The low hum of the academy's morning routines filled the air—students sparring in the distance, the rhythmic clash of weapons, the occasional burst of Qi colliding mid-air.
But in a secluded grove, away from the usual training fields, there was only the sound of music.
A single note from a zither drifted through the air.
Mel Long sat beneath a slanted stone pavilion, his fingers lightly pressing the strings. His breath was measured, in sync with the vibrations resonating through the instrument. Each pluck of a string sent a ripple through his Qi, aligning his energy with the natural flow around him.
It was a subtle technique—one he had only mastered in the later years of his past life.
Back then, he had played not for refinement, but to hold onto himself. After everything—after the fall, the betrayals, the endless struggle—this had been the only thing that centered him.
Now?
Now, he played because he knew it worked.
A sharp breath, a flick of his fingers—a new note thrummed through the air, sending a deeper resonance through his meridians.
His Qi, still adjusting to his recent breakthrough, responded smoothly.
Someone was watching.
Mel didn't stop playing, but he let his senses expand, brushing against a familiar presence nearby. He didn't have to look to know it was Gu Jin.
The other boy had been observing him more and more lately, watching without interrupting.
Mel smirked slightly. Good. Keep watching.
Gu Jin's Perspective: The Seeds of Doubt
Gu Jin had come here expecting to see something—anything—that would confirm his suspicions.
He had seen noble heirs like Mel Long before. They trained when it was convenient, when it suited their image. They played at discipline until they grew bored, then fell back into their old habits.
But this?
This was different.
He stood at the edge of the pavilion's stone supports, arms resting loosely at his sides, his gaze trained on Mel's fingers as they plucked the strings.
The zither's music wasn't just sound.
It had a rhythm that wasn't meant for entertainment—it was calculated, refined, controlled.
He's not just playing. He's cultivating.
Gu Jin's brows furrowed slightly.
That kind of refinement—it didn't just appear overnight.
It was frustrating. Not because he doubted Mel, but because he was starting to doubt himself.
Had he been wrong about him?
The thought sat uncomfortably in his chest.
The First Real Conversation
Gu Jin stepped forward, the loose dirt crunching beneath his boots.
Mel didn't acknowledge him at first. Instead, he plucked another note, letting the sound hum through the clearing before fading.
Gu Jin watched for a few more beats before finally asking, "How long have you been doing that?"
Mel stopped playing but didn't look up. "What, the zither?"
Gu Jin shook his head slightly. "No. Using it like that."
That was better. It wasn't an accusation, just curiosity.
Mel considered his answer before responding. "Long enough to know it works."**
Gu Jin let that sit for a moment before clicking his tongue. "Never heard of anyone using an instrument for Qi refinement before."
Mel finally looked at him, smirking. "Maybe you've been listening to the wrong people."
Gu Jin exhaled sharply through his nose—not quite a laugh, but close. He wasn't sure if he was amused or irritated.
Probably both.
Still, he had to admit, this wasn't the Mel Long he had expected.
He looked back at the zither, then at Mel. "You serious about all of this?"
Mel arched a brow. "What do you think?"
Gu Jin studied him for a moment longer, then finally shrugged. "Don't know yet."
And that was the truth.
But the fact that he didn't immediately dismiss him? That was new.
A Test of Actions, Not Words
Mel set the zither aside, stretching his arms as he stood.
"Well, since you don't trust words, how about actions?"
Gu Jin raised a brow. "What kind of actions?"
Mel dusted off his sleeves, smirking. "I know where to find something that'll help refine Qi flow. But I need a second pair of hands to gather it. You interested?"
Gu Jin frowned slightly. "You want me to help you gather herbs?"
Mel shrugged. "Not help. Work with me. You can take half."
That made Gu Jin pause.
He had expected Mel to try to buy his help, to offer some meaningless favor in exchange for labor.
But this?
This was an even split.
Gu Jin crossed his arms. "And if I say no?"
Mel had already started walking.
"Then I'll do it myself."
Gu Jin stood there, watching him go.
He wasn't hesitating because he doubted Mel.
He was hesitating because he didn't know what to think anymore.
And he hated that.
Chapter 6 (Continuation): The Mountain's Hidden Wealth
The canopy of trees thickened as they moved further up the mountain, the filtered sunlight casting dappled patterns on the rocky path.
Mel Long kept a steady pace, navigating the uneven terrain with practiced ease. His past self had never bothered to venture this far, but the Mel Long of now moved with the confidence of someone who knew exactly what he was looking for.
A few steps behind him, Gu Jin followed—but his movements were different this time.
Before, he had been a watcher, an observer gauging Mel's every move.
Now, he was walking alongside him.
Mel didn't comment on it. Actions spoke louder than words.
Instead, he pointed ahead. "There. See that patch of grass near the base of the cliff?"
Gu Jin's sharp gaze followed his direction, locking onto a cluster of dull-green plants growing in the shade of a jagged rock formation.
He frowned slightly. "That's just low-grade spirit grass. You said we were looking for something useful."
Mel smirked. "We are."
Without further explanation, he crouched down and brushed his fingers over the leaves, feeling their texture.
Gu Jin crossed his arms, watching as Mel carefully extracted a few of the stalks, inspecting the roots before tucking them into a cloth pouch.
He finally spoke, his voice neutral. "You actually know what you're doing?"
Mel glanced up, his smirk widening. "What, starting to believe me now?"
Gu Jin snorted, kneeling beside him. "I believe you know something. Whether or not it's worth the effort, we'll see."
That was as close to agreement as he was going to get. For now.
Mel leaned back on his heels and tossed one of the stalks to Gu Jin, who caught it easily. "Look at the base of the root. Notice anything?"
Gu Jin turned it over in his hands, frowning slightly. "It's got a faint silver lining… never seen that before."
Good. He notices details.
Mel nodded. "That silver sheen is a sign of deep Qi saturation. Means the plant's absorbed raw energy over time. Alone, it's nothing special, but when combined with ironwood root, it stabilizes Qi flow and makes absorption smoother."
Gu Jin twirled the stalk between his fingers, thinking.
He wasn't dismissing it. He was considering it.
Mel watched him carefully.
Would he ask another question? Would he brush it off?
Gu Jin finally exhaled and muttered, "And where do we find this ironwood root?"
Mel grinned. "Glad you asked."
Further Up the Mountain
The climb grew steeper, forcing them to maneuver between jagged outcrops and narrow ledges.
Gu Jin moved with the ease of someone used to rough terrain, his footwork steady, his breathing controlled.
Mel, despite knowing the route from his past life, was still getting used to his less refined body. He had the knowledge of a veteran, but this body had yet to catch up.
Even so, he kept pace, making mental notes on Gu Jin's movement.
He's strong. Good balance. Sharp instincts.
If given the right resources… he could be dangerous.
Mel smirked. That was exactly what he wanted.
They reached a narrow ridge where gnarled, deep-rooted plants clung to the rock face.
Mel stopped, scanning the area.
"This is it."
Gu Jin rolled his shoulders. "And what, we just rip them out?"
Mel shook his head. "Not unless you want them to be useless. Ironwood roots absorb nutrients from the rock itself. If you just pull them out, you'll snap the fibers inside, and they lose potency."
Gu Jin arched a brow. "Then how do we get them?"
Mel smirked and reached into his robe, pulling out a small dagger. "You cut at the base, then loosen the soil around it first. Watch."
He crouched down, using the blade to delicately slice along the root's base before pressing his fingers into the dirt, carefully loosening its hold.
A few moments later, he pulled the entire root free—completely intact.
Gu Jin crouched next to him, watching closely. Then, without a word, he copied the movement.
Mel didn't comment. He let him work.
Gu Jin's hands were steady, his movements a little rougher but still controlled. It took him a few more seconds than Mel, but eventually, he extracted the root without damaging it.
He exhaled, inspecting his work.
Mel gave him a nod. "Not bad."
Gu Jin clicked his tongue. "Hmph. Useful, I guess."
But Mel saw the satisfaction in his expression.
He had tested him, and Gu Jin had passed.
On Their Way Back
The descent was easier than the climb, but the silence between them was different now.
Not tense. Not cautious.
Comfortable.
After a few minutes, Gu Jin finally broke the quiet.
"So, you gonna explain why you're actually putting in effort all of a sudden?"
Mel smirked, not slowing his steps. "What, can't just accept that people change?"
Gu Jin scoffed. "People don't change this fast. They either hide who they really are, or they finally stop pretending."
Mel hummed. "Maybe I just stopped pretending."
Gu Jin glanced at him, studying his face for a long moment before looking back at the trail. He didn't push the subject.
That was enough.
Mel tossed a pouch of gathered herbs to him. "Here. Your share."
Gu Jin caught it, weighing it in his palm. "You really meant it when you said even split."
Mel nodded. "Why wouldn't I?"
Gu Jin didn't respond right away. Instead, he looked down at the pouch again, then at Mel.
And this time, he smirked.