Situ Jin stood with his hands behind his back under the corridor, his gaze deep as he watched Chu Yuning tending to the horses in the courtyard.
Though he had known this young man for only a short time, Situ Jin had read countless people in his life. He could see at a glance that Yuning's eyes were firm and clear, and his movements were steady and disciplined. That innate composure and aura were qualities that no ordinary family could cultivate.
He thought back to Gu Xiao—that silver-tongued, impulsive "pretty boy" who had hounded his daughter. Situ Jin snorted inwardly. In the old mine owner's eyes, Gu Xiao wasn't even fit to carry Yuning's boots.
Jing'er's personality may have changed, but her eye for men has certainly sharpened, Situ Jin nodded to himself.
He could see the unspoken understanding between his daughter and Chu Yuning. Now that there was a man by her side who could truly hold his own, the heart that had been suspended in worry for so long finally settled a few inches.
Thus, Situ Jin, who had intended to give a lengthy lecture, simply stepped forward and patted Yuning's shoulder heavily. His voice was low and solemn. "Yuning... my daughter may be a bit wild, but she truly wants to achieve something great. On this journey... I'm entrusting her to your care."
Chu Yuning bowed with cupped hands. "Rest assured, Master Situ. I will protect Miss Situ with my life."
[Situ Manor • Study]
"Captain, I've convinced my father to let me travel with you," Blue Five said, blinking with a mischievous grin. "Since we need to lose these tails, just running isn't enough. We need to prepare some 'surprises' for them."
An excited light flickered in Blue Five's eyes—the telltale sign of her entering "researcher mode."
She turned to Chu Yuning, her words coming fast. "Yuning, since you've been at the mines, can you get me a few things? I need sulfur, saltpeter, fine iron filings, and high-proof spirits. Oh, and if you can find some discarded rock oil, that would be even better."
Though Yuning didn't understand her plan, he saw her seriousness and nodded. "Those aren't hard to find in the warehouses. To blast the mountains, Gu Xiao stockpiled plenty of gunpowder ingredients, though most are damp and have lost their potency."
"Dampness is fine. Once they're in my hands, they'll undergo a metamorphosis," Blue Five said, confidently rolling up her sleeves.
For the next two days, she completely sealed off the small alcove behind the study. No one knew what she was doing inside, though they occasionally heard the faint sound of grinding and caught whiffs of a pungent, acrid odor.
The night before their departure, the door finally opened. Blue Five had dark circles under her eyes, yet she looked invigorated. In her hands were several small jars wrapped tightly in oilcloth and a few strange-looking short tubes.
"What are those?" Xiao Zhan asked, staring curiously at the inconspicuous objects.
"My 'Little Babies'," Blue Five replied lightheartedly. "The jars are filled with a mixture of phosphorus powder and concentrated alcohol. Once smashed and exposed to air, they'll ignite violently—and they're waterproof. As for these tubes—" she smirked, shaking them, "—they're packed with fine iron filings and irritant powders. One pull of the fuse, and I guarantee those followers will be 'moved to tears' and unable to see a thing."
Crimson Nine looked at the homemade incendiary grenades and smoke tubes, a slow smirk spreading across her lips. "Truly our 'Munitions Expert.' With these, the road out of the city is bound to be lively."
[Western Yan Mining District • Imperial Road]
The road outside the mines wound northward, flanked by weathered red cliffs and sparse, withered trees.
As the Situ family's convoy exited the gates, the atmosphere tightened subtly. On the surface, it looked like a wealthy merchant's procession: two wagons laden with cargo, a few guards, and the eldest Miss of the Situ family leading the way. But in the shadows, Crimson Nine, Chu Yuning, and Xiao Zhan knew the truth—Gu Xiao's spies had already locked onto them.
"Three sets of tails," Chu Yuning whispered, riding close to Crimson Nine. "One group on the left ridge, one behind us on the road, and another disguised as peddlers at the upcoming post house."
Crimson Nine kept her gaze forward, her lips curving slightly. "More than I expected."
Inside the carriage, Blue Five heard them perfectly and rubbed her hands together in glee. "Perfect. The effect will be more visible this way."
As they drew further from the mines, the surroundings became more desolate. As the road entered a narrow, rocky gorge, the first arrow tore through the air.
SHWIP!
The arrow whistled past the carriage frame and thudded into the ground. A split second later, dark figures tumbled down the canyon walls. Dozens of masked martial artists appeared, their blades reflecting cold light against the red stone.
"Leave the girl! Kill everyone else!" the leader barked.
Chu Yuning's sword unsheathed with a ring as he stepped in front of the carriage. "They came fast."
Xiao Zhan drew his blade, guarding Crimson Nine's side. "These aren't mine guards. They're Gu Xiao's private assassins."
"Even better," Crimson Nine sneered. "Blue Five, now."
The carriage curtain flew open, and Blue Five leaned out, her eyes shining brilliantly. "Gentlemen—welcome to my fireworks debut!"
She swung her arm, and an oilcloth-wrapped jar traced an arc through the air.
CRACK!
The moment the jar shattered, white mist billowed out, followed by—
BOOM!
"What is this?!"
"Water! Get water!"
However, the flames didn't die; they burned even more fiercely. The assassins watched in horror as the eerie blue-green fire ignored their attempts to smother it with sand or douse it with water, crawling up their boots like venomous snakes. It was a "Demon Fire" that defied their understanding of the world.
Taking advantage of the chaos, Blue Five tossed out several short tubes.
BANG! BANG!
Blinding white light erupted in the gorge, followed by thick, stinging smoke.
"AH! My eyes!"
"I can't see!"
The enemy formation collapsed instantly.
"Now," Crimson Nine whispered.
Chu Yuning lunged like an arrow from a bow, his blade flashing with lethal precision through the smoke. Xiao Zhan led the guards in a flanking maneuver, his strikes ruthless and efficient.
In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the road was littered with groaning, dark figures. The last assassin turned to flee, but Crimson Nine's throwing knife pinned him to the rock wall by his shoulder.
She walked up to him, her voice like frost. "Go back and tell Gu Xiao—"
"The ones he's hunting aren't just 'people from Great Qi'."
"We are a team he will never be able to afford to offend."
Crimson Nine turned and walked back to the carriage. Blue Five was surveying her handiwork with a look of pure satisfaction. "Captain, how was the effect?"
Crimson Nine glanced at her and said flatly, "Passing grade."
Blue Five beamed like a student who had just received a perfect score. Chu Yuning sheathed his sword, looking toward the road leading to Zhanchuan. "Gu Xiao knows now. We aren't prey waiting to be slaughtered."
Crimson Nine looked at the road stretching into the wind and sand, her eyes cold and clear. "From this moment on, it's his turn to be afraid."