Chapter 6

Luo Shan gazed at the white‑clad girl opposite him, his heart full of bewilderment, while she likewise looked at him with the same bewildered eyes. In that instant he suddenly realized it was she who had awakened him from the endless darkness and bewilderment; just how terrifying that boundless fall had been—if not for that involuntary exclamation from the girl before him, he would likely have sunk forever into it, becoming a slave of Makas.

Just thinking of that dark power from moments ago, Luo Shan's head was seized by waves of tearing pain. One must know that Makas appeared only because of his craving for power; had he not sought power, he would not have faced such a life‑and‑death predicament, darkness would not have seized his heart, and it almost shattered his will. Never compromise with darkness—this is what his parents taught him from childhood, yet at that very moment he had almost failed to hold fast.

"You…" the girl opposite him said, her voice tinged with a shy timidity. "You… are you all right? I just saw a mass of dark qi… you… are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Luo Shan pressed a hand to his head, giving a wry smile. How could one describe the feeling of heaven and man at war? She wouldn't understand, and saying more would be useless. Still, she had indeed saved his life. "I was controlled by the demon's evil art; thank you for coming to save me…" "Me?" the girl laughed. "I didn't do anything—what's going on?" "I… I don't know either." Luo Shan then smiled. "Anyway, thank you is all that matters."

"Well… okay." The girl tilted her head, thinking, still seeming puzzled. "Since you say I saved you, shouldn't you thank me? For instance, tell me your name?" "I'm Luo Shan." Luo Shan looked at her, solemn. "Thanks for saving me." "Luo Shan, what a lovely name." The girl's smile bloomed like spring water. "I'm Qin Yan."

"Qin Yan…" Luo Shan repeated the name unconsciously. It was a name like water, a person like water. At that moment something seemed to strike his heart. "Hey, Luo Shan." Qin Yan stepped forward just then. "You… where are you headed?"

"I… I don't know either." Luo Shan's voice came out stammering. "Wherever I end up is fine—under heaven's vastness, the four seas are my home." "And your family?" "They were taken away." Luo Shan sighed. "I don't even know where to go to rescue them."

"They were taken away?" Qin Yan stared at him in astonishment. "By whom?" "Spirit God Hall." When Luo Shan uttered that name he hesitated, for the power of Spirit God Hall was unrivaled across the continent; the girl before him still did not know who she was, and revealing his secret could jeopardize his safety. Yet the girl named Qin Yan had, from the very start, given Luo Shan a sense of ease and trust—perhaps because her cry had awakened him from Makas's power, or perhaps from their first glance—so he felt he should tell her all his secrets.

After all, she had saved him.

"Spirit God Hall?" However, when Qin Yan heard the name she merely blinked slightly. "I think I heard my father say it was… a gang of bad people? Were your parents taken by them?" Her face flushed with anger. "What a bunch of villains. Luo Shan, come with me to see my father; he's a powerful mage, and I'll beg him to help you rescue your parents." "Qin Yan…" Luo Shan hesitated. "That might not be proper…" "What's improper about it? Don't you consider me a friend?" Yet Qin Yan remained steadfast as ever. "All right, it's settled—come, let's go see my father. Let me tell you secretly: I slipped out to play without my father's permission this time; if he found out it would be terrible… but since I saved you, if you tell him, he'll think I rescued someone and probably won't blame me."

"This…" Luo Shan lifted his head, meeting Qin Yan's gaze, and felt only a faint warmth. "Come on." Qin Yan pursed her lips. "Just help me out, okay?"

"All right…" Luo Shan finally nodded. For some reason he suddenly felt an inexplicable fear of the father Qin Yan spoke of.

Now his life was no longer his alone; he still had to go rescue his parents. Merely thinking of them suffering in the purgatory of Spirit God Hall sent waves of pain through Luo Shan's heart. Not to mention the entrustment from his grandfather Xiao Yushan on his deathbed: to go save Xiao Tian. He knew he might never accomplish it in a lifetime, but hope could not be abandoned—even with a sliver of strength, he must keep fighting.

But what if the girl before him was a trap?

What if he ultimately did not fall on the road to rescuing his parents, but died instead in a web of conspiracy and deceit?

Thinking this, his steps suddenly faltered. Qin Yan walked ahead, a step away, her pace light, wildflowers blooming along the path, butterflies dancing—everything brimming with vitality—but was what his eyes saw truly the truth?

He was a dark angel, yet still an angel. An angel's eyes should admit no speck of dust, able to perceive the world's beauty and ugliness. Yet he could discern nothing.

Was it because the dark power had tainted them?

"Qin Yan." He suddenly stopped, his heart turning over and over, already having made a decision. "What's wrong?" The girl turned, her smile like a blossom. He was suddenly struck by that radiant glory, and without cause his earlier conjectures and doubts vanished. "I…" he bit his lip, unable to find the words. "I… shouldn't I be so rash in going to see my uncle? After all, I'm just a homeless orphan… truly… I shouldn't, and I have no right to stand beside you."

"What are you talking about?" Qin Yan furrowed her brows. "Didn't we already agree? My father won't care about your background. Or do you not consider me a friend?" "How could that be." Luo Shan lowered his voice. "I just feel I'm not worthy…" "What worthiness or not—we're friends." Qin Yan stepped to his side and directly took his hand. "Here, hold my hand; don't be afraid, whatever happens will pass, you know? Hey… why… don't cry, hey…"

Luo Shan lowered his head, letting Qin Yan pull his hand; tears suddenly spilled forth unbidden, clear and transparent, not a trace of dark qi. In an instant Qin Yan grew flustered, fumbling for a handkerchief to wipe his ceaseless tears. "Qin Yan." Luo Shan sobbed. "Don't be so good to me… really… don't…" "You you you… what's there for a man to boo‑hoo about?" Qin Yan burst into both annoyance and amusement. "My father always says we shouldn't fear any danger or hardship, for they will pass in time. You too—no matter how hard life gets, you shouldn't give up hope. I… I will help you, and my father will as well."

"Qin Yan, thank you."

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Luo Shan's free hand clenched into a fist, tears dropping one by one onto the ground before him.

"Then let us press on." Qin Yan, wherever you go, I will follow; I will never speak of leaving again.

"Exactly." Qin Yan smiled. "That's how it should be."