“Seventy thousand qian.” The young man in blue turned and shouted, “I, Young Master Li, am determined to have it. No one should even think of competing with me.”

“I bid one hundred thousand qian!” It seemed Young Master Wang was truly locked in a battle of wills with Young Master Li today.

“Oh my, our Miss Ji Jiang is dancing exclusively for a gentleman for the first time. What is a mere hundred thousand qian? Perhaps our young lady’s heart will be stirred, and she might just yield to the gentleman,” the old procuress truly knew how to sell, striking right at the hearts of these wolves.

“Two hundred thousand qian!” Young Master Li roared out such a high price that the entire assembly was nearly set alight. “Miss Ji Jiang’s ** belongs to this old man! Let’s see which clueless fool dares to challenge me.”

“Damn it!” Ye Xiu had been quietly observing the figure of Miss Ji Jiang behind the curtain. Though he couldn’t be certain if this Ji Jiang was his elder sister, the moment he heard someone proclaiming ownership over her **, he instantly became agitated. He directly raised the sword in his hand and bellowed, “I stake this sword! Anyone who dares snatch her from me, I will kill them.”

“Ah!” The women surrounding him shrieked in terror upon seeing the sword. The low-ranking lackeys of the Cuiyan Tower quickly appeared upon witnessing this dangerous action, surrounding Ye Xiu entirely. Meanwhile, the beautiful figure behind the curtain remained utterly still.

Ye Xiu cast a sidelong glance at the men wielding broadswords. Such riffraff had long ceased to hold his interest. “This gentleman doesn’t wish to harm anyone; I only want to take Miss Ji Jiang away.”

“Get him! Don’t just stand there!” The old procuress, seeing her meticulous scheme shattered, was naturally incandescent with rage. “Whoever catches this bastard will be heavily rewarded!”

“It’s just a wooden sword, what are you afraid of!” Someone among the underlings shouted loudly, and in response, the others surged forward as one, their intent clearly being to devour Ye Xiu whole.

Ye Xiu naturally wouldn’t use his sword lightly, as he genuinely couldn’t control the Tianyi in his hand. He himself feared where the scene of him slaughtering the Mohist disciples last time might be replicated. Now, a group of burly men were closing in with blades drawn. Without a second thought, Ye Xiu charged forward, unleashing a flurry of kicks to knock down the men in front, immediately followed by a side kick that felled the young man blocking the stairway. He then darted like an arrow toward the stage on the second floor. Just as he reached out to pull back the curtain, a dagger slashed horizontally from behind it.

Cold sweat beaded on Ye Xiu’s brow. He realized the person behind the curtain was skilled with blades—at least, that was his assessment based on the speed. He immediately bent low and rushed through the curtain. When he straightened up and looked again, he was truly stunned: that fair and exquisitely soft familiar face, those bright eyes that pierced the soul, and that elegant, indifferent expression.

“Sister Ji Jiang.” Ye Xiu was overcome with emotion, unsure how to react. He never expected to be reunited with Sister Ji Jiang in such a brothel today. How long had it been since he had breathed out his sister’s name so slowly? It all felt like a dream; he didn’t even know what he should do next.

“Ah!” Ji Jiang seemed not to recognize Ye Xiu at all. It turned out she was the one who had lunged with the dagger. She was terrified by the swordsman before her and raised the dagger once more, plunging it fiercely into Ye Xiu’s chest.

“…” Ye Xiu lowered his head deeply, utterly dumbfounded. He plummeted from a peak of surprise and reunion joy into an abyss of despair. His Sister Ji Jiang had actually stabbed him! For a moment, his mind couldn’t process so many incredible things, but he knew clearly what he needed to do now.

So, Ye Xiu took hold of the hand with which Ji Jiang held the dagger and affirmed, “Sister Ji Jiang, it’s me, Ye Xiu! Don’t you recognize me? Come with me!”

“Let go! Help!” This Ji Jiang knew no Ye Xiu. What she understood was that a villain wielding a sword was trying to drag her away, even though she truly loathed remaining in this brothel.

“Don’t run!” At this moment, those blockheads with the big knives finally caught up to the second floor, attempting to block Ye Xiu’s path. But even though Ye Xiu was wounded and blood was flowing freely onto the floor, these simpletons still couldn’t stop him. He protected Ji Jiang with one arm while pulling her toward the exit, running out of the building.

“Ji Jiang is my cash cow! Don’t let them escape! All of you, move!” The old procuress certainly wouldn't allow her star performer to be spirited away by one person, so she commanded all her employees to block the entrance.

Ye Xiu certainly wasn’t about to give up. This time, he gripped Ji Jiang’s hand firmly and refused to let go, even if this Ji Jiang didn't recognize him, even if this Ji Jiang had just stabbed him viciously. “Get out of the way! Those who block me die!” Ye Xiu snarled, baring his teeth, and wildly waved Tianyi in front of him.

Ji Jiang couldn't process what was happening at all. All she knew was that a gentle, strong hand was pulling her away from the hedonistic confines of the Cuiyan Tower. She had long wanted to escape this place, and now someone was trying to rush her out. She began to feel that she had been completely wrong moments ago; this handsome, upright young man before her was here to save her.

“Hoo…” Ye Xiu suddenly increased his speed, locking Ji Jiang’s hand tightly in his own palm. He only remembered swinging his sword once and bursting through the doorway. Regardless of where the miserable cries from behind originated, regardless of whether those underlings lived or died, all he knew was that he and Ji Jiang were finally together.

The cacophony of shouts behind them faded away. Before them lay a world of azure sky and bright clouds once more. Ye Xiu led Ji Jiang slowly to a high vantage point, where the roar of crashing waves washed over everything around them.

“Sister Ji Jiang, we are safe now. You are unharmed,” Ye Xiu half-crouched, gasping for breath. He felt a sharp pain in his chest as bright red blood continued to drip from the hilt onto the ground.

“I am not your sister,” Ji Jiang stated abruptly, shaking off Ye Xiu’s hand. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what kind of bad person you think I am, but I truly am not your sister. However…”

“Sister…” Ye Xiu shot her a pained look. This Ji Jiang looked exactly like his elder sister. Why wouldn’t she recognize him? Could it be…? A sudden blackness overtook Ye Xiu’s vision, and he collapsed heavily onto the ground, unconscious.

“Hey! Hey!” Ji Jiang was also in a panic, shaking Ye Xiu repeatedly until she noticed the dagger still lodged in his chest.

Night, beautifully tragic night; the moon, increasingly absent as night deepened.

Sister Ji Jiang, Sister Ji Jiang! Ye Xiu once again saw Sister Ji Jiang reaching out her hand to him. Her hand was so close, yet no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't grasp it. Don't go! Don't go! Ye Xiu screamed until his throat was raw, but received no answer. Why?

“Ah…” Ye Xiu cried out and opened his eyes. It was just another dream; the longing from the dream had bled into reality.

“Ji Jiang…” Ye Xiu tried to push himself up to see what was happening, but a piercing pain shot through his chest. He looked down; his wound had been bandaged. He was lying in a small shack by the sea, with a few scattered flames outside.

Ye Xiu tentatively supported his body and carefully peeked his head out of the shack. Ji Jiang was there, carefully drying his clothes near the fire. Indeed, she was the one who had tended to his injury. Ye Xiu quietly slipped out and observed this Ji Jiang closely. She appeared slightly younger and more lively than his own Elder Sister Ji Jiang, but her features and expression were identical to his sister’s.

“You… you’re awake,” Ji Jiang had noticed Ye Xiu long ago. She stood up and said apologetically, “I’m sorry; it’s all my fault with that knife.”

“N-no, it’s nothing.” Counting this, it was the first time Ye Xiu had spoken to this Ji Jiang calmly. He wasn't sure how to respond.

Ji Jiang patted the clothes drying over the pole. “They’ll be ready to wear soon. If you’re cold, you can come over here. I also roasted some fish.”

Ye Xiu nodded intermittently, shuffling his feet over to Ji Jiang’s side.

“Sit down. Why are you still standing there looking silly?” Ji Jiang found the young man a bit amusing; he had been so brave and agitated moments ago, yet now he was so quiet.

Ye Xiu cautiously sat by the bonfire, rubbing his hands near the flames. He had so much he wanted to say but truly didn't know how to begin.

“Here, eat some fish. You haven’t eaten all day; are you hungry?” Ji Jiang was considerate and handed him the freshly roasted fish. “This one has been cooling for a bit, so it’s not too hot. Eat slowly.”

“Okay.” Ye Xiu reached out to take the stick holding the fish. Perhaps due to the lingering pain from his wound, his hand trembled slightly. Just as he was about to grasp the stick, his hand jerked suddenly, lightly brushing against Ji Jiang’s arm. The sensation was indescribably subtle, causing Ye Xiu to immediately drop the fish.

“Oh dear, it fell on the ground. What a waste,” Ji Jiang expressed regret but wasn't angry. Instead, she handed him another piece. “Eat this.”

“Yes, yes.” Ye Xiu didn’t know why, but he had lost all his usual composure in front of this Ji Jiang, and his speech had become decidedly less articulate.

Ji Jiang sat calmly beside him. After watching him swallow the fish meat, she apologized, “I’m truly sorry for today. To be honest, I should thank you for saving me.”

“N-no, it’s nothing,” Ye Xiu stammered, quickly putting down the fish he was eating.

Ji Jiang reached out again and took down Ye Xiu’s clothes. “They’re almost dry. You should put them on now to avoid catching a chill later. Since you’re uncomfortable right now, I might as well help you put them on.”