Chapter 64: Who Am I? You Do Not Need to Know

“You don’t need to know who I am,” Ling Xiao said, forcefully shaking off Li Rui’s hand and shoving aside Zhang Xiaolan as he squared off against Li Rui. The two quickly clashed, their movements swift and tense.

“Hmph! I knew there was something suspicious about you,” Li Rui retorted, calmly defending himself even as he pressed his interrogation during their brief exchanges. It was clear that Ling Xiao wished only to escape, not to prolong the fight, but Li Rui kept him cornered, barring his way.

“Brother Li, he’s not a bad person—please, don’t fight anymore!” Zhang Xiaolan cried anxiously as she watched the two men locked in combat, their struggle growing ever more heated. Meanwhile, Xiao Lian had already slipped outside, peering through the door with only her eyes visible, her gaze fixed nervously on the turmoil within.

Barely twenty moves had passed before Ling Xiao began to falter, his injuries from earlier weakening him further. With a powerful blow, Li Rui knocked him against the table, crushing it beneath Ling Xiao’s weight and eliciting a pained groan. The force of Li Rui’s strike was unmistakable.

“No, don’t!” Li Rui, sensing his advantage, closed in with fist poised for a final blow.

Zhang Xiaolan, eyes wide, cried out with desperation, and, though she herself didn’t know where the courage or speed came from, she hurled herself between them, arms spread protectively before Ling Xiao.

“Miss!” Xiao Lian shouted in terror from the door, her legs trembling so badly she nearly collapsed.

The wind from Li Rui’s fist brushed Zhang Xiaolan’s face, prompting her to squeeze her eyes shut, bracing for the impact. She was willing to risk everything to shield Ling Xiao.

Startled, Li Rui hastily withdrew his attack, the tension still in his fist as he turned to Zhang Xiaolan, frustration evident in his voice. “Xiaolan, do you understand how dangerous this is? If my fist had struck you… You—ah!” He was so worried he was almost angry, but he could never truly direct his wrath at her; his fist had been mere inches from her.

Releasing his stance, Li Rui felt a surge of relief mixed with fear. Had he not managed to pull back in time, the consequences for Zhang Xiaolan, frail as she was, would have been unimaginable.

“I know Brother Li would never hurt me. Xiaolan begs you, please spare Ling Xiao,” she pleaded, her voice trembling. She was frightened, but she knew Li Rui would never strike if he saw it was her.

“Are you all right, Sister Xiaolan?” Ling Xiao, still sprawled on the floor, called out with concern.

“I’m fine,” Zhang Xiaolan replied, forcing a smile to reassure him, though in truth her heart was pounding and she knew full well the danger she had just faced. Had Li Rui not withdrawn his fist, she would have suffered greatly.

Ling Xiao’s injuries were already severe, and another blow would have been unbearable for Zhang Xiaolan to witness. She had risked herself to save him, hoping only to avert disaster.

“Xiaolan, this man is a member of the assassin organization. A few days ago, I led a raid against them, and some managed to escape. He is one of those remnants,” Li Rui said, revealing Ling Xiao’s background. He had recognized the branded mark on Ling Xiao’s hand at a glance, identifying him as a survivor of the Revival Gate. What Li Rui didn’t know was that Ling Xiao was the very assassin from that night.

Li Rui was uncertain how Zhang Xiaolan came to know and trust him, but he was determined to capture this member of the Revival Gate and bring him to justice. The crimes committed by their group were many, but even the recent attack on the Prime Minister’s residence alone was enough to warrant their eradication.