Chapter 54

Xiao Yin led us running to the front gate of a large but inconspicuous manor and stopped there; the vermilion gate was tightly shut, yet chaotic noises seemed to come from inside.

Translation: Xiao Yin led us running to the front gate of a large but inconspicuous manor, the vermilion gate tightly shut, yet chaotic noises seemed to come from inside.

We need to keep same meaning, not add. Ensure we don't add extra explanation. Let's produce: Xiao Yin led us running to the front gate of a large but inconspicuous manor, the vermilion gate tightly shut, yet chaotic noises seemed to come from inside.

Xiao Yin led us running to the front gate of a large but inconspicuous manor and stopped there; the vermilion gate was tightly shut, yet chaotic noises seemed to come from inside.

Combine: Xiao Yin led us running to the front gate of a large but inconspicuous manor and stopped there; the vermilion gate was tightly shut, yet chaotic noises seemed to come from inside.

But we need to keep as single line. We'll do: Xiao Yin led us running to the front gate of a large but inconspicuous manor and stopped there; the vermilion gate was tightly shut, yet chaotic noises seemed to come from inside.

I was about to step forward, but Wu Ye beat me to it and kicked the door open with one kick.

Translation: I was about to step forward, but Wu Ye had already moved ahead and kicked the door open with one kick.

I was about to step forward, but Wu Ye beat me to it and kicked the door open with one kick.

We'll produce: I was about to step forward, but Wu Ye had already moved ahead and kicked the door open with one kick.

Inside, over ten men gathered in pairs and threes; seeing us burst in suddenly, they froze.

Translation: Inside, several dozen men had gathered in twos and threes; seeing us burst in suddenly, they froze in place.

Inside, over ten men gathered in pairs and threes; seeing us burst in suddenly, they froze.

In small groups of two or three, over ten men had gathered inside; seeing us burst in suddenly, they froze in place.

Let's produce: In small groups of two or three, over ten men had gathered inside; seeing us burst in suddenly, they froze in place.

Xiao Yin called twice, then paused; I knew that because of the thick smoke here, it could no longer sniff out Xin Hui's exact location.

Translation: Xiao Yin called twice, then paused; I knew that because of the thick smoke here, it could no longer pinpoint Xin Hui's exact location.

Xiao Yin called twice, then paused; I knew that because of the thick smoke here, it could no longer sniff out Xin Hui's exact location.

We'll produce: Xiao Yin called twice, then paused; I knew that because of the thick smoke here, it could no longer sniff out Xin Hui's exact location.

The spacious hall was in utter chaos; some were moving boxes, some were tidying equipment, some were burning something before the furnace, and everyone's face showed panic and anxiety.

Translation: The spacious hall was in disarray; some were moving boxes, some were tidying equipment, some were burning something before the furnace, and everyone's face showed panic and anxiety.

The spacious hall was in utter chaos; some were moving boxes, some were tidying equipment, some were burning something before the furnace, and everyone's face showed panic and anxiety.

I had no interest in their scheming against Wei Lingfeng; I awkwardly gripped a longsword and coldly asked, "Where is the girl you captured?"

Translation: I had no interest in their scheming against Wei Lingfeng; I gripped a longsword awkwardly and coldly asked, "Where is the girl you captured?"

I had no interest in their scheming against Wei Lingfeng; I awkwardly gripped a longsword and coldly asked, "Where is the girl you captured?"

I had no interest in their scheming against Wei Lingfeng; I awkwardly gripped a longsword and coldly asked, "Where is the girl you captured?"

A tall, slender man dressed like a scholar stepped out, frowned at me and asked, "Who are you, miss?"

Translation: A tall, slender man dressed like a scholar stepped out, frowned at me and asked, "Who are you, miss?"

A tall, slender man dressed like a scholar stepped out, frowned at me and asked, "Who are you, miss?"

I asked you where that girl is.

Translation: "I'm asking you where that girl is."

We need to keep quotes. We'll produce: "I'm asking you where that girl is."

That man glanced at me and Wu Ye, then looked at the empty doorway behind us; a flash of killing intent crossed his eyes, and the originally wary men, eager to fight, immediately grabbed weapons and charged straight at us.

Translation: That man glanced at me and Wu Ye, then looked at the empty doorway behind us; a flash of killing intent crossed his eyes, and the originally wary men, eager to fight, immediately grabbed weapons and charged straight at us.

That man glanced at me and Wu Ye, then looked at the empty doorway behind us; a flash of killing intent crossed his eyes, and the originally wary men, eager to fight, immediately grabbed weapons and charged straight at us.

Wu Ye stepped forward to shield me behind me; I raised my hand and pushed him away, calmly saying, "I can't let you protect me forever."

Translation: Wu Ye stepped forward to shield me behind him; I raised my hand and pushed him away, calmly saying, "I can't let you protect me forever."

Wu Ye stepped forward to shield me behind me; I raised my hand and pushed him away, calmly saying, "I can't let you protect me forever."

All this time, have I been doing or thinking something wrong?

Translation: All this time, have I been doing or thinking something wrong?

All this time, have I been doing or thinking something wrong?

Xin Hui and Wu Ye have always been by my side; from some point on, they seemed to exist as a matter of course, protecting and caring for me as a matter of course. But…

Translation: Xin Hui and Wu Ye have always been by my side; from some point on, they seemed to exist as a matter of course, protecting and caring for me as a matter of course. But…

Xin Hui and Wu Ye have always been by my side; from some point on, they seemed to exist as a matter of course, protecting and caring for me as a matter of course. But…

I stiffly raised my sword and stabbed it into someone's chest; hot blood spattered onto my face and hands, my stomach churned. He just stared at me with wide, lifeless yet unwilling eyes, then slowly collapsed.

Translation: I stiffly raised my sword and stabbed it into someone's chest; hot blood spattered onto my face and hands, my stomach churned. He just stared at me with wide, lifeless yet unwilling eyes, then slowly collapsed.

I stiffly raised my sword and stabbed it into someone's chest; hot blood spattered onto my face and hands, my stomach churned. He just stared at me with wide, lifeless yet unwilling eyes, then slowly collapsed.

My heart was filled with fear, helplessness, and hatred for being powerless against all this; these hands of mine had never been stained with blood, never been contaminated— that was all thanks to my brother risking his life to protect them.

Translation: My heart was filled with fear, helplessness, and hatred for being powerless against all this; these hands of mine had never been stained with blood, never been contaminated— that was all thanks to my brother risking his life to protect them.

My heart was filled with fear, helplessness, and hatred for being powerless against all this; these hands of mine had never been stained with blood, never been contaminated— that was all thanks to my brother risking his life to protect them.

But…

Translation: But now…

We'll produce: But now…

But…

Translation: I circulated my true qi through twelve cycles, my movements swift and decisive; I turned and slashed at the person behind me without hesitation.

I circulated my true qi through twelve cycles, my movements swift and decisive; I turned and slashed at the person behind me without hesitation.

I circulated my true qi through twelve cycles, my movements swift and decisive; I turned and slashed at the person behind me without hesitation.

Translation: But now, Xin Hui is suffering some unknown torment; not a single second can be wasted.

But now, Xin Hui is suffering some unknown torment; not a single second can be wasted.

But now, Xin Hui is suffering some unknown torment; not a single second can be wasted.

Translation: Wu Ye was mercilessly killing everyone around him without hesitation, exerting all his strength to protect me.

Wu Ye was mercilessly killing everyone around him without hesitation, exerting all his strength to protect me.

Wu Ye was mercilessly killing everyone around him without hesitation, exerting all his strength to protect me.

Translation: Why did I used to think such protection was a given? Is my blood-stained hand considered contaminated while theirs is not? Are they destined to be contaminated again just because they've already been stained with blood, and thus supposed to guard my hands as a matter of course?

We need to keep the meaning. We'll produce: Why did I used to think such protection was a given? Is my blood-stained hand considered contaminated while theirs is not? Are they destined to be contaminated again just because they've already been stained with blood, and thus supposed to guard my hands as a matter of course?

Why did I used to think this protection was taken for granted? Is getting blood on my hands contamination, while theirs isn't? Just because they've been stained with blood before, do they deserve to be contaminated again, to be expected to guard my hands?

Translation: The scene inside the manor was quite chaotic; the people here were not weak in martial arts. Relying on my pure inner strength and agile dodging, I occasionally cut down a few weaker opponents.

The scene inside the manor was quite chaotic; the people here were not weak in martial arts. Relying on my pure inner strength and agile dodging, I occasionally cut down a few weaker opponents.

The scene inside the manor was quite chaotic; the people here were not weak in martial arts. Relying on my pure inner strength and agile dodging, I occasionally cut down a few weaker opponents.

Translation: My arm ached again; I didn't have time to see who hurt me, hastily dodging an incoming palm strike. Looking back, I saw that Wu Ye's gray-white cloth robe was also stained with much blood, just like mine.

My arm ached again; I didn't have time to see who hurt me, hastily dodging an incoming palm strike. Looking back, I saw that Wu Ye's gray-white cloth robe was also stained with much blood, just like mine.

My arm ached again; I didn't have time to see who hurt me, hastily dodging an incoming palm strike. Looking back, I saw that Wu Ye's gray-white cloth robe was also stained with much blood, just like mine.

Translation: He kept drawing the highly skilled opponents to himself, dealing with them personally while also having to watch out for sneak attacks on my back; how could he avoid injury?

He kept drawing the highly skilled opponents to himself, dealing with them personally while also having to watch out for sneak attacks on my back; how could he avoid injury?

He kept drawing the highly skilled opponents to himself, dealing with them personally while also having to watch out for sneak attacks on my back; how could he avoid injury?

Translation: A sour ache rose in my chest: Shui Bingyi, Shui Bingyi, you only understand this now? Whether it's Qiran's love, Bu Sha's guardianship, or Wu Ye and Xin Hui's accompanying care, nothing in this world can be taken for granted as something owed.

A sour ache rose in my chest: Shui Bingyi, Shui Bingyi, you only understand this now? Whether it's Qiran's love, Bu Sha's guardianship, or Wu Ye and Xin Hui's accompanying care, nothing in this world can be taken for granted as something owed.

"Master, watch out—!!" I heard Wuye's startled shout, and before I could even react, a crushing wave of energy slammed into me from behind, seeping into my body bit by bit. I lurched forward, a steel blade slashed my leg, burning with pain, yet it paled beside the choking pressure rising in my chest.

Translation: "Master, be careful!!" I heard Wu Ye's startled cry; before I could react, I felt a mountain‑like surge of force from behind pierce through me, I lunged forward violently, a steel blade sliced my leg, burning hot, yet the pain was nothing compared to the suffocating surge in my chest.

"Master, be careful!!" I heard Wu Ye's startled cry; before I could react, I felt a mountain‑like surge of force from behind pierce through me, I lunged forward violently, a steel blade sliced my leg, burning hot, yet the pain was nothing compared to the suffocating surge in my chest.

"Master, be careful!!" I heard Wu Ye's startled cry; before I could react, I felt a mountain‑like surge of force from behind pierce through me, I lunged forward violently, a steel blade sliced my leg, burning hot, yet the pain was nothing compared to the suffocating surge in my chest.

Translation: In a daze, I only felt sweetness in my throat and spat out a mouthful of blood.

In a daze, I only felt sweetness in my throat and spat out a mouthful of blood.

In a daze, I only felt sweetness in my throat and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Translation: Southwest City Suburbs Dock.

We'll produce: Southwest City Suburbs Dock.

In a daze, I only felt sweetness in my throat and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Translation: "Boss, the ship is ready; we're just waiting for Second Master and them to destroy the evidence, then we can set off."

Southwest suburb dock.

"Lao Da, the ship is ready; we're just waiting for Er Ye and them to destroy the evidence, then we can set off."

Translation: "Good!" A rugged‑looking middle‑aged man with gleaming eyes nodded, his worry easing slightly. He then glanced at the woman cast aside, her clothes torn and stained with bloody patches, and coldly ordered, "Drag this woman onto the ship."

"Good!" A rugged‑looking middle‑aged man with gleaming eyes nodded, his worry easing slightly. He then glanced at the woman cast aside, her clothes torn and stained with bloody patches, and coldly ordered, "Drag this woman onto the ship."

"Lao Da, if this woman isn't even a queen, why are we bringing her along?"

Translation: "Boss, if this woman isn't even a queen, why are we bringing her along?"

"Lao Da, if this woman isn't even a queen, why are we bringing her along?"

The rugged man gave him a contemptuous glance, then said, "It's an order from the Crown Prince; he said she can at least be used as bait."

Translation: The rugged man gave him a contemptuous glance, then said, "It's an order from the Crown Prince; he said she can at least be used as bait."

The rugged man gave him a contemptuous glance, then said, "It's an order from the Crown Prince; he said she can at least be used as bait."

The subordinate hearing that, hurriedly ordered a few idle men to lift her onto the ship.

Translation: The subordinate hearing that, hurriedly ordered a few idle men to lift her onto the ship.

The subordinate hearing that, hurriedly ordered a few idle men to lift her onto the ship.

"Lao Da, she——"

Translation: "Boss, she——"

"Lao Da, she——"

The rugged man had been looking toward the approach; hearing the voice, he turned over irritably and was also somewhat startled. He saw the woman being dragged and kicked by five or six men, yet she stubbornly clung with her scarred ten fingers to the dock's edge, refusing to let go and uttering no sound.

Translation: The rugged man had been looking toward the approach; hearing the voice, he turned over irritably and was also somewhat startled. He saw the woman being dragged and kicked by five or six men, yet she stubbornly clung with her scarred ten fingers to the dock's edge, refusing to let go and uttering no sound.

The rugged man had been looking toward the approach; hearing the voice, he turned over irritably and was also somewhat startled. He saw the woman being dragged and kicked by five or six men, yet she stubbornly clung with her scarred ten fingers to the dock's edge, refusing to let go and uttering no sound.

The burly man grew irritable, kicked the useless lackeys aside, half‑crouched, and backhanded him, growling: "You slut, see how even when my brothers were messing with you you didn't put up this much of a fight—you were just being lewd. What's the deal? Now you're acting like you're throwing your life away to resist?"

Translation: The rugged man felt annoyed, kicked aside those useless lackeys, half‑crouched, and slapped her hard, snarling, "You wretched wench, you didn't put up this much fight when my brothers were playing with you, yet you're being wanton. How come you now act like you're risking your life to resist?"

The rugged man felt annoyed, kicked aside those useless lackeys, half‑crouched, and slapped her hard, snarling, "You wretched wench, you didn't put up this much fight when my brothers were playing with you, yet you're being wanton. How come you now act like you're risking your life to resist?"

The woman seemed not to hear his words; as soon as her feet were free, she immediately wrapped her hands around the dock's edge, as if she would never let go for eternity.

Translation: The woman seemed not to hear his words; as soon as her feet were free, she immediately wrapped her hands around the dock's edge, as if she would never let go for eternity.

The woman seemed not to hear his words; as soon as her feet were free, she immediately wrapped her hands around the dock's edge, as if she would never let go for eternity.

The woman lifted her head; I saw blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, her hair disheveled, her forehead bruised and bloody. Her face was frozen blue‑purple, hardly recognizable, yet her eyes shone unusually bright, making the rugged man looking down from above feel a pang of guilt.

Translation: The woman lifted her head; I saw blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, her hair disheveled, her forehead bruised and bloody. Her face was frozen blue‑purple, hardly recognizable, yet her eyes shone unusually bright, making the rugged man looking down from above feel a pang of guilt.

The woman lifted her head; I saw blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, her hair disheveled, her forehead bruised and bloody. Her face was frozen blue‑purple, hardly recognizable, yet her eyes shone unusually bright, making the rugged man looking down from above feel a pang of guilt.

"I, I won't go." The woman's voice was hoarse and weak, yet utterly resolute: "Miss, they will surely find me. I will not let the Crown Prince use me to threaten the miss, and I will absolutely not leave."

Translation: "I, I won't go." The woman's voice was hoarse and weak, yet utterly resolute: "Miss, they will surely find me. I will not let the Crown Prince use me to threaten the miss, and I will absolutely not leave."

"I, I won't go." The woman's voice was hoarse and weak, yet utterly resolute: "Miss, they will surely find me. I will not let the Crown Prince use me to threaten the miss, and I will absolutely not leave."

The rugged man's anger flared, he rose and shouted, "Are you all dead? You actually have no way with this wretched wench—go ahead and sever her tendons, I want to see what she can rely on to stay!"

Translation: The rugged man's anger flared, he rose and shouted, "Are you all dead? You actually have no way with this wretched wench—go ahead and sever her tendons, I want to see what she can rely on to stay!"

The rugged man's anger flared, he rose and shouted, "Are you all dead? You actually have no way with this wretched wench—go ahead and sever her tendons, I want to see what she can rely on to stay!"

A folding fan with a blade edge was pressed against my neck, drawing blood. Now it seems the scholar who first questioned us was the one who just ambushed me from behind.

Translation: A folding fan with a blade edge was pressed against my neck, drawing blood. Now it seems the scholar who first questioned us was the one who just ambushed me from behind.

A folding fan with a blade edge was pressed against my neck, drawing blood. Now it seems the scholar who first questioned us was the one who just ambushed me from behind.

He frowned at the sight of Wu Ye being surrounded, and said, "If you don't want this woman to die— uh! you—"

Translation: He frowned, looking at Wu Ye surrounded by the crowd, and said, "If you don't want this woman to die, then—— uh! You——"

We need to keep the incomplete speech. We'll produce: He frowned, looking at Wu Ye surrounded by the crowd, and said, "If you don't want this woman to die, then—— uh! You——"

He looked at me in disbelief, then his gaze drifted to the dagger plunged into his chest, and he slowly collapsed.

Translation: He looked at me in disbelief, then his gaze drifted to the dagger plunged into his chest, and he slowly collapsed.

He looked at me in disbelief, then his gaze drifted to the dagger plunged into his chest, and he slowly collapsed.

I pulled out the thin‑as‑a‑cicada's‑wing dagger, slipped it into my sleeve, and staggered a step. My chest and back ached, and I bore wounds of all sizes, but—— I had to leave quickly, for these pains were nothing compared to the fear in my heart.

Translation: I pulled out the thin‑as‑a‑cicada's‑wing dagger, slipped it into my sleeve, and staggered a step. My chest and back ached, and I bore wounds of all sizes, but—— I had to leave quickly, for these pains were nothing compared to the fear in my heart.

I pulled out the thin‑as‑a‑cicada's‑wing dagger, slipped it into my sleeve, and staggered a step. My chest and back ached, and I bore wounds of all sizes, but—— I had to leave quickly, for these pains were nothing compared to the fear in my heart.

"Squeak——" After a long absence, Xiao Yin suddenly leapt out and shrieked; I hurriedly called for Wu Ye to follow.

Translation: "Squeak——" After a long absence, Xiao Yin suddenly leapt out and shrieked; I hurriedly called for Wu Ye to follow.

"Squeak——" After a long absence, Xiao Yin suddenly leapt out and shrieked; I hurriedly called for Wu Ye to follow.

The men who had originally besieged us, probably seeing the scholar dead, were momentarily panicked and shocked, and thus failed to block us.

Translation: The men who had originally besieged us, probably seeing the scholar dead, were momentarily panicked and shocked, and thus failed to block us.

The men who had originally besieged us, probably seeing the scholar dead, were momentarily panicked and shocked, and thus failed to block us.

Xiao Yin led us into a room that was in disarray, as if a huge brawl had just taken place; the air still faintly reeked of licentiousness.

Translation: Xiao Yin led us into a room that was in disarray, as if a huge brawl had just taken place; the air still faintly reeked of licentiousness.

Xiao Yin led us into a room that was in disarray, as if a huge brawl had just taken place; the air still faintly reeked of licentiousness.

My heart clenched as if being torn apart alive. Because I saw many blood‑stained clothing scraps on the ground— those were my clothes… and there were bloodstains and male bodily fluids…

Translation: My heart clenched, as if being torn apart alive. Because I saw many blood‑stained cloth fragments on the ground— those were my clothes…… and also bloodstains and male bodily fluids……

We need to keep the ellipsis. We'll produce: My heart clenched, as if being torn apart alive. Because I saw many blood‑stained cloth fragments on the ground— those were my clothes…… and also bloodstains and male bodily fluids……

My blood‑soaked hands clapped over my mouth; tears fell like scalding oil droplets onto my face and hands, my sobs were mine yet seemed to detach from my body, echoing in my ears.

Translation: My blood‑soaked hands clapped over my mouth; tears fell like scalding oil droplets onto my face and hands, my sobs were mine yet seemed to detach from my body, echoing in my ears.

My blood‑soaked hands clapped over my mouth; tears fell like scalding oil droplets onto my face and hands, my sobs were mine yet seemed to detach from my body, echoing in my ears.

I flung aside the longsword, gripped the dagger tightly, and rushed out of the house.

Translation: I flung aside the longsword, gripped the dagger tightly, and rushed out of the house.

I flung aside the longsword, gripped the dagger tightly, and rushed out of the house.

The dagger sank into someone's shoulder; I couldn't see his face, but I asked word by word, "Where is the girl? Where is the girl you captured?"

Translation: The dagger sank into someone's shoulder; I couldn't see his face, but I asked word by word, "Where is the girl? Where is the girl you captured?"

The dagger sank into someone's shoulder; I couldn't see his face, but I asked word by word, "Where is the girl? Where is the girl you captured?"

"The house, behind the house, the dock——"

Translation: "The house, behind the house, the dock——"

We need to keep the punctuation. We'll produce: "The house, behind the house, the dock——"

I slashed the dagger, ending his fragmented reply and his life.

Translation: I slashed the dagger, ending his fragmented reply and his life.

I slashed the dagger, ending his fragmented reply and his life.

Wu Ye and Xiao Yin kept following behind me, racing toward the dock with me; I never turned back, my mind a blank, unable to think of anything. Naturally, I also didn't see their worried, anguished looks.

Translation: Wu Ye and Xiao Yin kept following behind me, racing toward the dock with me; I never turned back, my mind a blank, unable to think of anything. Naturally, I also didn't see their worried, anguished looks.

Wu Ye and Xiao Yin kept following behind me, racing toward the dock with me; I never turned back, my mind a blank, unable to think of anything. Naturally, I also didn't see their worried, anguished looks.

Southwest suburb dock.

Translation: City Suburbs Southwest Dock.

We need to keep same meaning as line 26 but reversed order. We'll translate as City Suburbs Southwest Dock.

"Ah——" a woman's scream echoed across the dock.

Translation: "Ah——" a woman's scream echoed across the dock.

We need to keep the scream. We'll produce: "Ah——" a woman's scream echoed across the dock.

"Old… old boss, her hands, her tendons, her feet— they've already been severed." The subordinate trembled as he spoke; his blood‑stained dagger slipped from his grasp and clanged to the ground.

Translation: "Old… old boss, her hands, her tendons, her feet— they've already been severed." The subordinate trembled as he spoke; his blood‑stained dagger slipped from his grasp and clanged to the ground.

"Old… old boss, her hands, her tendons, her feet— they've already been severed." The subordinate trembled as he spoke; his blood‑stained dagger slipped from his grasp and clanged to the ground.

He had never been so cruel to a weak woman before, nor had he ever seen a weak woman as resolute as this girl before him.

Translation: He had never been so cruel to a weak woman before, nor had he ever seen a weak woman as resolute as this girl before him.

He had never been so cruel to a weak woman before, nor had he ever seen a weak woman as resolute as this girl before him.

He softly urged her to release her hands and feet; if she did, he wouldn't have to treat her this way, but she merely stared at them blankly, her hands and feet locked tight on the shore, not even furrowing her brow.

Translation: He softly urged her to release her hands and feet; if she did, he wouldn't have to treat her this way, but she merely stared at them blankly, her hands and feet locked tight on the shore, not even furrowing her brow.

He softly urged her to release her hands and feet; if she did, he wouldn't have to treat her this way, but she merely stared at them blankly, her hands and feet locked tight on the shore, not even furrowing her brow.

The rugged man listened to that wail, feeling as if he'd just survived a battle, utterly exhausted, he waved his hand wearily and said, "Quickly put her on the ship and send her off; we'll keep one boat here for Lao Er and them."

Translation: The rugged man listened to her wail, feeling as if he'd just survived a battle, utterly exhausted, he waved his hand weakly and said, "Quickly load her onto the ship and send her off; we'll keep one boat here waiting for Second Master and them, that'll be enough."

The rugged man listened to that wail, feeling as if he'd just survived a battle, utterly exhausted, he waved his hand wearily and said, "Quickly put her on the ship and send her off; we'll keep one boat here for Lao Er and them."

We'll produce: The rugged man listened to her wail, feeling as if he'd just survived a battle, utterly exhausted, he waved his hand weakly and said, "Quickly load her onto the ship and send her off; we'll keep one boat here waiting for Lao Er and them, that'll be enough."

Moments later, a scream even sharper than the previous one rang out across the dock.

Translation: Moments later, a scream even sharper than the previous one rang out across the dock.

Moments later, a scream even sharper than the previous one rang out across the dock.

"You—you—boss!" the underling's voice was filled with endless fear and panic, no longer caring about any dignity or bearing, he shouted loudly along the dock.

The rough-hewn man snapped his head around at the sound, staring at the woman covered in wounds, her tendons in hands and feet all severed, unable to suppress the panic and fear in his heart, his face drastically changed.

As I sprinted to the dock, my eyes blurred with water mist—I couldn't tell if it was sweat or tears. Blood flowed from my whole body, my consciousness feeling as if it were abandoning me, fading away. Yet I still clearly saw that heart‑stopping scene.

A woman in white clothing—no, it couldn't even be called white clothing; her garments were ripped to shreds in this icy snow, unable to cover her body, the originally white fabric already stained with blood and dirt.

Five or six burly men were dragging that woman, not knowing where they were taking her, yet they couldn't budge her.

My tears surged and rolled down—what were my bodily aches compared to this heartache? What were they?

Xin Hui's whole body was restrained, yet she clenched her teeth against the riverbank, biting down… mouth full of blood, face streaked with tears, mixing with drop after drop falling into the rushing river… she simply refused to let go.

"Xin Hui," I choked out, my voice soft, yet it echoed across the empty dock.

The woman biting hard on the riverbank suddenly shuddered, slowly loosening her jaw, and, carried by inertia, the men holding her back dragged her a few steps, all collapsing to the ground together.

I rushed over, reached her side, and pulled her into my arms. She looked at me, her ruined face breaking into a beautiful, relieved, expected smile, and whispered, "Miss, I knew you'd come."

I nodded fiercely, tears falling onto her scarlet‑blotched face. I gently laid her down, then stripped off my blood‑stained sable‑white fur coat, laying it on the ground, and reached to continue taking off the emerald‑green short jacket underneath, and then continued…

A chilly wind carrying the riverbank's dampness blew in; all I had left was a plain white undergarment, wrapping my slightly trembling body in the cold wind, highlighting the scarlet at the corner of my mouth, strikingly bright.

I dressed Xin Hui piece by piece from inside out, seeing the bloody marks on her hands and feet, seeing her limp, immobile body, yet her bright eyes still looked at me with worry, wanting to speak but holding back.

I clenched my teeth, swallowing the tears that threatened to spill. My hand and foot tendons… what right do I have to cry now?

Suddenly a warmth came from behind—Wuye draped his own clothes over me, and without turning I said, "Thank you."

Then I pulled it off and continued wrapping it around Xin Hui. Xin Hui's choked voice rang out: "Miss, put it on yourself! Xin Hui isn't cold anymore."

I gave her a smile and slowly rose to my feet. My gaze flicked over the worried faces of Wuye and Xiaoyin, and my chest felt a warm ache.

"You—are you the one she said would definitely come?" a voice sounded from the left.

My smile froze at the corners of my lips, turning cold, and my icy gaze swept over every man here who had been terrified into immobility by Xin Hui's every move.

I raised my right hand to my chest, swept my left hand outward, and a cord that seemed gold and silver, black and white, appeared in the biting cold wind—like a blood‑thirsty beast, eager to test itself.

I—my body moving like a ghost or phantom, accompanied by flashing cold light—began a bloody slaughter…

Assassination consists of two parts: darkness and killing. Darkness means concealing one's form so no one can ever guess where you'll appear the next second; killing must be swift and decisive, not seeking to make the enemy suffer, regardless of the means used to achieve the goal—the sole purpose is just one word: kill.

Wuye recalled that Bingyi had once told him she knew an assassination technique superior to his martial arts. But that ability, once unleashed, would inevitably take a life, so she would not use it.

Back then I just found it laughable—such a slender girl had merely accidentally acquired a bit of internal energy she couldn't even properly wield; where did the claim of being formidable come from?

But now, watching her silently fell one person after another before his eyes, he realized how wildly mistaken he had been.

She appeared like a phantom beside those panicked people, the black silk on her hand moving as if it were part of her body, agilely extending and retracting. For some reason every blade that met the black silk snapped instantly, and anyone cut by it was immediately immobilized. In that instant her sleeve slid out a dagger, slashing the opponent's throat.

In her eyes there was no longer the fear and sorrow of first killing, nor any bloodthirsty pleasure; there was not even hatred—only a resolute, unshakable conviction and obsession.

She had once said, "Wuye, people say 'desirelessness breeds strength.' In truth, those who have something they wish to protect, who can hold fast to a belief, are the strongest."

A faint cold light flickered in Wuye's eyes, while the hand hanging at his side unconsciously clenched slightly.

Corpses piled up beside me like eggs about to break; I withdrew the black silk from my hand and staggered, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Wuye rushed over in a flash to support me, his voice trembling and hoarse: "Master… let's go back."

I nodded, saw Wuye turn to pick up Xin Hui, stepped forward a few paces to stop him, and said softly, "I'll do it."

Wuye looked at my pallid face, my body swaying on the verge of collapse, yet his gaze was resolute; he finally clenched his fists and stepped back.

With Wuye's help, I placed the completely immobile Xin Hui on my back.

Xiaoyin on the left, Wuye on the right, I in the middle carrying Xin Hui on my back—thus we stepped forward one by one toward the Imperial Palace…

"Miss, is Luo'er alright?"

I tightened my grip on the hand holding her legs and said, "She'll be fine. Bu Sha has already gone to look for them."

"All right," Xin Hui murmured, exhaling softly against my back, "Miss, your back is so warm."

I clenched my lower lip until the faint metallic tang of blood mingled with the bitterness of tears on my tongue, only then realizing the tears I'd been holding back finally fell.

"Miss, could you sing again the song you sang that day in Ting State?"

I sniffed, and with a trembling, hoarse nasal tone said, "All right."

Each time I stood strong amidst wandering loneliness.

Each time, even if I was badly hurt, I did not flash tears.

I know I have always possessed a pair of invisible wings.

Carry me to fly, to fly over despair.

Do not think of them owning a beautiful sun.

I see that even the daily sunset undergoes change.

I know I have always possessed a pair of invisible wings.

Carry me to fly, to give me hope…

Suddenly a scalding liquid fell onto my neck, burning my skin and searing my heart.

Xin Hui buried her head in my hair, trying to hide her sobs, yet could not conceal the desolation and anguish bordering on despair: "Don't think of them owning a beautiful sun… Miss, Xin Hui is now useless, can't help you at all. Miss, I actually have many things I haven't told you, many secrets I dare not speak. Yet, like Luo'er, I still cling to your warmth… will you still forgive me? I constantly wonder, if one day I am separated from your warmth, how should I live? How should I die?"

"Xin Hui," I stopped, lifted my gaze to the distant sky, tears slipping down in the wind. I spoke slowly but firmly: "I promise you, unless you no longer need my warmth, unless you find your own happiness, I will never leave you, nor abandon you. Even if——"

Even if, having found the way home… it's the same!

"So you're the same. Unless I no longer need your care, unless I find my own happiness, I absolutely cannot abandon you. Xin Hui, we've made this promise!"

Xin Hui wrapped her arms tightly around my body, frozen stiff by the cold wind, weeping silently, vowing silently: "Miss, we've made this promise……"

Each time I stood strong amidst wandering loneliness.

Each time, even if I was badly hurt, I did not flash tears.

I know I have always possessed a pair of invisible wings.

Carry me to fly, to fly over despair.

Do not think of them owning a beautiful sun.

I see that even the daily sunset undergoes change.

I know I have always had a pair of invisible wings.

Take me flying, give me hope.

I finally saw all dreams blossom.

The singing of the pursuing youth is loud and clear.

I finally soar, gazing with my heart, unafraid.

Where there is wind, I will fly far.

(End of chapter)