The sound of rustling leaves barely gave any warning. The Crown Prince shot through the dense trees at breakneck speed, dark clothes whipping behind him. His usually graceful form crashed into the clearing like a misfired arrow. He staggered, a sharp snap echoing through the air. A rope tightened around his ankle—Ling Yue's trap.
"Damn it," he muttered, barely having time to react before—
THWACK! A concealed bamboo log swung from the trees, slamming into his chest. He gasped, his body twisting midair before hitting the ground in a heap.
Shui Yi rushed to him and crouched beside him. "Long Fei, are you alright?"
"Oops, I keep forgetting Master's level at the moment." Ling Yue shook her head in disappointment. "My bad. That was meant for Long Yan."
Long Fei groaned, pushing himself up with a grimace. "What? He hadn't arrived yet?"
A slow clap echoed through the clearing as Long Yan emerged from the shadows, smirking. "Much appreciated, Elder Brother. Thanks for leading me straight to them and for clearing the traps." His eyes gleamed with amusement. "How thoughtful."
Ling Yue ran a hand over her face. Long Fei grunted, struggling to get back up. Shui Yi gasped and hid behind him.
Ling Yue glanced between them, then pulled a sword from her mystical satchel and pressed it into Shui Yi's hand. "You're going to need this. Time for me to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show." And with that, she vanished like the wind.
Long Fei braced himself, his jaw clenched. His body was tense, ready for a fight despite the pain radiating through his chest. CRACK! Long Yan's kick sent him skidding across the ground.
Shui Yi grabbed Long Yan's leg and cried out. "Stop!"
He easily broke free from her grasp, circling the prince like a predator. "What's wrong, Elder Brother? Were you always this sloppy?" He chuckled, planting a foot on his brother's chest and pressing down. "Ah, I see. You were too worried about your little mermaid to think straight."
The prince clenched his jaw, straining against the weight.
A fury coiled in the mermaid's chest, burning hotter than ever before. The moment Long Yan raised his blade for the finishing strike—
She was on the move. Like a phantom, she lunged at him, elbowing him in the head. He tumbled across the ground, kicking up a spray of dirt. Before he could get up she already planted her blade down.
He rolled to the side, barely evading her first strike. He kicked her legs, but she flipped back. Sparks erupted as their blades clashed. Her strikes were relentless, flowing like an unbroken current, each movement faster.
He narrowed his eyes. "Not bad," he admitted, blocking an overhead strike just in time. "Didn't think you had this in you."
Without answering, her movements became a whirlwind. She twisted, spun, struck. His smirk faltered as he struggled to keep up. He parried one blow, but she was already pivoting, slicing toward his exposed ribs.
He just managed to avoid her blow. Sweat beaded on his brow. He tried to counter, but she weaved past his defenses. Her blade nicked his arm, then his cheek, then his thigh.
Long Fei watched in stunned silence. The woman he'd been trying to protect was gone; before him stood a lethal, silver-haired swordmaster.
A final, decisive strike. Long Yan's eyes widened as her blade arced toward him. He lifted his sword in a last, desperate attempt.
Too slow.
Blood sprayed the air as her sword cleaved through flesh and bone. His head rolled from his shoulders, landing on the ground with a dull thud.
Crows flew out of the trees in a frenzy.
Long Fei's breath caught in his throat. His body, battered and weak, trembled. He knew he was no match for Long Yan. Yet, Shui Yi had just annihilated him.
She turned to him, blood splattered across her face. Her gaze softened, her lips parting as she caught her breath. Her silver hair flowed in the eerie breeze.
He shuffled away from her, his eyes wide, his pulse roaring in his ears.
She froze, the small flicker of warmth in her expression vanishing.
Ling Yue, who had disappeared moments ago, landed lightly on a nearby branch. She gave a slow applause, surveying the bloody scene. "Shui Yi, that was terrifying and I loved it."
The guardian hopped down and dusted off her sleeves. "Master, let's be real. You are not cleaning this mess."
Long Fei didn't move, still dazed.
Ling Yue crouched beside the corpse, blood pooling around its neck. "Honestly, I know you're righteous and all, but seeing this up close will haunt you later," she said, gesturing at the severed head.
She quickly wrapped the decapitated head in silk, tying it up in a neat little package. With a flourish, she held up the parcel. "Master, Long Yan has been executed for treason. Here you go."
The Crown Prince slowly reached out and held the silk parcel, his hands unsteady. Ling Yue patted his shoulder. "Chin up. The Emperor's gonna reward you for heroism and all that. No need to mention who did the actual heroics." She shot Shui Yi a wink.
The mermaid didn't react. She just stared at Long Fei, waiting. Was he afraid of her? Should she say something? Should she heal him? But he averted his eyes. She stepped towards him. He immediately backed away, his jaw clenched as his grip on the silk parcel tightened.
She paused, then bit her lower lip and turned away. Her hands clenched at her sides as she retreated to the bamboo hut, holding back tears.
Ling Yue, witnessing the exchange, let out a soft sigh. "Come on, Master. I'll show you the way down before you collapse again."
He clutched the package, gulped, and followed the guardian down the treacherous mountain.