That night, the moonlight draped like a veil over a world of utter silence.
Since rumors spread of sinister forces infiltrating the city, the curfew had been strictly enforced. By midnight, the streets were empty save for the patrolling Demon-Suppression Guards.
Yet there was one exception—a figure so agile and elusive, slipping past the patrols with uncanny precision.
Beneath the tower stood an ancient well, centuries old, its waters famed for their purity. The townsfolk often drew from it for their daily needs.
Under the moonlight, the figure seemed almost ethereal, ghostly and indistinct.
But as they reached the well, torches flared to life, encircling them in a ring of light.
Zhou Xian stepped forward from the crowd, his voice grave. "The night is deep and the dew heavy. Shouldn’t Lady Shangguan be resting in her manor? What urgent matter brings you here?"
The figure, cloaked in black, lowered its hood, revealing the unmistakable face of Shangguan Huanxi.
"It really is her!"
Hidden among the shadows of a nearby tree, Heart Knife frowned slightly.
Left-hand Knife and Right-hand Knife exchanged glances before speaking.
"Third Brother, what’s with you?"
"You seem unusually concerned about Lady Shangguan’s affairs."
Heart Knife, afraid his reckless actions might be exposed, cleared his throat awkwardly. "It’s nothing. I’m just surprised to see her here."
—After all, he had seen her unclothed. By reason and propriety, he owed her a debt to settle. Otherwise, this memory might haunt his cultivation, disturbing his peace of mind.
Eager to divert his brothers’ attention, he changed the subject. "Strange how that noisy couple isn’t here for all this excitement."
Left-hand Knife scoffed. "You think they’re like us, single and free?"
Right-hand Knife added, "They’re probably wrapped in each other’s arms, fast asleep!"
Heart Knife had no retort.
Under another tree stood Su Lingxi and Wuya.
At this critical juncture in Canghai Prefecture, no movement escaped the notice of skilled observers. That Shangguan Huanxi was under close surveillance was no secret among the inner circle.
Su Lingxi whispered fiercely, "Listen well. If those people dare lay a hand on my goddess, you must protect her!"
Wuya replied flatly, "My duty is only to protect—"
"If you don’t, I’ll bash my head bloody, stab myself, and make sure no medicine can save me!"
Wuya fell silent.
Curiosity was rare for him. Logically, Su Lingxi had grown up in the Red Pavilion—this was her first venture into the world. She couldn’t have known Shangguan Huanxi before.
What future had she glimpsed to feel such devotion toward her?
Another group arrived.
Jia Yi rushed forward. "Zhou Xian, what’s the meaning of this?"
Zhou Xian answered coolly, "Sinister forces are cunning and ruthless, caring nothing for human lives. The Prefect has ordered strict curfews, especially around vital resources like the water supply. Yet Lady Shangguan sneaks here in the dead of night—isn’t that suspicious enough to investigate?"
Jia Yi’s brow furrowed. "Are you implying the Lady is one of them? Preposterous!"
"Why not?" Zhou Xian countered. "Have you forgotten the mountain hunt? The innkeeper and her assistant died, yet we failed to capture the lurking evil. Then, as if by fate, Lady Shangguan appeared—just in time to silence the last witness, cutting off all leads. Now she’s here, where she shouldn’t be, at an hour she shouldn’t be out. Does that raise no questions?"
Jia Yi stood his ground. "The Lady has slain countless fiends and saved this city single-handedly. Have you forgotten all that?"
"I haven’t," Zhou Xian sighed. "But times change, Jia Yi. So do people."
Once, Shangguan Huanxi had been a peerless genius, a lofty sword prodigy. Now, her spirit was broken, twisted by resentment and envy into someone unrecognizable.
How many brushes with death had Luo Qiaoqiao and Wenren Yan endured—and how many were Shangguan Huanxi’s doing?
Everyone knew the answer.
Jia Yi clenched his jaw and turned to the woman behind him. "My Lady, tell me you’d never conspire with those monsters. Please."
He and the Demon-Suppression Guards had been assembled by the late Lord Shangguan. Their loyalty to his bloodline ran deeper than most could fathom.
Shangguan Huanxi finally spoke. "I would never ally with them."
Zhou Xian pressed, "Then permit us to search you."
Instead of answering, she asked coldly, "Was it Wenren Buxiao who ordered you to watch me?"
Zhou Xian, wary of provoking her, sidestepped the question. "My Lady, if you’re innocent, I’ll kneel and beg your forgiveness."
Shangguan Huanxi scanned the encircling guards. Resistance was futile. "Search me, then."
A female Black Armor Guard stepped forward, bowing. "Forgive the intrusion," she said before beginning her inspection.
Moments later, she produced a small vial. "Sir, it’s medicine!"
Gasps rippled through the crowd, all eyes locking onto Shangguan Huanxi.
Left-hand Knife muttered, "Gods above!"
Right-hand Knife added, "She really meant to poison the well!"
Heart Knife tightened his grip on his fan, silent.
High on the tower, the wind howled, whipping at robes like angry spirits.
Wenren Buxiao teased the child in his arms, who giggled—a pure, innocent sound—as if sensing their shared blood.
Beside him, Luo Qiaoqiao stood uneasy.
Wenren Buxiao chided gently, "The night wind is harsh. You should be resting at home."
Luo Qiaoqiao offered a quiet smile. "I worried for you and the young miss, so I followed. My Lord, if she... if she truly did something wrong, it must be a misunderstanding! Please, spare her this once!"
She dropped to her knees. "It’s all my fault. Years ago, when you were poisoned by that vile heat, you sent me away—but I returned, finding you unconscious. I only wanted to help, never imagining things would come to this. The Lady once saved me. If punishment is due, let me bear it in her stead!"
Wenren Buxiao chuckled. "How touching, your sisterly bond. But as you said, you saved my life. How could I ever punish you?"
Luo Qiaoqiao raised her delicate face, her eyes brimming with tears.
In the next moment, her heart leaped into her throat.
Wenren Buxiao’s hands, cradling the child, slowly extended outward, suspending the baby in midair. A single tremble of his fingers, and the infant would plummet, reduced to a mangled mess on the ground.
Unaware of the danger, the baby giggled brightly, as if delighted by some amusing game.
"But since you insist on bearing the blame for Huanxi, I have no other choice. A child inheriting their mother’s sins—it’s not unreasonable, is it?" Wenren Buxiao’s lips curled into a smile, his peach-blossom eyes crinkling faintly. "A splendid idea, don’t you think?"
Luo Qiaoqiao’s entire body turned to ice. In Wenren Buxiao’s gaze, she found not a trace of warmth.
He truly meant to kill this child.
