Chapter 29 - Birthmark

As the sun cast its early morning light over the forest, Spark stepped out from his tent, stretching and yawning.

Zhao Shi, ever the diligent servant, stood at the ready. "Young master, should I prepare you some coffee?"

Spark, stretching, looked towards the stream with a relaxed smile.

"No need, Butler Zhao. I think a bath will be more refreshing," he replied, already moving towards the gushing water.

Yuna, always quick to follow, raised her hand and chimed in, "Young master, I also want to take a bath!"

Spark glanced back.

Seeing her it was clear she had just woken up, her hair slightly tousled from sleep.

"I'll go first."

"Doesn't the young master know? It's ladies first," she countered.

The two stood facing each other, locked in a playful stare-down to decide who would enter the stream first.

In the end, Yuna, ever resourceful, used her spell to create a large rocky wall that divided the stream in half, running parallel along its length.

"There, now we can both have our baths," Yuna said triumphantly, as she went to the other side of the stream, her laughter echoing softly through the forest.

Spark, now half-submerged in the cool, clear water, let out a contented sigh. The water was refreshing, a perfect antidote to the lingering sleepiness in his muscles. The stream sparkled under the morning sun, each ripple catching the light and casting tiny reflections that danced around him.

For a few moments, Spark simply enjoyed the tranquility of the stream, the gentle flow of the water carrying away any remnants of fatigue from the previous day's journey.

A while later, Spark emerged from the stream, droplets of water glistening on his skin. Zhao Shi was waiting nearby with a towel and fresh clothes, ever the diligent butler.

As he handed Spark the towel, Zhao Shi couldn't help but notice something he hadn't observed before. Despite Spark's typically pale complexion, his body was surprisingly lean and well-defined.

But what caught Zhao Shi's attention most was a small, swirling mark on Spark's chest, right over his heart. It was intricate and almost hypnotic, drawing the eye with its delicate patterns.

Just as Zhao Shi found himself staring at the mark, something strange began to happen.

Suddenly, Zhao Shi's surroundings began to shift. The vibrant forest and the gushing stream faded away, replaced by an all-encompassing darkness. It was as if he had been plunged into an abyss, devoid of any light or reference point.

"Where am I?" Zhao Shi muttered, turning around in confusion.

The darkness was absolute, and he felt like falling endlessly through an infinite void.

No matter how he shouted or moved, there was no change. The disorienting emptiness seemed to stretch on forever, threatening to overwhelm his senses.

Just when he thought he might lose his mind, a familiar voice broke through the void, bringing him back.

"Butler Zhao, don't stare at my body too long, or others might misunderstand you," Spark's voice called out, laced with amusement.

Zhao Shi blinked, his surroundings snapping back to the forest. He was standing by the stream again, with Spark drying off before him. The mysterious mark was still there, but the darkness had vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

For a moment, Zhao Shi was stunned, his mind struggling to reconcile what had just happened. Was it a vision? A trick of the light? Or something more profound?

"What was that just now?" he muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible.

Before he could dwell further on the bizarre incident, Spark's voice pulled him back to the present.

"Is something wrong, Butler Zhao?" Spark asked, his tone light.

"Young master, what is that mark on your chest?" Zhao Shi asked, careful not to look directly at it again.

Spark glanced down at the swirling mark over his heart and grinned, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

"Oh, this? When I was born, the heavens couldn't tolerate my unparalleled charm. So they decided to drop a thunder tribulation on me, leaving this mark as a reminder of my irresistible presence," he said, his voice laced with playful arrogance.

Zhao Shi believed Spark's every word and his eyes widened in astonishment. Surviving a thunder tribulation at a young age was unheard of and incredibly rare. The idea that his young master had endured such a trial was both awe-inspiring and deeply unsettling.

But before he could fully absorb Spark's explanation, Yuna's voice cut through his reverie. "Don't believe young master's nonsense; it's just a birthmark."

 "It's true though!" Spark feigned indignation. Then, noticing Yuna peeking over the rocky wall she had created, he added with mock seriousness, "Huh? Hey, don't peek at this side."

Despite Yuna's dismissal, Zhao Shi couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the mark than a simple birthmark. The darkness he had seen while staring at it was not something he could easily explain or forget. It became another layer of mystery surrounding his young master.

After their playful exchange, the two finished their baths and gathered for breakfast. Zhao Shi, who had risen early, had caught fresh fish from the stream. He had skillfully prepared a simple yet delicious fish dish, which they ate while enjoying the crisp morning air.

"Butler Zhao, your cooking never ceases to amaze me," Spark commented, savoring a bite of the grilled fish.

"I appreciate your praise, young master," Zhao Shi replied, his tone respectful but tinged with pride.

With breakfast finished and their belongings packed, the trio once again set out on their journey. The carriage rolled steadily through the dense forest, the path ahead shrouded in a mixture of sunlight and shadows.

As they traveled, Zhao Shi couldn't help but reflect on the morning's events. The mysterious mark on his young master's chest, the eerie darkness he had glimpsed, and the endless secrets that seemed to surround his young master—all these thoughts swirled in his mind, mingling with the rhythmic creak of the carriage wheels and the rustle of leaves underfoot.

For now, Zhao Shi pushed his questions to the back of his mind. There would be time to seek answers later.

After half a day's journey, the trio found themselves traversing a vast expanse of green plains. The scenery had shifted from the dense, shadowy embrace of the forest to open, sunlit grassy lands that stretched out as far as the eye could see. The air was filled with the gentle rustling of grass, swayed by the light breeze that carried the scent of wildflowers.

Spark, relaxed and content, leaned back in the carriage, his eyes closed as he listened to Yuna's melodious humming. The tune she played was soothing, perfectly matching the tranquil landscape around them. It was as if time had slowed down, allowing them to bask in the peacefulness of the moment.

Suddenly, Zhao Shi's voice broke the serene spell. "Young master, there seem to be people ahead."

Spark opened his eyes and sat up, head peeked out of the window, his gaze following Zhao Shi's pointing finger toward the horizon. Indeed, there was a group of figures clustered together.