26. Storm on the Horizon

The night was far from over.

Yue Rin rode through the dense forest, her bloodstained hands clutching the reins tightly. The chilling night air burned her lungs, but she forced herself to stay alert. They weren't safe yet.

Behind her, Liang Wei carried the unconscious Ao Ling on his horse, his face grim. Zhen Xiu rode beside them, his bow still in hand, sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.

The imperial soldiers might have retreated, but Yue Rin knew they would return. And next time, they would come with an army.

They needed a plan.

The Refuge

After an hour of relentless riding, they reached a hidden cave deep within the mountains. A small stream ran beside it, and thick foliage concealed the entrance.

Liang Wei dismounted first, carefully lowering Ao Ling to the ground. "She needs medicine," he said. "Fast."

Zhen Xiu knelt beside Ao Ling, checking her pulse. "She's weak, but she'll live—if we act now."

Yue Rin took a deep breath, trying to steady her mind. She had to think.

"We need to send someone to the village for herbs," she said. "Zhen Xiu, can you go?"

He nodded. "I'll be back before sunrise." Without another word, he vanished into the night, moving like a shadow.

Yue Rin turned to Liang Wei. "We need to set up defenses. If the Emperor's men find us—"

"They won't," Liang Wei interrupted. His dark eyes burned with quiet rage. "Because we'll be ready for them."

The Assault

Hours passed. The fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows along the cave walls. Yue Rin sat near Ao Ling, gently wiping the sweat from her forehead.

Then she heard it.

A rustling in the trees.

Yue Rin's body tensed. She grabbed her sword and signaled to Liang Wei. They were not alone.

A second later, an arrow whizzed past her face, embedding itself into the cave wall.

"AMBUSH!" Liang Wei shouted.

The darkness outside erupted with movement. Imperial soldiers—at least twenty—rushed toward the cave entrance, blades gleaming under the moonlight.

Yue Rin sprang into action.

The first soldier lunged at her, swinging his sword. She dodged and drove her dagger into his ribs, twisting it before kicking him aside. Blood sprayed across the cave floor.

Liang Wei blocked another attack, his blade clashing against an enemy's spear. Sparks flew. With a swift counter, he slashed across the man's chest, sending him crashing to the ground.

More soldiers poured in.

Yue Rin fought like a storm, spinning, slashing, striking.

A soldier grabbed her wrist. She reacted instantly—smashing her forehead into his nose. Bone crunched. As he staggered back, she drove her sword through his gut.

But there were too many of them.

Just as a soldier swung his blade toward Yue Rin's exposed back—

An arrow pierced his skull.

Zhen Xiu had returned.

From the trees, his bow sang death, arrows striking with unerring accuracy. One after another, soldiers collapsed, clutching at their throats, their hearts, their skulls.

Liang Wei seized the moment. With a roar, he cut through two enemies in one brutal swing. Blood soaked the ground.

The remaining soldiers hesitated. Fear crept into their eyes.

Yue Rin wiped sweat from her brow, her chest heaving. She wasn't going to let them escape.

Before they could retreat, she surged forward. A final flurry of blades.

A moment later—it was over.

The bodies of the fallen littered the ground, their lifeless eyes staring into the void. The stench of blood filled the air.

Zhen Xiu stepped forward, lowering his bow. "They'll send more," he said darkly.

Yue Rin tightened her grip on her sword.

"I know," she whispered.

The Emperor wouldn't stop.

And neither would she.