Chapter Twelve: The Serpent's Shadow
The message arrived before noon.
A Yun disciple sprinted into the courtyard, breathless, hair disheveled. "Prince Yun Zhan! Urgent news from the southern border!"
The hall fell silent.
"A water serpent has emerged near the Lake of Ten Shadows," the disciple continued. "Fishing villages destroyed. Boats crushed. Survivors report… whispers."
Yun Zhan's jaw tightened. "How large?"
"Bigger than any recorded sighting."
Yun Mao's fingers curled around his guqin case. "This cannot be ignored."
Wei Xie straightened. "We'll help."
"No," Yun Zhan said sharply.
Wang San stepped forward. "Too late. I'm already involved."
Yun Zhan turned. "This is not a game."
Wang San met his gaze, smile gone. "Neither is letting people die."
A long silence stretched between them.
Yun Mao broke it gently. "We leave at once."
From the back of the crowd, Wang Xiao watched quietly, eyes narrowing.
The serpent stirs early, she thought.
Earlier than it should.