Re-birth: The Beginning after the End - Chapter 175

Chapter 175: WE MEET AGAIN
The siblings headed for the Library, climbing the steps to the third level where advanced cultivation texts were stored. After witnessing the ceremony, her eldest brother felt drawn to deepen his understanding of the sect’s teachings. Li Wei moved naturally toward the theoretical texts about beast resonance, while Li Hua found herself studying the practical applications of multiple beast affinities.

Around them, the library held its usual peaceful atmosphere, the morning light filtering through crystalline windows to illuminate rows of ancient scrolls and jade slips. A few other inner disciples were scattered among the study tables, some accompanied by their spirit beasts who maintained a respectful quiet in this sanctuary of knowledge.

Li Hua sat down and flipped through a few texts.

The quiet rustle of pages and soft sounds of jade slips being activated created a peaceful backdrop as the siblings immersed themselves in their studies. Li Wei occasionally made notes, his scholarly nature evident in the precise way he documented new insights.

The siblings sat there for what seemed like a few hours when Li Hua suddenly straightened, a flash of realization crossing her features. Lady Wei’s gift—the soul forging manual she had carefully wrapped and stored in her room inside the space. She stood up abruptly, causing Li Wei to look up from his text with a questioning gaze.

“I want to take a walk, eldest brother.”

He nodded and smiled, “I’ll be here if you need anything.”

Li Hua carefully returned the text to its proper place on the shelf. With a final glance at her brother—still absorbed in his studies—she slipped out of the library into the cool corridor beyond.

The mountain air carried the sweet scent of spring blossoms through the open-air walkway as she made her way toward her quarters. I’ll study this manual today, she thought, quickening her pace slightly.

“Disciple Li Hua.”

Elder Sun’s voice shattered her contemplation like a stone through glass. The authority in his tone rooted her to the spot, heavy as mountain stone.

She turned, a courteous greeting prepared—but the words withered in her throat. Her heart stuttered, and for one breathless moment, she cursed her body’s traitorous response to his presence. There, beside Elder Sun, stood Mo Xing, and despite all her careful defenses, she couldn’t help but notice how the morning light caught the sharp angles of his face, how his dark robes emphasized his commanding bearing.

His presence dominated the path, his power rippling through the open air like heat before a storm. The morning breeze caught his robes, making them dance with quiet menace as that knowing smile graced his features—devastating in its beauty and terrifying in its confidence. It was the smile of a man who commanded the very heavens, who wielded secrets like weapons and attraction like another form of power.

She swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry as sunbaked clay. Get a hold of yourself, she commanded internally, forcing her mind to steady itself against the chaos of her emotions. You are not some stammering young girl.

Elder Sun approached with measured steps, either oblivious to or deliberately ignoring her internal struggle. “Li Hua,” his tone carried its usual warmth, though there was something else beneath it—something almost apologetic. “Would you be willing to show Lord Mo around our sect grounds? I realize you’re still adapting to your position as an inner disciple, but the others are occupied with the new initiates, and…” He left the rest unsaid, but the implication was clear: this wasn’t truly a request.

Li Hua’s carefully maintained composure cracked. Before she could stop herself, she pointed at Mo Xing, propriety forgotten in her shock. “He’s… a disciple?” The words came out higher than she intended, betraying her disbelief.

Elder Sun’s warm chuckle only heightened her confusion. “Yes, in fact, he joined our sect just this morning.”

She turned back to Mo Xing, unable to help herself. The man who had moments ago seemed to command the very air around them now watched her with unconcealed amusement, his eyes dancing with secrets. The slight curve of his lips suggested he was thoroughly enjoying her reaction.

“Then I’ll leave you to it,” Elder Sun called over his shoulder, already retreating down the path with suspicious haste.

“I…” Li Hua’s voice caught in her throat as the full weight of the situation descended upon her. She was now alone with the most intimidating—and infuriatingly attractive—’new disciple.’

“Little Tempest,” his voice carried a note of genuine surprise, “you aren’t so little anymore.”

Li Hua’s brow furrowed at the familiar nickname, the strange reality of her situation striking her anew. To him, it had been merely six months since he’d last seen her—a thirteen-year-old girl.

Now she stood before him at nineteen, having bloomed from child to woman in what must seem to him like the blink of an eye. Though her concealment technique deliberately rendered her features average and unremarkable—hiding her true beauty and presence—it couldn’t fully disguise the fundamental maturity in her bearing.

“How did you find me?” The question slipped out before she could stop it, her genuine surprise breaking through her careful composure.

Mo Xing’s smile deepened, revealing a hint of perfect teeth. His eyes held hers with unsettling intensity. “No matter what you look like, no matter how well you conceal yourself, I will always find you, Little Tempest.”

“Well, this is the women’s residence,” she managed, gesturing to the elegant buildings behind her. Her voice gained strength as she fell back on proper protocol. “You shouldn’t be here. If I’m to give you a tour, we should start elsewhere before your presence causes an incident.”

Mo Xing’s low chuckle sent an unwelcome shiver down her spine, but he acquiesced with a graceful inclination of his head. As she led him down the path, she could feel his presence at her back like a physical weight, making each step feel like a dance between propriety and something far more dangerous.

The silence between them stretched like a drawn bow, until Li Hua caught herself biting her lower lip, a nervous habit she didn’t realize that only happened around him. “H-how are you?” The question tumbled out before she could stop it. Something about his presence scattered her usual composure—she who normally found such comfort in silence now felt suffocated by it.

“Were you worried about me, Little Tempest?” His voice carried that same dangerous warmth that seemed to wrap around her like silk.

“No.” She turned sharply toward the dining hall, but not before his eyes caught the slight indent her teeth had left in her bottom lip.

His laugh rolled through the morning air like distant thunder, and she felt heat bloom across her cheeks. Quickening her pace, she gestured toward the grand building ahead, desperate for the familiar safety of her rehearsed speech. “This is where we take our meals. Inner disciples dine separately from—”

“You’re a terrible liar, Little Tempest.” The words sliced through her careful presentation like a blade through paper, leaving her momentarily speechless. She caught herself biting her lip and forced herself to stop, knowing his eyes missed nothing.