Chapter 7: Echoes of Battle

The assassin with the flute brought it to his lips again, his fingers dancing over the instrument with precision. A sharp, piercing melody rang out—a short, concentrated wave of sound infused with dark Qi. It rippled through the air like a shockwave, carrying an invisible force meant to crush the minds of those who heard it.

But Princess Wei stood firm.

A golden shimmer pulsed around her, a protective aura flickering like a barrier between her and the deadly sound. The royal Qi of defense—the inheritance of her bloodline—was working to dampen the effects of the attack. The sound waves clashed against her shield, distorting like ripples on water.

The assassin's eyes narrowed behind his mask. Tch. Annoying.

He was at a disadvantage. His attacks were designed to bypass defenses, to cripple opponents before they could even swing a blade. But this woman—her Qi was the very thing that countered him. And to make things worse, he was outnumbered.

Bai Ren struck first.

He moved like the wind—fluid, relentless. His sword lashed out in a silver arc, aiming for the assassin's side. But the flute wielder was fast, twisting his body just enough to evade the strike. Bai Ren didn't stop. He pivoted mid-step, reversing his grip and swinging his blade back in a deadly horizontal slash.

The assassin dodged again, barely, and leaped backward, putting distance between them. He lifted the flute again, playing another sharp note, releasing a concentrated burst of dark Qi. It shot forward like an invisible spear, slicing through the air straight at Bai Ren's chest.

But before it could reach him, golden Qi flared—Princess Wei had stepped in.

The wave of sound crashed against her barrier, dissipating into harmless echoes. Bai Ren took the opportunity, closing the gap in an instant, his sword gleaming in the dim light. He struck again, faster this time. His footwork was precise, a combination of short, quick steps and unpredictable feints. His sword flashed from different angles, each movement fluid and relentless.

The assassin was forced to retreat, blocking with his flute—a mistake.

CLANG!

Bai Ren's blade slammed into the metal of the flute, and a visible crack appeared along its polished surface. The assassin's eyes darkened. With a sharp movement, he flipped backward, landing gracefully, and brought the flute to his lips again.

The melody that followed was different—longer, more complex.

Dark Qi surged from the instrument, twisting unnaturally. This wasn't just a soundwave. The air vibrated, thick with a suffocating presence. The notes carried a hypnotic rhythm, pulling at their minds, threatening to lull them into paralysis.

Princess Wei gritted her teeth, feeling a dull ache in her skull. Her Qi barrier flickered slightly. Bai Ren hesitated for just a fraction of a second.

That was all the assassin needed.

He moved.

In a blur, he dashed forward, his flute now gleaming with a thin layer of dark Qi—hardened like a blade. He swung it like a weapon, aiming directly for Bai Ren's throat.

Bai Ren barely dodged, arching backward. The flute sliced through the air, missing his neck by a hair's breadth. But before Bai Ren could counter, the assassin spun mid-step and drove his elbow into Bai Ren's ribs.

A sharp crack echoed.

Bai Ren stumbled back, coughing, but he didn't fall. His grip on his sword tightened, and his eyes burned with determination.

The princess, still recovering from the mental assault, turned toward Zhang Se's fight. Her breath caught in her throat.

He was struggling.

She could see it in his stance, in the way he moved—he was barely holding on.

Zhang Se…

A flicker of worry crossed her face, and in that moment—she made a mistake.

The assassin saw it.

With ruthless precision, he adjusted his flute mid-swing, shifting his grip. Then, in a flash, he stabbed the sharp end of the broken instrument toward her side.

Pain shot through her.

She gasped as the flute's jagged edge tore through the fabric of her robe, slicing shallowly into her skin. Her golden Qi pulsed instinctively, forcing the weapon back, but the damage had been done. A thin trail of blood stained her clothing.

Bai Ren saw red.

He roared, his sword flashing as he launched himself at the assassin with renewed fury. His movements were sharper now, more reckless. He twisted his blade mid-swing, aiming to cut, not just wound.

The assassin blocked, but Bai Ren's strength pushed him back. His foot slid across the dirt, his balance momentarily disrupted.

Princess Wei clenched her teeth, steadying herself. The pain was manageable. She wouldn't fall here.

She lifted her hand, golden Qi flickering to life once more.

Bai Ren advanced.

The assassin played another note—sharp, desperate.

The music had only just begun.