Before the creak of the prison door had even faded, the figure backlit by the glare slowly approached.
Xu Songhe forced herself to look up, the faint moonlight revealing the newcomer’s features.
The young man was lean and tall, wearing a bright red robe that seemed light as air. His face was as exquisite as if it had been kissed by an angel, with a high brow bone and slightly upturned eyes.
His black hair was only partially tied, and a few loose strands fell around his temples, adding a touch of casual elegance to his look.
Xu Songhe froze, her gaze fixed on him as she forgot to blink.
Even in this life-or-death moment, she couldn’t help but think: if she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she would never have believed a man could be this beautiful.
But that thought vanished as quickly as it came. Her heart sank again. The sharp pain in her bound wrists reminded her with every throb that escape was impossible.
This man looked nothing like the powerful figure who would actually be able to help. Why would anyone risk their life for a complete stranger?
Even if he were willing to help, could the two of them possibly defeat the masked man? Besides, there were likely guards stationed in the shadows.
I’m dead, she thought, closing her eyes in despair. A tear escaped and trickled into her wound, feeling like a fresh knife cut.
The interrogator pulled back his whip, his expression wary. “Who are you? What are you doing here?”
The young man’s gaze swept over them before finally resting on the wounded girl. He offered a slightly apologetic smile. “Forgive the intrusion. I’m just looking for the way to the Flowing Cloud Sect.”
The man’s face beneath the mask twitched as he shifted his attention away from Xu Songhe. “What business do you have with the Flowing Cloud Sect? And this is hardly the place to ask for directions.”
The young man spread his hands, his eyes as pure and innocent as freshly fallen snow. “I’m lost. All the other buildings are locked, and this was the only place where I heard voices. I had no choice but to come here; I didn’t mean to disturb you. As for the Flowing Cloud Sect, I’ve heard their sect leader is kind and generous. I thought I might be able to get a meal there.”
The masked man glanced outside, the tense muscles in his face finally relaxing.
He waved his hand. “This is no place for you. Leave now. The Flowing Cloud Sect isn’t somewhere you can just walk into.”
“Oh, how strange.”
The young man made no move to leave. Instead, he let out a low chuckle.
The sound sent a jolt through Xu Songhe’s heart, making it skip a beat. She raised her eyes in astonishment, her gaze sweeping over him from head to toe.
The voice was too familiar—it was the first human voice she had heard since arriving in this world.
A sudden surge of excitement washed over her. Her first thought wasn’t that she was about to be saved, but about the favorability meter that had never been mentioned again.
“System, what’s his favorability level toward me now?”
The System quickly replied, [Current progress is zero. Host, please try harder.]
*…*
Still zero after all this time?
No matter. She could take it slow. But if it was truly useless, why was he coming to save her?
The masked man lowered his raised whip, his tone harsh. “Still standing there laughing? Why haven’t you left?”
The young man spoke casually, but his words caused the other man’s expression to instantly change. “Oh? So the members of this third-rate sect aren’t all dead yet? It seems one of you managed to escape back then, allowing you to cling to life for so long.”
“Who are you?!”
The masked man froze, like a statue suddenly stopped in time. When he finally moved, he stumbled backward as if he had seen a ghost.
His lips moved, but he couldn’t form a single complete sentence. “You… you…”
“Me?” Qi Wuyang smiled faintly. “I’m just a passerby, making a joke. Why are you so tense?”
Realizing his loss of composure had humiliated him, the man adopted a cold, menacing tone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. If you keep spouting this nonsense, don’t blame my whip if it strikes you.”
“Is that so?” Qi Wuyang gestured behind him. A chorus of wails and the sound of running footsteps approached.
“Father! Father, save me!”
Zhuo Zixun collapsed to his knees, his face twisted in agony. “Father, this man deliberately tripped my horse and cursed me! He said I would bleed from my seven orifices and die within three days. Father, you must save me! I don’t want to die!”
The man, Zhuo Bufan, tore off his mask and grabbed his son by the collar, hauling him to his feet. “Stop crying! A man’s knees are not to be bent so easily. How dare you kneel without a thought!”
As he spoke, the word “curse” sent a shiver down his spine. He rushed to examine his son’s wound and found a sun-shaped tattoo on his arm.
Zhuo Bufan’s hand trembled as he glared at Qi Wuyang. “You… you Devil! What have you done to him?”
“Nothing much,” Qi Wuyang sighed, crossing his arms as he watched the father and son with leisurely amusement. “Doesn’t he hate the sun? I just gave him one that doesn’t shine. What’s wrong with that? Shouldn’t he thank me?”
Zhuo Bufan ground his teeth so hard they nearly shattered.
Suddenly, he lashed out with his whip, flashing behind Xu Songhe with lightning speed. He seized her by the throat, a savage grin twisting his face. “Give me the antidote, or I’ll kill her right now!”
Qi Wuyang didn’t even glance her way. “Oh.”
Xu Songhe was speechless.
Wasn’t this the part where she was supposed to bravely tell him to leave her behind and save himself? Then he would refuse to abandon her, and they would fight the villain together? Why was it different for her?!
Zhuo Bufan, holding her from behind, was clearly stunned by Qi Wuyang’s indifference. After a moment of bewilderment, he burst into laughter.
“Fine! You killed my son today, so I won’t spare your accomplice either.” He turned to Zhuo Zixun. “Son, you are sacrificing yourself to eliminate this devil. The entire Flowing Cloud Sect will never forget you!”
Zhuo Zixun froze, unable to believe his father was just giving up on him. He broke into desperate sobs. “Father, I don’t want to be remembered! I don’t want to be a hero! I just want to live… Father, how can you bear to watch me die?!”
Xu Songhe closed her eyes—the noise was so loud she could almost feel it in her skull.
She looked at Qi Wuyang and shouted, “Husband, hurry up and finish him! This wretched man threatened to torture me until I revealed your whereabouts. If I survive today, he’ll definitely send more men after me. I’m not sure I could withstand their interrogation. It’s fine if I die, but I won’t let you be implicated because of me.”
With that, she quickly shut her eyes again, refusing to open them until she was rescued.
She guessed that Qi Wuyang had a grudge against the Flowing Cloud Sect, but since he couldn’t find their main estate, she had mentioned it to him earlier to show him she was still useful.
These people were absolute cowards.
They wanted to capture him, but the moment they saw him, they fled like they’d seen a ghost. They didn’t dare touch him, but she was different. She might still carry his scent, which would attract them in the future.
She’d gamble on it—gamble on whether he would save her.
The young man raised an eyebrow, watching her with interest.
The wind roared in her ears. After a fierce gust, the world seemed to fall into a dead silence.
Xu Songhe opened her eyes. The father and son from the Flowing Cloud Sect were now bound to wooden chairs, gags stuffed in their mouths. They couldn’t make a sound; only their eyes, wide with fury, glared at her.
Qi Wuyang stood a few steps away, his gaze fixed on her without blinking.
“That’s wonderful, Husband! I knew someone as handsome and kind as you would never leave me behind…”
Xu Songhe’s flattery was cut short by a sudden clink at her wrists. Her smile froze on her lips.
Two iron chains, completely intact, still bound her hands. The restraints had bitten deep into her skin, and the slightest movement sent a surge of pain through her body, forcing tears from her eyes.
Xu Songhe slowly lifted her head, her tear-filled eyes meeting his.
The door stood open, allowing wind and snow to swirl into the room. She shivered, her nose turning a faint red.
Amidst her overwhelming despair, she fought back a sneeze.
“Could you… put me down first?” she pleaded.
I’m just a transmigrated character, she thought. I haven’t done anything wrong. This damn system didn’t even give me a plot summary, let alone a cheat. Why is it treating me like this?
He stood opposite her, his gaze sweeping over her like she was some insignificant toy.
“Are you begging me?” he finally said, his voice casual. “I love watching people beg. Too bad for them, though—I only enjoy the view. I never grant their requests. In fact, me getting rid of them for you was already an exception. I never used to save anyone before.”
Xu Songhe felt like a bucket of ice water had been poured over her head.
A hint of resentment crept into her gaze.
It would have been so easy for him to help, she thought. Why did he have to let me make a fool of myself like this?
“I know what you’re thinking,” Qi Wuyang’s eyes turned cold, though a faint smile still touched his lips. “If someone were to pass by and see you in this miserable state, I’d gouge their eyes out. How does that sound?”
Xu Songhe grit her teeth and remained silent.
He held up two fingers toward her. “You can either break free yourself, or—freeze to death right here.”