I showered Yindeng with praise for her brilliance. She smiled and gave me a gentle nudge with her elbow—her arms still stiff from being bound—signaling for me to be serious. "I have the true distribution of these industries memorized, and I know the terrain of the eastern suburbs like the back of my hand. Once we are out, I will know exactly where to run." As she spoke, she used her toe to draw in the dirt, sketching our approximate location and marking two optimal spots that could provide a reverse transmission back to Chunan Tower. Both were within a hundred miles to our northwest, situated near the direct path back to the capital from the southeast.
As for who would carry whom once we escaped, Yindeng said with a beaming smile, "Miss Wen Jiang is the weakest, so Zhenzhen, you shall look after her. Miss Wen Qi will have to make do with me; I hope she doesn't mind the imposition." Neither sister raised any objection.
We finalized the details, waiting for the moon to reach its zenith when the yin energy would be at its peak. Yindeng asked me one more thing: "Zhenzhen, do you have a dagger or a small knife on you?"
I pulled one from my storage ring and handed it to her. She took it with a steady hand, walked over to the dying Jin Zhu, and, with her back turned to us, drove the blade into the woman’s heart with ruthless precision.
"You plotted against me several times. This life—even if not for my own sake—must be paid back for Sister Fan Liao," Yindeng said, standing up and holding the dripping dagger with a calm expression. "I will leave your body whole. A quick death is a mercy, considering our past acquaintance."
It was the first time Wen Qi and Wen Jiang had witnessed such a bloody sight. Both looked away, unable to bear it. After a moment of silence, having nothing else to do, they hovered anxiously by the dust-covered, broken window, watching the moon climb inch by inch. Finally, they whispered in unison, "It’s time!"
I distributed the backup weapons and defensive artifacts to the three of them, telling them to keep them ready. Then, I pinched a hand seal, forced out three drops of heart’s blood, and silently chanted the Ghost-Summoning Incantation to call the entity forth to break down the door.
Despite their mental preparation, Wen Jiang and Wen Qi instinctively trembled as the ominous ghostly aura began to seep in. Yindeng, though more experienced with such storms, could only manage a forced composure, her already haggard face turning a shade paler. I gave them a reassuring look and poured more soul power into the spell. The ghostly aura surged violently. With a sharp, ear-grating screech, the ward on the door shattered, and the fragile wooden door instantly disintegrated into powder.
A ghostly creature, over two stories tall, loomed before us, blotting out the pale, weak moonlight that had been struggling to filter through the window.
I moved with a swift footwork technique, brushing past the ghost’s claws to let the ropes binding me snap. In an instant, I had my sword in hand and cut down the four lackeys who were about to sound the alarm.
Simultaneously, the Great Ghost severed the ropes of the other three. While these ropes were insurmountable for Cloud-Swallowing rank weapons, they were like brittle vines before the talons of a Canxia-rank ghost, snapping at the slightest touch. Yindeng activated a movement talisman provided by the temple and grabbed Wen Qi. The four of us, followed by the ghost, bolted in our predetermined northwestern direction.
As expected, Mi Toutuo and Big Bird Bro had been alerted and moved to intercept us. I pointed at Mi Toutuo, and the Great Ghost charged at him with a cackling, eerie laugh. I threw out a pre-prepared illusion array disk—a gift from my master—which expanded to cover a hundred paces around Big Bird Bro. Taking advantage of that split-second distraction, I led Yindeng and the others through the gap in the guards behind him.
A Canxia-rank ghost was indeed formidable; it held its ground. We soon neared the edge of the manor. I didn't even bother breaking the formations or killing the guards properly; I simply tossed a dozen explosive talismans mindlessly, blowing a hole through the manor wall, and we fled into the night. As for the fate of our ghostly savior, I couldn't afford to worry about it for now. Though it was a treasure cherished by Lu Lingfeng, and I knew I should return what I borrowed... well, at worst, I’d have Lord Wei catch her another one as compensation.
The four of us ran without pause for a while. Yindeng, now fully oriented with the terrain, said to me, "The Dui position, about thirty-five miles out. Cross the river, then a mile and a half east. A mountain villa with blue tiles and red walls—that is the auction house for the White District!"
I nodded in agreement. With my left arm around Wen Jiang, I blindly threw a handful of explosive talismans behind me with my right, blowing three or four pursuers into the air. The Thousand Colors Palace had indeed sent men after us. At our current speed, carrying others, it was difficult to shake them. I could only use offensive spells to delay them, hoping to find suitable terrain to set another illusion array and clear out a wave of lackeys. As long as Mi Toutuo and Big Bird Bro were tied down by the ghost, I wasn't afraid of facing ten ordinary thugs alone.
However, the situation exceeded my expectations. Seven or eight bright lanterns suddenly appeared ahead, swaying as if searching for something. Hearing the sound of our flight over the dry branches and fallen leaves, the leader of the group grew alert. A ten-person squad emerged from the thicket, bows drawn and arrows aimed straight at the four of us.
This slight delay prevented us from changing course, leaving us trapped in the mountain hollow between the two groups.
Just as I was about to hurl an explosive talisman at the leader, her face lit up with pleasant surprise. She squinted, looking at me closely as if confirming something, then waved her hand to signal her subordinates to lower their bows.
I saw her clearly now. The leader was a woman, tall with an exotic, almost demonic beauty. She bore a slight resemblance to Duan Mimou, though she was far less beautiful—likely a distant relative.
She was of the Duan family... Given Duan Mimou’s contemptuous attitude toward women, it was unlikely he would have a female-led squad. She must have been unable to sever her emotional ties after all and sent people to find Wen Jiang. The leader's joy wasn't at seeing me, but at seeing Wen Jiang in my arms.
Wen Jiang stared at her, stunned, her eyes instantly welling with tears.
With the pursuers closing in, I shouted with a smile, "Duan family, lend a hand!" With that, I entrusted Wen Jiang and the other two to them, turned back to throw out an illusion array, and drew my sword to begin the slaughter.
The other side clearly understood my intent. For a moment, arrows fell like rain, and over half of the twenty-odd pursuers from the palace were cut down. The scales had tipped. Being schemed against and humiliated to this extent by the Thousand Colors Palace and Zhang Zhuyi was a first in my life. A raging fire had been smoldering in my heart, and I had no patience for mercy now. I killed every single one who came at me.
Once the area was cleared, I took a breath, swallowed a handful of pills, and cupped my fists toward the leader with a smile, my sword still in hand. "Many thanks. That was a satisfying fight!"
The woman stood close to Wen Jiang, while Yindeng and Wen Qi each had two guards protecting them. Hearing my words, she smiled and returned the gesture. "Lady Su has impressive skill. I am Duan Yutong. It is a pleasure. From here, we shall escort you."
"Is there a suitable place nearby to rest or hide?"
Yindeng shook her head slightly behind her. Sure enough, Duan Yutong said, "There isn't. The Duan family's properties are all in the western suburbs, quite far from here." The southeast was a place for the poor and lowly; the Duan family naturally disdained it.
"Fine, let's stick to the original plan and head to the auction house in the White District."
Duan Yutong laughed. "Excellent. Lady Su knows of the secret ways as well? To be honest, my group borrowed the path from President Ling just for convenience."
"It wasn't my doing; I don't know the details." I glanced at Yindeng with a grin. "It was all Miss Yindeng's wisdom."
Duan Yutong had clearly viewed Yindeng as another sheltered young lady like Wen Jiang and Wen Qi. Hearing this, she looked back at her in surprise. Receiving a smile from the beauty, she couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.
Though our helpers were few, after being trapped in that wretched place for a day and two nights, seeing trustworthy people brought us a great sense of comfort. I had thought they might have brought mounts, but they had none. They were either swans or wild geese—all members of the flying races. Naturally, they could fly as soon as they stepped out of the Chunan teleportation array. What a coincidence: I was snatched by a bird on the way here, and I’d be carried by a bird on the way back. It all came down to flying!
Wen Jiang and Wen Qi looked quite embarrassed as they were carried on the backs of Duan Yutong and another subordinate, their faces flushing red. Yindeng and I found it novel and hopped onto our carriers' backs with a laugh. Including Duan Yutong, there were exactly four women in the squad. The girl carrying me had a round face and crescent-shaped eyes; she was very young, lively, and adorable, even chatting with me along the way.
Having a moment to breathe, I began to worry about the situation at home. After escaping danger, I had immediately had Yangyang send out signals, but Lu Kaifeng, who held the other golden bell, hadn't been able to find me for nearly twelve hours. It was highly likely he had encountered something troublesome. Moreover, Luo Cheng must have reported to the temple to request reinforcements. If the Duan family could find this place, there was no reason the Yingzhao Temple couldn't. Could it be... that the demonic zither had caused a major upheaval in the city?
As we talked and laughed, we finally neared the location Yindeng had described. Sure enough, an elegant and grand manor with staggered heights emerged from the mountainside, bathed in the clear glow of the moon, looking as bright and tranquil as a celestial palace. Just as we were all about to breathe a sigh of relief, the Honghu man leading the way flapped his wings to descend, only to let out a scream of agony. He had struck some sort of massive formation, and his entire body was instantly wreathed in flames!
The nine demons in the air immediately raised their bows. Duan Yutong, enraged, barked, "Who goes there!"
I looked at the phantom of the manor, a terrible premonition sinking into my heart.
The figure of the newcomer slowly materialized in mid-air. Clad in a scholar's scarf and wielding a feather fan, his features were warm and handsome. He ignored Duan Yutong’s fury and simply nodded to me with a smile. "Niece Su, what a coincidence."
I gripped my sword tight and whispered to Duan Yutong, "Sister Duan, take them and leave the moment you see an opening. Don't look back, and don't worry about me."
Duan Yutong frowned. Yindeng, Wen Jiang, and Wen Qi instinctively cried out "No!" I looked at Xia Ji’s confident smile and added, "None of you can stop him. I can only hold him for a moment or two."
Only then did their expressions darken as they nodded silently. Yindeng said, "As soon as we reach the city, I will alert the temple to come for you."
"I know you will." I gave her a radiant smile. In truth, we all knew I likely wouldn't last long enough for reinforcements.
Duan Yutong said nothing, but she imperceptibly began to retreat behind me while carrying Wen Jiang, her subordinates following suit. Their primary mission was Wen Jiang; at most, they would take her sister Wen Qi. Including Yindeng was already a courtesy granted because I was staying behind to cover them.
I thanked the girl who had carried me all this way with a smile and left her back, hovering in mid-air using my own essence. The girl realized I wouldn't be coming back, and tears welled in her eyes.
Xia Ji watched all of this with his usual smile, seemingly unconcerned. While my heart was filled with hatred, I also thought that perhaps this was Heaven's will to destroy me. How could he be so meticulous and brilliant as to accurately predict which Chunan Tower teleportation array we would try to use?
I summoned Yangyang and gently stroked her hair, smiling. "I've always kept you cooped up, never letting you out for fresh air. Tonight... let's have some fun."
She understood the situation perfectly but still gave her usual sweet smile—the same mischievous and sweet smile she had given on the day of the Great Birthday Festival when she led me to find Wei Qingming and affectionately called her "Qing."
Lord Wei, Wei Qingming, my A-Yun... when you return, do not be too sad for me. My only regret is that I won't have the chance to be better to you, no chance to spend your twenty-fourth birthday with you amidst the lanterns of the Lantern Festival, under the full moon.
