Whispers of the Celestial Blade

Chapter 2

Zong Lian

The bright moonlight continued to bathe the forest and village, unchanged by the tragedy that had occurred. To the keen observer, though, there was an air of desolation and menace. A streak of light shot across the sky and plunged directly into the village, quietly fading away—it was no meteor.

As the light dissipated, a figure appeared. He wore long robes of pure white with blue accents, his beard and hair white as well. Though his face was stern, his bearing was vigorous, exuding a sense of righteousness. On his back was a large sword case, marking him as some kind of wandering swordsman.

"The air is thick with blood here... and I can still sense a faint trace of demonic energy. It seems this village was attacked by some cruel demon. Unfortunately, I'm too late." The old man walked as he observed the scene around him. "Strange... where are the bodies? Could it be the demon devoured them?"

Following the scent of blood, the old man arrived at the house Zhao Yun had locked up. With just a wave of his sleeve, the lock snapped open. He was surprised by the sight inside the house, and after a moment's thought, he concluded, "It appears someone placed the villagers' bodies here. It hasn't been long; whoever did this must still be in the village."

He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, a flash of joy crossed his face as he headed straight toward where Zhao Yun was.

...

Zhao Yun, now half asleep, was feeling the discomfort of being both tired and too scared to sleep soundly. Her mind wandered, imagining ridiculous scenarios like the door being kicked open by a horde of zombies... (This is a world of Eastern immortals and demons, kid, not the walking dead. If anything, it'd be corpses reanimated by magic...)

Just then...

KNOCK KNOCK.

!!!

Zhao Yun's eyes flew open. No way...

"Is anyone inside?"

A voice?! How could there still be someone? Was it the killer? Another survivor? What should I do? Should I open the door?

"I am a disciple of Qionghua. You need not fear."

...Did I hear that right? Qionghua? Could this really be...

Zhao Yun hesitated for a moment before steeling herself and moving to the door. Whether it's related to the Xianjian universe or not, I need someone to get me out of here. This is my chance... She reached for the latch.

When the door opened, Zhao Yun's suspicions were almost completely confirmed as she saw the old man's attire. She put on a timid expression, a mix of fear and confusion. "Who... who are you?"

Zong Lian looked at the frail little girl in front of him and, thinking of how she must have just lost her family, yet still managed to collect the villagers' bodies, was deeply moved by her filial piety. (You've been fooled, Zong Lian.)

Softening his stern expression, he said, "I am Zong Lian, old man of Qionghua. What is your name, little girl?"

"...Zhao Yun." She hesitated, but in the end, Zhao Yun didn't want to abandon this name. Zong Lian probably wouldn't know what village it came from anyway.

"Good name." Zong Lian stroked his long beard. "Were you the one who laid the villagers to rest?"

"Mm. Yun'er didn't want them to lie outside..." (Sorry, someone's playing innocent here.)

"Good child, good child," Zong Lian said, his expression growing even kinder and his eyes showing admiration. "You are all alone now. What do you plan to do? If you have no one to turn to, would you like to come with me to Qionghua and be my disciple?"