The once-quiet morning in the village of Moulang was now filled with the booming voice of a large man, a sound that seemed to shake the dew from the leaves.

  "Quick, load up the supplies, men! We need to be ready to leave by midday!" Bob barked, his voice reverberating through the small village square.

  His men moved in a flurry of organized chaos. Some grabbed crates of supplies and loaded them onto the heavy caravan wagons, while others counted inventories of rations. A third group was already cleaning up the tents, folding the heavy canvas and loading it onto the carriages. Seen amongst this crowd of busy men was a thin, black-haired young man, his movements now confident and sure.

  Kun lifted one of the heavy crates, his muscles straining but holding firm.

  "You. What are you doing?" Bob's voice cut through the noise, his massive frame suddenly appearing next to Kun.

  "Uhh... helping, sir," Kun replied, his voice steady.

  "No, you're not," Bob said, easily taking the crate from him and lifting it with one arm as if it were a loaf of bread.

  "But I'm no longer injured," Kun insisted. The bandages that had wrapped his body were long gone. He was now wearing a simple, clean white shirt under a brown leather harness that crisscrossed his chest, paired with loose-fitting brown trousers tucked into sturdy traveler's boots. The clothes, a gift from Bob, made him look more like an adventurer and less like a janitor. "I can help. You've already done so much for us—the clothes, the ride, the rations. This is the least I can do to pay you back."

  "No means no, young man," Bob said, his tone leaving no room for argument, though his eyes were soft with an almost paternal concern. “Also, I don’t need you to pay me back, a gift won’t be one if I ask something back.”

  On the other side of the bustling caravan, Lin knelt, tightening the last strap on her new boots. Her own clothes had been replaced, another courtesy of Bob. She wore a practical yet elegant combat dress; a sleeveless navy-blue bodice with a white collar and a small, sky-blue bow at her throat. Detached, flowing bell sleeves, also navy blue with white ruffled cuffs, were secured at her biceps, allowing for a full range of motion. The familiar silver bangle where her core is nestled still secured above it. A white, ruffled skirt was layered over a longer, sky-blue panel that trailed behind her like a battle standard. It was the attire of a warrior who had not forgotten her grace.

  "Ready to leave, Snow Flower?"

  Lin looked up to see Mila standing next to her, arms crossed, her massive greatsword secured on her back.

  "Yes, and its not snow flower, its Lin." Lin said, standing up, a confident smile on her face. "I can't wait to have a chance to try out what I've learned."

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  Mila smirked, reaching out to pat Lin's head in a surprisingly gentle gesture. "Don't get cocky, Snow Flower. You're still too green." Her expression, once so wary, was now much more welcoming.

  "Don't worry, I know," Lin smiled back. "Thanks for always reminding me."

  "Seems like Mila has really grown close to that one, hohoho," Bob said, watching the scene unfold from across the courtyard.

  Kun, standing beside him, just sighed. "Okay, why is she so nice to Lin, but when I came to say hi this morning, she looked like she was ready to strike me down?"

  "Hohoho, don't let it get to you, my boy," Bob said, putting a heavy hand on Kun's shoulder. "Sometimes, the world is just unfair."

  Moments later, all the supplies had been loaded. Bob and Mila were already on the main carriage, Tama the yak letting out an impatient snort. But two people were still missing.

  At the edge of the village, in front of a small, clean cottage, Kun and Lin stood with Miss Yinzi.

  "Are you sure you don't want to stay, Kun?" Miss Yinzi asked, her voice thick with emotion as she held back tears.

  "I'm sorry, Miss Yinzi, but we can't," Kun said, his own voice gentle. "You've already given us a place to stay for a week. Any longer, and we'd risk getting Moulang caught up with the Jinlun’s escapades. Especially since... I know I have a wanted poster now, 1 billion cal. can’t believe it. I might turn myself in for that amount of money." he awkwardly laughs.

  "Oh, Kun," Miss Yinzi cried softly. "To be treated as a criminal like this... it's not what you deserve."

  "I know, but we have no choice right now," he said, a sad smile on his face. He glanced at Lin. "Apparently, we're heading to Hanyuun. Bob said he knows a way there to give us some sanctuary."

  "Don't worry, Miss Yinzi," Lin added, her voice full of a new, quiet strength. "I'll keep him safe."

  Kun looked at the person who raised him, his expression softening. "And this time, I'll write letters. I promise. I won't just disappear like before."

  "And I'll make sure he remembers to," Lin said with a firm nod.

  "Come here, you two," Miss Yinzi said, her arms opening wide. She pulled them both into a tight, warm hug. "Please be safe. I don't want to see you in that state again, ever."

  "We will, Miss Yinzi," Kun said, his voice muffled by her shoulder.

  "Thank you," Lin whispered. "Truly. For everything."

  The three shared one last, warm hug. As the two runaways started to walk toward the waiting carriage, Miss Yinzi gently pulled Lin back for a moment.

  "Almost forgot," she whispered, her eyes twinkling with a mischievous light as she leaned in and murmured something in Lin's ear.

  Lin's face immediately flushed a deep, beautiful shade of red. She looked at Miss Yinzi, then back at Kun, and then, with a new, confident smile, the older woman gave lin a quick wink and a thumbs-up as if she gave lin her blessings.

  She rejoined Kun, who was watching them with a curious expression. "What did she say?" he asked.

  "A secret," Lin replied, a playful glint in her silver eyes. "But... I can show you some of it."

  She leaned in and planted a soft, quick kiss on his cheek.

  "Wha—" Kun jolted back, his hand flying to his cheek, his own face now turning red.

  "Come on," Lin said, grabbing his wrist and pulling him into a run toward the carriage. "Before Bob changes his mind and leaves us here."

  "What was that for? Hey!" Kun stammered, being dragged along.

  Lin just laughed, the sound light and free. "A good luck charm," she called back. "Miss Yinzi's orders."

  And with that, the caravan began to move, its wheels creaking as it departed from the small, quiet village, heading towards their next destination: the land of the storm, Hanyuun.