The night breeze brushed gently against my cheeks, and the bamboo leaves rustled as if whispering ancient secrets. Meng Li's words still echoed in my ears, yet I could not calm down. The question in that letter—"Do you want to know your origins?"—bound me tightly like a spell. Master's kind face and the warm lights of the Wu Clan appeared somewhat blurred at this moment. I urgently wanted to know the truth, even though it might completely shatter my peaceful life.
I gripped the letter tightly. It bore no signature, only a brief invitation and an address: the maple leaf forest outside the city at midnight. Who was waiting for me there? And what connection did he have with my origins?
I forced myself to calm down. Since I had already decided to keep the appointment, I had to make thorough preparations. Returning to my room, I carefully tied the jade pendant engraved with the character "Chen"—a gift from Master—around my waist, checked my hidden dagger and some commonly used pills, and then slipped quietly out of the Wu Clan estate.
Chapter 36