章 18: Qinghe part 3

Several days later, Chan Juan found herself once again at the tranquil river shore, the gentle flow of water mirroring the ebb and flow of her thoughts. Lost in contemplation, she stood immersed in the serenity of the surroundings, the sun casting shimmering reflections upon the crystalline waters.

As the soft breeze whispered through the trees, Chan Juan's gaze wandered to the horizon, her mind adrift in the endless rhythm of the river's journey. The tranquility of the moment enveloped her, creating a space for introspection amid the picturesque landscape.

Meanwhile in —a dark forest emerged, a dense bamboo thicket casting intricate shadows beneath the canopy. Amidst the towering bamboo, a figure stood, draped in a flowing black hanfu, their face concealed behind an enigmatic mask. The air seemed charged with an eerie anticipation, the silence broken only by the rustling of leaves in the forest.

"Su Nan," it hissed, its voice dripping with authority.