"Run, Xuan Qi! Deep into the woods! "

I rushed out of the building. Into the woods. Into the territories unknown. I briefly turn around—a scorching fire blazes behind me. The mansion I once lived in has become a gigantic bonfire, and the blue night sky is shrouded in smoke. Deep inside the mansion, I can still hear people mourning over the dead, the bastards shouting in anger, the clanging noises of weapons, and the silence of the deceased. The cacophony is unbearable, but I must not stop my foot. There are still people hunting for me, wishing for my death, as well as a promise I must fulfil. My body is begging me to stop, but I must not falter. Fallen branches bruise my legs, and splinters from bushes scar my face, leaving immense pain throughout my body. I hastily navigate out of the bushes and into a more open area.

What just happened? The night was silent and everything seemed peaceful. And yet, commotions erupted all around me. The chamber door wrecked, and masked men rushed in. I was about to be struck by one of them when Grandfather rushed in front of me, tanking the stab. At that moment, I fled. What happened to Grandfather? Is he still fighting? Is he winning? Is he… No. It is pointless to dwell on this when someone is at my tail. My primary goal is to survive. If I'm caught, everything will be for nothing.

I lean behind a tree, allowing myself a moment to breathe. The vigorous running must have put significant strain on my body, as I am unable to feel the numbness. I peek out from behind the bush, checking if I have lost them. As I feared, shadows are still lurking around the woods, each holding a torch. One… Two… Three… Ten! That is a lot of people hunting for a defenceless girl! And there's another one there, with eyes locked directly onto mine, as if he's looking right at me. Oh, no…

" I found her! Behind the bush. "

Darn it! I have to escape quickly. Without hesitation, I continue my flight into the unknown. Feeling the adrenaline rushing through my veins, I rush through the greeneries recklessly. Run, Xuan Qi! Run! Don't you dare to look back!

After moments of cat-and-mouse chase, I can finally see the woods clearing up. Yes! An opening! Could it be a village? Could it be a fortress? To my despair, however, it is neither. What sets upon my eye is a night sky, with the Moon shining brightly above, and no lane in sight. It is a dead end. I've reached a cliff.

" Give up! Young Chun Hu! You have nowhere to run."

I can't help but turn around. Shadows begin to emerge from the woods and surround me, and one of them appears to be much more muscular than the others.

"Look at her! Such beauty! Too bad that we must give her away." "Oh, this night is going to be a long one! "

These words of the demon! If I get caught by them, things will go very wrong! As the muscular one slowly approaches me, I feel my legs numb, and I fall to the ground. Move, foot! Move! But, where? I have been cornered, and there is no way I can face them head-on! I have nowhere to run.

I try to gaze downwards. This cliff is located pretty high, and there's no end to what's below. Surely, I cannot survive the fall, right? Perhaps, a certain death is far better than an uncertain fate with these men.

I take in what could be my last deep breath. I crawl quickly to the edge of the cliff, allowing myself to fall into demise.

At this moment, time has slowed down. Everything around me is moving in slow motion, and I'm falling more slowly too. My life flashes before my eyes: the joyful moment spent with Grandfather, the times I succeeded in creating a pill. I realise I am having a life review. A sense of grief washes me over, but at the same time, it feels oddly relaxing. Perhaps this is how my story unfolds—a foolish noble who would rather die than be captured.

I feel my body being violently tossed into the turbulent rapids, the chilling water crashing over me in a merciless embrace. The roar of the rushing current drowns out all other sounds, and just as the swirling chaos swallows me, everything around me fades into darkness.