Chapter 21: The Weight of Flames
The door closed behind them with a final, hollow thud.
Mei Xiao stood in the private study, arms folded, trying to look braver than she felt. Murong Jing He leaned against the carved desk, his expression unreadable—as always.
"Well?" she broke the silence. "You dragged me in here. Let's talk."
He didn't answer at first. Instead, he walked toward the window, staring into the fog creeping over the courtyard. "You shouldn't have reacted to the shard."
"I didn't try to react," she snapped. "It lit up on its own, thank you very much."
He turned, slow and deliberate. "That's the problem. It means the Phoenix power inside you is stabilizing. It's recognizing its pieces."
Mei Xiao frowned. "Okay… and that's bad because?"
"Because others can sense it too," he said. "And those who want that power won't care if you're ready or not."
She blinked. "So what are you saying? That I'm some walking beacon for ancient flame magic?"
"Yes." His voice was low, almost regretful. "And you just lit a fire in the dark."
They stared at each other.
Silence stretched.
Then, she huffed. "So what now? You gonna lock me in a tower? Or maybe stick a guard to me 24/7 like some overprotective—"
"No," he interrupted. "I'll train you."
Mei blinked. "Wait, what?"
"You need control," he said, stepping closer. "You're not the same as you were before. And if the seal continues to awaken, the next time something triggers it, you might burn the whole courtyard."
"Okay," she said, biting her lip. "Training. Great. But… why you? Don't you have disciples for this?"
His eyes darkened with something unreadable. "Because I know what the Obsidian Sect is capable of. And I know... what's coming."
There it was again. That weight in his voice. Like he wasn't just worried for her—but about something deeper. Something he wasn't telling her.
She raised an eyebrow. "Jing He… what aren't you saying?"
He hesitated.
Then said, "There's more to your past—more to her—than I think even you realize. And if I'm right… you weren't just given the seal."
Mei Xiao narrowed her eyes. "Then what?"
"You are the seal."