Stepping out of the chapel, Qin Yu headed toward the next district.
“What’s wrong, servant?”
Silver Crimson Snow noticed him halt abruptly and followed his gaze.
“What’s so special about those flowers?”
A cluster of pale purple blossoms swayed gently in the breeze where he’d been looking.
“Were they here when we passed by earlier?”
Silver Crimson Snow paused, realizing she hadn’t noticed.
“…”
Qin Yu studied the flowers, a faint unease stirring—but he said nothing, simply turned and pulled her along.
“Leaving already? Servant, was something off about them?”
Though puzzled, she trusted him.
“Probably just my imagination…”
“Really?”
Her eyes narrowed. His expression didn’t look like imagination at all.
Once they’d put distance between them and the area, the pale purple flowers vanished without a trace.
“About earlier…” Qin Yu broke the silence after a while.
“Earlier?”
“That flower patch… reminded me of someone.”
“Who? An old flame?”
Qin Yu’s face twitched. If he had any, it’d only be her.
“No. My master’s rival.”
“Your master…?” Silver Crimson Snow blinked. “Right! You never told me about your master!”
She’d completely forgotten their wager. Qin Yu hadn’t pressed it either.
“Fine, fine. I’ll tell you now.” He sighed. For all her regal presence, Xiao Xue had a wonderfully airheaded side.
“My master is Blacknight Sword Saint—one of the Four Sword Saints.”
Most would gasp: *“Blacknight Sword Saint?!”*
Her reply? “Oh…”
“…Yeah. Figured.”
Even in his past life, she’d reacted the same. He continued calmly.
“And those flowers reminded me of Flower Shadow Sword Saint—also one of the Four Sword Saints, and my master’s rival. I suspect she’s been tailing us.”
Silver Crimson Snow simply nodded. “I see.”
“Friendly reminder: Flower Shadow Sword Saint is close to Rank 9. If it *is* her… we’re both dead.”
*That* made her tense.
“Rank 9? Why follow *us*?”
“Likely because I used my master’s sword technique earlier.”
Highly plausible. In this timeline, Blacknight Sword Saint hadn’t taken disciples yet. Seeing someone wield his style would spark curiosity.
Back then, Qin Yu had been desperate to grow stronger after Xiao Xue left. By sheer luck, he’d crossed paths with the reclusive Blacknight Sword Saint—who, against all odds, offered to teach him.
During those lonely years, his master had been his closest companion.
“So… this is *your* fault?” Silver Crimson Snow pinned the blame on him effortlessly.
“Okay, 99% mine. But Xiao Xue… don’t you bear 1% responsibility?” Qin Yu countered smoothly.
“If you’d stepped in earlier and dealt with those Blood priests instead of watching, I wouldn’t have needed to reveal my technique.”
“…”
Her eyes widened slightly. *Huh… he’s kinda got a point.*
“Fine. I forgive you, servant. If it *is* that Sword Saint… we just run.”
Warmth flickered in Qin Yu’s chest. *Still the same soft-hearted girl beneath the sharp words.*
Though escaping a near-Rank-9 Flower Shadow Sword Saint was basically a dream.
He shelved the thought. Plan unchanged—they pressed on to the next destination: the abandoned monastery.
Chaos reigned outside. Signs of recent cleaning were already buried under fresh disorder.
Long ago, the Church aimed to establish a foothold in the Bloodsoul Domain. This monastery was meant to shelter orphaned children, grooming them as new recruits.
Noble idea. Harsh reality. Even Ranava, the young stationed bishop, hadn’t survived. How could these children?
“It’s abandoned. Why come here, servant?”
“To find someone.”
Qin Yu didn’t hesitate.
“Someone?” Silver Crimson Snow sensed inward. “Human traces… yes, faint but present.”
“Exactly. Let’s go in. And Xiao Xue—don’t act first.”
He led the way up the steps. Silver Crimson Snow followed closely.
She felt the hidden presences deliberately avoiding them.
“We don’t look like villains, do we?” Qin Yu raised his voice—clearly for unseen ears.
“I don’t. But *you*, servant… that dark crimson cloak screams ‘professional assassin.’”
*Whoosh!*
A shadow lunged from behind.
*Clang!*
Qin Yu drew Bloodthorn mid-motion, blocking the strike. Silver Crimson Snow held back per his warning—but stayed ready.
The attacker froze. She’d targeted the “weaker” man, confident of a one-hit kill.
“Rank 2 beastkin,” Qin Yu noted calmly. “So you’re the big sister protecting these kids?”
Though appearing fifteen, her beastkin strength dwarfed his.
Qin Yu—still a Rank 0 player without a character template—relied entirely on Bloodthorn’s quality to hold ground. Only by bracing with both hands did he shove her back.
Seeing hostility, Silver Crimson Snow moved to strike—
“Wait, Xiao Xue. She’s not our enemy.”
From the shadows, small faces peeked out, eyes wide with worry for their protector.
