A secluded corner of Zhaoyang Palace's garden. Xu Wan'er stood alone, facing a maid. Her expression was cold, her hands hidden in her sleeves.
Murong Jin quickened her pace. She recognized the maid—one of the servants Little Dingzi had handpicked. Yet, even here, Guo Shangzhong's spies had infiltrated. Or was Little Dingzi unreliable too?
No time to think. She leaped forward, pulling Xu Wan'er behind her with one hand while her other drew her soft sword, blocking the maid's dagger.
Clang.
They sprang apart. Five figures materialized from the shadows, surrounding them.
"Your Majesty, leave me!" Xu Wan'er grasped Murong Jin's hand. She couldn't see, but she felt the killing intent. Even at full strength, Murong Jin would struggle to protect her against six. Now, injured…
Murong Jin squeezed her hand, a faint smile touching her lips.
"I led armies at fifteen. I never fled from thousands. These few are nothing."
Her voice was steady, her gaze sweeping the circle. They blocked every escape. The only way out was through them.
A sudden sorrow washed over her. She remembered the scene in the garden. Xue Liulan's gentle smile, his doting gesture toward another woman.
Xue Liulan. Is it because I never fully trusted you? Or because the weight of the empire stands between us?
Fine. Let this be the end. If I survive today, our memories are enough.
"Princess, rest assured. Even if it costs my life, I will keep you safe."
"Your Majesty!" Xu Wan'er was alarmed. She heard no will to live in Murong Jin's voice. "If anything happens to you, I cannot answer to the Emperor!"
Xue Liulan? Murong Jin faltered for a second, then her gaze hardened. She had hesitated too long. Indecision led to chaos.
"If Her Majesty hands over the woman, we will not harm you," the maid said. She stood outside the circle, commanding the others.
Murong Jin laughed. "Disguising as a maid, planting guards in the garden… Guo Shangzhong's plan is watertight."
The maid wasn't surprised. Without the Murong army, the Empress was just a woman.
"Since Your Majesty sees through it, you know you cannot escape with a blind woman." The maid smirked.
Murong Jin's eyes narrowed. "Let's see if you have the skill to die with me."
She launched herself forward like an arrow, dodging the attacks of the five men. She spun, her sword slashing at one man's back.
Steel clashed. She used the impact to flip in mid-air, kicking a blade aimed at her legs. The attacker staggered. She landed, shoved him back with a palm strike, and returned to Xu Wan'er's side.
A deep cut on her left arm oozed blood.
"Your Majesty, you're hurt!" Xu Wan'er cried.
"It's nothing." Murong Jin glanced at the wound. The pain, the cold, the metallic scent of blood… it woke something in her. The spirit of the battlefield.
For a moment, she was back in Wuchuan, facing thousands, flirting with death.
She missed it. The freedom. The wildness. She smiled. I truly am not someone who can give up freedom for love.
"It seems you really want to be buried with me today." She took a deep breath, her grip on the sword tightening.
The Murong sword style was born on the battlefield. Fast, ruthless, practical. Even in her hands, its lethality was undiminished.
Blades flashed. The five men faltered. It wasn't just her skill; it was her sheer, relentless aggression. She attacked without defense, cutting through them like bamboo.
The wind died. Murong Jin stood before Xu Wan'er, back to the maid. Her face was pale, but her hand was steady. A leopard waiting to strike.
The maid hesitated. Murong Jin stood tall, showing no sign of weakness. Was the intelligence wrong? Is she healed?
"Impressive kung fu, Your Majesty," the maid laughed, probing.
Murong Jin ignored her, stepping closer to Xu Wan'er.
"Are you hurt?" She took Xu Wan'er's arm, gripping it tight.
Xu Wan'er felt the heavy weight on her arm. Murong Jin was leaning on her, barely standing.
"Your Majesty…"
Murong Jin squeezed harder, silencing her.
"The Empress is agile indeed. With you protecting me, I am safe," Xu Wan'er said loudly, smiling.
"Good. One left. Then we go back. Ning'er must be worried." Murong Jin chatted casually, though black spots danced in her vision.
The five men were dead, but at a heavy cost. She was standing on sheer willpower.
She couldn't fall. If Xu Wan'er died here, Suyi would turn on Xue Liulan. Jin and Yin would unite against the dynasty. Xue Liulan would be surrounded.
The maid watched Murong Jin, her gaze settling on the Empress's trembling legs. She's spent.
The maid struck. No hesitation. The dagger flew straight for Murong Jin's heart.
Murong Jin's stance was broken. She was an arrow at the end of its flight. The maid was confident. And the blind girl was easy prey.
Xu Wan'er felt Murong Jin let go. Then she heard the sickening sound of steel piercing flesh.
One sound.
Xu Wan'er panicked.
"It's my life you want! Let the Empress go!" she screamed into the silence.
Only her own breathing answered.
"Your Majesty! Sister Murong!" She groped blindly.
A cold hand caught her trembling fingers. Murong Jin's weak voice spoke.
"How could I let someone who hurt me live?" She laughed, wild and bright, though covered in blood.
Her weight increased. Xu Wan'er sank to the ground, supporting her.
"Sister Murong, how are you?" Xu Wan'er gripped her hand.
"I want to leave here, Wan'er." Murong Jin looked up at the dim sky. The sky in Wuchuan wasn't like this. "If I die, send my body back to Wuchuan."
"No! You won't die!" Xu Wan'er's hands turned ice cold. Her heart pounded. "I'll get the Emperor."
"Wan'er." Murong Jin smiled, blood blooming like a flower at her side. "I've been in this palace too long. I want to leave. It's time I made a decision for myself."
Xu Wan'er listened to the fading voice.
"Send me back."
Murong Jin pulled a whistle from her robe. With the last of her strength, she blew.
A clear, piercing note shot into the sky.
"He will come soon." Her voice drifted away, lost in the wind.