Ashes. A promise beyond death

Chapter 18 - Before the fall

The memory of the corpses haunted him—how they’d fought not like mindless enemies, but like assassins with a mission. Calculated. Focused. Vicious.

Were they trying to kill Yu Bin? Was someone targeting the royal family?

These thoughts pounded in Xian Chen’s mind like war drums, each beat louder and heavier than the last. The deeper he went into the silence of his thoughts, the colder it felt—like walking through a battlefield after the war was over, bodies still warm, but the danger still present.

He didn’t realize how still he had gone until a gentle hand rested on his arm.

“Brother Xian, are you okay?”

Yu Bin’s voice was soft, laced with worry. The concern in her gaze struck him deeper than any blade.

She’s worried… for me?

Xian Chen blinked and forced a smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’m fine, Yu Bin. Just remembered I was supposed to meet someone. But with this rope still binding us… I guess I can’t go.”

Yu Bin straightened, eagerness flickering in her voice. “I can go with you.”

“It’s okay. I’ll go when I’m free.”

“What if you’re not free?” she asked, tilting her head, her voice barely above a whisper.

He gave a soft chuckle, one that tried to hide the weight he carried. “It’s okay. You don’t have to worry.”

“…Really?”

“Really.”

KNOCK. KNOCK.

“Come in!” Yu Bin called.

Ming Fang burst into the room, slightly out of breath. “Yu Bin! Your master is here—”

“Master?”

Before Ming Fang could answer, a familiar voice echoed down the hall.

“Ah, look at my two babies.”

Master Bao Fang strode in with her usual dramatic flair, followed closely by the king and queen.

Yu Bin's eyes widened. “Mom? Dad? Master? What’s going on?”

The king chuckled. “Wife, look at this little devil. Did she forget we’re her parents now?”

“That’s not what I meant!” Yu Bin protested with a groan.

“Good morning, Your Highness. Master.” Xian Chen bowed respectfully.

But Yu Bin stepped forward instantly, grabbing his arm. “Brother Xian! Your wound—don’t move so much!”

Xian Chen blinked, confused. “I didn’t even move. I just bowed…”

“Still. Don’t risk it,” she murmured.

The king, queen, Ming Fang, and even Master Bao Fang exchanged surprised glances. Their sharp and cheeky Yu Bin was… fussing? Gently?

Bao Fang’s eyes narrowed. “So. You got hurt.”

Xian Chen nodded. “Yes, Master.”

“Crazy boy,” she muttered, stalking over to him and grabbing his wrist. “How many times have I told you not to hide your pain?”

He lowered his gaze. “Sorry.”

“No more ‘sorrys’. Let me see it. Yu Bin—turn around.”

“Yes, Master…” Yu Bin obeyed instantly, though her eyes lingered on Xian Chen’s face.

Bao Fang peeled away the fresh bandages—and her breath caught. The room went silent.

Without a word, she untied the binding rope with a single sharp motion. She bowed briskly to the king and queen, gave Yu Bin a nod, and all but dragged Xian Chen from the room.

Yu Bin flinched, reaching out instinctively. The rope… Why did it break? It wasn’t supposed to unless—

Her heart twisted painfully.

“Master—where are we going?” Xian Chen asked.

“To purge the poison,” Bao Fang snapped. “If I hadn’t checked, you'd have been dead by tomorrow.”

His breath caught. “Is it that bad?”

She stopped, turning toward him with a gaze like ice. “Xian Xian. Have you noticed anything strange about your power?”

He hesitated. “…A few days ago, Longwei appeared as a baby.”

Bao Fang’s jaw clenched. “The poison’s already damaged your golden core. It feeds on your spiritual energy like a parasite. You’ve lost years of cultivation.”

When they reached her chambers, she helped him lie down, then left and returned with a velvet pouch.

“Take this. Twice a day. Five days. Empty stomach,” she ordered.

Xian Chen accepted it wordlessly. “Thank you, Master. Once I recover… I want to enter seclusion. A year, maybe more. I need to rebuild everything I lost.”

Her expression softened. “Good. When the time comes, I’ll take you to the cave. It’s rich in earth, fire, and wind. Harsh… but it will make you stronger.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me,” she muttered. “I shouldn’t have tied you two together.”

He frowned. “Didn’t you say the rope would break once we truly cared for each other?”

Bao Fang scratched her head sheepishly. “Ah… I may have lied. But look at you now, Xian Xian. Happier, aren’t you?”

He was quiet for a moment. Then nodded.

“I have a sister. A family. I’m not alone anymore. I have someone to protect.”

Tears shimmered in her eyes. “I’m glad. I’m so glad you found a reason to live again.”

“I should be the one saying sorry,” he said gently. “For worrying everyone.”

“No. I made a mistake. I forced the bond, and I endangered you both.”

He shook his head. “You gave me a chance to care again. It wasn’t a mistake.”

Silence fell, tender and heavy. Then he added quietly, “Yu Bin… she was in danger that day. Someone was after her. That attack wasn’t random.”

Bao Fang’s smile vanished. “Then I’ll find them. I promise.”

---

The next morning, Xian Chen sat on the edge of the bed, trying to steady his breathing.

“Good morning, Xian Chen,” Bao Fang greeted.

“Good morning, Master.” He tried to stand—only to be gently pushed back into the seat.

“You’re not healed. Sit.”

He gave a soft laugh. “You’re as strict as ever.”

Suddenly the door slammed open.

“Brother Xian!”

Yu Bin stormed in, hair wild, cheeks flushed with worry.

“Yu Bin? What happened?! Did something go wrong at the palace?”

She shook her head. “Forget the palace! Are you okay? Why did Master take you? Why did the rope break?! I couldn’t sleep! I thought you were dying!”

He blinked, stunned. “Did my little Yu Bin grow up overnight?”

“Stop teasing and answer me!”

He rose slowly, hiding the ache that pulsed through his body. “See? I’m standing. I’m fine.”

But she wasn’t convinced. Her eyes searched his face for cracks in the smile he wore.

“If something’s wrong… you have to tell me,” she whispered. “If you’re hurt… or scared… or tired—come to me. I’ll be here, always. I mean it, Brother Xian.”

Without waiting, she threw her arms around him. He froze. Then, slowly, he wrapped his arms around her too.

Her warmth. Her strength. Her worry. It filled the emptiness in his chest.

I’ll make you happy. I’ll protect you. Even if I fall again.

“Ugh, I’m still here, you know,” Bao Fang called.

Yu Bin jumped back, cheeks red. “Ah! Master! Sorry! I forgot!”

Xian Chen chuckled softly.

And just like that, the world felt a little lighter again.