouth to ask what Lord HuO means, but before the words can form, the phoenix transforms. His body shimmers and stretches, feathers unfurling into magnificent wings of scarlet and gold. With a powerful thrust, he ascends into the sky, leaving a trail of fire and light in his wake. The sky seems to blaze with his departure, a streak of flame against the vast expanse of blue.

Yijun and the dragon watch the fiery trail as it ascends, the colors gradually fading into the distance until it finally disappears. The dragon, silent as ever, turns away first, his gaze shifting to the still waters of the lake.

"Are you going to rest, my Lord?" Yijun calls out, his voice uncertain in the quiet morning.

The dragon pauses mid-step, glancing back at Yijun. He nods once, curtly, before continuing his way toward the lake, his movements as fluid and deliberate as always.

As the dragon begins to wade into the water, Yijun takes a moment to survey their surroundings. The tranquility of the place is almost surreal, a stark contrast to the weight of the conversation from the previous night. But even in this serene setting, the reminder of his dire situation gnaws at him. He raises a sleeve, inspecting the tattered fabric. The seams are unraveling, the cloth frayed and torn in places. There's nothing he can do to mend them, and the sight only deepens his sense of unease.

He takes a deep breath, then hurries after the dragon, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. "If I may offer a suggestion..." he begins hesitantly, his voice trembling slightly as it breaks the stillness.

The dragon halts at the water's edge, turning back to face Yijun, his expression unreadable.

Yijun swallows hard, the words tumbling out of him in a rush. "Uh, Lord HuO mentioned you're hunting the rebels who are causing the disasters, and... and I think I can help. Help you find them."

The dragon's brow furrows ever so slightly, a flicker of curiosity-or perhaps suspicion-crossing his usually impassive face. "How?" he asks, his voice low and measured.

Yijun feels his hands begin to tremble, and he quickly clasps them together to steady himself. "Well, if the rebels are Enlightened Beasts or Humans, then maybe... maybe humans can help. Some of them might have information about where Enlightened Beasts or other humans are hiding. It might be easier to ask them rather than wandering aimlessly..."

The words hang in the air between them, and Yijun's heart races as he realizes just how desperate his proposal sounds. It's a flimsy plan, born more from his own need to find a human settlement-and perhaps a new set of clothes-than from any real strategy. But it's all he has.

The dragon's eyes narrow, his gaze turning sharp and cold, cutting through Yijun's bravado like a blade. The intensity of his stare sends a chill down Yijun's spine, freezing him in place. The seconds stretch on, each one heavier than the last, until Yijun is on the verge of dropping to his knees and begging for forgiveness.

Finally, the dragon speaks, his voice as cold and unyielding as ice. "Fine."

Yijun instinctively flinches as the dragon reaches out to grab him, but he quickly steps out of his grasp. "Please wait, my lord," Yijun says hastily, raising a hand in a gesture of pause. "I need to prepare some gifts for them." The realization hits him-he has no money, nothing to trade for clothes or other essentials. If he's going to barter for things he needs, he'll need to find something of value first.