The moon hung low above the recovery camp. Though battle had ended hours ago, the scent of ash and scorched soil still clung to the wind. In the Marshal's command tent, Xiao Lin stirred again, this time not from pain—but from memory.
His dreams were not nightmares. Not this time.
Instead, he stood in a luminous grove, the trees silver and swaying with no wind. A soft voice—his mother's—echoed around him. "My little fox, there will be those who hunt you for what you carry inside. But your blood remembers. You must remember too."
A flash of red light flared in his mind. A stone. A symbol. A name—
Xiao Lin jolted upright, chest heaving. His forehead was slick with sweat, but his hand clenched something warm.
The jade fox pendant.
Sheng Long looked up from his writing desk, where tactical reports and a bottle of untouched wine lay open. "You remembered something?"
Xiao Lin nodded slowly. "My mother. Her people… They weren't from the Empire."
Sheng Long crossed the room in three strides. "What do you mean?"
"She had magic. It wasn't just healing. She could speak with stars." Xiao Lin's eyes gleamed. "She called it Starseer blood. It's ancient. Forbidden."
Sheng Long froze. "That name hasn't been spoken in centuries. The royal family tried to erase every trace of that bloodline."
"She hid it in me," Xiao Lin whispered. "And someone knew. That's why she died. That's why they framed her." His voice cracked. "That's why they're after me."
Sheng Long reached out and cupped Xiao Lin's cheek. "Then we'll protect it together."
Before he could say more, Yan Shuo entered, urgency etched on his face.
"We interrogated one of the attackers," he said. "He was carrying an emblem—a black serpent curling around a sun. It's part of a faction loyal to An Li. They believe the Marshal is no longer fit to lead."
Sheng Long's jaw tightened. "Because of Xiao Lin."
Yan Shuo nodded. "They're claiming Xiao Lin used ancient witchcraft to corrupt your beast nucleus and intends to help you overthrow the crown."
Xiao Lin stiffened. "I've barely used my abilities—"
"They don't care," Yan Shuo interrupted gently. "They want a reason to destroy you."
Silence fell.
Sheng Long exhaled slowly. "Then it's time we dig into An Li's house. If she is truly connected to the Zerg… we cannot allow her to rise further."
Yan Shuo nodded. "And if she's not the only one?"
Sheng Long looked at Xiao Lin, his expression unreadable.
"Then we burn out every traitor. Root and stem."
Far across the empire, in a lavish private chamber in the capital, An Li stood at her balcony, wine glass in hand. A messenger knelt behind her, shaking.
"So the fox survives," she said softly. "And the dragon declares his loyalty to him before the court."
She turned, her expression sweet. Too sweet.
"No matter," she murmured. "They think they understand love. But love is the easiest lie to twist. Let's see what happens when you rip it away."
Her smile curled into something cruel.
"Prepare the next move."