Yinuo awoke with a gasp, the remnants of a nightmare clinging to her. Beside her, a soft, pulsing light emanated from a glowing orb, its warmth a soothing balm against the lingering terror. A voice, low and familiar, pierced the quiet. "Feeling better?"
Su Ning emerged from the tent flap, a glimmer of joy in his eyes. He held something in his hand, wrapped in silken cloth. The feeling felt oddly familiar, sending a shiver down Yinuo's spine. He lifted the veil, revealing a peridot sword, her spiritual sword, Susu.
As if by magic, the peridot shimmered, taking the form of a young woman, her features delicate and kind. Susu rushed to Yinuo, enveloping her in a tight hug. "Yinou," she whispered, "How? I-"
"Shhh," Susu interrupted, her voice a soft murmur. "I just want to hug you."
Yinuo's mind whirled. She had died, she was sure of it. The memories of the battle, the cold embrace of death, the emptiness. But Susu was here, alive and well.
Susu pulled back, her eyes shining with tears. "Lin Jia-, I mean General Su Ning pardoned us, Yinuo. I, Li Yang, and Bai Lin. We're free."
As the words settled, a figure emerged from the shadows in the corner of the tent. Bai Lin, his face etched with a mix of relief and grim determination, his gaze fixed on Yinuo. "I've been watching Zhang Li, Yinuo," he said, his voice taut. "Waiting for the chance to take him down. Fate gave me a chance, so, I've decided to join Su Ning." He paused, his eyes hardening as he stepped forward, his sword hilt pointed towards her. "Have you decided?"
Yinuo met his gaze, a wry smile playing on her lips. "You think I'd go to Xin Kingdom and risk my life for that 'gentleman'?" she asked, mocking the title with a sharp tilt of her head.
Su Ning, who had been seated by the tent's entrance, sipping his tea, chuckled. "Is that a yes?"
Susu stepped forward, her tone firm. "What else?"
As if on cue, Li Yang burst into the tent, her arms laden with a mountain of food. "Oh, you guys are here? What a coincidence!" she exclaimed, "Oh Yinuo? You're finally awake!" her face alight with a carefree smile, oblivious to the weight of the conversation.
Susu's eyes narrowed. "You!" she exclaimed, her voice tight.
Li Yang tilted her head, confused. "I? What about me?"
Susu pointed an accusing finger. "That's mine!" she declared, gesturing to the food. She turned to Yinuo, her voice laced with exasperation. "Yinou! She stole my food stash. Say something!"
Yinuo, a mischievous glint in her eye, simply sighed and lay back down, closing her eyes. "Goodnight,"
she mumbled, feigning sleep.
"Good night?'" Bai Lin snickered, the sound echoing in the room. "The sun is blazing! It's just afternoon." Susu exclaimed, scratching her head.
It's night." Su Ning said pulling Bai Lin away from the bed.
"Get out all of you, let her rest," Su Ning declared, his voice firm, as he settled into the bed beside Yinou.
Li Yang paused at the doorway, watching the scene unfold. Seeing Su Ning settled, she said, "I'll get going, Jian."
Yinou's eyebrows shot up in surprise and a small "pfttt" escaped her lips, louder than she intended. The sound, sharp and unexpected, hung in the air. Yinuo, sensing the awkwardness, coughed loudly,"Sorry, my throat is dry."
Su Ning turned to Li Yang, his eyes unwavering. "Wait. Address me by my real name, alright?"
Li Yang stared at him, a sadness flickering in her eyes. She nodded silently and walked away, leaving the room heavy with unspoken emotions.
Alone in the room with Yinou, Su Ning repeated her earlier sound, a playful "pfttt." Yinou remained still, pretending to be asleep. "Recuperate here," he said smoothly, gesturing to the orb beside him, "That beside you can replenish your energy."
He stayed for a while, making Yinou increasingly still and uncomfortable, before finally leaving.
Su Ning found Xiao Li in the next room, his wife, Xiao Yue, seated beside him. "Mrs. Xiao, dont worry, Li is recuperating now," Su Ning said reassuringly.
Xiao Yue's eyes were filled with sorrow as she looked at Su Ning. She reached out, holding a small, wrapped package. "Here. A small token."
Su Ning hesitantly took it, his eyebrows raising in surprise. "Candy?"
Xiao Yue smiled sweetly, her gaze fixed on his. "Thanks, Ning."
Su Ning nodded and left the room, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. As soon as the door closed, Xiao Yue's smile faded. "Better have a backup,"she murmured to herself, a glint of steel in her eyes.
The flap of the tent opened, casting a sliver of moonlight on the scene inside. Su Ning, his face etched with concern, entered cautiously. Susu, her back to him, was meticulously arranging a pile of clothes, while Yinuo sat in her bed, eyes closed, her hands clutching the glowing orb.
Susu sensing a presence, transformed into a silver sword, launching towards it. Su Ning, swift and sure, caught the blade before it could strike. "It's me." Susu breathed a sigh of relief. "Sorry, sorry." she added, a hint of embarrassment in his voice.
"How's she?" Su Ning asked, his gaze fixed on Yinuo.
Susu turned, her brow furrowed. "Fine. It hasn't attacked, yet."
Su Ning's eyes narrowed, his gaze never leaving Yinuo. "Is she in pain?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Susu sighed. "You know, you really should have told her earlier."
"Told her what?" Su Ning was confused.
"That you didn't kill the innocent. Us," Susu emphasized, her voice heavy.
A flicker of annoyance crossed Su Ning's face. "It doesn't make me a hero, that was just a necessary part of my plan. No point in boasting about it."
Susu shook her head, a silent reproach in her eyes, and with a final glance at Yinuo, she retreated from the tent.
Moments later, Yinuo's eyes snapped open, meeting Su Ning's in a silent, charged exchange. Just as she was about to speak, her face contorted in pain, her pupils shrinking as a cold wave swept over her. Su Ning reacted instantly, rushing to her side, his hands finding her ice-cold skin.
"It wasn't a nightmare?" she choked out, gritting her teeth against the consuming chill.
Lin Jian, his face grim, shifted his power, a wave of warm energy washing over her, but it was a mere flicker against the relentless cold. Yinuo's scream tore through the tent, a primal cry of anguish. She could only bite her lips until it bled. Su Ning, unable to stem the tide, simply held her tight, his own face a mask of worry and helplessness.
The sound of the scream drew Bai Lin, Li Yang, and Susu back to the tent. They wasted no time, their powers combining to create a shield of warmth, desperately trying to break through the encroaching cold. Yinuo shook violently, her screams echoing in the night, before finally succumbing to the overwhelming chill, collapsing limply in Susu's arms.