Empire (Xichen X OC)

Chapter 24

Ten years passed after the fight in Qishan. The Yilling Patriarch was gone, his weapons destroyed and the Wen followers slaughtered. That hellish night forever scarred many, including Tengchao.

5 months after the battle, she had given birth to a healthy girl. A healthy girl she raised in Cloud Recess with Xichen, Wangji and their uncle. As the child grew older, she showed the inherited power of her parents that was stored inside her body.

Despite the loss of Wuxian, the female cultivator kept his memory alive by telling stories of the once good times to her little girl. Named Yue after the full moon she was born under, the smart kid absorbed every story and quickly understood that what she heard; was not always true.

Mother and daughter shared a strong bond, Tengchao giving as much as she could on her only child; even drawing back from night hunts. Her quest for fame was long gone along with her nephew, after that last fight.

Now, she cherished the gift she brought into this world before she would lose it as well.

However, one-day Xichen came in with news that would shake the world she had built for herself.

As she sat across the table from her husband, she re-read the paper that held important information. Yueyang Chang Sect was destroyed, but the culprit was unknown. The remaining members begged the Lan clan for help.

According to the letter, a roaming cultivator had offered to help them, but they would feel surer if a Lan disciple joined.

"...Xiao...Xingchen..." she said, her hand shaking as she let the paper down. Her black-purple eyes were misty, and she eyed the untouched tea in front of her. "...Can it be..."

Xichen extended his hand, placing it on top of her shaking one. With a warm smile, his thumb caressed her skin. "The descriptions fit what you told me about him. I am almost certain it's the same person."

She looked from the cup at him, her eyes showing the need to believe it was right and that the roaming cultivator was the brother she had left up to the mountains a long time ago.

"I will go," she said after a moment of silence, finally controlling her emotions.

"I will come with you."

"No" she quickly interrupted him, shocking him for a moment. She placed her hand on top of his and gave him a smile of her own. "I have to do this. On my own"

Xichen was uncertain, not fully liking the idea of her chasing after him and the murderer. She was a strong and capable cultivator, but that didn't mean he would stop worrying about her. However, he understood her reasoning.

This was a journey she had to do without him. One to close the old wounds of her past and perhaps help her reconnect with a person she had lost gone.

After the fight in Qishan, she had changed. The events of the night still haunted her, and everything matured her much faster than someone would expect. Her wisdom grew, but the once fire she had was slowly dying.

It reminded him of his mother, who slowly withered like a flower without water. He couldn't let the same happened to her, not if he could do something.

"Very well" he replied, giving a gentle squeeze as if she would disappear the next few seconds.

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With Xichen as the Clan Leader and Tengchao as his wife, there was no arguing against the decision of her to find the murderer. The Sect was more than happy to have such a renown cultivator, the first female of her time to be considered among the strongest of the strong.