◎I don’t trust Young Master◎

Hearing these words, Luo Wanqing was stunned.

She was momentarily uncertain about what Xie Heng meant by asking this question at this time.

Seeing her hesitant expression, Xie Heng’s gaze flickered. His face remained calm, but his other hand hidden in his sleeve couldn’t help but curl up.

He waited quietly for a moment before hearing Luo Wanqing say softly, “I once thought about it.”

“Once thought about it”—that meant it was in the past.

This answer was within Xie Heng’s expectations. He wasn’t angry, only calmed down, nodded and said: “I was presumptuous.”

With that, he spread his wide sleeves and said gently: “Let’s regulate our breathing.”

Hearing about serious matters, Luo Wanqing said no more, placing her hands in his to exchange internal breath. After regulating their breathing for a while, their internal energy gradually stabilized.

After they finished regulating their breathing, Xie Heng reached for Xiling. Luo Wanqing alertly grasped his hand, saying coldly: “What does Young Master intend to do?”

Xie Heng paused, raising his eyes to look at Luo Wanqing calmly: “You can’t stop Ji Ruifang.”

“So what?”

Luo Wanqing instantly understood Xie Heng’s meaning, her grip on his wrist involuntarily tightening.

Xie Heng hesitated for a moment before finally saying: “Xiniang, even if it’s to save my own life, this is necessary.”

Luo Wanqing’s expression shifted slightly, feeling some resentment.

This person was too clever, always knowing her weak points.

Seeing her expression, Xie Heng knew she was convinced.

He lowered his eyes to take Xiling, then extended his hand, saying gently: “Drink some of my blood first.”

Having no choice, Luo Wanqing suppressed her emotions and followed his instructions, finding the smallest wound and reluctantly taking a sip of blood.

Halfway through, feeling somewhat unwilling, she bit down again before pushing him away.

When Xie Heng felt her canine teeth bite, he only felt a fine, tingling itch and couldn’t help but find it amusing. He withdrew his hand to look at the tooth marks, unconsciously saying: “The Inspector is quite good at biting.”

As soon as these words left his mouth, Luo Wanqing shot him a cold look.

Xie Heng also instantly remembered something, feeling somewhat uncomfortable as he coughed lightly: “I…”

“Young Master should focus on business.”

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

Xie Heng didn’t dare mention it again, turning around to walk to the fire with his back to her.

Luo Wanqing couldn’t bear to watch, turning her head away. She only heard his somewhat heavy breathing in the cave, and her heart immediately ached, feeling useless.

After Xie Heng scraped the poisoned bone powder into the fire, he finally returned. His face was pale as he handed the blood-stained Xiling to Luo Wanqing, saying hoarsely: “If we’re lucky, Ji Ruifang might not find us even by dawn. If we’re unlucky, act according to circumstances.”

“Understood.”

Luo Wanqing responded glumly. Xie Heng fell silent, using his peripheral vision to glance at the bruises on Luo Wanqing’s body. These marks had faded considerably during their breathing regulation, but traces were still visible.

After thinking for a long time, he said softly: “About tonight… I’m sorry.”

“Young Master needn’t say more.” Luo Wanqing turned her head away, not wanting to discuss it further. “It’s just a small matter.”

Hearing that Luo Wanqing didn’t want to talk about it, Xie Heng nodded and said no more, standing up: “Then I’ll go meditate first.”

“Young Master.”

Hearing him get up, Luo Wanqing suddenly spoke: “If you were me, could you guard this entrance today?”

Hearing this, Xie Heng paused and turned back to look.

Luo Wanqing sat near the cave entrance, hugging her knees with her blade resting lightly against her shoulder. Her hair scattered around her, her spine slightly curved in a beautiful arc like a crescent moon embracing a blade, clear and moving.

The firelight enlarged her shadow. The huge silhouette on the wall contrasted with her, and the person shrouded in shadow had a calm, cold expression with resolute, steady eyes, not much different from the countless martial experts he had encountered.

The difference between using a blade and a sword was that blades were domineering and fierce, moving forward without compromise, never yielding, with no room for concession.

He had once regretted that Luo Wanqing chose the blade path, but now, looking at her, he realized that she was naturally born to be a blade wielder.

Looking at Luo Wanqing, his gaze moved slightly as he answered honestly: “I cannot.”

Luo Wanqing looked up at him, staring at the young man before her. Xie Heng was thin all over, with a cold temperament, much gentler than usual, yet still different from Cui Heng.

But in this moment, she still saw Cui Heng’s shadow in him.

She had sparred openly with Cui Heng countless times and schemed with Xie Heng countless times.

In this moment, she saw the two merge in the firelight.

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

He said, “I cannot.”

Luo Wanqing smiled gently, saying calmly and confidently: “I bet I can.”

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

Starting tonight.

Hearing this, Xie Heng’s expression shifted slightly.

Looking at her determined eyes, after a moment, he smiled: “I look forward to it.”

Luo Wanqing nodded solemnly: “I will not disappoint Young Master’s expectations.”

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

He found a place to sit down and began meditating, while Luo Wanqing hugged her blade and guarded the entrance.

After so much had happened, with this quiet moment, she only felt tired and didn’t want to think about anything. Leaning against the wall, her whole being settled into a peaceful, calm state as she dozed lightly.

This was the first time she had been so peaceful since Cui Heng fell into the water.

Previously, she always felt something lurking in her heart. No matter how calm and composed she appeared on the surface, something was always pressing and aching in her heart, making her unconsciously agitated.

Today, despite being injured, despite knowing so much, despite still feeling some pain in her body.

She felt as if she were soaking in warm water.

Her whole being relaxed, and the world became gentle.

She leaned against the wall, not daring to fall into deep sleep.

Around midnight, she heard sounds in the distance. Luo Wanqing immediately awakened, went out to investigate briefly, and after hearing the sounds, confirmed that people had arrived nearby. She immediately returned to the cave.

Xie Heng was meditating. She quickly walked into the inner cave and sealed his pressure points.

Xie Heng immediately opened his eyes. Luo Wanqing said at once, “Young Master, Ji Ruifang has found us. She won’t really kill you today, so please focus on repairing your true essence and don’t act rashly. I won’t let anyone enter. Even if someone does enter, Young Master will be fine.”

Understanding Luo Wanqing’s meaning, Xie Heng’s expression turned cold.

Luo Wanqing half-knelt before him, explaining: “Young Master has deceived me too many times. I don’t trust Young Master. I suspect Young Master was prepared to risk his life to save people at the critical moment if I didn’t run, never intending to let me defend to the end. So I’m sealing Young Master’s pressure points first. With Young Master’s abilities, once your true essence is repaired, you’ll naturally break free—no need to worry. When we return to the Eastern Capital, I’ll go to the Punishment Hall to accept responsibility for today’s insubordination.”

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

Seeing him finally angry, Luo Wanqing felt somewhat pleased.

Looking at the person before her, she couldn’t help but add: “Young Master always likes to arrange other people’s lives. This time I’m also arranging for Young Master. I hope Young Master will understand—this subordinate is also doing this for your good.”

These words left Xie Heng stunned. Hearing sounds outside, Luo Wanqing stood up: “I’m going.”

With that, she took her blade and strode out.

After just two steps, feeling the strangeness in her body from today and thinking of the satisfaction from seeing Xie Heng angry, she couldn’t help but add: “Also, Young Master has always told me that you’re not as good as Guanlan. I haven’t noticed anything else different. Just one thing—”

Luo Wanqing turned to look at him, her cold tone carrying some undisguised disdain: “Your technique isn’t good. Too painful.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng’s eyes widened instantly.

Luo Wanqing turned away, suppressing her laughter as she strode outside, finally feeling that a breath she’d been holding was completely released.

What she said was half true, half false, but being able to anger Xie Heng felt quite good.

As she walked, she thought about the current arrangements.

Sealing Xie Heng’s pressure points ensured he wouldn’t act recklessly. The poison in the cave also ensured that ordinary people couldn’t enter. This way, Xie Heng had absolute safety.

With Xie Heng safe, she felt at ease and simply walked out of the cave, found a tree, and reclined on it to begin sharpening her blade while keeping watch.

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

Although Ji Ruifang’s people had discovered this area, they hadn’t yet found the cave and were searching back and forth nearby. Luo Wanqing just sharpened her blade and watched.

After a long time, finally, someone approached the cave and said to another person: “Doesn’t that look like a cave over there?”

As the two spoke and moved forward, Luo Wanqing drew her blade and circled behind them. Just before they would trigger her defensive lines, she hung upside down from the tree and silently slit both their throats.

The two died soundlessly. Luo Wanqing glanced around, took advantage of the night to carry the bodies away, placed them at a distance, created a scene suggesting escape, quickly stripped one person’s clothes to change into them, then returned.

The two bodies indeed led them astray, but Ji Ruifang had too many people. Having searched this area, they soon discovered the cave again.

After Luo Wanqing eliminated three waves of people, she realized the area was becoming increasingly dense with people. She knew Ji Ruifang must have noticed.

She surveyed the surroundings, staying constantly alert. Seeing more and more people around, Luo Wanqing assessed their positions and knew they were gradually surrounding her.

She gripped her blade motionlessly. After waiting a long time, she suddenly heard arrows flying from all directions. Luo Wanqing cut down a wave of arrows and retreated quickly to her prepared traps. Just as several people rushed forward, Luo Wanqing touched down with her toes, and this group instantly fell and tumbled.

Luo Wanqing raised her blade to take advantage and slit their throats in one sweep, then retreated to the cave entrance.

The cave entrance was extremely narrow. With her alone standing at the entrance, she blocked all paths.

Seeing their ambush exposed, everyone simply emerged from the forest. Torches instantly illuminated the woods. Luo Wanqing watched many people surge forward, led by four women. She glanced at them and asked consideringly: “Where is Ji Ruifang?”

“How dare you ask!”

One of the blue-clothed women said: “Don’t you know what you’ve done?”

“What have I done?” Luo Wanqing asked curiously, though she already had the answer in her heart.

When she left, she had given the Qianji to Xie Minsheng. Now that Ji Ruifang wasn’t here, she must be injured. Currently in Jirui Palace, only Zhuque and Xie Minsheng could injure Ji Ruifang.

But Zhuque had to protect Cui Junye and probably didn’t have the inclination.

After thinking, Luo Wanqing understood and asked: “Xie Minsheng assassinated Ji Ruifang?”

“You…”

“Kunlan, no need for so much chatter with her.”

The woman in jade-colored robes, the eldest, spoke up, restraining Kunlan, who wanted to say more.

She looked at Luo Wanqing with a cold expression: “Palace Master said that if you’re willing to step aside today, she can spare your life.”

“Spare my life?” Luo Wanqing laughed. “With Ji Ruifang absent, just you few—do you qualify to negotiate life and death with me? Instead, I can tell you that before dawn tomorrow, the Supervision Department will enter the valley. If you leave now, you still have a chance to live. If you continue to stay here—”

Luo Wanqing brushed her blade across fresh blood: “I can’t guarantee your survival.”

“Boastful words.”

Kunlan shouted angrily, then raised her hand: “Release arrows!”

The moment her words fell, arrows flew like rain from the front row. Knowing she couldn’t retreat even half a step—if she did, with these four women’s abilities, they would enter the cave directly—Luo Wanqing raised her blade and, like scooping water, made a clockwise sweeping motion, turning the arrows on her blade surface and reflecting them at her opponents!

The arrow rain flew back at the crowd as the four women attacked with swords.

Luo Wanqing alone guarded the entrance, her blade cutting through sword rain, her feet stepping on sword edges. After dozens of exchanges, the eldest woman knew they couldn’t break through by force, so she simply retreated and ordered others: “Attack!”

The nearby guards exchanged glances, looking at Luo Wanqing standing at the entrance with her blade, and said uneasily: “Lady Kunyu, we’re afraid…”

Before they finished speaking, Kunlan suddenly swung her sword, cutting off the speaker’s head, and coldly swept her gaze over everyone: “Those who disobey orders die. Attack!”

Hearing this, everyone looked at each other, and finally, when Kunlan raised her sword again, someone shouted and rushed toward Luo Wanqing.

These people were all ordinary soldiers, not worth fearing, but she knew that these four women’s purpose wasn’t to use these people to kill her, but to exhaust her.

Human stamina had limits. They could wait at ease while she was worn down, and once she showed weakness, they would swarm her.

For such schemes, there was no special method—the simplest was to meet violence with violence.

Luo Wanqing raised her hand forward, bound her blade to her hand with cloth, rotated her wrist, spun the blade in her hand in a flourish, and just as people surged toward her, she kicked out and the blade chopped straight down!

Without any techniques or methods, she stood at the entrance, saw people rushing up, raised her blade, and chopped.

For a time, blood and flesh flew at the cave entrance. Before long, corpses piled up.

Luo Wanqing regulated her breathing, maintaining steady breathing and rationality, calculating the number of people rushing up, fighting more vigorously against the incoming opponents.

These people came like ants, wave after wave. Luo Wanqing chopped them down one by one, feeling fresh blood splash on her face, warmth interweaving with the cool night.

Watching Luo Wanqing’s appearance, the four women’s expressions shifted. Kunyu couldn’t help but speak: “I’ve always heard that Supervision Department people are human demons. Seeing it today, they truly live up to their reputation. Inspector Liu, these are all ordinary soldiers. Killing so many people—aren’t you afraid in your heart?”

“You’re not afraid.”

Luo Wanqing kicked away the pile of corpses, knocked down the people climbing up, and smiled at Kunyu: “What should I fear? They want to kill me—should I just sit and wait for death?”

“But they’re all people who reformed and came to Liufeng Island,” Kunyu continued. “Your Supervision Department pressured them relentlessly. You alone have already killed three hundred people in the forest. If you kill them today, how will you block the world’s gossip in the future?”

“When they dressed tens of thousands of civilians in enemy uniforms at the border, they didn’t think about the world’s gossip. When it comes to me, you bring up public opinion?” Luo Wanqing spoke mockingly. “What needs to be blocked—is it the world’s mouths or those in power’s hearts?”

“How do you know those in power don’t have such hearts?” Kunyu smiled. Luo Wanqing’s expression turned cold.

In that brief moment, a cold arrow shot from the side. Luo Wanqing hastily cut it down, only to see Kunlan had already attacked her!

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater] Xie Heng: “I’m not good? Hmm? I’m not good? Liu Xiniang, let’s see how long you can stay arrogant.” Luo Wanqing: “Young Master, farewell, I’m running away.”