Some unknown footsteps walk lightly but carry an endless weight.
With rain falling like arrows outside, Around the lonely temple that lives in an isolated place.
Burning candles, dust-covered stone statues, the sound of wind between columns, shadows moving between the firelight.
Those feet gently entered the temple and sat down. Inside the temple, a wall separated two different sides of the temple. On the other side, a person with a strange mask knelt. "Long live Commander." The other person raised his hands to signal the masked man to stand. Their keen senses meant they could quickly detect such an action. The person called "Commander" spoke. "So,[Ying gue] Number 989, where is he?"
"It is said that he has been proven dead, Commander."
"Dead?" The Commander whispered.
"Okay, you may withdraw now," the commander said solemnly. "Commander, shall we complete the mission?" "No, it is over. Please wait quietly and calmly until I send you a signal." "At your command."
As he was about to leave, the Commander called out, "Wait." The masked figure turned, "Yes?"
"Don't send signals to those around me again, send them to my body."
"Excuse me?? But this is dangerous and harmful to you. It will reduce your lifespan."
"Just do as I say."
He sighed and bowed, "I'm sorry, I'll be careful next time. Bye."
The so-called "Commander" stepped out of the temple, his footsteps steady yet burdened with an invisible weight. The rain poured down in sharp streaks, drenching the city streets, turning the air thick with the scent of wet stone and burning lanterns.
He moved through the crowd, an ominous figure whose mere presence was enough to send shivers down the spines of those who dared glance his way. The terrifying masked man, the one who claimed lives without hesitation, walked with quiet purpose. At his side, a woman moved beside him, unnoticed in the pulsing rhythm of the street.
Then, in the midst of the bustling city, he saw her.
A woman ran past, her laughter ringing through the air as she held a man's hand, her steps light and carefree. Ling Yi.
She was supposed to be dead.
But under Ruo Yu's hand, she had been given another chance—one that Ruo Yu herself had never received.
She watched as Ling Yi disappeared into the crowd, running toward a future that had been snatched from Ruo Yu long ago. She did not envy her. She did not regret her choice.
Despite all the cruelty and bloodshed she had embraced, she still knew when to turn a blind eye. She fought evil, not passersby.
A gust of wind swept through the streets, carrying the scent of fresh rain. Ruo Yu closed her eyes and tilted her head upward. The world around her moved without her, bustling, breathing, alive.
She was small, unnoticeable, just another shadow in the throng of people.
She wished she could live like this—unseen, untouched, forgotten.
Like the dead.
But this contemplation is quickly shattered, "The thief?!!!" A familiar voice is heard by Ruo Yu, who, except for her strange black clothes, has hidden her mask, which conceals her life and deadly secrets. She turns to find Ren laughing sarcastically, happy that he found her.
She looked at him indifferently as he took every step closer, whispering loudly through the crowd, "Aren't you going to run away?" "Why would I?" She gave him a look that said so.
And it was very clear -- he liked this.
She turned to walk, so he had to speed up his walk to catch up with her. She wasn't running away from him. He was running towards her. When they finally walked in the same pattern, after the silence, he put his hands around her elbow to stop her. She gave him a murderous look. He must have loved those looks. "Where's the dagger--" Ruo Yu pulled out the dagger near his neck. His eyes widened and he stepped back in horror, while those around them ran away.
But soon his horror turned to admiration, and he moved his hands to take the dagger but instead wrapped his hands around hers, as he looked into her eyes, "Wow. Her eyes are brighter than the stars in the sky." It crossed his mind.
Lu Yi -- was standing on a balcony of a building behind them, his gaze different from the usual mischievous one, and when Jiang Yi came closer to look, Lu Yi turned around and smiled silly, "Let's go watch the dances downstairs." Jiang Yi laughed as Lu Yi dragged him, but he managed to get a faint look at the scene.