A Serene Evening on the Lake

The night was clear and the stars were sparse.

A small boat rested stably in the center of a vast lake, bathed in moonlight that illuminated the surroundings, making everything bright.

The lake reflected the moon’s glow, and a gentle breeze rippled across the water, creating gentle waves.

Three individuals sat in the boat, similar to a traditional Chinese sailboat. Although they were some distance from Chang’an City, it was not a problem for these cultivators.

It was Yu Qingxuan who suggested they come here to enjoy the scenery. As a local, she was familiar with the area.

“What a beautiful evening, with such lovely scenery and my dear brother by my side,” Yu Qingxuan said, her cheeks flushed with happiness. She gazed at Qin Yan sitting beside her and couldn’t resist taking out a wine jar from her storage ring.

“This is homemade osmanthus wine, perfect for this moment,” she said, taking out three wine cups. As she opened the jar, a fragrant aroma filled the boat.

She poured a cup for Qin Yan and smiled, “Brother, please enjoy.”

“Thank you, Sister,” Qin Yan replied, taking the cup. He felt completely relaxed, just as his sister had described—a perfect evening with beautiful scenery and a lovely companion.

Yu Qingxuan poured herself a cup, then passed the jar to Xiao Miao, raising an eyebrow. “Should I pour for you?”

“Of course not,” Xiao Miao replied, taking the jar and pouring herself a cup.

This was a rare moment of relaxation, and Yu Qingxuan didn’t want to spoil it. If she poured a cup for Xiao Miao, it might make things awkward, ruining the peaceful atmosphere and potentially making Qin Yan uncomfortable. After all, that was what having a broad perspective meant. Yu Qingxuan was a woman with great insight.

Qin Yan looked at the wine in his cup, seeing his reflection. He took a sip, savoring the rich, osmanthus-scented wine. “This is truly excellent wine, Sister.”

“Ha ha ha,” Yu Qingxuan laughed. “Whenever I’m away from the sect or traveling, I always think of this wine from home.”

Qin Yan smiled, not saying anything.

Xiao Miao looked at her reflection in the wine, remembering her family. It was her first time celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival away from home, and she wondered if her mother and sisters were safe. She took a sip, and a few drops of wine trickled from the corner of her mouth.

She glanced at Qin Yan, her expression complex. Qin Yan noticed her gaze and smiled back, knowing she was worried about him. Their eyes met, and everything was understood without words.

Yu Qingxuan took a sip of her wine and noticed the exchange, her cheeks twitching slightly. She laughed and asked, “I wonder what you and Xiao Miao experienced during your travels, Brother?”

Her question seemed casual, like idle chat.

Qin Yan recounted their journey, mentioning their encounter at the Alchemy Conference and being tricked by the Evil Sect, which led them to an ancient secret realm.

Yu Qingxuan listened intently, nodding occasionally. When Qin Yan mentioned the red-dressed woman, she frowned and scrutinized him closely. “Brother, are you hurt?”

Although the question seemed silly, since Qin Yan was clearly unharmed, she felt compelled to ask, showing her concern for her brother.

“No, I’m not hurt,” Qin Yan replied with a wry smile. “I just didn’t expect the world to be so dangerous.” He paused, remembering how Xiao Miao had saved him, adding, “It’s a good thing Xiao Miao was there.”

Yu Qingxuan’s eyes widened with realization. No wonder Qin Yan and Xiao Miao seemed closer now. “Those demons are like rats, hiding and avoiding confrontation. Sometimes they appear as ordinary farmers, but they could be powerful demon lords,” she said, pouring herself another cup of wine and gesturing for Qin Yan to continue.

Qin Yan briefly mentioned the ancient secret realm, and Yu Qingxuan nodded, seemingly knowing what he was puzzled about. Before speaking, she glanced at Xiao Miao and thought for a moment, deciding there was no harm in sharing.

“Brother, you know about the existence of the Yi race and the conflicts between humans and Yi. You must be wondering why such a secret realm exists within our Qing borders. Doesn’t the Yanqing Sect know about it?”

“Yes, we do,” Yu Qingxuan replied. “In fact, we maintain regular contact with them. There are two possible reasons: either they don’t harm humans, or if pushed too far, they might retaliate.” This was a pragmatic explanation.

“As for the so-called Willow God, she might have recognized you as a Yanqing Sect member. She probably deduced that you are Shizun’s disciple, given your reputation in the North. That’s why she let you go; she had no other choice,” Yu Qingxuan said, finishing her wine.

“Sister, your words are truly enlightening,” Qin Yan said, his face lighting up with understanding. He touched his identity token, marveling at how experienced cultivators could be so insightful.

Xiao Miao also found Yu Qingxuan’s explanation logical. It was the first time she heard that major sects were aware of powerful demons living within Qing’s borders.

“In life, we can have emotions, but organizations must prioritize benefits. These are insights most people never hear,” Xiao Miao’s teacher said.

“If the Yanqing Sect didn’t know about the ancient secret realm, that would be truly strange. It would be like a bright light in a dark fog—impossible to ignore.”

****

Qin Yan looked out at the serene lake, the moonlight casting a gentle glow. The night was peaceful, and despite the dangers they had faced, he felt a sense of contentment. The wine, the company, and the tranquil setting made for a perfect moment.

As the night wore on, the three continued to share stories and laughter, the worries of the world fading away in the beauty of the evening.