Chapter 3 - Meng Qing

In the distance, the lights of the sect began to glow, signaling the deepening night. On the water's surface, the moon's reflection trembled, following the small ripples created by Liang Yue's movements. His breathing was steady, his mind sharp. There was no turning back.

The Path Immortal Sect would not let him go easily. If they realized his absence, the search would begin immediately. But tonight, with everyone's attention focused on the tournament, he had the advantage.

Sharp stones at the riverbed occasionally cut into the soles of his feet, but Liang Yue ignored them. He moved with the current, his body blending into the darkness. In the silence of the night, only the sound of rushing water filled his ears.

"I'm out..."

But this was only the beginning.

The world outside the sect might be vast, but it was also more dangerous. He had no cultivation, no support, and no idea where to go. But he had something more valuable—free thought, an unbreakable will, and the determination to never again be a slave to the system.

One thing was certain—Liang Yue would never return.

Three Months After Leaving the Path Immortal Sect

The river had carried him far, across valleys he had never known, through forests filled with the sounds of nocturnal creatures, all the way to the borders of lands untouched by sect disciples.

Every day, he had only one goal—survival.

Liang Yue didn't know where to go. He simply let the current take him as far as possible from the sect that had treated him like a slave. He had no cultivation, no weapons, and no possessions. Just his thin body, tattered clothes, and an unyielding resolve.

Days on the River

During the day, he let his body float, conserving energy and following the current. Occasionally, he grabbed onto tree roots or large rocks at the riverbank to rest.

At night, he would climb ashore, searching for a safe place to sleep—under a large tree, among the bushes, or beneath exposed roots.

His food?

Wild leaves he found along the way, young stalks soft enough to chew, and small fruits he hoped weren't poisonous. If he was lucky, he would find scraps in the small villages he passed through, stealing just enough to survive.

"Living like this… is still better than staying there."

Small wounds covered his feet from walking barefoot. His hands sometimes bled from gripping sharp branches or rough stones. But none of that mattered.

Every wound was a reminder that he was still alive.

Meng Qing – The Relentless Pursuit

Elsewhere, Meng Qing moved swiftly along the river's path.

A day after the tournament ended, she had already noticed something was off. Liang Yue was nowhere to be seen. His storage was empty, his clothes were gone, and his tracks had vanished.

Meng Qing knew one thing—her brother had run away.

Without hesitation, she left the sect.

If the sect realized Liang Yue had escaped, they would surely send people to hunt him down. Not just the sect—if anyone discovered that a sect disciple had fled without permission, it would cause major trouble.

The sect never let their slaves go so easily.

Meng Qing tracked the riverbank with the same determination as Liang Yue. Leaving the sect wasn't an easy decision. She had given up her comfort, her status as a core disciple, and her promising future—just to chase after someone who didn't even know he was being hunted.

"I must find him before they do."

In the first week, she found faint traces—small footprints by the river, gnawed leaves, or remnants of a small fire.

By the second week, the trail began to fade. Liang Yue had ventured deeper into the wild, far from places accessible to ordinary sect members.

But Meng Qing didn't give up.

"Brother… I will protect you."

A Harsh Reality

Liang Yue had survived for three months, but his body was weakening.

He was beginning to realize that survival wasn't just about avoiding the sect—it was about facing a world that was far more ruthless.

He had watched a pack of wolves hunt a deer right before his eyes. He had nearly been captured by bandits—only managing to escape into the river before they noticed him.

He couldn't continue like this.

He needed shelter. He needed a plan

In the distance, he saw the lights of a small village.

"Is this place safe?"

If he wanted to survive longer, he had to take the risk.

Cautiously, he began moving toward the village—unaware that someone was searching for him, closing in faster than he could imagine.

Reunion in the Village

Liang Yue sat at the edge of the village street, his body hunched, legs pulled close, and arms wrapped around himself. His left arm rested on his knee, while his right hand was outstretched as if begging for alms. His head was lowered, hiding his face beneath his long, tangled hair.

People passing by glanced at him with various expressions.

"Where did this child come from?"

"Ah, he must be a stray beggar from outside the village. Look at his clothes—so ragged."

Some ignored him completely, while others threw him looks of disgust. A middle-aged man stopped briefly, sneering.

"Hah! Do you think just sitting there will keep you alive? The world isn't that easy, kid."

The man walked away laughing, followed by a few younger men who sneered along with him. But not everyone was heartless. An elderly woman carrying a basket of vegetables sighed softly before taking a few copper coins from her pouch.

"Here, child. Take this."

Liang Yue remained silent, slowly raising his hand to accept the money. Without a word, he tucked the coins into his chest, hidden beneath his tattered black hanfu.

A small boy who had been watching from afar ran up with a bowl of hot porridge. "Brother, you must be hungry!"

The boy held out the bowl. Liang Yue stared at it for a moment before taking it. The rising steam warmed his stiff hands.

Just as he was about to take a bite, heavy footsteps approached. A large man in rough clothing walked up, his eyes sharp like a hawk eyeing its prey.

"Hey, this kid looks suspicious," the man said, crossing his arms. "You're an outsider, aren't you? Did you run away from somewhere?"

Liang Yue remained silent, lowering his head further.

The man scoffed. "Hmph, staying quiet? Maybe I should—"

SRAKK!

A small dagger suddenly pressed against the man's neck. His body froze, eyes widening, breath catching.

"Of all the people here, why did you choose to bother him?"

The cold, deep voice made everyone hold their breath.

The man turned his head slowly and saw a woman standing behind him.

Meng Qing.

Her white hanfu fluttered in the wind, a thin sword strapped to her waist, her eyes sharp and imposing.

People around them began whispering.

"W-Who is she?"

"She looks like a sect disciple…"

Sweat trickled down the man's forehead. "I-I meant no harm, I was just curious—"

Meng Qing stared at him coldly before retracting her dagger. "Leave before I change my mind."

Without hesitation, the man backed away quickly. The villagers also began to disperse, realizing they shouldn't get involved.

When all was quiet again, Meng Qing turned her gaze to the figure still sitting on the ground.

"So, this is how you've been surviving, Liang Yue?"

Liang Yue didn't lift his head, only clutching the bowl of porridge tighter.

Meng Qing sighed. She knelt before him, gently brushing aside the hair that covered his face.

"Brother… it's enough. Come with me."

Liang Yue finally looked up at her, his exhausted eyes meeting hers.

Silence filled the space between them.

Then, in a hoarse, quiet voice, he spoke.

"I don't want to go back…"

Meng Qing squeezed his hand gently.

"We won't go back."

Meng Qing stared at him, waiting for an answer. However, what came out of Liang Yue's lips was something she did not expect.

"I did it for capital."

Meng Qing frowned. "Capital?"

Liang Yue finally lifted his head, looking at his sister with calm yet calculating eyes. "I need money to survive. For food, clothing, shelter... I need capital to continue living in the outside world."

He slightly opened the folds of his hanfu and revealed a few copper coins he had collected. Not much, but enough for a beggar to survive a few days.

"People look down on me, mock me, but some give coins without thinking. This way, I can gather a little bit at a time." Liang Yue smiled faintly. "The sect thinks I am useless, but I can still survive in my own way."

Meng Qing remained silent. Her heart ached, seeing her brother think so far ahead just to survive.

"You don't have to do this anymore."

Meng Qing stood up and gently took Liang Yue's hand. "Let's go. I have prepared a safe place for us."

Liang Yue hesitated for a moment. "Where?"

Meng Qing gazed into the distance, toward the forest beyond the village. "Somewhere the sect cannot find us. I will not let them capture you."

Liang Yue remained silent, but Meng Qing's grip was firm.

"I promise, from now on, you won't have to sleep on the streets or beg to survive."

Liang Yue let out a slow breath and finally nodded.

Meng Qing pulled him to his feet, and without looking back, the two of them disappeared into the darkness of the night, leaving behind the village and a painful past.

The forest grew denser as they walked, the leaves rustling softly in the night breeze. Liang Yue followed behind Meng Qing, his eyes fixed on her upright back. Every step felt heavy, not just from exhaustion but from the thoughts filling his mind.

He took a deep breath before finally asking, "Meng Qing… you realize it, don't you?"

Meng Qing didn't turn around, but her voice was clear. "Realize what?"

Liang Yue looked down at the rocky ground beneath their feet. "That it's not just me they're after. It's you too."

Meng Qing kept walking, but Liang Yue could sense the slight tension in her body.

"That tournament… you won. You are a core disciple of the sect. That means you are a valuable asset. The Path Immortal Sect will not let you go so easily." Liang Yue bit his lip. "They must be chasing you too. They might have even put a bounty on our heads."

Meng Qing finally stopped walking.

Liang Yue continued, his voice deeper, more serious. "Why are you doing this? I know you're not foolish. You could have had a bright future. Now that you've won the tournament, you must have received offers from other great sects. Even the Path Immortal Sect would do anything to keep you."

Silence.

Meng Qing remained with her back to him, but then she took a long breath and slowly turned around.

Her eyes locked onto Liang Yue's, unwavering, filled with deep resolve.

"Because you are my family, Liang Yue."

Liang Yue was slightly taken aback.

"And you are the only one who fills my heart. The only one who makes me feel warmth and happiness."

Liang Yue froze. He didn't know how to respond.

Meng Qing stepped closer, placing her hand on his head, just as she often did when they were children.

"I don't care how high a price they put on us. I don't care about great sects or the bright future they promise." Her voice was soft but firm. "I only care about one thing—you must be free."

Liang Yue lowered his head, not wanting Meng Qing to see the warmth rising in his eyes.

In his heart, he knew.

Now, this escape was no longer just about himself.

It was about both of them.

Liang Yue took a deep breath, gathering the courage to ask, "Then… what about your family in the sect? The other core disciples? The elders? Aren't they your family too?"

Meng Qing was silent for a moment before answering in a quiet but resolute voice. "No. They are not my family."

Liang Yue frowned. "Then what about me?"

Meng Qing looked at him directly, with no hesitation in her eyes. "You are my sworn brother, Liang Yue. We are truly family."

Liang Yue fell silent.

He should have been shocked. He should have questioned everything. But strangely, his heart felt… calm.

There was a slight surprise, but after that, his feelings remained the same.

Meng Qing was still Meng Qing.

No matter what their blood relation was, the person in front of him was still the only one who had always been there for him.

Liang Yue stared at the small campfire they had built to keep warm in the middle of the forest. The crackling sound of burning wood filled the silence between them.

After a moment, Liang Yue simply shrugged. "Oh, I see."

Meng Qing was slightly surprised by his flat reaction. "That's all?"

Liang Yue rested his chin on his knee and gave a small smile. "Does it change anything?"

Meng Qing looked at him, then slowly smiled as well. "No. It doesn't change anything."

The night continued, and although many things had changed, their bond remained the same. In this cruel world, they still only had each other.