Just like before, the light blade in Bai Xin’s hand was deflected. End’s longsword nearly pierced the delicate neck of the young girl. The outcome seemed sealed: Bai Xin would die by End’s hand, and White Feather, losing its contractor, would be captured. Everything was over. But would it truly end like this? Was this the worst possible fate they had to accept?
From atop a high-rise building, Cold Night Feather looked down at the scene below. She lowered her right hand, ready to strike, for a shadowy figure had reached Bai Xin’s position first. Cold Night Feather watched expressionlessly, but her heart churned violently. This was her first true excitement in years, since ascending to the ranks of the powerful.
Cold Night Feather held back for her own reasons. At her level, she sensed elusive forces like “fate” and “causality.” She knew she and Bai Xin would face something immense someday. She needed Bai Xin to grow stronger—she couldn’t shield her perfectly forever.
That unease, Bai Xin’s Mystic Necklace, the sealed existence within it… these haunted Cold Night Feather like bone-deep parasites. She felt a giant net tightening around them both.
This crisis forced Cold Night Feather to step back. She’d long wanted Bai Xin tempered, stripped of naivety, but chances were rare. The Heavenly Mandate’s attack was a perfect opportunity. Still, she’d act if Bai Xin truly faltered—as she almost did moments ago—until an unknown rescuer intervened.
Just as Bai Xin, weapon deflected and powerless, watched the green-glowing blade near her neck in despair, an unexpected figure blocked End’s strike.
“Hmm? Does the little mouse have reinforcements?” End growled, annoyed. From the hood’s darkness, a beast-like gaze fixed on the man before Bai Xin. His earlier frivolity now coiled like a venomous snake.
“Heh heh heh. Interrupting my hunt… you won’t escape without paying. How about… your life?”
“Aah, my premonition came true…” muttered the black-haired youth shielding Bai Xin—unremarkable in looks, sweat beading on his brow. “Hey, must we fight to the death? Maybe there’s room to talk?”
End didn’t reply. With a flick of his hand, shadow blades surged like a storm toward the man. His answer was clear.
The man hadn’t expected negotiation anyway. Light flashed in his palm—a massive steel shield materialized. Blades clanged against steel like thunderclaps. Bai Xin faintly heard a corrosive hiss. She saw the man sigh in relief; all shadow blades were blocked.
“Brother Li Ming?” Bai Xin felt like dreaming. First, two eerie black-robed figures appeared. One killed without warning. Then Li Xiao Xiao’s stray white cat transformed into a dire wolf—the “Storm Realm Beast.” And now, Li Ming—the boy she thought was a good-for-nothing like her, lacking awakened powers or cultivation talent—stood before her like a knight.
Fierce wind blew. Bai Xin shivered in her summer clothes. She licked her chapped lips with a small pink tongue. Ahead, Li Ming lowered his shield. The ground between him and End bore smooth cuts, oozing traces of squirming darkness.
Nearby streetlights lay sparking, felled by shadow blades. In the dim glow of the dire wolf’s energy and End’s staff, Li Ming glanced back. He gave Bai Xin a warm, familiar smile—but it lacked confidence.
“Don’t worry, Little Bai Xin. I’ll handle this perfectly, just like… when we were kids. Remember? I promised to protect you forever.”
Memories flooded Bai Xin. Childhood. Li Ming fighting bullies for her. He’d stood before her then too, a stubborn silhouette impossibly tall. When adults arrived, his dusty face grinned at tearful Bai Xin:
“Hee hee hee! Keep crying, and you won’t be pretty! Big brother will protect you for life!”
“R-Really?” Little Bai Xin had whispered, soft eyes wide and timid.
“Of course! Pinky promise! Liars become puppies!” Li Ming wiped her tears. Their hearts had fused that day.
Seeing Bai Xin dazed, Li Ming thought she mourned his hidden strength. He cleared his throat. “Sorry, Little Bai Xin. I hid this… for a reason. Please believe me.”
Watching Li Ming shield her—just like childhood—his slender frame towered like a city wall in her heart. Bai Xin smiled. Li Ming froze at that blooming-flower grin as she declared:
“Hee hee! You’ll always be my Brother Li Ming! I believe you! I know you have reasons! So now, my Hero Brother—rescue this little lady from the great demon king!”
Li Ming paused, then smiled knowingly. No words. But as he turned to End, warmth hardened to ice. Resolve and confidence filled his eyes—the resolve to protect at all costs.
