After a rustling sound.
The four black-clad men vanished.
Song Jin Jian sat on a crude stool, gazing thoughtfully at the bonfire.
Liu Zhaoxue glanced outside the door, then rested her gaze on him.
After a moment's hesitation, she sat opposite him and likewise watched the bonfire before her, her thoughts already drifting far away.
Song Jin Jian paid her no attention. Instead, he picked up a wooden twig from the ground and poked at the fire.
The flames rose.
Firelight flickered in both their eyes.
"You've been by my side for some time now. Do you have any plans?"
Hearing Song Jin Jian's voice, Liu Zhaoxue looked up at him and said calmly, "No."
Without raising his head, Song Jin Jian continued watching the fire and asked, "You clearly had a chance to escape some time ago. Why didn't you leave?"
"Leave?"
Liu Zhaoxue's eyes stirred slightly, and a trace of mockery appeared on her lovely face.
"Where would I go?"
"His Majesty has exterminated the Liu Family. Of those still alive, some have been crippled, and some are imprisoned in the imperial palace."
"Compared with theirs, my fate could be called 'not bad.'"
"At least I can still move about freely, see the mountains, forests, lakes, and seas, and broaden my horizons by following you."
After hearing her words, Song Jin Jian nodded noncommittally.
He dropped the twig in his hand and raised his head to look straight at her, saying evenly, "What if I needed you to leave Shuzhou?"
Liu Zhaoxue froze for a moment, looking confused. "You... why?"
"There's an important matter in Capital Prefecture that needs handling."
Meeting her eyes, Song Jin Jian offered a rare explanation. "The situation in Shuzhou is unclear right now. I can't leave for the time being."
"I'd like you