Mu Xi staggered, Ye Lan’s weight nearly crushing her slender frame.
The rain raged, hitting her face like countless tiny needles, cold and stinging.
Ye Lan’s breathing grew weaker, and warm blood mixed with rain as it seeped from her wound, staining Mu Xi’s clothes red.
“Just a little longer, we’re almost there,” Mu Xi gritted her teeth.
Her arms ached, but she didn’t dare stop.
A few dozen meters from the entrance of the Safe House, a tall figure suddenly came into view.
Mu Xi instinctively stepped back, hiding behind a thick oak tree.
The person had their back to them, a sniper rifle slung over their shoulder, as they paced near the Safe House entrance.
‘Jing Ji.’ Mu Xi whispered the name in her heart, a chill rising in her chest.
This woman, once Ye Lan’s subordinate and an elite member of the Nightmare Squad, was now a traitor.
Jing Ji had once tried to take her away from Ye Lan, promising safety, but Mu Xi had seen through the truth long ago.
This person must have known Mu Xi’s true identity for a long time.
She just wanted to sell the daughter of the former City Lord of Wu City for a good price.
That was why she protected Mu Xi so desperately; it was a typical case of a person dying for wealth.
Mu Xi took a deep breath and carefully set Ye Lan on the ground.
She took off her jacket, covered Ye Lan with it, and used the surrounding fallen leaves and branches for a simple camouflage.
Ye Lan’s face was as pale as paper, her lips devoid of color, with only the slight rise and fall of her chest proving she was still alive.
“You can’t die,” Mu Xi leaned down and whispered into Ye Lan’s ear, her voice mixed with an urgency she didn’t understand herself.
“I haven’t had my revenge yet, so you better stay alive.”
But deep inside, another voice questioned: ‘Is it really just for revenge?’
The rain intensified, the wind howling through the Forest as mist filled the air.
Mu Xi pulled out the small handgun Ye Lan had given her.
The cold metallic touch gave her a slight sense of security.
She quickly checked the magazine — full.
She had to make a choice: shoot Jing Ji in the back, or pretend it was a chance encounter and wait for her to let down her guard?
Jing Ji’s combat strength was not to be underestimated; she could even face Ye Lan head-on.
If a close-quarters fight failed, both she and Ye Lan would die here.
“No other choice,” Mu Xi took a deep breath and carefully changed positions to ensure that even if her shot missed, Jing Ji would not find Ye Lan’s hiding spot.
Rain slid down her cheeks, mixing with the sweat on her forehead.
She raised the handgun, aiming at Jing Ji’s back.
Her finger rested on the trigger, trembling slightly.
Jing Ji moved in the rain, seemingly sensing something, and looked around alertly.
Mu Xi knew the opportunity was fleeting.
She held her breath and steadied her hands.
A gunshot exploded amidst the sound of the rain.
The bullet missed its mark, hitting a tree trunk behind Jing Ji.
Jing Ji immediately dropped to the ground, rolling behind a rock while drawing the handgun at her waist.
“Who’s there?” Jing Ji shouted sharply, her voice torn to pieces by the wind and rain.
Mu Xi’s heart pounded like a drum.
She hurriedly shifted positions, leaning behind a tree.
She had to find a way.
An idea flashed through her mind.
Perhaps she could exploit Jing Ji’s “protective instinct” toward her.
“Jing Ji!” Mu Xi suddenly screamed, her voice intentionally panicky.
“It’s me, Mu Xi! Don’t shoot!”
Jing Ji’s movements paused visibly, but the muzzle of her gun remained alert.
“Little girl? Why are you here? Who’s with you?”
“Just me!” Mu Xi continued to shout while quietly approaching another piece of cover.
“I’m hurt, I need help!”
“Where are you? Stop hiding, I’ll help you!” Jing Ji’s voice betrayed a mix of ecstasy and unease as she slowly approached the direction of Mu Xi’s voice.
Mu Xi bit her lower lip, calculating the distance and angle.
She needed Jing Ji to get closer, close enough that she would not miss again.
At the same time, she had to ensure Jing Ji did not find Ye Lan.
“I’m over here!” Mu Xi moved her position, leading Jing Ji away from Ye Lan’s hiding spot.
Jing Ji approached cautiously, alertly scanning her surroundings.
“Where’s Ye Lan? Is she dead?”
“I don’t know, we got separated,” Mu Xi suppressed the tremble in her voice.
“I escaped.”
Jing Ji’s laughter echoed through the rain, “Excellent! Little girl, I’ve been looking for you. The world outside is waiting; you’re worth a lot of money, you know?”
Mu Xi gripped the handgun tightly.
The greed in Jing Ji’s words was nakedly exposed, confirming her suspicion.
She saw Jing Ji’s figure getting closer, her guard slightly lowered.
“You said you’d protect me, remember?” Mu Xi asked, feigning innocence with a hint of pleading in her voice.
“Of course! I’ll protect you and take you away from this hellhole.”
Jing Ji picked up her pace, crossing the clearing between two trees.
“Where are you? Let me see you!”
Mu Xi took a deep breath, darted out from behind the cover, and raised her handgun.
Jing Ji’s eyes widened instantly, but it was too late to raise her own gun.
Another gunshot exploded in the rain.
The second bullet hit Jing Ji’s shoulder.
She cried out in pain and staggered back but did not fall.
She quickly adjusted her stance and raised her handgun.
Mu Xi did not hesitate and immediately pulled the trigger.
The third bullet pierced Jing Ji’s chest.
The tall figure froze in place, the handgun slipping from her loosening fingers.
Jing Ji’s eyes were full of disbelief, her lips moving as if she wanted to say something, but only blood foam bubbled from the corners of her mouth.
She slowly collapsed, her eyes still open.
The rain washed over her face, rinsing away the blood, but it could not erase the shock and resentment in her eyes.
Mu Xi stood where she was, soaked to the bone, but she could not feel the cold.
She had just killed someone.
Strangely, there was no expected panic or guilt, only a bizarre sense of calm.
“To survive,” she whispered to herself, turning to run back toward Ye Lan’s hiding place.
Ye Lan was still unconscious, her breathing even weaker than before.
Mu Xi quickly searched Jing Ji’s body and found some first-aid items.
As for the sniper rifle, it was taller and heavier than Mu Xi; she could not carry it at all.
She helped Ye Lan up again and dragged her toward the entrance of the Underground Safehouse.
“I said I wouldn’t let you die,” Mu Xi gritted her teeth, supporting Ye Lan’s weight, her voice a mix of determination and a sliver of fear she did not want to admit.
“Not now, not before I’ve forgiven you.”
Opening the hidden door disguised as tree roots, Mu Xi dragged Ye Lan stumbling down the stairs.
The Emergency Lights flickered on automatically, illuminating the well-equipped underground space.
Mu Xi settled Ye Lan onto a double bed and immediately began searching for usable supplies.
Ye Lan’s body temperature was dropping, and her lips had turned an unhealthy bluish-purple.
Mu Xi tore open Ye Lan’s clothes, exposing the crisscrossing wounds.
The most serious one ran through her abdomen, and blood was still slowly seeping out.
Mu Xi pulled out disinfectant, bandages, and suturing tools.
She took a deep breath and began treating the wound.
Her hands were steady, and her movements were so skillful it surprised even her.
“You can’t die,” Mu Xi whispered as she worked, her anger masking her fear.
“You owe me too much to just escape like this.”
She sutured Ye Lan’s wound, injected antibiotics, and connected an IV drip.
Every movement was precise and efficient, as if she were born knowing how to do these things.
A few hours later, Mu Xi sat tiredly by the bedside, watching Ye Lan’s pale face.
The sound of rain still pounded on the ground above, but inside the Safe House, it was dry and warm.
Ye Lan’s breathing gradually steadied, and her body temperature began to rise.
Mu Xi breathed a sigh of relief, only then feeling the wave of exhaustion wash over her.