Power Up, Artist Yang!

Yujia & Yufeng were escorted back to the camp where the soldiers resided. With soldiers carrying torches to light the path ahead of them, the dark forest no longer seemed as terrifying. Yet still, Yujia was gripping Yufeng's hand, unwilling to let go.

As they walked through parted woods, one of the soldiers explained to her, "You should consider yourselves lucky. If we had not been there just in time…"

His words trailed off, but Yujia knew exactly what he implied.

She was truly ready to fall to her death moments ago. Her heart had set. She was fully prepared to sacrifice herself to save Yufeng's life. 

But now, she was walking on solid ground, on a path to safety. 

To consider herself lucky was almost an understatement. She was someone who had escaped death's grasp by a mere hair's breadth.

"What are you all— soldiers— doing in this mountain?" she ended up asking the soldier who had spoken to her.

"You muttered bandits earlier, didn't you? These bandits had been terrorizing all passersby in these mountain paths the past few days. We are sent, by imperial decree, to rid & ambush the bandits. Another part of our team has already gone to take care of the main bandit camp. Our team was supposed to be patrolling these mountains for any anomalies, which is how we found you two," he answered her.

"I see." Yujia exhaled. "We were actually captured by the bandits as well. We were escaping, and then we stumbled off the cliff. I cannot express my gratitude enough… for saving us."

"No need. We just did what was morally correct. And, I figured that you two were abducted by those bandits. It's odd to find women like you two in these areas." 

"It must be." Yujia looked down. 

After hearing the explanation of this soldier, she admitted that she felt more relieved. Another group of the soldiers had gone to take care of the main bandit camp, which meant that Ye Yunhe and the other disciple brothers would also likely be saved soon.

In the end, they would all be safe.

In the middle of these thoughts, the feet of the men ahead of her suddenly stopped. Yujia turned her head up. 

The group had arrived at a clearing in the forest. In contrast with the bandit camp, however, it was not a fenced in space. Instead, there was a bonfire at the center of the clearing, a single tent behind it, a flag of Xiang behind the tent, and a few soldiers standing around. The setup was clearly a temporary camp, which matched with what the soldier had informed her about.

This relaxed Yujia a bit more. She had to admit that even after being saved, she still had her suspicions. At this point, it was difficult for her to trust anyone, even men dressed and acting like soldiers. However, once she saw the camp and flag, it won a little bit more of her trust.

"When do you estimate that the bandits will be vanquished? And the other hostages can be saved?" she turned and asked the soldier again.

He thought for a moment, scratching his chin. "In a few hours, I suppose? In the meantime… Miss, can we get you some water, some food, or maybe some bedding for rest?" 

She looked at the soldier, tired weariness plain across her face. "I think rest is all we need. Thank you."

…

The tent was reserved for the commander of the soldiers, Yujia heard. However, from within it, they fetched a few rolls of blankets, stacking it upon a grassy area under a tree. Yujia didn't take long to sit on it, leaning her head back against the trunk of the tree. Yufeng did the same.

Neither of them said anything. Yujia imagined that they were both too exhausted to speak.

…

In around half an hour's time, a messenger soldier rushed into the camp, carrying the scent of blood on him. He seemed to have something he wanted to report. 

That was when the commander of the soldiers stepped out of the tent for the first time.

Yujia, who had been observing the messenger soldier, noticed the commander immediately when he exited the tent. He was dressed in not armor, but fitted black robes embroidered with golden threads. When he stepped out, his chin was tilted up by a degree— not enough to appear arrogant, but paired with the way he held himself, carried a regal air. He peered at the messenger with hooded eyelids, lips parting in a slight yawn.

"My prince— good news—" she heard the messenger exclaim.

So, a prince?

Yujia observed this man a little closer. 

She wasn't familiar about the princes of the empire, but she knew that they were likely young. The man who stood before her now looked to be in his thirties. She guessed that he was not a prince through being a son of the Emperor; the chances of him being given a prince title was higher. 

Yet regardless, this prince was a member of the imperial family. It was the first time that Yujia had seen royalty in person, so she was certainly curious about this man.

That was when she glanced over at Yufeng and noticed Yufeng's expression.

It was a look that she had never seen on Yufeng's face before. Her expression was flat, but Yufeng stared at the prince even more intensely than Yujia. It was almost as if she recognized and knew him. As Yujia looked at Yufeng some more, she noticed subtle parts of Yufeng's expression— parts that she would not have noticed if not for observing so carefully. Yufeng's jaw was tensed, the muscles of her face even more rigid, as if she was trying her best to hold back any signs of emotion. Yujia's eyes traveled down to Yufeng's hands. They were clenched, fingernails digging deeply into skin.

If there was one word that she could give to describe the emotion she was witnessing Yufeng experience right now, Yujia didn't have to think to settle on one.

It was hate.

Pure, undeniable, and seething hatred.