1 Prologue (1/2)

”Zhu'er run! RUN!!!”

Those were the last words she heard before she sprinted away and into the surrounding forest, her heart heavy with guilt as she escaped with tears falling from her eyes.

Cong Zhu Xia felt as though her heart was breaking into a million pieces. The moment she ran away from the ambush, she not only left all the faithful and loyal guards her father assigned to her, but she also left someone who is so dear and important to her heart.

Ning Jun Qiao.

The man who practically grew up with her and looked after her ever since she was still a child. He was both her father, Cong Zhi Qiang and uncle, Cong Tai Li's student. He was someone who always treated her well and doted on her and she could do nothing but leave him and follow his instruction when he shouted at her to run.

She knew that once she left, she would never be able to see any of them again. There were two most likely scenarios that she can already predict. Either they die and sacrifice their lives for her to escape or for their attackers to focus their attentions on her instead and manage to catch up to her and she dies thus giving Ning Jun Qiao and the others a chance at survival. From what she can sense with the level of cultivation she currently has, the most likely outcome and the one she actually hopes for is the latter.

Her usually elegant and vibrant appearance now looked disheveled and frantic as she weaved through the trees, trying to escape the ones who broke off from the fight she left to go ahead and pursue her.

Thump... Thump... Thump...

The pounding sound of her heartbeat sounded loudly in her ears. She could barely hear the sound of the pursuers' footfalls and only the sound of her blood pumping through her veins and her breathless pants echoed as she ran.

Seeing the trees thinning out, she wanted to change courses but then she realized that all her attempts were being countered by the ones hunting her.

Panic slowly threatened to consume Cong Zhu Xia as the knowledge sank in that for the very first time and possibly also the last, she has become a cornered prey.

Coming to a stop just beyond the tree line, her heart sank as she saw the edge of a cliff and heard the sound of a raging river below it, effectively eliminating any possibility of escape and sealing her fate.

Closing her eyes, she slowly wiped her tears before turning around with her back to the cliff and facing her would-be killers.

As dignified and composed that one could be in her circumstances, she slightly tilted her chin up defiantly as she stared coldly at the men who surrounded her.

A man in deep green robes with gold embroidery mockingly gazed at her and drawled out, ”Ahh, so even in the face of death, the princess of the Cong Family still stands unwaveringly tall. Truly a shame that a flower like you has to wilt at the end.”

Ignoring his words, she just stared at him with eyes full of disgust and contempt, keeping quiet, unnervingthe man who spoke as she continued to gaze at them with cold and hatred-filled eyes.

”Keeping silent little girl? Are you not going to beg this lord for your life?” he asked with a voice filled with disdain.