The receptionist, about to nap on the desk, looked up to see a sea of black-clad figures marching toward her. The gloomy backdrop carried the oppressive weight of gathering storm clouds.

She swallowed hard and forced herself to ask, "Checking in?"

The leader ignored her. He pulled Yuchuge’s photo from his pocket and slammed it on the desk. "Which room is this person in?" he barked.

His tone allowed no argument. She recognized the guest—only they’d checked in all afternoon. Sensing trouble, her training suppressed panic. She hesitated, "Are you police? Without ID, we can’t—"

Before she finished, a thick wad of cash hit the desk. Her eyes widened—it was worth two months’ salary.

"But—" She meant to scold them, but two more stacks landed before her. The man sneered down. "Can you talk now?"

She fell silent. Then she slapped herself hard—no holding back. Eyes shut, head lowered, she collapsed onto the desk. As she bent, she swept the money into her lap.

House of Yu’s men didn’t care about her dignity. One shoved the "unconscious" receptionist aside. He pulled up guest records and quickly found Mu Yue Ran and Yuchuge’s room.

Some took the elevator; others used stairs. They surrounded the third-floor door.

They exchanged glances, signaled silently: three, two, one. Then they kicked together. The wooden door shattered after two blows.

They rushed in, scanning wildly. Only a messy bed, a moved chair, and dripping water from the bathroom greeted them.

A black-clad man pressed against the bathroom door, slowly gripping the handle.

Inside, Mu Yue Ran had just changed Yuchuge into dry clothes. The crash made Yuchuge turn back, but Mu Yue Ran’s calm manner soothed her.

Mu Yue Ran smiled, patting her head. "Ge’er, ever ridden a roller coaster?"

Yuchuge shook her head. She hadn’t, but knew it was thrilling.

"Then let’s ride one now." "But if you stay quiet, I’ll reward you."

Mu Yue Ran put a finger to her lips, tilted her head, and winked. Confused but obedient, Yuchuge covered her mouth and nodded hard.

Mu Yue Ran ruffled her hair affectionately. She pulled a blindfold from her backpack and secured it over Yuchuge’s eyes.

The next scene might get bloody—she didn’t want Yuchuge thinking her a maniac.

[You really lured House of Yu here. Not afraid of trapping yourself?] Mu Yue Ran stood, stretching her wrists. Her indifferent expression made System doubt her judgment. Calmly, she said, "Aren’t you here?" System fell silent.

Mu Yue Ran focused, knife drawn from her backpack. The moment the handle turned, her arm flicked. A silver arc pierced the door, pinning the man’s hand behind it.

First, only cold numbness. Then Mu Yue Ran yanked the blade out. Blood gushed, followed by searing pain.

He stumbled back, clutching his hand, and collapsed screaming.

The remaining men exchanged fearful glances. This was a tough opponent—no solo glory now.

Mu Yue Ran seized their distraction. She sprinted, kicked the bathroom door mid-air. The force slammed it into the men, pinning them to the wall.

One barely dodged. He saw Mu Yue Ran carrying Yuchuge out. He charged, fists swinging—then something cracked his jaw. Darkness flooded his vision. He crumpled.

Mu Yue Ran lowered her leg, exhaling sharply. "Hah."

Guards at the door shoved each other, crowding in after their fallen comrades.

Mu Yue Ran moved to the balcony. The men surged toward her like piglets scrambling for slop.

"You’re trapped!" "Return the young mistress!" someone yelled. Yuchuge shuddered in Mu Yue Ran’s arms, realizing the title.

Mu Yue Ran twirled her knife, flicking off blood. "What if I don’t? Your young mistress funds my retirement."

"Enough! Hand her over for a decent grave!"

As they closed in, Mu Yue Ran smiled. "A grave? I have one." "But not today!"

She flipped onto the railing, shifted Yuchuge under her arm, and flipped off the men. She leaped. Gravity pulled her down as she yelled, "Roller coaster time!!"

A black-clad man leaned over the railing, stunned. Mu Yue Ran landed on a tree trunk, grabbed a branch, swung to cancel momentum, and landed firmly.

For her now, a three-story drop was still too low.

The men gritted their teeth, watching her stroll away. One grabbed his walkie-talkie. "She won’t get far!"