He Nu had felt the terror of the light. The Dragon King had said he disliked enemies and friends who hid in the shadows. Was she any different? Once she had grown used to the dark, she could hardly bear the sting of the light...
There was always an emptiness behind her. After the Dragon King left, that feeling grew even stronger. The assassin who had killed Shangguan Hong seemed to be watching her triumphantly, ready to strike at any moment. She had no choice but to stay on guard every second.
The Moonlight Hall disciples were another concern. Beneath their outward obedience, sinister impulses were stirring. Though no one had ever pressed her, He Nu could sense their impatience: Master of the Masses had promised everyone an antidote, so why was she still refusing to take action and capture Han Wuxian alive?
They even blamed Master of the Masses for Shangguan Hong's death—or at the very least, for not immediately striking back. The Moonlight Hall disciples did not care about Shangguan Hong. They were simply desperate to see Master of the Masses reveal her cruel true nature.
He Nu saw it all, but refused to compromise too much. Sending Han Fen away had been her only concession. That unfit disciple would have been in danger every day she remained in Moonlight Hall.
To her surprise, He Nu felt a hint of longing. Han Fen's laughter was usually the only proof that there were still living people around her. She had also been an imperfect, but trustworthy, guardian at He Nu's back.
In the end, she wasn't a Moonlight Hall disciple. He Nu thought that she stood among a pack of wolves, futilely hoping to turn them into leopards. Instead, she had left both sides tense and wary. Had she