Xue Liulan's sword was a silver dragon among the six giants. He moved like a ghost, his steps leaving no trace even on snow.
He wove between them, untouched. The giants, clumsy in their bulk, couldn't land a blow.
Murong Jin watched, mesmerized, until the ground shook beneath her feet. One of the giants was charging her.
"Careful!" Xue Liulan shouted. He knew she could dodge, but he couldn't help himself.
She glanced at him, pivoted on her toe, and let the giant's fist sail past her. She landed gracefully to the side.
"Worry about yourself." She chuckled.
Her smile vanished. The six men surrounding Xue Liulan suddenly froze. As if obeying a silent command, they turned and marched toward her.
In a flash, Xue Liulan slid in front of one, his sword descending. The giant caught his wrist. His speed had increased tenfold.
Xue Liulan gasped. Too late to pull back. The giant flung him into the air like a rag doll.
"Xue Liulan!" She started forward, but a fist blocked her path. A flurry of blows forced her back.
Xue Liulan flipped in mid-air, landing lightly to absorb the force. His wrist throbbed.
Such brute strength. He looked up. Murong Jin was hidden behind a wall of muscle, only the occasional flash of her sword visible.
Surrounded by seven, she was losing ground. Their speed was unnatural, their limbs twisting at impossible angles. Twice, a fist the size of her head missed her by a hair.
"Watch your back!" He shouted, stepping forward.
"Kill Prince Cheng! They're focused on me! Go!" She yelled, dodging a punch that chilled her cheek.
He ignored her. He leaped, reversing his grip on the sword, pressing the blade against his forearm as he struck.
He slashed, grabbed her waist, and retreated five steps. He stood sideways, shielding her, sword ready.
Blood dripped from his elbow. Two giants collapsed with heavy thuds.
He grinned, switching his grip. "Chengyan Valley style. Not bad, eh?"
She pushed him away. "Why didn't you go? Killing him would end this!"
He looked at her furrowed brow, then looked away.
"Idiot." She punched his shoulder.
His smile widened. Even in this deadly night, standing with her felt good.
She shook her head, turning to face the giants.
The music still played in the distance. They raised their swords.
"Kill." The giants mumbled, charging as one.
"Murong Jin." He pulled her back, retreating until they hit a tree. No way out.
She gasped for air, looking at him in confusion.
He was frowning, replaying the fight. Every time she showed killing intent, they attacked her. But they ignored him, the greater threat.
"Did you touch anything when you came in?" he whispered.
She shook her head. "Nothing."
"Strange." He studied the motionless giants.
Now that they were backed against the tree, their killing intent suppressed, the giants seemed unaware of them.
Is that it? She must have picked up a scent that triggered them when she prepared to kill.
"Follow me." He took her hand, circling wide around the giants.
"Are you crazy?" She whispered.
"You're following a crazy man." He squeezed her hand.
She laughed softly. Maybe she was the crazy one. She had chosen to leave, but she couldn't break free of his warmth.
"Whatever happens, don't show killing intent. Understand?"
"Why?"
He looked at the giants. "Murong Jin, if I win this bet, promise me one thing."
"Ah?" She blinked.
He didn't wait. He dropped her hand and walked toward the giants, stomping loudly, staring them down. They didn't react.
Her heart pounded. With every step he took, her grip on her sword tightened. Her fear for him washed away her killing intent.
He leaped. His sword was a bolt of lightning. She gasped.
Five throats slit in a blink. The cuts were so fast, blood hadn't even begun to flow. Just thin red lines.
He landed beside her, hand on her shoulder. "I win."
Five bodies hit the ground. Their blank eyes stared at nothing.
"What did you win?" She looked at his smile, feeling a familiar warmth.
"You owe me a request." He smirked, then his eyes darkened.
"I never agreed." She rolled her eyes. "Let's go. Someone will find the bodies."
He nodded, leading the way to the music hall. They donned their veils and slipped inside.
Prince Cheng was a drunkard. Dancers lay passed out on the floor. A musician nodded off in the corner, playing sour notes.
They walked to the bed. The Prince was unconscious, entangled with a sleeping dancer.
Murong Jin blushed and turned away. "If the empire falls to him, we are doomed."
"He has my old style down pat." Xue Liulan raised an eyebrow.
"If he were half the man you are, I wouldn't have come." She walked out.
They moved like ghosts. No one stirred. On the bed, Prince Cheng lay dead, pinned by a sword through his heart.
Dawn was breaking when they returned to the palace. Xue Liulan closed the door, hung up his black robe, and sat by the window in his white inner wear.
Murong Jin stood by the door, head bowed, hands clasped.
He stared at the lightening sky, gripping the armrest.
"This subordinate takes her leave." She gathered her courage.
"You still owe me a request." He turned, smiling faintly. He couldn't let her vanish again.
She turned back. If he asks me to stay?
I will say yes.
He walked to her, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her fiercely. His hand tangled in her hair, trapping her.
She pushed against his chest, frightened by this strange, aggressive Xue Liulan.
Finally, he released her, stepping back. He held out his hand. A porcelain bottle lay in his palm.
"This is Danxi. This is my request."
She stared at him in disbelief. "Xue Liulan, you want me to forget you?"