Chapter 12: Petals of Ice, Roots of Blood
The Snow Lotus Pavilion
Snow fell long before they reached the mountains.
It drifted silently down upon jagged white peaks and frozen rivers that wove like silver serpents through the northern ranges. The Snow Lotus Pavilion sat near the summit of Mount Yuling, an ancient palace carved from glacial stone, its walls aglow with soft blue talismans that kept the cold at bay.
Lin Feng and Liang Yue stood at the base of the Sevenfold Staircase, a massive stairway leading to the temple gates. Frost bit through their cloaks, but neither flinched.
"This is your home?" Lin Feng asked, eyes scanning the towering walls.
Liang Yue's expression was unreadable. "It was. Before they decided I wasn't worth the snow I bled on."
He placed a hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to do this alone."
She gave him a small smile. "I don't intend to."
Together, they climbed.
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The Ultimatum
At the summit, a pair of armored guards flanked the gate. They didn't reach for weapons—only stepped aside with respectful nods.
"You are expected," one of them said.
The inner courtyard was vast and quiet, a field of white stone surrounded by flowing banners of pale blue silk. At the center stood a man clad in thick white robes, his long silver hair braided down his back.
Elder Shenxiu.
His gaze landed first on Liang Yue. "You've grown."
She didn't bow. "You haven't."
Shenxiu's eyes flicked to Lin Feng. "So this is the one."
He walked forward with the elegance of a predator.
"Lin Feng, descendant of the Hidden Lineage. Wielder of the Ashen Saber. You've stirred up quite the storm."
"Storms are nature's way of washing out rot," Lin Feng replied.
Shenxiu's smile was thin. "Bold words. But let's not pretend you're here to posture. You're here for your brother, Yue'er."
Liang Yue nodded. "Where is he?"
Shenxiu gestured, and from the far side of the courtyard, two disciples dragged a bound young man into view. His face was bruised, but his eyes were fierce.
Liang Yue gasped. "Li Wei…"
Her younger brother. Barely twenty. Eyes like hers, voice hoarse. "Sister…"
"Let him go," she said.
Shenxiu held up a hand. "You misunderstand. We are not cruel. You may have him."
"But?" Lin Feng asked.
"But in return… you must sever all ties with him. And with the Jade Saber. Stay, Yue'er. Rejoin the clan. Or leave with him—and be declared an enemy of Snow Lotus."
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Liang Yue's Choice
The courtyard grew cold—not from weather, but from the building tension.
Liang Yue said nothing at first. Her gaze drifted between her brother, Lin Feng, and the elder who had once trained her.
"You sent assassins after me," she finally said. "You branded me traitor for saving lives. And now you expect my obedience?"
Shenxiu didn't blink. "We expect your loyalty."
She took a slow breath. Then stepped toward Lin Feng.
"I made my choice the day I stood between you and a child. And I'll make it again today."
She raised her voice.
"My name is Liang Yue, former disciple of Snow Lotus. I renounce your protection, your politics, your poison. My path is beside this man. And beside those who still believe compassion is not weakness."
The elder's smile vanished.
"So be it."
He turned—and flicked his sleeve.
The gates slammed shut behind them.
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Battle on Ice
The courtyard lit up with glowing sigils.
Dozens of disciples appeared along the outer ring, blades drawn, frost in their breath.
Shenxiu stepped back.
"Seize them. Kill the boy. Bring her back in chains."
Lin Feng drew the Ashen Saber, its glow bursting to life with a flare of flame that melted the snow beneath his feet.
"Yue," he said. "Stay behind me."
"No," she replied, unsheathing her crescent blades. "We fight."
They moved as one.
Lin Feng's saber danced in wide arcs, slicing through frost techniques with pure heat. Liang Yue darted through gaps, her blades moving with the precision of falling snow.
Ten disciples down in moments.
But more came.
A glaive slammed into Lin Feng's side, sending him sprawling. Blood spattered the ground.
Yue shouted—but Shenxiu appeared behind her.
"Sleep, girl."
He struck with a frost palm—but Lin Feng hurled his saber between them, forcing Shenxiu back.
Liang Yue caught the weapon midair.
---
Ashen Sovereignty Unleashed
The moment her hands touched the hilt, the saber pulsed with golden light.
A second inscription flared to life:
> Ashen Sovereignty – Phase Two: Twin Flame Accord.
The saber ignited with both flame and frost, the blade splitting briefly into two mirrored arcs before reforming.
Together, they fought—not just with blades, but with bond.
A storm of red and white engulfed the courtyard.
Disciples fled.
Only Shenxiu remained, cloak flaring, frost swirling at his feet.
"You think love makes you strong?" he hissed. "It makes you predictable."
"No," Liang Yue replied. "It gives us purpose."
---
Final Strike
Lin Feng's qi flared, drawing deep from the Ashen Scroll. He activated the hidden stance:
> "Breath of the Last Ember."
His body erupted in flame, briefly fusing with the saber itself. His spirit flared like a star.
He dashed forward in a blur of golden fire.
Liang Yue followed with an arc of winter steel.
Their blades met Shenxiu's frost wall—
And shattered it.
He staggered, blood trailing from his mouth.
"You've doomed yourselves…"
"No," Lin Feng said. "We've freed ourselves."
With a groan, Shenxiu collapsed to one knee.
Behind him, the gate crumbled—destroyed by the clash.
---
Farewell to the Mountain
They found Li Wei in the temple cell, still alive—though barely.
"I knew… you'd come," he whispered to Yue as she cradled him.
Lin Feng carried him as they left the mountain.
Below, the world waited.
Enemies stirred.
But Liang Yue no longer bore her burden alone.
And Lin Feng—blade glowing warm at his side—was no longer just a fugitive.
He was a symbol.
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End of Chapter 12
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