Ch.9

Inside the palace orchard, the humid afternoon air made Punya and Princess Meilin choose to hide in a quiet part of the garden. The two talked about their unresolved issues regarding Li Shan's past. Meilin suddenly noticed that a certain area of ​​the ground looked different from the others.

"This place looks strange. Do you think the same as I do, Punya?" The princess asked softly.

Punya walked in to examine it and used her hand to brush away the dry leaves, revealing a well-disguised trap. When she tried to knock on the ground, a hollow sound was heard. The two looked at each other with curiosity before helping each other to open the hidden door leading to the stone stairs leading down below.

When they entered the underground hall, the light from the torches on both sides of the wall reflected on the dusty antique bookshelves. The humid air and old smell made Punya sneeze softly.

"Where is this?" Meilin asked, her voice shaking with excitement.

"That's right. Li Shan never said there was a place like this, but it seems to be some important place," Punya replied.

The two quickly sent word to Li Shan to join them. Not long after, Li Shan arrived with a thoughtful expression. He looked at the hall with a familiar gaze.

"This is the orchard's ancient records room. I remember... but I didn't think anyone would find it again," he said in an indifferent tone.

Li Shan quietly searched for something while Punya and Mei Lin flipped through the books and records arranged on the shelves. Punya suddenly picked up a book. The cover had an unusual emblem.

"Li Shan, this book is..." Punya handed him the book.

When he saw the book, Li Shan's face became heavy. He opened it slowly, and when he read the words inside, his expression became even darker.

"This is a record of an incident ten years ago... when I failed to protect the orchard," he said in a low voice.

"What happened?" Mei Lin asked.

Li Shan was silent for a moment before deciding to tell the story he had been keeping in his heart for a long time. "I was once the leader of the orchard's defense team. Everything seemed to be going well until the enemy broke in. I underestimated them... and accidentally stole some of the forbidden fruits. That incident caused great damage to the royal family. And I was dismissed from my position."

Li Shan's voice was filled with pain. As he closed the book, Mei Lin walked over and lightly grabbed his shoulder.

"You did your best. No one expected this to happen."

"But the consequences are still haunting us." Prince Li Cheng's voice rang out from the corner of the room.

"Since when did you come here, eldest prince?" Punya asked.

Everyone turned to look at Li Cheng who had just walked in. His eyes were filled with displeasure.

"Your mistake has caused us to face danger until today. You may not have had any bad intentions, but what you did is beyond forgiveness." Li Cheng said solemnly.

Punya quickly intervened before the situation became more tense. "Everyone makes mistakes. Li Shan's decision back then may not have been as bad as you think. He did his best in such a difficult situation."

"I just want a chance to redeem myself. I don't want anyone's forgiveness." Li Shan replied firmly.

The atmosphere in the room was quiet. Everyone was lost in their own thoughts, as the torchlight swayed in the gentle wind. It seemed to reflect their restless feelings.

--

In the dark night, the Western Tower stood tall amidst the quiet shadows. The cold wind blew through the leaves, making a faint sound that seemed to whisper secrets. Xiao Yang leaned against the balcony of the tower, his gaze fixed on the crescent moon as if pondering something.

"I'm here." Li An's voice faintly sounded from behind.

Xiao Yang turned back with a faint smile. "I thought you wouldn't come. I've waited too long."

"Sorry for making you wait so long. I came to hear what you're planning. It doesn't mean that I'll agree to cooperate with you." Li An replied in a calm but cautious tone.

Xiao Yang raised his hand to invite Li An to sit down at the stone table in the center of the room. On the table were a map and some documents, while the light of a small candle was bright enough to see both of their faces.

"You're smart, Li An," Xiao Yang began in an alluring tone. "You understand that those forbidden fruits are not only dangerous, but also hide immense power that no one dares to touch. If we can solve the mystery behind them, You will become a person that the world will remember."

Li An stared at Xiao Yang with calm eyes, even though his heart wavered at those words. "I am interested in knowledge, but I do not want to become a traitor who destroys what I love."

"Betrayal?" Xiao Yang chuckled before leaning back in his chair. "Do you think seeking knowledge is betrayal? Or are you just afraid of what you might discover?"

Xiao Yang's words made Li An pause for a moment. He still remembered the previous incident in the lab that almost took his life. It was what made him hesitate.

"Don't you see what dangers come with it? I'm afraid... not of knowledge, but of what knowledge can destroy everything..." Li An said calmly.

Xiao Yang got up and walked to the window, looking out at the darkness below. "Do you think knowledge is worthless? You know that the forbidden fruit is not just any fruit, but a key that connects powers unknown to the world. And do you think others will give you such a chance?"

He turned to look at Li An with sharp eyes. "I'm the only one who truly understands what you want, Li An. If you join me, we can solve more mysteries about these fruits than ever before. And I promise you, the knowledge you'll gain will change everything forever."

Li An lowered his eyes, hesitation still lingering in his heart. His desire for knowledge clashed with his morality.

"I'll think about it," he said briefly before standing up and walking out of the room, leaving Xiao Yang standing alone.

Xiao Yang looked at Li An with a faint smile. "You may hesitate now, but I know... you'll come back."

The candlelight that had been extinguished made the atmosphere in the room even darker, as if reflecting the darkness of Xiao Yang's ongoing plan.

--

Wen Qing's vast training ground was located in the middle of a clearing forest. A cool breeze blew through the tall trees, and the leaves whispered softly, as if they were watching the important events of the day. The people involved gathered around the training ground. Wen Qing stood at the center with a calm demeanor, while Li Shan walked in with a determined and troubled look in his eyes.

"I challenge you," Li Shan said loudly, his face covered in sweat even though the fight had not even started.

"Are you sure you want this?" Wen Qing asked in a cold tone, but there was a hint of understanding in her eyes. "This isn't about proving to others. But it is a fight with oneself.

"I know," Li Shan replied. "But I need to know if I am still worthy enough to fight for this garden."

Pun Ya and Princess Mei Lin sat in a corner of the training ground. Pun Ya looked at Li Shan with concern. She knew that the guilt from the past was eating away at his heart. Meanwhile, Prince Li Cheng stood a short distance away, staring at Li Shan with distrust.

"Let's begin," Wen Qing said calmly, before raising his training sword and preparing it. Li Shan did the same.

The two charged at each other immediately. Wen Qing's movements were swift and decisive. Her sword slashed accurately, while Li Shan tried to defend and counter. Although he seemed determined, the hesitation in his heart made every attack lack solidity.

The sound of swords clashing echoed throughout the training ground. Tension permeated the air. Pun Ya held her hand tightly, feeling the pain Li Shan was carrying.

"Li Shan, are you fighting me or yourself?" Wen Qing asked during the duel. She spun around to dodge the attack and countered accurately.

Li Shan paused for a moment, before replying in a firm voice. "I am fighting for what I love."

The fight continued for a while before Li Shan ran out of energy. Wen Qing's final accurate strike caused him to fall to the ground, but she did not attack. She walked towards him and extended her hand.

"No one can escape past mistakes," she said in a gentle yet firm tone. "But what's more important is that you are still fighting for what you love. That's what makes you valuable."

Pun Ya stood up and walked towards Li Shan with a gentle smile. "Hey, Miss Li Shan. I believe that you can still protect this garden. Perhaps forgiving yourself is the first thing you need to do."

Li Shan looked up at Pun Ya and Wen Qing. Their voices filled in the missing pieces in his heart. He nodded slowly before speaking. "I admit my mistakes, and I will continue to fight to atone for the sins I have committed."

Princess Mei Lin and Li Cheng, who were watching, had different reactions. Mei Lin looked relieved, while Li Cheng remained indifferent, but there was a glimmer of consideration in his eyes.

The training grounds were calm again, but in Li Shan's heart, the inner battle had ended as a new one began.