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The tremor in the old man's hands mirrored the disquiet in his eyes. He reached out hesitantly, his gaze flicking to Su Ruo's arm as if to confirm what his failing vision perceived.

"The dragon tattoo," he rasped, a flicker of hope igniting in his voice. "You've come to save us?"

Xiao Fan and Xiao Zhan exchanged a worried glance. The revelation of the tattoo and the man's words sent a jolt of unease through them. Save whom? Su Ruo's grip loosened slightly, a sliver of doubt battling the cold resolve in her eyes. What if this man, desperate and terrified, was mistaking them for something they were not?

Sensing the shift in her hold, Xiao Fan sent her a silent plea. Released from the garrote's pressure, the old man coughed violently, clutching at his chest as he gasped for breath. Between ragged breaths, he stammered, "Please… let me explain. We all wear this mark…" He tapped his lower arm, his voice thick with urgency. "Identification. Escape means certain death. They'll hunt us down."

Xiao Zhan's eyes narrowed. He studied the man with a newfound intensity, mirroring Xiao Fan's growing curiosity. "Escape? Identification? What secrets lie within these caverns?"

The old man slumped against the wall, defeated. Tears welled in his eyes, threatening to spill over, but he choked them back, the fear of alerting unseen ears a potent restraint.

"I don't know where the others came from," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "But I hail from Xu City, in the Song State. A vicious massacre… they took those who survived. Brought us here."

"To work in the minting operation?" Xiao Zhan blurted, surprised they had stumbled upon the truth. The old man, desperate for escape, simply nodded, his initial apprehension forgotten. "Yes! Many slaves were here before me. My family… my wife, my daughters… all gone. Murdered. I couldn't even bury them."

Grief overwhelmed him, a choked sob escaping his lips. Shame gnawed at him as he clenched his fists. Xiao Fan gently pulled Su Ruo back, his gaze wary. "We need to leave. What if this is a ploy to stall us?"

Su Ruo, torn between suspicion and a sliver of hope, turned to Xiao Zhan. He remained silent, his fingers unconsciously tracing circles on his palm.

"But what if he speaks the truth?" she countered, her voice laced with trepidation. "Didn't Zhao Yun mention investigating illegal minting?" Her gaze darted back to the trembling figure before her, her lip caught between her teeth. "He could be lying. Perhaps this is an opportunity to delve deeper into the cave's secrets."

A flicker of steel flashed in the dim light as Xiao Zhan whipped out a dagger, its tip aimed at the old man who hesitantly inched towards them. The man's eyes darted nervously towards the door, a tremor of anxiety rippling through his frail frame.

"He attacked us earlier," Xiao Fan emphasized, his voice laced with suspicion. "There's a chance they're all complicit in this operation." He released his grip on the old man, his gaze lingering on the lifeless body sprawled on the cold stone floor.

"We understand," the old man croaked, his voice barely a whisper. "And I understand your urgency. We need to get you to Rouran for a cure. But true Sect members turn no blind eye to those in distress."

The old man, emboldened by a flicker of defiance, strained to tiptoe closer, his ears straining to catch the hushed conversation. Su Ruo's gaze snapped towards him, her stern expression prompting him to clear his throat and retreat hastily.

"Why did he attack?" she questioned, her voice firm as she gestured towards the deceased.

The old man sighed, a deep weariness settling on his shoulders. "He was one of the officials, not a slave. His absence will be noticed soon if you linger any longer."

Xiao Zhan let out a humorless chuckle, sheathing his dagger. "So, what course of action do you propose?"

"My name," the old man straightened slightly, a flicker of pride momentarily replacing his fear, "is Ruyu, formerly the governor of Xijing City in Song."

A collective gasp escaped their lips. Su Ruo, Xiao Fan, and Xiao Zhan exchanged stunned glances. The revelation hung heavy in the air, thick with disbelief.

"Governor Ruyu?" Xiao Fan echoed, his mind racing to connect the dots. "But... you were reported missing after the massacre."

As if in confirmation, Ruyu produced a small, intricately carved tablet from within his tattered robes, brushing away the dirt clinging to its surface. Governors, they knew, would rather face death than relinquish such a symbol of their authority.

Ruyu continued, his voice hoarse but resolute. "Most of us here hail from Song. Some, however, remain unidentified. The tattoos are for identification purposes. You can use…"

He trailed off, his gaze drawn to the vials and strange tools scattered across the table. With a trembling hand, he reached out and picked up a vial filled with an emerald green liquid.

"This ointment," he explained, his voice regaining a hint of its former authority, "can leave temporary imprints that mimic the tattoo. It will help you blend in."

He approached Xiao Fan, his eyes scrutinizing the young warrior's physique. With a gnarled finger, he tapped Xiao Fan's chest and legs, gauging his height and build.

"Your stature aligns with his," Ruyu declared, his voice gaining strength with each word. "You can impersonate the dead guard. The others will pose as new slaves. Once we infiltrate the heart of this operation, we'll strike true. We'll eliminate the leader and free the others."

Su Ruo's hand tightened around her sword hilt, a spark of agreement glinting in her eyes. "You're right. A leaderless group will crumble. I'm in. What do we do next?"

Xiao Zhan mirrored her resolve, tucking his dagger discreetly into his boot to maintain their cover. Xiao Fan, however, remained unconvinced, a flicker of doubt lingering in his gaze.

"Yu Meng?" Ruyu's head snapped up at the name, his voice tinged with urgency. Without wasting another moment, he stripped the dead guard of his armor and outer garments, swiftly dressing Xiao Fan in them. Su Ruo, understanding the urgency, ripped a section of her own hanfu and used dirt to camouflage her face and clothing. Xiao Zhan followed suit, adopting a more subdued appearance.

With newfound purpose, the three of them knelt before Xiao Fan, the makeshift disguise hopefully masking his true identity. Ruyu, his movements practiced with desperation, dragged the deceased guard's body to a secluded corner and covered it with a layer of fallen leaves. Finally, Xiao Fan secured the guard's mask over his face, completing the charade just as the chamber door creaked open.

"Yu—"

The guard's greeting was cut short as Xiao Fan, startled, whipped around to face him. He quickly recovered his composure, forcing a cough as he pointed his sword towards Su Ruo, Xiao Zhan, and Ruyu. "These three were caught wandering about without authorization."

The guard eyed Xiao Fan with suspicion, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Your voice… it sounds different."

Thinking fast, Xiao Fan offered a hearty chuckle. "Just a touch of that blasted cold, friend! How about we celebrate tonight with some good spirits? It's been far too long, wouldn't you agree?" He clapped the guard on the shoulder with feigned camaraderie, his voice dripping with false cheer.

Su Ruo, Xiao Zhan, and Ruyu instinctively lowered their heads in deference as the guard's gaze shifted to them. "True enough," he mumbled, appeased by Xiao Fan's display of camaraderie. "But what about these disobedient slaves? Perhaps a good—"

"Absolutely no need to dirty our hands on such a joyous occasion," Xiao Fan interjected smoothly, cutting off the guard's morbid suggestion. He clapped the guard on the shoulder once more, his smile widening. "A wise decision, brother! Yan Hui?"

Another guard materialized in the doorway, followed by a small contingent of men. "Xiao Fan," he greeted, using the alias. "Take these new… recruits back to their duties. We have a feast planned for this evening!"

Xiao Fan plastered a smile on his face as he steered the guard away from the chamber, his heart pounding against his ribs. Su Ruo watched them disappear down the passage, a lump forming in her throat. 

The rough hands of the other guards grabbed Su Ruo, the old man, and Xiao Zhan, hauling them in the opposite direction. Shackles clanged around their ankles and wrists, effectively robbing them of any chance of escape. The flickering candlelight cast grotesque shadows on the damp walls of the cavernous passage as they trudged along. Xiao Zhan crouched beside Su Ruo, the rattle of his chains drawing her attention. He tilted his head subtly, and her gaze fell upon a sight that sent a shiver down her spine.

Dozens of figures, a mix of adults and children, toiled endlessly in the dim light. Their clothing hung in rags, their faces etched with exhaustion and despair. But the most horrifying detail was the chains binding them, identical to the ones now adorning Su Ruo and her companions. These weren't prisoners awaiting execution, they were slaves forced into some kind of gruesome alchemical experiment.

The guards barked a gruff order, shoving Su Ruo and the others forward. "Join them! You know what to do!"

Stumbling from the sudden push, Su Ruo and Xiao Zhan glanced at the old man, Ruyu, for guidance. The heavy chains weighed them down, a constant reminder of their captivity. The guards, their task complete, retreated to their post by the doorway, leaving the new arrivals to their fate.

Two young boys, their hands wrapped in filthy bandages – a testament to countless failed attempts – stood huddled nearby. Su Ruo noticed a glint on one of their wrists, a familiar sight that sent a jolt through her. It was the same intricate dragon tattoo she bore.

A wave of empathy washed over her, and she instinctively moved towards the boys, intending to offer words of comfort. However, as she surveyed the lines of silent slaves, a flicker of recognition sent a tremor through her. A young man stood a few paces away, his face obscured by the dim light. But on the back of his hand, she spotted a distinctive scar – a scar she knew far too well.

A scream clawed its way up her throat, but died in her parched lips. Her vision blurred, and the throbbing pain from earlier intensified, forcing her to lurch back and clutch her head. Xiao Zhan and Ruyu rushed to her side, concern etched on their faces.

"What's wrong?" Xiao Zhan asked, his voice laced with urgency.

Su Ruo struggled to speak, her voice barely a whisper. "Do you know him? He's… from Song." Denying it felt pointless, a single shake of her head followed by a hesitant nod was all she could manage.

"One of the notorious thieves from Song. I wonder how they captured him," she muttered, piecing together the puzzle. "You should stay away from him."

"P-Pei Yuan?"

Ruyu's voice, filled with disbelief, confirmed her suspicions. He too bore the mark of Song. But the name, like a spark igniting forgotten memories, sent a fresh wave of pain lancing through her head. Su Ruo squeezed her eyes shut, the chaotic jumble of images intensifying.

Was she also from Song? And if so, who was she in this nightmarish scenario?

My fingers instinctively tightened around the bedsheets as my eyes snapped open. Disoriented, I took in my surroundings – an unfamiliar room, sunlight streaming mercilessly through the window. Panic clawed at my throat as I remembered collapsing the night before. Relief washed over me as I checked my wrist, the dragon tattoo still there, thankfully hidden by the folded sleeve.

But a new wave of unease crashed over me as I shifted on the bed. A familiar figure lay sprawled beside me – Zhao Yun. He was fast asleep, his breathing deep and even. The rising sun cast harsh rays across his face, and without thinking, I reached out, my hand hovering over him in a protective gesture.

His face, usually stoic and unyielding, appeared serene in sleep. His features, usually hidden by a mask of duty, were softer, more vulnerable. A small smile played on my lips as I traced the curve of his brow, the flutter of his eyelashes, with my index finger in the air. 

Just as I reached for a strand of hair to tuck it behind his ear, his eyes snapped  open. He bolted upright, a jolt of surprise momentarily replacing the peaceful slumber.

"Shifu," I rasped, my voice thick with sleep.

He immediately moved to check my wrist, his brow furrowed in concern. "How are you feeling? Did you-"

"Did I hurt anyone?" I interrupted, my voice hoarse. "Are you alright?"

He rose to his feet, letting out a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the world. "You seem to be recovered for now. No one was injured."

My shoulders slumped in relief, a flicker of sadness crossing my face. "Are you angry because…"

"I have a question," he cut me off, his voice laced with a seriousness that sent shivers down my spine. "And I want the truth."

The intensity in his gaze flustered me. I bit my lip, my mind scrambling for a response. He turned, his broad back facing me, but his presence filled the room, leaving me acutely aware of the space between us. My heart hammered a frantic rhythm against my ribs, the memory of my earlier boldness sending a blush creeping up my neck.

"About…" I started, then stopped.

"Do you harbor hatred for A'Ying, your senior sister, regarding the murder case from twelve years ago?"

His words hit me like a physical blow. I stumbled back, a wave of nausea rising in my throat. Murder case? A'Ying? My head spun, memories swirling like fragmented pieces of a shattered glass.  Was this what he thought of me? Was my concern, my… feelings… all interpreted as just resentment towards my senior sister?

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