Xu Yu'er

"Cunyi, it has been more than half a year since we last met. Why have you become so filled with boundless hostility, unable to distinguish right from wrong?"

Peng Sihai said painfully, "Back then, your master was escorting a major shipment when the Cold-Blooded Thirteen Eagles intercepted and killed him along the way. He died after a fierce battle. It had nothing to do with me!"

"Brother Yi actually died where he belonged."

"Upon hearing the terrible news, your mistress was overcome by grief. She fell gravely ill and eventually passed away."

"Before her death, considering that the enormous Profound Heaven Escort Agency was left leaderless, she entrusted it to me."

"As for your fellow disciples, escort masters lived by licking blood from the edge of a blade, walking the line between life and death!"

"Jianghu battles were bloody, escort routes perilous, and never knowing whether one would live to see the next morning was the norm. From the day you entered an escort agency, you should have cast your life aside!"

After saying this, his tone softened.

"Cunyi, you are young and hot-blooded, and your obsession runs too deep. Do not let villains use you or blindly trust others."

"Put down your sword. I can let bygones be bygones for everything that has happened!"

As his words fell, Peng Wei at his side hastily urged, "Master! Absolutely not! You cannot forgive him! This boy treated his own brothers this way; he must not be spared lightly!"

Quite a few disciples also chimed in, berating him.

Peng Sihai frowned and raised a hand to cut everyone off. "My mind is made up. No more words are needed!"

Miao Cunyi stared fixedly at Peng Sihai, his face ashen, the rage in his chest blazing like a wildfire.

Peng Sihai slowly spoke.

"Don't you want to know where your junior sister went?"

"Rest assured, your junior sister is safe and sound. She is right here in the escort agency."

"It was only that some time ago, she was overwhelmed by grief, so I specially took her out to clear her mind."

After saying this, he turned to the attendant beside him and ordered,

"Go. Bring Yuer out."

The attendant bowed to accept the order and hurried inside.

A moment later, two maidservants in green emerged slowly, supporting a slender, delicate figure between them.

It was Xu Yuer.

Xu Yuer was exceptionally beautiful, with refined brows and eyes and a face pale as jade. Yet at this moment, she looked terribly haggard, her gaze hollow and devoid of all light.

Only when her eyes fell upon the sword-bearing youth in the crowd did they regain their sparkle, filled with agitation.

She desperately opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

"Yuer!"

Miao Cunyi's heart was filled with panic and pain.

He looked at Peng Sihai and roared.

"Peng Sihai! What exactly did you do to my junior sister?!"

"Stop spouting nonsense. Yuer merely fell ill from excessive worry and injured her throat, leaving her temporarily unable to speak."

Peng Sihai changed the subject.

"Cunyi, put down the sword in your hand and lower your head to admit your mistake."

"For the sake of your master, your mistress, and Yuer, all of whom have pleaded for you, I can let bygones be bygones."

"But if you remain stubborn and unrepentant, continuing to act recklessly, then do not blame me for showing no mercy!"

Miao Cunyi's gaze remained locked on Xu Yuer's thin, haggard figure. The hostility filling his heart was replaced by endless heartache. He unconsciously took two steps forward, wanting to approach the junior sister he had longed for day and night.

"Yuer! I'm back, Yuer!"

"Stop!"

Peng Sihai stepped forward to block him.

The escort masters and disciples throughout the courtyard shouted sternly.

"Put down your weapon!"

"Abandon your sword and admit your mistake!"

Staring blankly at that haggard, fragile figure and those gentle eyes,

Miao Cunyi's fingertips trembled slightly. The arm gripping his sword slowly relaxed, and the sword tip lowered inch by inch.

Just as he was about to release the sword in his hand,

"Don't..."

A hoarse cry rang out!

Xu Yuer suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood. Her face went deathly pale, her body swaying as if she might collapse at any moment, as she cried out anxiously,

"No... don't!"

"Quick... leave!"

"Yuer! Don't!"

"Get out of my way!"

Miao Cunyi was frantic with worry. His inner force surged explosively as he let out a great roar.

The longsword in his hand suddenly thrust forth!

"One-Character Lightning Sword: Thousand Flashes!"

Blinding sword light tore through the sky, lightning flashing in every direction.

The heavens and earth abruptly blazed with light, leaving everyone momentarily blinded.

Wrapped in lightning, his figure instantly broke through layer upon layer of encirclement.

Outside the lightning came rolling thunder.

"BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!"

Miao Cunyi flashed forward and caught the collapsing Xu Yuer, holding her thin body tightly in his arms with gentle strength.

That strike was as swift as a thunderclap—so swift that Peng Sihai had no time to intervene.

He stared fixedly at the embracing pair, killing intent boiling in his chest as he thought to himself,

Good!

How long has it even been?

The secret manual must be on him. Today, I must capture him no matter what.

"Yuer, Yuer, Yuer!"

"Wake up!"

"I'm back. I'll take you away. We'll leave this place right now!"

Miao Cunyi desperately circulated his inner force to protect her heart meridians, pouring it into her without end.

Yet the inner force flowing into her was like stones sinking into the sea. It could not hold back her rapidly fading life force, and her warm body was slowly turning cold.

"How could this be?"

Xu Yuer leaned against his chest, her breath as faint as a thread. Using the last trace of her strength, she spoke softly, her voice nearly inaudible.

"Brother Cunyi... don't waste your strength..."

"You need to leave!"

"My body gave out long ago. I held on until now... only because I wanted to see you one more time."

She struggled to open her eyes and gaze at the youth she had yearned for day and night, her eyes filled with endless attachment.

"Being able to see you again, Yuer is already content..."

"I'm sorry, Brother Cunyi. In the end... I still couldn't, couldn't..."

"The life we promised to spend together... I can't do it anymore..."

She gently raised her hand, wanting to touch his brows and eyes, but before her fingertips could reach him, her hand fell weakly.

"You must live well... for me..."

As the last trace of her voice faded, the faint light in Xu Yuer's eyes went completely dark. Those gentle eyes slowly closed, and all strength left her arm as it fell limply to the ground.

"Yuer—!!"

A tearing pain ripped through Miao Cunyi's heart, and tears rolled down uncontrollably.

"AAAAAAAAAAA!"

He held the person in his arms tightly, his back shaking violently. His suppressed grief finally shattered its restraints, and a heart-rending howl echoed through the Heavenly Wolf Escort Agency.

Grief-stricken and mad, he looked like a demon possessed!

RUMBLE—!!

RUMBLE—!!

RUMBLE—!!

Above the Heavenly Wolf Escort Agency, fierce winds suddenly rose and dark clouds churned.

Thunderclaps exploded one after another.

Peng Sihai looked at the frenzied Miao Cunyi, his killing intent laid bare.

"Since you are stubborn and refuse to wake from your delusion, do not blame me!"

"Kill him!"

"Kill!"

Peng Sihai wielded a Heavy Xuantie Sword. Its blade was thick and weighty, carrying an overbearing might as he charged toward Miao Cunyi.