Chapter 35: Shadows Beneath the Lantern Glow

The return journey to the capital carried a sense of accomplishment but was tinged with unease. Though the rebellion had been quelled and a new accord established, Li Xiao could not shake the feeling that the empire’s peace was fragile, like a lantern in a storm.

The caravan moved steadily along the river road. Jin Tao rode at the front, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. Lady Meng accompanied the rear guard, offering guidance to the younger soldiers. Li Xiao rode beside Jin Tao, her thoughts filled with the faces of the villagers they had left behind.

The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the road. It was then that Li Xiao noticed a figure standing alone at the edge of the forest—a young girl in tattered robes, clutching something in her hands.

Jin Tao raised his hand, signaling the caravan to halt. Li Xiao dismounted and approached cautiously, her heart heavy with foreboding.

“Are you lost, child?” she asked gently.

The girl looked up, her eyes wide with fear. “My village… it burns. Please, help us.”

Li Xiao’s breath caught. “Where is your village?”

The girl pointed toward the east. “Beyond the hills. The soldiers came at night…”

Before she could finish, Jin Tao was already issuing orders. “Lieutenant Zhao, assemble a scouting party. Lady Meng, secure the caravan here.” He turned to Li Xiao. “Stay with the main group. This could be a trap.”

Li Xiao shook her head, determination flashing in her eyes. “If this is a cry for help, I cannot ignore it. I will go.”

Jin Tao hesitated but saw the resolve in her gaze. “Stay close to me.”

The scouting party moved swiftly through the forest, the girl leading them with surprising speed. As they crested the hill, the faint smell of smoke reached their noses. When they descended into the valley, the sight before them made Li Xiao’s stomach churn.

The village was in ruins. Homes were reduced to ash, and bodies lay scattered across the streets. Survivors huddled in the shadows, their faces hollow with despair.

Jin Tao dismounted and approached an elderly man sitting by a crumbled well. “Who did this?”

The man’s voice trembled as he replied, “They wore no banners, only black cloaks. They came like shadows and left nothing behind.”

Li Xiao knelt beside a woman clutching a small child. “What did they want?”

The woman shook her head. “They said nothing. They took no grain, no gold. They only destroyed.”

Li Xiao exchanged a troubled glance with Jin Tao. This was no ordinary raid—it was a message.

As the scouting party searched the ruins for clues, Li Xiao noticed the girl who had led them there standing by a scorched tree. In her hands was a small, charred wooden figurine.

Li Xiao approached her. “This was your home, wasn’t it?”

The girl nodded silently.

“Why did you come to find us?”

The girl looked up, tears brimming in her eyes. “You are the ones who speak for the emperor, aren’t you? I thought… I thought you could stop them.”

Li Xiao’s heart ached. She knelt and placed a comforting hand on the girl’s shoulder. “We will do everything we can to protect you.”

By nightfall, the scouting party returned to the caravan with grim news. Jin Tao convened a council under the lantern glow, gathering Lady Meng, Lieutenant Zhao, and Li Xiao to discuss their next move.

“These raiders are unlike any we’ve encountered,” Jin Tao said, his voice grave. “They strike without warning, take nothing, and leave devastation in their wake.”

Lady Meng frowned. “It’s as if they want to sow fear, not gain resources.”

Li Xiao tapped her fingers against the hilt of her dagger. “Fear is a weapon. If they aim to destabilize the empire, they may strike again.”

Lieutenant Zhao leaned forward. “Should we pursue them?”

Jin Tao shook his head. “We don’t have enough information. Our priority is to secure the capital and prepare for whatever comes next.”

Li Xiao nodded. “We must also spread word to the provinces, warning them to strengthen their defenses.”

Lady Meng glanced at the map spread before them. “And we should investigate who benefits from this chaos. An enemy without a face often has a shadow pulling the strings.”

Jin Tao placed a hand on the table, his crimson eyes glowing in the lantern light. “We will not let this threat go unanswered. The empire will stand.”

That night, as the caravan resumed its journey, Li Xiao found herself unable to sleep. She stood by the riverbank, watching the lanterns reflected on the water. The quiet beauty of the scene was at odds with the turmoil in her heart.

Jin Tao joined her, his presence a steadying force. “What troubles you?”

She sighed. “The empire feels like it’s unraveling. Every step forward seems to reveal another threat.”

He placed a hand on her shoulder. “The path of duty is never easy, but you carry its weight with grace. Together, we will face whatever lies ahead.”

She turned to him, finding strength in his gaze. “Thank you, Jin. Your faith keeps me strong.”

As they stood beneath the lantern-lit sky, a sense of quiet resolve settled over them. Though the shadows loomed, they would face them together—two lights guiding the way for an empire on the brink.