Whispers of the Boundless Sky

Chapter 4: Whispers of Fate

Morning broke over Xianfeng Village, the sun's rays gently caressing the rooftops and streets, casting a golden glow over the humble settlement. Birds sang softly, their melodies blending with the rustle of leaves in the wind. The peaceful ambiance, however, did little to ease the storm brewing within Jian Yu's mind.

He walked aimlessly through the village, his hands tucked into his sleeves, a thoughtful expression on his face. The encounter at the shrine had stirred more than just memories. The mysterious figure's words lingered, their warning echoing in his thoughts.

"You carry something that belongs to us."

What could they have meant? The seal—an ancient artifact he had long thought insignificant—was far more dangerous than he had originally believed. But if it was connected to his past, then his journey was about to take a far darker turn.

"Why do these things always find me?" he muttered to himself, his usual smile replaced by a contemplative frown.

Just as his mind wandered deeper into the web of secrets surrounding the seal, a loud voice called out from behind him, shattering his focus.

"Jian Yu! Wait!"

He turned to see Yue Ling running toward him, her robes fluttering like the wings of a butterfly. Her expression was bright, yet tinged with concern, as though she had been searching for him for hours. Jian Yu's smile returned, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes as he watched her approach.

"Miss Yue," he greeted warmly, his easygoing nature quickly returning. "To what do I owe the honor of your pursuit this early in the morning?"

Yue Ling caught her breath before replying, her eyes narrowing slightly at his playful tone. "Don't act like you weren't expecting me. You vanished without a word last night after... well, after the little incident in the tea shop."

"Ah, yes," Jian Yu replied with a wink. "I didn't want to disturb your beauty sleep."

Yue Ling huffed, crossing her arms in a mock gesture of indignation. "You're impossible."

"Thank you," he said with a grin.

Her playful demeanor quickly faded, replaced by something more serious. "But in all honesty, I've been hearing rumors. People are saying the Blood Raven Clan has put a bounty on your head after what happened last night. They won't take kindly to being humiliated."

Jian Yu shrugged, unbothered. "They'll get over it. I made sure they left in one piece, didn't I?"

"That's not the point!" Yue Ling's brow furrowed with frustration. "They're dangerous, Jian Yu. And now they're after you."

He waved her concerns away with a casual flick of his hand. "They can try. But I've never been one to worry about thugs with big egos."

Yue Ling sighed, though her expression softened slightly. "You're impossible," she repeated, though this time with a hint of admiration. "Still, you shouldn't take them lightly. The Blood Raven Clan has connections to some powerful sects. They may have already sent word to their allies."

Jian Yu's smile didn't waver, but something flickered in his eyes—something Yue Ling couldn't quite place. "I appreciate the warning, but I've dealt with worse."

She studied him for a moment, her instincts telling her there was more to him than he let on. His carefree attitude masked something deeper, something far more dangerous. But before she could press him further, the wind shifted, bringing with it the faint scent of smoke.

Jian Yu's eyes narrowed instantly. "Do you smell that?"

Yue Ling sniffed the air, her eyes widening. "Smoke... and blood."