Save them? I'll kill them myself!

Before this moment, Bai Xiaotong had already clashed with the awakeners who were now trapped inside the very dungeon in front of them.

"My parents were one of the heroes who gave their lives for our safety, so how dare a vile woman from that group call my mother a slut who sleeps around with awakeners to get ahead." Bai Xiaotong's chest heaved with fury.

"Can you even count the people who received my father's healing magic when this damn kingdom was razed and assaulted by a tide of beasts?"

Damn it.

"I know it's been years but how could you guys simply forget their sacrifices? Now, even some puny fire mage mocks him... how dare that bastard call my father trash for not saving my mother, for dying alongside her? You guys don't even know anything!"

"Save them? I'll kill them myself!" Her words were a bitter storm. Her eyes burned with the fire of someone on the brink of madness.

But then Captain Lu's sharp voice broke through that storm.

"Bai Xiaotong! Are you hearing yourself?" she moved to her and pulled her thin trembling shoulders.

"When you entered the force, you swore an oath to protect the people and this country. Not to wallow in the past!"

"You're a soldier, not some whiny child! Stop being overly sensitive with a few taunts and move on." Captain Lu's fake lashes fluttered as her piercing glare bore down on Bai Xiaotong. "Forget about the dead. Do you think your dead parent will come back alive if you cry and throw a tantrum?"

"They're gone. Gone forever! So get yourself together and do as you are told. Get your ass inside the crack and focus on the living, the ones we can still save."

Bai Xiaotong stood frozen, her teeth knocked and chattered while her lips continued trembling. Within her, a surge of emotions was fighting to break free.

"Wha… What?"

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Is that what you should be saying to a child who wanted to protect her parents' dignity after losing them for the sake of the same people who are putting mud on their graves?

Bai Xiaotong's nails dug into her palms and her chest began constricting as she struggled to breathe. She stared at Captain Lu with eyes that seemed to see straight through her rotting conscience as if the woman's words were too absurd to be taken seriously.

"I see..." she murmured in a low, venomous whisper. "You're no different than the scum you defend. No wonder you reek the same stink."

Meanwhile, Captain Lu who remained unaware of her thoughts snapped at her impatiently.

"Bai Xiaotong, stop that muttering and just move already! There's no time to waste." Who knows what's happening inside the crack or if anyone is still alive? Right now, time isn't on their side and the odds of lady luck doesn't seem to be smiling at Captain Lu's direction.

At sixteen, Bai Xiaotong was fearless and daring. She shook her head slowly, staring at Captain Lu with a cold, unreadable expression.

Before anyone could speak, she raised her chin and said in a quiet but dangerous whisper.

"It must be nice, having Captain Lu as a daughter. So calm, so composed..."

Hearing the sudden mention of family, Lu Yin, who was walking ahead, paused for a brief moment before sharply turning toward her.

"What are you saying?" Captain Lu frowned, but her voice was audibly tight seemingly hiding a deep unease.

"Oh nothing," Bai Xiaotong shrugged, her tone was casual, but the fire behind it was unmistakable. She took a few steps back, then raised her voice. It wasn't a scream but her voice was loud enough for everyone to hear. "I just never realized Captain Lu was filial."

"So filial she's carrying on the family tradition of selling flesh skin." Bai Xiaotong jeered. "Oh my, is that why the Lu Family is so rich?"

What?!

A sharp gasp swept through the onlookers. Heads turned from side to side, but Bai Xiaotong stood firm, eyes glittering with amusement.

"I heard you slept with your superior to get your position. What a brilliant strategy."

This time the crowd froze. No one dared to breathe a sound. Bai Xiaotong wanted to see how this pretentious woman would handle being called out. Let's see if she'd keep up her moral posturing while everyone around her knew the truth.

"So tell me, Captain Lu," Bai Xiaotong continued in a voice dripping with mock sweetness, "Did you inherit your mother's talent for selling flesh? Or did you take after your father, who withered away after contracting a disease from sleeping with so many women? I suppose it's a family business seeing how it runs in the blood."

The words landed like stones, crushing the air around them. The attention of the entire group shifted to Captain Lu, who seemed momentarily frozen in shock before her face twisted in fury. Her eyes blazed with murderous intent.

"You... You crazy bitch!" Captain Lu screamed, her voice shrill like a wild animal's roar. "I come from an esteemed family of lawmakers! We are honest people; unlike the crap you are spouting!"