The next ward point was under an ancient willow tree with twisted branches sheltering a stone pedestal.
On the pedestal sat a bronze lantern, turned dark from age, with symbols of protection etched into its sides. Unlike the weak pillar, this ward seemed actively damaged.
The flame flickered wildly inside, casting strange shadows on the rock face.
"The Lantern of Clear Sight," Jin explained, approaching cautiously. "It dispels illusions and reveals the truth... when functioning properly."
"What's wrong with it?" asked Rui
"Master Tao thinks lightning struck it during the last storm. Now, instead of removing illusions, it's creating them." Jin replied.
"That sounds charming," Rui said, stepping closer despite Jin's warning.
The lantern's flame suddenly flared, covering Rui in a cold blue light.
The air shimmered, forming a vision-like smoke taking shape.
A young girl sat alone in an expansive, elegant room, surrounded by strange toys that moved on their own. She wore royal robes that seemed too large for her trim figure.
Despite the luxury, her face was tear-streaked as she gazed at a huge doorway, waiting for someone who never showed up.
"Father promised," the young Rui murmured, her voice echoing. "He promised this time."
Rui's expression hardened as she stepped back, breaking free from the illusion.
"Stupid thing," she muttered, brushing at her sleeve as if removing dust.
"I'm sorry," Jin said softly. "The lantern shows—"
"I know," Rui interrupted. "Let's just fix it."
Jin nodded and approached the lantern.
As he entered its range, the flame turned deep red. Jin froze, eyes wide with fear at something only he could see. His face turned pale, and his hands started shaking.
"No," he whispered, stepping back. "Not again."
With quick reflexes, Jin pulled a talisman from his robe and slapped it onto the lantern. The flame went out instantly, plunging the area into darkness.
Rui observed him, noting the sweat beading on his forehead and how his prayer beads seemed to pulse against his wrist.
"Whatever you saw," she said softly, "scares you more than it should."
"Some fears are as scary as they seem," he said quietly. Rui glanced at the extinguished lantern and then back at Jin. The monk now breathed calmly, though his eyes still looked haunted.
Jin touched the prayer beads on his wrist, a habit Rui noticed he had when nervous.
"The lantern needs purification before we can repair it. I must prepare some special incense and—""
Or," Rui cut in, stepping closer, "I could just try this."
She placed her hand on the dark bronze, closed her eyes, and sent a wave of her chaotic energy into it.
The lantern trembled and then glowed softly pink before returning to its original blue. The flame came back, steady and bright.
.Jin was taken aback. "How did you manage that?"
"Chaos cancels chaos," Rui explained with a shrug. "Basic demonic theory. Your lantern was caught in a loop of emotional energy. I simply reset it."
Jin moved cautiously to check the now-working lantern. "The flame is pure again," he noted.
"You're welcome," Rui said with exaggerated sweetness.
She glanced at him sideways. "So, will you tell me what you saw in the lantern?"
Jin's expression closed off immediately. "We should continue to the next ward."
"Fine, keep your secrets," Rui sighed dramatically. "But just so you know, mysterious brooding only excites me more."
As they walked along the narrow cliff path, Kee Kee stirred in his sling.
"That monk carries the scent of binding magic," Kee Kee whispered.
"It's old and powerful." "I noticed," Rui whispered back. "And his beads reacted when he was scared."
"A dangerous sign," Kee Kee warned.
Rui smiled, watching Jin's back as he led them onward. "Exactly."
The path grew narrower as they ascended the cliff. Mist swirled around their feet, becoming so thick that everything beyond an arm's length vanished into a white fog.
"We've got three more to find," Jin said, checking a small scroll. "The Singing Bell, the Mirror of Echoes, and the Cliffside Shrine."
Rui groaned. "Please tell me these won't all try to psychologically torture us."
"Only if you're lucky," Kee Kee muttered from his sling.
The Singing Bell was straightforward—a giant bronze bell that didn't sound right.
Jin was ready to perform an intricate ritual, but Rui just gave it a flick with her nail.
A spark of chaotic energy hit the bell just right, and its deep tone echoed through the mountains, reinforcing the barrier.
The Mirror of Echoes was more challenging—its shiny surface was tarnished by spiritual pollution.
Jin started a careful cleansing ritual while Rui watched with impatience.
"You're being too gentle," she said, nudging him aside. "It needs shock, not coddling."
"If you break it—"
"I won't." She pressed her palm against the mirror, sending a precise pulse through the glass. The cloudiness vanished like smoke, leaving the mirror clean and bright.
Jin stared. "That would have taken me hours."
Rui winked. "Sometimes a lady's touch is what's needed."
"I must admit," Jin said, "Your approach to spiritual barriers is... unorthodox, but effective."
"Translation: I'm brilliant, and you're impressed," Rui grinned, wiping sweat from her brow.
Jin almost smiled. "I wouldn't go that far."
The final ward stood on the cliff's edge, almost hidden under the thick mist. It was an ancient stone shrine with old characters carved on its surface, eroded by years of wind and rain.
"This is the Cliffside Shrine," Jin said quietly, filled with respect. "It's the key that protects the entire temple."
Rui leaned in, studying it. "It feels... different. Empty, somehow."
Jin nodded. "This ward is unique. It doesn't hold power but channels it."
He hesitated. "To activate it properly, we must simultaneously channel spirit and chaos energy."
"Together?" Rui raised an eyebrow.
"Together." Jin extended his hand, palm up. "Our energies must flow in perfect harmony."
Rui placed her hand in his. "Well, monk, let's dance."
They knelt before the shrine, hands joined.
Jin closed his eyes, gathering his spiritual energy. It appeared as a soft, silver-blue glow, flowing smoothly like water. Rui's chaotic energy responded, vibrant in gold and pink, lively and unpredictable.
Their energies met and clashed, sending sparks as they collided.
Slowly, they started to blend. Jin's calm strength balanced Rui's wild energy, and her energy gave life to his calmness.
The shrine began to light up, drawing in their combined energy.
In the center, a small bud opened into a bright spiritual flower, its petals shining with a silver-gold light.
"Perfect resonance," Jin whispered, filled with awe.
The energies faded as the spiritual flower fully bloomed, and its light spread to connect with the other wards they had repaired. A glowing barrier spread across the mountainside, disappearing from view.
Jin released Rui's hand and observed her with a thoughtful look.
"You channeled your energy with remarkable control."
"You sound surprised." Rui stretched. The effort had taken more out of her than she cared to admit.
"Did you expect me to blow up the mountain?"
"Perhaps." A hint of a smile touched Jin's lips. "Though I'm beginning to expect the unexpected with you."
They descended back toward the temple, following the narrow path as it wound through bamboo groves.
The setting sun cast shadows across the mountainside, painting the white stone buildings below in shades of amber and gold.
"So," Rui said, breaking the fallen silence between them, "is this what you do all day? Fix magical barriers and eat bland porridge?"
"The barriers are only part of our duties," he said, answering her question with unexpected openness.
"Each monk serves according to their strengths. Some tend to the herb gardens that provide medicines for nearby villages. Others transcribe ancient texts to preserve knowledge."
"And you?" Rui asked, genuinely curious. "What's your special monk talent?"
Jin paused thoughtfully. "I visit villages with spiritual issues. I offer help where I can with hauntings, possessions, cursed objects."
"A demon hunter," Rui said with a slight, amused grin. "That's quite ironic."
"Not a hunter," Jin replied firmly. "A healer. Many spirits are simply lost or hurt. They need guidance, not to be destroyed."
Rui suddenly stopped on the path, almost causing Jin to walk into her. "Hold on. You said you travel to villages, but when we first met, you mentioned something about returning to the temple for punishment."
"What exactly did you do to get temple arrest, Monk Jin?"
Jin's expression tightened subtly. He shifted his gaze to the distant temple buildings instead of her eyes.
"I... overstepped my bounds." His fingers found the prayer beads at his wrist, tracing their smooth surface.
"A village in the western valley was plagued by a vengeful spirit. The elders wanted me to perform a standard banishment ritual, but I sensed the spirit was in pain, not malice."
"So you disobeyed orders?" Rui asked, her interest piqued.
Jin nodded. "I attempted a soul-cleansing instead. The ritual required more power than I anticipated."
"Master Tao ordered me to return for a period of reflection and purification," Jin continued, clearly uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation.
"So you're being punished for helping someone," Rui said, a note of indignation in her voice. "That seems rather unfair."
"It is more guidance than punishments," Jin said as he started walking again, moving slightly faster.
"Our purpose has two parts," Jin explained. "We're here to help others and to practice discipline. This means serving others and also working on ourselves."
"Discipline sounds boring," Rui said, pulling a dull face.
"It's about mastery—of mind, body, and spirit. Finding balance." His hand unconsciously touched his prayer beads.
"When we control our desires instead of being controlled by them, we find freedom."
"So you deny yourself the pleasure to find... pleasure?" Rui shook her head.
Jin smiled. "Perhaps it would make more sense if you tried it."
"No, thank you," Rui laughed. "I prefer my chaos unmastered and my pleasures abundant."
"And yet," Jin observed quietly, "you showed remarkable discipline today with the wards. Your power is chaotic, but your control was precise."
A loud scene at the main gate interrupted their return to the temple. Villagers had gathered there, looking worried as they talked with Elder Sun.
One man pointed towards the valley, his voice carrying across the courtyard.
"—the third cow gone this morning! Torn apart, just like the others!"