Chapter 120

Chapter 120

◎ I Don't Trust the Young Master ◎

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing was taken aback.

For a moment, she was unsure of Xie Heng's intentions in asking this question.

Seeing her hesitant expression, Xie Heng's gaze flickered slightly. Although his face remained calm, his hand hidden in his sleeve involuntarily curled up.

He waited quietly for a moment before hearing Luo Wanqing softly say, "I've thought about it."

Having thought about it means it's already in the past.

This answer was also within Xie Heng's expectations, and he did not get angry. He simply nodded calmly and said, "I apologize for my abruptness."

With that, he spread his wide sleeves and said gently, "Let's adjust our breathing."

Hearing the task at hand, Luo Wanqing did not say more. She placed her hands in his, exchanging their inner energies to stabilize their internal forces.

After they finished adjusting their breathing, Xie Heng reached out to take Xiling. Luo Wanqing, alert, grabbed his hand and said coldly, "What does the Young Master intend to do?"

Xie Heng paused, then looked at Luo Wanqing and said calmly, "You can't stop Ji Ruifang."

"So what?"

Luo Wanqing instantly understood Xie Heng's meaning, and her grip on his wrist tightened.

Xie Heng hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "Xiniang, even if it's for my own survival, it must be done."

Luo Wanqing's expression shifted slightly, and she felt a surge of resentment.

This person was too clever, always knowing her weaknesses.

Seeing her expression, Xie Heng knew she had been convinced.

He lowered his eyes, took Xiling, and then extended his hand, saying gently, "Drink my blood first."

Luo Wanqing had no choice but to follow his instructions, finding the smallest wound and angrily taking a sip of his blood.

Feeling unsatisfied halfway through, she bit him again before pushing him away.

Xie Heng felt a tingling sensation from her canine teeth and couldn't help but find it amusing. He glanced at the bite mark and said instinctively, "The Si Shi sure knows how to bite."

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing gave him a cold look.

Xie Heng also remembered something and felt a bit uncomfortable, clearing his throat and saying, "I..."

"The Young Master should focus on the task at hand."

Luo Wanqing turned away, not wanting to hear any more from Xie Heng.

Xie Heng dared not mention it again, turning to walk to the fire, facing away from her as he worked.

Luo Wanqing couldn't bear to watch and turned her head. She only heard his somewhat heavy breathing in the cave, feeling a pang of guilt, thinking herself useless.

When Xie Heng scraped the poisonous bone powder into the fire, he finally returned. His face pale, he handed the blood-stained Xiling to Luo Wanqing and said hoarsely, "If we're lucky, Ji Ruifang might not find us by dawn. If we're not, act accordingly."

"Understood."

Luo Wanqing responded sullenly, and Xie Heng fell silent. Glancing at the bruises on her body, which had faded somewhat during their breathing adjustment, he could still see the marks.

After a long pause, he said softly, "About tonight... I'm sorry."

"There's no need to say more," Luo Wanqing turned away, not wanting to discuss further. "It's just a small matter."

Xie Heng sensed that Luo Wanqing didn't want to talk further and nodded, rising to say, "Then I'll go into meditation."

"Young Master."

Luo Wanqing, hearing him rise, suddenly spoke, "If you were me, could you have held this door today?"

Xie Heng paused, looking back.

Luo Wanqing sat near the cave entrance, hugging her knife with her knees bent. Her hair fell around her, the knife resting lightly on her shoulder, her spine slightly curved like a beautiful crescent moon. The firelight cast her shadow large on the wall, the figure serene and cold, with a determined gaze, much like countless martial arts masters he had seen before.

The difference between using a knife and a sword lies in the knife's ferocity and unyielding nature, never compromising.

He had once regretted Luo Wanqing choosing the path of the knife, but now, looking at her, he realized she was born to be a knife wielder.

Looking at Luo Wanqing, his gaze shifted, and he honestly replied, "No."

Luo Wanqing lifted her eyes to meet his. Xie Heng was slender and composed, more gentle than usual, yet different from Cui Heng.

But in this moment, she saw traces of Cui Heng in him.

She watched as the two figures merged in the firelight.

He was a towering mountain, a deity on a high platform.

He said, "No."

Luo Wanqing smiled softly, calmly and confidently stating, "I bet I can."

She would do what neither Cui Heng nor Xie Heng could.

From tonight on.

Xie Heng's expression shifted slightly upon hearing this.

He looked into her determined eyes and, after a moment, smiled. "I'll be watching."

Luo Wanqing nodded solemnly. "I will not disappoint your expectations, Young Master."

After saying this, Xie Heng turned and entered the inner cave.

He found a place to sit, entering a meditative state, while Luo Wanqing stood guard at the entrance with her sword.

After so many events, finding a moment of peace, she felt only exhaustion, not wanting to think about anything. Leaning against the wall, she sank into a peaceful and tranquil state, drifting off to sleep.

This was the first time she had felt such calm since Cui Heng fell into the water.

Before, she always felt something lurking in her heart, no matter how composed she appeared. There was always a weight, a pain, an unconscious restlessness.

Today, despite her injuries and the knowledge of so much, she felt as if she were submerged in warm water.

Her entire being relaxed, and the world seemed gentler.

She leaned against the wall, not daring to fall deeply asleep.

In the middle of the night, she heard a distant sound. Luo Wanqing instantly woke up, ventured out of the cave for a moment, and, upon confirming that someone was approaching, quickly returned.

Xie Heng was in meditation. She hurried into the inner cave and sealed his acupoints.

Xie Heng opened his eyes immediately, and Luo Wanqing said, "Young Master, Ji Ruifang has found us. She won't kill you today, so please focus on restoring your true essence and do not act rashly. I won't let anyone enter, and even if they do, you will be safe."

Understanding Luo Wanqing's intentions, Xie Heng's expression turned cold.

Luo Wanqing squatted in front of him and explained, "Young Master has deceived me too many times; I can't trust you. I suspect you planned to save others even at the cost of your life if I didn't run away, never intending for me to hold the line until the end. So I've sealed your acupoints. With your abilities, you'll break free once your true essence is restored. Don't worry. When we return to East Capital, I'll take responsibility for my actions today."

Xie Heng couldn't speak but his expression clearly showed anger.

Seeing his anger, Luo Wanqing felt a sense of relief.

Looking at him, she couldn't help adding, "Young Master always likes to arrange others' lives. This time, I'll do it for you. Please understand; it's for your own good."

These words stunned Xie Heng. Luo Wanqing, listening to the sounds outside, stood up and said, "I'm leaving."

With that, she strode out with her sword.

Taking two steps, feeling the strangeness in her body today and recalling the satisfaction of seeing Xie Heng angry, she couldn't resist adding, "Also, Young Master, you always say you're not as good as Guan Lan. I didn't really believe that, except for one thing—"

Luo Wanqing turned to look at him, her cold tone tinged with undisguised disdain: "Your technique is really bad, too painful."

Hearing this, Xie Heng's eyes widened in shock.

Luo Wanqing turned back, suppressing a smile, and walked out. Finally, she felt a long-held breath released.

Though partly true, partly false, she felt good about upsetting Xie Heng.

As she walked, she thought about the current arrangements.

Sealing Xie Heng's acupoints ensured he wouldn't act recklessly. The cave was also laced with poisons, preventing anyone from entering. This guaranteed Xie Heng's absolute safety.

With Xie Heng safe, she felt relieved and stepped out of the cave, found a tree, and reclined on it, sharpening her sword and keeping watch.

The cave entrance was narrow, and Luo Wanqing had concealed it with vines.

Ji Ruifang's people had discovered the area but hadn't yet found the cave. They searched nearby, and Luo Wanqing watched while sharpening her sword.

After a long while, someone finally approached the cave, saying, "Isn't there a cave over there?"

They moved closer, and Luo Wanqing leapt down from the tree, silently slitting their throats just before they could trigger her defenses.

The two died silently. Luo Wanqing glanced around, then carried their bodies away under the cover of night, creating a scene of escape. She quickly changed into one of their clothes and returned.

The bodies misled them, but Ji Ruifang's people were numerous, and soon more discovered the cave.

After clearing three waves of people, Luo Wanqing realized the area was becoming more crowded. She knew Ji Ruifang must have sensed something.

Surveying the surroundings, she remained alert as more people gathered. Noticing their positions, she knew they were gradually surrounding her.

She held her knife steady, waiting. Suddenly, arrows rained down. Luo Wanqing cut through the arrows and retreated to her trap. As several people rushed forward, she leaped, causing them to stumble and fall.

Luo Wanqing swiftly cut their throats and retreated to the cave entrance.

The cave's entrance was extremely narrow, allowing her to block all entry alone.

Seeing their ambush exposed, the group emerged from the woods, torches illuminating the forest. Luo Wanqing saw many people rushing forward, led by four women. She scrutinized them and asked, "Where is Ji Ruifang?"

"You still dare to ask!"

One of the blue-clad women replied, "Don't you know what you've done?"

"What have I done?" Luo Wanqing wondered, already guessing the answer.

She had left Qianji with Xie Minsheng. Now that Ji Ruifang wasn't here, she must be injured. In Ji Rui Palace, only Zhuque or Xie Minsheng could harm Ji Ruifang.

But Zhuque was protecting Cui Junye and likely had no interest in this.

Luo Wanqing deduced, "Xie Minsheng attacked Ji Ruifang?"

"You..."

"Kunlan, there's no need to waste words with her."

The woman in jade-colored robes, the eldest among them, spoke and held back Kunlan who was about to say more.

She looked at Luo Wanqing with a cold expression and said, "The Palace Lord has spoken. If you're willing to step aside today, we can spare your life."

"A way to live?" Luo Wanqing laughed. "With Ji Ruifang absent, do you really think you have the right to talk about survival with me? I can tell you this: before dawn tomorrow, the Supervision Division will enter the valley. If you leave now, you still have a chance to live. But if you stay here—"

Luo Wanqing raised her hand and brushed the fresh blood on the blade. "I can't guarantee your survival."

"Blatant nonsense."

Kunlan shouted fiercely and immediately raised her hand. "Fire the arrows!"

As soon as she spoke, the front row of arrows rained down. Luo Wanqing knew she couldn't retreat; even a half-step back would allow these four women to enter the cave. She raised her hand and wielded her saber, deflecting the arrows clockwise as if scooping water, sending them back towards the attackers!

The rain of arrows flew back at the crowd, while the four women charged forward with their swords.

Luo Wanqing stood guarding the entrance, slashing through the sword rain and stepping on the blades. After several exchanges, the eldest woman realized they couldn't overpower her and stepped back, giving orders to the others: "Charge!"

The guards exchanged glances, looking uneasily at Luo Wanqing standing at the entrance with her saber. One of them hesitated and said, "Lady Kunyu, we might..."

Before he could finish, Kunlan suddenly swung her sword and decapitated him, her cold gaze sweeping over everyone. "Disobey and die! Charge!"

Hearing this, the crowd exchanged uneasy glances but finally, when Kunlan raised her sword again, someone shouted and charged towards Luo Wanqing.

These were ordinary soldiers, not a real threat, but Luo Wanqing knew that the four women's goal wasn't to kill her with these soldiers but to wear her down.

A person's stamina is finite, and they were waiting for her to show weakness so they could overwhelm her.

There was no easy solution to such a strategy except to meet violence with violence.

Luo Wanqing raised her hand, binding the saber with cloth, and spun it around. As the soldiers rushed towards her, she kicked out, slicing down with the blade!

Without any technique or form, she stood at the entrance, swinging her saber at anyone who came near.

In no time, blood and flesh flew everywhere, and bodies began to pile up.

Luo Wanqing adjusted her breathing, maintaining a steady rhythm and keeping her mind clear, calculating the number of attackers and fighting with increasing strength.

Wave after wave of soldiers charged at her, and Luo Wanqing kept swinging her saber, feeling the warm blood splatter on her face amidst the cool night air.

The four women watched Luo Wanqing, and Kunyu's expression shifted slightly. She couldn't help but speak, "We've always heard that the Supervision Division is like a demon in human form. Today, it's clear that the rumors are true. Si Shi Xiniang, these are just ordinary soldiers. Aren't you afraid of killing so many?"

"You aren't afraid."

Luo Wanqing kicked away a pile of corpses, knocking down those trying to climb over, and smiled at Kunyu. "Why should I be afraid? They want to kill me; am I supposed to sit here and wait to die?"

"But they are reformed people who came to Liufeng Island," Kunyu continued. "Your Supervision Division keeps pushing. You've already killed three hundred in the forest. If you kill more today, how will you face the world?"

"When they dressed thousands of civilians in enemy uniforms at the border, they didn't care about the world's opinion. Now they expect me to worry about it?" Luo Wanqing sneered. "Who are they trying to silence—the world or those in power?"

"And how do you know those in power don't have that very intention?" Kunyu laughed, and Luo Wanqing's expression turned cold.

In that moment, an arrow shot from the side, and Luo Wanqing hastily deflected it. Then she saw Kunlan had already reached her!

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**Side Scene**

Xie Heng: "I'm not capable? What do you mean I'm not capable? Liu Xiniang, let's see how long you can keep this up."

Luo Wanqing: "Young Master, goodbye. Time to run."