Chapter 5: A Fateful Encounter

The forest stretched endlessly before them, sunlight filtering through the thick canopy above, scattering golden patches on the narrow path like confetti from the heavens.

Tianlan let out a loud, theatrical sigh that could've won an award. "Are we ever going to reach civilization again, or is this just your master plan to bury me alive in the woods?"

Devran didn't look back. "You're welcome to go back. Or walk in circles. Your choice."

"Oh, please," Tianlan scoffed, stepping around a root with exaggerated flair. "Without me, you'd be face-down in a puddle somewhere, bargaining with squirrels."

"I was doing fine before you joined."

"Fine? You got conned at the festival, gave a monk fake silver, and almost committed arson at a teahouse. That's not 'fine,' that's a disaster in slow motion."

Devran growled. "The silver looked real! And the fire was controlled chaos."

From behind them, Saanvi stifled a giggle. "If by 'controlled' you mean running out the door screaming with your sleeves on fire, then yes, perfectly under control."

Devran turned with a scowl. "It was a very expensive rice cake!"

Tianlan raised a brow. "You tried to duel a merchant over pastry. You've got anger issues and a dessert obsession."

"I stand by both."

Before more bickering could ensue, the trees ahead rustled, and a man stepped into their path. His golden eyes sparkled with amusement, hands clasped behind his back like he'd been waiting for a grand entrance.

"Well, well," he said smoothly. "Lost travelers in my forest?"

Before anyone could respond with something reasonable, another figure emerged behind him: a silver-haired young man with piercing eyes, hand resting on the hilt of his sword, radiating 'I'll cut you' energy.

Devran drew his sword in a flash.

Tianlan cracked his knuckles. "More mysterious strangers. Great. Let me guess—also trying to scam us over rice cakes?"

Saanvi blinked and then lit up. "Xie Lian?"

The silver-haired man faltered. "Saanvi?"

Tianlan looked between them, suspicious. "Wait, wait. You know him?"

Saanvi gave a sheepish smile. "A little. We met at the festival—"

"Oh right!" Tianlan snapped his fingers. "This is the guy who saved you from that angry dumpling vendor when you—"

Saanvi slammed a hand over his mouth. "That's not relevant!"

The golden-eyed man chuckled. "If you know my bodyguard, then perhaps you're not enemies."

Tianlan shoved Saanvi's hand off. "Bodyguard? He's clearly ours now. He saved her, so he's ours by heroic rescue rules."

Devran sheathed his sword slowly. "There are rules for that?"

"Unwritten ones," Tianlan said confidently. "But very real."

The golden-eyed man gave a mocking bow. "Prince Wei Zhan of the Imperial City. An honor to grace your humble forest walk."

Tianlan groaned. "Royalty. Just what we needed. Do you come with a royal ego or is that extra?"

Wei Zhan smirked. "Only for those worthy of witnessing it."

"Oh, don't worry. I'll stay unworthy."

"Jealousy doesn't suit you."

"Neither does your face, but here we are."

Before Wei Zhan could deliver a scathing comeback about peasant manners, Devran interrupted. "Why is an imperial prince wandering the wilderness?"

Wei Zhan's smug smile slipped slightly. "The empire sent me to find the Celestial Path's master. I take it you're searching for the same?"

There was a pause.

Saanvi clapped her hands like a delighted child. "Ooh! Rival quests! Dramatic tension! We should totally travel together!"

Tianlan spun toward her. "No, we should not. That's the opposite of what we should do."

Xie Lian finally spoke again, calm but firm. "The road ahead will be dangerous. Cooperation is smarter than stubbornness."

"Exactly," Wei Zhan said with a wink at Tianlan. "Even my bodyguard agrees."

Tianlan spluttered. "He's not your bodyguard anymore. We adopted him. He's one of us now."

Wei Zhan raised an eyebrow. "He's not a stray cat. You can't just adopt him."

"We did. He sleeps under Devran's cloak now."

"Excuse me?" Xie Lian said, utterly unamused.

Devran groaned. "You're all ridiculous. We're traveling together. End of discussion."

Tianlan and Wei Zhan both pointed dramatically. "He started it!"

Meanwhile, from the shadows of a nearby tree, a third figure watched with great interest.

Leaning casually against the bark, Vihaan popped a roasted nut into his mouth and grinned. "Oh, this is going to be interesting