Three-Way Talks

We all became alert, but we couldn't detect any other presence. The North Spring Temple was now deserted, with no one left to guard it or inhabitants; it was completely empty. ♞♢ ☢🐊

Alanta was the first to feel relieved. "Whoever invited us, since everyone has come, it means we all want to make things clear. Let's take this opportunity to talk."

"I had the same thought, and to make things clear, I brought Akali with me."

Even if I didn't say anything, Alanta's eyes never left her daughter, Akali was the same. When she was little, she didn't know her mother's true identity. In her mind, her mother was that gentle woman named Youlan.

Riven remained silent, seemingly wanting us to speak first, since four out of the five people here were concerned with the same thing.

Alanta spoke first, "I went back and thought about what you said during the day. I can't remember many of the details. Xiao Li was too young at the time, so she probably can't remember either. Therefore, I believe you are Zhao Xin."

"Well, since you believe it, what's the point of coming here?"

"Although I don't know how this happened, since you're currently in Yasuo's form, I'll still treat you as Yasuo."

Alanta's words left me a bit confused. Was she treating me as a substitute for her husband?

"It's strange that you're saying this. I don't know about your past relationship with Yasuo, nor do I know his feelings. As for your child, Akali has already accepted me. Whether it's Zhao Xin or the Harbinger from the North, it doesn't include the role of father."

"Alas, that That Great One gave me a chance to be reborn, allowing me to settle the regrets in my heart, but I never imagined that you wouldn't have Yasuo's memories in the end."

"Alright, you can treat me like Yasuo. Zed's here too, Akali's here too, so say whatever you want."

"I... I want to tell you that I used to have very complicated feelings. I liked both of you at the same time, and I couldn't choose..."

Alanta recounted what happened back then, with Zed filling in the gaps:

Alanta was only six years old when she was rescued by Kennen and Kusuo. Shen had just been born, and Zed was only a year and a half old, so she treated the two brothers like her own younger brothers.

About three years after she arrived at the Kinkou Order, Kusuo's wife passed away, so the responsibility of caring for Shen and Zed fell mostly on Alanta.

She never complained; the nine-year-old was as patient and resilient as a teenager, and devoted the rest of her attention to learning the doctrines of balance, quickly mastering most of them.

The difference is significant when children are four or five years old, but it becomes less noticeable as they grow older.

As Jie grew up, Alanta naturally became his closest person, giving him not only a motherly warmth but also a budding romance.

Alanta discovered Zed's feelings long ago, and she didn't object, though she never verbally agreed.

Kusuo he saw everything but never expressed his own thoughts, seemingly letting things develop on their own.

Just as Alanta, Zed, and Shen were becoming pillars of the Kinkou Order, Noxus launched an invasion of Ionia, while Kusuo strictly forbade the disciples of the Kinkou Order from participating in the war.

Even now, Alanta and Zed still don't understand Kusuo's intentions. He is a person who Ionia, yet he chose to avoid confrontation when facing invaders.

This incident fueled Jie's rebellious spirit; he repeatedly approached Kusuo request to join the war, but was ultimately refused each time.

Seeing her master's determination, Alanta didn't disturb him further and chose to leave secretly.

She wanted to help the Ionia coalition in secret, and then return to apologize to her master after the war. She also told Zed about her plan.

Of course, Zed wouldn't let Alanta go alone. A few days after she left, he secretly followed her. However, by then, the Sunon Temple had already fallen, and Zed couldn't find Alanta anywhere.

This period needs to be discussed from two perspectives. Alanta was entrusted by the Western Harbinger to take the injured Yasuo away.

According to Alanta, Yasuo is a "charming" man. He is easygoing, determined, and usually doesn't take things too seriously, but he is very reliable in crucial moments.

Such men always manage to capture the hearts of young girls, especially Alanta, who fell in love in a very short time.

At this point, Jie couldn't find Alanta anywhere. In his anxiety, he returned to the Kinkou Monastery to ask his father to join the war and send people to find Alanta, but Kusuo refused again.

Unable to participate in the war or recruit anyone, Zed was utterly enraged. He decided to leave the Kinkou Order and lead his discontented disciples into the war in his own name!

Before he could even speak, an assassination attempt suddenly occurred in the ancestral hall. Kusuo he was killed while protecting Jie, and Shen, who had come to investigate, witnessed the incident. From then on, the two brothers became sworn enemies.

All of this was orchestrated by Jin, but no one knew it at the time. Even now that the truth has come to light, the complexities involved have not been resolved.

After learning everything, Alanta was heartbroken. She felt that she had failed to protect her master and could not face the calamity, so she chose to escape and later joined a caravan under the pseudonym Youlan.

I heard most of these things from Irelia, and I also experienced some of them myself. Now I'm mainly telling Zed about them.

Kennen had told Zed about Alanta's feelings before, but he refused to believe it. Now that he heard it from the person in question, he finally understood.

However, Jie was a proud man, so this answer meant nothing to him, and to this day, he still doesn't regret it.

"I don't regret killing you, because you betrayed my feelings. However, Yasuo is no longer the real Yasuo, and my hatred for him has nowhere to go. From now on, I will follow the ideals of the Vastaya with Bai Juen. The Vastaya and the Shadow Stream share the same ideals."

After saying that, he left, the gloom on his face noticeably lessening. It seemed that he had been wanting an answer from Alanta for over a decade, but even after resolving his inner conflict, he still chose to cooperate with the Vastaya.

Akali remained silent throughout. Compared to their last meeting, she was much calmer now, presumably already having her own thoughts.

Alanta didn't show any particular tenderness; she knew her child was grown up and didn't need her to control his life.

Are you alright, Xiao Li?

"It's alright, it would be even better if you were willing to come back."

"I have my own mission now, and whatever the outcome, I hope you won't hate me."

I'll try my best.

The mother and daughter's conversation was simple; no matter what kind of longing they felt, no matter how many words they had to say, seeing each other made everything alright.

However, like Zed, Alanta chose to continue serving the Vastaya. Perhaps the Fist of Shadow and the Master of the Shadow Order have a yearning for darkness in their blood!