Chapter 4: In Peril

At that moment, Shi Nian stared blankly for a long while before suddenly shivering. Her heart pounded wildly, as if it might leap out of her throat. The scene before her was so shocking that she could hardly comprehend what was happening.

Could it really be as she feared?

Her legs weakened, and one slipper slipped off her foot, striking the ground with a sharp “snap.” Startled, she realized something more pressing—she was perched on the roof of a two-story house, nearly ten meters above the ground. Though the view was wide and clear, how was she supposed to get down later?

Where were the others? Surely she wasn’t the only one here. Wasn’t this supposed to be an interview?

She tried to shift her position but was immediately overwhelmed by the sensation of falling, too frightened to move again. The dizzying height made her head spin, nearly causing her to break down. Suddenly, voices came from the street ahead.

Could it be them? Shi Nian’s heart leapt with hope as she looked toward the source.

The long street was spacious and empty at first, but now a figure rushed out from the far end. A carriage was drawn by a magnificent white horse, its hooves pounding the road with vigor. A man sat in front, cloaked in black, his wide-brimmed hat pulled low, obscuring his face.

The man cracked his whip with a sharp “snap,” urging the horse faster. His urgency suggested he was fleeing some pursuer. Just then, Shi Nian caught sight of a black-clad, masked figure leaping from a side street, sword raised straight toward the man in the carriage.

Before she could blink, the driver swung his whip; the weapons clashed mid-air, shaking both men’s hands. The black-clad figure retreated mid-leap, landing lightly on the horse’s back and charging again. The man drew a sword, not to duel, but to sever the rope tethering the horse.

The powerful force sent the carriage veering toward the side of the street, while the man mounted the horse and galloped away. Surprisingly, the black-clad assailant did not pursue but instead pried open the carriage door, finding it empty—no sign of the person he sought.

He paused in shock, then quickly realized he’d been outwitted.

The man had already escaped ahead. The pursuer sneered coldly, grabbed a bow and arrow from the carriage, nocked it, and fired.

The horse reared, throwing its rider violently to the ground. The man barely had time to look up before a flash of cold steel came at him. Without hesitation, he tore off his hat and hurled it forward.

The hat split in two mid-air and drifted to the ground, revealing the man’s face.

His eyebrows were sharp as blades, eyes like cold stars—a strikingly young face, handsome and commanding, radiant under the moonlight like jade. Yet what was more striking than his appearance was the arrogant aura he exuded. Even in such peril, he radiated an unshakable pride.

A breeze lifted his dark cloak, revealing a silver-white embroidered robe beneath. He was clearly a noble youth—the very target of the man in black, who had just disguised himself as the bodyguard driving the carriage and nearly fooled him.

The black-clad man ground his teeth. “I underestimated you.”

The noble youth sighed. “And I underestimated you.”

Despite gaining so much time, he had still been caught. Clearly, his skills were lacking.

The pursuer stepped closer, sword pointed at him.

“Are you going to strike now? You may kill me, but at least let me understand why.”

“What do you want to ask?”

“Can’t you guess? Who sent you, and why they want me dead? Before I die, will you show some mercy and answer my questions?”

The black-clad man fell silent, then chuckled softly. “What a pity—you won’t live to know.”

The youth’s heart sank. Could this truly be the end?

Shi Nian dared not even breathe.

She never expected that upon arriving, she would stumble upon such a scene. The horse that had been struck by the arrow lay on the ground, a pool of blood spreading beneath it, chilling her to the bone. Her heart pounded wildly as the man in black raised his sword again. Only one thought filled her mind: he was going to kill the youth! Just as he had killed the horse!

Instinctively, her hand reached into her pocket, grabbed something, and she flung it without hesitation.

Her impulsive act immediately filled her with regret. It was useless and only revealed her presence!

Yet the next moment, the object traced a perfect arc through the air and struck the man in black squarely on the forehead.

The sword’s blade was only half an inch from the youth’s face when the attacker staggered and collapsed.

Shi Nian was speechless.

Under the cold moonlight, the youth suddenly looked up and saw Shi Nian sitting on the rooftop opposite him.

From his vantage point, he saw a girl in strange clothes, looking panicked. When she noticed him watching, she jumped to her feet but faltered unsteadily. Behind her, the full moon created the illusion that she stood within its light. The wind stirred her long hair, giving her an ethereal, almost celestial quality—as if she might be carried away by the breeze at any moment.

Just as this thought crossed his mind, the girl wavered and fell straight down.

“Ah—!”

Alarmed, he leapt instinctively, catching her waist and breaking her fall.

Shi Nian’s foot slipped, and she thought she was doomed, yet she landed safely. After a few seconds, she cautiously opened her eyes.

Above them hung a full moon. The youth, still holding her, looked down in shock and disbelief. His face was partially hidden by shadow, but the astonishment in his eyes was unmistakable.

He stared at her quietly, lips parted. “You…”

Suddenly clear-headed, Shi Nian broke free and jumped to the ground. Her feet felt icy cold. She’d lost her slippers during the fall and now stood barefoot but paid no mind.

The man in black lay sprawled on the ground, blood trickling from his forehead. The youth rushed over, checking his pulse and exhaling in relief. “Still alive. That’s fortunate.”

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