The mountain where Alex was staying was called the Mountain of No Return. Because anyone who went there never came back.
For Rachel to go there, it meant one thing she had lost all hope in the world.
There was a kingdom forty kilometers to the west, called mosotunya, surrounded by various sects and powerful people. Rachel was the daughter of king Philip, and had an older brother who was exceptionally talented with the sword. He was ten levels above all his sisters and never let anyone forget it. He bragged constantly, and even their father, the king, could do nothing to stop him when he started showing off.
Far to the north, hidden in shadow, was the Demonic Palace. Its dark halls were in uproar, still trying to understand what had gone wrong with their perfect plan the kidnapping of the princess meant to serve as a sacrifice to awaken the Demon Lord and conquer the world.
That day, the demons looked upon the countless people they had gathered and scoffed.
"All of this is nothing if you can't bring the princess here," one said.
A demonic prince slammed his hand on the table. "That fool of a king is sending her again another peace expedition to the southern kingdom, called kasama. Prepare the ambush. If you fail again, I'm coming myself. I'm running out of time."
Rachel had been sent to the mountain by her own brother, supposedly to gather herbs that might cure her meridians. But deep inside, she knew he just wanted her gone.
By chance or fate, she found herself at Alex's doorstep.
Now, Alex stood silently, watching Rachel stare into the pot. She was focused on the meat inside the bird he'd cooked for her. To Alex, it was just a chicken. He had raised it himself, like all the others over the past five years.
But to Rachel?
It was a phoenix. A creature with thousands of years of cultivation. He had killed it just to feed her.
How could she repay that?
Her eyes flicked to him, her cheeks warm. Maybe I can become his wife, she thought. Or give him something of value.
She reached into her pouch and pulled out the Princess Token, an item few people in the world had ever seen. She handed it to him without a word.
"If you ever come to the kingdom you must visit me," she said softly.
Then she lefthappy. Happy that she had found a senior so powerful, so kind, and perhaps. unlike anyone else in the world.