Chapter 8: The Sound of Shattering Hope

Princess Wei pressed her hand against her wounded shoulder, feeling the warmth of her own blood seeping through her fingers. The cut wasn't deep, but the sting of it gnawed at her like a dull blade. She steadied her breath, willing the pain to the back of her mind. This was neither the time nor place for weakness.

Bai Ren took a step closer, his sharp eyes scanning her face. "Are you alright?" His voice was low, controlled, but she could hear the tension in it.

"I'm fine," she replied quickly, straightening her posture. She met his gaze, her expression firm despite the pain. "But we have to destroy that flute."

Bai Ren's fingers curled tighter around his sword hilt. The veins along his arm bulged slightly from the pressure. "I'll do it." His tone was resolute, final.

"I'll cover you," she added, her golden Qi flaring slightly around her in response.

Bai Ren nodded. No more words were needed. They both understood—this battle had to end swiftly, and they have to go support Zhang Se.

The assassin stood a few paces away, his flute resting lightly against his lips. His posture was relaxed, almost mocking, but his dark eyes gleamed with keen awareness. He knew.

He knew they were coming for his weapon.

And he wasn't going to let them.

The air thickened as Bai Ren dashed forward, his speed blurring his form. His blade gleamed under the fading sunlight, slashing diagonally toward the assassin's chest.

The assassin leaped back, his feet barely skimming the dirt before he shifted his weight and twisted to the side. Bai Ren adjusted instantly, pivoting mid-strike, his sword redirecting like a viper changing its course.

The assassin ducked—just barely.

His movements were calculated, precise. He wasn't using the flute to block anymore. He knew the danger. Instead, he relied on footwork—fast, unpredictable, and unnervingly smooth. His body bent and curved at unnatural angles, slipping past Bai Ren's lethal swings by mere inches.

But Bai Ren wasn't letting up.

His strikes were relentless, pushing forward with a furious rhythm. Left swing—miss. Right thrust—evaded. Downward slash—dodged. The assassin flowed like water, but Bai Ren was a storm, pressing closer with every step.

Then, the flute rose.

A sharp, discordant note split the air. A pulse of dark Qi exploded outward, heading straight for Bai Ren's chest.

Before it could reach him, a golden barrier flared—Princess Wei.

The dark Qi shattered against her defense like waves crashing against rock. Bai Ren didn't hesitate.

He lunged.

His blade carved a deadly arc, aimed straight at the flute. The assassin twisted at the last second, barely saving his weapon from the strike. He slid backward, his feet skidding against the dirt.

The assassin clicked his tongue. They're adapting.

He adjusted his grip on the flute. A different melody began to play, slower this time, layered with an ominous weight. Dark Qi coiled around him, shifting like smoke.

Another attack was coming.

Bai Ren narrowed his eyes. He couldn't let it happen.

With a sharp inhale, he lunged again, faster this time. The tip of his blade gleamed as it aimed once more for the flute. The assassin dodged. Bai Ren anticipated it—feint.

Mid-strike, he changed direction.

The blade reversed.

The assassin's eyes widened slightly. He jerked away, but—too late.

CRACK!

The tip of Bai Ren's sword grazed the flute, slicing a thin, shallow cut into its surface. It wasn't enough to break it, but it was enough to make the assassin cautious.

He leaped back, his grip on the flute tightening.

"You're getting annoying," the assassin muttered, his voice calm but edged with irritation.

Bai Ren didn't reply. He pressed forward.

Princess Wei followed, stepping closer, her golden Qi expanding, ensuring that no dark Qi reached him. Her breath was steady, but sweat formed along her brow. Holding this barrier for so long was draining her.

The assassin noticed.

A low chuckle escaped him. "Ah… I see."

Then, he changed his approach.

Instead of dodging outright, he moved aggressively. He swayed just enough to avoid a lethal hit, but instead of retreating, he retaliated.

His flute came up—not to play, but to strike.

It slammed toward Bai Ren's ribs. Bai Ren twisted to avoid it, but the assassin adjusted mid-motion, sweeping low and kicking at Bai Ren's leg.

Bai Ren stumbled.

That moment of imbalance—fatal.

The flute shot forward again, aiming for his throat.

A golden light flashed.

Princess Wei blocked it.

Her barrier absorbed the impact, but she gasped, staggering slightly. The strain was getting to her.

Bai Ren's grip on his sword tightened.

Enough.

He shifted his weight, throwing himself forward with everything he had. His sword whistled through the air, its tip gleaming with raw momentum.

The assassin tried to dodge.

But Bai Ren was faster.

The sword slammed against the flute.

CRACK!

A fracture splintered across the instrument's surface.

The assassin's eyes darkened. He jerked back, trying to reposition, but Bai Ren didn't stop.

Another swing—deeper, sharper.

CRACK!

The fracture deepened.

Princess Wei channeled more Qi, shielding Bai Ren from the dark energy still lingering in the air. Her breathing was heavier now, but she held firm.

Bai Ren's final strike came down like lightning.

SHATTER!

The flute broke apart, its pieces scattering across the dirt.

Silence followed.

For a moment, Bai Ren and Princess Wei stood there, catching their breaths, the weight of victory settling over them.

Then—

A slow, amused clap.

They turned sharply.

The assassin stood there, unbothered. His posture was relaxed, his stance easy.

And in his hand—

A new flute.

It seems darker than the previous one, darker than darkness itself— like the abyss.

The assassin tilted his head, his voice laced with mockery.

"Did you really think it would be that easy?"