As the siblings strolled side by side, the morning light cast gentle shadows on the ground.

  "Han’er, have you thought about what I mentioned?" She said playfully.

  "What?" Xu Hanyu raised an eyebrow.

  With a mischievous smile, "Don’t play dumb. I’m saying we should slip away while father’s out."

  He sighed, rolling his eyes. "Sis, you know I’m not keen on making father mad. At least not again."

  "Just one day. What’s the harm? A little adventure never hurts."

  "The elders are keeping an eye on me."

  "Hahaha, you worry too much. They’ll be busy preparing for the banquet."

  But then Xu Hanyu didn’t reply, lost in thought. He hadn’t given it much thought since she last brought it up. He thought it was reckless and too scared to take a risk. With that, he ran a hand through his hair with a deep sigh. The temptation lingered, but so did the consequences.

  "I don’t know…" he murmured.

  Xu Lian nudged him. “Oh, you’re no fun. Father’s gone, we’re stuck here, and you deserve a break.”

  "I don’t need a break. I’m fine."

  "Fine? You’ve been buried in training for days. One day won’t hurt."

  "And what about you? Don’t drag me into your schemes."

  "Please. I know you better than anyone. Deep down, you want to go. You won’t admit it."

  “...”

  His steps slowed. The thought of escaping, even briefly, tugged at him. But he knew better.

  “No.”

  "Oh, come on, I’ll take full responsibility if we get caught."

  "You? Take responsibility? That’s a first but,"

  "Trust me, little brother. I’ve got this under control." She grinned.

  "I’m not leaving."

  “Really?”

  …

  The word ‘really’ echoed in his mind, tempting him as he stood there.

  In the end, Xu Hanyu was dragged by Xu Lian outside the next day, surrounded by the busy street. The bustling chatter in the market is loud, yet it is the moment he must cherish.

  The Xu Clan resided in a small city called Tai Hua City, which explains why the market air was also thick with the distinct aroma of fresh fish.

  When the young man looked around, he felt comforted to see the crowded market, with vendors shouting prices, children running through stalls, and laughter from other people. He was back in this kind of environment again. Just thinking about years ago when he was out with his sister, it felt different from before and now. For a moment, Xu Hanyu also felt like the heavy pressure at home was gone.

  “Hanyu’er, let’s go over there!” Xu Lian pointed out, dragging him into a stall.

  As both of them passed by nearby stalls together, they could hear people talking around the market. Meanwhile, Xu Hanyu's attention landed on a stall where a vendor was engaged in a heated argument with a customer.

  "Boss, how much is this?"

  "Ten thousand silver..!"

  "What..?! You're kidding! This is a scam..!"

  "What do you mean scam?! This is the famous Flying Silverfish! It's only right for me to set it to the high price!" The vendor looked defensive as he argued.

  When they reached the stall, Xu Lian called out, “Boss Yi!”

  “Oh? Xu Lian! And it looks like you brought a new friend…” Looking at the man interacting with Xu Lian, they seemed to be familiar with each other. Boss Yi was a short, chubby man with a wide grin on his face, looking proud promoting his baozi as he greeted customers.

  In Xu Hanyu’s eyes, he looked familiar but could not recall when he had met him, but then he remembered a flashback of his sister mentioning the name “Boss Yi…?”

  "Ah, Boss Yi, do you remember Xu Hanyu? My little brother.”

  Realizing that the person in front of him, Boss Yi was taken aback as a remnant of memory when the small Xu Hanyu back then had grown now. Much taller, and had become a young teen.

  “Xu Hanyu?! It’s you?”

  With that, Xu Hanyu couldn’t help but smile at his reaction before saying, “Long time no see, Boss Yi. It’s me, Xu Hanyu.”

  Then Boss Yi slowly walked near him, reaching for his shoulders, “Oh my–! You’ve grown taller now! Haha!” he chuckled.

  “… Don’t flutter me too much.” Xu Hanyu replied, feeling flustered.

  “Aii… It’s been a while since I saw you. How have you been?” Boss Yi then put his arms into Xu Hanyu’s neck, wrapping around it.

  “I’ve been doing well, what about you Boss Yi?”

  “Haha! Still the handsome vendor like before..!” said Boss Yi jokingly. Examining Xu Hanyu’s features, he teased him more by making the young man turn into a tomato face.

  “Ohh… you look very lean as well and… look at this nose, they look tall compared to before” He pokes his nose showing the connection they’ve shared before and what he used to do when Xu Hanyu was still small.

  Meanwhile, Xu Lian who was watching them couldn’t help but smile. But then, Xu Lian’s attention was caught by the commotion nearby, and turned to the source of noise.

  As she turned around, she noticed a young man, appearing to be around eighteen or nineteen years old and clad in an orange outfit adorned with intricate black patterns, harassing a young woman with a group of his cronies standing behind him. It was none other than, “That pervert, Huo Ling again…!” she said quietly.

  His loud voice could be heard from afar causing the nearby passersby to stop, even Xu Hanyu and Boss Yi had also caught their attention.

  “Little beauty, wanna have fun with me later…?” The man named Huo Ling slowly reached out for his face, who looked shaking on the spot, lowering her head.

  But before he could do it, another young man snapped it as he covered the young woman behind him, exclaiming, “How dare you–! Don’t you dare hurt my woman!”

  Then Boss Yi who is also looking at the scene began, “That bastard son of Huo Liang is harassing a woman again.”

  Xu Hanyu, who was clueless about the young man, asked, “Who’s that?”

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  “That guy over there is Huo Ling, the son of Huo Liang. They’re from the Huo Clan, and also the business rival of your father in the market.” He explained.

  “Ahh…” he murmured as the new information deepened his knowledge.

  Seeing Xu Lian’s disgusted reaction, who seemed to have the urge to step in, Boss Yi then said, “Xu Lian, it’s better not to get involved. You don’t wanna get confronted with those people”

  With that, Xu Lian rolled her eyes, and turned around to them, “Tsk. That guy is just so annoying, you know?”

  But Boss Yi just chuckled before saying, "Haha! You’re still like this, are you? Well now, since the two of you are here, I’ll give you five free baozi!"

  Hearing that, Xu Lian suddenly perked up.

  "Five baozi!? Really?"

  "Yes–!"

  "Oh my—! You’re such a kind man Boss Yi! Thank you so much"

  Now smiling, Xu Hanyu also said, "Thank you, Boss Yi!"

  With that, Boss Yi began to prepare a basket and put five baozi inside it. Saying at the same time, “Haha! Of course…! Here you go.” Boss Yi handed over the basket.

  “Thanks again! We will never forget this kindness of yours.”

  “Haha! Of course! No problem at all…!”

  “Then we’ll be on our way now.” Xu Lian waved as she walked off.

  Boss Yi replied, “Alright, take care on your way!”

  After leaving the stall, Xu Lian wore a bright smile as they walked side by side, holding the basket of baozi in her hands.

  Meanwhile, Xu Hanyu, savoring his baozi, glanced at her. “Sis, where are we going next?” He looks up to his sister and seems to be thinking as well.

  Then just a few moments later, “I know where to go now. Let’s go!” Without warning, she grabbed his hand and started pulling him along.

  “Sis, be careful!”

  With his reaction, Xu Lian laughed and kept dragging him through the streets.

  Though Tai Hua City was small, it was filled with bustling stalls and shops. Xu Lian, excited to show her brother the world outside, dragged him from place to place. They explored various shops, tasted new foods, and tried dishes like noodles that were cheap but surprisingly delicious.

  Despite the tiring day, Xu Hanyu couldn’t help but enjoy every moment, grateful for the time spent away from his usual responsibilities.

  Eventually, they found themselves on the roof of one of the town’s buildings, the sun nearing the horizon. Xu Hanyu, exhausted but content, lay back and let out a deep breath.

  “This is tiring as expected, being back outside again.”

  Xu Lian chuckled, “I know but if I hadn’t dragged you out here, you’d probably regret it.”

  After hearing his sister's words, Xu Hanyu couldn't help but smile, recognizing she was correct. Then he said, "We should go home now. It's getting late. They might notice my absence…”

  “Too early, I still want to take you somewhere first…”

  “Somewhere? Where?”

  …

  Under Xu Lian's lead, Xu Hanyu found himself in a place he had never been before. A spot where he could truly witness peace, the perfect vantage point to admire the small city of Tai Hua.

  “This is…”

  Xu Lian smiled. “Amazing, right?”

  He nodded, voice softly. “Yes…”

  Looking at the city, he could neither hear nor hear rumors, pressure, just peace. Then crouch, exhaling deeply.

  With that, Xu Lian also sat beside him, watching with quiet satisfaction. “You’ve been tense lately,” she murmured. “I thought this might help.”

  “It did. Thanks, sis.” He replied, meeting her gaze.

  They stayed there as the wind filled the silence, sunlight easing old burdens.

  But time never waits.

  Xu Lian stood, brushing off her sleeves. “We should head back before dark.”

  “Alright.”

  With one last glance at Tai Hua City, Xu Hanyu followed.

  …

  Descending the winding path, the earlier ease faded. The forest grew unnervingly quiet—no birds, no rustling leaves. The atmosphere was unnaturally quiet. And Xu Lian’s grip tightened around Xu Hanyu’s wrist.

  “Sis?”

  Yet she didn’t answer, her eyes were locked on quiet surroundings, and her body was tense while pausing on the spot.

  “Stay close,” she whispered.

  She can sense something that is coming.

  Suddenly, Xu Lian grabbed his hand, exclaiming, “Hanyu’er, hide! Someone’s coming…!”

  Without a word, Xu Lian yanked Xu Hanyu behind the thick trunks of the trees. Both of them pressed their back against the trunk.

  To Xu Hanyu, everything seemed normal. There was no trace of movement, no shift in the air, no aura brushing against his senses. But then again, with his meridians blocked, how could he tell?

  “Sis…” he whispered, his voice barely audible as he leaned toward her. “Who’s coming?”

  Her eyes were so focused and remained quiet as soon as possible. She raised a hand, warning Xu Hanyu to stay quiet as well. "Shh... They’re almost here. Stay still, Hanyu’er. Don’t move."

  Then, out of nowhere, a young lady appeared from the foliage. She wore a tattered cloak with the hood lowered, revealing clothes in soft shades of blue, embroidered with delicate golden patterns.

  Stumbling as she landed heavily on the ground, blood stained her clothes, trailing down her arm followed by four men in black. Despite her injuries, she gripped her sword tightly, her stance fierce and unyielding.

  "So it's them.."

  …

  Clutching her sword with her last strength, the lady staggered back, her face set in grim determination despite blood trailing down her arm. Surrounded by four masked men in black, one stepped forward, his voice smooth yet menacing, “Young lady, please, come with us peacefully.”

  Her lips curled into a defiant smile. “Tch. You think you can get me?”

  Defying her exhaustion, she lunged and her sword flashed with precise strikes as metal clashed relentlessly. Yet, her wounds sapped her power—each swing grew slower. One attacker lunged, but she sidestepped and parried another blow. Then, a strike from the left brought a dagger deep into her back. She gasped, barely dodging a fatal counterattack.

  “Agh!” she cried as blood spilled. Stumbling on her stance, she fought to stay upright; every breath burned, yet she refused to surrender. With her strength draining, she realized there was no other choice.

  In desperation, she slashed her palm, letting blood drip onto the ground. The moment the blood hit the air, the attackers froze, recognition flashing in their eyes.

  Meanwhile, Xu Hanyu's eyes widened in confusion. “What’s she doing?”

  “It seems she’s invoking a forbidden technique…” Xu Lian answered quietly. Then she thought: Three people in Gao Shi stage and one 3-star Da Sheng chasing a Shen Shi stage! But how could a Da Master chase someone from Shen Shi who’s powerless enough?

  The lady pressed her bloodied hand to her forehead, inhaling shakily before her eyes snapped open, glowing crimson and chilling the air.

  “Punishing Bloodborne Eye!” she declared.

  The ground trembled as a red dharmic circle pulsed beneath her. Her energy is flowing like a bloodstream that seems to be forming creepy eye-like.

  Xu Lian gasped, witnessing the forbidden technique’s effect on the lady’s realm level.

  “3-star Shen Shi to 1-star Da Sheng…!?”

  Meanwhile, four attackers exchanged panicked glances. One cursed under his breath, “This is bad. She’s activating it!”

  Without a word, they quickly made hand signs, their movements frantic. Soon, a golden array formed beneath the lady, its sparkling threads like a spider’s web as they worked urgently to trap her.

  “Trap her!”

  But the lady’s power surged. She was beyond their reach now, and the barrier they formed trembled, groaning under the weight of her might.

  The leader clenched his teeth. “We need more time—don’t let her break through!”

  Meanwhile, the lady's hand clenched into a fist as the red eye above her swirled with power. With a fierce motion, she unleashed a devastating beam of energy at the barrier.

  “No!” one of the men shouted. “Hold it—!”

  But it was too late.

  The barrier shattered, splintering like glass, sending the men flying backward, their bodies slamming into the ground hard.

  “Argh!”

  Despite the victory, the young lady coughed up blood. Xu Hanyu gasped and moved to help, but Xu Lian held him back.

  “No,” she stated resolutely. With that, Xu Hanyu tightened his fists, feeling frustration rise. He was powerless to protect her and couldn’t even grasp what was happening.

  “We can’t get involved. If we do, we’ll be putting ourselves at risk. Especially with nightfall approaching.”

  “But—” Xu Hanyu began, frustration coloring his voice. “We can’t just stand here. She’s injured! We need to help her!”

  Xu Lian’s eyes softened, but her worry was still there. She was afraid they would get involved in such trouble. “We can’t afford the risk."