Ten meters, nine meters… Suddenly, in this moment of crisis, a wave of hidden weapons flew from behind toward the enemy, launching a continuous counterattack. Golden leaves and silver blossoms danced in alternating strikes—beautiful and brilliant.
For ordinary guardians, even the most skilled could only manage ten golden leaves at once—five in each hand. But now, the number and quality of weapons were near top-tier, and they were mixed. Could it be…
A Jun turned to look—and saw the sister who usually only giggled now staring wide-eyed, serious and focused. She stood tall, confident, fully immersed in the battle.
The half-defeated beasts were dizzy from the barrage—some knocked down, others stumbling like motion sickness victims.
This wasn't something a fragile girl could normally do. Clearly, A Jun had underestimated his junior sister. Now, even she was fighting for him. His heart grew complicated.
Then, their second brother Xiao Xi appeared again—he had shaken off his pursuers and arrived just in time. He activated the secret technique taught by their master.
Though usually lazy and inattentive, Xiao Xi had talent—and the technique worked. His body became unusually strong, with rapid healing. His earlier wounds healed automatically.
Of course, if he studied harder, the defense might have been even better. But one couldn't ask for too much—just holding the line was already lucky.
Xiao Xi used his body to block the demon beast's attack path. A Jun prepared to regain his confidence. But the beast's power was overwhelming. Though the children endured the damage, they couldn't withstand the impact.
So, right under Ai's watchful eyes, the children were pitifully blasted away by the demon beast's force. Fortunately, Xiao Xi and the sister cushioned A Jun's fall, pushing him back just a few steps. But his siblings were forced to the cliff's edge—half their footing already gone.
Ai lunged forward, trying to save them—but missed by just half a second.
—What now? No, I have to do something!
At that moment, A Jun's resolve was clear—he had to save them. Even if it meant trading his life one-for-one, he had to ensure Little Sweet Girl's safety. That was his promise to his teacher. As for Xiao Xi—well, a true man shares both fortune and hardship. There was no other way.
Just as Ai hesitated at the edge of the cliff, A Jun, who had been beside her, suddenly leapt forward with all his strength. One dive, one grab, one toss—and he successfully pulled Little Sweet Girl back to safety. Ai's eyes froze. This child—was he trying to die? Then again, he had always been like this.
Without a contingency plan, Ai was momentarily stunned, unable to react. She instinctively caught Little Sweet Girl, then stared at A Jun and Xiao Xi's figures, torn and indecisive—something uncharacteristic for a shadow guard known for decisiveness.
But A Jun, facing the masked Ai, simply smiled. He knew this was the only way. Below the cliff was a river, and among the three, Xiao Xi was the best swimmer and could coordinate with him.
Then, A Jun inexplicably drew his bow again. This time, an arrow flickering with faint electric arcs finally formed. Before he could celebrate, he launched the energy arrow into the clouds above. Whoosh—a silver arc streaked across the sky, but its power weakened, and by the time it reached the clouds, the lightning had vanished.
—Sigh, another failure? At least Sister Ai was here. Little Sweet Girl would be safe.
"Brother Jun, why are you so foolish? You can't even swim… but I can! You mustn't get hurt—what would I do? I still want to be your girlfriend!"
Safe now, Little Sweet Girl lunged toward A Jun, trying to grab him, crying and shouting under Ai's protection. Ai, still in turmoil, wanted to save A Jun—even if it meant danger. But what about the girl?
The crisis wasn't over. The beasts still lurked nearby. Ai had the power to act and might still make it in time, even if the odds were slim. But just then, the wounded lead beast regrouped its pack and launched a combined shockwave attack. Strangely, the demon beast from earlier had vanished.
—What should I do…
This was a feeling Ai had never experienced before. Just as she wavered, moments after the energy arrow faded, thunder roared in the sky. Then, a bolt of lightning descended from the heavens, shattering the shockwave and sending the beasts into chaos. They retreated several miles, huddled together, trembling.
Still midair, A Jun smiled at Little Sweet Girl. Then, the two children fell into the depths of the cliff, plunging into the rushing river below—vanishing from sight.
—As long as you're safe, that's enough.
Atop the cliff, Ai could only stare, filled with guilt. This child—how could he still think of others at a time like this? She hadn't even noticed the incoming danger. The lead beast, undeterred, lunged forward—clearly frightened into aggression.
Its claws drew closer…
Just before Ai was struck, a figure appeared behind her. With one slash, the beast's claw was shattered. A few swift moves dispatched the remaining whimpering beasts.
It was a middle-aged man, wearing a bamboo hat and a mask like Ai. Slightly stout, dressed like a wanderer. He turned slowly, wiping his blade as he walked, then smiled at the shaken Ai and teased, "Well, it's only been a few years—how did you get rusty?"
Ai didn't respond. They were on the same side. Her brows furrowed as she stared down the cliff, feeling a new kind of unease.
"Hey… could you show me a little respect? Always treating me like air!"
The man held his blade in one hand, crossed his arms, and complained out of habit. Ai frowned, visibly annoyed. Though he meant no harm, she couldn't stand his tone. She glared and snapped, "What are you doing here?"
"Wow—biting the hand that feeds you, huh?"
The man strolled to Ai's side, peered down at the water, and joked, "Hmm, looks deep. Wonder if those two kids can swim… judging by the whirlpool, they've probably been swept off somewhere…"
Ai still didn't answer. She sent the parrot to report the situation, then prepared to jump down herself. Just then, the Beast Management Bureau finally arrived—right on time. They began cleaning up the aftermath, shouting with a mix of excitement and sorrow.
The administrators were relieved someone had finally taught those arrogant beasts a lesson. Years of abuse had left them repressed. But they were also uneasy—these beasts weren't easy to handle. This mass breakout meant their director would take the blame. The Bureau had already been struggling in recent years. This incident was a disaster.
Worse still was their director—a near-obsessive beast enthusiast. Though the beasts were dangerous, he treated them like treasures. Now, so many rare research specimens had been wiped out by unexpected guests.
Just thinking of the director's face—and the twisted, terrifying expression he'd soon wear—made their hearts tremble.
The current director wasn't a guardian descendant, but had distant ties. As a civilian, he'd been exposed to beasts from a young age and was passionate about them. He worked on a research island run by guardians—the same one A Jun's school visited on spring trips.
Thanks to outstanding performance, he was promoted repeatedly, becoming the island's head by age thirty. But his ambitions lay elsewhere. The island's animals, though rare, bored him compared to beasts. Years later, he published a paper on accelerating beast cultivation and new breed development. It gained wide acclaim and royal favor, leading to his transfer to the Bureau.
Fifteen years ago, after the previous director was suddenly dismissed, he was appointed by the royal family as the new director. Since then, he had delivered many strange but popular technologies—like boosting spirit beast growth and combat power. The Bureau gained more royal favor.
But good times didn't last. In recent years, strange phenomena kept emerging…
As they pondered, the administrators glanced at the man who had dragged them into this mess. Complaints aside, his aura silenced them. They could only gasp quietly.
The man suddenly grabbed the impulsive Yin and gently reminded, "Relax. How could you forget? Below is the Ruo River."
"I know! But the Ruo River has risks. I still have to save them!"
Suddenly, Ai seemed to awaken from her daze, as if remembering something. Her worry deepened.
"Silly girl—that's not like you at all."
The man gave her a surprised look, then handed her something. "Here. A letter from your father. You think I came all this way for nothing?"
Ai accepted the message with a complex expression, anxiously reading it.
"Your father said not to worry about the two kids. They'll be fine. That's also the clan leader's view."
Even after reading, Ai remained unsure, lingering for a while. But with orders from above, she had to trust it.
"Feeling better? Then I'll take my leave."
The man smiled at Ai, now calmer. He cast a cold glance at the Bureau staff, then vanished in an instant.
Ai sighed softly, looked once more down the cliff, then reluctantly followed orders—protecting Little Sweet Girl as she returned to report.
As for the depths below, in the Ruo River…
—Foolish child. Even now, you smile at me… Xiao Jun, you must come back safely!