Throughout the week, we had been seeking the opportunity to meet with Yueqing. Finally, that fateful day arrived when he was out running an errand. I approached the familiar yet somewhat distant stranger, caught up with him, and spontaneously invited him for dinner that night. While Lin Jian took charge of preparing the meal, I busied myself with tidying up the space.
We settled under the shade of a peach tree in the plum area, where ground lanterns, benches and tables had been specifically crafted for disciples to gather and relax. Shortly thereafter, he arrived.
"We need your help, senior Yueqing," Lin Jian said, his voice serious. He leaned forward, his gaze straight. "I'm sure you've hear of the incident in the Jade falls, it is far complex than the elders let it appear to be. We've been suspecting Hua Lin. It's been difficult, but we believe she's connected to the murder in Jade falls."
Yueqing's eyes widened, his hand instinctively reaching for the jade pendant hanging around his neck. "But she's a fellow disciple," he stammered, his voice barely a whisper. "How can we suspect her?"
"We need proof, Yueqing," I interjected, my tone gentle." We can't just accuse her without evidence. That's why we need you. You're a shadow walker, you're the closest person we know."
Yueqing's countenance grew pale as he listened to our weighty accusations. Doubt and fear gnawed at him, but a flicker of resolve gradually illuminated his eyes. "I cannot turn a blind eye to such a grave matter," he declared, his voice trembling slightly. "For the sake of justice and our shared bond, I will join your cause."
As Yueqing's reticence dissolved, so too did the barriers between him and Hua Lin. With each passing day, we witnessed their friendship deepen. The path we had meticulously laid out was coming to fruition. And so, we devised a cunning plan to execute our mission.
"Yueqing," I whispered cautiously, "you shall engage Hua Lin in conversation, drawing her attention away. Lin Jian and I will seize the opportunity to search her chambers and find for evidence."
Yueqing nodded solemnly, his eyes mirroring our determination. "May justice guide our every step," he intoned.
Hua Lin's chamber was filled with the scent of roses, a sweet, and cloying perfume that clung to the damp air. We crept past a large, ornately carved desk, its surface cluttered with scrolls and an open chest brimming with jewels. The dim light cast long, dancing shadows across the room, making it feel even bigger than it already was.
Suddenly, Lin Jian tripped. His foot caught on something, and before either of us could react, he lurched forward, flailing like a wild animal. I instinctively reached out, catching him around the waist just as he toppled toward me.
We both stumbled backward, the weight of him dragging us toward the ornate bathtub. I barely managed to catch my balance, but we were dangerously close to toppling into the water.
"Shhh!" I hissed, barely able to hold him up as we teetered on the edge. "Do you want to drown us both?"
Lin Jian's breath was warm on my neck as he tried to steady himself, and we both froze, balancing on the very edge of disaster. "I—uh... didn't plan for the floor to be so... eager to trip me," he whispered, a laugh barely contained in his voice. His arms were still around me, but I could feel his muscles tense as we fought to stay upright.
I bit back a laugh of my own, still struggling to keep us both from toppling into the tub. "You're like an elephant," I whispered, voice low but sharp with disbelief. "Heavy enough to crush me, yet still tripping like a fool."
Lin Jian's eyes widened, but he was clearly fighting the urge to laugh. "An elephant?" he whispered back, incredulous. "I'm more like a graceful gazelle, thank you very much."
"A gazelle that fell into a pit of mud," I muttered, trying to keep my voice steady as I adjusted our position. The water was only inches away, and the last thing I needed was for us both to end up soaked.
We barely caught our balance, and for a moment, we just stood there, both of us whispering, our bodies close enough to feel the heat radiating off each other.
"Alright, alright," Lin Jian finally whispered, his voice strained, but his smirk was evident. "Maybe I'm a little heavy... but you can't deny I've got style."
I raised an eyebrow, not trusting myself to speak too loudly. "Next time, I'm tying you to a chair so you don't come close to causing another disaster."
"Why waste the effort? I'm sure you'll catch me again. You're the best crash cushion, after all," he teased quietly, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
I rolled my eyes but didn't say anything. We were still precariously balanced, and the last thing I needed was to argue over something so... ridiculous.
We both stood there for another breath, then carefully took a step back, avoiding the tub. It was only then that we both exhaled in relief.
"That was too close," I muttered under my breath, still holding him steady until I was sure he wouldn't fall again.
"Tell me about it," Lin Jian whispered, adjusting himself. "At least I know now—I'm an elephant, and you're my tree."
I glared at him, trying to keep my composure. "Next time, keep your feet on the ground," I whispered harshly, though the corner of my lips twitched with the faintest hint of a smile.
The moment passed, as quickly as it had arrived. We moved on, scoured the room, searching for Hua Lin's sword, the evidence we sought. Every corner, every drawer was searched.
It finally turned up. Its blade shone in the darkness. I moved closer, investigating it by eyes. No presence of the yin energy I was looking for, no trace of collision in its energy, no hint of her intentions.
I stood up, silent and reticent. "Yinuo, what did you find out?" he asked. I remained silent, tonight was a fail. Was I wrong with my assumption?
In the spur of the moment, I reached down at it, using my sleeves as a glove gashed at the extensors of my arms, testing the illogical fact in front of me.
"You're mad!" he silently uttered, taken a back by the scene I caused. He hurriedly swathed the fresh wound to avoid blood from dripping in the floor.
We left the room, the air thick with unspoken words. My suspicion remained, a nagging itch that refused to be scratched.
"Do you want to get us killed?" he said displeased as he cleaned my wound in my chambers. He knelt in front of me, brows furrowed. The candle light casted a shadow of him and I; I played around with it, caressing the air as if choking him. He snatched my hands, wanting an answer to his unanswered question.
The shadow of him appeared to peck my head. It is difficult to say that I wasn't flushing and he didn't noticed as I shift my look to him. "I want to have one last verification that she was innocent." I explained.
He listened intently, "The sword's yang energy was not touched, nor did it have sign of collision with the yin energy present in Jade falls. It didn't make sense why the cut was the same, so I cut my self to confirm it.." I paused.
"I was disappointed to find that the cut I envisioned the sword had was not the same as the one on my hand, it is slightly different. Perhaps I had overanalyzed the situation." I said, not revealing that I still suspect Hua Lin.
"Is that so?" still in rage. "Anyway don't be disheartened, the depth of the issue suggests there is more to uncover" him trying to comfort me made me chuckle.
It's so fake! What a two faced man indeed, I like it. For now, we'll assess and evaluate the situation and follow any new leads we come across.