Blood stained a corner red, seeping into the pure white begonias. The petals swayed lightly in the dripping blood, gradually becoming soft, heavy, and finally scattered on the ground.

The Four-leaf Phoenix Tree didn’t like the smell of these begonias. When they were tender, the pure white petals exuded a fresh fragrance, but as they matured, the petals turned red and gave off a faint hint of rust.

Even if he had already gotten used to this rusty smell.

...

On the way to the mountain palace, Zhou Zhao led the way in front, with Su Sui silently following behind.

His heart was in chaos; the situation with his companions was still unclear, and Su Sui behind him might attack at any moment. It could be said he was leading the way almost half-forced, half-compromising.

He wanted to find a chance to escape. Without the Four-leaf Phoenix Tree’s restraint, Su Sui would probably draw her sword and chop him down the instant they reached the target point. He already saw her hand resting on the scabbard.

"Hey, I say."

"Keep leading the way."

The girl’s cold voice interrupted Zhou Zhao, who cursed silently.

"We’re cooperating now," Su Sui said, "so don’t be so wary of me."

"If you keep looking around like you’re going to run, I’ll cut you down."

Girl, have you heard what you’re saying?

Zhou Zhao wanted to cry but had no tears.

Just now, he should have resolutely rushed back to save the Four-leaf Phoenix Tree. If he had done so, Su Sui would have had to follow him into the risk, and he wouldn’t be so constrained now.

Unknowingly, they arrived before the majestic palace complex. Beyond the tall archway lay a cold, long street leading directly to the grand hall, brilliantly lit but devoid of people. All the shops along the way had their doors and windows tightly shut, their light hidden.

Behind the screen came the sound of instrumental music, initially with a slow and lingering rhythm, like welcoming guests. The sound grew increasingly urgent, fast as drumbeats, like a crane’s cry, sending a shiver up one’s spine from the feet.

Just as they stepped onto the long street, a ’whoosh’ sound of wind breaking erupted. Su Sui slightly turned her body, reaching out with both hands, and caught an arrow between her fingers.

"Do we really have to go through here?" Zhou Zhao broke out in a cold sweat.

The sky dimmed, the winds and clouds transforming, day and night switching places in an instant; it was daytime earlier.

The air was filled with a dense, almost tangible murderous intent, a strong killing intent silently brewing. He even felt as if behind every screen shadow in the thousands of buildings on this street, an archer or axeman lay in wait, ready to leap out if they continued forward.

Ordinary cold weapons certainly couldn’t harm them, but the issue was that this was a shrine. Who knew how the data entities inside had been amplified? Hundreds of blades, one for each person, could be enough to slice him to pieces, right?

"Not aimed at us," Su Sui said.

With that, she walked directly into the long street, towards the distant grand hall, eyes slightly surprising Zhou Zhao as she passed.

"Wait."

Zhou Zhao instinctively followed, stepping into the long street. Turning to escape using the chance, only to hit an invisible wall. The archway he’d just passed had become as towering as a heavenly gate, carved with reliefs of dragon and fish creatures vividly. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"This is..."

Zhou Zhao suddenly turned back, a strong scent of blood filling his nose.

The earlier sound of instruments replaced by thunderous slaughter and battle cries.

He was shocked by the scene before him. Fire raged through the city, hooves clattered incessantly, shop signs and beams crashing to the ground, women clutching children fled, people behind screens slaughtering each other endlessly, screen windows stained with blood.

The twelfth year of Chengchi, September 15, Chiwen Battleships revolted, continued without end. King Chengchi fled the city, and the Chiwen Su Clan was exterminated. At the sound of gongs, the blood on Tianxing Street was three feet deep.

Su Sui stood still, gazing far away, the golden grand hall burning and collapsing in her eyes.

Profound Armor Cavalry lined up in the distance, charging straight at her with shouts.

Indescribable emotions rose in Su Sui’s heart, her mouth dry. Scenes of stained images flashed through her mind, slowly she drew the great tachi at her waist, step by step towards the Profound Armor Cavalry, her pace increasingly rushed and fast.

She didn’t understand what was happening to her, so eager to slash.

Su Sui advanced, the great tachi raised above her head, slashing diagonally down. The Profound Armor Cavalry charging close screamed, man and horse cut down together.

So eager to slash.

"From now on, you will no longer be yourself."

"You will no longer be... part of the Chiwen Su Clan."

"You will no longer be Su Youchi."

"Su Sui, this is your new name, remember well the following words."

—"Do not have emotions."

"You must calmly accept everything, do not reveal anything about yourself to the outside, do not let anyone detect your identity through your expressions."

This elite cavalry, well-trained, quickly surrounded Su Sui, galloping around her. Someone roared forward, a thousand-pound heavy mace smashing into Su Sui’s back. She paused, turned, and slashed with her blade, cutting the man down from his horse.

—"Do not recall."

"Memory will cause you pain, leave you open, trapped in the vortex of the past unable to escape. If you can get away, it means you have severed your past, be sure not to have any more intersections."

So eager to slash.

"The fleeing royal family is here, don’t let her escape!"

Su Sui panted, her hands and back hit repeatedly, nearly dropping the sword. Just as she loosened her grip, her fingers clenched again, turning to slash, colliding with the incoming heavy mace.

Su Sui gritted her teeth, her great tachi forcibly pushing back the heavy mace, then embedding into the heavy armor of the cavalry ahead. That indescribable emotion surged through the blade into her flesh and bones at that moment!

No matter the heavy blows from behind, Su Sui held firm, pounding fist after fist into the back of her great tachi. The blade rang with a hum, splitting the person ahead, blood spurting out in torrents.

So eager to slash.

She turned, drenched in blood, like an evil ghost.

The scene before her trembled, the screams and wails of people, their pain engraved in her eyes. The faces behind the heavy helmets of the Profound Armor Cavalry sneered, proud of the hellish scene they had created with their own hands.

—"Do not seek revenge!"

"All those you cared for are gone. You are now unbound by worldly ties, nameless and homeless. With no name or home, the grievances of the past are no longer your concern. Live on, forget all that has passed, you have experienced the deepest hatred. After a long drought comes rain, a dead tree meets spring, your rebirth will be abundant and prosperous."

"Exile yourself, live on."

"Live on, Sui."

"Live on..."