Ch.5 The Moonless Vulnerability.

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As they meticulously pored over the scroll, Zhao Ming's eyes suddenly locked onto a line that seemed to pulse with significance. He read it aloud, his voice barely above a whisper, "The Grim Reaper's power is bound to the moonless night; it is during this time that his soul is most vulnerable."

Wang Xin's eyes lit up with realization. "That could be its weakness."

Zhao Ming nodded thoughtfully, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Mhmm."

Wang Xin returned the smile, their shared discovery creating a moment of quiet camaraderie. The implications of this vulnerability filled them with a renewed sense of hope.

Suddenly, the creaking sound of the heavy library doors echoed through the vast, dimly lit hall. Zhao Ming's heart skipped a beat as he spun around to see two figures entering the Imperial Library.

"It's Liang Wei and Liu Chen!" he exclaimed, panic in his voice. "Oh my god, we're caught!"

Wang Xin chuckled softly, his demeanor calm and reassuring. He reached out and gently squeezed Zhao Ming's shoulder. "No, we're not. I called them here. They are my assistants."

Zhao Ming's confusion was palpable. "Why would you call them here!?"

"We need help, don't we?" Wang Xin replied nonchalantly, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Zhao Ming's voice rose with frustration and a hint of hurt. "Why would you need help? Wasn't I enough?"

Wang Xin shrugged, his face impassive but his tone softening. "Sometimes, two heads are better than one."

Liang Wei interrupted their exchange with a smirk. "We can hear you guys, you know."

Liu Chen eyed Zhao Ming critically, scanning him from head to toe. "Who's this guy?"

Zhao Ming, with his strikingly handsome features, sharp eyebrows, and dark eyes, looked back confidently. His black, shiny hair was tied up in a high ponytail, accentuating his strong, angular features. Wang Xin, clad in all blue, had a serious demeanor with eyes as deep and piercing as the ocean, their blue intensity seeming to hold countless secrets.

A look of realization crossed Liu Chen's face. "Wait a second! He isn't here to accompany us, is he?"

Wang Xin smiled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You're right."

Zhao Ming grinned proudly, glancing at Wang Xin who gave him an encouraging nod.

Liang Wei rolled his eyes dramatically. "I thought I only had to deal with Liu Chen. Now I need to deal with him too?"

Liu Chen bristled. "Who do you think you're talking about?"

Liang Wei sneered. "I think you heard me right. It was about you." He grinned mischievously.

Liu Chen shot back, "Well, let me tell you, you're not any better."

The two started bickering, their voices rising and overlapping in a cacophony of insults and retorts. Liang Wei, with his hair down and dressed in blue and green clothes, had brown eyes that sparkled with a manic energy. Liu Chen, with a half ponytail and a cute face adorned in black and gold clothes, had hazel eyes blazing with anger.

Zhao Ming observed them with a wry smile. "They seem close... haha!"

Wang Xin sighed, a long-suffering expression on his face. "They always do this."

Zhao Ming chuckled softly. "Reminds me of us sometimes."

Wang Xin raised an eyebrow. "Oh? How so?"

Zhao Ming leaned in closer, a playful glint in his eyes. "You know, always arguing about something, but deep down, we make a great team."

Wang Xin's serious demeanor softened as he met Zhao Ming's gaze. "Yeah, I guess we do."

Amidst the escalating quarrel, Zhao Ming and Wang Xin returned their attention to the scroll. Their eyes caught a crucial detail simultaneously: the Grim Reaper, known as "Death's Hand," had been stealing souls exclusively from one village—Village Xian.

"This might lead us to Death's Hand!" Zhao Ming exclaimed.

Wang Xin nodded decisively. "Well, let's go then."

Zhao Ming stood up abruptly and shouted over the din, "Would you two cut it out?! Let's go!"

Liang Wei and Liu Chen turned towards him, their argument halted by the urgency in his voice. "What?! Where?!"

Wang Xin slapped his forehead, clearly fed up with their antics. "Just follow us. We have a lead."

As they exited the library, Zhao Ming and Wang Xin walked side by side, their shoulders brushing occasionally. The night outside was dark and foreboding, the perfect setting for their perilous journey to confront Death's Hand. They moved with purpose, the echoes of their footsteps melding with the distant, eerie whispers of the ancient palace, as if the very walls were urging them onward in their quest.

As they walked, Zhao Ming bumped into Wang Xin playfully. "Hey, thanks for bringing me along. I know I can be a handful."

Wang Xin smiled softly, his eyes warm. "You're not a handful, Zhao Ming. You're... invaluable and I wanted to apologise for calling you a bother...I didn't wanted you to get hurt."

Zhao Ming felt a warmth spread through his chest at Wang Xin's words. " You're fineee. I didn't give it much weight."

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