Morning sunlight spilled over the rooftops of Feiyun City, blanketing its alleyways and bustling streets in a soft golden veil. Smoke from breakfast stalls mingled with the fresh mountain air, hawkers shouting, wheels clattering, and distant bells chiming, all forming a lively symphony—except in the Li family estate, where silence reigned.
Servants moved briskly through the courtyard, heads bowed, hands laden with traveling gear. The polished stone paths gleamed from the morning wash, while banners bearing the Li Clan emblem—an elegant crane flying above swirling clouds—fluttered softly in the summer breeze.
Li Tianyu stood at the heart of it all, watching the bustle with calm eyes and a faint, knowing smirk.
Dressed in a dark blue martial robe embroidered with faint silver clouds, his tall, lean frame cut a sharp figure against the sunlit courtyard. His hair was tied neatly in a warrior's knot, revealing high cheekbones, a sharp jawline, and eyes that glittered with quiet arrogance. Handsome, admired, and undeniably gifted, Li Tianyu carried himself with the easy grace of someone born to status—and disciplined enough to deserve it.
Only fifteen, he had already earned what lesser men spent a lifetime chasing—he had reached the Essence Profound Realm.
This earned the admiration of his peers, the envy of rival clans, the pride of his elders. Yet it wasn't empty arrogance that filled his chest. It was hunger. Ambition. The iron resolve of a young man determined to carve his name into the stones of history.
While other young masters wasted days drinking and chasing skirts, Li Tianyu's mornings were spent beneath the courtyard maple, slicing through the air with his blade until his robes clung to his sweat-slicked skin.
He knew loneliness better than most. And now, finally, he'd earned the right to step beyond the comfortable walls of the estate.
The courtyard buzzed with preparations. Horses were groomed until their hides gleamed like silk. Carriages were loaded with crates of rare spirit ores, their surfaces etched with protective seals. Guards tightened their armor, adjusting blades and crossbows with practiced efficiency. This wasn't some leisure trip to a tea house—it was an official escort mission to the Jade Moon Sect. A chance to earn merit, experience, and recognition.
Li Tianyu adjusted the straps of the light armor hidden beneath his robe, his fingers steady, his expression cool, but deep in his chest, excitement coiled like a serpent ready to strike.
He had trained for this moment. Bled for it. Endured the endless, merciless drills, the lectures, the bruises, the lonely, sleepless nights where the only warmth came from his mother's occasional, lingering touch or the faint scent of her perfume when she tucked him in as a boy.
The estate hummed with quiet pride—and something else. A tension. The faint, sharp note of fate sharpening its claws.
Inside the main residence, soft footsteps echoed across polished floors. Curtains rustled as Madam Jiang Xueyi entered the hall, her expression stormy.
She was beautiful, in the way a blade was beautiful—elegant, sharp, and dangerous beneath her silk robes. At thirty-six, she carried herself with the same grace that had made men stumble over their tongues when she first appeared in Feiyun's noble circles. Her long black hair cascaded down her back like ink, her eyes sharp as tempered steel, yet they softened, visibly so, whenever they landed on her only son.
Jiang Xueyi stood in the doorway, arms crossed, glaring at Tianyu as he adjusted his cloak.
She was not a woman easily silenced.
"Yu'er, you're really going?"
Her voice was low, the kind that could cut through steel. Not a question—just a mother's restrained frustration.
"The elders said you don't have to go personally. You've already earned your achievements. You can let the guards handle it. There's no shame in that."
Li Tianyu chuckled softly, turning to face her.
"And stay caged inside these walls like some pampered young lordling? I trained for this, mother. And you didn't raise a coward."
Jiang Xueyi closed the distance between them with a few steps, fingers immediately adjusting the clasp of his cloak, tugging unnecessarily at the folds of his robe as if she could anchor him beside her with fabric alone.
His gaze lingered on her—high, proud cheekbones, full lips pressed into a firm line of stubbornness, eyes framed by long lashes that masked the raw worry swimming behind them.
Her robe clung to her form, accentuating the curve of her waist, the generous swell of her hips. It wasn't lost on Li Tianyu where his good looks—and his trouble-making streak—came from.
"Your father opposes this, too. If he weren't buried in those paper works, he'd be here barking the same warnings I am."
Tianyu grinned like a devil.
"Which is exactly why I chose today."
Her eyes narrowed. Her grip tightened on his shoulder.
"You…"
Her voice trailed off, irritation and reluctant pride warring in her chest. She wasn't blind. She had seen this coming.
Tianyu had always been clever—too clever for his own good sometimes. Ever since he was young, he made a habit of pestering her for his father's schedule. Always under the guise of harmless curiosity.
"Mother, when does Father have his court meetings?"
"What days does Father go to the merchant guild?"
"Does Father plan to inspect the estate this week?"
She hid nothing from him.
She used to think it was cute and never thought much of it.
The boy had always been her shadow, clinging to her robes as a child, sharp eyes and sharper ears absorbing everything like a sponge.
Only now did she realize how thoroughly he had used that knowledge to his advantage, waiting for a moment like this.
Her little fox had grown fangs.
He had waited until his father was buried in ledgers, political duties and clan duties, knowing there'd be no one standing in his way but her. And her protests, he brushed them aside with that same charming smile he wore every time he was about to do something reckless—and she always conceded defeat.
"So you timed it just right. Slipped past him, left me alone."
Tianyu's smirk only deepened, dark eyes glittering with boyish mischief that both infuriated and annoyed her.
"Mother, you make me sound like some scheming bastard."
He teased, lowering his voice just enough to coax a faint flush of frustration to her cheeks.
"I only listened when you told me information was power."
"You little…"
The words died on her tongue, replaced by a sigh heavy with reluctant pride and simmering dread.
"My son, through and through…"
Jiang Xueyi whispered, eyes narrowing with amused pride.
"Sharp tongue, stubborn and always pushing my limits."
Tianyu's grin deepened, unapologetic.
"Didn't you teach me that? Trained by Mother herself—I wouldn't dare waste your lessons."
Her palm pressed to his chest. Like she could hold him there by touch alone.
"Getting cheeky now?"
Jiang Xueyi straightened his cloak one final time, then let her hand fall, brushing against his chest in a tender, lingering gesture.
"Son, you're not a child anymore… I know. But don't confuse confidence with invincibility. The world beyond these walls isn't filled with scholars and merchants alone. There are bandits, rogue cultivators, worse things lurking in the forests. As your mother, I—"
"I'll be careful."
Li Tianyu smiled, the kind that always got him out of trouble.
That smile—warm, dazzling, the kind that made maids blush and noble girls giggle behind fans.
"Captain Zhao's leading the guards. Uncle Liu's riding with us. Even if bandits show up, they'll regret it."
Jiang Xueyi's sharp gaze narrowed further, her lips twitching at the corners.
"You've always been good with words… but words don't stop blades, Li Tianyu. Remember, your life isn't yours alone. You carry the Li Clan's future."
"I know."
His voice lowered, more serious now.
"But if I never step outside these walls, how can I carry anything? The world won't wait for me to grow old here."
Jiang Xueyi sighed again, shoulders relaxing only slightly.
They embraced, fierce and possessive—the kind of grip only a mother could give.
Jiang Xueyi's slender arms wound around him, pulling him close with a desperate strength, as if by sheer will she could keep him rooted here, safe within these walls. Her soft chest pressed to his, her hair brushed his neck, and her familiar scent—lotus and silk—wrapped around him.
For a heartbeat, Li Tianyu forgot the world beyond the courtyard. Her warmth, her grip, her quiet trembling—all of it whispered the same truth.
She didn't want to let him go.
"You better come back to us."
Li Tianyu smiled faintly, brushing her hair back.
"Of course, I will. I already miss you."
She pulled back, pinching his cheek lightly, exasperation replacing worry for a fleeting moment.
"Damn brat. Smooth talker."
"And you love it."
She rolled her eyes, but her lips curled.
"If I knew you'd grow up this fast, I wouldn't have let you sleep in my bed every night."
He leaned close again, whispering low.
"You used to love when I clung to you. But now you hate it when I flirt?"
She pinched his waist, blushing, scolding and flustered.
"Control yourself. If I hear you've been messing with women at the Jade Moon Sect, I'll come break your legs myself."
He grinned wider.
"You'd really do it?"
"If you're dumb enough, yes."
He raised his hands in mock surrender.
"I won't. Honestly, Mother—no girl out there holds a candle to you. None have your fire, your wit, or those wicked hips."
She snorted softly, eyes narrowing as she crushed him into another tight hug, her lips brushing against his ear.
"You keep sweet-talking like that, and I just might come along."
For the first time, Li Tianyu paled.
Everyone already teased him for being a mommy's boy, and he could practically hear the howling laughter if she actually showed up beside him.
"Ugh, please don't. If you really show up, I'll never hear the end of it."
Hearing his answer, she raised an eyebrow, smirk curling.
"Then hold your head high, my son. Who knows, maybe I'll sneak along in disguise—watch from the shadows."
"You're the worst. You enjoy watching me squirm."
"I raised you, didn't I?"
They laughed, holding each other close.
Across the courtyard, the elders of the Li family watched in silence, eyes glinting with approval.
While other clans fretted over unruly sons and shameful heirs, the Li family stood proud. But Li Tianyu—steady, respectful, hardworking. Though his talent wasn't as dazzling as his parents', his sheer willpower and hard work made up for everything.
Now, the hour of departure had arrived.
Servants bowed low as he passed. Fellow disciples offered parting words, clapped his shoulder, and wished him well. Behind a stone pillar, a few younger female disciples peeked out with reddened cheeks, their gazes flitting away the moment he turned toward them.
He caught their eyes—on purpose—holding the look just a heartbeat longer. That wicked grin of his curled at the corner of his lips, and their faces lit up with embarrassed delight.
He knew he was handsome, and he knew how to wield that charm. But unlike so many pampered heirs, he didn't let it lead him. He could play the part when he needed to—but never without control. A striking image was easy to earn. A lasting legacy required discipline.
And yet, the warmth rising in his chest had nothing to do with attention or admiration.
It was the call of the unknown.
"Young Master!"
A maid came running, breathless, cheeks red, holding a silk bundle in her arms.
"Madam asked me to deliver this."
Li Tianyu took it, opened it—and inside was a deep red protective charm, its sigils complex, pulsing faintly with spiritual energy.
At the bottom, a small line of script, elegant and vicious:
Return safely… or else.
In the distance, Jiang Xueyi stood at the steps, arms crossed, gaze sharp as a blade—but the corners of her mouth curled ever so slightly.
Li Tianyu slipped the talisman into his robes, mounted his steed, and allowed himself one final glance at the courtyard—the bustle, the pride, the unspoken love etched into every stone of the estate.
None of them knew.
Not his parents.
Not the elders.
Not the wide-eyed disciples or blushing maidens.
Fate had already made its move.
This wasn't a simple escort mission.
It would lead him down a path soaked in blood and lined with bones—a path he could never have imagined.