Yi Hua

After Elder Feng's departure from the Serene Relic Chamber, I found myself alone amidst the hallowed tranquility, the silence broken only by the whispering echoes of ancient wisdom embodied in the countless scrolls and tomes that surrounded me. Nestled in my robes was the precious book he had entrusted me with, a compass to navigate the intricacies of Blood Qi. However, curiosity tugged at me, and with the afternoon sun still high, I felt a beckoning to explore the compound further.

Tucking the book securely, I ventured out through the grand moon gate, the sturdy ancient wood creaking under the weight of its years. I set my sights on the barracks, intrigued to catch a glimpse of our family's soldiers. After all, come four months, these were the men I would be venturing out with, the men I would call my brothers in arms.

The path that unfolded before me was paved with meticulously placed stone tiles, polished to a mirror-like sheen by countless years of diligent treading. Adjacent to the main road, a gravel path bustled with servants, their numbers steadily growing as I moved closer to the living quarters and the barracks.

Amongst the sea of faces, two figures on the main road caught my eye. A man, seemingly in his early thirties, stood tall in his traditional armored uniform, its metallic sheen juxtaposed with the soft fluttering of a purple cloak. The face seemed familiar, strikingly similar to the man who had accompanied Yi Long the previous day. Beside him was a girl about my age, dressed in an elegant martial hanfu. Its purple and grey fabric bore intricate embroidery of clouds and serpents, swaying gracefully with her every step.

Quickening my stride, I soon closed the distance between us. The man, with an instinctive turn of his head, spotted me approaching. His eyes met mine, a hint of recognition flashing in their depths. He halted and offered a respectful bow, his hands clasped in a traditional greeting, "Greetings, Second Young Master," he intoned.

The girl, catching onto the man's deference, turned around. There was a fleeting flicker of annoyance in her eyes, but she managed a slight bow, her voice cool, "Hello, Yi Tian."

Their reactions piqued my curiosity. The man's deference suggested he was an escort of some sort. The girl, despite her apparent annoyance, seemed to hold a position somewhat inferior to mine. Acknowledging their greetings, I ventured to strike a conversation, "Greetings. I noticed that you're heading towards the barracks too?"

The man straightened up and nodded, "Yes, I am accompanying Young Miss Hua to the training field."

A sense of understanding dawned upon me. The training field neighbored the barracks. With a friendly smile, I prodded, "Would you mind if I joined you?"

Yi Hua was quick to interject, her voice laced with irritation, "Yi Tian! I don't have time to entertain you."

Despite her outburst, I maintained my focus on the man. Seeing my unwavering gaze, he dipped into a deeper bow, "Of course not, Young Master. You're most welcome to accompany us."

Yi Hua's disgruntlement at my inclusion was palpable, but I found the situation intriguing. Perhaps this unplanned encounter might shed some light on the dynamics within our family and the individuals I would soon be working alongside.

As we ambled along the stone-paved path, I turned my attention towards Yi Hua. The faint rustling of her embroidered hanfu was the only sound that broke the calm silence that had settled between us. "So, what brings you to the training field?" I inquired, my voice colored with genuine curiosity.

She huffed, her nose crinkling slightly in apparent annoyance. "I was going to train, obviously," she retorted, her tone laced with a hint of defiance.

Directing my gaze to the armored man, I probed further, "And you were tasked with her training?"

He nodded, his posture taut with respect. "Yes, Young Master. Elder Hong, her father, has entrusted me with the task of tutoring her in the basics of martial arts every alternate day." His voice trailed off before resuming, "It's unusual for the young misses to be drawn to martial arts, but Miss Hua exhibits a keen interest in it."

"Liang Shen, I did not permit you to disclose that," Yi Hua reprimanded softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

An amused smile tugged at my lips. I interrupted Liang Shen, who seemed ready to apologize, and addressed Yi Hua, "Why such a fervent interest in martial arts, Yi Hua?"

Her eyes, wide with surprise at my question, soon regained their composure. A determined gleam sparkled in them as she responded, "I yearn to be like my father. Powerful and fearless in the face of any adversity!" Her eyes locked onto mine, her determination palpable and infectious.

Suppressing a chuckle, I prodded further, "And what exactly are you scared of, Yi Hua?"

She scoffed, her voice rising slightly in indignation, "Well, not all of us are thrilled about the idea of being married off, especially to some good-for-nothing!"

Liang Shen's eyes widened at her brazen response, and he swallowed hard, "Please forgive her, Young Master. Young Miss didn't mean to offend."

Waving a dismissive hand, I brushed off his worry, "There's no need to apologize. Let's continue towards the training field." As I strode ahead, they fell in step behind me, Yi Hua's gaze lingering on me, a blend of confusion and curiosity etched on her face.