Chapter 149: A path unshared
Qingyue laid awake long after Lieyin’s breathing had evened out into sleep, her eyes fixed on the dark ceiling as her thoughts refused to settle.
It circled around the same questions, the same doubts, the same realization that the path in front of her was no longer certain.
She turned her head, looking at Lieyin who slept like she always did...deep and certain. Like the world could not reach her in that state.
For a brief moment Qingyue wondered what it must be like to exist without constantly calculating the future, without carrying the weight of decisions that shaped not just her own life but theirs as well.
Carefully, Qingyue stood up from the bed.
She moved with practiced silence, slipping into her outer robe. When she reached the door, she paused briefly to look at Lieyin before stepping out into the hallway.
At the exact same moment, another door slid open and Qingyue’s gaze lifted.
Yexue stood there, Ru Yi just behind her.
The two of them were caught mid-step as they had clearly been on their way out. For a fleeting second, something unspoken passed between three of them.
Qingyue said nothing.
She only gave Yexue a small, curt nod. More like an acknowledgement without invitation. And as she did, her fingers brushed absentmindedly against the ring on her hand.
The motion was instinctive, almost unconscious.
She looked at Ru Yi without meaning to and the pull hit her immediately. Her senses tightened in a way that made it difficult for her to breathe, the bond between them flaring to life with nothing more than proximity.
Qingyue’s expression hardened as she forced it down, refusing to let it show. And without a word she left.
The cool night air outside the inn was a relief, though it did nothing to quench the fire beneath her skin.
She moved through the dimly lit streets with purpose, her mind already shifting to the task at hand. Because this...at least...was something she could control.
The rumors had been consistent about the boy who traveled the mountain and knew it like the back of his palm. He was the only one who had the actual map to Ashen Fortress.
Qingyue pushed open the door to the winehouse the boy was rumored to frequent. The scent of stale wine and smoke greeted her immediately, her presence barely noticed among the men gathered there.
She was unsuccessful the last time she searched for him.
But she saw the mop of midnight black hair from across the room and knew luck was at least on her side.
His hair was unbound and falling carelessly around his face. His eyes caught the light in a way that revealed their color—a deep unnatural red that marked him as someone who was more than ordinary.
He was also younger than she expected.
Seated casually, one arm draped over the back of his chair with a half-empty cup in front of him. His posture was relaxed in a way that suggested either confidence or recklessness.
Qingyue approached without hesitation, stopping just across from him.
He looked up before she even spoke.
Instead of sitting down, Qingyue met his gaze directly. She stepped into the role she’d worn for the past few days.
"My name is Lin Jian," she said, her voice carrying enough authority to demand attention without drawing suspicion.
The boy tilted his head to the side, studying her. His gaze moved over her features, taking in more than most would in a single glance.
"Is it?" he replied lightly, though there was an edge of amusement behind it.
Qingyue did not react. "I’ll be direct," she continued, totally unbothered by his tone. "You have something I want."
That caught his interest.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he leaned back in his chair, his attention sharpening. "Do I? You’ll have to be more specific."
"The map to Ashen Fortress," Qingyue said plainly, her gaze unwavering. "And I want more than that. If possible, I’d require you to take me there."
The boy’s smile did not fade, but his amusement gave way to something more thoughtful. He looked at her again, this time with clearer intent.
"And what exactly makes you think I’d agree to that?" His voice retained its casual tone.
"Because you haven’t told me to leave yet," Qingyue replied smoothly.
That earned a quiet laugh from him. "Fair," he admitted, tapping his fingers lightly against the table. His red eyes narrowed with interest, "you look too pretty for a man."
"I’d like to focus on the conversation at hand," Qingyue said, lips tight. She didn’t cut her hair to resemble a man’s only to still be called pretty.
He nodded, like he understood her point. "For the map, I can give it to you for a fee." He narrowed his eyes, "but going into the mountain with you... it will come with a price. Are you willing to do anything I ask?"
Qingyue had expected that much. She brought out silver coins from her sleeve and dropped it on the table.
"What’s the price to have you go with me?"
The boy’s gaze lingered on her this time, slower, more deliberate, until it dropped to her hand. To the ring.
The faint enchantment woven into it caught the light just enough to draw attention, subtle to most, but not to someone like him.
Qingyue felt the immediate shift the moment his eyes settled on it.
Recognition.
Interest.
"Well," he said, his smile returning, though it held a calculating spark. "I suppose that all depends on what you’re willing to give in return."
He looked at her, the implication was already made clear.
"I’d rather not assume," Qingyue replied, already tired of the exchange. "Say exactly what you want and I’ll consider if it’s worth it."
"My name is Kael," he said instead, as if it was normal for introduction to come after negotiation.
Qingyue’s brows furrowed. "That’s a strange name."
Kael nodded. "It’s because I do not come from this world. But what’s more important...is that you already have what I want."