She didn't need to look back.
Her vines, hidden earlier under the stone paths, burst out again, blocking the entrance to the alley. The guards who were chasing them crashed into the thick wall of plants and got tangled instantly.
"Hold on," Gu Jin whispered.
She activated her fire element just a little—only enough to burn away the scent trail behind them.
After a few turns and jumps over wooden crates and broken walls, they finally reached a hidden tunnel near the end of the street.
Qin Ye was already waiting.
"Over here!" he called.
Gu Jin ran in with Jiang Xuelan. Behind her, Jiang Wei and Ming Rou arrived a few seconds later, both panting and out of breath.
They shut the tunnel door.
Silence.
They were safe.
Inside the tunnel, Jiang Wei fell to his knees and held his daughter tightly. Ming Rou cried quietly, her hands shaking as she touched her daughter's face.
Gu Jin leaned against the wall and took a deep breath.
The plan had worked.
Every step.
Every move.
