"I had long heard that Green Feathered Yellow Robe of the Western Regions was resourceful and cunning. Seeing you today, I found your reputation well deserved. I nearly fell into your hands several times." Huo Du had stopped the bleeding from his wound, yet his tone could not conceal his admiration. He himself excelled at schemes and trickery, often using his wits to defeat opponents stronger than himself. Yet against Huo Qingtong today, he had nearly died at her hands several times in a row.
Huo Qingtong knew exactly what humiliation awaited her if she fell into his hands. Concerned for her people's safety, she had originally considered enduring the disgrace. But she quickly realized that if this man violated her, even if she somehow escaped, the Ming Cult would surely call off the marriage alliance once they learned of it. The two sides might even become bitter enemies. Without the Ming Cult's help, the Hui Tribe could not stand alone, and its ultimate fate would only be destruction. Since that was the case, why endure this man's humiliation?
Her thoughts raced as she analyzed every possibility with perfect clarity. Proud by nature, Huo Qingtong truly could not bear the humiliation to come, so she drew her sword across her own throat.
Unfortunately, Huo Du had long been prepared. He was thoroughly experienced in this sort of bullying and violation—how could he let a cooked duck fly away? With a flick of his wrist, he hurled the iron fan in his hand, knocking the sword from her grasp.
"Why must you do this, miss? There are so many wonderful things in this world. Why seek your own death?" Had an uninformed bystander seen this, they would have thought him a compassionate saint persuading a young girl not to take her