Rain hammered the roof of the abandoned temple.
Each strike echoed like a heartbeat.
Steel flashed through the darkness.
Han Rui attacked first.
His blade swept low, forcing Shen Lian backward across the worn stone floor.
The clash rang through the empty hall.
Neither man spoke.
There was nothing left to say.
Han Rui had once been his closest companion.
Now they fought like strangers.
No—
Like men standing on opposite sides of the same grave.
Their swords met again.
Shen Lian twisted, redirecting the strike before driving his elbow into Han Rui's chest.
Han Rui staggered only a step.
"You've become slower."
Shen Lian's breathing remained even.
"I've become more careful."
"You've become attached."
The words landed harder than the blow.
Han Rui smiled sadly.
"The Master was right."
"No."
Shen Lian tightened his grip.
"He was never right."
Their blades collided once more.
This time, Shen Lian broke through Han Rui's guard.
The edge of his dagger stopped against Han Rui's throat.
One movement.
That was all it would take.
Han Rui didn't resist.
"Do it."
Silence.
"You hesitate again."
Shen Lian's hand trembled.
Only slightly.
But Han Rui saw it.
A slow clap echoed from the entrance.
Once.
Twice.
Then a third.
Both men turned.
An elderly man stepped into the temple.
His robes were plain.
Dark grey.
Nothing about him demanded attention.
Except his eyes.
Cold.
Patient.
Unreadable.
Every assassin in the room lowered their heads immediately.
"The Master."
Shen Lian felt his chest tighten.
Years had passed.
Yet one glance was enough to drag him back to childhood.
The training halls.
The blood.
The endless lessons.
The executions.
"So," the old man said quietly.
"You survived."
His voice carried no warmth.
Only disappointment.
"I expected better."
Shen Lian straightened.
"I stopped being yours a long time ago."
"No."
The Master shook his head.
"You simply forgot your place."
He looked toward Han Rui.
"You failed."
Han Rui immediately knelt.
"This disciple accepts punishment."
"There will be time for that."
The Master's attention returned to Shen Lian.
"You've grown sentimental."
"I've grown human."
The old man's expression remained unchanged.
"There is no difference."
Far away—
Inside the palace—
Li Xuan read the final line of the anonymous message again.
The lotus blooms beneath the dragon's throne.
At that exact moment, another figure climbed over the palace wall.
A young courier dressed in travel clothes dropped to one knee.
"Your Highness."
Li Xuan recognized him immediately.
One of Shen Lian's hidden contacts.
His face was pale.
"What happened?"
The young man struggled to catch his breath.
"He found it."
"Found what?"
"The records."
"The Master knows."
Li Xuan's heart sank.
"And Shen Lian?"
The courier lowered his eyes.
"They've surrounded the temple."
Li Xuan didn't hesitate.
"Prepare my horse."
"But Your Highness—"
"Now."
The servant froze.
"You'll be abandoning the palace."
"I know."
"The Emperor—"
"I know."
"The Crown Prince—"
"I know."
Li Xuan's voice never rose.
Yet every word carried absolute certainty.
"If I'm too late..."
He looked toward the storm beyond the palace walls.
"...none of that will matter."
Back at the temple—
The Master slowly descended the stone steps.
Stopping only a few paces from Shen Lian.
"I gave you a family."
"You gave me chains."
"I gave you purpose."
"You stole my name."
The old man smiled for the first time.
A smile completely devoid of kindness.
"And yet..."
He lifted a small porcelain vial from inside his sleeve.
"...you still belong to me."
Shen Lian stared at it.
His expression changed.
Just for an instant.
The vial contained a familiar poison.
One reserved only for members of the Black Lotus.
A poison with no cure.
The Master's voice became almost gentle.
"There is still one way to spare the prince."
The rain seemed to stop.
The world narrowed to that single vial.
"Kneel."
"Drink."
"And die as my disciple."
"Or refuse..."
His gaze turned toward the temple entrance.
"...and Li Xuan dies before sunrise."
The silence that followed was unbearable.
For the first time in years—
Shen Lian truly didn't know what to choose.
Outside—
Hoofbeats thundered through the rain.
Li Xuan was coming.