Honor of the Imperium Battle

The lady stood with her follower at the shoreline under the shining moon, her human form casting a long shadow across the water.

"Have you found a cure for the curse..?" she asked, not bothering to turn towards the man kneeling behind her.

"I apologize, my lady. I have done my best, but there is no cure." the follower said while kneeling and slowly look at the young lady's back.

"Darn it!" the young lady clenched his right fist, expressing her frustration.

The follower instantly lowered his head slight as he felt nervous at the lady's outburst.

"My lady..."

"Do you think father's Wraith Purging Elixir can cure him...?"

The man's eyes widened at her words.

"Lady.... the Wraith's Purging Elixir is an eight-level quality pill. It's a precious item, you c—" But the lady shot him a glare that silenced him instantly.

"His life matters. I understand the rarity and value of it, but I will not wait and watch him suffer. I will save him, no matter what the cost."

"Yes, my lady.."

The lady moves to the left direction up and leaps away, disappearing into the night, leaving the follower kneeling on the shoreline. Even though the follower's voice sounds hesitant, objecting it would only bring him further trouble or worse than that.

***

As the young man looked at his sister Xu Lian's imperfect calligraphy, he heard someone knocking outside the door.

Knock..! knock..!

"Who is it?" Xu Hanyu asked.

"Young master, Lord Xu wants to see you. He asked me to tell you to meet him in his study room," the clansman called out.

"Okay, I'll be there." Xu Hanyu replied.

He got up and walked out of his room, wondering why his father had called him so suddenly at noon.

As Xu Hanyu walked through the halls of his father's area, he felt the stares of the other clansmen on him. Many looked at him with disgust and mockery, as if he was an eyesore. Some whispered to each other, their voices full of contempt.

"There he is," one said to another.

"Argh, that useless fool again."

The young man ignored the mocking glances and comments from the other clansmen members as he walked through the grand halls of his family's area. But then, someone blocked his way–it was Xu Liao and his two minions, Xu Jie and Xu Mo.

"Look who it is," Xu Liao laughed, turning to the two behind him.

"What do you Xu Liao?" Xu Hanyu asked politely but firmly but Xu Liao just smirked.

"We don't need anything from you. Why would we need something from you?"

Xu Hanyu's fists tightened at his sides in response to Xu Liao's words, but he stayed composed.

"I'm not interested in your games," he replied calmly. He was about to walk and pass them but Xu Liao insisted of blocking his way.

"You're still the same, aren't you?" He sneered. "The CRIPPLED one..!"

Despite the painful sting of Xu Liao's words, Xu Hanyu had grown used to this treatment. But as time passed, the taunts only grew more vicious and more hurtful.

"Are you done Xu Liao?"

"No, I'm not finish until you can cultivate. Hahaha!" He laughs again.

Even though Xu Hanyu and Xu Liao came from the same family, Lord Xu had no right to punish the other clan members just for his son. Moreover, Xu Liao is a nephew one of the elder of their clan, scolding Xu Liao up will only damaged the relationship between the elder and Lord Xu.

"Xu Liao! Elder Ting is calling for you!" one of the clansmen called him out.

"Tssk! Be thankful you're save today." Xu Liao said and walk away along with his minions.

It was a great timing to escape from Xu Liao, "Finally, I can walk now without troubles.." he sighed.

When Xu Hanyu reached the front of his father's study, he entered to find his father busy with papers. Lord Xu noticed him that he had arrived.

"Father, I heard you called for me?"

Lord Xu looked up from the pile of papers he was working on as his son entered the study. "Ah, Han'er," he said , nodding in greeting."Yes, I have something for you."

Xu Hanyu furrowed his brow as he looked at Lord Xu showing him a bottle of small potion. Intricately designed bottle filled with a glowing blue liquid. The vial sparkled in the dim light of the study, its content shimmering with a mysterious aura.

"This, my son, is a special potion. Drink this six months from now, at the time an eclipse occurs, it will help you calm." Lord Xu said.

"It is said to possess great power and healing abilities, it might also help repress the pain of the birthmark, Han'er" he added.

Xu Hanyu's cursed birthmark occured once a year, and Lord Xu had noticed this pattern after observing it for a few years since the first time it triggered. He realized that Xu Hanyu's cursed birthmark would start to trigger during an eclipse. He couldn't just watch Xu Hanyu suffer and endure such a pain, but thankfully, someone gave it to him so he didn't spend much on this.

While looking at the quality of this vial, Xu Hanyu thought that his father might have gone to such great lengths to get him this.

"Father, you don't have to spend so much for this." Xu Hanyu said in a remorseful expression.

"Han'er, It's alright... This is more important for you." Lord Xu replied with a reassuring tone.

The young man couldn't just refuse something that his father had made so much effort for. So, he decided to accept it and express his gratitude.

"Thank you, father." He said sincerely, holding the vial in his hands, looking at it with a worried expression.

Lord Xu smiled, pleased with his son's response.

"Han'er, I know you're worried. But don't worry, someone ask me to give that you," Lord Xu said.

"Who is it, father..?" he looked up at Lord Xu with curious eyes.

*Lord Xu's Flashback*

"Who are you..?" Lord Xu asking the man wearing a cloak with caution.

The man in black cloak slowly lowered his hood, revealing his face. As Lord Xu caught sight of the man's face, he was struck dumb with disbelief.

"Tian," he whispered.

"Long time no see, my friend, Xu Dan. You don't mind me covering my face with this..?" Then the man smiled at him.

"I don't..."

---

The two of them inside the study room of Lord Xu.

"How is he..?" the man asked with worry but a composed tone.

"He is a healthy child, but the birthmark is giving him pain," Lord Xu spoke.

"I see,"

"May I know why you show up here..?"

"I came here to send you this," the man in a cloak showed him a bottle of potion.

"Make him drink that, at the time the birthmark triggers again." he added.

"What is this...?" Lord Xu while studying the potion.

"A potion that will help him endure the pain,"

"I see, thank you. You still cared for him, I thought you wouldn't come back" Lord Xu said looking at him.

"I shall take my leave before dawn," he said and slowly walked towards the door.

But before he turned his back, Lord Xu ask him a question that made him stop half way.

"How have you been these past years..?" Lord Xu asks with a concern in his voice.

"Right as rain," he exits the door while Lord Xu watches him gone.

*End of Flashback*

"A friend of mine.."

Then Xu Hanyu looked at him confused,

"Friend..?"

"Yes, Han'er." Lord Xu said stroking his hair slowly.

"Father, I would like to meet your friend to express my gratitude to him." the young man looked at him with a determination in his eyes.

Lord Xu chuckled and leaned closer to him, "You boy, you've grown up now. You know how to thank someone for giving you a precious gift."

"That is what you taught me father, I have to be grateful for the things I received from others." Xu Hanyu said with a sincere expression, his voice steady as he reflected the lesson instilled in him.

Hearing those words from Hanyu, Lord Xu chuckled softly, acknowledging Xu Hanyu's growth with a warm smile.

"Indeed, my boy. Gratitude is a virtue that will serve you well in life."

"Father, when can I meet your friend then...?" Xu Hanyu asked.

Lord Xu paused for a few moments and replied, "He's gone, Han'er. He just recently left the city."

"Ahh, I see.." the young man murmured and nodded a little.

Lord Xu extended his arm to Xu Hanyu's shoulder, saying, "Now that I remember," Lord Xu said, recalling something.

"Have you made any plans for the upcoming Lantern Festival, Han'er?" he added.

"I haven't thought about it much, father. I'm not sure what to do during the festival." Xu Hanyu shook his head.

Lord Xu chuckled and said, "Well, lantern festival is a time for celebration and enjoyment. It only happens once a year, so you should make the most of it and find ways to have fun and participate in the festivities."

The young master nodded and replied, "Yes, I will think about it for the time being."

Lord Xu walked to his desk and began to open the drawer underneath the table. He took out a pouch of money, and giving it to the young master.

"Father, what is this..?" The young master inquired in confusion while looking at it.

"Take it, use that money for the upcoming Lantern Festival, Han'er."

"But father, this is too m–" he was cut off as Lord Xu started to talk again.

"Just take it, consider it as a gift from me on this upcoming Lantern Festival... Use it whenever you like," he said approaching Xu Hanyu as he stroke hisback

"Um... thank you for the gift father.." the young master took the pouch bag slowly in his hands, lowering his head expressing his appreciation.

"Well then, I think you're good to go now." Lord Xu exclaimed.

"Yes, if you need anything, father. You can always find me at the training ground, I'll be training myself in there," he added with a respectful bow.

Lord Xu patted Xu Hanyu on the shoulder affectionately and nodded,

"Hmm...Very well, go on and train. But make sure not to exhaust yourself, Han'er"

The young man then nodded in acknowledgement, "Okay, father. I'll keep that in mind" he said and bowed again. After that, Xu Hanyu slowly walked towards the door and left Lord Xu's study room.

Lord Xu watched Xu Hanyu leave the room with a warm smile that is filled with pride and warmth. Turning back to his work, he felt a swirl of emotions, realizing his son was growing up and becoming a respectable young man.

After leaving his father's study room, Xu Hanyu made his way outside to the training ground. When he arrived, he took the training sword leaning against the wall, then took a deep breath preparing to hit the boulder.

Despite growing older, Xu Hanyu had largely remained the same person he was before. He still held that same determined demeanor, and the habit of hitting the boulder had not waned over the years. However, time had taken its toll, and he had grown significantly.

He's grown taller, looking like a true teenager now. The small purple spot in his hair is gradually spreading throughout his head over time. The physical training he had endured had paid off, building him into an athletic young man. Yet, the one thing that remained unchanged was his inability to cultivate.

"Hei..!"

***

"The boss has sent us a letter,"

One man was standing by the window holding a bird that was carrying a letter, while another man was walking across the room and heading towards a seat.

"What did he say?" Lu Ru asked Pan Lan as he was settled on the seat, putting his feet and chilling out.

"He said..." Pan Lan took the letter from the foot of the bird and slowly open it as he let the bird fly.

Then continued, "He said to monitor the lady's movement, he will come two days from now."

"That's all..?"

"Yes, that's all. Nothing else here is written"

Pan Lan then clutch the paper on his hand tightly.

"That's an easy job."

At the same time Pan Lan walk towards the litting candle nearby and burn the paper.

"Don't underestimate her, I have a feeling that the lady knows our purpose here."

"Well, she's such an obedient lady." Lu Ru replied.

"Get our men to guard the inn, just in case, someone might hurt the lady," Pan Lan hypocritically demanded.

"Alright.."