The inn’s remote location and lack of martial artists among its patrons allowed Lou Mingyue to breathe a momentary sigh of relief. She slipped out through the narrow ventilation window and swiftly vanished into the distance.

However, her severe injuries made it difficult to sustain her escape. She managed to find a patch of waist-high withered grass and plunged into it. Gazing at the sky tinged golden by the rising sun, a faint mist escaped her lips, her paper-white face blurring slightly.

Each sunrise heralds a new beginning, kindling hope even in the face of setbacks. Yet Lou Mingyue found herself sinking deeper into a quagmire of despair with each passing day.

In such moments, thoughts of retreating to Mo Sigui’s side and accompanying him to the pinnacle of medical arts would surface. Once, she had disdained such a life, her heart set on grander pursuits. Now, it seemed precious. Perhaps this is human nature – we undervalue what’s within reach, only to cherish it when it’s lost.

Lou Mingyue had spent a few days recuperating on Meihua Island. She had considered staying, but the gnawing hatred made life unbearable. The mere thought of her enemies living freely tormented her, robbing her of sleep and appetite. Without vengeance, she knew the suppressed hatred would eventually drive her mad.

She joined the Konghe Army’s Weiyue group, directly seeking the task of assassinating Yelü Hangwu. This marked her fourth attempt.

Her first attempt was en route, after months of waiting. She came within 200 paces of the carriage before being intercepted by the sudden appearance of the Ghost Tigers, nearly losing her life.

The second attempt was at a private gathering. With Yelü Hangwu constantly occupied at the Princess’s palace or the imperial court, such opportunities were rare. The proximity to her enemy proved too tempting. Lacking thorough planning, she failed again, coming within 100 paces of Yelü Hangwu.

The third attempt was the most devastating. Yelü Hangwu left the capital to personally command the Liao army against Ling Ziyue’s fierce border attacks, escorted by only twenty riders. Lou Mingyue and six other Weiyue members ambushed them. They killed sixteen of the enemy, but Lou Mingyue was the sole survivor among her comrades. She single-handedly slew ten formidable Ghost Tigers, approaching within 100 paces of Yelü Hangwu despite her grave injuries.

Fixated on Yelü Hangwu past the remaining Ghost Tigers, a tsunami of grief and hatred suddenly overwhelmed her. In that instant, she unleashed power verging on transcendence. Her sword moved like a dragon, striking with thunderous force. Against all odds, she slew the remaining Ghost Tigers.

Yelü Hangwu was within reach. Even dying together would have brought her immense satisfaction. But as the last Ghost Tiger fell, she suddenly felt dizzy. Through blurred vision, she saw an ugly woman beside Yelü Hangwu raise a crossbow and fire at her.

As she collapsed, Lou Mingyue was nearly consumed by despair. Her vengeance is unfulfilled, she couldn’t die. She must not die!

In her haze, she vaguely heard Yelü Hangwu’s cold voice: “To fight ten alone – such rare talent, yet not in my service.”

It sounded like praise, regret, and fury all at once.

“For a woman to achieve this… it’s lamentable,” the ugly woman said softly.

Perhaps moved by these words, Yelü Hangwu paused before saying, “Send people to collect the fallen Ghost Tigers’ bodies. This woman faced death unflinchingly, her sword qi disturbing the wind and clouds. Let her body remain intact.”

“Yes,” the ugly woman responded.

In her stupor, Lou Mingyue thought the ugly woman had deliberately spared her life.

Suddenly, she felt breath on her ear as the ugly woman whispered, “Find Mo Sigui, or you’ll surely die.”

As hoofbeats faded into the distance, Lou Mingyue’s consciousness gradually cleared. The itching pain from the crossbow wound became increasingly apparent, rapidly spreading throughout her body. Recognizing the signs of severe poisoning, she hastily treated herself and rushed back to Song to find Mo Sigui.

She had resolved never to involve herself with him again, but her brush with death left her with profound regret and despair. She couldn’t die.

Later, Lou Mingyue learned that the ugly woman on Yelü Hangwu’s side was Ning Yanli, a renowned Liao physician who had used her to challenge Mo Sigui’s skills. In a way, Mo Sigui had indirectly saved her.

This latest attempt marked Lou Mingyue’s fourth assassination attempt on Yelü Hangwu. She had been close enough to see her reflection in Yelü Hangwu’s calm, black eyes.

Though she failed again, each attempt brought her closer. In the abyss of hatred and despair, a flower of hope had bloomed.

Someday, she would have her revenge.

Only by killing her enemy could she quell her hatred, appease her parents’ spirits, and account for the innocent Qiu and Lou clan members who died tragically. Perhaps then she could live freely.

Feeling as if she had been frozen for days, unable to feel her limbs or even the cold, Lou Mingyue silently prayed, “Mo Sigui, help me overcome this crisis.”

Despite all her misfortunes, Mo Sigui remained the purest, most beautiful part of her life – a warm, distant light in the endless night.

If possible, she longed to traverse the darkness to his side and bask in his warmth.

The dry grass rustled, ice crystals from the branches falling onto Lou Mingyue’s face, refusing to melt.

The sun rose as usual.

Meihua Island erupted into chaos.

Mo Sigui, who had fallen asleep in the pavilion, was awakened by strange sounds. He rushed over to find Little Moon frantically running through the woods, already bloodied. Its once azure eyes were now blood-red as it writhed and howled in agony.

Mo Sigui’s heart sank, stopping him in his tracks.

Little Moon was a tracking tiger specially prepared for Lou Mingyue. Both it and Lou Mingyue harbored a parasitic gu. Normally harmless, the gu lived and died with its host. If one neared death, the other would feel the same mortal threat and begin to struggle. This would cause the host immense pain as it thrashed inside them, also instilling a sense of impending doom.

Little Moon’s sudden frenzy could only mean one thing!

Upon seeing Mo Sigui, Little Moon immediately ran to him, cowering and trembling at the base of a tree. Its eyes reflected terror as it whimpered softly.

Through Little Moon, Mo Sigui could almost see Lou Mingyue’s current state. His mind reeled, his limbs weakened, and his heart turned to ice.