Chapter 125: Home of the Enchanted

The group arrived at Emberfall just as the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky washed in deep violet and fading gold. The last light of day gave way to something far more enchanted.

Qingyue led at the front of the caravan, her posture straight and presence as steady as ever.

Emberfall was nothing like Tiancheng. Nothing like Ru Yi had ever seen.

The streets opened wide before them, lined with houses painted in bright, vivid colors. Crimson, jade, gold, and sapphire—each one glowing softly under the lantern light that hung in careful rows overhead.

The lanterns themselves were unlike anything Ru Yi had seen before. Their light did not flicker like fire, but shimmered gently, as though something alive pulsed within them.

Everywhere she looked, there was movement.

Not chaotic, but alive.

Stalls lined the streets, filled with strange displays that shimmered and shifted, illusions dancing above tabletops—tiny creatures made of light, swirling patterns that changed with every glance, colors that led into one another like living paint.

Carefree laughter drifted through the air, mingling with music that seemed to come from no clear source.

Overall, it felt like stepping into a dream.

Ru Yi’s eyes were wide, her attention caught by everything at once. "It’s so beautiful," she murmured.

Behind her, Yexue followed her gaze, the faintest hint of smile touching her lips. "It really is."

Ru Yi lifted her hand slowly, noticing something she hadn’t at first. The air itself seemed different.

Tiny specks drifted around them, faintly glowing, like dust caught in sunlight. Except the shimmered in colors too soft to name.

She frowned slightly, watching one pass through her fingers. "What are these?"

Yexue looked at them, then back at Ru Yi. "They’re called Magicules."

Ru Yi blinked. "Magic?"

"It’s leftover energy from spells, enchantments, anything that uses magic," she explained. "It lingers in the atmosphere like this."

"Are they harmless?"

"Generally," Yexue replied, her gaze flicking briefly to a nearby stall where an illusion of a blooming flower opened and closed endlessly. "Unless you’re sensitive to them. Most people aren’t."

One by one the traders began to peel away, turning down different streets, their destinations clearly already known.

The caravan dissolved gradually until only Qingyue’s group remained, along with the four women they had taken under their protection.

Qingyue didn’t stop until they reached a quieter part of the village. The house they stopped at was painted a deep teal, intricate carvings framing the doorway.

She dismounted her horse and knocked once on the door.

It opened not long after, revealing an older woman whose sharp eyes softened almost immediately at the sight of the four women standing behind Qingyue.

The woman stepped forward, their shoulders no longer tense in the same way they had been since their journey started.

One of them paused at the doorway, turning back. She reached for Qingyue’s hand, pressing fingers lightly against her palm—one last silent message, one that needed no translation.

Thank you.

Qingyue gave a small nod.

Then they were gone, the door closed gently behind them. For a moment none of the sisters spoke.

"They’ll be alright," Lieyin said, as if sensing the deep worry that was embedded in Qingyue’s chest.

"Of course," Qingyue replied after clearing her throat.

Deep down she’d wanted to ask the woman who answered the door what type of relationship they had. If she was aware Gao Ren had been trafficking them. If she too had suffered the same horrors at the hands of the monster.

Qingyue guessed the latter was true from how the woman hadn’t said a single word, only dipping her head in acknowledgement.

"We’ll find an inn and rest for the night," Qingyue replied as she mounted the horse, settling down behind Lieyin. She looked at Ru Yi. "I never got the chance to say this but—we were only able to rescue the women because of you."

Ru Yi scratched the back of her neck. "I guess..."

"Thank you."

The words coming from Qingyue started everyone.

Ru Yi looked at the closed door, something in her chest loosening. "I’m glad we were able to help them. But I’m worried that the other men would start rumors."

Lieyin kicked the horse and they continued their journey. "They kept quiet while Gao Ren tormented these women. Anyone that believes any filth that comes out of their mouth is not worth troubling your brain over."

Finding an inn should have been easy.

A village this large, this lively—inns stood on nearly every main street, their painted signs swinging gently above open doors. But availability was another matter entirely.

They stepped into the first inn, a warm bustling place filled with travellers. Before Qingyue could even finish asking, the keeper shook his head apologetically.

The second was no better. Not the third.

Each place they entered was filled to the brim, tables crowded, rooms taken, voices overlapping in a constant, vibrant noise that made Ru Yi feel both amazed and slightly overwhelmed.

By the time they reached the fifth inn, even Qingyue’s patience had thinned. This one was smaller, tucked between two brighter, noisier buildings.

Its exterior was painted a soft faded blue rather than something bold. The sign above swayed lazily, its lettering won but still legible.

Inside, it was quieter. Less crowded.

The keeper looked up as they entered, eyeing them briefly before nodding.

"Any available rooms?" Qingyue asked.

The keeper nodded. "We have a few."

Ru Yi exhaled in relief. Exhaustion was already weighing down on her bones. She lingered near the entrance as the others began unloading their things.

Her gaze drifted across the road almost absently, and then stopped abruptly.

A cloaked figure stood in between stalls...watching her. The attention was unnerving, like the person could see through her

For a moment, everything else faded.

"Ru Yi?’

Yexue’s voice pulled her back.

Ru Yi blinked, the world rushing in again—the sound, the light, the movement and chatter.

Yexue was watching her, expressions sharpened with concern. Already alert. "Are you alright?" she asked.

Ru Yi hesitated...just for a second. Then she nodded. "I’m fine."

Yexue studied her, clearly not convinced. But she didn’t press further, chalking it up to exhaustion from their travel.

Ru Yi’s gaze drifted back to the spot across the street. But there was no cloaked figure standing there.