Chapter 8

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"Young lady, your skills are raw and unrefined, yet you can infuse your blade with energy. Could it be that you are a cultivator?"

Seeing Xie Chang’an remain silent, the man smiled and continued, "The sword in your hand is a fine one. If I’m not mistaken, it should be crafted by Zhang Yajiu, a swordsmith of our dynasty. It’s named ‘Liutian’—‘Heaven’s Retention.’"

Xie Chang’an had indeed seen the small seal script characters "Liutian" on the blade before, but at this moment, all her focus was on the scholar before her. His aura flowed subtly yet palpably—something an ordinary person would miss, but she sensed it clearly through her recent cultivation.

This meant he was no ordinary scholar. Perhaps, like that old Taoist, he was also a cultivator. Moreover, his status within the rebel forces seemed special...

A heavy weight settled in Xie Chang’an’s heart.

She had thought that escaping the palace city would grant her a chance to break free, never imagining a greater calamity awaited her today.

"I am Yuwen Chi, an aide under Commander An. Young lady, you possess rare talents; it would be a pity to perish here. Come with me to meet Commander An. He values talent and will surely treat you with respect."

The scholar’s tone was matter-of-fact but coaxing, like an elder speaking kindly.

Xie Chang’an finally spoke.

"In the moments since you started speaking, the number of men behind you hasn't decreased but increased. The moment I step forward with you, you’ll have them slaughtered, won’t you?"

Yuwen Chi smiled, tacitly admitting it, ignoring the horrified expressions from Zheng Da and the others.

"Because they killed Commander An’s men, I owe the soldiers an explanation. They are strangers to you; if they die, so be it. The world is chaotic; people are like ants. Even if they don’t die today, they will perish tomorrow. Furthermore," he paused, then added, "do you know that it was this man who led them here? He wants to harm you, yet you want to save them? Repaying evil with kindness may be righteous, but for cultivators seeking the Dao, it is weakness."

Xie Chang’an did not answer but countered, "Mr. Yuwen, if I am not mistaken, you are a cultivator too. Aren’t you afraid that after I meet Commander An, I might take your place?"

Yuwen Chi replied, "Commander An’s ambition is to unify the realm. Finding talent for him pleases me more than anything."

Xie Chang’an said coldly, "What if I say no?"

She naturally guessed that today’s disaster stemmed from Zheng Da, but his fault could not be placed on others. Little Zheng never wronged her; even the neighbors were innocent victims.

Leaving Zheng Da alone would be easy, but if she fled, the others would be doomed.

The girl stood alone in the wind, her clothes soaked in blood, looking frail yet with delicate features that evoked pity.

Some of the rebels, tempted by her beauty and recalling her earlier lone stand, dared not act rashly.

Only Yuwen Chi sighed upon hearing her words, "Then I have no choiceI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.