I followed his line of sight and saw our mother trying to pry the white dragon dagger with a brilliant golden gem in the middle of its hilt away from the infant, but it was protected by a copper membrane, like a barrier that repelled against her advances. 

 “Tsk…Looks like I can’t keep this for myself. Bai Long, don’t blame mother for being heartless, but I can’t have you getting in the way of my plan. I had intended to use you as a chess piece to coerce your father into leaving his wife…who knew she was more formidable than I expected. Since the plan backfired, I fear what my lord husband would do to me once he finds out you’re not his flesh and blood, so you must go. I will tell him you didn’t make it through child labor. Please die quietly…” her seductive voice softly cooed.

That was the first time I’ve ever heard my mother’s voice. Even though her words were vicious, I still felt grateful because she had given birth to me.

But why do they keep calling me Bai Long? My name is Yu Tian!

A spark of anger rushed to my face, as my cheeks flushed in displeasure. The boy looked at me, a knowing smile on his face. “Your true name is Bai Long.” He walked toward me, his eyes filled with loneliness. “Stay here with me Bai Long…I’ll always talk to you and you can hear my voice as much as you want. I’ll even sing for you. Even if our parents abandoned us, we will have each other as family.” 

His suggestion was like musical to my ears, but something felt wrong. Because I was not lonely. I have a sister, one who cared for me. I might have been born as an unwanted child, but there was a woman out there who does want me just the way I am – the imperfect me. And her name was Yu Liang. 

My selfishness had risen to a new height. For I was no longer satisfied with just hearing his voice anymore, I coveted everything the boy has, I wanted…to become him, but there could only be one of us.

Thus, I will seek for a way to overcome my inferiority because of my handicap. I will rise above my shortcoming and not be hindered by my cripple self. This curse, I will find a way to break it!

The white dragon dagger shook as it shined with a golden aura, like it was resonating with my will. The weapon flew toward me as it left the basket of the infant. The moment it touched my hand, a surged of warmth flowed through me.

What was this feeling?

I was keenly aware of the boy’s surprised expression before his face bloomed into a beautiful smile, like golden rays of sunlight. He stood here, waiting for me to do what I must. The dagger in my hand vibrated with a life of its own as I drove the sharp end into his flesh. There was no regret on his face, nor anger. Instead, he relaxed, almost as if he has finally found peace, like he been liberated of a great burden too heavy for his shoulders.

“Bai Long…go find our father, he can give you back what was taken from you. After all, he owes us!” 

Yu Tian heard his voice for the last time before he felt the world collapsed around him. He was back inside the pagoda with shards of glass and mirrors scattered around him. A sweet scent invaded his nose as long beautiful hair draped over his small frame. His sister was embracing him so tightly as if she was afraid he would vanish. This time, a real smile graced his face.

Yu Liang knew she was probably hugging her brother to the point of suffocation. Reluctantly, she loosened her arms. To her pleasant surprise, he didn’t seem to mind. In fact, there was a genuine smile sprouting on his face.

When she knocked against the glass with all her might, it continued to stay strong and unyielding. Even when she threw her entire body forward, not a single crack was seen. Hopelessly, she could only watched him go through the trial alone. She felt like an intruder who pried into his inner fears without his consent as she saw everything that had happened inside the mirror.

It was at this moment that she was truly glad when she came to, she was alone and was probably the first to make it through the trial. The idea of another witnessing the events of the past as she relived them didn’t sit well with her.

Hypocrite! She scowled at herself. Very well aware of her double standard as she had brazenly snooped into his personal trial, peeking from outside the glass wall. She was afraid, deeply afraid that he would had chosen to stay within the mirror forever, even though she tried to give him all the security and confidence he deserved.

The white dragon dagger hidden inside her waist belt had begun to heat up at the same time the dagger inside the mirror floated toward Yu Tian. She took it out with apprehension and felt a slight burn on her flesh. The golden light radiated brightly from the gem as her brother simultaneously held the dagger in his hand and plunged it deep into the flesh of his clone.

For a second, she thought the white dragon had come to life, dancing around the sword as he swiveled like he was soaring through the sky. She didn’t get the chance to confirm her skepticism because the glass walls had finally crumbled and her first priority was to ensure the wellbeing of her brother.

Only after she heard the steady rhythmic beating of his heart, did she granted herself a small reprieve. Yu Liang squatted down on her knees to allow Yu Tian to climb aboard her back. He was hesitant at first, almost as if he was embarrassed, but under her enthusiastic urging, he conceded and hopped on.

Silly brat, don’t grow up too fast! Big Sis still wants to pamper you a little more!

She began to explore the rest of the area to search for Huo Wei Hu while giving her brother a piggy back ride. A large part of her were deeply curious about his personal trial. She hasten her pace in hopes of finding him before he finished his trial so she could witness his inner demons first hand.

Her face flushed at her own willfulness. Other than Yu Tian, this was the first time she was so meddlesome in another’s affair. She wanted to learn more about him and gain a better idea on how to share his burden together, even if he was perfectly capable of handling responsibilities as big as Mt. Tai alone.

To her disappointment, she saw a handsome man, remarkable and elegant as he sauntered arrogantly toward them. His domineering aura could not be suppressed and his every step exuded confidence.

As much as she enjoyed the eye candy, she couldn’t help, but feel a great sense of loss over the missed opportunity.

“Yu Liang…” his deep and low voice echoed. The sensual sound tickled her skin as she sighed in delight.

Of course, with his superior hearing, he wouldn’t have missed the soft sigh she released. The corner of his lips hooked into a demonically seductive grin, as his obsidian eyes glowed with vigor. She was transfixed by those dark hues of orbs, so captivating as if thousands of untold stories were hidden within, waiting to burst out.

“What was your trial?” She blurted out.

Immediately, she regretted it because the atmosphere turned so still and quiet, it was as if no life form existed. His dark eyes held a faraway look, as if she had evoked his memories and he was thrown back to experience the moments all over again.