Chapter Twenty: First Encounter with Yixin

He recalled how, back then, his small hand was held warmly in a pair of large hands as he walked into a field of white light. Together, they reached a hillside, where the breeze gently caressed them as they gazed into the distance.

He saw a peaceful forest, a quietly flowing stream, and meadows scattered with wildflowers. He heard birds singing. Beyond the picturesque forests and fields, there stood, far away, a silver-white castle.

The young Blackfeather followed the direction pointed out by Yisheng and said, “The place I’m taking you to is called the Holy City. There, regardless of race, everyone lives together as equals…”

Remembering this, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Blackfeather’s lips.

“So, when did you first meet Yixin?” Lingxiao Tears pressed on, relentless in her curiosity. Whenever a topic like this came up, she was always eager to know more.

“Yixin…” Blackfeather pondered.

When he first arrived at the lord’s home, Blackfeather was frail, covered in wounds, with eyes full of cynicism. At that time, he found it hard to trust anyone. So… there was an unspeakable memory: as he followed from the hillside all the way to the Holy City, he kept thinking about how he could kill the man in front of him and finally claim his freedom.

But he never found the right opportunity along the way.

That night, after they returned home, night had already fallen. Yisheng opened the door to a bedroom, lifted Blackfeather, and placed him on a small bed. After Yisheng left, the room light was switched off. In the cold darkness, murderous thoughts surged again in Blackfeather’s calm mind. He decided to wait until the man was asleep and then strike.

But just then, he suddenly heard a gentle sound of someone turning over beside him. Turning his head in surprise, he saw a youthful face as tender as his own. It was a very handsome boy, with delicate features and soft golden hair, sleeping peacefully. In his dreams, he seemed to be troubled, his brows furrowing slightly as he murmured, “Mama…”

That was the first time he saw Yixin. At that moment, Blackfeather’s heart inexplicably softened, and he fell asleep peacefully next to Yixin.

“The first time I met Yixin… I’ve forgotten,” Blackfeather replied.

He had no intention of telling Lingxiao Tears about these things.

Who he was then was completely different from who he is now. Perhaps, he truly has been “transformed” by the peaceful atmosphere of the Holy City.

“Tell me!” Lingxiao Tears tugged at his sleeve. “Did Yixin ever do anything embarrassing as a child?”

For someone like Yixin, any embarrassing story would be a scoop.

“Embarrassing stories? None.” Blackfeather answered firmly. “He’s been exceptional since he was young.”

Lingxiao Tears pouted in disappointment.

Although Yixin was only a year older, he was clearly more mature than other children his age. He took care of her like an older brother and set an example in everything. She hadn’t realized that five years had already passed so quickly.

“How could there be none? Think again—any interesting stories?”

“Interesting stories… none.” They had reached the dormitory building now, and Blackfeather considered it. “Actually… Yixin wasn’t always the way you see him now.”

He suddenly stopped walking, remembering something.

Lingxiao Tears halted as well, quietly listening. “The way he is now? He wasn’t always like this?”

“If I told you Yixin used to cry a lot, would you believe me?”

“What?” Lingxiao Tears was stunned. “Yixin… cried? Don’t joke—no way I’d believe that!”

Blackfeather recalled that his adoptive father had told him Yixin lost his mother very young, and his older brother had left, so he was lonely. Bringing Blackfeather home was, in part, to give Yixin a companion.

“There was one time I happened to pass by his room and saw him crouched on the floor, sorting through his late mother’s belongings. I saw him holding her photo and weeping…”

Hearing this, Lingxiao Tears fell silent.

“He was probably missing his mother. In fact, there were several times I saw him hiding in his room, crying quietly.”

Perhaps everyone carries wounds in their hearts they don’t want others to know about. Lingxiao Tears thought this, and asked no more.

They had reached the dormitory building. Most of the lights were out. Blackfeather glanced at Yixin’s window and saw that it was dark as well, so he assumed Yixin was asleep and felt at ease. The two said their farewells and returned to their rooms.

The next day in class, as expected, both Blackfeather and Lingxiao Tears sported matching, severe dark circles under their eyes.

But that didn’t dampen their resolve to train in Twilight Forest.

During the morning theory class, to improve his sleep quality, Blackfeather brought earplugs, stuffed one in each ear, and slept soundly until noon.

In the afternoon, Blackfeather focused on physical training, while Lingxiao Tears worked on strengthening her magic barriers.

After school, the two left the cafeteria and prepared to head to Twilight Forest. Passing the dormitory, they saw a crowd gathered noisily in the courtyard. At the center were several nobles dressed in peculiar attire, clearly not locals. They wore tall red hats and flowing red robes. Behind them, over a dozen attendants carried a luxurious sedan chair.

A noble with a thin mustache swaggered and declared, “Are these dormitories fit for anyone to live in? Inside that sedan is our Dragon Princess. It’s your academy’s honor that she’s enrolling here! And she’s been assigned to Class A, personally instructed by the headmaster. Ready the best room at once! If you slight her, beware the headmaster’s wrath!”

The dorm supervisor smiled nervously, sweat pouring down his face. “Well… all student dormitories are the same, there’s no distinction between good and bad. You’ve seen the rooms; if you’re not satisfied, I’m afraid there’s nothing better we can offer…”

“We won’t stay in such rooms. Otherwise, bring your headmaster here!”

Students murmured around them, “Dragon Clan, so what? Why don’t they study on Dragon Island and instead come to the Holy City trying to flaunt their power…”

Lingxiao Tears, sensing excitement, squeezed into the crowd and raised her small camera that always hung around her neck, about to take pictures. Blackfeather grabbed her arm and pulled her out.

“Hey, stop gawking. We still need to get to Twilight Forest.”

“Oh, you’re clueless.” Lingxiao Tears turned back. “Didn’t you hear him say Dragon Princess? Don’t you remember?”

“Dragon Princess?…” Blackfeather thought hard, but couldn’t recall.