Chapter Sixty-Five: Brother and Sister

Liu Ru arrived at the Bingshan Villa earlier than Xi Ye. On the surface, Liu Ru, Su Ziye, and Xi Ye left West City one after the other, but in reality, Su Ziye took Liu Ru straight to the Bingshan Villa, nestled in the northwestern corner of Yenye City. In a place where every inch of land is worth a fortune, the existence of such an expansive private estate was a marvel—yet if one considered the power of the Ster Empire, it was only natural.

Su Ziye entered the villa as though returning home, opening the grand gates with ease. Noticing the girl's puzzled gaze, Su Ziye offered a casual explanation—the Bingshan Villa was prepared for the imperial family of Ster, and thus, any descendant of pure royal blood could enter without hindrance.

Of course, the reverse was equally true; without Ster’s royal blood, entering this villa would be harder than ascending to the heavens.

Once inside, Su Ziye and Liu Ru remained hidden, witnessing Xi Ye's return and her conversation with the so-called General Wu, and also the arrival of the girl named Xingxi, who knocked on the door as she entered, all as if the place were deserted.

General Wu was no match, and as Xi Ye was about to lose her life, Su Ziye calmly pressed his shoulder and then rushed out.

According to their plan, Liu Ru also stepped forward bravely, calling out, “I am here.”

In truth, Liu Ru believed that by this stage, even if outsiders were still in the dark, it would be no mystery to Dark Star who the true Su Ziye was; what good would it do for her to step forward?

Yet, even so, Liu Ru did not hesitate.

Her very purpose was to carry out Su Ziye’s orders, just as a pawn that moves forward, never backward.

What Liu Ru had not expected was that the silver-haired girl in the silver cloak would immediately turn her focus upon her.

“A higher-priority target.”

Xingxi did not bother to lower her voice, so Liu Ru heard her words clearly.

Does she really not know I am a decoy? Liu Ru wondered, then turned and ran without a second thought.

Su Ziye had not instructed her what to do in such a moment, so her only option now was to flee.

She hoped to buy Su Ziye more time and opportunity. Besides, having seen Xingxi in action, Liu Ru knew that only Karotes could compare to this girl’s power—if Karotes could descend from the heavens, she would welcome it, but otherwise, she doubted even Su Ziye could triumph.

If he could, he would not have tasked her as bait.

Seeing Liu Ru dash away, Xingxi was momentarily taken aback.

For two reasons.

First, her previous targets rarely attempted to escape, for most believed there was no outrunning her pursuit—so flight was pointless.

Second, in principle, she did not kill those who ran.

But in the next instant, Xingxi had made up her mind.

In principle, she would not kill a fleeing person, but if that person was on her mission list, the case was different.

She stepped forward silently.

With that single step, her figure became a streak of light, crossing the entire villa in a blink.

Liu Ru didn’t even look back, but the next moment, she saw that the silver-haired reaper had appeared before her, as if she herself had dashed straight into the girl’s arms.

So fast.

Liu Ru sighed inwardly.

She was truly fast—so fast that Liu Ru could not even muster a thought of resistance.

In front of her, Xingxi calmly raised a hand, her forefinger lightly poised, then flicked it toward Liu Ru’s chest.

Liu Ru gazed ahead, almost resigned.

Her opponent was so powerful that resistance seemed futile.

Her final thought before death was whether Su Ziye had managed to escape with Xi Ye.

As long as they left Bingshan Villa and entered Yenye City proper, even Xingxi would find her movements much more restricted.

She, the pawn, had reached the very edge of the board; now, this was to be her final fate.

“I have not given you permission to kill her, little sister.”

At that moment, Liu Ru heard Su Ziye’s voice, tinged with amusement, and in the next instant, right before her eyes, Su Ziye lunged in from the side, wielding a blade wreathed in crimson flames, and stabbed straight for Xingxi’s abdomen.

Astonishingly, Su Ziye’s speed was scarcely slower than Xingxi’s.

Xingxi let out a soft exclamation.

Su Ziye had seized the precise moment she attacked.

If Xingxi persisted in killing Liu Ru, she would have to endure Su Ziye’s blow.

Yet Xingxi did not hesitate. All her battles were conducted by instinct. The instant Su Ziye struck, she twisted her body with unnatural agility, her left hand unleashing a stream of tangible silvery fire, which instantly formed a short, glowing blade, thrusting toward Su Ziye in retaliation.

Attack against attack.

If Su Ziye continued, he could pierce Xingxi’s abdomen, but she could just as easily drive her blade through him.

But at that moment, Su Ziye smiled faintly and said, “You’ve fallen into my trap.”

As he spoke, the black-haired youth’s form dissolved into a bubble; at the same instant, Liu Ru felt someone grasp her waist from behind, lifting and tossing her out of the battlefield.

Having been twice thwarted, Xingxi paused to study the youth before her.

“From that day, I have imagined our next meeting, training day and night with you as my imagined opponent,” Su Ziye said, smiling at the girl before him. “But as expected, now that we meet again, I still can’t win, little sister.”

“If you obstruct me again, I will prioritize killing you,” Xingxi replied with utter calm. No trace of emotion, not even Su Ziye’s forced intimacy, could touch her.

“And if I don’t stop you?” Su Ziye couldn’t help but ask.

But Xingxi had no interest in conversation. She became a streak of light once more, her target still Liu Ru, now flung clear of the battleground.

A determined target was always to be slain first.

But Su Ziye pursued her closely, catching her wrist midair.

Xingxi turned with a cold glance, their eyes locking for an instant.

The very next moment, a storm of silvery light erupted from Xingxi, like countless silver arrows, engulfing Su Ziye completely.

If you obstruct me again, I will prioritize killing you.

Xingxi had warned him, and she would keep her word.

Her warnings were always real.

“Su Ziye!” Liu Ru cried out.

She watched with her own eyes as Su Ziye was swallowed by the countless beams of light.

“I’m not dead yet,” Su Ziye’s voice sounded calmly from within the radiance.

He hovered in midair, gripping his crimson blade—his entire form enveloped in near-tangible scarlet flames.

This was not his own power—Liu Ru realized it in that instant.

The youth’s voice was calm, tinged with a sigh.

“I wouldn’t dare meet you without at least a little preparation,” he said, gazing at Xingxi. “Though relying on outside power isn’t a good habit, if my opponent is you, all cheating should be allowed, don’t you think?”

Behind Liu Ru, Xi Ye stared at the crimson blade in Su Ziye’s hand, her face full of disbelief and astonishment.

“Blade of Oblivion.”

“How could it possibly be in your hands?”