[Yaonan Hidden Manor • Night]
The hall fell into a heavy silence after dinner. Outside, the moonlight filtered through bamboo shadows, and the faint chirping of insects filled the cool air. The atmosphere remained thick with unspoken words until the conversation shifted toward the past.
The Watch Grandfather took a slow sip of tea, his gaze sweeping across the group before finally resting on Luo Ye.
"...There are things I shouldn't be the one to say," he began slowly. "But now that you have gathered the Five Seals and are bound for the Capital, the truth... must be unveiled."
Luo Ye looked up, his eyes still burning with the untamed fire of the Flame-Yao, but shadowed by a growing doubt.
Grandfather paused, then spoke the words that froze the room: "You... are the son of Luo Ting."
The air in the hall seemed to solidify. Lin Lie's brow furrowed; Cang Yuan stopped spinning his blade; Sang Qi's eyes widened slightly; and Li Yan's gaze became as deep and heavy as stone.
"My foster father told me as much before he died..." Luo Ye's voice was low and ragged, trembling in a way that was unlike him.
"Luo Ting—the last Great General of the Yao Realm, Commander of the Blaze Army," Grandfather said solemnly. "He was a loyal subject, but he was executed by the Emperor under the false charge of 'treason'."
Luo Ye gritted his teeth, his shoulders shaking.
"Your mother was the daughter of a craftsman from Cinder Valley. Luo Ting fell in love with her at first sight. To protect you both, he secretly tasked his old subordinate, Yan Mo, to watch over you from the Exile Lands and eventually bring you to Fire-Channel Town. But the Sunderers caught wind of it. Yan Mo stayed in the shadows to keep you safe, never admitting your true identity to prevent you from being hunted."
Grandfather sighed, his eyes clouded with sorrow. "Luo Ting left behind a letter and a 'Blaze Army Iron Seal' with Yan Mo. Unfortunately, Yan Mo also..."
Luo Ye stood up abruptly. He tore open a small pouch at his waist and pulled out a scorched piece of iron. It was a damaged military seal, but the Blaze Army emblem and a faded character—Luo—were still visible.
"Before he died, he gave me this," Luo Ye whispered, his knuckles white. "He said... when I was strong enough to choose my own path, I should go and ask."
"You are the son of Luo Ting," Grandfather said, his voice ringing with authority. "This name and this blood... no one can take them from you. Your power is a legacy of his protection. Use it not for revenge, but for the truth."
A long silence followed, broken only by the crackling of the fire. Luo Ye stared at the seal, his face a mask of cold intensity. Suddenly, a hand clapped onto his shoulder.
"Don't look so scary," Cang Yuan's voice broke the tension, carrying its usual playful lilt. "I thought you were just some nameless stray, but a General's son? That's some heavy baggage."
Luo Ye turned, anger flashing in his eyes, but Cang Yuan didn't back down. He gave a meaningful smile. "I'm saying... you should have known all along. Your life was never meant to be lowly."
Even Sang Qi leaned against a pillar and sighed. "No wonder your temper is like an exploding furnace. You inherited a soldier's soul. That Fire-Yao Ring chose well."
Lin Lie stood up, closing his notebook. "My grandfather mentioned your father once... though never the details. If he fought to the end as the Protector said, then he is the backbone of this realm. We won't let his name remain buried. When we reach the Capital, I will stand with you to clear his name."
Li Yan nodded slowly. "Defending a village or a country—it is the same heart. If you are still willing to stand with us, we will walk with you."
Finally, Gu Xingyu stepped forward. "You don't need a surname to prove who you are," she said softly. "You are Luo Ye. You are the partner who has walked beside me all this way. Whoever your father was, you are still you."
Luo Ye looked at them, his throat tightening. For the first time, he wasn't a wanderer seeking vengeance for a foster father—he was a son ready to reclaim his father's honor.
[The Bamboo Grove • Late Night]
After the group dispersed, Xingyu found Luo Ye sitting alone by the bamboo wall. The moonlight washed over him like silver water.
"Still awake?" she asked gently.
"Can't sleep," he replied shortly.
Xingyu sat down beside him, leaving a small space between them. After a long moment, Luo Ye spoke in a low voice. "I thought I locked the past away. But hearing that name... it felt like something exploded inside me again. I have no memory of him. All I ever knew of him was the curse the Yao Realm put on his name."
"You were so young when it happened," Xingyu said softly. "But every time you protect us, every time you stand in front despite the pain—that already tells us who you are. You aren't who you are because of the name 'Luo'; you are who you are because of the choices you've made."
She reached out and lightly touched his wrist, her thumb brushing the Fire-Yao Ring. "I don't know how much pain you still hide... but you aren't alone, Luo Ye. Not anymore."
Luo Ye looked at her, his eyes churning with a raw sense of being understood. "Thank you... Xingyu."
"I just want you to remember," she smiled. "Wherever we are, that's where you belong."
Luo Ye lowered his head and gave a rare, genuine laugh. "What if I... get too hot-headed again? Or if I'm stupid and ruin everything? What will you do?"
Xingyu tilted her head. "I'll get angry. I'll scold you. I might even kick you. But... I'll also be right there to help you pick up the pieces."
Luo Ye looked at her for a long time. He leaned slightly toward her, his voice a whisper intended only for her. "Then... you'd better remember that promise."
"What are we whispering about? Can I join in?" A lazy, teasing voice cut through the air. Xingyu jumped, and Luo Ye spun around. Cang Yuan was leaning against a bamboo pole, a mischievous grin on his face.
"Are you two sharing secrets or eloping?" Cang Yuan winked. "Don't mind me, I'm just a curious eavesdropper."
"How long have you been there?" Xingyu asked, exasperated.
"Since the part about 'kicking him,'" Cang Yuan replied, rubbing his chin. "Good threat. I'll try it next time."
Luo Ye glared at him, his ring flickering with a spark. "One more word, and it won't be a kick. It'll be a roast."
"Alright, alright! I just came to remind you—it's late. The moon is blushing and hiding behind the clouds. Time for bed."
Xingyu laughed and stood up. "Let's go. We have a long journey ahead tomorrow."
As they walked back, Cang Yuan hummed a little tune, whispering just loud enough for Luo Ye to hear: "Even Fire-Yao people get cold, I see. If it weren't for Lady Xingyu's warmth, someone would have kept that 'tough guy' mask on forever."
Luo Ye didn't look back, but he raised a fist in a silent—but significantly less angry—threat. The bamboo leaves rustled in the wind, sounding almost like laughter.