Mr. Mirror left.
The carriage fell into a strange silence.
Yun Jin didn't seem to notice the heavy atmosphere. She lazily waved her hand, and in that instant, it was as if a spring breeze brushed through the air. Everyone suddenly realized the spiritual power that had been sealed within their bodies was flowing freely again.
Originally, without the mental seal and with their spiritual energy restored, they'd have bolted in an instant. But now, not a single one of them moved.
Wasn't this freedom coming a little too easily? It didn't feel real.
Yun Jin leaned back into the corner and yawned. "If any of you want to leave, you can go now. I'll help mask your aura so no one will notice anything wrong for three or four months."
Everyone exchanged uncertain glances, but no one stood up.
"No one's leaving?" Yun Jin raised an eyebrow but didn't seem to care. "Suit yourselves."
Then she closed her eyes again to rest. It looked just like before, but everyone's mood had completely changed.
Someone nudged the elven girl. "You're the one who knows her best. Go ask who she really is and what she's planning."
The elf girl almost choked.
Hey!
Who said she knew Yun Jin best?
Did they mean she was the one Yun Jin had pissed off the most?
Still, under everyone's expectant stares, she reluctantly shuffled over. She sat beside Yun Jin and whispered, "Se… Senior."
Yun Jin opened her eyes, amusement flickering in them. "You can sound gentle too?"
The elf girl took a deep breath.
Yep, still infuriating!
But she could hold it in.
"Senior," she said with a forced smile, "with power like yours, even the royal family of the Shi Tribe couldn't do anything to you."
Yun Jin didn't deny it. "And?"
Her tone was calm, as if the Shi Tribe's royals were nothing more than a trivial name.
The elf girl's heart skipped a beat. "Senior came here… you're going to the Imperial City, aren't you?"
Yun Jin looked at her with a faint, knowing smile.
The elf swallowed hard, her palms sweaty.
Yun Jin didn't bother hiding it. "Yeah. I plan to visit the Imperial City, maybe play around a bit."
Play around? Really?
The elf couldn't help but ask, "Does Senior have a grudge with the Shi Tribe?"
So she was sneaking in for revenge?
Yun Jin met her eyes, still calm. "If you've got something to say, just say it."
The elf's courage faltered. "My sister… she was taken to the Imperial City years ago. No word since. I've never seen her body, never heard a rumor. I…"
Her voice trembled.
"You want me to save your sister?" Yun Jin asked directly.
"I… I know it's too much," the elf said quickly. "But there's no one else in this world who could possibly do it. Senior, if it's convenient…"
She trailed off, lowering her head in shame.
Yun Jin had already done them an enormous favor. What right did she have to ask for more?
But Yun Jin only smiled faintly at the sight of the flustered elf whose ears had turned red. "Don't worry. If your sister's still alive, I'll get her out."
The elf's head snapped up, eyes bright with disbelief. "I… I don't even know how to thank you, Senior!"
"It's fine. Just a small matter," Yun Jin said casually.
As soon as she said that, the others all rushed forward too.
"Senior, I also had a clansman vanish a few years ago! I think the Shi Tribe captured him!"
"My brother too! He only went out to buy a few pills and never came back!"
Everyone began talking at once.
So many rare races had gone missing around the Shi Tribe's territory over the years. Some were openly invited to perform at the Imperial City and never returned. Some just vanished without a trace.
No one had proof, but everyone knew deep down—those people were probably buried somewhere inside the Imperial City. They didn't know if their loved ones were alive or dead, but hope refused to die completely.
Listening to all the desperate voices, Yun Jin frowned slightly. The Shi Tribe… what the hell had they been doing all these years?
So many rare races disappearing—it couldn't just be coincidence. She glanced at her task screen. She could choose to support the Shi Tribe's royal family or back the rebel faction.
Originally, because Yu Songnian's mother was of royal blood, she'd intended to help the royals.
But now…
Every one of these tragedies seemed tied to them. If the royals were truly behind such filth, then sorry, but they'd have to face her wrath.
"I understand," Yun Jin finally said after hearing them out. "I'll investigate the truth. If they're still alive, I'll bring them back."
Everyone looked at her with gratitude.
"Senior," the elf girl said softly, "we were chosen by the Shi Tribe for our looks. They plan to send us into the palace to perform. If Senior's heading there too, we could go with you. With that excuse, it'll be easier to sneak in."
Her eyes were firm. She'd wanted to run away before. But now?
Even this stranger, this Senior Yun Jin, was willing to risk herself to save others. Her own sister was among those captives. How could she just turn her back?
Even if her sister was already gone, even if it was hopeless, she'd take that chance.
Yun Jin paused, about to speak, but the others jumped in.
"There were twenty-three of us at first. With Senior, that's twenty-four. If anyone disappears, the numbers won't match when we reach the city. We'll be exposed!"
"I'm not running! I'll go to the Imperial City with Senior!"
"Me too! If Senior's taking on something big, I want to help however I can!"
"Then it's settled. All twenty-three of us will stay!"
Not one person chose to leave.
Yun Jin was stunned.
She'd thought once they got their freedom, they'd run as fast as they could.
But no.
They all stayed.
"Senior," the elf girl said with a wry smile, "for rare races like us, there are rarely more than a hundred people in a clan. Every clansman is precious. The Shi Tribe's been abducting people for decades. Each of us has lost someone. If we can save even one, our lives are worth it.
Before you came, we only wanted to escape. We had mental seals and our power was locked. Even if we reached the city, we'd just be lambs on a butcher's table. But now, thanks to you, we have our strength back. If we enter the city with you, we can at least fight back."
She looked at Yun Jin with pleading eyes. "Please, Senior, let us come."
The others echoed her silently with their stares. They weren't afraid of dying anymore. They just didn't want to die meaninglessly.
When Mr. Mirror controlled them, one thought from him could strip away their will. Now, even if death awaited them, at least it'd be their own choice.
Yun Jin finally understood their resolve. Her eyes softened. She'd underestimated them.
"Alright," she said at last. "If that's what you want, then come with me."
Honestly, she didn't care if people noticed someone missing. If things went south, she could just fight her way through. But she respected their will to fight beside her.
Fine then.
This time, she'd put away her fists and use a bit of strategy.
"There's one day left before we reach the capital," Yun Jin said with a smile. "Since you're staying, I'll teach you a method to hide your aura. That way, no one will notice your power's been restored."
Everyone's eyes lit up. That meant she'd accepted them. Their spirits soared instantly.
Yun Jin passed on the technique and guided them one by one.
They listened carefully, practicing with full focus. They all knew, if they mastered this concealment art, they could truly be of use to her. Before the carriage reached the Imperial City, every one of them had learned it.
Though their energy flowed freely again, they still looked like controlled puppets.
When they finally entered the city, the carriage rolled through the gates after Mr. Mirror exchanged a few words with the guards.
They stopped at a remote palace hall.
Mr. Mirror led them out. Several attendants were already waiting.
"There are twenty-four in total," he said coldly. "The best batch so far. Same as always, I'll leave them to you. Ten days from now, they'll perform at the grand ceremony. Don't screw this up."
The woman leading the attendants smiled. "Relax, Mr. Mirror. When has anyone trained by our Liuyue Hall failed to amaze the crowd?"
He nodded. "Good. I'll be staying nearby. If anything happens, I'll come immediately."
On the surface, these twenty-four still appeared under his control.
"Much appreciated," the woman said politely. Then Yun Jin and the others were ushered inside.
As soon as they entered, the woman's pleasant smile vanished.
She scanned the group with cold, critical eyes. "This batch's quality is far worse than the last. Still… you'll do, I suppose."
Her gaze landed on Yun Jin. "And you! What's with that sleepy face? Open your eyes!"
She strode toward Yun Jin, clearly intending to pry her eyelids open herself.
Yun Jin blinked.
Really?
It had been a long time since anyone dared talk to her like that.
The elf girl quickly stepped in front of her, smiling nervously. "Please don't be angry, we're just tired from traveling."
She even yawned for effect.
The woman snorted. "Pathetic! With this kind of attitude, how do you expect to perform in ten days?"
She turned and barked, "Bring me my whip!"
Yun Jin's eyes narrowed.
A voice suddenly echoed in her mind—it was the elf girl's anxious transmission.
"Senior, please, endure for now! If we're exposed here, it'll all be for nothing. I'll take the lashes for you!"
Before she could finish, Yun Jin stepped forward.
The elf froze.
"Hey, idiot," Yun Jin said lazily, "look over here."
The woman turned, glaring at her like she was already dead. "It's been ages since I've seen someone so desperate for a lesson. Let's see how long your arrogance lasts—"
She raised the whip and swung.
"Soul Control." Yun Jin's voice was calm.
The woman's eyes went blank for a moment, then the whip twisted midair and struck her own body with a loud snap.
"What's going on?!"
"She's rebelling!"
The others grabbed weapons and charged.
Yun Jin's eyes swept over them.
Then they all turned their blades and began attacking themselves.
The elf girl just stood there, dumbfounded.
Wait… what?! That was it?
Wasn't the hero supposed to endure humiliation before turning the tables?
Inside the hall, chaos erupted.
Guards rushed in from outside.
Moments later, they too wandered out, eyes dazed and movements stiff.
The elf girl stared, trembling. "Senior Yun… you controlled them all?"
Mr. Mirror needed complex rituals to do that. Yun Jin did it with a glance?
Yun Jin shrugged. "Seems like it."
The elf was speechless for a long while before whispering, "Then… what do you even need us for?"
Good question.
Yun Jin thought for a bit, then said slowly, "To be witnesses, I suppose?"