The heavy curtain of night gradually began to clear. A crescent moon broke through the shackles of the clouds, casting its bright moonlight upon the vast land.

Under the moonlight, deep in the dense forest, the senior sister and her junior brother embraced for a long moment before slowly separating.

Ai Hongye stood up and walked to one side. "I should go."

Luo Xiu sat weakly on the ground, his eyes full of reluctance as he watched her. "Where are you going?"

"I came to Sea City this time just to see you," Ai Hongye said.

"How did you know I was in Sea City?"

Ai Hongye looked at him and gave a mysterious smile. "I've been watching you from the moment you descended the mountain."

Luo Xiu scratched his head. "But Master said not to let any of you know I'd left."

Ai Hongye sighed softly. "He's getting old."

Thinking of that emaciated old man, Luo Xiu also sighed before asking, "But you didn't just come to Sea City to see me, did you?"

Ai Hongye didn't answer.

"It was also to force me to draw my sword," Luo Xiu continued. Recalling the recent events, a lingering fear washed over him. "You nearly caused a catastrophe that would have killed everyone in Sea City. It was lucky that talisman was there. Otherwise, just as that man said… you lit a fire you couldn't control."

Her expression unchanged, Ai Hongye suddenly asked, "Do you love Lin Xiyue?"

Luo Xiu was silent for a moment. "If I loved her, what happened when I drew my sword never would have occurred."

"Just as I thought." Ai Hongye looked at him with a pained expression. "You know you don't have much time left, that you're going to die soon. Is that why you've been unwilling to take that final step, to avoid any deep emotional entanglement with her?"

"Knowing I have a terminal illness, why would I want to hurt her?" Luo Xiu asked.

Ai Hongye cursed softly, "Scumbag."

"Dragging her into an emotional abyss only to leave her behind—that would make me a true scumbag," Luo Xiu retorted.

"You're still a scumbag," Ai Hongye insisted.

Luo Xiu changed the subject. "You thought I would draw my sword for her, so you used her to force my hand?"

"But in the end, you drew your sword for yourself."

Luo Xiu chuckled. "So you miscalculated."

"Not really. It was all part of my plan. You've had a rebellious streak since you were a child. I had a feeling you would choose this way."

Luo Xiu looked at her, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Ai Hongye took out a brand-new windbreaker and put it on. "If you had drawn your sword for Lin Xiyue, things would have been much simpler."

"But since you only drew it for yourself, you fell under the control of that evil spirit. That spirit covets your body, and to keep you alive, it would definitely demand my body."

Hearing this, Luo Xiu frowned. "Are you saying… if it takes your body, my illness can be cured? Is there something special about you?"

Ai Hongye shook her head gently. "It can only alleviate the condition to a degree, easing your suffering and letting you live a little longer."

Guilt washed over Luo Xiu's face. "Then what's the point? I'm still going to die in the end, and you would have wasted your…"

"So, during this time," Ai Hongye interrupted, "you must find a way to cure your illness. You have to do everything you can to survive."

Luo Xiu's expression turned bleak. "But can it be cured?"

"Anything is possible," Ai Hongye said. "Don't waste my sacrifice."

Luo Xiu fell silent.

Ai Hongye watched him with heartache, hesitating to say more.

Actually, she knew there was a very simple way to cure Luo Xiu's illness: sacrifice Lin Xiyue. But she also knew Luo Xiu would never make that choice. If he had to sacrifice Lin Xiyue to live, he would be tormented for the rest of his life. So, she had no intention of telling him the truth, of forcing him to make that decision. Nor would she ever tell him that she was the one who had secretly arranged for Lin Xiyue to find him drunk at the bar that night.

"Little Mule."

In the stillness, Ai Hongye suddenly used Luo Xiu's childhood nickname.

Hearing it, Luo Xiu looked annoyed, yet he also felt a deep, familiar warmth.

"What?"

"Either try to truly love Lin Xiyue, build a life with her, and become a real husband and wife," Ai Hongye said, "or distance yourself from her as soon as possible. Don't let yourself get in too deep."

Luo Xiu nodded. "I never planned on being with her."

Ai Hongye chuckled and chided him softly, "You slept with her but refuse to take responsibility. You really are a scumbag."

Luo Xiu looked defiant but found himself unable to argue.

Suddenly, Ai Hongye's brow furrowed, and she turned her head toward the trees to one side. Luo Xiu followed her gaze.

A group of people was moving rapidly through the dense forest, heading straight for them.

For Martial Artists of Luo Xiu and Ai Hongye's level, the darkness was barely an obstacle. Even in the pitch-black woods, Luo Xiu could clearly see who was approaching.

It was Cao Hong and his pack of underlings.

A question suddenly surfaced in Luo Xiu's mind, and he looked up at Ai Hongye.

"Speaking of which, Ai Hongye, why were you mixed up with these people?"

She shot him a glare. "Getting bold, are we? Daring to use my full name." Then she added, "Why would I get mixed up with small fries like these? I was just using them so I could meet you under the guise of an assassin."

Luo Xiu grumbled, "That stab of yours was vicious."

"I avoided your vitals; it wasn't fatal," Ai Hongye said coolly. "Besides, it was your punishment for not recognizing me."

Luo Xiu looked indignant. "Who told you to wear underwear on your face? You even used your aura to hide your features. It's a wonder I could recognize you at all!"

Ai Hongye's expression turned icy. "You dare talk back?"

Luo Xiu obediently shut his mouth.

Growing up, the one person he feared most was his Second Senior Sister. Eldest Senior Sister was a bit of an airhead, a total sweetheart. Third Senior Sister was quiet and obedient, gentle and understanding. But Second Senior Sister had a mischievous streak, and when she really got angry, even their master was afraid of her.

"That was a mask," Ai Hongye corrected him.

"Oh."

"Apologize. Now."

Luo Xiu lowered his head, his face a picture of grievance. "I'm sorry, I was wrong."

"Found them!"

"They're here!"

Just then, a shout erupted from the dense forest. It was followed by the growing sound of rustling and snapping branches as the group drew closer.

Cao Hong pushed his way out of the bushes. His eyes fell upon the gully carved by the sword strike—so long and deep he couldn't see the end of it—and he was momentarily dumbstruck.

Then, his gaze shifted to the weakened Luo Xiu sitting on the ground, and a smile spread across his face. He looked at Ai Hongye with an expression of awe and grinned. "Xiao Ye, you really did it. Look at him. I doubt he's in any condition to cause more trouble. I'll take it from here."

Ai Hongye merely watched Cao Hong in silence.

Cao Hong chuckled, snatched a knife from one of his men, and stalked toward Luo Xiu, his eyes filled with malicious cruelty.

"Hick, I never would have thought you had that kind of power. But none of that matters anymore. It's a good thing Young Master Duan brought Miss Xiao Ye here. Otherwise, we never would have been able to handle you. If you get a next life, try to be born into a better family."

Cao Hong raised the knife, his gaze venomous, and swung it mercilessly toward Luo Xiu's head. After witnessing Luo Xiu's terrifying power, he had only one thought: Luo Xiu had to die. Only with Luo Xiu dead could he be sure there would be no retaliation.

However, before the blade could connect, his body froze in the striking motion.

With a soft CRACK, his entire arm dropped cleanly from his shoulder.

He struggled to turn his neck, his eyes, full of confusion, locking on Ai Hongye.

"Why… why?"

"Miss Xiao Ye, what is the meaning of this?"

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