23. The Emperor’s Wrath

The night air hit them like a cold slap as Yue Rin and Ao Ling stumbled out of the underground tunnel, emerging into the dense forest beyond the city walls. The scent of blood clung to them, mixing with the damp earth beneath their feet. Yue Rin tightened her grip on Ao Ling, who was growing weaker with each step, her wound bleeding through her robes.

"We need to stop," Ao Ling gasped, her voice barely above a whisper.

Yue Rin scanned the surroundings, her instincts still on high alert. The assassins might be dead, but the Emperor's reach was long.

"There's an old shrine not far from here," Yue Rin said, shifting Ao Ling's weight against her. "We'll rest there."

The trek was slow, agonizing. Every rustling leaf, every snapping twig sent Yue Rin's pulse racing. She knew better than to think they were safe.

After what felt like an eternity, they reached a small, abandoned shrine nestled between twisted trees. The structure was weathered, its wooden pillars worn down by time, but it would have to do.

Yue Rin lowered Ao Ling onto a stone bench and immediately ripped a piece of cloth from her own robe.

"Stay still," she ordered, pressing the fabric against Ao Ling's wound.

Ao Ling winced but didn't complain.

As Yue Rin worked, her mind churned. Those assassins—they weren't just any killers. They were Shadow Blades, the Emperor's personal enforcers. If he had sent them after her, it meant only one thing.

Her time was running out.

Ao Ling seemed to sense her thoughts. "They won't stop, will they?" she murmured.

"No," Yue Rin said grimly. "And if Minister Zhao is feeding them information, it means we have a traitor in our ranks."

Ao Ling's jaw tightened. "Then we flush them out."

Before Yue Rin could respond, a sharp crack echoed through the night.

She shot up, hand gripping her sword.

Footsteps.

Low voices.

More were coming.

Yue Rin barely had time to react before a group of armored soldiers burst into the shrine, torches blazing in the darkness. At their center stood a man clad in black and gold robes, his face partially hidden beneath an iron mask.

General Han Feng.

The Emperor's right hand.

"Yue Rin," Han Feng's voice was like steel scraping against stone. "Surrender now, and I'll grant you a swift death."

Yue Rin smirked, gripping her sword tighter. "Funny. I was about to offer you the same deal."

Han Feng exhaled sharply, clearly unimpressed. "Kill her."

The soldiers surged forward.

Yue Rin didn't wait.

She moved.

Steel clashed against steel as she blocked the first attack, spinning to dodge another. Her blade flashed in the torchlight, slicing through an enemy's arm before she drove her knee into his stomach, sending him crashing to the ground.

Ao Ling, despite her wound, struggled to her feet, grabbing a fallen soldier's dagger. She lunged at the nearest enemy, slashing across his throat. Blood sprayed, and he dropped without a sound.

More came.

Yue Rin ducked, barely avoiding a sword aimed at her neck. She countered with a vicious kick, sending her attacker sprawling. Another soldier charged, but she was faster—her blade found his ribs before he could react.

The shrine became a battleground, shadows dancing in the flickering torchlight as the two women fought against overwhelming odds.

Then, just as Yue Rin cut down another opponent, she felt it—

A shift in the air.

She turned just in time to see Han Feng lunging at her, his blade aimed for her heart.

Too fast.

Too strong.

But at the last second, Ao Ling threw herself between them.

The sword pierced her shoulder instead of Yue Rin's heart.

Ao Ling gasped, staggering backward.

Yue Rin's world exploded in rage.

With a furious scream, she launched herself at Han Feng, striking with a ferocity she hadn't known she possessed. Blow after blow, she pushed him back, her movements fueled by raw, unfiltered fury.

Han Feng barely managed to block, his expression darkening. "You—"

He didn't get to finish.

Yue Rin's blade found its mark, slicing across his chest. He stumbled, clutching the wound.

"Retreat!" Han Feng barked at his men, his voice laced with pain. "Fall back!"

The remaining soldiers hesitated but obeyed, dragging their wounded leader away into the night.

Yue Rin let them go.

She had more important things to worry about.

Dropping to her knees beside Ao Ling, she pressed a trembling hand against the wound. "Stay with me," she whispered. "We're not done yet."

Ao Ling coughed, a weak smile on her lips. "You fight like a demon," she murmured.

Yue Rin let out a shaky breath. "And you, sister, fight like a fool."

But there was no anger in her voice. Only relief.

The battle was won.

But the war had only just begun.