Chapter 32: The Past Knocks Softly, Then Breaks the Door
The scroll vault was hidden beneath the main temple, behind three levels of enchantments, two guards, and a stone door that supposedly hadn't moved in a hundred years.
So naturally, it was wide open when they arrived.
"I take back everything I said about ancient security," Mei Xiao whispered. "This is like leaving your WiFi password taped to the front gate."
Jing He didn't respond. He moved like a shadow, silent and tense, every step deliberate. Mei followed closely, trying not to trip on her own robes.
Inside, the torches had been lit — but not with fire. A soft blue glow pulsed in the air, illuminating dust motes and scroll shelves that stretched toward the darkness above.
And in the middle of it all stood a figure in a black cloak, their hand hovering over an ancient scroll bound in crimson threads.
Jing He's voice was ice. "Step away."
The figure froze, then slowly turned.
Mei blinked. "Wait… is that—?"
The hood slipped back, revealing a young man with striking silver hair, his eyes unnaturally bright — like twin moons reflected on still water.
He smiled faintly. "Murong Jing He. Still dramatic, I see."
Jing He stiffened.
Mei frowned. "You… know him?"
The man's eyes shifted to her. "So this is the little phoenix you've tethered yourself to." He bowed mockingly. "A pleasure. Or it will be, eventually."
"I asked you to leave this realm," Jing He said, each word sharp. "I gave you mercy once. Don't mistake it for weakness."
The silver-haired man chuckled. "Still so serious. I didn't come to fight. Only to see if the rumors were true."
He glanced toward Mei. "And they are."
She shifted uncomfortably. "Okay, listen, Moon Eyes—"
"Name's Lin Yue," he cut in. "And you should really start locking your vaults."
With a swirl of his cloak, he disappeared — not vanished, not teleported. Just… gone, like mist before sunrise.
The torches flickered out.
For a long moment, silence.
Then Mei whispered, "He's your ex, isn't he?"
Jing He choked. "What?! No!"
"Because that was definitely ex energy."
He sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"You're unbelievable," he muttered, walking away.
Mei grinned and followed. "It's how I cope with stress. And possible world-ending curses."
Outside, the night air was colder than before. Mei glanced back at the vault, a prickle running down her spine.
Who was Lin Yue? What did he really want?
And more importantly… how much did Jing He know that he wasn't saying?