There was an unsettling silence draped over Master Lee Wen's face, a kind of quiet worry that unsettled even the calmest souls.
Something was wrong.
Master Zu Gushion crossed his arms and glanced at Lee Wen before murmuring,
"We must speak to the High King… to Master Mo Yan."
Even Wuzu, usually composed, felt a ripple of anxiety. What had happened to make all three Sect Masters look so grim?
Then Master Chang Shi, with his soft, gentle tone, added:
"We must speak with both Kings."
No one objected....even without fully understanding, everyone rose silently.
Su Nian and Duie brought the tea.
The group prepared to approach the Black Heaven King and his eternal companion.
Meanwhile...
Yu Sui, who had just moments ago poured his soul into a love-filled melody, was now quietly cleaning his sword.
The flute that had sung of love, of peace, was now gone...its work done for the moment.
Mo Yan sat in tranquil silence, simply watching Yu Sui, eyes soft with trust and affection.
The room felt like a temple.....calm, sacred.
A knock at the door.
Heads turned. The door creaked slightly open.
The Sect Masters and others bowed respectfully, waiting for permission.
Mo Yan, ever calm and graceful, nodded gently.
---
Moments Later…
The air had shifted.
The serenity was gone, replaced by a heavy tension that draped over the room like wet mist.
Master Lee Wen took a deep breath.....
the kind of breath that feels like lifting a boulder off one's chest.
Then, slowly, he began.
"Your Majesty...
Since your departure, many traitors have been born.
Eyes full of greed turned only toward one thing.....
Your Throne.
The singular throne of all clans and the Xuemo Sect, and like its King.....unparalleled."
Everyone listened in absolute silence.
"Twenty-five years ago, a war broke out...
A war so terrible, countless innocents perished.
And it was the Head of Hei Lin San Sect who finally stopped it....
using the greatest forbidden spell known to us…
to seal your throne."
"But temptation…"
"Temptation cannot be sealed."
"Over the years, whispers turned to trespassing.
Thieves broke into our sacred libraries…
Searching for the sigils, the incantations to break the seal."
"But the Head was wise.....
He designed the spell so that only you, Your Majesty, could ever break it."
Mo Yan remained silent...but his calm demeanor had shifted to something much more serious.
Master Chang Shi took over, his voice low with shame.
"After the war, we investigated the entire country.
We uncovered layers of lies…
And found a truth we had never wanted to face."
Mo Yan leaned forward slightly, his tone still soft.....yet piercing:
"Please… speak. What was it that you found?"
Yu Sui nodded solemnly, ready for the truth.
Master Zu Gushion lowered his eyes.
"We kept hearing the same names…
Again and again.
Master kinji yo... and Master ....kin lishuan."
A chill struck the room like a silent blade.
No one moved.
Everyone's blood seemed to freeze.
looking at each other.
Kin Lishuan's name was revered....respected beyond words.
They couldn't believe it.
They refused to believe it.
Yet Master Zu Gushion wasn't finished. His voice faltered.
"There were… darker crimes.
Girls had gone missing…
Returned days later…
But when questioned....."
He stopped.
His throat tightened.
He couldn't bring himself to say it.
Wuzu slammed his hand on the table, fire in her eyes.
She had understood.
Even without words.
"They were violated. Weren't they?"
No one responded.
No one needed to.
Silence hung like death.
Finally, Master Lee Wen broke it. His voice was like thunder.
"The same names…
Master Kinji. Master Kin Lishuan."
Shock rippled through everyone.
Not because they believed it....
But because the implication was unbearable.
Yu Sui's fists clenched.
His father… the man who had raised him.
Could this be true?
His eyes were red with fury...
but his face…
Was carved from stone.
Mo Yan reached over and gently placed a hand on his...
a calming presence amidst a rising storm.
A quiet whisper of love, like wind on restless water.
But the Masters…
They weren't done yet.