Jida turned first toward the dining hall. Jiang Na hurried to follow, then glanced back at Shi Jin and gestured with a bright smile, her eyes curved like crescent moons.
"Shi Jin, this way~"
Shi Jin nodded with a smile and followed. As he passed Jiang Yu, he noticed the other still tense and gave him a quick wink.
Jiang Yu was caught off guard, froze for a moment, and the tips of his ears reddened for no reason. He quickly looked away and hurried after them.
Inside the dining hall stood a polished wooden long table. Starlight spilled over the sea outside the window; evening wind carried the salty scent of the ocean. The candle flame on the table flickered gently.
Jida sat at the head, a pot of amber fruit wine before him, alongside several bottles of premium sake brought in from the port. As a tourist port, the alcohol was naturally excellent.
Shi Jin sat next to Jiang Na. At the sight of the golden-crisp grilled fish, crystal pickled plums, and steaming miso soup, he couldn't help inhaling deeply.
"Smells amazing. Way better than the dry hard biscuits I've been eating on the road."
Jiang Na smiled and filled a bowl for him. As her wrist turned, the sapphire necklace around her neck swayed, casting soft, faint light in the candle glow.
Shi Jin's gaze lingered on the gem for an imperceptible moment, his fingers twitching slightly before he quickly looked away. He picked up the bowl and took a sip, his eyes lighting up in approval.
"Really good. Perfectly seasoned. Tastes better than the fancy feasts I had in the Human Alliance capital."
Jida opened a bottle of sake and poured a full cup for Shi Jin. The liquid glinted faintly in the cup. Admiration shone in his eyes.
"At your age, to take my Demonic Wing Slash… you're definitely top-tier among the Human Alliance's new generation. If you go to the Alliance headquarters later, you might even get into the Elite Training Camp. It's a place thousands of young people would kill to enter."
Shi Jin held the cup, a lazy smile on his lips, his fingertips brushing the rim.
"You flatter me, elder. I just got lucky. Besides, I'm used to freedom. I can't stand camp rules."
Jiang Na placed a piece of the tenderest grilled fish into his bowl and asked curiously,
"Where have you traveled before, Shi Jin? Any fun stories?"
Shi Jin took a bite and chewed slowly, as if recalling.
"Quite a few places. The mobile city-states in the desert, Sky City floating above the clouds… Once in the rainforest, I was chased halfway through the night by a swarm of glowing butterflies. Only hid in a tree hollow to escape."
He spoke casually, but Jiang Na listened with sparkling eyes. Even Jiang Yu glanced over, faintly curious about his experiences.
Jida shook his head with a laugh.
"You've had quite the life. Say, Shi Jin — if you're staying on the island a while, want to learn some sword techniques? Your foundation is good. With sword skills, your power would jump even higher."
Shi Jin was about to say he had travel plans, but Jida clapped him on the shoulder, warm and insistent.
"Travel can wait! The island's Sea Festival is coming soon. It's lively. You're a stranger here; you should stay a few more days and enjoy it."
Jiang Na's eyes lit up, chiming in.
"Yes! The Sea Festival has dragon and lion dances, and so many delicious snacks. You have to stay and see!"
Shi Jin looked at their eager expressions and made a quick decision.
Even if he left now, he still needed clues to the next Divine Artifact holder. With the festival crowds, it would be easier to observe the artifact fluctuations from Jiang Yu and his sister.
He smiled, pretending to be helpless.
"Alright, alright. I'll delay my trip a few days. Try the festival snacks and join the fun."
Jida beamed. Even Jiang Yu nodded slightly, no longer排斥 to his stay.
Jida raised his sake cup and clinked it against Shi Jin's. The clear sound of glass touching glass rang out.
"To you staying, and to the coming Sea Festival — cheers!"
Shi Jin smiled and drank. The mellow sake spread in his mouth, carrying a faint warmth.
Jiang Na babbled happily about the festival as she ate.
"Last year, Brother Jiang Yu and I released river lanterns. I accidentally flipped mine, and the candle burned a small hole in the lotus leaf next to it! I panicked and tried to pat it out, got my hand all black. Brother had to find clean water to wash it for me."
She gestured animatedly, cheeks pink with embarrassment at her own silly story.
Jiang Yu frowned helplessly but didn't contradict her. He just handed her a napkin.
"Don't talk while eating fish. Watch the bones."
Jiang Na stuck out her tongue, took the napkin, and lowered her head to pick at the fish. But only two seconds later, she couldn't help leaning back toward Shi Jin.
"Oh, and the fried sugar pastries at the festival are amazing! Crispy outside, chewy inside, covered in sesame. One bite and it's sweet all the way to your heart!"
Jida watched the siblings interact, eyes crinkling with laughter. He turned to Shi Jin.
"These two have always been like this. Jiang Na's the troublemaker, Jiang Yu the worrier. On festival day, I'll take you to the snack street. Eat whatever you want — my treat."
Shi Jin kept smiling at the warm scene, nodding along now and then. But deep inside, his own plans quietly churned.
After dinner, Jida wiped his hands and suggested with a grin,
"The moon's beautiful tonight. Let's walk up to the mountain observatory and see the island's night view."
Jiang Na jumped up excitedly.
"Yes! I haven't been up at night in ages."
Jiang Yu also stood, picking up a paper lantern by the door. He said to Shi Jin,
"It's a bit dark. Stay close to the light."
The group climbed the stone path. Moonlight filtered through leaves, casting dappled shadows. Jiang Na walked in the middle, pausing occasionally to point out stars to Jida, her voice soft and joyful.
Jiang Yu held the lantern, carefully lighting the way, avoiding loose stones.
Shi Jin walked last, watching the three ahead. Jida turned now and then to remind him,
"The wind's cool up here. Don't catch cold."
A long-lost warmth quietly rose in his chest.
When they reached the observatory, the island was bathed in night. Distant waves glinted like scattered silver.
Jiang Na leaned on the railing and murmured softly,
"Every time I come here, the island feels so quiet."
Jiang Yu stood beside her, draping his coat over her shoulders. He said nothing, but his gaze was unusually gentle.
Jida patted Shi Jin's shoulder and gestured for him to step aside. His tone slowly sank.
"Shi Jin, they seem fine now… but when their parents were alive, even though the family was prominent, they faced a lot of jealousy.
Ten years ago, Jiang Yu's parents wanted to expand the family business into the distant seas, to make the family more secure. No one expected — they sailed out… and never came back."
His eyes drifted toward the distant ocean. His fingers unconsciously rubbed his sleeve, where a tiny defensive magic talisman was hidden. The pattern glinted faintly in the moonlight, as if concealing something.
Shi Jin noticed the small movement. Doubts stirred in his heart.
Late that night, after everyone fell asleep, Shi Jin slipped out wrapped in a thin magic invisibility cloak. His steps were as light as a feather as he quietly entered Jida's study.
In the magical era, a great clan's study was always warded with low-level alert magic.
Shi Jin was prepared. A wisp of gentle magic condensed at his fingertip, poking the formation's core like a fine needle.
The faint blue glow flickered — then went completely silent.
He found a copper box carved with wave patterns on the bottom shelf of the bookcase, sealed with simple magic.
Shi Jin channeled mana into the pattern. The box clicked open.
Inside lay a yellowed navigation log.
He flipped to the first page. Jida's handwriting stabbed at his eyes:
My brother and sister-in-law insist on sailing to the distant seas. If they succeed, I will never have a chance at the clan head position.
Tomorrow I will point them toward the wrong route. Storm season is coming. It should take care of them permanently.
Shi Jin's fingers tightened violently. The page crumpled deeply. A cold chill swept through him.
This elder had laughed with him that day, offered him dried mango, said "Try the island's specialities"…
Yet behind that warm face lay cold conspiracy.
It reminded him uncomfortably of the curse on his own body — the same cruelty hidden behind gentleness.
"You found it after all."
A voice sounded behind him.
Shi Jin spun sharply.
Jiang Yu stood in the doorway, holding a glowing moonstone, its light shimmering with detection magic. He had clearly sensed Shi Jin's mana long ago.
The stone's light illuminated Jiang Yu's face. His expression was terrifyingly calm. Only a faint scar between his brows flickered in the shadow.
Shi Jin's magic tensed instantly. A faint offensive spell formed in his palm — but Jiang Yu shook his head, his voice carrying the confusion of a boy who had been hurt too young.
"I've known since I was fifteen.
That night, Uncle got drunk. I used detection magic to find this box. When I read the log… my mind went blank.
I grabbed the log and ran to confront him. But when I reached the kitchen door, I saw him wearing an apron, crouching by the stove making ginger tea for Jiang Na. Stirring the pot, muttering, 'Jiang Na's been coughing a lot. Make it strong, not too sweet.'"
He stepped into the study. The moonstone lit the words on the log, and his slightly trembling fingertips.
"I realized then… Uncle isn't simply evil.
He wanted the clan head position because he always said my parents were too soft, that they'd lose everything. He truly believed he could protect the family better.
And he was good to us — really good. Every new dress for Jiang Na, every magic textbook for my studies… he worked late nights to buy them.
I couldn't hate him. But I couldn't forgive him either.
I just put the log back and pretended I knew nothing."
He raised a hand and rubbed the scar between his brows.
The mark left at fifteen, standing outside his uncle's door, torn between rage and helplessness.
A reminder even now of how powerless he had been.
Shi Jin stared at that faint red scar.
Images from hundreds of years ago flashed before his eyes.
He had just turned two hundred. Finally advanced to fifth-level mage. Wearing a washed-out robe, carrying a rusted dagger, wandering the continent.
He passed a mountain village at dusk. Chaos erupted.
Scattered tools, overturned tables, villagers fleeing in panic.
Black-armored demon soldiers roaming the streets, laughter sharp as night owls.
A little girl with braids hid behind a woodpile, clutching half a corn cake. Tears washed tracks through the dirt on her face.
Shi Jin quickly knelt, covered her mouth, signaled her to be quiet.
But he was too nervous. His fingers shook. Magic slipped from his palm, a tiny glow escaping.
"One over here!"
A seventh-level demon appeared before them.
Shi Jin tried to stand and protect her, but the demon simply raised a hand and sent him crashing into the woodpile. His chest ached so badly he could barely breathe.
He watched the demon grab her arm. She struggled and cried. The corn cake fell to the ground, stained with mud — and a thin line of blood, from where the demon's armor cut her arm.
"Let her go!"
Shi Jin roared, trying to gather magic. But the light at his fingertips was instantly scattered.
The demon laughed, pressing his boot into Shi Jin's shoulder. A curved blade glinted coldly in the moonlight.
"With your weak power, you dare interfere with demons?"
He could only watch as the girl was dragged away. Her cries faded into the night.
He lay on the ground, staring at the half cake crushed under demon boots, mixed into mud, gone forever.
He sat behind that woodpile the entire night. His body hurt, but his heart hurt worse.
For the first time, he clearly understood:
After two hundred years of life, he was still too weak.
Too weak to protect even a little girl.
That powerlessness flooded him like a tide.
Now, seeing Jiang Yu's scar, seeing his helplessness — it all came rushing back.
Shi Jin clenched his fists until his nails dug into his palm, drawing blood.
He had lived for ten thousand years. He was no longer that helpless fifth-level mage.
Now he could destroy this entire island with a flick of his finger.
But why, looking at Jiang Yu, did he still feel suffocated?
Jiang Yu didn't seem to notice his state. He just picked up the moonstone and turned toward the door.
"Tonight's secret… don't tell Jiang Na. She deserves a good, simple life."
The moonstone stretched his shadow long, like a string pulled too tight, ready to snap.
After Jiang Yu left, Shi Jin silently returned the log to the box, pushed it back onto the shelf. Everything looked untouched, as if nothing had happened.
He clutched a cherry blossom bookmark that had fallen out of the log, walked outside, and wandered aimlessly to the seaside cliff.
The night sea wind carried a cold, salty chill, whipping his robe loudly.
Shi Jin leaned against the reef. Shells attached to the rock rattled softly in the wind, like the faint jingle of the cherry blossom hair accessories Jiang Na had worn during the day.
He stared at the dark, endless ocean. Only the occasional wave glinted silver under the moon, like scattered fragments of light.
The cherry bookmark in his hand still held a faint fragrance — the same sakura scent Jiang Na carried, the same scent on her fingers when she handed him the cherry cake that afternoon.
He no longer thought about the village when he was two hundred, or the conversation in the study.
He just watched the ocean quietly, letting the wind mess his hair.
In ten thousand years, he had seen countless nights like this, on countless shores across countless continents.
But never had his chest felt so tight.
Jiang Yu's helplessness.
Jiang Na's smile.
The uncle's schemes hidden behind warmth.
And his own fixed plan: kill, take the artifact.
All tangled into a mess in his heart.
He was no longer the weak boy who couldn't save a little girl.
He could destroy the island with one move.
But facing all this… he still felt powerless.
Not from lack of strength.
From not knowing what to choose.
The wind grew colder.
Shi Jin put the bookmark inside his robe. A faint light condensed at his fingertips… then vanished.
Tomorrow, he would act.
But for now, he just wanted to stay on this cliff a little longer,
letting the wind blow,
until the first pale white light spilled over the horizon.
That light would pierce the darkness.
And force him to make his final choice.