Dashing through the dark alleyway, Wei Liuying guided her uncle in the way that she had thought before. This was originally her escape route, but this time, she had to use it to save her uncle. She could only hope that there would be more escape route that she could use in the future.

"Get them!"

Screams mixed with the painful tearing of flesh echoed in the previously quiet night. The people who lived in the surroundings were praying hard that the commotion would not reach them. Many already prepared weapon on their arm, ready to strike whenever it was necessary.

Wei Liuying didn't care for them. She was going near the wall and stopped near a slum. There was a small door headed outside from this area. It was usually used for servants to throw out the dumps, but there were times when it was not guarded tightly. Around this time, it was not guarded.

After all, the guards were heading to the north to face the bandits who were creating havoc in the middle of the night.

"Uncle, you should leave."

"What about you?" Wei Lu was stunned.

Wei Liuying turned around with her bow ready in her hand. "There's a horse waiting outside. Please leave, Uncle."

"Liuying!"

"I can't leave. I still have some things that I need to finish here," Wei Liuying replied. At this time, a soldier appeared and Wei Liuying shot the arrow. "Go! Now!"

Wei Lu opened his mouth, wanting to refute. However, he knew that if he didn't leave now, all the hard work that Wei Liuying did for him would be useless. Gritting his teeth, Wei Lu turned around and crawled on the ground to get out through the small hole. If she didn't stay behind to hold the guards, it was clear that both of them would die.

His heart was aching painfully. Was the decision for him to leave with Wei Liuying wrong? Would this lead the two of them to their death faster instead? His mind was constantly troubled with the thoughts, yet no one can give him the answer.

He had no other choice but to keep going.

When he came out, he could see the sky was still dark. The chilly wind slapped his cheek as he tried to get out.

Neigh!

The sound of a horse startled him. Looking to the side, he could see a big horse tied to the tree. A saddle was already prepared and even though he couldn't see it clearly, he could guess that it must be a pretty good.

Wei Lu quickly get on the horse. His hands were shaking due to fear and worry. His heart was not at ease, yet he had to force himself to calm down. This incident had caused many of them to lose their footing and the short time limit given to them was clearly a death sentence.

The Emperor was never going to let them off the hook.

From the moment he was suspicious of them, their end would be death. No matter how much the proof stated otherwise, an Emperor will not take his words back. It would be the same as slapping his face.

He understood that.

Wei Liuying too.

Because of that, the only way out would be to break the law and no longer cared for their previous position. It was a bet with their lives on the line, but there was no other option within their capabilities.

Soon afterwards, he got on the horse and galloped on the grassland towards the east as fast as possible.

Turning his head to the back, Wei Lu could see the capital city's wall was getting further and further away.

"Liuying… when I come back, I'll surely be the one to protect you. I'm not a good uncle for you as I fail you as the elder."

With that promise, Wei Lu turned his head to the front and galloped with face filled with determination.

…

Back in the capital city.

Dzing! Dzing!

Sounds of arrow continued to reverberate in the alleyway. Dozens of soldiers fell on the ground, filling the previously empty alleyway. The sky was still as dark as ever and the scream prevented people from sleeping.

Wei Liuying didn't stop as she continued to shoot the arrows. Her eyes were cold as she continued her progress.

When the last arrow was shot, Wei Liuying switched to her sword and dashed to the side. There was never any intention for her to get out of the capital city. Besides, with so many soldiers following behind her, she would die before she could get far.

The bow and the arrow's tube were thrown to the side. They had already done their work.

'Uncle should have already left, right?'

Wei Liuying didn't know how far her uncle had left. Based on the horse's speed, he should have been very far away from here. Hopefully, he would be able to reach other cities and get different identity. With his capabilities, Wei Liuying believed that her uncle would be just fine.

Clang! Slash!

A soldier caught up with her. He yelled angrily, "You won't be able to get away, you criminals!"

Wei Liuying's gaze was cold. She twisted her body and thrusted her sword forward. Bypassing the gap between the helm and the body armor, her sword directly stabbed the soldier on his neck. Even with Wei Liuying's small frame, it was enough for her to stab the sword.

She tore part of her sleeve and bandaged her wounded arm. It was not that deep, but she had to prevent the blood to make them trace back to her.

Pulling the sword back, Wei Liuying continued to run in the dark alleyway. She had memorized the route from the map that Manager Xin showed to her, so she was not worried that she would get lost. Her legs continued to move without any restraint as she traveled in the chilling night.

"Yeah, I'm a criminal now."

Wei Liuying laughed bitterly and finally reached a spacious garden. She reached to the lake and swiftly hid under the bridge that was made there. With the plants around her, it was not easy to find her unless one purposely tried to seek under the bridge.

This should be pretty safe for her to stay for the next few days.

She would only come out when she was certain that she was safe.

Hiding there, Wei Liuying made no noise. She was merely looking at the front while hugging her legs to keep herself warm. She didn't bring anything aside from the weapon because she knew how dangerous it would be if she brought extra weight.

Her right hand was still holding onto the small sword.

'To be acting so reckless like this, it's truly not your style, Liuying.'

Wei Liuying mocked herself as she listened to the guards coming. Sound of water splashing could be heard, but the guards didn't even stop as they continued to pass by the route. Some of them were screaming and yelling, trying to find the runaway criminal who made his way here.

"Where's he?"

"I think I see him going that way?"

"Are you sure?"

"There are several ways from here!"

The soldiers panicked, but Wei Liuying kept her calm. If someone found her, she would have no other choice but to fight to her bitter end. There was nothing that she could do but to wait patiently and hoped that no one would search under the bridge and found out that there was one that had small platform.

This was originally used by children to hide. As Wei Liuying's body was malnourished, she was small for someone of her age. It was not that hard for her to hide in this place as long as she could withstand the cold wind and water around her.

"Let's try to search for him over there!"

"We have to capture them at all cost!"

"How about the bandits on the north? Has the soldiers there finished their work?"

"There's no need to worry, they have already driven out. We'll see the reports when they come back early in the morning. Now, get moving!"

"Yes!"

It took some time, but soon Wei Liuying couldn't hear anything outside anymore. Still, she didn't let herself relax as she quietly stayed in her place. The chilly wind was hitting her body continuously and the water splashed, making the hemp of her clothes wet.

Wei Liuying didn't move from her position.

No matter how torturous it was for her to stay in this position, Wei Liuying had no intention to move around. She knew that the soldiers might return back to this area and possibly find out her location if she dared to move. Her blood had seeped to the cloth and dripped to the water. But as it was dark, no one should be able to see it.

Time passed in this slow and torturous fashion.

Suddenly, a shadow came and water splashed. Wei Liuying was startled as a hand reached down.

Swish!

Wei Liuying tried to stab the person, but her hand was grabbed tightly and she was pulled out. Within the dim moonlight, she could see a young man stood before her, looking back at her with his equally dark eyes.

"You're really unpredictable."