No Retreat Left

A deafening thunderclap tore through the sky, and rain poured down in sheets, quickly swelling into a torrential downpour. The vast sound of the rain battered the windows with a relentless, violent rhythm, reminiscent of the roar of wild beasts.

Yun Xueyan slowly opened her eyes, her head throbbing painfully. She reached up to massage her temples, waiting for her vision to adjust to the dim light inside the room. Only then did she truly see her surroundings.

Not far away, a group of burly men clustered around a flamboyantly dressed woman seated among them. The woman's eyes bore straight into Yun Xueyan, her gaze sharp as a needle, piercing her body.

Instinctively, Yun Xueyan shrank back, pressing herself against the wall behind her. She stared wide-eyed at the group, unease swelling within her heart.

"Who are you? Why have you taken me?" she demanded, the terror in her eyes undisguised. How had she ended up here?

"Here?" The garish woman let out a coy, seductive laugh. "Everyone who comes here asks the same question. This is the place where men seek their pleasure. Do you understand?"

A place for men's pleasure?

Yun Xueyan's mouth went dry. She clutched the front of her clothes tightly. Even in her innocence, she understood all too well where she was.

She had to leave. She could not remain here!

"Let me out!" She drew several ragged breaths, her fingernails digging deep into her palms. "Otherwise, you won't be able to bear the consequences!"

"My, such bravado," the woman sneered. "We're just doing what we're paid for—taking money to solve someone else's problem. If you want to blame someone, blame your own bad luck." She glanced at the men behind her. "You lot, hurry up and finish this."

"Yes." The men strode toward Yun Xueyan as the flamboyant woman slipped out of the room.

Fear spread through her, her body trembling uncontrollably. She snatched up a vase and hurled it at them; it shattered with a sharp, brittle sound that rang out harshly in the tense air, striking at Yun Xueyan’s heart and leaving her lost and desperate.

Only one thought remained in her mind: she would rather die than be dishonored.

"You wretched woman! You dare throw something at me? Tired of living?" the foremost brute barked.

Her heart lurched. What should she do? Had she not suffered enough torment? On the path fate laid before her, she had retreated as far as possible.

Her strength was all but spent, worn away by endless trials.

A rough hand slapped across Yun Xueyan’s face, leaving a fiery mark on her snow-pale skin. The blow was so forceful she nearly lost consciousness.

A salty, metallic taste welled in her mouth and dripped down her chin.

Yun Xueyan’s mind remained clear, but she had not a shred of strength left. The sound of tearing fabric, the bone-deep chill—everything descended without warning.

In an instant, her world dimmed to gray.

There was no light left to find, no future remaining. Vulgar voices rang in her ears, plunging her into boundless despair.

“No…” The last glimmer of reason was swallowed by hopelessness.

Suddenly, the closed door burst into splinters, though Yun Xueyan neither saw nor heard it.

Feng Xilou stood in the doorway. His moon-white robe clung to him, soaked through, golden-threaded boots caked in muddy earth, yet he remained as refined and dignified as a deity.

His lips curled in a seemingly gentle smile, but his eyes burned with rage, unable to hold any other emotion.

The men turned, stunned at the sight of Feng Xilou—the Prime Minister, known by all.

"Yan’er..." He rushed forward, snatching up a bedsheet to wrap Yun Xueyan, gazing tenderly at the unconscious woman before gathering her in his arms.

He turned, eyes blazing with fury at the group before him.

Thank heaven he had arrived. If not, what humiliation would she have endured? Yet he was still a step too late; if only he had come sooner, she would not have suffered so.

He glared at the men, his usually gentle face dark with rage, holding Yun Xueyan tightly as if to shield her from every harm.

"Yingye! Handle them all! Leave none alive! I want them to pay for this—every last one!" His voice thundered with unrestrained fury, for the first time losing control of his emotions.

He could not bear to see her hurt. He had to take her away from this place—at once.