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 some things lingered, stubborn as old scars.

Yes.

It wasn’t a necessity anymore, not like when they were children. But when the chance came, 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 mimed a question—coffee or tea?

He nodded, careful and quiet at the second one, and she knew he meant tea. He always did. Slipping from the room, Yin padded down the corridor, eyes searching for someone awake. In a place this size, there had to be a canteen somewhere.

She caught sight of someone 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 some food. I am sure I was told, but I cannot remember by the life of me." She grinned.

"Sure. Come along, I'll show you. But you need to hurry and change, you can hardly come to the assembly with these clothes, you need to show a united front against the traitors' children." He grunted, and she nodded, not commenting.

He guided her across the plaza, past a weathered stone monument, 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 me 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 me. 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 moment." 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 somewhere the three of us can sit?"

"I know a place." Tang Long nodded. "Down that way. We could wait...until you come back and show you."

"That would be much appreciated." Tang San slipped into the canteen, returning moments later with arms full of food. Tang Long beckoned, leading them onward.

"Tang San, Tang Yin. I fear today will become a very troublesome day for you. The elders are truly unhappy about the actions of the Clan Head. He asked me to tell you both to be careful and you can decline challenges when they come your way."

"We should be fine." Yin shrugged. "Just have them come 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 time 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 transformed since yesterday. Now it teemed 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 moment 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!" someone 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 merciless, promising death.

In that instant, Tang Yuehua recognised the youth she’d first seen at Moon Pavilion—the same coldness, the same 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, hammer 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.