The carriage rolled to a halt just as twilight surrendered to night. The driver gave a grunt and hopped down, tossing their packs onto the ground with a thud.
Li Feng stepped out first, eyes narrowing at the tree line ahead. The forest stretched vast and silent before them — thick with shadows, older than the sect itself. This was no place for hesitation.
Jin Yue climbed out next, adjusting the strap of his pack as he looked up at the sky. "It's darker than I thought it'd be," he murmured.
Li Feng tossed him a wrapped talisman. "Light it only when necessary. Qi beasts are drawn to spiritual energy."
Jin Yue nodded, stowing the scroll in his sleeve. "Where are we heading?"
Li Feng didn't answer right away. He was listening — to the stillness, the brush of leaves, the subtle shift in the air. Then, he pointed toward a slope leading deeper into the trees.
"There's a clearing up ahead. High ground. We'll camp there tonight."
They walked in silence for some time, the crunch of leaves underfoot their only sound. The deeper they went, the colder it got, the trees pressing in close like silent watchers.
When they reached the clearing, Li Feng moved with practiced ease — setting up a small barrier using Qi-infused stones, then building a fire low and narrow to avoid attracting attention.
Jin Yue sat across from him, arms tucked around his knees.
You do this often?" he asked.
"Too often," Li Feng replied, feeding a twig into the fire. His eyes flicked up. "You?"
"This is… my first time outside the sect walls."
Li Feng nodded, unsurprised. "Then keep close. The forest isn't forgiving."
A moment passed. The firelight danced between them, throwing shifting shadows on Jin Yue's face. Li Feng caught him watching again — this time more discreetly, as if Jin Yue didn't even realize it.
Li Feng's voice broke the quiet.
"Like what you see'?
Jin Yue blinked, startled. "What?"
Li Feng tilted his head slightly, the corner of his mouth lifting just enough to tease. "You did it in the carriage, too."Jin Yue scrambled to defend himself, already blushing.
"I wasn't—I just—!"
"Relax." Li Feng leaned back on one arm, watching him with cool amusement. "If you're that curious, ask."
Jin Yue opened his mouth… then closed it again.
"…You're not like the others," he said quietly.
Li Feng's expression flickered. "No," he agreed. "I'm not."
For a heartbeat, the forest was silent. Just the wind in the trees and the low crackle of fire between them.
Jin Yue looked away, hugging his knees tighter. "Thanks… for catching me earlier. Again."
Li Feng's voice dropped, almost thoughtful. "You really do fall into trouble often."
"Seems like I'm good at it," Jin Yue muttered.
Li Feng let out a soft breath that might have been a chuckle. "Try not to make it a habit."
They didn't speak much after that. But when Jin Yue finally lay down beside the fire, Li Feng sat a little closer than necessary — keeping watch, eyes scanning the trees, even as his thoughts lingered on the boy sleeping at his side.
Something's not normal about him, he thought. And I intend to find out what.