Gazing at Situ An's face, Gao Yun paused briefly and said softly, "I don't want to fight you either, but you're always such an eyesore. Gao Ming will be here soon. You still have time to run."
"You're the one... who should be running for his life, aren't you?" Situ An seemed to remember something. This time, he did not attack Gao Yun. His eyes shifted, sweeping over their surroundings.
Events had deviated once again. Gao Yun clearly remembered that after each of the previous seventeen reversals, Situ An had always said—it was Gao Ming who should be running for his life.
Why had he changed the name? What had Situ An realized?
After Gao Yun emerged from the Tunnel, no human or ghost could detect his ability. This was a rule Gao Yun himself controlled.
Licking the blood from his lips, Situ An's gaze settled on the corpse that had just been strung up beside a pillar. The black faith beneath his skin began to surge, and his consciousness seemed to grow somewhat hazy.
His fingers gripped the end of a chain. Situ An's expression was deeply unsettling. He seemed to be trying his hardest to suppress a smile, twisting his face in the process.
Frowning, Gao Yun slipped one hand into his pocket. He sensed that Situ An seemed to be feeling for something.
"Chains pierced my soul, and wounds covered my body. I've suffered every kind of torment during my time in the Execution House." Situ An gripped the few chains still attached to him. "But I never gave up. Even if there's only the slightest chance, I'll do everything I can to stay alive."
"Keep spouting nonsense, and Gao Ming will follow his senses straight here. Here's some bad news for you: he's already left the