"Junior Sister!" Murong Meixin was still sprawled on the ground, desperately crawling toward the white-robed woman holding a sword.
Murong Meifei kicked him away. "Don't bother me."
The kick sent Murong Meixin crashing into the corner, his back slamming against the wall. It took him a long moment to recover.
Yu Sanniang spun gracefully onto a table, her figure alluring, her fury twisting into a cold laugh. "Well, since you’re all so eager to die, I’ll gladly oblige."
Zhou Xian called out, "Lady Murong, Jia Yi and I will cover you—find the opening for the final strike!"
Murong Meifei wiped the blood from her lips and stepped forward. "Understood."
Their movements were swift, decisive, without a shred of hesitation.
Black Goose lay on the ground, muttering under his breath, "Wife, should we jump in?"
White Dove hesitated. "We’re still poisoned. Fighting now would just be a futile struggle."
Nearby, Sang Duo, who had been lying still for a while, cracked open an eye. Noticing that the young master’s side remained motionless, she closed her eyes again and nestled back against the puppet’s chest, feigning unconsciousness.
Chu'he listened to the clashing of blades, then cautiously peeked out, watching the fierce battle unfold. She bit her lip, her expression conflicted.
Suddenly, a weight pressed down on her—Ninth had crawled over and draped himself over her back, enveloping her beneath him, leaving only her head exposed to breathe.
"Ninth," Chu'he strained to look up, whispering, "Who do you think will win?"
Ninth, playful as ever, toyed with the jeweled hairpin in her hair. Unlike before, Chu'he’s accessories now glittered with gold, silver, and dazzling gemstones.
"Who do you want to win, Ah'he?"
"Of course, I want Lady Murong and the others to win."
Ninth rested his chin atop Chu'he’s head, his large hand wandering until it clasped hers, fingers intertwining. He sighed lazily. "Then things aren’t looking good for them."
Just then, under the distraction provided by Jia Yi and Zhou Xian, Murong Meifei seized her chance. She lunged forward, her sword dragging at her side, its edge scraping sparks from the shattered stones beneath. With a sharp upward swing, a crescent of cold light flashed through the air.
A single thrust—her blade pierced Yu Sanniang’s chest, driving deep until it impaled her against the wall.
Yu Sanniang coughed, dark red blood spilling from her lips.
Chu'he shoved the boy draped over her aside and sat up, cheering, "They won!"
Ninth tumbled to the floor, rolling twice with exaggerated groans of pain, but the girl paid him no attention.
Jia Yi and Zhou Xian, utterly exhausted, collapsed where they stood, too drained to move.
Murong Meifei’s breath was ragged, but before she could relax, instinct made her leap back several paces.
The strain of overexertion sent a metallic tang flooding her throat—she coughed up blood.
"Junior Broth—"
"Get lost!"
Murong Meixin was kicked back into the corner.
Yu Sanniang burst into laughter, blood gushing from her mouth. "To force me to this state… You truly live up to your reputations as prodigies."
She swallowed a black pill, and her body twisted grotesquely.
Her skin split open, gray-black branches erupting from her shoulders, neck, and spine, sprouting like twisted roots. In seconds, they thickened into gnarled, cracked limbs as wide as bowls, writhing with every labored breath.
Her beautiful face was gone, her form no longer human. Her voice grated like broken glass. "Even if I die today, I’ll drag you all with me!"
The sight was both horrifying and nauseating, a mental assault.
Ninth rolled on the floor again, letting out another pitiful "Ow," his eyes hopeful as he waited for Chu'he to comfort him.
Instead, Chu'he clutched her head. "This boss actually has a second phase?!"
Jia Yi and Zhou Xian were ensnared by withered vines, their thorns sinking into flesh, draining their blood.
Murong Meifei stretched out her hand—her sword flew back to her grip. She slashed at the vines, but the wounds she inflicted healed instantly.
A tendril lashed toward her.
"Junior Sister!"
Murong Meixin threw himself in front of her, taking the brunt of the strike. A deep gash split his back as the force sent them both crashing down. Murong Meifei’s sword clattered to the ground.
Black Goose: "Wife!"
White Dove: "Let’s go!"
They slapped each other hard, using the pain to jolt themselves upright.
The couple moved in perfect sync, splitting off in different directions.
A bone whip intercepted the branch aimed at Murong Meifei.
A long-handled glaive sliced through the vines strangling Jia Yi and Zhou Xian.
Su Lingxi tugged at her guard’s sleeve. "Wuya, help them!"
Wuya stood firm. "My duty is only to protect the Young Master."
Furious, Su Lingxi turned to the three men lying among the debris. "Aren’t you three supposed to be the strongest bladesmen beyond the frontier? Just going to lie there?"
Left-hand Knife: "This brat’s looking down on us. What do we do?"
Right-hand Knife: "How should I know? I’ll follow Third Brother."
Left-hand Knife: "Me too."
Heart Knife sighed. "Fine. But the next time I need hair care, you’re paying."
The three brothers opened their eyes simultaneously, each slicing the other’s arm. Pain sharpened their focus, and they moved like shadows, dodging branches as they closed in on the monster’s core.
Sang Duo peeked once more before shutting her eyes again.
The battle was too chaotic for Chu'he to follow, but one thing was clear—no matter how many cuts or stabs they landed, Yu Sanniang’s monstrous form regenerated at an alarming rate.
With their poison still lingering, even their best coordination was no match for exhaustion.
This boss had to have a weak point!
Chu'he’s eyes darted around until she spotted something odd.
The forgotten shopkeepers were entangled in the branches, embedded in the four corners of the room. Their bodies had merged with the monster, leaving only their blackened heads visible.
Every time the creature was injured, those mouths twisted open, as if feeding it endless vitality.
Chu'he’s mind raced, but she hesitated. She grabbed Ninth, still rolling on the floor, and demanded, "Ninth, is this monster actually a threat to us?"
Ninth turned his face away, refusing to answer.
Chu'he leaned down and planted several loud kisses on his cheeks.
He touched his face, somewhat appeased. "Just trash. Nothing to fear."
Chu'he immediately let go—Ninth thudded back to the floor.
She jumped to her feet and shouted, "Aim for the four heads around its body!"
The three Knife brothers reacted the fastest, each darting in a different direction. Their figures weaved nimbly through the tangled vines and withered branches, and within moments, the monstrous heads in the east, south, and west shattered under their blades.
The colossal body of the creature trembled, and amidst the chaos, Yu Sanniang’s furious eyes locked onto Chu'he’s small figure.
"You’re asking for death!"
A gnarled branch shot straight through the air, aimed directly at Chu'he’s vulnerable skull. Just before its sharp tip could pierce her head, a pale hand effortlessly caught it.
The young man stood tall, his crimson robes fluttering in the cold wind, outlining his slender yet broad-shouldered frame. He lifted his gaze slightly, his scarlet eyes burning with a violent intensity—like a bloodstained blade. He stood behind the girl, not like a guardian angel, but like a bloodthirsty demon jealously guarding his treasure.
"Who’s asking for death?"
Silver ornaments jingled softly as the branch in his hand crumbled into dust, the disintegration spreading upward at terrifying speed. The monster, still retaining Yu Sanniang’s consciousness, severed one of its arms just in time to avoid being completely reduced to powder.
"You… you’re no ordinary Miaojiang man. Who are you?!"
Ninth wrapped an arm around Chu'he’s waist and smiled faintly, pulling out a small vial and dangling it before her eyes. His voice was gentle, laced with indulgence. "This can cure the poison in their bodies. Do you want it?"
Chu'he looked up at him. "I want it."
"Then what will Ah'he give me in exchange?"
Glancing at the chaotic scene around them, Chu'he covered her face with her hands and muttered under her breath, "Skin-to-skin contact, skin-to-skin contact! Happy now?"
Ninth’s eyes curved into crescents as he took her hand and placed the vial in her palm. His voice was soft as a spring breeze, yet brimming with undisguised fondness.
"Now, Ah'he can let whoever she wants to win… win."
Chu'he stared at Ninth.
He had already taken a step back, withdrawing his protective circle, but he remained behind her—as if telling her she could play as wildly as she wished. He would always be there to catch her.
Bolstered by courage, Chu'he stepped onto the withered branches, took two strides forward, and uncorked the vial. The medicinal powder scattered into the air, dispelling the lingering miasma.
"The poison is neutralized. Now…" Chu'he stood atop a chair, one hand on her hip, the other pointing dramatically at the heart of the monster. With fiery enthusiasm, she declared, "Let’s start the raid!"
The group exchanged bewildered glances.
Black Goose: "What’s a raid?"
White Dove: "No idea, but charge anyway!"
Left-hand Knife: "My strength’s back!"
Right-hand Knife: "Kill this monster!"
Heart Knife: "My hair can be saved!"
Murong Meixin, heavily injured, was propped against the wall by Murong Meifei.
"Wait for me."
Murong Meixin clung to her leg. "Shimei, this is the first time you’ve spoken to me so gently!"
Murong Meifei: "Piss off!"
Jia Yi and Zhou Xian, equally exhausted, squeezed into the same corner, shoving at each other. "Get away from me!"
Chu'he’s voice rang out again, still barking orders.
"White Dove, you’re the tank—draw its aggro!"
"Black Goose, you’re the ranged DPS—harass from a distance!"
"Knife brothers, you’re the assassins—flank and ambush!"
"Murong Meifei, you’re the mage—nuke it when the time’s right and split the boss in half!"
Su Lingxi couldn’t resist. "What about me? What about me?"
Chu'he glanced at the master-servant duo who had done nothing. "You two are just AFK in the fountain!"
Su Lingxi didn’t understand, but he felt insulted. Indignant, he snapped, "Then what are you?"
Chu'he puffed out her chest proudly. "I’m the fountain commander!"
"And what am I?"
The young man leaned against the wall, his posture lazy, his tone and gaze equally melancholic—as if lamenting being overlooked.
Chu'he nimbly hopped onto a table, standing tall before beaming down at him. Her lively energy radiated like she was announcing it to the world as she formed a big heart with her hands.
"Ninth is my sweetheart, my treasure!"
Meanwhile, the monster was in full retreat. Under the group’s cover, Murong Meifei swung her sword in a sweeping arc, severing the head hidden within the withered wood.
"How… could I lose…?"
Yu Sanniang’s final words were filled with resentment as her head tumbled through the air, her lifeless eyes glaring straight at Chu'he.
Chu'he shrieked. "Ninth! Ninth!"
Ninth caught her as she leaped down, then casually kicked the flying head away—prompting a scream from Su Lingxi instead.
His ears flushed red, his cheeks warm, as he patted the panicked girl’s head. "Weren’t you the commander? What’s there to fear?"
Chu'he clung to his neck, burying her face tightly in his chest. "I’m scared anyway!"
He chuckled, gently stroking her back.
"Silly Ah'he, with me here, what is there to fear?"
