How Deep the Crimson Leaves Grow Chapter Twenty-Three: The Savior

Tang Haiqiu maintained a facade of composure, but his true objective in setting fire to the main house was to draw the household staff away; his greatest fear now was that someone might return. Seeing Wang Shihan moving slowly, he grew impatient, lunging forward to seize her by the wrist.

Wang Shihan could no longer contain herself and let out a shrill, desperate scream, instinctively trying to break free. Tang Haiqiu ignored her resistance and was about to drag her away when two guards suddenly burst from the side. One raised a staff to strike at Tang’s head, while the other grabbed Wang Shihan’s other arm, attempting to pull her back. Tang Haiqiu sneered; he kept a firm grip on Wang Shihan with his right hand, tilted his head slightly to dodge the incoming staff, and simultaneously landed a powerful kick into the guard's abdomen.

The force of the blow was immense; with a pained wail, the guard was sent flying over twenty feet away, crashing into the courtyard. Tang Haiqiu retracted his leg and yanked Wang Shihan toward him. "Come with me!" Wang Shihan let out a stifled groan as her arms were pulled in opposite directions, shivering in pain. The other guard instinctively let go, and Tang Haiqiu dragged her toward the courtyard.

The fallen guard struggled to his feet and pursued them into the yard, swinging his staff at the back of Tang Haiqiu’s head. Tang, as if gifted with eyes in the back of his head, dodged with ease. He shoved Wang Shihan to the ground and drew a short blade from his tunic, the steel glinting with a sinister, cold light under the moonlight. The guard’s strike missed, and he swung the staff in a wide arc, aiming for Tang’s face. Tang’s eyes filled with sudden murderous intent, and he darted into the guard's guard with blinding speed.

Once a long weapon is closed in upon, it loses its utility. The guard, unable to maneuver, panicked. Tang Haiqiu unleashed a flurry of seven or eight strikes, each one aimed at a lethal point.

In a flash, Tang Haiqiu leaped back ten feet, watching coldly as blood sprayed from the guard’s chest and abdomen before he collapsed. Tang expressionlessly wiped the blood from his blade onto his boot and turned to haul Wang Shihan up. But she suddenly threw a handful of dirt and grit into his face. Tang instinctively raised his arms to block, his eyes burning with pain.

Seeing her opportunity, Wang Shihan scrambled up and ran toward the courtyard gate. She had taken only two steps when she heard footsteps behind her. Terrified, she sprinted with all her might, but a sudden gust of wind struck from behind, followed by a piercing pain in her back as she was sent sprawling to the ground.

Tang Haiqiu, his face twisted with rage and humiliation at having been outmaneuvered by a girl, flipped her over and struck her twice across the face. Her cheeks swelled instantly. As she thrashed and kicked in a desperate struggle, Tang, annoyed by her resistance, felt his murderous intent peak. He drew his blade again: "You stubborn bitch, since you don't appreciate kindness, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

He raised the knife to strike. Xiao Hong, weak and trembling, watched in horror as her mistress was pinned down, the cold blade shimmering in the moonlight, ready to end her life. She screamed with all her remaining strength: "No!"

Just as the blade was about to fall, a dark shadow leaped from the moon gate like an arrow, his weapon turning into a flurry of cold stars as he struck at Tang Haiqiu.

The fire in the main house was dying down under the dirt thrown by the servants. As Wang Chengjian stood dazed, looking toward the east courtyard, the sound of chaotic footsteps approached. Dong Xinwu arrived first at the moon gate, breathless. Seeing the bodies in the yard, he paused. Wang Chengjian pointed with a trembling finger: "Quick, the east courtyard!"

Fang Wei, following behind Dong, turned and ran: "Follow me!" He led several constables toward the east courtyard.

Dong Xinwu walked up to Wang Chengjian: "What is going on?"

"Reporting to Head Constable Dong, we have been poisoned; our heads are spinning and our limbs are weak." Dong was shocked. He ordered those around him, "Find the source of the poison and send for Old Sun." Old Sun was the local physician. The men complied and left. Dong looked at the charred, ruined house, his face grim.

In the east courtyard, just as Tang Haiqiu was about to strike, he felt a cold wind from the side. His reflexes were extraordinary; sensing the danger, he rolled aside to avoid the blow. Guyu brandished his iron ruler, the cold metal flashing as he thrust toward Tang’s throat. Tang stepped back to neutralize the force and regained his balance. Guyu’s face was as cold as water, his attacks relentless, but he was far outmatched in skill and experience. Tang Haiqiu spotted an opening and landed a kick directly into Guyu’s abdomen. Guyu groaned as he flew backward, and Tang Haiqiu leaped toward him, his short blade raised high!

Suddenly, a dagger flew through the air, aimed straight at Tang’s throat. Tang deflected it with his blade. Looking up, he saw Fang Wei and his men had arrived. Realizing the attempt on Wang Shihan’s life had failed and that he would be trapped if he stayed, he feigned an attack, turned, and sprinted toward the courtyard wall. He leaped against the stone, vaulted over the ten-foot wall, and disappeared.

Fang Wei, having finally tracked him, waved his hand: "Pursue him!"

Guyu shook his head, his dark face bloodied and his clothes in tatters. He crawled over to Wang Shihan, who lay unconscious. He scooped her up, his right arm supporting her back, and pressed his thumb firmly into her philtrum. Wang Shihan let out a soft moan and opened her eyes. She stared at Guyu, then suddenly buried her face in his chest and began to sob uncontrollably.

Guyu patted her shoulder gently: "It's all right, it's over." The relief of having survived filled both their hearts; neither noticed the state of disarray they were in. Once Wang Shihan had vented her emotions, she realized the intimacy of the moment and blushed, gently pushing him away. Guyu’s hand hung awkwardly in mid-air. Before he could react, footsteps approached. Madam Wang and Wang Chengjian arrived, supported by two constables. Seeing Wang Shihan covered in blood, the mother cried out, "My daughter!" and burst into tears.

Wang Shihan turned: "Mother!" They embraced and wept together. Wang Chengjian stood by, hands resting on their backs, his own eyes moist.

Dong Xinwu helped Guyu to his feet: "Well done."

Guyu said dejectedly: "But Tang Haiqiu still escaped."

Dong Xinwu was amused by his earnestness: "Tang Haiqiu was a famous name before you were even born. Even in perfect health, your martial arts wouldn't reach thirty percent of his. Not to mention you were already severely weakened by repeated injuries." He patted Guyu’s shoulder: "You foolish boy, it is a miracle enough that you survived."

Guyu’s body suddenly went limp, as if his bones had been removed, and he slumped to the ground, trembling rhythmically. Wang Shihan looked up, concerned: "What is wrong with him?"

Dong Xinwu laughed: "This silly boy is finally reacting to the terror of it all." The constables chuckled softly, surrounding Guyu to tend to him. Watching Guyu, who had fallen into a state of shock, Wang Shihan recalled the moment they had clung to each other, listening to the strong, steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her own.