Early in the morning, Cendrarsa was roused from her slumber by the resounding crack of firecrackers.
Feeling the emptiness beside her, she instinctively thought that Zagonnas had risen early to prepare breakfast.
"Darling, I could really use a glass of water," she called out sweetly, before turning over and closing her eyes again.
However, after a considerable wait, no water arrived, and the outside world remained eerily silent.
"Darling?"
Cendrarsa called once more but was met with no response.
Finally, she opened her eyes and climbed out of bed.
As she glanced down, she noticed a red corner peeking out from beneath her pillow.
Hmm? What could this be?
Cendrarsa reached down and pulled out the red packet.
It was indeed a lucky red envelope from Zagonnas. Opening it, she found no money inside, only a piece of red paper with a written note.
[Wishing my wife: peace and prosperity, may auspicious stars shine upon you.]
The few words warmed Cendrarsa's heart.
Carefully tucking the note away, she intended to get up and find Zagonnas, eager to celebrate the New Year with the village elders.
However, when she looked down again, she discovered a white envelope hidden beneath the red packet.
Thinking it might hold another delightful surprise, she opened the envelope without a second thought. As she unfolded the neatly folded paper, the joyful expression on her face froze completely.
It turned out to be a letter of separation.
Even more disheartening was the fact that it was written from a wife's perspective to her husband.
Confusion enveloped Cendrarsa; she could not fathom why Zagonnas would write something like this to her. However, on the second page, he clarified his stance.
"Cendrarsa, I apologize. The first time I call your name, it must be to write this letter.
You could never have imagined how I discovered your true identity. It's rather miraculous—I died once, during the demon-slaying tournament, poisoned by you.
Perhaps the heavens deemed our demise too hasty, too undeserved, for they granted me a rebirth a few months prior.
On the day your clinic opened, I happened to be passing by, and from a distance, all I could think about was killing you.
That night, when Zagonnas's student fell ill, I brought him to you with the intention to end your life.
But, I hesitated and did not act. Little did I know, I would never get another chance.
Marrying you has proven to be the best decision of my life; I had never known such joy until I experienced the feeling of loving someone.
I will forever remember the day we wed when you sweetly offered me candy—your smile was breathtaking, akin to a beautiful dream.
Cendrarsa, I truly wish to spend my life with you, to be together forever.
Yet once we enter this world, we can never truly escape.
You and I are destined to walk separate paths.
Cendrarsa, in this lifetime, I am the one who has wronged you, indebted to you, and can only repay you in the next life.
I sincerely wish you longevity and happiness in your future.
Husband: Zagonnas."
The final words blurred before Cendrarsa's eyes, tears flowing uncontrollably down her cheeks.
Drop by drop, they soaked the letter, smudging the beautiful script that had once seemed so strong and confident.
"Scoundrel! What is the meaning of this? What does this even mean? Waaaah..."
Cendrarsa clutched the letter of separation, collapsing onto the bed and weeping openly.
What does "destined to part ways" even mean? They had shared a bed for so long!
"Zagonnas, you bastard, you absolute jerk! Waaaah!!!"
Cendrarsa cried until her voice was hoarse, but at that moment, the door to her room was abruptly pushed open.
"Madam, something's wrong!"
Zagonnas's student entered, his face as pale as a ghost, his shoulders trembling.
"What happened?"
This child, who was not one to disregard decorum, burst in—something must be terribly amiss. Cendrarsa quickly wiped her tears and slipped on her shoes as she asked.
"Many outsiders have arrived in the village, all mounted on horseback. Aunt Phoenix told me to hurry and inform you."
"Outsiders?"
An ominous premonition settled in Cendrarsa's heart.
"Let's go outside and take a look."
Wrapping herself in a cotton coat, Cendrarsa followed Zagonnas's student outside.
To her surprise, she saw the Poisonous Phoenix shielding several village children who had come to pay New Year's respects, retreating.
Before they stood dozens of men on horseback, brandishing swords, their faces obscured, exuding an air of menace.
"I never imagined the Xiu Shui Sword would be in this wretched little village. How fortunate we are to have found it!"
The leader of the black-clad men scoffed as he glared at the academy's plaque.
"What do you want?"
Dave, on his way to Yangshu Village to deliver meat to a widow, happened to witness the scene and inquired.
"Where is Zagonnas? Tell him to come out."
"What do you want with our teacher?" Dave looked perplexed.
One of the black-clad men seemed to find Dave irritating, dismounting and lunging at him with his sword.
In a panic, Cendrarsa seized the silver hairpin from her head, launching it like a hidden weapon.
Just as the sword tip was about to pierce Dave, her hairpin struck, deflecting the blade.
"Get back!"
In the blink of an eye, Cendrarsa had dashed to Dave's side, shoving him backwards to safety.
With her hairpin liberated, her long hair cascaded down, swirling in the cold wind, and her recently tear-streaked eyes now burned a bright crimson.
She glared coolly at the black-clad men, who regarded her warily, their hands resting instinctively on their weapons.
"Who are you?" The leader of the black-clad men assessed his sword, now broken by her hairpin, and slowly drew his blade.
"You're searching for Zagonnas? I am his wife."
Cendrarsa refrained from stating her name; having married him, she would forever be his wife, rendering that letter of separation worthless in her eyes.
"His wife? Where is he? Has the Xiu Shui Sword been missing for months, now he dares not show his face, sending a woman to protect him?"
"Haha, what a laugh!"
Cendrarsa burst into laughter; but as she continued, her demeanour shifted.
She, too, wanted to know where that scoundrel had gone. Once she found him, he would not escape punishment—three days on the washboard would be just the beginning!
But at that moment, her husband was still her husband. To insult him was a death wish.
"There's no need for my husband to lift a finger to kill you."
As she spoke, Cendrarsa shed her red coat, tossing it aside.
"Dave, lend me your knife."
Dave had a habit of always carrying a butcher's knife, and as Cendrarsa reached back, he blinked, promptly handing over the sheathed knife from his waist.
"Miss, you... you..."
"Get back; I don't want blood on you. And tell everyone in the village to stay away."
"Ah, alright, alright."
At that moment, Dave finally understood that Cendrarsa was no ordinary person.
"Madam, take the children inside."
Removing the knife from its sheath, Cendrarsa shouted once more.
The Poisonous Phoenix, recognizing the impending violence, swiftly ushered several children back inside the academy.
In mere moments, the streets of the village were devoid of any bystanders.
"Today is the first day of the New Year—killing, anger, and bloodshed are forbidden. However, how unfortunate it is that I am naturally inclined towards lawlessness and defiance."