Unexpected Savior (Part 1)

LUO FAN

I stayed in the cabin for two days, meditating and gathering my strength. The dark core inside me, though quieter, still loomed like a shadow over my light core, keeping me on edge. It was a fragile truce, but it allowed me enough recovery to walk without collapsing. When I felt well enough to travel, I decided to take an alternate route to avoid my pursuers.

The journey was uneventful, which was odd. I didn't encounter any Nightfall Sect disciples or imperial soldiers. Their absence was suspicious, but I tried not to overthink it. My focus was on survival, not the mystery of my good fortune.

After days of traveling through rough terrain, I stumbled upon a village nestled in a secluded valley. The sight of smoke rising from chimneys and the faint sound of laughter brought me a sliver of hope. Perhaps I could find food and shelter here, even if for just a night.

As I entered the outskirts, my gaze caught on a familiar figure standing in the shadow of an old tree. My heart leaped.

It was Abbot Mo.

A wave of relief crashed over me, and before I could stop myself, I hurried toward him, lowering my head in a deep bow, struggling to contain my emotions.

"Abbot Mo," I whispered, my voice unsteady. "I am so glad to see you."

The sight of him eased the tension that had weighed on me for weeks. He stepped forward and rested a gentle hand on my back, his touch steady and reassuring. "I am here now," he said softly. "There is no need to fear. But I did warn you that leaving on your own was unwise."

I lifted my gaze and gave a small nod. "Did the marquis' men come to the monastery?"

"They did," he answered, "but as I told you, they found nothing."

I let out a long sigh. "Then perhaps it was the right decision for me to leave after all."

Abbot Mo smiled faintly, but there was a trace of sadness in his expression. "Come," he said, turning toward the village. "Let's find somewhere to talk."

He led me to a weathered, almost dilapidated cabin on the edge of the village. The roof sagged in places, and the walls were patched with mismatched wooden planks, but it stood firm against the wind. Inside, the furnishings were sparse. It only had a single bed, a rickety table, and a small stove. It was humble but better than any shelter I'd seen in weeks.

"Sit," he said, gesturing to the bed.

I sank onto the mattress, grateful for the rest. Abbot Mo poured tea from a simple clay pot into a single chipped cup and handed it to me.

"What about you?" I asked. "Aren't you having any?"

He shook his head with a small smile. "I already had tea earlier. Unfortunately, I only have one cup, so we'll have to take turns."

I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation. Two cultivators, one of us once called the Divine Mage of Kan Empire and the other an abbot of a monastery, reduced to sharing a single cup in a forgotten corner of the world.

I took a sip of the tea, its warmth spreading through my chest. It felt divine after weeks of cold water and bitter herbs. "Abbot Mo," I began, taking another sip, "how did you end up here?"

He sat beside me, his gaze thoughtful. "A few days after you left, I learned that Emperor Gao had dispatched members of the Nightfall Sect to block all exits out of Silang Empire. Knowing your condition, I couldn't let you face them alone. I left the monastery and followed your trail. It took some time, but when I heard of your encounter with the disciples, I deduced that you'd end up in this village."

"How did you know I'd come here?" I asked, curious.

"This village is the only settlement within a hundred-mile radius," he explained. "Based on the direction you were heading, all routes would eventually lead you here."

I nodded, impressed by his deduction. "If it's that obvious, why haven't my pursuers found me yet?"

Abbot Mo's expression turned serious. "That's what puzzles me as well. Disciples of the Nightfall Sect aren't fools. They should've reached this village ahead of me. When I arrived, I expected to find them waiting for you. But I saw no sign of them."

"Could it be that Emperor Gao has retracted his order?" I asked, though I doubted it even as I said the words.

Abbot Mo shook his head firmly. "Highly unlikely. The marquis you mutilated is the emperor's beloved cousin. He won't stop until you're captured."

"Then why…" My voice trailed off as a thought struck me. "Could someone be clearing the path for me?"

He studied me carefully. "Do you have any idea who that might be?"

I wanted to dismiss the idea, but one name kept surfacing in my mind.

Ruan Yanjun.