Xiao lingered at his usual perch in Wangshu Inn, the moonlight casting a pale glow over his solitary figure. The familiar aroma of Almond Tofu drifted through the air, a fleeting comfort amidst the weight of countless memories. Just as he reached for the dish, a distant call echoed through the night—urgent, unwavering.

His sharp golden eyes narrowed, every fiber of his being instantly attuned to the summons. Without hesitation, he vanished, a trail of teal-hued mist dissolving into the quiet air of the inn.

In the blink of an eye, he stood before the one who had called for him, his presence as swift and silent as the wind itself.

“…You called?” His voice was calm, yet beneath it lay the quiet promise of unwavering vigilance, his teal dark hair with green highlights carried by the wind.