Chapter 100: No Need, No Need

Everything felt unnatural—like the calm before a storm, capable of destroying everything.

“What’s wrong?” Hearing Sino’s cryptic words, Ye Xuan grew uneasy. He came to her side and looked out at the gloomy sky beyond the window.

“Nothing much, just asking. Have you eaten?”

“I already have. By the way, I’ll be going out soon to meet the master. You wait for me here.”

“Why don’t I go with you?”

Sino’s sudden suggestion caught Ye Xuan off guard.

“No need, no need,” he hurriedly replied.

Seeing Ye Xuan so flustered, Sino was certain that what Qin Li had told her was true.

“Why are you so nervous?” Sino asked, noticing Ye Xuan’s intense reaction. He was becoming increasingly unable to hide his true feelings in front of her.

Realizing he had lost his composure, Ye Xuan felt uneasy. Hopefully, Sino hadn’t noticed anything. He began to explain.

“Of course I’m nervous. The master of Ming Tower is no good person. Neither am I. If you go, he’ll surely kill you.”

That explanation was somewhat plausible, so Sino said no more. In any case, she knew nothing could change the situation.

First, he would definitely go. Second, he would definitely not let her go.

These were the two most important points.

“I was just joking; you don’t have to take it seriously. Go ahead, I’ll wait for you here.”

“All right, I’ll come back.”

Ye Xuan looked at her profile—so calm! Her tranquility frightened him. This time, he didn’t know if he would ever return.

Pain gripped his heart as he tried to memorize Sino’s face, her smile. Yet now, her calmness unnerved him. What was wrong with Sino? In the past, he would have asked, but now he wouldn’t—there was no time.

He turned his gaze to the background behind her, longing for her to look back and smile faintly. Minutes passed without a glance, a word, or a smile. He sheathed his sword, left the inn, and dashed away.

Soon, Sino followed at a distance. Ye Xuan was clever; he couldn’t appear within her sight.

Elsewhere, Qin Li prepared herself in her room, applying makeup and shaping her eyebrows. Even at life’s end, she wanted to be beautiful.

She glanced at the small box on the table—that was the key to tonight. Soon, there was a knock at the door.

“Ready?” Ye Xuan entered. Qin Li turned toward him and nodded.

“Ready.”

Grabbing her sword and the box, the two headed to the hall together.

Bai Ming was already waiting, sipping fragrant tea and watching them. Four guards stood inside the hall—Bai Ming’s personal bodyguards, all skilled in martial arts.

Ye Xuan and Qin Li would never have come with such an escort unless forced; Bai Ming normally didn’t bring guards. Surely he planned to have them dealt with if they failed their mission.

Both understood this clearly.

“Did you find it?” Bai Ming asked, eyeing the two standing rigidly before him. Qin Li held the small box, and Bai Ming’s attention was fixed on it.

“Master, not sure if this is the right one,” Qin Li said, handing it over. Bai Ming motioned for her to open it, clearly wary.

Inside was a piece of jade-green stone.

Bai Ming, apparently never having seen the real thing, hesitated, then picked it up for a closer look.

Suddenly, he threw the stone down in front of them.

“Such audacity! You dare deceive me with a fake?”

How Bai Ming discerned the forgery was unclear, but he was furious.

“Master, this is all we could find,” Ye Xuan replied coldly, a sneer curling his lips.

“What are you laughing at? Ye Xuan, seize them!” Bai Ming barked. Guards closed in on them, and Ye Xuan immediately drew his sword.

“Master, don’t force me.”

Ye Xuan faced Bai Ming without a trace of fear—never had he feared.

“Haha, what do you think you’re doing? Do you think you can resist? Here, you’re just Ye Xuan. Killing you is but a moment. Qin Li, kill him.” Bai Ming looked toward Qin Li, who stood coldly silent, unmoved.

“Qin Li, do you want to die alongside Ye Xuan?”

“Is there any way not to?” Qin Li replied icily.

“Of course not. You must both die. For conspiring against me! Attack!”

At Bai Ming’s command, his men drew their swords. Ye Xuan struck first, swiftly stabbing a guard behind him who collapsed immediately.

“Not so tough after all!” Ye Xuan taunted. The others knew well the skills of Ye Xuan and Qin Li and dared not act rashly.

“I’ll give you a choice. Serve Bai Ming, living uncertain days of life and death, or join me to fight back and live a better life. Bai Ming has surely wronged you many times. Now, do you fight for him, or for yourselves?”

Ye Xuan spoke like a born leader, his aura natural and commanding.

Those present seemed moved, for Bai Ming was indeed a mercurial man.

“Rebellion, huh? You think you can succeed against me? You’re courting death.” Bai Ming leapt before them, sweeping down two or three guards who collapsed, half dead.

Qin Li and Ye Xuan retreated with two others, then the four charged Bai Ming. Though the odds were slim, fighting was better than nothing.

Bai Ming’s martial prowess was overwhelming; the two behind fell one after another, leaving only Qin Li and Ye Xuan.

Qin Li’s hand was slashed by Bai Ming’s sword, but she was fearless.

She summoned all her strength to battle him, and Ye Xuan did the same. They had to kill Bai Ming before reinforcements arrived; otherwise, only they would die. They refused to accept such a fate and fought desperately.

Qin Li turned just in time to see Bai Ming strike a palm toward her. Thinking she couldn’t evade it, she was pulled aside by Ye Xuan, who took the blow himself. Blood spattered from his mouth as he half-kneeling planted his sword into the ground.

“You miserable fools, you’re no match for me. Dare to defy me, tired of living, huh? I’ll be happy to end you.” Bai Ming looked effortlessly powerful as the battle raged on.