"Ugh..."
With the sound of a blade piercing flesh, Ye Feng let out a muffled groan. He looked down at the knife embedded in his body, feeling his strength drain away. Yet, his arm, locked around the old man's neck, remained as unyielding as a pine tree rooted deep in the soil.
"Kid, you're tough. Let's see if your life is tougher than my blade," the old man sneered, his face turning a dark red from the pressure of Ye Feng's grip. Struggling to breathe, he yanked the knife out of Ye Feng's abdomen, causing a stream of crimson blood to flow freely.
"Ugh... no... I can't... I can't fall yet..."
The searing pain in his abdomen made it hard for Ye Feng to breathe, but he knew he couldn't let go. If he did, it would mean utter defeat—and he wasn't lucky enough to wake up in another world again.
Just as the old man raised the knife to stab Ye Feng in the side once more, a flash of silver light flickered from the shadows. A pair of sharp, piercing eyes glared from the darkness.
"Ahhh!"
With a roar, Ye Feng tightened his grip around the old man's neck. His other hand, which had been holding the old man's gun, now pressed down on the man's head. Summoning the last of his strength, Ye Feng twisted sharply to the side. A crisp *crack* echoed as the old man's neck snapped, and his arrogant demeanor vanished instantly.
*Thud.*
Ye Feng released his grip, and both men collapsed to the ground. As he lay there, Ye Feng turned his head to see the old man's lifeless, wide-eyed stare, as if mocking him for joining him in death.
"Pant... pant..."
Ye Feng could feel his body weakening, his vision blurring. For some reason, as he lay there, he thought he saw a pair of deep blue eyes gazing at him.
It must be an illusion. She's still waiting for me. I can't rest yet... for her, for them, for myself.
Summoning his last bit of consciousness, Ye Feng accessed his system interface and pulled out a small white capsule from his inventory. In an instant, the capsule materialized in his hand. He had no idea what would happen if he took it, but in this dire situation, he had no choice. Without hesitation, he swallowed the capsule.
......
"Pant... pant... pant..."
Li Mucheng continued to run deeper into the forest, her once-pristine white dress now stained with mud. As she fled, she had gathered herbs to mask her scent, smearing them over her body.
Distracted, she didn't notice the thick vines underfoot. With a startled cry, she tripped and fell to the ground. When she tried to get up, she realized her ankle was twisted, rendering her immobile.
"Ugh... get up... get up..."
No matter how hard she tried, Li Mucheng couldn't stand. At that moment, despair washed over her.
Why... why is this happening? All I wanted was to live happily with my teacher. Why does everything stand in my way? Why does danger always find me?
Why... why...
Li Mucheng lifted her head and realized she was lying on the same grassy field where Ye Feng had once taken her to admire the scenery.
As the familiar sight filled her vision, the extinguished candle in her heart reignited. She lay there quietly, feeling the cool breeze, and murmured softly to herself.
"Teacher... I believe in you. I believe you'll come for me. I'll wait... I'll wait for you forever."
Clutching Ye Feng's mask tightly to her chest, Li Mucheng smiled with a sense of peace.
......
"Report!"
"Speak."
The mercenary leader frowned, growing increasingly anxious as the manor remained eerily quiet. Just as he thought the old man had dealt with the intruder, one of his men rushed over, visibly tense.
"We've lost contact with all the perimeter guards. They vanished almost simultaneously. We don't know who's behind it, but we're investigating."
"What? Where did all these mysterious figures come from? What kind of intel are we working with?!"
The leader grabbed the mercenary by the collar in frustration before shoving him away.
"Gather everyone and prepare for an immediate evacuation. As soon as the target is secured, we pull out."
"Yes, sir..."
"No need."
As soon as the leader finished speaking, a cold voice rang out from behind him. The mercenary reached for his gun, but a flying dagger struck his neck with pinpoint accuracy. He collapsed to the ground, eyes wide with disbelief.
The leader turned to see a slender figure standing outside the base. It was clear that in the brief moment of their conversation, this person had silently taken out all his men without a sound.
"Who are you?"
"All you need to know is that you deserve to die."
The woman spoke coldly, raising a stolen pistol and firing at the leader's head. But the seasoned mercenary leader was prepared. He rolled behind a tree trunk and returned fire.
*Bang!*
*Bang!*
Gunshots echoed as the two engaged in a fierce battle near the cliff.
*Click.*
*Click.*
Their pistols clicked empty at the same time.
"Dammit!"
The leader cursed, reaching for his sidearm. But a flying dagger struck his outstretched hand, embedding itself in his palm.
"Ah! You bitch! I'll kill you!"
Yanking the dagger out, the leader lunged at the woman, aiming to stab her. Just as the blade was about to pierce her abdomen, she sidestepped with the grace of a serpent, countering with a slash that cut deep into his thigh.
"Ah!"
Before he could react, another slash severed the arteries in his wrist. Blood gushed out, but the woman didn't stop. By the time the leader collapsed, his body was a gruesome masterpiece of wounds.
"Why... why are you helping... them..."
The woman wiped the blood from her blade on his clothes, her chilling tone sending shivers down his spine.
"I had no intention of interfering. But you hurt him, so... you all have to die."
Her voice was as casual as if she were crushing an ant.
"Gasp... gasp..."
The leader tried to speak, but the loss of blood silenced him. His eyes remained wide open, lifeless.
"This is the price for harming him."