The moon hung high above the Celestial Blade Sect, veiled behind thin clouds.
Most disciples were asleep. Most elders drunk.
But Shen Mo walked alone through the side garden—because the system pinged.
[System Notification:]Hidden Event Triggered:"The Healer Who Sees Through Shadows"Location: Moonlit PavilionReward: Information, Fate Thread Unlock, Potential Recruitment
WARNING: Emotional Exposure Risk – Moderate
Moonlit Pavilion
He arrived under an arched roof surrounded by silent lotuses.
A figure sat by the edge of the koi pond, face half-hidden behind long hair.
Mei Lian.
One eye glowing faintly beneath a strip of cursed cloth.
"You came," she said, without turning.
"You asked," Shen Mo replied.
"No. Your fate did."
The Conversation Begins
She stood and turned to him.
Her visible eye shimmered with countless tiny, fractured reflections—like it saw every version of a person at once.
"You're a demon. But they don't see it."
Shen Mo didn't flinch.
"Because I smile. Because I save goats and win tournaments."
"But you've killed before. Many times."
"And I'll do it again. If it protects what's mine."
They stood in silence.
Then Mei Lian smiled faintly.
"Good. I don't trust kind men."
[System Analysis:]
Mei Lian: Spiritual Level – Level 7 Martial DiscipleAffinity: Curse Healing, Life-Sight, Yin Qi ManipulationStatus: Emotionally GuardedRecruitment Chance: 34%Required Conditions:– Show your true self– Offer something precious– Protect her from what's coming
She Continued
"You're not like them. The other sect masters. They crave control. You… crave loyalty."
"I crave results," Shen Mo said. "Loyalty just makes it easier."
"Is that why you took in Lin Fan? Xue Rong? Han Li?"
"No."
She blinked.
"Why then?"
"Because they were broken. And I don't throw broken things away."
A Ripple of Fate
The pond glowed for a second.
Mei Lian's cursed eye sparked.
"The threads are converging. You'll face something soon—something older than your system, older than your memory."
"And what will you do?"
"I'll watch. Then decide."
"Then why meet me?"
She stepped closer.
"Because I want to believe in something. Even if it's a demon pretending to be a savior."
She Handed Him a Talisman
A simple black rune, pulsing faintly.
"If you ever need healing—real healing—use this. I'll come."
"Even if I'm doing something… evil?"
"Especially then. Because I want to see if you regret it."
[System Notification:]
Mei Lian Affinity: +10Fate Thread Established – "Watcher of the Demon King"Recruitment Progress: 45%
New Item Acquired: Mei's Shadow Talisman – One-time summon of cursed healer.
As Shen Mo Left
She whispered behind him:
"You don't have to keep pretending, you know. Some of us… already see you."
Shen Mo didn't turn back.
But his hand gripped the talisman tighter.