The journey was too fast.
Too quiet.
By the time Li Xian reached the capital—
Something felt wrong.
No guards at the outer gates.
No usual noise.
No movement.
Just—
Silence.
"…This isn't right…" he whispered.
He stepped inside.
The palace that once felt distant now felt—
Empty.
Cold.
His footsteps echoed louder than they should.
Each step heavier than the last.
"Where is everyone…?"
No answer.
Li Xian didn't stop.
He moved quickly through the halls—
Until—
"Xian."
He froze.
That voice—
Slowly, he turned.
His sister stood there.
Still.
Silent.
And beside her—
His brother-in-law.
Neither of them moved.
Neither of them smiled.
And that—
Was enough to make his chest tighten.
"…What's going on?" Li Xian asked immediately.
His voice sharper than before.
No answer.
His gaze shifted between them.
Searching.
Demanding.
"Where is he?"
Silence.
His sister lowered her eyes.
Her lips pressed together.
His brother-in-law looked away slightly.
Jaw tight.
"…Answer me."
Still—
Nothing.
Li Xian's heartbeat quickened.
A cold feeling spreading through him.
"Where is Father?"
This time—
His voice wasn't just sharp.
It was urgent.
Almost—
Desperate.
The silence grew heavier.
Until finally—
"…He's gone," his brother-in-law said quietly.
Li Xian stilled.
"Gone… where?" he asked, his voice barely holding.
A pause.
Then—
"The western border."
Everything stopped.
For a second—
Li Xian didn't breathe.
The western border.
His eyes widened.
"No…"
His head shook slowly.
"No… no, no…"
"That's not—"
He stepped back.
"He can't…" his voice cracked.
"He can't do that."
Because he knew.
That place—
That timing—
That target—
Everything clicked at once.
"…He already did enough…" Li Xian whispered, his voice breaking.
Images flashed through his mind.
The symbol.
The attack.
The past.
"…Why…?" he choked.
"Why them again…?"
His breathing became uneven.
"WHY?!" his voice broke completely.
The sound echoed through the empty hall.
His sister flinched.
But didn't speak.
Because there was nothing to say.
Nothing that could make this better.
Li Xian's hands trembled.
"…No…"
"This isn't happening…"
But deep down—
He knew.
It already was.
And this time—
He was too late.