"I obey," Su Miaozhen nodded, rising to take her leave from the imperial study. The emperor's order aimed to protect her, but before leaving the capital, there was one place she wished to visit.
"Third Prince..." Lin Yu was cultivating in seclusion when Su Miaozhen's voice sounded from outside the courtyard. He opened the door to see her arrive, travel-worn.
"General Su, you—" Lin Yu paused, stunned as Su Miaozhen slowly removed her ever-present silver face guard. A peerless beauty emerged, her features both charming and spirited, leaving Lin Yu dazzled despite having seen her face before. With such looks, she could master seductive arts effortlessly.
Lin Yu wondered why she removed the guard now. Her eyes filled with reluctance. "Third Prince, I may no longer protect you. Stay cautious in the capital."
Lin Yu frowned—he had the Cauldron Lord erase their tracks. What变故 (change) had occurred?
"I offended the Profound Heaven Gate. His Majesty sends me to guard the border for safety," Su Miaozhen smiled bitterly.
Lin Yu nodded. The gate would not let two elders' deaths go unpunished.
She replaced the guard, smiling. "Farewell, Third Prince. We shall meet again."
"Safe journey, General Su. May you overcome all dangers," Lin Yu bid her farewell.
Su Miaozhen paused at the courtyard gate, looking back. "This is the first time I've removed my guard in front of others." Waving, she departed.
"First time..." Lin Yu smiled wryly as her figure vanished. Her feelings were clear—why else would she care so deeply? But with blood vengeance unfulfilled, he could not dwell on such matters while the First Prince lived.
Lin Yu returned inside, intending to gift her something in return.
...
At dawn outside the Great Zhou capital, a troop of armored cavalry stood in the morning mist as officials bid farewell to Su Miaozhen. Just as she prepared to mount, hooves sounded through the fog. A white horse emerged, ridden by Lin Yu.
"Is that the Han hostage prince?" Courtiers murmured in surprise.
"Third Prince!" Su Miaozhen's eyes lit up.
Lin Yu handed her a fist-sized wooden carving. "A humble gift for your journey." The carving, sharp as sword strokes, depicted a valiant female general—her exact likeness.
"I love it," she smiled, clutching the wood. Escorted by cavalry, she departed for the border.
The carving held a wisp of fire intent to save her in peril. Courtiers eyed Lin Yu warily—their bond was clear, risking the Zhou losing both a general and face. The chief minister vowed to send Lin Yu back to Han.
...
In Yin Cloud Ridge, the Demonic Heaven Sect's ruined White Bone Hall held desolate graves. After Lin Yu slew the sect master and elders, disciples buried them and scattered, leaving the demon sect in ruins.
Now, deep rumbles echoed from beneath the hall, as if something was awakening. The hall collapsed, cracks spreading across the mountain. Graves caved in as if bodies were being devoured.
Boom! A scarlet rainbow burst from the ruins, followed by a wild, evil voice: "I, the Blood Demon Lord, have returned!"
A gaunt, white-haired elder in blood robes descended. Glaring at the graves: "Useless fools! Not enough blood to wake me—had to feast on your corpses!"
Hidden under the hall, he had awakened by absorbing the slain sect members' remains. Though weak, the countless lives beyond Yin Cloud Ridge would fuel his recovery. Grinning savagely, he headed down the mountain.