"Are you sure, Ah Daiyu? The Jianghu is not for the faint of heart."

"After all I've endured, I think I can handle it."

Liang Yingzhou closed his eyes and weighed the pros and cons. He eyes slowly opened. She looked at him, patiently waiting for his answer.

"Alright, I'll take you there."

She beamed, tilted her head happily, and clapped with delight. He held up a hand to stop her though. Tang Daiyu pouted and crossed her arms.

"What?"

"Promise me, Ah Daiyu, that whatever challenges arise in the future, you will never forget your morality. I know some things will be hard and really test your common sense, but you've always know right from wrong. Rely on that."

She winced, and closed her eyes.

I'm sorry, Zhou-ge. But this promise will eventually be broken.

Tang Daiyu agreed and promised him. Satisfied, he poured her another cup of tea.

"Get better soon. Then, we'll leave for Nanchang."

~~~

A few days later, Tang Daiyu had fully recovered. They left Mentality Inn and returned to the forest. After finding the exiles' camp, she entrusted the faked evidence to Xia Dongya to guard. With Liang Yingzhou by her side, she bid farewell to the men. Then, they returned to Nanning where he presented her with a horse-drawn carriage.

Holding the front flap to the side, he said, "Get in."

Tang Daiyu didn't argue and climbed inside. He let the flap fall back down and mounted the horse. Flicking the reins, Liang Yingzhou urged the horse to move. The carriage lurched, and they were on their way.

The journey to Nanchang was long. Tang Daiyu, sitting inside, leaned back and closed her eyes.

Mother, Father, Baobao, I'm getting closer. I can feel it. You can count on me; I'll live for all of us. No one will ever dare try to underestimate the Tang family ever again.

Her eyelids suddenly fluttered open the the carriage came to a sudden stop.

She called out, "Zhou-ge? Why are we stopping?"

He pulled aside the flap and hurriedly motioned for her to get out. Though confused, Tang Daiyu stepped forward and took his hand. He helped her down.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"I'm getting a bad feeling. Come on, I'm afraid we're going to have to walk for now."

She didn't bother to argue and took off with him. Still holding her hand, Liang Yingzhou led her away from the main road a ways before facing northeast again. They walked briskly until he finally slowed down.

"What happened back there, Zhou-ge?"

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Before he could answer, they were suddenly surrounded by masked men. Liang Yingzhou unsheathed his sword and held it out. He put an arm in front of Tang Daiyu, shielding her.

"Who are you?" he demanded. "What do you want?"

No response.

Tang Daiyu tugged on his sleeve. He turned an ear towards her.

She whispered, "While I was in the palace, I heard rumors about an elite suicide assassin group trained by Prince Baisong, who just so happens to be Prince Yelang's most trusted confidante. I think that's who they are."

Liang Yingzhou's grip tightened on the hilt of his sword, causing his knuckles to turn white. Tang Daiyu took a step closer to him.

He said to her, "When I tell you to run, you run. Do you understand me?"

She nodded and didn't ask any further. He took a deep breath and slashed out with his sword. Tang Daiyu took a step back to allow him room to move. Three assassins flew forward and fought with him. The shining blurs of steel contrasted with the green bamboo trees and the brown dirt. She watched the fight, worried for her Zhou-ge.

When two more assassins descended upon him, Liang Yingzhou yelled, "Go, Ah Daiyu! Get out of here!"

Without hesitating, she picked up the skirt of her dress and took off.

He can’t know I know martial arts.

She sprinted away from the battle behind her, but a couple more assassins began to run after her. Tang Daiyu’s eyes widened, and she kept moving. When she heard a roar of pain, her head whipped around. She watched, horrified, as the assassins attacked Liang Yingzhou. The two following her turned around and started back for him. Tears sprung to Tang Daiyu's eyes, and she went back to watching where she was going.

I'm sorry, Zhou-ge. I could help you. But if I do, then I'll be damning myself. I'm so sorry. Father, watch over him, please. I, I can't lose him too.

Tang Daiyu soon disappeared amongst the trees. She slowly made her way back to the main road and continued on towards Nanchang.

~~~

Many li's later, a horse snorted behind her. She turned to see a handsome, twenty-something, finely dressed man coming up alongside her. Doubt instantly took hold of her, and she started to walk faster.

"Woah, Miss. I'm not going to hurt you. What are you doing on this road all by yourself?" his smooth baritone voice asked, genuinely concerned.

She eyed him warily. Rule number two: don't be foolish enough to trust anyone completely.

"Who are you?"

He smiled wide and said, "Bei Qing."

Her brows furrowed, deep in thought. I've never heard of this man or his family before. I need to be careful.

"Where are you from?"

"Nanchang. I'm from the Thunder Cloud Sword Sect."

Her eyes widened. She gasped, "You're a martial artist?"

He nodded. "Are you headed for Nanchang, Miss?"

"Please, call me... Qiao Yue. And yes, I am."

He pulled back on the reins and stopped his horse. After dismounting, Bei Qing motioned for her. "Why don't you ride for a while, Qiao Yue? I don't mind the walk."

Tang Daiyu hesitated before agreeing. With his help, she sat astride on the saddle and let him lead the horse forward.

~~~

After many more days on the road, they finally arrived in the city. Deep in the heart of the martial arts world, Nanchang was bustling with thousands of people. The many buildings stretched on for quite a few li's. Her eyes widened at the sight of the wide Gan River. Bei Qing turned towards her and smiled, waving his arm out wide.

"Welcome, Qiao Yue, to Nanchang."