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The icy water enveloped me as I plunged into the river, my legs flailing momentarily before sinking deeper. My hair, loosened from its braid, danced around my face as the current tugged at me.

"Shoot! Don't let her escape!" a harsh voice boomed from the shore. Three figures emerged from the trees, their faces obscured by masks. A flurry of arrows arced through the air, their deadly tips piercing the water's surface, sending ripples spreading outwards.

Underwater, the world blurred as the current toyed with my body. The tips of the arrows glinted menacingly, their relentless dive towards me painting a terrifying picture. Panic constricted my chest, the air trapped in my lungs burning with each passing second. My arms flailed uselessly, the water offering no resistance to my desperate attempts to stay afloat.

After what felt like an eternity spent gasping for breath, my eyelids fluttered open. Through the distorted lens of water, I saw Lu Zhao Yun swimming towards me, his face etched with concern. My lips parted, a silent plea escaping in a rush of bubbles. My lungs, starved of oxygen, could only manage shallow breaths, each gasp a painful struggle.

Helplessly, I watched him approach, my body a leaden weight refusing to obey my frantic commands. A single tear escaped my eye, tracing a salty path down my cheek as the precious air in my lungs dwindled to a mere flicker. My eyelids fluttered one last time before succumbing to the darkness, the river's embrace pulling me deeper into its depths.

Always craved for sweet coated haws next Mid Autumn festival, but I don't think I can have them anymore...

As I sank deeper into the river, a yearning for the sweet, sticky hawthorn candies of the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival flickered in my mind. But the thought was quickly eclipsed by the growing darkness at the edges of my vision as my eyelids fluttered shut.

Suddenly, a jolt ripped through me, a forceful shake on my shoulders dragging me back from the brink. My body, however, refused to cooperate. Speech was beyond me, and even breathing became a herculean effort. My arms lay limp behind me, unresponsive to the desperate attempts to rouse me. My vision remained stubbornly shut, the world dissolving into a hazy blur.

Gasping for every precious breath, I felt a burning sensation flood my cheeks as someone's cold hands clamped onto my shoulders, shaking me frantically. Yet, even this couldn't pierce the veil of unconsciousness that had descended upon me.

Through the haze, I registered the faint pressure of lips on mine, followed by a sudden rush of air that invaded my lungs, coaxing them back to life. This life-giving breath, delivered through an intimate touch, filled my starved lungs with a much-needed sustenance. Although my body remained unresponsive, the sensation of his cool lips pressed against mine was undeniable.

Too weak to react, I drifted in this state of semi-consciousness, my body a heavy weight defying all commands. His lips remained, a constant source of air and a lifeline tethering me to the world above. As the minutes stretched into an eternity, punctuated only by the relentless rain of arrows piercing the water's surface, my heart began to race erratically, a frantic drumbeat echoing the fear clawing at my insides.

For what seemed like an age, he continued his efforts, his lips never leaving mine, his breath maintaining a fragile connection between me and the world. Slowly, a flicker of movement returned to my fingers, a faint tremor hinting at the fight for survival still burning within me. However, the rest of my body remained trapped in a state of paralysis, only the frantic rhythm of my heart and the twitching of my fingers betraying any sign of life.

As the flurry of arrows subsided, the masked men retreated with a shared glance of confirmation. A crimson stain spread on the water's surface, prompting them to utter a single, urgent, "Let's go!" before vanishing into the dense foliage.

He listened for a moment, his grip tightening on my shoulders as he shook me gently. My eyes remained stubbornly shut, offering no response. With a determined pull, he brought me closer to the surface, his arms cradling me securely. Breaking the water, he scanned the surroundings with a keen eye, searching for any sign of the attackers.

Finding the area clear, he waded ashore and carefully placed me beside a tree. The moment my head broke the surface, I inhaled deeply, the warm air filling my lungs with a desperate sweetness.

He rose to his feet, a fierce glint in his eyes as he swept the area one last time. His gaze landed on a lone arrow embedded in the bark of the nearby tree. He swiftly plucked it out, his brow furrowing as he examined the fletching.

A soft murmur, barely audible, escaped my lips as I drifted in and out of consciousness. "Hawthorn candies..."

His eyes widened in surprise. With a swift movement, he snapped the arrowhead and tucked the remaining shaft into his robes. He glanced up, the darkness deepening with each passing moment, the wind carrying a chill that bit at the fresh wound on his arm. Without a word, he scooped me up gently and began to walk deeper into the night.

Without wasting a moment, he navigated towards the opposite bank of the River Yu, near the main chambers. The guards stationed there recognized me and lowered their swords, rushing to alert others for assistance.

Bai Ying, quick to react, sprinted towards him. Her steps faltered upon seeing me unconscious in his arms. She sighed deeply, her gaze lingering on Lu Zhao Yun.

Two guards approached him, while Zhen Lan also emerged, his eyes narrowing at Lu Zhao Yun in suspicion. He stopped abruptly, briefly glaring at Lu Zhao Yun from the corner of his eye. Maintaining his silence, Zhen Lan swiftly took me from Lu Zhao Yun's arms before his own guards raised their swords towards him.

"Hey! Hey! What's going on here?!" A'Ying cried out, thrusting herself between the two groups. She held out her hands, demanding an explanation from the two men, who remained tight-lipped.

"Four assassins attacked her by the River Yu. Based on my instinct, I intervened to help," Lu Zhao Yun began, attempting to explain. "She needs medical attention and rest—"

"—and why should we believe your word?!" Zhen Lan interrupted, his voice laced with suspicion. "The moment you disappeared, four disciples vanished as well! What if you're involved?!"

Lu Zhao Yun's head snapped up in shock, his expression a mixture of disbelief and indignation. He stared at me, still unconscious, and offered a brief bow.

"Whether you believe me or not is irrelevant. My duty is done," he declared, his voice heavy with implication.

Without waiting for a response, he turned to leave. However, the guards swiftly raised their swords, blocking his path. He surveyed the scene with narrowed eyes, calmly assessing the situation.

A'Ying studied Lu Zhao Yun intently, her mind swirling with questions about my presence in his arms. Lowering her gaze, she positioned herself between him and the guards, offering a defense.

"I believe you're overreacting, Zhen Lan," she argued, her voice firm. "Even if he intended to harm her, wouldn't he have left her unconscious at the riverbank? Why bring her back?"

Unable to refute her logic, Lu Zhao Yun stared at the ground and took a step back, prompting the guards to mirror his movement. A'Ying's gaze then fell upon a small, fresh cut marring his arm, likely from an arrow.

Concern momentarily replaced her initial suspicion. She stepped towards him, extending a balm in his direction.

Before Lu Zhao Yun could respond to her gesture, Zhen Lan intervened, pushing her hand away and rolling his eyes dismissively. A'Ying sighed, her frustration evident. She glanced at me, muttering the name of my favorite snack.

"She seems fine to me," A'Ying announced, her voice laced with a hint of arrogance. "You're focusing on the wrong person. And he's even injured."

He lowered his hand and barked orders to the nearby maids, directing them to help me up. As my eyelids fluttered open, I was met with the concerned faces of the maids, Zhen Lan, and a surprisingly close A'Ying.

My eyelids fluttered open slowly, revealing the worried faces of several maids gathered around me, along with Zhen Lan and A'Ying.

"She's awake now," A'Ying declared, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "You scared him off without even thanking him!"

My gaze swiveled towards her, struggling to grasp her statement. My vision landed on Lu Zhao Yun, who was already walking away towards the end of the River Yu.

A torrent of memories flooded back, piecing together the events leading up to my unconscious state. Panic surged through me. "How did I get here? What happened?" I stammered, my eyes flitting between Zhen Lan and A'Ying, searching for answers.

General Su's sudden appearance startled everyone. He called out to Zhen Lan, who nodded silently and followed him back towards the general's quarters. Before he left, he exchanged a cryptic glance with A'Ying.

Unable to contain my curiosity, I reached out and grabbed A'Ying's hand, urgently pulling her aside. "Why did Lu Zhao Yun leave again? And what was that exchange between you and Zhen Lan?"

A'Ying sighed, her voice laced with concern. "I should really be asking you that. You run off and then return unconscious, seemingly rescued by Lu Zhao Yun, who himself has a fresh wound on his arm—"

My breath hitched. "He's hurt?" I gasped, my heart twisting with an unfamiliar pang of concern.

"Forget it," she muttered. "There seems to have been a major fight. The fatal wound on the assassin is far too precise for your rudimentary dagger. It bears all the hallmarks of a delicate sword, Guo Se. Just like the one used in the forest that day, wasn't it?"

My expression spoke volumes, eliminating the need for a verbal confirmation.

A guard approached me and A'Ying hurriedly, bowing deeply as he caught his breath. His sudden appearance startled me, causing me to step back in surprise.

"Your Highness!" he gasped, his voice strained. "The assassin is dead!"

My heart plummeted in response to the shocking news. Zhen Lan and General Su wasted no time, marching swiftly towards the dungeons. The other guards stationed by the gate mirrored their haste, their heavy breathing echoing through the air.

They paused momentarily to regain their composure before delivering another piece of devastating news. "Two bodies of disciples have been found near the River Yu bank, close to the lodge!"

Zhen Lan stood speechless, his hands dropping to his sides in utter disbelief. I struggled to process the harsh reality that had unfolded before me, my vision blurring as tears welling up in my eyes.

Who had killed the assassin Lu Zhao Yun captured in the forest? And who were the missing disciples, their bodies now found lifeless by the riverbank?

General Su scoffed, his expression a stark contrast to the shock and grief etched on our faces. It was clear this blatant act of defiance against them would not go unpunished.

As questions swirled in my head, a young woman emerged and bowed, gesturing for us to follow her towards the cells. "Any news on the cause of death, Jing Yi?" Zhen Lan inquired, his voice tight with tension.

The young woman, Jing Yi, offered a curt nod before leading us swiftly into the damp, dimly lit cells. As she lowered her hand, the guards stationed at the entrance obediently lowered their swords, allowing us passage.

The metallic clang of swords hitting the floor echoed through the chamber as Jing Yi entered first, her face grim. General Su and Zhen Lan followed closely, their eyes scanning the surroundings with suspicion.

A wave of nausea washed over me as I heard muffled screams emanating from the depths of the cells. My feet faltered, hesitant to take another step.

"Would you like to wait here?" A'Ying offered, her voice laced with concern as she turned to the group.

I clenched my fists, the urge to refuse trembling through me. I had to see this, to understand the gravity of the situation. For the first time, I felt a sense of responsibility, a need to take charge of my own life and play a role in protecting those around me.

A'Ying, sensing my resolve, simply nodded and moved ahead, leaving me standing at the back, my heart pounding in my chest as I took a tentative step forward, my gaze fixed on the cold, unforgiving walls of the cell block.

As we entered the cell block, the oppressive atmosphere immediately hit me. The air hung heavy with dampness and the stench of human misery. Cracked stone walls, etched with countless marks and held together by rusted chains, formed the perimeter of the dimly lit space. Cobwebs and accumulated dirt clung to the high ceilings, adding to the sense of neglect and decay.

A row of barred cells lined the opposite wall, each containing a single occupant. Some of the cells were empty, gaping like missing teeth in a rotting jaw. In the center of the room, two figures were sprawled out in adjacent cells, their skeletal frames and ragged clothing testament to their suffering. Their cries for food and mercy echoed through the chamber, their desperate pleas ignored.

As I passed by the open cell, one of the prisoners lunged forward, his emaciated hand reaching out, grasping at my arm in a desperate attempt at freedom. A guard reacted instinctively, his sword flashing in the dim light. The prisoner, sensing the imminent threat, relinquished his hold on me with a whimper.

Four more guards materialized from the entrance, their bows drawn and aimed at the now subdued prisoners. General Su, his face etched with grim determination, nodded curtly. He then moved towards a specific cell located in the far right corner of the room.

This particular cell appeared even more neglected than the others. Layers of dirt and cobwebs blanketed the floor, and a faint metallic tang, reminiscent of blood, filled the air. In the center of the cell sat a man, his appearance as haggard as his surroundings.

He looked to be around twenty-eight years old, though the harsh conditions had etched lines onto his face that belied his age. His once-proud military bearing was broken, his shoulders slumped in defeat. His clothes, once the uniform of the Jingbei Army, were now tattered and soiled, a stark reminder of his fallen status.

His eyes, however, still held a flicker of defiance. As we approached, they snapped towards us, searching for answers in the faces of his captors. I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for this man, once a soldier, now reduced to a prisoner in this dank and desolate place.

General Su issued a curt nod, and a nearby guard swiftly approached the cell. With practiced efficiency, he unlocked the door and stepped back, his hand hovering near the hilt of his sword. Zhen Lan, grimacing at the overpowering stench emanating from within, covered his nose with one arm before venturing inside.

"How long deceased?" he inquired, his voice gruff.

Jing Yi sighed, turning towards him. "Two days. The disciples discovered him upon arrival. He leaves behind a wife and two young daughters, both girls, currently residing in the town below. I've arranged for their questioning tomorrow."

I peeked into the cell, my hand mirroring Zhen Lan's as I attempted to mask the repugnant odor. A'Ying, standing beside me, let out a muffled cough and retreated a step back.

"What caused this...sudden passing?" I pressed, my voice barely a whisper above the oppressive silence.

Jing Yi swiftly retrieved a scroll from the guard standing beside her. As she unfurled it, her expression morphed into one of shock.

"A single, clean sword slash to the neck," she announced, her voice trembling slightly. "The markings on the blade match the design signature of the infamous Fallen Phoenix Demon Sect."

A collective gasp rippled through the group. We all turned to stare at the lifeless figure within the cell, a chilling silence descending upon the room. The casual mention of the notorious fallen Phoenix Sect sent shivers down my spine. Their involvement in this grim scenario cast a dark shadow over the entire situation, leaving us with more questions than answers since they were detached from the major five sects.

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Do the sects have something to do with the death of the assassin?

How did the disciples' body end up there?

Does Zhao Yun have something to do with it?