The Price of War

The scent of blood still lingered in the air. The bodies of the fallen lay scattered across the ground, their weapons clutched in stiff, lifeless fingers. Yue Rin stood amidst the carnage, her blade dripping crimson, her chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. They had survived—but for how long?

Zhen Xiu wiped the blood from his bow and surveyed the scene. "We can't stay here," he said. "The Emperor won't let this go unanswered. By dawn, more will come."

Liang Wei sheathed his sword and glanced toward Ao Ling, who remained unconscious inside the cave. "She's still weak. Moving her now will be dangerous."

Yue Rin clenched her fists. It was a choice between risk and certain death. Staying meant another battle they might not win. Moving meant exposing themselves to the unknown.

She turned to Zhen Xiu. "Is there another safe place nearby?"

He hesitated. Then, with a nod, he said, "There's an old temple hidden deep in the mountains. Few know of its existence. We can hide there—at least for a while."

Yue Rin didn't waste another moment. "Then we leave now."

The Journey Through Darkness

The night stretched endlessly as they rode through the dense forest. The towering trees swallowed them in darkness, the only sound the rustling of leaves and the distant cries of nocturnal creatures.

Ao Ling was secured in front of Liang Wei, her fragile body wrapped in a thick cloak to protect her from the cold. Yue Rin rode ahead, eyes scanning for any sign of movement. Every shadow, every whisper of the wind, felt like an omen.

Hours passed before the first light of dawn touched the sky. As the path narrowed, Zhen Xiu pulled his horse to a stop and dismounted. "We walk from here. The temple is just ahead."

Yue Rin and Liang Wei followed suit, guiding their horses through the overgrown path. The ancient ruins of the temple soon appeared, covered in moss and shrouded in mist.

Inside, faded murals lined the walls, depicting forgotten gods and warriors of old. The temple had once been a place of worship—now, it would serve as a sanctuary for fugitives.

Liang Wei laid Ao Ling down on a makeshift bed of blankets. "She's burning up," he murmured.

Zhen Xiu reached into his satchel and pulled out a pouch of herbs. "This should help bring down the fever." He crushed the dried leaves into a bowl and mixed them with water.

Yue Rin watched silently. For a moment, exhaustion threatened to overtake her, but she shook it off. She couldn't afford to rest. Not yet.

A New Threat

Just as she turned to step outside, a sharp whistle pierced the air.

Yue Rin froze. A signal.

Zhen Xiu's hand went to his bow, his body tense. Liang Wei grabbed his sword.

Then, from the treeline—movement.

Figures emerged from the mist, their armor reflecting the dim morning light. Not soldiers—mercenaries.

The Emperor had hired bounty hunters.

A tall man stepped forward, a cruel smirk on his lips. "Yue Rin," he said, voice like gravel. "You've given the Emperor quite a headache. He's paying handsomely to have your head."

Yue Rin didn't flinch. Instead, she reached for her blade. "Then come and take it."

The mercenary chuckled. "Gladly."

The battle began.

The first man lunged—Yue Rin sidestepped, her blade flashing. Steel met flesh. Blood sprayed as she drove her sword through his ribs.

Another came at her with a spear. She ducked, feeling the rush of air as the weapon barely missed her head. Before he could attack again, she twisted, grabbing his wrist and slamming her dagger into his throat.

Liang Wei fought fiercely beside her, his sword a blur of motion. He parried a strike, then countered with a powerful slash that sent his opponent crashing to the ground.

Zhen Xiu stood at a distance, arrows flying with deadly precision. Each shot found its mark—one in the heart, one in the eye, one through the skull.

But the enemy kept coming.

A massive warrior wielding a battle axe charged at Yue Rin, his weapon raised high. She barely had time to react before the axe came crashing down. She rolled to the side, the impact splitting the ground where she had stood.

Before he could recover, she sprang forward—a single, precise thrust. Her sword pierced his neck. The giant gurgled, then collapsed.

The last mercenary hesitated. Seeing his comrades dead, he turned to flee.

Zhen Xiu didn't let him. An arrow to the spine—he fell without a sound.

Silence followed. Only the heavy breaths of the survivors remained.

Yue Rin exhaled slowly, wiping her blade clean. "This won't be the last," she murmured.

Liang Wei nodded. "The Emperor will keep sending more."

Zhen Xiu stepped forward, his face unreadable. "Then we don't run anymore."

Yue Rin met his gaze. "What are you suggesting?"

His eyes burned with resolve. "We strike first."

A new fire lit within Yue Rin's chest. She had been on the defensive for too long.

No more.