Chapter Seventy-One: Joining Hands to Defeat the Enemy

Watching Rin’s figure draw ever closer, Yinrou’s heart pounded with terror. She dared not move a muscle, fearing that even the slightest action would give away her hiding place. Yet now, she faced two choices: one, to strike first, launching a surprise attack while Rin’s guard was down—a tactic with a high chance of success; or two, to grit her teeth and remain hidden, suppressing her presence so that Rin would not discover that someone lurked behind the very boulder where he had chosen to rest. But for Yinrou, this second option was nearly impossible—she could no longer conceal her aura.

Rin, however, noticed nothing amiss. He only wished for a moment’s peace. After all, he was merely human—he had been traveling without pause for five days and was utterly exhausted. The boulder ahead was the perfect spot to rest. With a silent sigh, he decided to take the opportunity.

...

Ever since he’d realized that Yinrou was in danger and might not be able to handle those unknown assassins, Liyue’s sense of foreboding had only grown. He could not shake the image of Yinrou, blood-soaked and broken, from his mind—a vision that filled him with dread.

The sound of hooves thundered behind him. Liyue knew he had failed to dissuade the Ghost Doctor and the Venomous Enchantress—they were now in hot pursuit. Master, once this mission is over, I, Liyue, will seek punishment from you of my own accord.

Having made up his mind—and reconciled himself to the consequences—Liyue felt a strange sense of relief, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

“Hyah!” Liyue cracked his whip, urging his horse on.

“Hyah, hyah!” came the voices of Muye and Aishuo close behind. Seeing that Liyue would waste no more words on them, they understood—there was no further use in arguing, and time was of the essence.

Three horses tore down the road, the wind stinging their faces, but they cared little for such discomfort.

...

Rin looked completely at ease, clearly exhausted. Surrounded by his own men, his vigilance slackened—a perfect chance for a surprise attack. Yet exhaustion plagued more than just him.

When Yinrou saw Rin lie down on the boulder, oblivious to her presence, relief washed over her. The sight of his men lazing about, resting, made her realize this was her best opportunity. She regretted only that she hadn’t brought any poison, or at least a hidden weapon. All she had was her sword, and though she longed to act, she dared not move recklessly.

If she missed this chance, there would be no second opportunity.

Having decided, Yinrou chose to strike. She would not let such a moment slip by.

She rose quietly, careful not to make a sound. Her right hand slid to the sword at her waist. She stole a glance at Rin, who was resting with his eyes half-closed, then steeled herself.

Drawing her sword, its blade caught the sunlight, reflecting it straight into Rin’s eyes. He opened them at once, only to see a sword thrusting toward him. He leapt away in alarm.

There was no turning back. Veiled, Yinrou sprang from behind the boulder, sword in hand, chasing after Rin without hesitation. Despite his quick reaction, Rin could not escape unscathed—her ambush had caught him completely off guard, and some blows were impossible to dodge.

Rin’s right arm was cut, and in that instant, all his black-clad men sprang to their feet, weapons drawn, encircling Yinrou.

Yet there was no fear on Yinrou’s face. Calm—almost unnaturally so—she glanced around at the men surrounding her, then fixed her gaze on Rin, noting the wound on his arm. A faint smile blossomed on her lips.

“Who are you?” Rin asked, glancing at his wounded arm, his eyes cold. Now holding his sword in his left hand, it was clear he was left-handed.

“Who am I? Hah… The dead have no need to know such things,” Yinrou replied, her tone arrogant and wild.

“Oh, the dead have no need to know, you say? Then let’s see who the dead one truly is! Attack!” Rin’s voice was sharp, clearly provoked by Yinrou’s insolence. This woman was far too audacious.

At their leader’s command, the black-clad men closed in, tightening the circle. Rin, convinced he need not sully his hands, stepped aside to tend his wound.

With her space for maneuver shrinking, Yinrou launched herself at several men to her right, her attacks ruthless and unyielding. Mercy to the enemy was cruelty to oneself.

She broke a small gap in the encirclement, growing more fierce with each kill. Bloodlust shone in her eyes—her sword had tasted blood, and now it demanded more.

The black-clad men, rattled by her ferocity, grouped into teams and attacked from all sides. Their moves were deadly, born of desperation and intent to kill.

But numbers took their toll. Worn out, Yinrou suffered multiple wounds—some shallow, others deep. Her pale blue clothes were stained with blood, making for a ghastly sight.

The black-clad men, seeing her still standing and glancing at the bodies of their fallen comrades, felt a chill. She was terrifying, fighting as though she cared nothing for her life.

The encirclement held, but their attacks had lost their earlier ferocity, giving Yinrou a brief respite. Bent slightly, sword in hand, she glared coldly at her foes—more wounded wolf than defeated prey.

Rin, seeing the situation, was forced to take her seriously. This woman had slain a third of his men single-handed. These were not ordinary men, but elite fighters—yet she had cut them down. Fury blazed in his heart.

He had not intended to join the fight, but now he had no choice. Sword in his left hand, Rin stepped into the circle. “I advise you to surrender.”

“Tch.” Yinrou didn’t even glance at him, snorting disdainfully.

“You…! How ungrateful.” Rin was incensed. He had admired her skills and might have spared her had she surrendered, but she was simply too stubborn.

Yinrou tilted her head, regarding Rin with open mockery in her eyes. She knew the likely outcome—she could already see herself lying in a pool of blood.

Once again, she had been reckless, hadn’t she?

...

Jiangnan had already arrived. If the information from Yinrou was correct, they needed to take a shortcut to intercept the only road between the Medicine King Valley and Venom Lord Peak.

Yinyao, deep in thought, failed to notice the tail following her.

Chu Suyi had been shadowing Yinyao all this way. He’d left in a rush, but fortunately, he’d caught up with her, sparing himself a pointless detour. Up ahead, Yinyao had left the main road and entered the woods—impatient to take a shortcut, Chu Suyi guessed.

He didn’t hesitate and followed close behind.

...

Not far ahead, the clash of blades rang out. Liyue realized this must be Yinrou locked in battle with her pursuers and spurred his horse faster.

Muye, hearing the sounds of combat, understood the reason for Liyue’s sudden haste—the fighters ahead must be his comrades.

“Aishuo, let’s hurry! They can’t be far,” Muye called. The two quickened their pace, but Liyue was already out of sight.

...

With Rin’s entry into the fray, the black-clad men fought with renewed vigor. For Yinrou, hope of survival dwindled. She was battered and exhausted.

The encirclement remained, the faces unchanged. The woman using her sword to prop herself up was still the same one beset from all sides, but now the circle was smaller, the men fewer, and she no longer unscathed.

“You’re right—the dead have no need to know,” Rin’s cold voice echoed within the ring, his gaze fixed on this indomitable woman. Though his enemy, he couldn’t help but admire her. She was a worthy opponent.

He switched his sword to his right hand—apparently he wasn’t left-handed after all. He approached, step by slow step, as though savoring her torment.

Yinrou faced him without fear or hesitation, eyes wide open, ready to meet death head-on.

Master, forgive me—I’ve acted on my own again, and made a mess of things…

She could hear her master’s words: “Life above all,” yet here she was, about to betray that command.

A sudden whistling split the air—a dagger spun through, striking Rin’s sword and knocking it from his grasp! In a flash, a dark figure darted into the circle, swept Yinrou into his arms, and leapt clear, carrying them both to safety.

“Liyue?” Yinrou’s voice trembled with disbelief. She hadn’t expected to escape death, nor that her rescuer would be Liyue.

Liyue was shaken as well—the sight of Yinrou, blood-soaked and bent, matched the nightmare from his mind. Heaven knew the terror he’d felt, seeing a sword so close to her heart.

“It’s me,” Liyue nodded to her. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” Yinrou answered, though she sounded weak.

Liyue took a vial from his robes, extracted a pill, and fed it to Yinrou. Supporting her, he turned to face the black-clad men.

Rin massaged his bruised hand, sword now in his left, watching the newcomer warily. The two were clearly well-acquainted—this must be the anticipated reinforcements.

“Who are you?” Rin demanded, unwilling to attack rashly. A woman alone was threat enough—now a man, seemingly even stronger, had appeared. His luck today was abysmal.

Liyue did not rush to answer. After confirming Yinrou’s wounds were superficial, he finally looked at Rin. “The running dogs of the Night Pavilion are only brave here, it seems.”

This evasive reply sent a chill through Rin—his enemy knew his identity, yet he knew nothing of theirs. Clearly, he was exposed while they remained hidden.

“Hmph. Attack!” Rin snapped, wasting no more words.

Liyue shielded Yinrou while fending off blows. Had Yinrou been uninjured, these men would have been no threat to him, but now, forced to protect her, he began to falter under the strain.

In the tall grass, a figure watched—Yinyao, who had witnessed Yinrou’s desperate struggle. Had Liyue not arrived in time, she would have been the one to intervene.

“Why don’t you go help your subordinates?” came a familiar voice from behind.

Yinyao turned sharply. “What are you doing here?”

“Why shouldn’t I be?” Chu Suyi countered.

Yinyao fell silent, then turned back to watch Liyue and Yinrou. Chu Suyi, a bit frustrated by her lack of response, also focused on the embattled pair. Seeing them struggle, he could not help but ask, “Can you really just stand by?”

Yinyao shot him a cool glance but said nothing.

“If you won’t act, then I will,” Chu Suyi declared, preparing to move, but Yinyao’s hand shot out, blocking his path.

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Limits are meant to be broken,” Yinyao said quietly. Inside, her concern for Liyue and Yinrou was greater than anyone’s—one was Lisu’s own brother, the other a trusted aide. How could she truly leave them to suffer or die?

Yinrou, regaining some strength, rejoined the fight, lending Liyue her aid. Their flawless cooperation quickly became apparent, and together they managed to hold their ground, neither side gaining an advantage.

Rin, ever the schemer, seized the moment to hurl hidden weapons at the pair. But in midair, a plum-blossom-shaped blade and a silver needle shot forth, knocking Rin’s attack aside.

Chu Suyi, seeing Rin’s treachery, had wanted to warn Yinyao, but her expression had not changed. In the next instant, the signature weapons of Muye and Aishuo flew through the air, intercepting Rin’s sneak attack.

Muye and Aishuo, concealed behind a tree, acted just in time but did not reveal themselves—they were, after all, Rin’s true targets.

Rin recognized the blade and needle, feeling the shift in the air around him.

“We should go out,” Yinyao said suddenly. With a leap, she landed before Rin, seizing his throat with her right hand while her left swept out, her colored chain flashing toward the black-clad men’s necks.

With Yinyao’s arrival, the battle turned in an instant. Liyue and Yinrou, seizing the moment, dispatched the remaining foes around them and knelt before her. “Master.”

Muye and Aishuo emerged as well, and Chu Suyi followed.

Chu Suyi’s appearance surprised everyone, but Muye and Aishuo were delighted to see him, mingled with a twinge of guilt.

“Tell Ji Muyu this: Muye and Aishuo are not his to toy with at will,” Yinyao said coldly. She spared Rin’s life, leaving him alone to carry the message back.