— The first thing you need to know is what a Ryogen is. Ryogen is a word that came from the Kurogane nation. It translates roughly as "origin of virtue" because those who receive that title wield the Authority over a virtue of the world. — She paused briefly before continuing. — But it is the heaviest price a soul can bear. True, Ryogens possess more power than even deities, if they have lived long enough… but even deities have more freedom than us. Carrying such Authority is difficult — it binds you for the rest of your life.
— Shizuma was known as the Ryogen of Destruction. How is that a virtue of the world? — Yuanling asked, puzzled.
— The world is built on balance. You cannot create without destroying first. For every "good" virtue, there is a "bad" one to maintain the balance of energies. Destroying is creating; creating is destroying. — She looked at Yuanling intently. — You can never have something without giving something in return. There is always a price.
— I think I understand. You always taught me that. Is it because you are also a Ryogen?
— I am indeed a Ryogen — one who once made the mistake of abandoning her post. Always remember: holding the Authority of a virtue does not mean you may act as you please. The Authority will obey you only as long as you play your part in the circle of the world. — Her voice grew heavier. — I disobeyed my Authority once, and that moment of weakness cost millions of lives that could have been saved. Innocent lives.
— What do you mean… millions? — Yuanling whispered. Her mother had always taught her the value of an innocent life.
— My Authority rules over the virtue of Justice and Judgment. Once, I was called to a great country — vast, ancient. Its name was Shen Zhou. It was once ruled by mighty dragons, known for their fairness and wisdom. But after more than a thousand years, things had begun to rot. The last emperor of that dynasty had strayed far down the wrong path, and it was my "job" to bring him justice and judgment. As per my Authority. But I didn't.
— Why didn't you?
— I was tired. By then, I had lived for over two thousand years. I had seen so many things, and yet some things never changed. So, I decided to ignore it. — She looked toward the window for a moment, as though watching the memories replay. — That year, I learned that for every "good" virtue, there is a "bad" one. My counterpart came to visit me. She told me that since I hadn't done my duty, it was time for her to do hers. She brought misery and corruption. Her words still haunt me: "I had to show them the worst so they could value the good."
Xuanyi's face turned distant, as though the scene was playing in her head like a film.
— And then it came. The one-man rebellion. Or massacre, if you ask me. A powerful sorcerer, tainted by the injustice and corruption around him, rose up. He killed almost an entire nation, conjuring a fleet of spirits that ravaged it. — Her eyes hardened. — And I could have prevented it, if I had done right by my Authority. Does that mean a nation will fall because of you? No. Because the Authority strikes where it hurts the most to teach you. It takes what you value and destroys it before your very eyes.
Yuanling looked at her mother. Inside her, something was boiling — a storm of rage, fear, and anxiety. All she had ever wanted was to be free, yet now she was bound by the heavy chains of the circle of the world. She felt defeated. Exhausted. But in the end, she knew she had no choice but to act according to her Authority. She wasn't foolish enough to fight it — her mother had always taught her to adapt, to dance to the music, and to change only when the opportunity arose.
— I don't have a choice then. I have to act accordingly. I have to tell you something… —
She began recounting everything she had seen while unconscious: the echoes, the memories, and what her past life had done to all of them.
— I see. Indeed, the highest Authority I ever met was the Ryogen of Creation. But she was peculiar… very peculiar. — Xuanyi's gaze grew distant, as though thinking of something. — In truth, you resemble her a great deal in appearance.
— I know you're thinking about something… can you tell me what it is?
— You remember that you used to live in a lab, right? And that someone rescued you and brought you to us? — Yuanling nodded in agreement. — That someone was my counterpart. When I met the previous Ryogen of Creation, she was with her. They seemed very close. When she brought you to me, all she said was, "Take better care of her than I did." Now it makes sense.
— Do you know anything else about the previous Ryogen of Creation?
— Unfortunately, I do not. And the only people who could speak more about her were cursed to never remember her. — Xuanyi stepped closer to her daughter, taking her hand. — There's one more thing you must know about Ryogens. To be "worthy" of holding the Authority over a virtue of the world, something is always taken from you.
— In the memories, the deer said that in the other life Creation could not create its own life, but in this one it would be bound to a life… — Yuanling couldn't finish the sentence.
— Previously, Creation could not bear children of her own. Now Creation is bound to a creation. If they die… — Xuanyi's words faded, leaving a heavy silence between them.
— I will die. And the only way to get out of this mess is by helping them get "apart." — Yuanling's gaze turned cold and sharp. She felt as though she could murder her past life herself if it stood before her.
— For now, rest a bit. Your seal has broken, so your body will need time to get used to creating qi on its own. — Xuanyi approached her daughter, stroking her hair softly.
While Xuanyi showed a kind of affection she rarely displayed, Yuanling hesitated. She wanted to ask what had been taken from her to make her a bearer of Authority — but courage failed her. She remained silent and watched her mother leave.
—
Meanwhile, by the door of Yuanling's room stood Shuqing, holding a tray of food and tea. She had been there for some time, listening in silence. When Xuanyi stepped out, their eyes met.
— I didn't tell her the full story — Xuanyi said calmly, taking the tray from her hands.
— Why…? That's more my sin — and his — than yours…
— It's not my story to tell. Besides, nothing good would come from her knowing everything.
— Sometimes I hate that you're a Ryogen… and now our daughter shares the same fate… — Shuqing's eyes shimmered with tears she refused to shed.
— It aches me too. But I know I'm not alone. — Xuanyi wiped her wife's tears away.
It could have been a tender moment between the two, if not for the man standing beside them. He looked utterly lost, eyes wide with confusion, as though he had never seen them before in his life.
Shuqing froze, pale as a ghost. Xuanyi, ever composed, simply waited.
— I… I just woke up in this place… in a very nice room… My name is Ling Hao. I don't mean to be rude, but— where am I? And who are you?