“My Peaceful Life With the Heroine I Once Fought”

Chapter 9: Whispers Across the Realm

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the mountain mists, illuminating the temples and towers of Dengwei City. But even before the dew had dried on the rooftops, rumors were already racing through the streets like wildfire.

"Did you hear? The village cultivator beat the council's simulation."

"With a wooden sword!"

"They said he shattered a simulation meant for sect leaders."

"And refused all offers."

"No background. No sect. Just raw power."

By noon, the name Yu Zhen was being whispered in scroll houses, taverns, even among disciples of the Azure Cloud Pavilion and Thunder Phoenix Sect. Some mocked him. Others feared him. But all of them were talking.

And far, far away—beyond the Eastern Peaks, past the Silent Marsh and into the deep, volcanic lands of the Demonfire Territory—someone else heard the whispers.

---

In a dark hall lit by red lanterns, a woman in black silk robes stood still as a servant read the report aloud.

"…He appeared out of nowhere. No spiritual signature of prior cultivation bloodline. Defeated the Five Peaks simulation in two minutes, thirty-seven seconds. Weapon: wooden sword. Spiritual level unknown."

The servant bowed low, voice shaking. "Mistress… do you believe it could be—?"

The woman raised a hand.

"Leave."

The servant fled.

She walked to the edge of the balcony, where lava flowed slowly beneath her citadel. Her eyes were golden, sharp, and ancient.

Then—softly—she laughed.

"So, you're still alive, aren't you… Rael?"

---

Back in Dengwei City, Yu Zhen and Lan Yueran were preparing to leave. Though the Council had let him go peacefully, the attention he'd stirred could not be undone.

As they loaded their things onto a simple mule cart, a familiar voice called out.

"Leaving so soon, village cultivator?"

Yu Zhen turned. Qin Yuxian stood by the gate, arms crossed.

"You didn't say goodbye," he added, forcing a smile.

Yu Zhen gave a nod. "Didn't think you'd want one."

Yuxian approached slowly, his smile fading. "What you did… it was dangerous."

"I didn't start the test."

"No," Yuxian said, "but now, the balance has shifted. Do you understand that?"

Yu Zhen was silent.

Yuxian looked at Lan Yueran.

"Your father will call for you soon. Don't keep pretending you're a peasant forever."

"I'll decide who I am," Yueran said coldly.

For a moment, Yuxian looked like he wanted to argue—but instead, he bowed politely and left.

---

They returned to Jingyang Village by dusk two days later.

The peach blossoms were still blooming. The air was filled with the scent of fresh earth. Children ran barefoot near the stream, laughing.

It felt like the world had stood still while they'd been gone.

Yu Zhen let out a long breath as he stepped through the gate of their home.

"I missed this place."

Lan Yueran smiled beside him. "Me too."

Madam Yue rushed from the kitchen, scolding them for returning without sending word.

"You worried your poor mother!"

Yu Zhen chuckled, letting her fuss.

Yu Lian burst out behind her, waving a parchment. "Big Brother! You're in the papers!"

Yu Zhen raised an eyebrow.

She held up the scroll. "The Jade Province Herald wrote: Mystery Swordsman from Nowhere Defies Council of the East—Who Is Yu Zhen?"

He groaned. "Great."

Lan Yueran snorted. "Now the whole kingdom knows about the wooden sword."

---

That night, they gathered for a quiet meal. No tests. No elders. Just soup, steamed vegetables, and the sound of crickets in the garden.

"Will they come here?" Yu Lian asked suddenly.

"Who?" Yu Zhen replied.

"The powerful people. From the capital."

Yu Zhen paused. "Maybe."

"Will they hurt us?"

Lan Yueran answered gently. "Not if we're ready."

Yu Hao, the youngest, looked serious. "I'll train. I'll become strong too."

Yu Zhen smiled at him. "You'll protect the village with me?"

"Uh-huh!"

Yu Zhen reached across the table and ruffled his hair.

---

Later that night, as the household slept, Yu Zhen stood alone in the backyard. The moon was full, casting silver across the grass.

He stared at his wooden sword, now sheathed and leaning against the wall.

I should've thrown it away years ago.

But something had made him keep it.

Footsteps approached.

"You couldn't sleep either?" Lan Yueran asked, holding two cups of hot tea.

He shook his head. "Too much noise in my mind."

She handed him a cup. "What kind of noise?"

"Voices. Not loud. Just… echoes."

She sat beside him on the bench.

"You didn't tell them your real name."

He nodded. "Because I'm not him anymore."

She was quiet.

Then, softly, she asked, "Do you think they'll remember us?"

He looked at her sharply.

But she didn't flinch.

She was talking about the past.

---

"I don't know," he said at last. "We were both too strong. We left scars on the world. People don't forget those."

Lan Yueran stared into her cup.

"Sometimes I dream of a battlefield. Rain. And your voice."

Yu Zhen looked at her slowly. "You were shouting my name."

She nodded. "But not Yu Zhen."

A long silence followed.

"Do you regret this life?" she asked.

"No," he said instantly. "It's the only one I ever chose."

"And if the world tries to take it away?"

He met her gaze, steady and fierce.

"Then we fight. Together."

---

Far to the west, in a marble tower of the Northern Empire, another figure heard the name Yu Zhen.

An old man with hair like snow and eyes like winter narrowed his gaze at the glowing scroll on his desk.

"Rael Alzareth…" he whispered.

He stood slowly.

And with trembling hands, reached for a long-forgotten sword hidden in the floorboards beneath his desk.

"The world forgot you once."

"It won't do so again."

---