The forest is quiet now.
Perhaps too quiet. Did my outburst scare off everything in it?
I move toward the carriage, footsteps silent, my figure coated in a misty cloak.
I hear steel slashing. It's not over yet.
It must be Her.
I hide between the last line of trees, observing the situation with calculative gaze.
Two guards down. One near death.
And her, standing between them and the enemy.
She's protecting them? Maybe there's more to her than meets the eye.
She's good. Footwork is precise, strikes are swift... but her focus is all over the place.
Tsk, tsk.
That's what happens when you try to protect everyone.
No wonder you're losing.
If you protect them, who will protect you?
So many openings...
Even I can see them, and I don't even know martial arts.
A scarred mercenary slips under her guard, swinging for her exposed side.
See? The enemy noticed too...
She won't make it in time.
Shadowless Step.
The world blurs. In less than a second, I'm behind him, holding his sword arm mid swing.
His bone cracks under my grip.
''Hi there, Lady VIP.''
I twist harder. The arm shatters with a snap.
She glances over, voice sharp but laced with something softer than before.
''Took you long enough. I thought you died somewhere in the woods.''
She says mockingly, but her eyes look at me softer than before.
Good. Be grateful.
I ignore her and glance at the guards. One's already gone. The other… maybe minutes.
I move my grip to mercenary's throat as I apply pressure.
CRACK!
His lifeless body falls on the dirt as soon as I let go.
''...''
She gives me a disaproving look, before turning around towards the injured guard.
[You've gained 1 point of Fear.]
I missed you, system.
She crouches, pressing her hand against the wound, her voice low and firm.
"Stay awake. That's an order."
That's an impossible order.
Moments later, her expression worsens.
''He's gone...''
I put my hand on her shoulder, nudging her towards the carriage.
''We can't stay here.''
Relucant, she gives me a nod and enters the carriage.
I follow right behind her, taking one last look at my surroundings before entering.
...
The smell is even worse now. Perfume is still there, but now it's mixed with blood.
Sigh.
She sits across from me, the mask hiding her expression, but her voice is different this time.
''I don't like debts.''
She pauses briefly,
''Consider one owed.''
I give her a polite smile.
''Noted.''
...
''My name is Yuexin.''
She says abruptly, her gaze avoiding mine.
Finally.
''I was meant to marry into the Xu family. An arrangement, nothing more. But the man was pathetic. Weak. So i told him as much... in front of every guest at our engagement banquet.''
She continues, not waiting for a reply.
''They call it humiliation. I call it truth. The Xu call it grounds for revenge.''
She shrugs faintly, as if none of this was her fault.
I raise my eyebrow.
''And so you hired the Han family.''
She gives me a soft nod.
''Your family is reliable. Neutral. And your Father's name still carries weight.''
For now, yes.
I let her talk. Every word is useful. Every detail, every clue.
A rival family with personal grudges.
The Han name tied to hers by contract.
Two families with nothing to gain from peace.
When she finally stops, I nod politely, leaning back in my seat.
She thinks she's hired protection.
I think I've just been handed a war.
Faint grin appears on my face for a fraction of a second.
Oh, Yuexin.
You gave me so much valuable information.
I will make sure to repay you in full.
.
.
.
[STATUS]
[Name: Han Ye]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: Terror Manifestation Realm - Early Stage ▸ Foundation establishment - Early Stage▸ +]
[Fear Points: 8]
[Fear Points needed for the next stage: 1500]
[Techniques: Shadowless Step, Thousand Faces Arts (incomplete), Silent Pulse Breathing]
Authors note: If you're enjoying the novel so far, please add it to your collections! Every single one goes a long way. Honest review will be even better! Gravemind is peacing out~