Wenwu dashed nonstop out of the capital until the Wind Spirit Charm wore off. He stopped in a forest outside the city walls.

Wenwu set Amia and Silver down. He sat on the ground, gasping heavily. The burns on his back kept him from leaning against anything.

"Master, are you alright?" Silver asked worriedly.

"Not... very well..."

Wenwu gritted his teeth against the pain.

"Let me treat your wounds first."

Silver pulled bandages and medicine bottles from her pouch. "Master, we’re low on medicine. I can only handle some wounds."

"Fine. Do what you can."

Wenwu just wanted the pain gone—any relief would do.

Thankfully, the burns hadn’t spread to his old injuries. Otherwise, he’d be in far worse shape.

Silver applied the medicine. Though supplies were scarce, she wrapped all his wounds tightly with bandages.

Afterward, the pain eased slightly.

"Silver, what happened earlier? I remember nothing."

This time, Wenwu truly had amnesia.

"I don’t know details. Black Scorpion took me away. When I saw you, Master, you were already holding Blazing Edge like this."

"Blazing Edge? What’s that?"

"Huh? You don’t even recall summoning it?"

Wenwu shook his head. He vaguely remembered chanting something—then blankness.

"Blazing Edge is a Sword Spirit, like Jade Star. But it craves bloodshed and erodes its user’s mind and body," Silver explained. "Ask her about what happened. She witnessed everything." She pointed to the still-unconscious Amia.

Wenwu had questions for Amia. "Silver, find sturdy vines. Tie her up first."

He’d been betrayed by Amia before. With a killer like her, precautions were essential.

Silver quickly returned with vines. She bound Amia’s hands behind her back, wrapping tightly from wrists to palms. Wenwu added foot bindings for safety.

"Hey, hey—you’ve slept enough. Wake up."

Wenwu gently slapped Amia’s cheeks.

"Mmm..."

Amia stirred awake. She felt her bound limbs and saw Wenwu and Silver. Understanding dawned.

"Brother Wu, isn’t this rude to a lady?"

True to her assassin instincts, Amia stayed calm.

"You’re a sly fox. I had to tie you—special service, you know."

"Ahem!"

Silver coughed sharply.

Wenwu realized his slip. This world wasn’t his old one; metaphors mattered.

"Oh dear, Brother Wu. The mighty you—afraid a weak girl like me would run?"

Amia gave him a coy look.

Had Wenwu not been tricked by her, he might’ve believed it.

"What happened to me earlier?"

"Huh? You don’t remember?"

"Cut the crap."

"If I talk, will you free me?"

"You’re in no position to bargain."

"Tch." Amia recounted events after Wenwu summoned Blazing Edge.

But Wenwu wanted something else.

"Who paid to kill me before?"

"Sorry. An assassin never betrays her employer."

"Oh? Really?"

Wenwu pulled a dagger he’d taken from her. He slid it up from her dress hem.

"Hey! What are you doing? Pervert, stop!"

Amia squirmed as the blade tore her clothes.

"Don’t move. One slip, and you’ll scar that pretty skin."

Amia froze. All women cherished beauty—even assassins. Wenwu sliced to her neckline. Her flat chest stayed hidden. He lifted the fabric with the dagger.

"Still nothing to say?"

"Hmph, Brother Wu. If you wanted to see, just ask. I’d undress myself. No need to ruin my clothes."

Amia was digging in.

"What’s there to see on such a flat chest?"

"You—"

Amia hated that remark most.

"Silver, go far away. What’s next isn’t kid-friendly. No peeking."

"Tch, stingy. Fine. It’s not like I haven’t seen it."

Silver walked off, vanishing from sight.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

Amia’s voice trembled. Wenwu’s words and Silver’s absence scared her.

"What? I said it’s not for kids."

Wenwu yanked up Amia’s skirt.

"Hey! Stop!"

"Calm down. Just finishing last night’s job. You took my money—deliver the service."

"No!"

Amia writhed on the ground.

"Then tell me—who wants me dead?"

Amia bit her lip. After a pause, she decided. "Fine. I’ll tell you. Then let me go."

"Okay."

"Hadi Kreist. Son of the Empire’s Marshal."

"And the Divine Tree Seed?"

"He told me about that too."

Wenwu had suspected Desmona. So Hadi wouldn’t rest until he was dead.

"You know everything. Release me."

Wenwu cut the vines on her feet. But he didn’t free her hands.

"Hey! You promised!"

"I changed my mind."

Amia stared in disbelief. He’d broken his word.

Wenwu repaid kindness twofold—and betrayal likewise.

"Stop! No! Please! Ah!"

Amia’s screams tore through the forest.

Time passed.

"Wenwu, I’ll kill you. Even at the world’s end."

Amia’s final words hung in the air as dawn’s first light broke.

"Lord Wenwu... I never expected you’d like this type..."