Night in the palace was never truly dark but it was still enough for a helpless soul like Yan Ling.
This feels like suicide, help!
The boy, clad in a patrolling guard's robe, screamed internally, yet his posture remained straight and his gait blended seamlessly with the others.
He was still nervous thinking about the risk he had taken when hecalled over a patrolling guard under the pretense of requesting a few books to ease his boredom. When the man turned to leave, Yan Ling hesitated only for a heartbeat before striking him down with an awkward, panicked motion.
Next, he changed into the guard's uniform in a flurry of nerves, then dragged the unconscious man onto the bed and covered him with the duvet. Moments later, with his head lowered and his steps measured, Yan Ling walked out in the guard's place. No one stopped him as the uniform did all the talking.
Either I'm too smart or they are too dumb, heh.
Yan Ling thought with a wide grin etched on his lips as he walked around the corridors, decorated with hanging paper lanterns, glowing faintly. Their light reflected off white stone and huge pillars.
Yan Ling moved through quietly. His heart doing a wild marathon inside his rib cage with every step he took.
This was madness.
He knew it even as he did it. But the burning sensation beneath his skin that pulsed faintly now, was an ultiamte reminder that hesitation would cost him more than capture.
Sixty days are coming to an end. Only 4 days to go. If he failed tonight, there would be no second chance—only tortures and excruciating pain and eventually death in near future.
I can do it! I must do it! I won't die! Heck, I'm the mc, how can I die?!! Atleast give me a chance to romance before death, I'm virgin for someone's sake!
Yan Ling's dramatic self chanted liked a mantra as his steps reached near the eastern corridor. He kept close to the walls, timing his steps between patrols, copying the rhythm he had observed for days. The palace guards were precise but predictable.
The closer Yan Ling drew to the king's private chambers, the heavier the air felt.There was a foreign heavy suffocative pressure.
Yan Ling could sense it even when he was far behind from the inner chamber.
So this is the seal, he thought grimly.
Well, let's get it—aaahhhhhhh!!!
He had just rounded the last corner when—
A hand clamped over his mouth, silencing him from screaming, while another seized his wrist with unyielding strength.
Yan Ling's heart hammered violently into his ribs. His free hand moved on instinct, elbow swinging back and body twisting to strike but his attacker caught that one too.
"Quiet. Come with me."
The voice was low, calm, and dangerously close to his sensitive ears, giving goosebumps on all over his feverish skin.
No no no, this is not the time to feel it! Concentrate!!
Yan Ling scolded himself mentally before struggling as violently as he could but all in vain. His world tilted as his feet left the ground forcefully for few seconds, and then he was pulled out of sight by his attacker without getting caught.
In the next instant, the corridor vanished.
Huh?
He found himself inside a pure white pavilion, secluded and far from the other palaces. Rivers flowed quietly on both sides, their surfaces dotted with blooming lotus flowers, while behind the pavilion rose a towering green mountain, a graceful waterfall cascading down its face.
Waaahhh...heaven is definitely here!
The air around the place was calm and full of tranquility. Yan Ling couldn't help but to feet at ease, feeling the sense of freedom after so long.
When the hold around him loosened, his body staggered, nearly losing his balance, only to be steadied by that same hand. Yan Ling's curious eyes was wide like an owl when looking at the surrounding, long forgotten about his captor.
They were inside Lian Hua Pavilion. Incense hung faintly in the air, sharp and clean. A brazier glowed softly near the window. Spiritual talismans—subtle, carefully concealed—lined the beams and doorframes.
Yan Ling froze.
The man before him released his wrist and took a step back, giving him space.
"Y-you… who are you?" Yan Ling asked, forcing his voice to be steady. "I was only patrolling, as usual. If you require something, sir, please inform me."
He struggled to mask his fear, adopting the respectful tone of a palace guard, even as his eyes instinctively took in the man's appearance.
The man was young—perhaps around Yan Ling's current age—dressed in pale blue robes embroidered with flowing cloud patterns. His hair was tied simply, half-up, the rest falling loose down his back. His features were gentle, almost scholarly, but his eyes were sharp in a way that didn't belong to a palace physician.
The elegant man said nothing as he pulled him gently to sit infront of him, then grabbing his wrist and checking his pulse while saying with a teasing smile,
"You should know me better since you're one of the patrolling guards here. Ain't you?"
Yan Ling knew the moment he saw the little smirk tugged at the man's lips, that his lies had been exposed and it was better to stay silent and just observe.
"Relax your muscles, focus on calming your mind." The instructions came lightly but it only made Yan Ling more tensed.
Oh. I'm relaxing. Truly comfortable. I feel so safe I might faint, Yan Ling screamed internally, while his face remained composed, his posture straight and dignified.
Yan Ling tried to get up, "I'm fine, you don't need to concern—hey?!!"
Yan Ling nearly shouted as the man hit two specific spots over his chest with a movement faster than his running, making him literally freeze. He fall back on his previous seat,
"What the hell did you just do to me?! Why can't I move my body?!"
The man smiled faintly, as though he had expected that reaction. "Relax, I've just seal your acupoints that temporarily blocks the flow of Qi. I will let you go once I'm done with examining. Until then...." He suddenly looked at him in the eyes, "..don't try to move or you will only worsen your internal injuries."
Wow, how sweet! Stupid! Why the fuck do you even care for my injuries?! Let me go before I get exposed by that bastard Li feng!
As the other person's warm palm caressed his back, only then did Yan Ling realize how unsteady his breathing had become. The faint warmth under his ribs pulsed again—deeper this time—and for a moment, his vision blurred.
The man before him was the very embodiment of peace. Yan Ling couldn't help himself from looking at him.
"Is there something on my face?" The man spoke out of nowhere and smiled as soon as he saw Yan Ling's face going red from embarassment.
"Arhm... it's just, you look very content. Like you have nothing to worry. It's just...truly amazing. To live so carefree, with freedom..."
"General Yan is very bad at observing then, or dare I say I'm very good at concealing?" The man mused before drawing a bit of his blood and keeping it for testing.
Ouch, that freaking hurts for your knowledge!
Yan Ling saw the man's expression shift and only then he realised that although while the smile never faded, the eyes behind it were empty.
"You're not just good at hiding your emotions," he said quietly. "You're a remarkable actor as well. I've only just realised that you knew exactly who I was from the very beginning."
"I've seen General Yan's face quite a few times already. So, your disguise was not very convincing to me," the man said calmly, rolling down his sleeves. "..but I would like to advise you humbly. Kindly don't think of doing something reckless again." His gaze settled calmly on Yan Ling. "You are a general. You should understand better than most what rash actions lead to."
"I was merely taking a walk," Yan Ling replied evenly, folding his hands behind his back in a manner befitting a general. "I did not intend to cause disturbance."
A walk. Yes. A casual midnight stroll into the king's private quarters. Brilliant. Flawless logic.
The elegant man glanced at him, lips curving slightly.
"A war prisoner wandering the inner palace in a guard's uniform," he observed. "Your walks are… ambitious."
Yan Ling's eye twitched but he kept his cool while replying, "Circumstances force creativity," he said calmly.
Stop smiling. Why is he smiling? That's worse than suspicion!
The other man let out a soft breath, turning away to pack his medicines. "You should not seek revenge here General, especially from a man like Wei Li Feng when you know already...what's on the line."
Yan Ling stiffened, "That is not my intention," he said after a brief pause.
Revenge? Let me survive first! I am desperate, poisoned, dying, and still being judged by a possibly ghost doctor..
The physician's movements slowed. His voice, when he spoke again, carried a weight beneath the calm.
"I have examined your injuries," the elegant man said. "The wounds from the battlefield should have healed by now but..."
Yan Ling's heartbeat stuttered.
Oh no. Oh no no no. Don't notice. Please don't ask...
"There is something else inside you," the physician continued quietly. "Something…very dangerous. I do wish to know more about it."
Yan Ling felt his soul try to claw its way out of his body. He forced himself to meet the man's gaze. "War leaves many traces, no need to worry."
LIES. DISGUSTING LIES. THIS IS HOW PEOPLE DIE IN XIANXIA NOVELS.
The taller man studied him for a long moment, then looked away.
"…If you do not wish to speak of it," he said calmly, "I will not ask."
Yan Ling nearly sighed with relief.
Thank you. Thank you for respecting my right to die mysteriously. I will remember you even if I'll be a ghost!
"But," the physician added mildly, "do not drink alcohol. Whatever lies within you will worsen."
Yan Ling nodded solemnly.
As if I was planning to get drunk in house arrest. Wonderful advice!
Silence fell again and Yan Ling remained on guard. Fear and suspicion flickered in his eyes thinking about the background of this mysterious man, but his back stayed straight, his posture composed—befitting the general whose body he now wore.
"May I ask who are you and what's your actual identity?" he asked bluntly. "Someone who can move like that… appear and disappear inside the royal palace without being caught or alerting guard, a mortal certainly can't do that."
The man smiled faintly, turning to arrange several ceramic pots filled with herbs, medicines, and unfamiliar powders. His movements were unhurried,
"My name is XianLiYue," he said at last. "I am the royalphysician here."
Yan Ling's brow furrowed because that still didn't justify the second part of his question.
"I was a renowned cultivator once," Xian Li Yue said, sealing a jar. "One of the head masters of TianYeXingSect."
Yan Ling's soul screamed.
A freaking immortal now?! Do you think I won't know if you won't tell me directly? Sorry but I've read way more fantasy fictions than your stupid power can count...but WHY the hell is everyone so IMPORTANT?! WHY AM I SURROUNDED BY FINAL BOSSES?!
"I was brought here by the current king," the physician continued with a naturally even tone, "to treat the former king's illness. Once he died, I was not permitted to leave this palace."
Yan Ling's eyes widened slightly.
"In exchange for staying," Xian Li Yue continued, unbothered, "I was given freedom within the palace. I may practice medicine as I wish, come and go within these walls. But the kingdom…" He smiled faintly. "That is the boundary I cannot cross."
Freedom. He says that like it's not a cage.
"You could have refused though?" Yan Ling asked quietly.
Xian Li Yue shook his head. "The king is powerful. And more importantly, my sect's lives were at stake." His voice did not waver as he sealed the medicine jars one by one. "It was not a difficult choice to be honest."
The calmness with which he spoke unsettled Yan Ling far more than anger would have.
"If you can move like this," Yan Ling pressed, "if you can fly on a sword and vanish at will… why not leave?"
Xian Li Yue glanced at him, amused. "Do you think I haven't tried?"
Yan Ling fell silent.
"The king who went to such lengths to bring me here naturally prepared a way to keep me," Xian Li Yue continued gently.
"Yes, I could disappear anytime and still have to return..." His smile thinned. "because my sect cannot run forever. And not everyone in the sect possesses the strength to escape him and he is aware of this."
Yan Ling's chest tightened.
"…Do you hate the king?" he asked after a moment.
"Yes," Xian Li Yue answered without hesitation.
Yan Ling blinked. Although it was expected but the other man would admit it without hesitation, was something unexpected.
"But," the physician added, his voice still calm, "I understand him."
Yan Ling frowned, "What?"
"He treasures everything valuable to his kingdom," Xian Li Yue said softly. "Land, power, people. And in protecting the many, he chose to sacrifice the few." His gaze drifted, distant yet clear. "I hate him as an individual for that choice. But as a ruler… I cannot condemn him so easily."
Yan Ling clenched his fists behind his back.
Great. Even the immortal doctor is morally conflicted. Fantastic.
"People are not objects," he said quietly. "They have feelings, lives, and fears of their own. But kings often cannot afford to see them that way."
The pavilion remained silent, filled with the sound of flowing water and falling petals—while Yan Ling stood there, caught between the web of three men who together ruled through different kinds of power, and wondering which of them would destroy him first.
Xian Li Yue turned to him again. "Still, keep a safe distance from him, he's not someone as easy as you think," he said gently.
Thank you for pointing out but it applies to all three of you. I keep getting myself involved with freaking lunatics!
Yan Ling straightened. "I've zero interest in affairs related to him, there's no need to be concerned over that."
After a pause, Xian Li Yue gestured toward the exit. "I think it's time you return to your pavilion or else someone might get suspicious."
Yan Ling hesitated but still stood up, trusting him and his supernatural skills,
"…Thank you."
Unbeknownst to either of them, the night did not end in silence.
From a shadowed eave overlooking the pavilion, a figure withdrew soundlessly, the faintest ripple of movement vanishing into the darkness. No footsteps were left behind. No trace lingered.
By the time Yan Ling was safely back within Bai Shuang Hua Pavilion and the royal physician had returned to his own quarters, a different shadow was already kneeling in front of the majestic figure of nation, signaling that the king had already been informed.
.
.
.
To be continued...