You try to keep your composure as they narrow the circle, but the chilly rain and darkness still make you shiver. Just when it seems hopeless, an assassin yells out.
Assassin A: There she is! After her!
Assassin B: You guys go get her. I'll handle the tough guy here.
Very soon, you're alone with the assassin in a standoff, but he quickly senses something is off.
Assassin: Why aren't you talking? What are you up to?
He approaches as he speaks and realizes you're shivering, much different from the cold killer he encountered.
Assassin: [Suddenly aware] Why, you're not...
Assassin: [Makes sure it is you and mocks] What kind of stupid trick is this to try and escape in this outfit?
You take a deep breath, wipe away the rain off your face and speak in a trembling voice.
Xiu Ying: I know who sent you and told my guard. If I die, he'll inform His Majesty. As you know, he is good enough to get away from all of you.
Assassin: [Smirks] Is that so? Well, you can't scare me.
You're actually relieved to hear that since it wasn't His Majesty, because if he wanted you dead, there's nothing you could do.
Xiu Ying: Whatever. I'm carrying something His Majesty seeks. He will be incensed to find out I'm dead and will certainly take it out on your master tenfold.
Assassin: What can you be carrying? If it's that important, he would have sent protection!
Xiu Ying: Have you forgotten my bodyguard who handled himself quite well against all you?
Assassin: But the report I got said... No wonder he fought so well. His Majesty sent him! The report was wrong...
Xiu Ying: How about a trade. I'll give it to you and you let me go. You can make up a story to impress His Majesty on how you retrieved it, and be handsomely rewarded for the deed.
Assassin: You're giving it to me? Right, all it takes is for you to make it back and tell him what really happened and I'm dead meat!
Xiu Ying: [Resigned] Come on, I kept such important item on me for just this purpose-- to save my own life! I just want to live. I don't care about fame or fortune.
Xiu Ying: If you're worried about it, I'll never go back to the capital. I just want to live!
Assassin: [Smirks] I can still get it by killing you.
He points a sword at you. You fight your fear and issue a warning.
Xiu Ying: If you must kill me, I'll destroy it!
Assassin: [Raises brow] Well then, at least tell me what it is!
Xiu Ying: The secret Weapon Manual of Western Liang! That's what I came for.
Assassin: [Shocked] You managed to get your hands on that?
Xiu Ying: Of course I did, that's why His Majesty tasked me with it! But I'm surprised whoever you worked for knows about this covert mission.
Assassin: In that case... Fine, hand it over and I'll spare you.
A lightning flashes in the distance to reveal the assassin's face temporarily.
Xiu Ying: Well, how about showing me some trust and put that sword away? It's really making me nervous.
Assassin: Such a coward...
He sheathes the blade and strides toward you, eyes gleaming.
Xiu Ying: Stop. Now reach out with both hands.
Assassin: Why you...
MC: I can't defend myself so I have to be very cautious, okay?!
Assassin: [Snickers] I see why His Majesty picked you. Such dilligence...
Your eyes have adjusted to the dark by now and you see him standing still with both arms out. You lean over slightly to take something from inside your coat and put it on his hands. It doesn't feel quite right to him but before he can check what it is, his eyes widen with disbelief. He lowers his head and sees a dagger sticking out of his chest. You pull the dagger out with a trembling hand. He doubles over in pain and tries to draw his sword, only for you to plunge the blade again into his heart.
Assassin: [Through gritted teeth] You! You lied to me...!
You ignore him and thrust the dagger repeatedly until he stops struggling and falls. Warm blood splashes all over your face as the dagger drops to the ground from your shaking hand.
Xiu Ying: You were lying too. You never planned to spare me.
Assassin: I see I... underestimated you...
He stops breathing. You slump to your knees and start to cry.
Xiu Ying: Why? Why do you want me dead? Why are you forcing me to do this?
The downpour becomes a drizzle and the lightning cedes. You know you shouldn't stay and risk the other assassins coming back, but you're paralyzed from the shock of just killing a man. You finally recover after a while and stumble eastward. You keep going the whole night with no sleep. Driven by fear, you don't dare stop and persist.
Xiu Ying: It's daybreak...
The light of dawn sparkles off the moist leaves. Too exhausted, you finally have to lean on a tree, but are soon alerted by footsteps behind you!
Xiu Ying: [Raise dagger] Who goes there?
Murong Chong: It's me!
Murong Chong seems to have been on the road, evident by the bags under his eyes. You're overwhelmed to see him as the dagger slips from your grasp.
Xiu Ying: [Eyes well with tears] Chong? Is it really you?
He has not seen her cry for a long time so this brings back old memories. Specifically when she was young and chased by a dog, to which she had a phobia. She tripped and the first person she saw when she raised her head was him, and she had the same look then as she does now. That was when he swore to protect her and stop her from crying again.
Murong Chong: [Steps forward and embraces] It's okay, I'm here now. Nothing bad will happen to you.
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