The cart had entered the province of Jing. The border between provinces was marked by a river, wide and winding, its waters a crystalline blue. The sun shone with a golden intensity, casting a warm glow on the landscape.

The journey to the border had taken weeks, the paved road was smooth and well-traveled, alive with the hustle and bustle of merchants and travelers. Carts adorned with the finest silks and the opulence of well-off families passed by, mingling with the simpler, humble wagons of farmers and commoners, each carrying their world with them.

Lingqi sat in the back of the carriage, while Elder Zhu controlled the reins, the horse's steady trot marking their slow but purposeful progress. The teen's eyes met those of the merchants heading south, their carts heavy with goods.

If the roads were this lively, the Opal Palace must be a marvel beyond imagination.

"How far are we from the Opal Palace?" Lingqi asked, his voice carrying the weight of anticipation.

"Only a couple of days now," Elder Zhu replied, his tone gentle with the promise of near completion. "We can rest in Lu Yang for the night. It is less than a day's journey from here."

Lingqi nodded, leaning his head against the side of the carriage. The cool air rushed past him, the sound of hooves clattering on cobblestones and a soothing rhythm. The swaying of the carriage rocked him gently, and soon, his eyelids grew heavy. Before long, he had fallen asleep, nestled among the silk cushions.

Time slipped by, unnoticed. As the sun began to set, the carriage slowed, Elder Zhu guiding the horse to Lu Yang's gates. The guard waved them through, and the bustling streets welcomed them with the warm light of fire lamps.

The horse slowed to a trot, and the carriage halted outside a modest tavern. Elder Zhu dismounted and tied the reins to a post, then knocked on the carriage door to rouse Lingqi. The boy awoke, wiping the sleep from his eyes, his vision blurry and his mind foggy.

"Come on," Elder Zhu said, "We'll be staying here for the night."

Lingqi nodded, the aroma of food strong in the air, his stomach rumbling in response. They entered the inn, greeted by a clerk who recognized Elder Zhu and bowed respectfully.

"Elder Zhu, what a surprise. What brings you to Lu Yang?" the man asked, his tone hospitable.

"I am taking my honored guest to the Opal Palace," Elder Zhu explained, his manner casual. "And please, no need to be so formal."

The clerk smiled and nodded. "Of course. Is there anything else you'll need?"

"Yes, two meals and two rooms. We shall be heading out by dawn."

"Certainly, Elder. I'll get those prepared for you."

They sat at a corner table, the wooden floor worn and the dark oak table sturdy. The inn had a plain but cozy atmosphere, the sounds and smells from the kitchen promising a hearty meal.

Two more visitors entered, an older man and a girl around Lingqi's age, her fine burgundy silk robes and shiny auburn hair marking her as someone of importance. She seemed familiar, a presence from a half-remembered past.

"I'll check if the food is ready," the clerk said, disappearing into the kitchen.

The man and the girl took a seat nearby, and their eyes met Lingqi's. He offered a friendly smile, and the girl responded in kind before her eyes widened in recognition. She whispered to the man beside her, who then looked at Lingqi with interest. The girl approached, her steps tentative but purposeful.

"Hello," she greeted, her voice warm. "Forgive me, but are you the boy from my village? I'm Ruyi. Do you remember me?"

Lingqi took a moment, the memory slowly resurfacing. Ruyi…where had he heard that name before? Then it dawned on him that he had indeed met her on his caravan ride to Huadu the night after their village had been raided. She had introduced herself to him, but Lingqi at the time was not as sociable as the other orphans were.

"Oh, yes, I remember you now. You look different," He said, appraising her with a complimentary smile.

Ruyi giggled. "You too! But your eyes, I always remembered your eyes. They were so intense." Her cheeks flushed at the admission. "Are you doing alright?"

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"I'm much better, thank you," Lingqi replied, grateful for her concern. "How about you?"

Ruyi's eyes shone. "I'm doing well. My adoptive father and I are headed to the Opal Palace."

"Me too," Lingqi said, gesturing to Elder Zhu. The elder smiled at their reunion.

"Do you mind if we eat together?" Ruyi asked.

Lingqi looked to Elder Zhu, who nodded approvingly.

"Sure," he said, and the two teens sat at a separate table, their guardians nearby.

"So," Ruyi began, leaning closer, "My foster father is training me to be a diplomat. Is that why you're headed to the Opal Palace too?"

Lingqi shook his head. "No, I'm here to learn more about the Sovereignty. I'm training in cultivation."

"Cultivation?" Ruyi echoed, intrigued. "Like meditation?"

"Something like that," Lingqi nodded. "There's an academy near the capital that teaches us to control our Prana."

"Prana..." Ruyi mouthed the word, fascinated. Cultivators weren't a rare breed by any means, and the term Prana for laymen meant the same as "blood" or "organs." Still, the intricacies of it all was a foreign concept to her all the same, and it sparked an interest within her.

"Would you mind showing me?"

Lingqi smiled at her enthusiasm. "Okay, after we eat," he promised, and she nodded eagerly.

The clerk returned with bowls of hot noodle soup, the broth rich and fragrant, accompanied by smaller bowls of white rice and chopsticks. Lingqi and Ruyi ate quickly, their hunger making the meal disappear in minutes.

"Can we go now?" Ruyi asked, her excitement palpable.

Lingqi looked to Ruyi's foster father, who nodded. "Let's go," he said, and they raced out the door.

The sky was a deep crimson, the clouds painted with the last light of the setting sun. Fire lamps illuminated the streets, casting a warm glow on the stone courtyard at the end of the road. They walked there, the night air cool and invigorating.

Lingqi picked up a small stone and cupped it in his hands, his breathing steadying with the familiar rhythm of Ohm. Warmth spread through his body as he channeled his Prana into the stone. He reared back and threw it, the stone hurtling towards an oak tree and embedding itself deep into the wood with a sizzling impact.

"Wow, that was amazing!" Ruyi exclaimed, her hand covering her mouth in awe. "How did you do that?"

"It's called Shui. You channel your Prana to empower your body," Lingqi explained.

Ruyi's eyes sparkled. "That's incredible! I wish I could do that. Could you teach me?"

Lingqi chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his head in a sheepish manner. "I'm not sure I could teach you. I'm still learning myself, and it's a complicated process."

"It's okay," Ruyi reassured him. "I didn't mean to sound pushy."

Lingqi shook his head. "No, it's fine," He began, then paused for a moment before continuing. "Can I ask you something personal?"

"Go ahead," Ruyi nodded, her curiosity piqued.

"When the Khalkans attacked our village... did you... see your family...?" Lingqi's voice faltered.

Ruyi's gaze lowered, the weight of that night evident in her eyes. "They set our house on fire. I was the only survivor."

Lingqi's heart sank. "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay," Ruyi offered a comforting smile despite her sorrow. "I understand."

Lingqi's gaze turned to the tree that he had struck. "Witnessing my parents' deaths might have triggered my cultivation. It's why I could do it naturally."

"What happened to your parents?" Ruyi asked gently.

Lingqi's blood ran cold as the memories resurfaced. "The Khalkans... they... killed my father and..." His voice broke. "I saw them pin my mother down....a-nd...and then..."

Fragmented memories too painful to bare was brought to the forefront of his mind. He could not summon the strength to speak on what he had witnessed, on the pain they had put his mother through. Her screams, her wails....he shook his head clear of that nightmarish evening, finding his throat dry and hands balled into fists.

"It's okay, I understand," Ruyi said, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. Lingqi leaned into her touch, finding solace in her presence.

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice heavy with regret. "I shouldn't have brought any of this up."

"Don't worry about it. I'm glad to talk to someone who understands," Ruyi replied, her voice soft and reassuring.

For a brief moment the two remained close, the girl's hand smoothed down the length of Lingqi's back in a soothing manner.

"Do you think the council will help us?" Ruyi asked suddenly, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "Do you think we'll get retribution?"

Lingqi's heart raced at the thought, and he looked towards the auburn haired girl with expectant eyes. "It's all I ever think about."

Ruyi placed her hand over her chest. "I still have nightmares about that night," she confessed. "I feel so helpless."

Lingqi nodded. "I do too. Sometimes... I wonder why the Sovereignty teaches us not to seek conflict."

"Do you really care about what the Sovereignty thinks?" Ruyi's tone was sharp, surprising Lingqi.

"Aren't you training to be a diplomat?" Lingqi asked, puzzled. An aspiring diplomat like Li Bie for example, would never utter such a sentiment.

Ruyi nodded. "My foster father says some people can't be reasoned with. Sometimes you have to do what's best for the people, even if it goes against the Sovereignty's tenets."

Lingqi found comfort in her words. "Would you support a war against the Khalkans?"

"I don't know, maybe," Ruyi said, rubbing her arm. "But if I had the chance for retribution, I wouldn't hesitate."

Lingqi's chest swelled at her words, as if he had finally spoke with someone who understood him. "Me too, no hesitation."

"Let's make a pact," Ruyi said, her voice firm. "One day, we'll get retribution for our village, no matter the cost."

Lingqi squeezed her hand. "No matter the cost," he agreed.

Their hands clasped together, the world seemed to stand still. But the sound of footsteps broke the moment. Elder Zhu and the diplomat approached, their presence bringing the teens back to reality.

"It's getting late. We should head back inside," Elder Zhu said.

The teens nodded and walked back to the inn, side by side.