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Dodging a breath's length from a strand of his hair, he hurled himself behind me. I instinctively pivoted on the balls of my feet, twisting ninety degrees at the same time I launched for his chest in a double spinning kick. 

He countered with a rolling thunder, dropping to his stomach just as my foot whistled harmlessly over his head. His head twitched a hair's breadth away from the sharp swan of my blade that sliced through the empty air where his face had been. "Yourong?" 

Although I heard his call, I couldn't control my reflexes as I continued to fight.  Fueled by a primal surge of energy, I unleashed a relentless barrage of strikes, a flurry of punches and kicks aimed at every vital point.  He responded with a defensive whirlwind, twirling away from my attacks while using his sword to deflect any blows that got too close. My eyes flared an unnatural green, the liveliness in them replaced by a cold, predatory glint. 

Losing control over my own body, I lunged at him countless times for several minutes. Years of training kicked in for him, his body responding instinctively to block and evade my attacks. He studied my movements critically through narrowed eyes, analyzing the patterns amidst the chaos. Footsteps began to draw closer. He seized a momentary opening, dropping to a crouch and executing a sweeping kick that knocked my legs out from under me. I landed hard on the floor, my sword clattering away.

He stood still, boring his eyes into mine. I lifted your fallen sword with trembling hands and, in a horrifying display of misplaced aggression, lunged at him, intent on piercing his chest. He winced slightly, closing his eyes in resignation. My hands trembled even more as I looked into his desperate eyes, a single tear tracing a glistening path down my cheek. My fingers went limp, the sword clattering to the ground with a heavy thud. Zhen Lan and Jing Yi paused, their expressions a mask of horror at both my attempt to kill him and the chilling transformation in your eyes.

"Yourong?" 

"Mr. Lu!" 

The sword fell from my grasp, the echo of its descent slowly fading. Zhao Yun gingerly reached for his chest, his eyes squeezed shut. I shook your head, the green embers in my eyes flickering out, but a sinister green mark snaked its way from behind my ear, spreading down my neck like a malevolent vine. Zhen Lan rushed to my side, his worried eyes scanning me for any sign of what had transpired.

Jing Yi, on the other hand, darted towards Zhao Yun, her face etched with concern as she checked his wound. When she tried to help him up, he pushed her away, clutching his sword tightly. "You're bleeding! You need to get checked!" Her voice trembled with anxiety as she looked up at you, your hands wracked with tremors. 

"S-Shifu," I stammered, my legs refusing to support me as I tried to stand. He hoisted his sword into a guard position, his eyes flickering with a spark of residual anger. "What are you doing with that. Mr. Lu?" Jing Yi's question hung heavy in the air. As though impervious to pain, he brandished his sword at Zhen Lan, a flicker of defiance burning in his gaze. 

"Move back." Zhen Lan stood his ground, the cold metal of Zhao Yun's sword dancing menacingly over his neck. He shook his head, using a Wude stance- a position of strong defense that emphasizes protecting others -  to spread his arms over me. "Do you want to kill her right in front of me?"

Tears welled up in my watery eyes, threatening to spill over at any moment.  I shook your head stubbornly and took a hesitant step closer to Zhao Yun, ignoring the danger.

Zhen Lan reacted with a protective grip, grabbing my hand to stop your advance.  However, your concern for Zhao Yun's well-being overpowered my fear.  With a burst of adrenaline, I fought against his hold and inched my trembling hands up slowly towards his chest.

But the moment you got within an inch, he countered with a lightning-fast sword draw, the edge of the cold metal dropping against my neck with deadly precision.

"Lu Zhao Yun!" Jing Yi stood by in shock, rendered speechless by the sudden shift in the situation. The cold bite of the steel sent shivers down my spine. I locked eyes with him, a torrent of unwanted thoughts swirling through my mind.

Did he have enough of you?  Was he capable of killing me right here, right now without hesitation, just like he did to the blood venom puppets?  Were my feelings for him unrequited?

"Step back." Jing Yi mirrored Zhen Lan's movements, taking a cautious step back.  She knew him well enough to understand the silent command and not to provoke him further.

"Are you aware of making enemies with Liang?" He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, his grip on the sword tightening with each passing second.  The effort of holding back his emotions was clearly taking its toll. "I said step back!"

Zhen Lan hesitated for a moment, torn between obedience and his desire to protect you.  He reluctantly complied, retreating slowly.  Jing Yi, on the other hand, swallowed hard, her gaze fixed on Zhao Yun's every move, ready to react if necessary.

"Same time, meet me here tomorrow."  My wounded eyes searched desperately for his, yearning to express your concern but unable to find the words.

Swallowing a lump in my throat, he finally lowered the sword and sheathed it with a practiced flick of his wrist.  Several guards from the Ming palace, alerted by the commotion, rushed towards me with torches held high. Feng Liu, alerted by the commotion, arrived a few minutes later.

"What happened?" Zhao Yun let out a sigh, a stark contrast to the tension-filled moments before. A ghost of a smile played on his lips as he addressed Feng Liu. "The moonlight is beautiful tonight. Why don't we go for a walk? What do you say, Your Highness?"

My eyebrows furrowed in surprise, mirroring the looks of astonishment on Zhen Lan and Jing Yi's faces.  Feng Liu studied Zhao Yun's blood-stained hanfu, his gaze lingering on the source of the wound.

"In that? I thought Mr. Lu was invincible.  I wonder who managed to do that to you?" He cleared his throat, a knowing glint in his eyes, "Alright. But it will be my treat."

Zhao Yun simply nodded, finally tearing his gaze away from my guilt-stricken expression.  He turned to Zhen Lan and Jing Yi. "Could they come along as well? You can bring your guards if you still feel suspicious of us escaping."

Feng Liu scoffed, his curiosity piqued. "You're one crazy guy, Mr. Lu." A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as his gaze swept over the guards surrounding us.

"I'll get changed first." Feng Liu received a curt nod from Zhao Yun before waving his own guards away. Guilt gnawed at me as I watched Zhao Yun walk off, leaving us behind. Zhen Lan turned to Jing Yi, his brow furrowed in concern, while hers remained etched with worry. Feng Liu, a cool smile playing on his lips, crossed his arms and pivoted towards me.

Jing Yi, clearly unsettled, rushed over to him. Zhen Lan sighed and turned to me, his eyes offering silent support. I trailed their figures with my gaze, my heart heavy. Feng Liu gestured towards the gates with a flourish. The guards surged forward, pulling them open with a creaking groan. I couldn't help but turn my head towards the sound, taking a deep breath before Feng Liu approached me, a smile plastered on his face.

Zhao Yun emerged from behind a building, his blue hanfu billowing slightly as he adjusted his stride. Jing Yi, on the other hand, seemed even more disoriented than before.

"I hear the town square has some lovely wontons. Want to try some?" The thought of food, especially wontons, usually made my mouth water. But this time, the idea held no appeal whatsoever. No one responded, except for Zhao Yun and Zhen Lan, who simply offered a curt nod.

They started walking ahead, a few guards trailing them like watchful shadows. A similar detail surrounded Feng Liu, Zhao Yun, and me. Their unwavering gazes made me acutely aware of their presence as we entered the bustling town square. The colorful lanterns and the tantalizing aroma of various foods flooded my senses, triggering a wave of memories.

I found myself swept back to a simpler time, walking these same streets with Shifu by my side. I wondered if the phoenix hairpin I'd seen a few weeks ago had been bought by now.

"Grab your lovely hairpins! Get one for your girlfriend!" Feng Liu's voice drew me back to the present. He was gesturing towards a stall overflowing with hairpins, where a friendly-faced elderly man stood behind the display.

I pressed my lips together, unable to tear my gaze from a sample phoenix hairpin that mirrored the one I'd seen in Liang weeks ago. As if sensing my preoccupation, Zhao Yun averted his eyes from the display and continued walking.

Feng Liu's smile faltered slightly. He approached the stall and picked up the hairpin I'd been admiring, his eyes meeting the trader's in a silent question. The man nodded eagerly, handing the ornament over. Feng Liu dropped a gold leaf into his palm, his own smile returning. The trader bowed his thanks.

"For you," Feng Liu offered, extending the hairpin towards me. My eyes darted nervously between him and the ornament. Zhao Yun, however, seemed unfazed. He continued walking, his gaze scanning the surroundings with a practiced alertness. Zhen Lan had also stopped at a nearby stall, holding up two hairpins.

"This one would look great on you," she said, turning towards Zhao Yun before refocusing on the selection in her hands. Memories flickered in her mind - a young boy, innocent and carefree, holding a phoenix hairpin with a golden pin glinting in his small fingers. "Junior Jing," his voice chirped, and a wide smile bloomed on her face as he gently secured the pin in her hair. The boy's youthful innocence sparkled in his eyes.

When Jing Yi finally met Zhao Yun's gaze, she saw no flicker of recognition, no hint of the boy she once knew. Would he ever be that person again? Would his stoic expression ever be replaced by a genuine smile?

"Yun Luo!" Zhao Yun spun around, his eyes flashing with a mix of curiosity and frustration. He yanked her aside, scanning the area for eavesdroppers. "Don't use that name!"

Jing Yi yanked her arm free, her hand flying to her chest. "Not until you tell me what's going on! What's your plan? Yourong is losing control!"

He lifted his chin, his gaze unwavering and severe. "We didn't come here for a stroll through Ming's streets. Yihua Palace needs us." He sighed, casting another furtive glance around. "You don't need to worry about Yourong."

Skeptical, Jing Yi pursed her lips and took a step back. "You tipped off the emperor about our arrival before we even got here, didn't you?"

He remained silent, neither confirming nor denying her accusation.

"Su Yun Luo? Did you orchestrate the whole commotion just to get us out too?"

"Something's out there tonight. Stay alert." Before she could press him further, Zhao Yun turned away and entered his guest room, shutting the door firmly behind him. A tear traced a glistening path down Jing Yi's cheek, a cocktail of frustration and worry churning in her gut over the man he was becoming.

As we turned back towards the town square, panicked screams erupted from behind us. We whipped around to see citizens scrambling in all directions, tripping and falling over themselves in their desperate bid to escape whatever unseen terror had gripped them.

Feng Liu and his guards reacted instantly, drawing their weapons and forming a protective circle around him. My gaze darted to Zhao Yun, but his expression remained an impassive mask.

Zhen Lan and Jing Yi moved forward with him, while Feng Liu, his guards, and I remained rooted to the spot. Then, from the shadows of a crumbling wall, emerged a figure. A tall, gaunt man materialized before us, his tattered hanfu clinging loosely to his skeletal frame.

As Jing Yi and Zhao Yun locked eyes on the figure, a flicker of recognition sparked in their gazes. Before Jing Yi could even speak, Zhao Yun stepped forward, his gaze boring into the stranger with an intensity that spoke volumes of a past they both shared. An unexpected pang, a surge of an emotion I couldn't place, washed over him.

Mo Yan scanned the imposing height of the building, drawing in a deep breath. Two women flanked him– A'Ying with a tight grip on a woman's neck, a dagger pressed against her skin as a silent threat.

"Now we can talk. Who are you?" A'Ying demanded, but before she could get an answer, her eyes darted around nervously. "There are people nearby."

A'Ying scoffed, her hold tightening. "Fine, I'll talk." She reluctantly released the woman, and Mo Yan turned his attention to the commotion erupting behind him.

"I don't know my master personally," the woman stammered. "I was just instructed to follow and protect you. That's all!"

A'Ying raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched on her face. She scrutinized the woman. "Is it Bai Ling?"

The young woman remained silent, offering no confirmation or denial. Mo Yan sighed, waving a hand to signal his approach. With cautious steps, he entered the intelligence house, his hand gripping my sword in case of a sudden attack.

"Wait!" A'Ying called out, hurrying after me. They navigated the darkened room, hugging the walls for cover. A sudden burst of light from above startled them. A group of masked men emerged, swords drawn and pointed menacingly at them. A'Ying scanned the room with a critical eye as they encircled them.

The moment Mo Yan unfurled his fan, a collective gasp escaped the masked men. Their surprise was so profound that they fumbled and dropped their swords.

"Young Master!" they exclaimed in unison.

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