While Luo Tong and Yunkai Tao spoke softly to one another, the sound of footsteps approached from behind. Turning slightly, they saw a group of children about the same age slowly making their way toward them. The air grew still for a moment — a strange mix of tension and unspoken guilt hanging between them.
Among the group stood YuoTu, dressed in a light blue training robe. Normally, he carried himself with confidence — the kind of boy whose spirit could light up a room. But now, his expression was tight, his eyes uncertain, and a faint tremor ran through his hands. The usual spark of pride that danced within him was dimmed by the heavy weight of the day's news.
Behind him, his companions — the very same ones who had ventured into the forest alongside Tao and Luo — shared similar looks. Fear, confusion, and worry flickered across their young faces. They knew that today's announcement had come because of them — because of their reckless adventure, their hunger to prove themselves.
Though none of them spoke at first, the silence itself said everything.
They were the center of the storm, the reason the elders had gathered, the spark that had set the entire village in motion.
As the group drew closer, YuoTu stepped ahead of the others, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips. But it wasn't the bright, carefree smile he was known for — this one felt different. It carried a trace of unease, like someone trying to hide the weight pressing on their heart.
Behind him, the rest of the youngsters followed in silence, glancing at one another nervously. When they finally reached Luo Tong and Yunkai Tao, they stopped a few steps away and spoke together, their voices carrying both respect and awkwardness.
"Hello, Brother Tao… Brother Luo," YuoTu said first, his tone polite but edged with something unspoken. The others followed his lead, bowing slightly in greeting.
Tao returned the gesture with a calm nod. "Hello, YuoTu… everyone."
Beside him, Luo added softly, "It's been a while."
For a brief moment, the tension in the air seemed to ease — but it didn't last. The weight of what had happened still lingered between them like an invisible wall.
YuoTu's forced smile faded as he took a step forward, eyes locking on Tao.
"We came to talk," he began, his voice quieter now but steadier. "About the elders' new decision… and this 'Iron Path Training' they've announced."
The words hung in the air, heavy and uncertain. Around them, the evening wind rustled softly through the blue lotuses, as if even the flowers were listening to their uneasy silence.
After stepping forward, the group slowly gathered near the edge of the Meditation Garden — a tranquil space surrounded by countless herbs and rare blossoms of every color. Their faint fragrance mingled with the scent of damp earth, calming yet bittersweet. In the center of the small pond, a handful of blue lotuses bloomed gently, their petals glowing faintly under the setting sun.
Those lotuses — the very ones they had risked their lives to retrieve from the forest.
As their eyes fell upon the flowers, memories stirred. The fierce battle. The roaring beast. The desperation. And then… the moment of triumph. Yet now, that victory didn't feel like glory anymore — it felt like the spark that had ignited all this chaos.
If only they hadn't been so greedy, so eager to prove themselves that day, they thought.
If only they had left those blue lotuses untouched… they might still be living quietly among the villagers, not burdened with punishment or unwanted fame.
One by one, the children exhaled deeply, as if releasing their regret into the wind. Silence lingered — heavy, but not hopeless.
At last, Tao shook his head, his gaze steady on the flowers.
"What's done is done," he said quietly. "No one can change the past. So instead of drowning in regret, we should focus on how to face what comes next."
His calm, firm voice seemed to wake everyone from their thoughts. The group lifted their heads, meeting Tao's eyes with a mix of guilt and new determination.
Then, YuoTu nodded, his tone filled with reluctant agreement.
"Brother Tao is right," he said. "The past is already written. What matters now is how we'll endure the punishment — this so-called 'Iron Path Training.'"
A faint tension returned to the group, but this time it carried something different — resolve. The wild fire that once led them astray now flickered again… tempered, uncertain, but still alive.
Luo Tong shook his head a few times, confusion written clearly across his young face. In a hesitant, questioning tone, he asked,
"Anyone… can you please tell me… what exactly is this Iron Path Training?"
The group immediately turned to look at Tao, their eyes wide with disbelief and amusement, a silent chorus of "Are you joking?" reflected in their gaze. After all, Tao and Luo lived together, side by side, so everyone assumed Luo must know everything Tao did — the studies, the scriptures, the rules. But luck wasn't on Luo's side. He had little interest in books or the lessons given by their uncle and aunt, preferring outdoor play and rough adventures instead.
Tao's eyes flickered with helplessness — then sharp anger. Suppressing his irritation with effort, he stepped toward Luo and, with a gentle yet firm thump on the younger boy's head, barked,
"You little fool! When did you even read the books our uncle and aunt gave you? Have you even completed them or not?"
His voice carried both rage and frustration, and his face was the kind that spoke volumes — the kind of anger that only a big brother, who cared deeply, could convey.
Luo scrambled backward, retreating toward a nearby tree as though seeking shelter from an unseen disaster. His body trembled, his voice shaky and fearful:
"B…b…big brother… calm down!"
It wasn't fear of anyone else in the world — not their parents, not the elders — that made Luo quake. But Tao's anger was a storm unto itself. He had often been disciplined by his brother, sometimes severely, yet always with love hidden beneath the strictness. In those moments, Tao's presence could terrify and protect at the same time.
Tao approached step by step, each movement deliberate, each step enough to make Luo's knees knock. The younger group of children watching the scene could hardly believe their eyes.
They knew Tao and Luo were more than brothers; they were a force to be reckoned with. They had faced beasts together — monsters that would make other children freeze — yet here, in front of Tao's anger, Luo looked like a trembling candle flame, fragile and small. The contrast was astonishing. Tao, usually calm, composed, and almost untouchable in demeanor, now seemed almost beast-like in his controlled fury.
After a few tense moments, Tao exhaled slowly, letting his anger settle. He crouched slightly and said with a calmer tone,
"Okay… I don't want to make you suffer. Come forward."
Luo inched closer, still trembling, kneeling before Tao, eyes brimming with tears. His voice was barely audible:
"B…big brother… you won't be angry anymore, right?"
Tao's expression softened slightly as he crouched to Luo's level. "When did you last read the book? And what is its name?" His voice was calm, yet carried the weight of his earlier anger.
Still trembling, Luo managed,
"…Identify the Huav's… and… and… last three weeks…"
Tao stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on Luo's shoulder. His voice was calm, almost teasing now, with a playful weight that reminded Luo of the legendary Nine Heavens Devil's tone — serious yet teasing.
"Very good, my little brother. So this is it. You don't read, you don't pay attention… but that's okay. When our uncle and aunt come, they'll teach you properly. You'll learn — and maybe even survive their lessons."
The younger group burst into quiet laughter, the tension breaking. Tao's controlled fury had turned into gentle humor, a mixture of love, guidance, and a touch of theatrical intimidation. Luo wiped his tears, sniffling, yet a small, reluctant smile began to form.
The younger group, still gathered near the meditation garden, couldn't hide their amusement. YuoTu's eyes twinkled as he whispered to a companion, "Look at Luo Tong — trembling like a leaf in a storm. And Tao… he looks more like a beast than a brother!"
A few giggles escaped, but the moment was quickly stifled by the weight of Tao's calm yet imposing presence. Even joking felt dangerous under his gaze.
Tao, sensing the side glances and stifled laughter, raised an eyebrow and let out a low, amused sigh. "Don't think this is funny, all of you." His voice carried authority, yet the faint curve of a smile betrayed his awareness of their fear and excitement.
Luo, still kneeling, peeked up at Tao nervously. "B…big brother… don't hurt me… please…"
"Hurt you?" Tao echoed, crouching down further to bring his face level with Luo. "No… I only want you to survive. If you can't even handle a question about books, how will you survive the Iron Path Training?"
The group of children exchanged glances. Some shook their heads in disbelief; others whispered nervously among themselves. They had always known Tao and Luo were formidable, but seeing Luo reduced to trembling submission while Tao's usually serene demeanor became intimidating yet tender left them in awe.
YuoTu stepped forward, attempting to break the tension. "Brother Tao… maybe we can help him…? Or at least explain some parts before the training begins?"
Tao's gaze softened as he looked at YuoTu. "Help him? Perhaps. But the point isn't to teach him everything now. The point is to learn responsibility and awareness — to understand the consequences of being unprepared."
The group nodded slowly. Fear still lingered in their eyes, but so did respect — for Tao, for Luo, and for the weight of what was about to come.
Luo let out a shaky breath, standing up finally, though his legs wobbled. "O…okay… I'll… I'll read more… I promise."
Tao's expression shifted again, this time tinged with humor. "Read more? Or at least try not to forget everything as soon as you close the book."
A ripple of laughter passed through the group, breaking the last tension. Even Luo managed a small, sheepish smile, still tripping slightly over his own feet.
YuoTu elbowed a friend quietly, whispering, "I never thought I'd see Luo Tong this… terrified… and Tao like this… it's incredible."
Tao straightened, looking at all of them now — the group of children, each with eyes wide with expectation and unease. "All of you must understand something." His voice rang clear, carrying both authority and encouragement. "The Iron Path Training isn't just punishment or a test. It's the path to survival, strength, and understanding. If you fail to respect it, you fail yourselves. But if you embrace it… you may become more than you ever imagined."
Silence fell again, but this time it was different. This was reflection, not fear. The children absorbed Tao's words, letting the meaning sink in. The playful teasing, the laughter, and even the fear had all blended into a new understanding: this was their chance, their challenge, and their turning point.
Luo, still trembling slightly but with new determination, glanced at Tao. "I'll… I'll do my best…"
"Good, little brother." Tao smiled faintly, almost proud. "Now, all of you — listen carefully. Iron Path Training starts tomorrow. Be prepared, for it will test not just your strength, but your spirit."
The group's eyes met one another — a mix of fear, excitement, and anticipation. In that moment, they were no longer just children playing in the gardens; they were young warriors, stepping onto a path that would define the future of the village — and themselves.
Tao continued, his voice steady and commanding. "For the training, all of you must gather at the village gate at dawn. The elders will be there to guide you. From that point onward, your lessons begin."
YuoTu glanced at his friends and whispered, half in awe, half in nervous excitement, "Tomorrow… it really begins. Are you ready for this?"
Luo Tong, still trembling slightly but with a spark of determination, straightened and nodded. "I… I'll do my best. No more running or hiding. We will face this together."
Xiao, her eyes bright and fists clenched in quiet resolve, smiled at the others. "We've trained a little on our own, but tomorrow… everything counts. Let's make sure we don't let anyone down."
One by one, the group murmured words of encouragement to one another — promises to be brave, to stay alert, and to push through their fears. The chatter was soft but filled with energy and resolve, a mix of nervousness and excitement that only young hearts could carry so purely.
Finally, with the moon rising high over the meditation garden and the faint scent of blue lotuses drifting in the night breeze, they parted ways for the evening. Each child found their own spot — under trees, near the stream, or beside flowering herbs — to rest, reflect, and mentally prepare for what awaited them.
And as they lay under the quiet night sky, the distant stars seeming to watch over them, every young warrior silently promised themselves that tomorrow, they would take the first step on the Iron Path — a path that would test not only their strength and courage but the very core of their spirit.
The village slept in calm anticipation, unaware that its future had already begun to stir in the hearts of its youngest defenders.