[The Vow of the Saintess]
The day of the investiture was clear and bright. Before the Zhaoyi Platform, the drums of the Grand Preceptor thundered thrice. Gu Xingyu, clad in ritual white robes, stood flanked by the Five Yao. One by one, the five Yao-Marks were presented—solid as mountains, radiant yet steady.
"From this day forth," Xingyu's voice carried over the crowd, "the Five Yao hold the power of governance. Wherever we go, we shall open kitchens, establish clinics, map the waters, and build shelters. This is the 'Saintess's Covenant,' a promise kept with the people."
The Five Yao knelt in unison, their marks resonating. The crowd, once silent, erupted in tears and cheers. "Long live the Saintess! Long live the Five Yao!"
[The Gaze from the Pavilion]
In a high pavilion, Si Yirou watched from behind a curtain. She had come to find flaws, but her eyes kept drifting toward the end of the line. Li Yan. He stood like a silent wall, unmoving and steady. She remembered the pine scent of the forest and felt a strange tug in her heart.
"The Sentinel of Earth... where is he from?" she asked a maid.
"He is from Grey-Tooth Cliff, Your Highness. I can fetch his records—"
"No need," she interrupted too quickly. "Another time."
[The Midnight Patrol]
That night, Yirou learned from a palace scout that Li Yan would be patrolling the outer markers of Northern Hill. Draped in his old cloak and hiding a new, hand-woven shoulder strap and warming herbs in her sleeves, she sought him out.
She found him at the twenty-seventh marker. "You shouldn't be here," Li Yan said, stepping from the shadows.
"I'm... patrolling," she lied poorly.
He didn't expose her. "Walk on the inside. Stay away from the slope."
As they walked, Yirou handed him the strap. "It's a new shoulder strap I had woven. It's strong and won't chafe. You... you carry heavy things often."
Li Yan touched the weave, a flash of surprise in his eyes. "Thank you."
"And these herbs... for warmth," she added, her ears reddening. "Only for the sake of the mission."
[The Trap and the Touch]
Suddenly, Li Yan signaled her to stop. With a swift kick, he triggered a hidden tripwire. Steel needles hissed through the air. He pulled her behind a marker, his arm-shield clashing—ting-ting-ting!—as he deflected the projectiles.
"The Preceptor's work?" Yirou asked, her heart racing.
"A clumsy imitation of his style," Li Yan replied, gathering the needles.
She noticed a scrape on his hand and, without thinking, grabbed his wrist. Pulling him into the lantern light, she applied ointment from her sleeve. "Don't move."
Li Yan froze. He was used to battle scars, but he wasn't used to someone caring for them. He watched her focused expression, her eyelashes casting long shadows in the light.
"There... it's done," she said, suddenly realizing how close she was and letting go.
[The Unspoken Promise]
As they reached the edge of the city, Yirou stopped. "I thought if I didn't run into you, I'd let it go. But since I did..." She looked him in the eye. "I'm not going to pretend I don't care anymore."
Li Yan adjusted the new strap she had given him. "It's sturdy," he said.
"You are too," she smiled softly.
"Be careful," she whispered before leaving. "Don't get hurt. Not even a little."
"Mmm," he grunted, but it was a heavy, meaningful sound.
She turned to go, keeping his old cloak for herself. "I'll weave you a new one," she laughed lightly over her shoulder.
Li Yan stood by the last marker, watching her figure disappear into the city lights. He touched the warming herbs tucked near his heart and began his patrol again. His steps were steady, clearing the path as he always did, but the night felt a little less cold.