All for the Fate - Chapter 26

 

The night wind drifted gently, setting the forest leaves swaying with a restless murmur. In the clearing, the assassins of Linlan Mountain had their spells fully charged, silver light weaving with the golden-orange glow of fire.

Yet the two figures before them—one man, one woman—showed not the slightest fear. If anything, their faces betrayed anticipation, as though waiting for the clash. Leisurely, Meng Ruji slid the paper and brush back into her robes, patting them flat with infuriating calm.

The disciples exchanged uncertain glances.

“Is it really him?” one muttered.

“The information from the prisoners was clear,” the leader snapped. “Better to strike wrongly than let him go. Attack!”

At his command, arrows of silver light burst from the formation, streaking straight toward Meng Ruji and Mu Sui’s hearts.

Both reacted instantly, their voices overlapping in the night—“Be careful!”

Mu Sui spun, pulling Meng Ruji into his arms, clearly intending to shield her with his body. His eyes flicked sideways, swiftly calculating: from this position, the wounds he would take would look dangerous but remain shallow.

But Meng Ruji wasn’t content to be shielded. With a sharp kick at his hem and a shove at his shoulder, she forced him downward.

Caught off guard, Mu Sui hit the ground with a muffled thud. Meng Ruji straddled him, her body pressing close as the first wave of silver arrows hissed harmlessly past.

Mu Sui glared upward, only to find her leaning delicately against his chest, acting as though faint. Her hand braced beside his ear, her breath ghosted warm against it as she whispered, deliberately breathless:

“Oh no… I can’t hold on anymore!”

Her lips hovered shamelessly close to his.

This woman!

Shameless! Calculating! Every intention written clear as day on her face!

Mu Sui’s eyes widened in horror. He raised both hands defensively, not just against her but against fate itself. He couldn’t kiss her. He mustn’t kiss her! If he kissed her, she’d drag him straight into marriage!

The second wave came just in time. Mu Sui seized her waist, yanking her down against his chest as they rolled across the ground. Arrows struck where they had lain moments before.

Meng Ruji let out a startled mm! as they tumbled. Mu Sui tightened his grip, carrying her behind the ramshackle hut before the next barrage could form.

She cursed inwardly. The flour she’d bought was still out front. But—flour could wait.

Behind the hut, Mu Sui’s back was slick with cold sweat, his breath heavy. Meng Ruji studied him. For someone who had supposedly lost his memory, facing such magical attacks, his fear was convincing. Too convincing. She narrowed her eyes, then softened her expression into gentle concern.

Taking his hand, brushing his cheek, she murmured, “Little Sui.”

His face tightened, more sweat glistening on his brow. Still, he forced composure. “Elder Sister.”

“With me here, don’t be afraid,” she said warmly. “I already think of you as my future husband. I’ll protect you.”

Mu Sui nearly choked. Protection aside, what terrified him most was her.

And then—she pulled the marriage contract from her robes once more, holding it out with solemnity. “To make my protection legitimate, why not sign this first?”

Mu Sui wanted to howl. Legitimate!? But aloud, he only ground out, “No. I’ll protect you.”

She pressed the paper and pen closer. “That’s fine too. If you sign, you’ll be the only one who can protect me. Forever.”

His treacherous hand rose and gripped the pen. Mu Sui’s eyes widened in horror. At that instant—salvation! A silver arrow pierced the wall, striking the pen and snapping it neatly in two.

The halves clattered to the ground. Mu Sui released them at once, gripping his wrist hard. Why not just cut this hand off? A hand that disobeys isn’t worth keeping.

Meng Ruji gave a cry, crouching to recover the broken pen. She turned it over uncertainly. “It’s still usable… Would it count if I wrote with it broken?”

Before she could answer herself, another wave struck. The fragile hut rattled and cracked, fragments raining down.

Meng Ruji finally turned her attention outward, eyes narrowing. “I underestimated Linlan Mountain. Rigid and clumsy techniques, yet each strike grows stronger…”

Mu Sui exhaled in relief as she tucked away the broken pen. He knew they couldn’t hide much longer. If they fled, the silver pearls would catch them quickly.

“Elder Sister,” he said, carefully, “if I used the power of my Inner Core, I could break this deadlock.”

He studied her expression. The timing was natural, but would she suspect?

But Meng Ruji only shook her head. “Deadlock? Not quite.”

He blinked, then froze as she pulled four copper coins from her robe.

“…Why do you still have money?” he muttered under his breath.

“Four wen isn’t much to work with,” she frowned. “Not enough to deal with eight at once…”

“Too risky,” he warned, hoarse. “Better to—”

“I’ll rob more!” she cut in brightly.

Mu Sui stared, half-expecting her to rob him instead.

Instead, Meng Ruji swiftly drew a formation onto a coin and sent it spinning through the air. It sliced in front of one Linlan man, sweeping away his silver pearl before he could react. The formation collapsed instantly.

The coin zipped back, pearl in tow. Meng Ruji caught it and laughed. “Well, that was easier than I thought.”

Mu Sui could only marvel. This woman—this former Demon Lord—was terrifyingly clever. With the pearl in her hand, the outcome of tonight’s battle was already written.

But before they could press the advantage, a crushing pressure descended from above. The hut groaned, then collapsed entirely as a figure descended through golden light, robes gleaming, casually toying with a golden pearl.

“One Gold…” Meng Ruji’s expression hardened.

The Linlan disciples dropped to their knees. “We greet the Master!”

The Master of Linlan Mountain hovered above, golden light drowning the silver glow below. His gaze was cold, disdain curling his lips.

“No wonder you managed to kill my dear brother.”

Meng Ruji and Mu Sui both stiffened. Brother?

Meng Ruji’s mind raced. Don’t tell me… that bandit by the Nai River? The one who wanted to eat people?

Mu Sui’s eyes darkened. Luo Yingfeng. A man who prized brotherhood for reputation’s sake. Sworn to many, caring for few—but humiliation he would never forgive.

Mu Sui thought back. The bandit who had died of sheer terror at the sight of his face… Yes. That must have been it.

Coldness edged his eyes. He hadn’t expected killing such a petty thief to stir up Luo Yingfeng himself.

Yet, unbidden, the image of Meng Ruji bloodied by the Nai River surfaced in his mind. His chest tightened with the memory.

Even after weighing all the risks, one truth pressed itself into his heart.

That bandit chief…

Deserved to die.