Chapter 101: Not Qin Li

In the blink of an eye, he remained unscathed, while they were left battered and broken.

"Ye Xuan, are you alright?" Qin Li looked at Ye Xuan’s condition. This injury was meant for her; she hadn't expected Ye Xuan to shield her from the blow. Had it landed on her, it would have been fatal.

"I'm fine," Ye Xuan replied, shaking his head.

"Still trying to play the hero? This is partially my fault, I suppose—I knew your abilities were lacking. Tell you what, I’ll give you two a chance—only one. Only one of you can survive. Tell me who you want to live."

Bai Ming found the situation amusing, but there was a deep malice beneath his amusement. He had no intention of following through on his offer.

"Don't believe him, Qin Li," Ye Xuan warned. He knew that whatever Bai Ming said was never meant to be taken seriously. He operated entirely on his own whims—killing whenever he felt like it, without reason or logic, unless someone happened to be useful to him.

"I don't believe him. Besides, I have a backup plan."

As her voice faded, Si Nuosang appeared before them.

"Nuosang? How did you get here?" Ye Xuan asked in surprise. Seeing his condition, Si Nuosang pulled out a small vial and poured several white pills into his hand. "Swallow these, quickly."

These were her life-saving pills, essential for their powerful healing properties. Ye Xuan swallowed them and watched as Si Nuosang stepped in front of them.

"Si Nuosang?" Bai Ming studied the newcomer. So, she was the legendary Si Nuosang. Seeing her in person was indeed different from hearing the rumors.

"That's right, it's me." Si Nuosang locked eyes with him. This man was dangerous, but as her gaze flicked to his hand, she noticed a faint black discoloration. "Master of Ming Pavilion, greetings. Do you realize you don't have much time left?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I think Qin Li just gave you a grand gift, and you didn't even notice. How pathetic. To capsize in a gutter—that truly describes a man like you."

"I don't understand."

"Look at your hand." She gestured toward his fingers.

Bai Ming took one look and lunged at Qin Li. Si Nuosang pulled Qin Li aside, drew her military saber, and engaged him in close-quarters combat.

"Master, I'm sorry. I poisoned the stone inside that box. You were so careful to make me open it, but you never imagined it would be poisoned, did you?"

Qin Li dragged Ye Xuan to safety. Si Nuosang’s fighting style was erratic and blindingly fast; she was impossible to pin down, and her blade was razor-sharp. After a few exchanges, Bai Ming was sliced. If Si Nuosang could just hold on, the poison would reach his heart, and he would surely die. Bai Ming would soon realize he had been poisoned, so Si Nuosang’s timing was perfect—it disrupted his rhythm and allowed her to seize control.

She had to keep him off-balance; she knew that once he realized he was poisoned, his loss of composure would make him easier to stall. If Bai Ming slowed down to fight deliberately, Si Nuosang’s stamina wouldn't hold out for long. She needed a quick resolution. Qin Li had clearly planned ahead; she was far more composed than Ye Xuan.

"I need to go help her," Ye Xuan said, trying to rise. He watched as Si Nuosang was forced back step by step.

"You’re injured. Are you trying to get yourself killed?" Qin Li despised Ye Xuan, but if he hadn't saved her, she would have let him go to his death.

"But Si Nuosang is no match for him."

"Then I will go."

"But then you’ll become his target. Is there an antidote for his poison?" Ye Xuan whispered. Qin Li shook her head. "That’s even worse. He’ll kill you first, then force the poison out of his own system. Right now, he’s rattled because he thinks there’s an antidote. Given his skill, forcing the poison out isn't impossible for him."

Qin Li understood. The only way to win was to stall him until it was too late to purge the toxin.

As they spoke, a metallic clang rang out. Si Nuosang’s blade was kicked to the ground, and Bai Ming seized her by the throat. Ye Xuan lunged forward recklessly, pointing his sword at Bai Ming. "Let her go, Bai Ming!"

"Are you giving me orders?" Bai Ming sneered at Ye Xuan, his hand still tight around Si Nuosang’s neck.

"Yes. Let her go, or I will kill you."

"Kill me? Then I’ll kill her first!"

Si Nuosang was struggling to breathe, her face turning a deep shade of red. Just then, Bai Ming felt a palm strike his back. He released Si Nuosang and spun around to see who had ambushed him.

"You?"

"Yes, it's me." The man caught Si Nuosang and looked at Bai Ming.

"Xuanyuan Juesi? How did you find this place?" Ye Xuan and Qin Li stared in shock.

"This is my territory, of course I know," Xuanyuan Juesi said, looking at Bai Ming. "However, Master, if you don't leave to purge that poison, you won't survive."

"Hmph. I’ll spare you for now. But don't think this is over. The Ming Pavilion will not let you go, including you two traitors."

As Bai Ming turned to leave, Qin Li leaped into the air and drove a blade into him. Bai Ming never expected such a move; he hadn't realized her martial arts were so formidable. He turned, staring at her in horror. "You... Qin Li, you?"

"Qin Li? You’re mistaken. Qin Li died three months ago. I am her sister, Qin Shuang." She peeled the mask from her face.

"Qin Shuang?"

Blood streamed down the blade as Qin Shuang looked at him coldly, shoving the steel deeper. "Yes, Qin Shuang. Your master."

"I didn't kill Qin Li."

"But you failed to protect her, and today you tried to kill her. Who do you think you are? I intended to let you live, but this is your own doing. You have no one else to blame."

Qin Shuang looked fierce; her face was strikingly similar to Qin Li’s, but her eyes were far colder and more ruthless. The others stood stunned, their mouths agape at the revelation. Qin Shuang was Bai Ming’s master, and Bai Ming was Qin Li’s master—the hierarchy was a tangled mess.

Qin Shuang pulled her sword free and struck him again, ending his life. Her white robes were soaked in blood, staining her face in a gruesome contrast. She walked toward them, her gaze chilling.

Si Nuosang, still held in Xuanyuan Juesi’s arms, watched Qin Shuang. So, she wasn't Qin Li after all.