🥀

A dimly lit dungeon. Sobs wracked the bodies of huddled servants pressed against the wall, their eyes squeezed shut in terror. Guards had materialized with a swift rush from both sides, the tips of their swords glinting as they cut off any escape route.

"Stay still," they warned harshly, their gazes flitting over every tremor of fear in the servants' movements.

Su Ruo maintained her grip on Pei Yuan's neck, her resolve unwavering despite the heavy footfalls that had approached from behind. "Spare him," she pleaded, her voice thick with emotion. "With your brother gone, there was no purpose in further bloodshed."

Xiao Zhan and General Ru gaped in astonishment, their feet rooted to the spot in indecision. The situation hung in the balance, a question mark etched on their faces.

"Release him!" the guards cried, Su Ruo's head dropping as a tear escaped and traced a glistening path down her cheek. The truth of her origins, so tantalizingly close, now seemed heartbreakingly out of reach, exposed within these dank prison walls. Yet, this revelation, however painful, was preferable to the oblivion of a nameless stray.

A hint of a smile had graced her lips as she slowly backed away. The guards furrowed their brows, bewildered by her unexpected move.

Just moments ago, surrender or resignation seemed the only options. Now, defiance flickered in her eyes as she advanced towards the guards, a faint, enigmatic smile playing on her lips.

The weight of a revelation settled upon her. A brother, a blood tie, a connection she never knew existed, was now tragically lost. She was cast back into the abyss of uncertainty, more questions swirling in her mind than answers. How did he perish? What tore them apart? Was it abandonment, or did their family simply never embrace her?

Su Ruo forced a smile, wiping away a stray tear that traced a glistening path down her cheek. In a desperate bid to distract the guards, she took an abrupt step forward, threw her head back, and erupted in a loud, manic laugh. Her gait became unsteady, a bizarre imitation of someone inebriated.

The guards remained frozen in place, their gazes flitting over Su Ruo's erratic movements, trying to decipher her actions.

"Don't move! Stay still!" Pei Yuan, still reeling from her sudden appearance, huddled against the wall, fear etched on his face. Xiao Zhan and General Ru exchanged a tense glance, a lump forming in their throats. Stepping forward to help Su Ruo would expose them all, likely leading to a swift execution. Yet, remaining silent felt like abandoning her to her fate.

General Ru, however, seemed particularly bewildered. The name Su Youlian... it tugged at his memory. Where had he heard it before? Was this woman somehow connected to Song? Could she be the key to finding his family and rescuing Song? If that were the case, he had to help her, no matter the personal risk.

"Apprehend her!" The guards finally reacted, their swords flashing as they lunged towards Su Ruo.

She responded with a slow, theatrical movement, raising her hand to her head while shaking it violently. A grimace contorted her face as a wave of dizziness washed over her. Blurry screams echoed in her mind, adding to the disorientation. She continued to shake her head, clutching it with both hands as if trying to ward off the assault.

General Ru, sensing an opportunity, discreetly pulled Xiao Zhan back and murmured a plan into his ear.

Xiao Zhan inhaled deeply, then turned to acknowledge General Ru with a curt nod. The lifeless bodies of the fallen servants were carried out, while the survivors were herded back to their cells with brutal efficiency. Su Ruo, feigning weakness, followed suit, hoping to blend in with the other prisoners.

A single guard, acting swiftly, struck the back of Su Ruo's neck, rendering her unconscious before the surrounding guards could react. The commander let out a weary sigh as he surveyed the fallen woman.

"Take her to a cell and interrogate her. No food for the next two days." The guards acknowledged the order with grunts of agreement. Two burly figures stepped forward and hoisted the unconscious Su Ruo, carrying her towards a cell.

Pandemonium erupted within the cell block as the guards approached. Prisoners scrambled to the farthest corners, their eyes wide with fear and suspicion. Whispers and murmurs rippled through the air as Su Ruo was deposited inside.

"Who is she?" the prisoners exchanged bewildered glances, clinging to the bars of their cells. Some stretched out their hands desperately, while others retreated into the shadows, avoiding eye contact. A few unfortunate souls, still mourning their fallen comrades, sobbed uncontrollably beside the lifeless bodies.

The guards at the inner cell door swung open the heavy gate, allowing the others to enter. They traversed a dimly lit, creaking hallway before reaching a solitary cell. With a metallic clang, the door unlocked, and Su Ruo was roughly dragged inside.

Three guards secured her with heavy chains, shackling her wrists to the wall and her ankles to the floor. Unconscious, her head lolled limply to one shoulder. The guards, satisfied with their work, exchanged tired sighs as they stationed themselves by the cell door.

"She seems too frail to attack that nobody," one remarked, gesturing towards Pei Yuan. "What do you think?"

His companion shrugged, offering a noncommittal reply. "Probably lover's quarrel" he muttered, the others nodding in agreement as they absentmindedly stroked their chins.

"Right!" One of the guards leered, his gaze lingering on Su Ruo with a predatory glint. "It's been too long since we've had some fun around here. Why not have a little taste of her?"

The other two guards, their faces mirroring his leer, shuffled closer to Su Ruo. One of them, with a cruel smile, grasped her chin, forcing her head up. "Not only a prisoner, but a beauty as well!" they chuckled in agreement, passing around a jar of presumably potent osmanthus wine. One guard flung the remaining contents at his friend, playfully ushering him out of the cell. "Be quick about it!"

Walking back in line with the other guards, Xiao Zhan's stomach lurched. He doubled over, clutching his abdomen and groaning in a convincing display of sudden pain. Old Ruyu, beside him, came to a halt, his brow furrowed in concern.

The guards, startled by the abrupt stop, whirled around, their expressions etched with annoyance. Xiao Zhan maintained his performance, his hands pressed against his stomach as he let out pained moans. The lead guard sighed deeply, clearly exasperated. With a dismissive wave of his hand, he instructed the remaining guards to escort the ready slaves forward.

"C-can I please use the restroom?" Xiao Zhan pleaded, feigning desperation. "It won't take long!" Despite the unconvincing nature of his sudden discomfort, escaping presented an impossible challenge.

The lead guard grudgingly nodded, gesturing for another guard to escort Xiao Zhan to the facilities. Xiao Zhan bowed his head in gratitude and hurried off, his hands on his knees as if barely able to contain his discomfort.

Reaching the end of the hallway, he wasted no time checking each room, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. He had to find Xiao Fan, warn him about Su Ruo's peril, and somehow bring the situation under control.

"Xiao Fan?" he whispered, peering cautiously into each cell. The sound of approaching guards sent him scrambling against the wall, his heart pounding in his chest. He held his breath, hoping to avoid detection. The clinking of jars confirmed his suspicions - the approaching figures were likely drunk guards.

As he cautiously inched back towards his original position, a tall guard materialized before him, brandishing his sword. Xiao Zhan gulped, gripping the fabric of his hanfu tightly. Just as he braced himself for a fight, the guard's weapon wobbled in his grasp, struggling to remain pointed at Xiao Zhan's throat.

Looking down, Xiao Zhan realized it was the same guard he'd seen earlier. His hair was disheveled, his beard reeking of osmanthus wine. Xiao Zhan recoiled from the pungent odor, wrinkling his nose in disgust. The guard's legs wobbled precariously, his inebriated state making him a comical threat.

"Xiao Zhan?" a voice rasped from behind him. Relief washed over Xiao Zhan as he recognized Xiao Fan. "Xiao Fan!" he exclaimed, rushing towards him as the drunken guard slumped unconscious against the wall, muttering incoherently.

Xiao Fan barked orders at nearby guards, instructing them to carry the unconscious guard to his quarters. He then turned back to Xiao Zhan, his expression grim. "What are you doing here?"

Xiao Zhan, catching his breath, clutched Xiao Fan's shoulder. "S-Su Ruo. She n-needs your help. She's in the eastern cell."

Xiao Fan's eyes widened in alarm. He snatched his sword and bolted down the hallway, his breaths echoing in the stillness. Xiao Zhan watched him go, then sighed and rubbed his hands together nervously. With the sound of approaching guards, he retreated back to his post, hoping to avoid suspicion.

Meanwhile, Xiao Fan raced through the dungeon, his hand gripping his sword tightly. Reaching the inner chamber, he found the guards looking bewildered. He brandished his sword, forcing them to back away. "Where did you take the female prisoner?!" he demanded, his voice laced with urgency.

Panicked, the guards pointed in the direction they had taken Su Ruo. Xiao Fan wasted no time, flinging open the cell door. His blood ran cold at the sight that greeted him. One of the guards was reaching for Su Ruo's waist, his eyes gleaming with malicious intent.

With a roar, Xiao Fan lunged forward, slamming his fist into the guard's chest and sending him crashing against the wall. He then scooped Su Ruo into his arms, her unconscious form limp against him. "She's mine!" he declared fiercely, his eyes blazing with possessiveness.

Jing Yi crossed her arms, a troubled frown creasing her brow. Their quest for redemption wasn't unfolding as smoothly as they'd envisioned. The once jovial and carefree senior brother, Zhao Yun, had morphed into a distant, cold figure. Yet, beneath the surface, he was more than just a senior brother to her.

A pang of regret pierced her heart. What if the murder hadn't shattered their world? She clutched the hilt of her sword, lost in a melancholic reverie.

A'Ying's treachery had been exposed. The spy had likely funneled their movements to Duke Wei. Even Rong'Er was under suspicion, potentially another pawn in Zhao Yun's web of deceit. Jing Yi steeled herself, vowing to keep a close watch on Rong'Er to prevent further betrayal.

"Yi'Er," a voice broke through her reverie. She turned to see Zhen Lan approaching, his expression etched with concern. "I thought you were with Rong'Er and the others."

He lowered his gaze, inhaling deeply. "We're moving forward with the plan tomorrow. Ming's forces could attack at any moment, and we can't abandon the innocent townspeople." Jing Yi acknowledged his words with a curt nod.

"There's been a surge in killings lately," Zhen Lan continued, his voice laced with foreboding. "For five years, we've weathered countless battles, our teamwork our only shield. While our skills are formidable, the threat of surprise attacks lingers. And frankly, I don't fully trust Mr. Lu-"

"Zhen-" Jing Yi began, but he cut her off.

"There's something I need to tell you, something I fear I might not have the chance to do later." Jing Yi's eyes widened at the sudden seriousness in his tone. She unsheathed her sword, her apprehension mounting.

"I like you," he confessed, his voice barely a whisper.

Jing Yi froze, her gaze locked on his for a heartbeat. The revelation stunned her into silence. How she longed to hear those words from another's lips. For five years, they had been comrades-in-arms, facing death together on countless missions. But for him, it was more.

The most agonizing truth was his existing engagement. How would he react upon discovering her true identity and ambitions?

Sensing the growing tension, Zhen Lan took a tentative step closer, searching for the right words. Jing Yi, mirroring his movement, retreated a step, closing her eyes and inhaling deeply.

"Y-you're-" she stammered.

"I understand," he said, his voice thick with disappointment. "But if you feel the same, I'll speak to my father and call off the engagement. As for Rong'Er, I'll compensate the royal palace. It wouldn't be fair to deny her the chance to find someone who truly returns her affections."

Jing Yi's mind raced. Toying with his emotions was unthinkable. Since Zhao Yun had joined the Yihua Palace sect, her heart had belonged to him. But how could she reject Zhen Lan without consequence? His volatile temper could pose a threat to Zhao Yun if his feelings weren't reciprocated.

"I-I-" she stammered, caught in the crossfire of her own desires and the potential for disaster.

Zhen Lan's shoulders slumped in defeat and jealousy. He clenched his fists. "Do you love Zhao Yun?"

A heavy silence descended, broken only by a bloodcurdling scream that echoed from the direction of the townspeople's dwellings. Without a word, Jing Yi bolted towards the source of the sound, propelled by a sense of urgency.

A'Ying's eyes narrowed as black-masked figures approached, their movements synchronized and deadly. A single glance at the dragon tattoos emblazoned on their forearms sent a jolt of confusion through her. She whipped around to find the same symbol adorning Zhao Yun's arm. What treachery was afoot?

A lump formed in her throat as she instinctively backed away. Mu Dan materialized beside her, mirroring her apprehension. Mo Yan, drawn by a scream, sprinted towards the commotion. Townspeople scattered in terror, abandoning their stalls in the face of the advancing masked figures.

Panic surged through Jing Yi as she searched for Zhen Lan, but he was nowhere to be seen. She whirled around, her gaze darting between Zhao Yun, A'Ying, and Mo Yan. Just then, Zhen Lan appeared, racing towards them alongside a frantic Jing Yi.

Who were these masked assailants? The answer remained frustratingly elusive. Before A'Ying could ponder it further, a cloud of blinding powder filled the air. Coughing and sputtering, she stumbled back, seeking refuge behind a nearby stall. The air crackled with tension as she screamed Zhao Yun's name.

Zhen Lan's agitation grew as he searched frantically for Jing Yi, who had vanished into the swirling fog. Mu Dan and Mo Yan shielded A'Ying, pulling her behind the stall for cover.

A wave of terror washed over me as I felt the cold bite of metal against my throat. I craned my neck to see one of the masked figures looming over me, their eyes glinting with malice.

"If Mr. Lu doesn't pick this blood-soaked snake venom sword," the raspy voice boomed, "the princess dies!" The guard flung a sword at him with his gloved hands, pulling me back.

Zhao Yun spun around, his gaze frantic as he searched for the source of the threat. Jing Yi, her vision blurred by the fog, stumbled blindly through the chaos. The fog dissipated as quickly as it appeared, revealing me still at the mercy of the assassin's blade.

A tear escaped my eye as I met Zhao Yun's gaze. I shook my head frantically, urging him not to move. This was a trap designed to test his loyalty and force his hand. Stepping forward would be a death sentence.

Zhen Lan glanced at Jing Yi, who stood rooted to the spot, her face etched with despair. This was undeniably Duke Wei's doing, a cruel test to frame Zhao Yun for abandoning his principles and condemning a princess to death.

Zhao Yun gripped his sword firmly, his determination growing stronger. But his eyes seemed to strain to see through the uncertainty ahead. He suddenly clutched his chest, taking a step closer to them. Jing Yi, taken aback by surprise and concern, instinctively took a step forward as well.

Without a moment's hesitation, Jing Yi sprang into action. In a blur of movement honed by years of Yihua Palace training, she materialized behind the assassin, executing the deadly God Kill technique with lethal precision. A crimson arc sliced through the air as she ripped the assassin's throat open.

With the fluidity of a master, she repeated the maneuver, dispatching the remaining four figures in a whirlwind of lethal strikes. Gasps of astonishment filled the air as the assassins collapsed, their lifeblood spilling onto the ground.

A stunned silence descended upon the gathered crowd. "She's a disciple of the Yihua Palace!" a voice finally broke the spell, tinged with a mixture of awe and fear.

Comment🌸 Vote 🌸 Share