Night pressed in around them, shadows pooling in the corners of the room. Tang Yin curled close to Tang San, their beds pushed together despite the two rooms they'd been given. The comfort of his warmth was a habit neither of them had outgrown.
Proper? Hardly. They were nineteen now, old enough to know better. But so things lingered, stubborn as old scars.
Yes.
It wasn’t a necessity anymore, not like when they were children. But when the chance ca, they still found comfort in sharing the quiet, the steady rhythm of each other’s breathing.
Tang San slept beside her, snoring softly, as if showing off how easily he could fall asleep. Yin drifted in and out, her sleep shallow, eyes flickering open to the hush of the room. Dawn crept in, pale and gentle, and she yawned, stretching as she rose. San was already sitting up, lost in cultivation. She moved quietly, not wanting to disturb him, but he opened one eye, catching her in the act.
He made a gesture.
She mid a question—coffee or tea?
He nodded, careful and quiet at the second one, and she knew he ant tea. He always did. Slipping from the room, Yin padded down the corridor, eyes searching for soone awake. In a place this size, there had to be a canteen sowhere.
She caught sight of soone about her age and offered a tentative smile, crossing the space between them.
"Hello." She greeted.
"Hello." He said and stared at her. "I haven't seen you in these parts, new?"
She nodded. "Yep. Freshly arrived, more or less. I was wondering where to get so food. I am sure I was told, but I cannot rember by the life of ." She grinned.
"Sure. Co along, I'll show you. But you need to hurry and change, you can hardly co to the assembly with these clothes, you need to show a united front against the traitors' children." He grunted, and she nodded, not comnting.
He guided her across the plaza, past a weathered stone monunt, to a sprawling building humming with life. Inside, the canteen buzzed with laughter and clatter, half-filled with people hunched over breakfast. She caught sight of Tang Long and grinned at her guide. "I think I
see my friends. Thank you."
"Sure." He smiled back and then did a double-take when Tang Long waved at Yin, and she enthusiastically waved back before making her way through the tables.
"Tang Yin." He greeted her. "What are you doing here?"
"Grabbing a drink." She said. "For an bro. You don't happen to know where I can get the best coffee and tea here?"
"Sure I'll show you. Tang Tian?" He turned. "Tell brother I am helping Tang Yin out alright."
"Sure."
"Mhh?" She was confused. "You can just show . I'll bring it up to bro."
"With one hand." He pointed at her arm. "Two drinks?"
"Spirit power." She shrugged. "I abuse it in a lot of uncommonn ways."
"Yes but you might want to keep that lowball at the mont." He said. "So they'll keep underestimating you."
"Ohhh....good call. Thank you then." Tang Long nodded before he walked to the cantine Lady and ordered a coffee and then looked at her askingly.
"Black Tea." She said. "To wake up."
The canteen lady smiled, pressing two steaming cups into their hands. Yin reached for her coffee, almost juggling the tea as well, but Tang Long caught it before she could try.
"Lead the way," he said, and she guided them outside. Tang San was already striding toward them, every detail of him immaculate, as if he’d stepped from a portrait. She squinted at him, half-amused. "How do you sleep like a rock and still look like you belong on a magazine cover?"
"Natural talent," he replied, eyeing the tea Tang Long carried. "I’ll get us food. Is there sowhere the three of us can sit?"
"I know a place." Tang Long nodded. "Down that way. We could wait...until you co back and show you."
"That would be much appreciated." Tang San slipped into the canteen, returning monts later with arms full of food. Tang Long beckoned, leading them onward.
"Tang San, Tang Yin. I fear today will beco a very troubleso day for you. The elders are truly unhappy about the actions of the Clan Head. He asked to tell you both to be careful and you can decline challenges when they co your way."
"We should be fine." Yin shrugged. "Just have them co at us."
Tang San shook his head as he ate and send a relaxed look at Tang Long. "As my Sister said. It is not the first ti we face adversity, it will not be the last. We will manage, we always do. But thank you Brother. It is very kind for you to be warning us the way you are doing."
Tang Long lingered after breakfast, guiding them straight to the front courtyard.
The courtyard had transford since yesterday. Now it teed with people, most gathered in a wide ring. At the centre stood the sect master and five white-haired elders, their faces carved with sternness. One spoke to the master, his voice edged with urgency.
Tang Long dropped his voice. "Almost everyone’s here, except those on duty. Those five are first-generation elders—the sect master’s uncles, so he can’t ignore them."
As they arrived with Tang Long, Tang Yue Hua stood nearby, her face a mask of calm that did nothing to hide her anger. The mont the twins stepped into the courtyard, all eyes turned to them.
"Tang Hao was trash, and so is his family! They should leave before it’s too late!" soone shouted. The younger generation snapped back, voices rising, the courtyard erupting into a storm of shouts and snarls.
Tang San’s gaze swept over them, pale energy flickering at his shoulders. Yin edged closer to Tang Long, shielding him with a subtle shift. The air turned frigid, a bone-deep chill settling over the courtyard, making people shudder. Then the cold narrowed, focusing on a single youth. Tang San’s eyes burned, clear and rciless, promising death.
In that instant, Tang Yuehua recognised the youth she’d first seen at Moon Pavilion—the sa coldness, the sa lethal intent. Only now, without his sister’s presence to soften him, it was sharper, more focused.
Tang Long caught the faint smile curling on Tang Yin’s lips, grateful to be shielded from the worst of it. The targeted youth broke free with a surge of effort, hamr in hand, spirit rings swirling as he fought to breathe.
"Tang San!" Tang Xiao shouted to stop him.
Tang San stopped both siblings turned to Tang Xiao.
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