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The veil concealing her lower face slowly tore away, carried off by the gentle breeze. A'Ying stood frozen, her heart racing in her chest. That face, that voice, had once meant everything to her, eight years ago when she was just a child. Now, standing before her, she was speechless.

The demoness turned to Mu Dan with a heavy sigh, her eyes filled with longing. She crossed her arms and cautiously retreated, her movements graceful. Zhao Yun's eyes scanned the surroundings before he spoke, his voice measured. "I'll leave you two-"

A'Ying took a deep breath, her hand grasping Zhao Yun's arm. "Please stay. I need answers." She slowly released her grip, her eyes locked on the demoness. Bai Ling took a step forward, her heart pounding irregularly. She had finally found her daughter, after years of separation. How had she fared without her? Had she forgiven her?

"A'Ying-" Bai Ling's voice was barely above a whisper.

"Are you Consort Bai Jue?" A'Ying's tone was icy, her eyes unforgiving.

Bai Ling's lips parted in disappointment, though she had not expected immediate forgiveness. She closed her eyes, collecting her thoughts before speaking. "May we confer in private?"

A'Ying's scoff was fleeting, her impatience evident. "He's my master. If you don't trust him, I have no reason to stay."

Zhao Yun intervened, his bow graceful. "I've fulfilled my obligation by bringing her here. I shall take my leave." Bai Ling's eyes met A'Ying's, and she reconsidered, raising her hand. "Please stay." Zhao Yun turned to A'Ying, who nodded in agreement.

With no further objections, Zhao Yun abandoned his departure, nodding. "I received a letter summoning me to the Eastern Palace gate in Ming, promising a meeting with you. I surmise you orchestrated this, Zhao Yun?" A'Ying's eyes widened, her face flushed with unease. Her shifu had arranged this encounter, seemingly aware of every detail and player involved.

A'Ying's eyes fluttered closed, her throat constricting as she fought back tears. Her arms uncrossed, falling limp beside her. "I know you shroud your identity and motives, Mother. But I sense you also wish to rescue Jing Ke." The word 'also' perplexed her - did they both seek to save a traitor? What drove them?

Zhao Yun nodded, his eyes locked on hers. "I have multiple entanglements to unravel at present. I hope to make amends with you once the tumult subsides in Jianghu." A'Ying's eyes snapped shut, her grip on her red hanfu tightening as she bit back a sob. "Make amends...later? Is that all you offer after abandoning me for so long?"

She remained silent, her lips pressed together, as a myriad of emotions swirled within her. Bai Jue's eyes moistened, but she forced back her tears. Ensuring A'Ying's safety was her paramount concern now. She was grateful to see her daughter so close, with Zhao Yun by her side - a capable ally.

Turning away, Bai Jue spoke over her shoulder, her voice steady. "Elder Ming and Elder Xiao may attempt to slay Jing Ke. I entrust this information to your care, Zhao Yun. Mu Dan will assist you." With that, she vanished into the bustling crowd, leaving A'Ying's tears to fall unchecked.

A'Ying's sword clattered to the ground as she rushed out, dashing towards the palace. Zhao Yun gave chase, while Mu Dan expertly obscured their tracks, ensuring their conversation remained private. "A'Ying!"

From the adjacent pavilion, I watched, my eyes widening in shock. My mother's murderer still drew breath, and they all concealed this truth from me - even my shifu, who collaborated with her to save Jing Ke. Who had I fallen for so deeply? What secrets lay hidden behind his mask?

I trailed them until we reached the street's end, mere minutes from the palace gate. I halted as a sword pressed against my throat. A slender figure emerged, their furious gaze tracking my every move.

My eyes widened in shock as I recognized A'Ying. "A'Ying?" She pursed her lips, the sword's tip inches from my neck. "Why do you follow us? Did you overhear everything?" I nodded, swallowing hard.

"You shouldn't have let her go! She slew my mother." A'Ying scoffed, a tear welling up. "Murderer's daughter? I bet that's how you've seen me all these years. Was it entertaining?"

My lips parted, but words failed me. "I have a grudge against your mother alone!" "I, however, have a problem with you. If you perish here, Ming will be blamed, and no one will suspect me." I closed my eyes, fighting back tears.

"A'Ying-"

The sword's edge drew closer, and I smelled the metallic tang of my blood. "You think I don't dare? I tolerated you, practicing martial arts together, all these years, for a fair war in the future." My heart sank at her revelation. Tolerated me? All those lonely days in the palace, she was my confidant, friend, and partner, yet she saw me as a scorn?

"Listen well. From now on, we're enemies. Show no mercy on the battlefield. I won't either. The throne and shifu, I won't compromise with you. Your affection for him exceeds that of a master." I stumbled back, my heart crushing at each word. "A'Ying, we-" Her eyes snapped shut and open, the sword retreating from my neck.

"I love him, and I won't let you harm him or take him away like everything was taken in the palace. He's mine. Show no mercy if you cross the line." Mu Dan and Zhao Yun rushed over, spotting us from the Ruyi Pavilion.

Mu Dan turned to A'Ying, while I turned to Zhao Yun, recalling his last words. Was our friendship and kinship doomed to end in conflict? Must I fight her for shifu?

Su Ruo's eyes closed tight, her head throbbing in pain. The memories flashed back - a group of boys taunting and hitting a smaller boy, a crowd gathering, whispers spreading. "Su Ruo?" Xiao Zhan's urgent voice broke through her trance. She shook her head, opening her eyes to find herself in a cave, surrounded by guards and workers packaging chemicals.

General Ru's voice was low and cautious. "Forget Pei Yuan. We must blend in." Su Ruo's gaze lingered on the young man in tattered clothes, working on chemicals at the other end of the cave. "Do you know him?" General Ru nodded. "He's from Song, a notorious thief. I wonder how he ended up here."

Su Ruo's eyes narrowed, her hands gripping the table as the guards patrolled, swords at the ready. Xiao Zhan cleared his throat, focusing on the task at hand. "Hurry, we don't want to miss dinner!"

The workers quickened their pace, including Pei Yuan, who mixed chemicals with a trembling hand, his eyes sunken from days of starvation. Su Ruo's gaze remained fixed on him, her hands working on the packages with a sense of determination. "How long until dinner break?" General Ru asked, his eyes avoiding the guards' watchful gaze.

"Ten minutes, at most," General Ru said, his eyes widening in shock. "No lunch?" General Ru nodded, sighing. "Too many mouths to feed, and they won't tolerate any losses."

Su Ruo's glare intensified, her fists clenched. She remembered Pei Yuan as a bully from her past, and she was determined to confront him. But with the guards watching, it seemed impossible. "Where are these packages sent?" General Ru glanced at the guards before responding. "I've seen them loaded into carriages headed southwest." "Bombs?" Xiao Zhan whispered.

General Ru nodded slightly, dumping the packages into the warehouse. Xiao Zhan followed him, leaving Su Ruo to continue packaging. Her frustration grew, her fists tightening.

She couldn't wait for dinner; she had to act now. As the guards gathered at the entrance, preparing for their break, Su Ruo made her move. She marched towards the remaining guard, her eyes fixed on him, and struck him on the head with a package, knocking him out.

The guard's scream drew the attention of the others. The retreating guards turned around, shocked, and marched towards Su Ruo. The slaves stepped back, petrified, while Pei Yuan glanced at her with raised eyebrows. Su Ruo marched towards him, fists clenched. The slaves glared at her in confusion, backing away.

Xiao Zhan retreated inside, discussing with Ruyu. Guards tried to subdue Su Ruo, but she fought them off, her anger focused on Pei Yuan. The slaves escaped, cheering, as Su Ruo grabbed Pei Yuan's neck. He trembled, trying to look away, but she pushed him against the wall. "Don't you recognize me?!" she demanded.

Pei Yuan cowered, denying knowledge of her. Su Ruo took a deep breath, her grip tightening. "Why don't we get out of here first and talk. Okay?" She picked up a sword, her eyes fixed on Pei Yuan. He begged, "Are you going to kill me?" But she didn't respond.

At the mention of "Su", his eyes widened in recognition. "You're Su Youlian?" Su Ruo's mind raced, her vision blurring as the sword fell from her hand. Pei Yuan took advantage of her weakness and made a run for the door.

But Pei Yuan's escape was short-lived, as Xiao Zhan and Ruyu confronted him, shock etched on their faces. The guards from the other section rushed in, surrounding them.

"Who did this?!" they demanded. The slaves at the entrance were brutally slaughtered, one by one, leaving only the stronger ones alive. The young children were killed, their innocent lives lost.

Su Ruo gasped, her heart racing irregularly. She had finally discovered her true name, Su Youlian, but at a devastating cost. "Take her to the cell. No food for the next two days!" the guards ordered. Xiao Zhan and Ruyu exchanged a helpless glance, unsure of what to do or say.

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