Poppy’s throat constricted, but her voice didn’t break. “What do I need?”
Lan gestured to the ward map shifting above the table.
“A moonwell,” she said. “A relic once used by your ancestors to purify divine artifacts.”
Mingxi tensed. “There is no portal anchor near the moonwell.”
“Correct,” Lan said. “It must be reached by land.”
“And there is another issue,” Shenwu added. “You cannot travel by portal at all.”
Poppy frowned. “Why?”
“Because the corrupted one—your sister—follows moonlight and leyline disruption. A portal flare would be like ringing a bell in the Void. She would find you within minutes,” Zhenhai answered.
Poppy went still, and Mingxi felt her breath tighten beside him.
Shenwu continued, “You will take the Grimoire to the old ritual site, the??? (Yín YuèJing). And begin the cleansing ritual. Only then can we prepare a cage strong enough to hold the entity again.”
Mingxi bowed. “We leave immediately.”
Poppy lifted her chin. “I will do it.”
The elders nodded, their body language heavy, resigned, hopeful.
Mingxi’s gaze slid toward her, warm with pride he didn’t voice.
Shenwu tapped his staff once. “Then you both need food and protection rites. Go. Your family awaits you.”
Elder Lan added softly, “And Lady Penelope… this will not destroy your sister. It may be the only way to save her.”
Poppy inhaled once—shallow, controlled. “Then I’ll succeed.”
She walked out of the hall with Mingxi at her side, as steady as a blade. They left Council Hall in a hush, foxfire lanterns dim as if the walls themselves were listening. The path toward the Shen residence glowed faintly with blue ward-light, grounding, familiar.
Poppy walked with her spine straight but her breath tight, like someone holding a storm in her throat. Mingxi stayed half a step behind—close enough to catch her if she faltered, far enough to respect her pride.
As they entered the courtyard, a voice shrieked, “Stop right there!”
Minghua barreled toward them, nearly sliding across the stone tiles. She skidded to a halt, hair flying, robes askew, clutching an armful of talismans and jingling pouches.
“You can’t leave yet!” she gasped. “I haven’t finished your travel kits! Don’t move!”
She vanished again in a blur.
Mingjun sighed and leaned against a pillar. “She has been preparing for hours,” he muttered. “Brace yourself.”
Xu Yunlian emerged with calm grace, motherly warmth softening her features.
“Lady Penelope,” she said gently, taking Poppy’s hands. “Your strength today humbles us all.”
Poppy’s slight smile trembled—but held. “It has been… a difficult few days.”
Yunlian touched Poppy’s cheek with a feather-light caress. “You are brave. And you are not alone.”
Before Poppy could answer, Minghua exploded back into the courtyard—this time carrying far too many items and jingling like an enthusiastic wind chime.
“Hao! Now I’m ready.” She planted herself in front of Poppy, eyes bright, cheeks pink with excitement. “Before you go… um… I want to ask something.”
