Chapter 73 — The Talisman Painter Who Guards the Village

Those Who Don't Forget

The three-entrance gate of Tông Vân Các appeared before Diệp Sương's eyes exactly as in her memory - two exquisitely carved stone pillars, a curved tiled roof, the only difference was that this time, she did not walk through like a disciple being escorted, but stood straight, taking the steps of someone who voluntarily returned.

The two disciples guarding it recognized it almost immediately, their eyes widened in surprise, their hands instinctively placed on the hilt of their swords.

"Is... is it Chu Diệp Sương?" one person stuttered, unable to believe his eyes.

"She came with me, following the urgent orders of elder Tạ Vân Khê," Thanh Việt spoke up immediately, his voice decisively leaving no space for doubt. "Inform the council immediately, we have important information regarding the source of the upheavals occurring throughout the Cửu Vân."

*

The news spread like wind in the sect's campus. Less than half a moment later, Âu Bội Nhi ran like flying from the disciples' dormitory, her hair loose, not having time to straighten her clothes, rushed straight to hug Diệp Sương in the middle of the field in front of many curious disciples gathered.

"Sương! Oh my god, it's really you!" She sobbed, squeezing her friend tightly as if afraid that if she let go, it would disappear again. "I was scared... I was scared of never seeing you again."

"I'm sorry for making you worry," Diệp Sương replied, her voice equally choked, hugging her best friend tightly. "Is your mother okay?"

"It's okay, thank God," Âu Bội Nhi replied, quickly wiped away her tears, then stepped back to look at Diệp Sương from head to toe, her eyes stopping at Miên Trà and Du Khinh standing behind with undisguised curiosity. "And this is..."

*

"My friend," Diệp Sương replied, smiling. "I'll explain fully, but first, I need to meet with the council."

Chung Nhã Trúc, hearing the news, also hurried over. The familiar calm of the inner-sect disciple could no longer hide her emotions. She stood before Diệp Sương for a long time, bowed her head slightly, and placed her hand on Diệp Sương's shoulder—a simple gesture containing everything she wanted to say.

"Sister," Diệp Sương called softly, her voice trembling.

"I know you are innocent," Chung Nhã Trúc said, her voice choked. "I never stopped believing that, not even for a day."

*

Not all the gathered disciples had welcoming eyes. A few people, especially those who were close to Húc Bá Nguyên's faction, stood far away whispering, their eyes filled with undisguised suspicion.

"The deported person still dares to come back here," a voice spoke from the crowd, loud enough for Diệp Sương to hear. "Isn't this clear proof that she is still connected to some force outside the sect?"

Du Khinh, standing right next to Diệp Sương, growled softly in his throat, his sharp eyes swept towards the person who had just spoken, but Diệp Sương placed her hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

"Let them talk," he said softly. "I didn't come here to argue with those who never wanted to hear the truth. I came here for those who were still willing to listen."

*

Wei Bá Tuân, standing at the edge of the crowd, heard those whispers, suddenly stepped up, turned to look straight at the person who had just said harsh words. "If you really think so," he said, his voice cold but filled with unexpected authority, "then you should wonder why a true traitor would voluntarily return in the midst of the greatest danger, instead of hiding somewhere safe."

The whole crowd was stunned by the unexpected reaction from Wei Bá Tuân, the person who publicly despised Diệp Sương many years ago. He came closer, his eyes met Diệp Sương's for a moment, he didn't say anything more, just nodded slightly, like a belated apology conveyed without words.

Diệp Sương nodded in response, a strange feeling rising in her heart — not complete forgiveness, but a quiet recognition that even those who once stood on the opposite side can change when faced with a big enough truth.

*

At that moment, another figure appeared from the gate, panting because he had just dismounted from his horse and jogged for a long distance - Tất Bá Kỳ, road dust still clinging to his shirt, had just arrived at the gate after a quick journey from Tiêu Sa Pass.

"Diệp Sương?" he exclaimed, unable to believe this coincidence. "I just brought an urgent report from Sầm Nguyên Trạch. I didn't expect to see you here."

"How is the situation at Tiêu Sa Pass?" Diệp Sương asked immediately, feeling worried.

"It's not as serious as Lam Thủy Town," Tất Bá Kỳ replied, his voice still breathless, "but the fluctuations in the Linh Mạch around the Hạn Thủy ravine are increasing abnormally fast. Captain Sầm Nguyên Trạch is worried that it's only a matter of time."

He looked around, his eyes stopped at Miên Trà and Du Khinh, then looked at the sparkling silver bracelet on Diệp Sương's wrist, understanding somewhat what had happened during the time he was wandering. “You found more than I thought,” he said, his voice both surprised and grateful. "I always believed that what you found was big enough to cause people to react violently. Perhaps, I was more right than I thought."

"I need to hear more details about Tiêu Sa Pass before going to the meeting," Diệp Sương said, pulling Tất Bá Kỳ to a corner while waiting for the council to prepare. He briefly told about the signs of disturbances near Hạn Thủy ravine over the past fortnight, about the fact that Sầm Nguyên Trạch had to double the number of soldiers patrolling around the old survey stake area, and about the growing worry that very point could be one of the most violent outbreaks if the disaster spread.

*

With evidence and testimony pouring in from many directions, an expanded emergency meeting was quickly convened that afternoon — not in the solemn large hall like the previous year's trial, but in a smaller meeting room where the elders often discussed emergency strategies, a sign of the seriousness that went beyond the usual protocols.

Before entering the meeting room, Âu Bội Nhi held Diệp Sương's hand one last time. "No matter what happens in there," she said, her eyes steady, "I, Sister Chung, Thanh Việt, and everyone else who remembers who you are, will always stand behind you."

*

Chung Nhã Trúc, standing nearby, added, her voice gentle but firm. "I've been going through all the old records for several nights, but I can't find any precedent for the scale of this upheaval. What you bring, whether it is immediately accepted by the council or not, is the most important piece of the puzzle they are missing."

Thanh Việt stood quietly behind, looking at Diệp Sương with trusting eyes as if giving her the last bit of courage before she entered the room where the fate of the small alliance and the kingdom could be decided.

Diệp Sương nodded, squeezed her friend's hand, then turned to look at Miên Trà and Du Khinh. "Ready?" she asked softly.

"Ready," Miên Trà replied, her voice still shaking but her eyes full of determination, her hand tightly grasping the small silver bracelet her clan wore around her neck as a symbol of honor.

Du Khinh didn't say anything, just nodded decisively, his eyes directed straight towards the half-closed meeting room door, where the deep debate of the elders still echoed.

*

The door opened. Diệp Sương stepped in first, her eyes immediately finding Tạ Vân Khê in her familiar position. When their eyes met, Diệp Sương saw, if only for a split second, a tear roll down the old elder's cheek—the only person on the council who had never stopped believing in her.

"I'm home," Tạ Vân Khê said, her voice shaking with emotion, standing up from her chair despite the usual formality. "Just as I promised, though not in the way I imagined."

Diệp Sương bowed low in front of the entire council, her voice rang out clearly, without the slightest tremor. "I apologize for coming uninvited, council. But I believe, what I bring today, is more important than any formalities."

Húc Bá Nguyên, sitting at a corner of the table, clenched the arm of his chair, his face flashed with an unpredictable expression before regaining his usual composure. Grandmaster Thư Khải Dương sat silently in the center, his eyes swept over Diệp Sương, then Miên Trà and Du Khinh standing behind, finally stopping at the sparkling silver bracelet on her wrist, as if pondering something very deep in her heart.

The room was filled with heavy silence for a long moment, with only the sound of the wind whistling through the slightly opened window, bringing with it unusually cold air from outside, a reminder that the time to argue about the procedure was running out.