"What was that?" Rui asked, staring at the prayer beads with suspicion.
Jin forced an awkward smile. "Just... spiritual resonance. Happens sometimes."
"Spiritual resonance?" Rui repeated, clearly dubious. She leaned in closer.
"Do your beads usually make noises like they want to eat someone?"
Jin shifted uncomfortably, avoiding her gaze.
"It's nothing to worry about," he said, tucking the beads under his sleeve.
"The temple has many sacred items that react to different energies."
"Different energies?" Rui asked again, pressing for more.
"Please," Jin said, sounding a bit strained.
"You should focus on your trials. That is what's important right now."
Rui crossed her arms, looking thoughtful.
"About that. I'm not really sure what to do next. The Wrath trial is complicated."
"You don't know how to do your own trial?" Jin asked, seizing the chance to change the subject.
Rui shrugged. "I wasn't really paying attention in the 'How to Succeed in the Nine Infernal Trials' class."
Jin frowned with concern.
"But these trials are crucial for becoming the ruler, aren't they?"
"I might have missed some details; I'll figure it out," Rui said dismissively.
Then she paused, her tone shifting.
"Wait—how are you feeling? That talisman hit you really hard. Let me see your wound."
Before Jin could protest, she reached for his robes, where the injury should have been.
"I'm fine," Jin said, gently pushing her hand away.
"The talismans aren't fatal to humans, and I have applied some healing herbs."
Rui looked skeptical. "Herbs don't work that fast, and you were really hurt."
"Our temple's healing methods are... very effective," Jin said, glancing nervously at the door.
"You should go back to your room. If Elder Sun finds you here—"
"Fine," Rui sighed, standing up with a dramatic flair.
"I know when I'm not welcomed."
"Rest well, Monk Jin. We'll talk more tomorrow."
As she slipped out the door, Kee Kee's eyes narrowed from his perch on her shoulder, tiny claws digging into her robe.
"That boy is either cursed, sealed, or lying," he growled softly in her ear. "Possibly all three."
------------------------------
The next morning, Master Tao summoned Rui and Jin to the meditation hall.
The old master's hands were clasped behind his back as he paced before them, his weathered face betraying little emotion.
"Demon Princess, it's time to fulfill your part of our agreement. The temple's eastern boundary has been weak for months. You will help strengthen it today."
Master Tao turned to Jin. "You will accompany the princess and oversee the spiritual alignment.
Ensure our wards remain... compatible with her methods."
Jin's eyes widened. "But Master, wouldn't Elder Sun be better suited—"
"Elder Sun would likely attempt an exorcism before the first ward was placed," Master Tao said dryly.
Jin bowed his head in acceptance, though his shoulders tensed visibly.
Rui yawned and replied, "Before breakfast? That's harsh."
Master Tao's lips twitched, almost smiling. "Monk Jin has already prepared a meal for you. You'll eat, then begin."
Jin nodded earnestly. "I made rice porridge with lotus root."
"How thrilling," Rui muttered, though her stomach growled loudly, betraying her hunger.
Jin led Rui to a small chamber adjacent to the meditation hall. A simple wooden table held steaming bowls of porridge, the aroma of lotus root and subtle spices filling the air.
Rui sat on a cushion and looked at the plain meal with doubt.
"No meat?" she questioned, poking the porridge with her spoon.
"Our temple follows vegetarian practices," Jin explained as he sat across from her. "Lotus root is believed to strengthen spiritual energy."
Rui looked at the bland porridge, poking it unhappily. The pale mixture with floating lotus root slices looked like food for someone ill, not for a princess.
She sighed dramatically, shoulders slumping.
"Is something wrong with the food?" Jin asked, noticing her expression.
"Only everything," Rui muttered. She took a reluctant bite and made a face.
Jin seemed puzzled. "It's seasoned with—"
"A hint of salt and a faint memory of ginger?" Rui interrupted, rolling her eyes.
She unwillingly took another spoonful of porridge.
"I'd do anything for actual Underworld food right now. Even Kee Kee eats better than this."
As if summoned by his name, the tiny demon beast scurried into the room and sniffed at Rui's bowl.
"Your realm's food is missing the essential ingredient of actual flavor." Kee Kee hurls in disgust.
"See?" Rui gestured triumphantly. "Even he thinks it's bland!"
Rui stared forlornly at the bland porridge, stirring it with her spoon and reminiscing about her life back home.
"There's this little place in the third district called Ember's Edge," she shared.
"They make these little cakes that float above your plate and glow different colors based on your mood. The chef is possessed by a thousand-year-old culinary spirit who changes his mind hourly."
Jin couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. "That does sound more interesting than lotus root porridge."
"But I guess the chef is not as cute," Rui teased, eyes twinkling as she took another bite of the porridge.
"So perhaps this plain monastery breakfast has one thing better than Ember's Edge."
Jin's face turned bright red. He almost choked on his porridge, coughing into his sleeve as he tried to compose himself.
"I—that's not—" he stammered, struggling for words.
Rui grinned, delighted by his reaction.
There was something irresistibly charming about how easily flustered he became.
Most men in the Underworld would have either been proud or replied with something much bolder.
Jin took the chance to change the topic. "Yes! The eastern boundary. We should... go there. Now."
He stood up quickly, almost knocking over his half-eaten porridge. Rui took one last bite, enjoying
Jin's discomfort is more interesting than the tasteless food.
"Lead the way, cute monk." teased Rui.
Jin's ears reddened as he hurried to the door, carefully avoiding eye contact.
Before they headed out, Rui created a simple sling using an old temple cloth and placed Kee Kee inside it.
"This is humiliating," Kee Kee grumbled, his head peeking from the fabric.
"You burned three monks yesterday," Rui reminded him, adjusting the sling on her chest. "Think of this as your punishment."
Jin led the way through the temple grounds, carrying a wooden box filled with talismans and ink.
"The eastern boundary runs along the cliff edge," he said. "The wards there protect us against—"
"Flying demons, spirit beasts, and malevolent wind entities," Rui finished for him. "Basic stuff. I could do this in my sleep."
"Then maybe you should have gotten more sleep last night instead of wandering where you shouldn't," Jin replied with unexpected sharpness.
Rui raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Don't pretend you didn't enjoy our little meeting."
Jin's ears turned red as he walked faster.
"The sooner we finish, the sooner we can return to more... proper activities."
"Like what?" Rui asked, quickening her pace to keep up. "More silent meditation? Or maybe another thrilling round of scripture copying?"
Jin took Rui along a narrow path, hugging the cliff edge, with morning mist swirling around their feet.
"There," Jin pointed to an old stone pillar jutting from the rock face. Fading symbols carved into it flickered with dying light.
"This is the first ward point. It holds back mountain spirits that would drift into the temple grounds."
Rui approached the pillar, her eyes narrowing as she studied the fading symbols.
"Amateur work," she scoffed, though her expression betrayed genuine interest. "The resonance pattern is all wrong for this altitude."
"Of course," Rui answered confidently, rolling up her sleeves.
"I could fix this even with my hands tied."
Kee Kee chuckled from where he sat. "Last time you said that three courtiers ended up on fire."
"They deserved it," Rui muttered, touching the cold stone.
Jin watched with worry as Rui closed her eyes in deep concentration. Slowly, a pink-gold glow emerged from her fingers, making the carvings shine brightly.
"Careful," Jin cautioned. "Our protections are set for human spiritual energy. Your otherworldly energy might be too much—"
Suddenly, the pillar burst into bright light. The symbols glowed dangerously, and cracks formed as Rui's energy overwhelmed the stone.
Stop, you're doing too much!" Jin quickly intervened, gripping her hand.
"You could break it!"
"I know what I'm doing!" Rui snapped. Though the pillar creaked ominously, the light was now nearly blinding.
Jin did not let go. He moved closer, his chest against her back, speaking softly in her ear.
"Breathe with me," he instructed. "Let your energy flow with your breath."
At first, Rui tensed, but Jin's urgent tone persuaded her to follow. She inhaled deeply along with him, feeling their energies align as his hand guided hers.
"Less force, more focus," Jin whispered. "The symbols respond better to harmony than raw power."
Gradually, the dangerous light faded. The symbols stabilized, steadily glowing with Rui's pink-gold energy blended with the temple's calm blue aura.
"See?" Jin said softly near her ear. "Perfect balance."
Rui could feel how close Jin was. His breath touched her neck, and his chest felt warm against her back. His hand was still resting on hers on the stone pillar.
Their combined power filled the ward with new energy, a strength they could not have created alone.
"I..." Rui began, then paused, unsure what to say. For once, her usual flippant remarks failed her.
Jin noticed their closeness and quickly stepped back, clearing his throat.
"We.... we should move to the next ward point," he suggested, his voice a bit higher than usual.
Kee Kee snickered from his sling. "Your heart's beating awfully fast, Princess."
"Shut up," Rui hissed, adjusting her robes with unnecessary vigor.
They continued along the cliff path in awkward silence. The wind whipped their robes as they carefully made their way along the narrow ledge.